Being on the side of justice and “what’s right” isn’t always easy. Just ask anyone who has had to fight for equality under the law. Many will tell you stories about hate mail, the toll activism takes on their relationships, the shouting matches and derogatory comments made to and about them. However, when you are a member of a “suspect class” finding and using your voice is a bit easier; after all, you’re fighting for yourself – your own family. Who wouldn’t fight hand and fist to defend their own family?

But there is a rare breed of activist that I’ve often heralded as our great defenders – the straight allies. They come out for equality as they recognize that the pursuit of happiness involves not only “the American Dream,” but the most pure of emotions… love.

Police in China shut down the Mr. Gay China Pageant in Beijing an hour before the event was to start. Organizers planned the event to select a contestant for the Worldwide Mr. Gay Pageant to be held in Norway next month. The pageant is said to be the first of its kind in China and was to feature a fashion show, a question and answer session and a host in drag.

Professor Zhang Beichuan of Qingdao University had said, before the show was canceled, that:

“…it reflects a more open and tolerant attitude of the country toward the gay community to host such an event.”

As many regular readers know, I’m an atheist; therefore, when I say this, please don’t take it lightly. It was after much contemplation that I decided to go public with this very personal moment in my life. Tonight, I spent many hours in the kitchen working on making some candy. It’s a long process and messy – so the clean up often takes as long as the making. Thereafter, I was a bit tired and stepped outside for some fresh air. I began thinking hard about things in the world – the economy, marriage equality, the criminal trial against the cop that beat Duanna Johnson, and other things relevant.

Yesterday, the judge and lawyers assembled in the courtroom at 8:24 a.m. Pacific Time to debate, and ultimately decide, upon the rights of same-sex couples to marry. The case, Perry v. Schwarzenegger, resulted after a “majority” of California voters decided that the judicial granting of equal marital rights to same-sex couples violated their sense of… uhm… of… well, ego.

Since the trial started (and even before) we’ve heard the opponent’s of equality claiming that the majority spoke and such majority rule must be honored. In fact, the news keeps repeating an annoying little phrase whenever they talk about the case, referring to Proposition 8 as a “voter approved” measure.

The trial that may repeal the disgustingly discriminatory Proposition 8 in California (which denies couples of the same sex from entering into the civil contract of marriage) begins January 11, 2010. With that trial will come many “stupid things” that people say about gays. The opposition will be presenting their ridiculous arguments (including one where they claim gay marriage will result in children having sexual fantasies about their same-sex friends). Thus, it’s a proper time to start the Proposition 8 Series for Stupid Things People Say About Gays.

Recently, I stumbled upon an article online which captured my attention. It was a first person account of a heterosexual woman who decided to shave her head. While the account was from the mid-1990’s, it expressed something that rings true even today:

“For the first few weeks after I shaved my head, I walked around very nervously, convinced that people were going to jump out of alleys and beat me up for being a lesbian.

Because I am straight and have a lot of straight friends who I am certain are totally disinterested in hurting my large number of gay friends, I knew that not all straight people hate all gay people. That didn’t matter. I was still nervous.”

In some ways, the post reminded me of the conversation I had with Jane Wishon, a straight alley working hard in California to overturn Proposition 8. But I also noted that the author, Kaitlin (aka Ducky), expressed fear that being perceived to be a lesbian would result in physical harm to her.

This past April my very dear friend, Crystal, fell gravely ill. I received a dreaded phone call and rushed to the hospital. Crystal was unconscious and on a respirator when I arrived at the hospital 20 minutes later. Over the next few days, she received several pints of blood. I became a bit concerned as we hear so much about shortages in the blood supply and the question crossed my mind that, should I be a match, could I donate blood to save my dear friend’s life?

Malawi recently made news when its President, Bingu wa Mutharika, condoned the establishment of a gay rights organization. This green light was particularly remarkable in the South African country because homosexuality is illegal there. Those convicted of homosexuality can be sentenced up to 14 years hard labor.

Now, Malawi is making gay news again, only this time because magistrate, Nyakwawa Usiwausiwa, refused bail to two men, Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza, charged with public indecency after holding a marriage ceremony.

We’ve written a lot of letters, most of which have been to our elected officials and representatives. While those letters have made a difference, we have to ask ourselves, “How do we reach the people?”

Our friend from the Nationwide Chalk Message Project, Jen Dugan, came up with a fantastic idea a couple of months ago to do just that.

According to recent news reports, Tarlach MacNiallais, 47, a prominent LGBT activist was tackled and beaten by a bouncer at the Guadalajara De Noche restaurant in Jackson Heights, New York. According to reports, MacNiallais was beaten because he was dancing with a man.

MacNiallais has indicated that the bouncers approached him during the dance and advised him that he could not “do that here,” because, the Guadalajara De Noche restaurant, “is not a gay bar.”

The attack ensued when MacNiallais retorted, “I have just as much right as anyone else.” The bouncer tackled MacNiallais and even hit him with a chair – a response that seems appropriate for the crime of dancing with someone of the same sex [insert sarcasm here].