Quoted - Clint Eastwood on Marriage Equality

What's Up With All Those Damn Red Equality Signs?

So in case you haven't noticed, your Facebook news feed is probably covered with Red Equality Signs.  That's because the Human Rights Campaign is encouraging you to stand up for marriage equality, as the Supreme Court will take up two cases involving Gay Marriage starting today.

And if your Facebook isn't lit up with all these red equality signs, its probably because you're one of my straight friends who doesn't hang out with too many homosexuals, but that's okay, because we love you all the same. :-)

The first arguments will be heard today involving the infamous Proposition 8 ruling in California where opponents of gay marriage managed to strip away the rights of all those couples who wanted to be recognized as an equal.  Tomorrow the court will hear the arguments involving the Defense of Marriage Act.

In short, if Proposition 8 is upheld (ruled unconstitutional), same-sex couples in California who were married, and want to marry will be legal.  

The Defense of Marriage Act is a whole 'nother story.... the decision here could legalize gay marriage nationwide, something most conservatives, Republicans, and Christians will go nuts over.

We should hopefully hear something before June, if not, sometime in July or August.  Stand up, wear your red and be proud.
 

Saturday Morning Coffee Break: Help Straight Couples From Getting Divorced and Hating Their Children

If you're waking up on a Saturday morning and I'm on your Facebook news feed, you're probably familiar with my Saturday Morning Coffee Break series.  Every weekend I ask my readers to grab a cup of coffee and join me for a short gay film.  It can range anywhere from 2 to 15 minutes, or maybe more.  Regardless, I try to post films focusing on being in the closet, coming out, falling in love, hate, abuse, bullying, and/or parenting, but most importantly, videos representing who we are in some form or another.

In today's issue, we come across a video that was written and posted by YouTube vlogger, Brandon Muller.  He and a few of his friends produced an anti-marriage ad that is quite humorous and I had to share it. 

In the following Ultimate Anti-Gay Marriage Ad, a couple confronts the horrific consequences of same-sex marriage, while their daughter worries if mommy and daddy will still love her if this sacrilege is allowed.

While it is an advertisement for a cause, it is in essence a short film.  Check it out.

The GOP 75

Yep, the GOP 75 stands for the number of Republicans who are changing their tune when it comes to Gay marriage.  Hmmm,  I wonder how many of their flock will leave them come election day.

Some of the REDs are coming out for the first time in support of us gays and others are reversing their previous stances on the issue.

Didn't I just say last week that if the REDs didn't change their attitude toward Gays and Latinos, they will never see the White House again?  I love it when I'm right.  Okay, I'll stop boasting.

Seriously speaking, its only 75 republicans, but there could be more signing on to this very important legal brief being submitted to the Supreme Court prior to the Proposition 8 case next month.

And for those who have no idea who's been winning this case for the gays from court to court, year after year - it is Theodore B. Olson, the former Solicitor General under former President George W. Bush, and David Boise, the lawyer who represented former Vice-President Al Gore in the 2000 Presidential election.  Remember the Bush v. Gore saga?  Mr. Olson presided over Bush in that case as well.

This just goes to show that over time people can learn.  Learn that one cannot judge or hate a certain group of people.  Ted grew to believe in the fundamental and constitutional right for same-sex marriage. 

Want to know more about the GOP 75?  Read the full article here

Saturday Morning Coffee Break: The Wedding Dance

If you haven't had your coffee this morning, go grab a cup, and come back to watch this short film.  It was absolutely amazing.  I have been wanting to share this video since it was released last month, but I needed to find the right time.  And today's the perfect day.  So, even if you don't drink coffee I hope you enjoy today's Saturday Morning Coffee Break.  Oh, and grab your tissue box too.

On Valentine's Day last month, Elliot London, a 31-yr old director trying to make it in Hollywood, released this three-minute film titled, "The Wedding Dance".  It has a surprise ending and truly hits close to home for so many Gay Americans.  You can read more about Elliot on his Vimeo page and learn more about his dreams and aspirations to help the LGBT community.  Learn about his growing up poor, being an only child, and terrified of the day when his fellow classmates would find out his deepest, darkest secret - that he was gay.

I'm here wishing you great success Elliot, and hope your dreams come true. ~ Peter aka Blade7184

If you wish to look back at some previous issues, click my logo below and enjoy.  Make sure to check out Saturday Morning Coffee Break every Saturday for another classic or current gay short film.

Credits for Elliot London's short film, The Wedding Dance are after the jump.  Feel free to visit the links he has provided or you can visit his YouTube page for this information as well.

Saturday Morning Coffee Break: The Defenders

How would you feel if someone put your marriage up for a vote?

Time go grab your cup of java and enjoy today's Saturday Morning Coffee Break. 

Today's short film is another great piece of work from Keith Hartman.  You may remember him from my blog on February 11th, titled "The License".  The film was amazing - if you haven't seen it make sure you check it out.

"The Defenders" in much the same way as "The License" is too close to reality to be funny.  It actually sends a highly effective message on the hypocrisy of those who would deny equal rights to men and women who want to get married, no matter who they are. You have to remember, "knee-jerk" reactions are the province of frightened and uninformed people. I believe that any heart can be softened with the right touch, and that we must counter the fear tactics being employed by proponents of those who wish to rob us of our future. 

This short, three minute film proves that none of us are immune to discrimination which is often taken to an ugly extreme. We are all the same--gay, straight, bi, parents, children, brothers, sisters, and spouses. Our blood runs red, and our eyes weep tears. We are everyone. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. This is a definite must watch!

If you wish to look back at some previous issues, click my logo below and enjoy.  And make sure to check out Saturday Morning Coffee Break every Saturday for another classic or current gay short film.

Gay Marriage: Nothing to Be Afraid of Anymore by Kevin Drum

Back in 2008, after the passage of Proposition 8 banned gay marriage in California, there was a lot of talk about putting a pro-marriage initiative on the ballot in 2010. That didn't happen, and my read of public opinion at the time suggested we'd be better off waiting a little bit to ensure victory. Time was on our side, after all.

This may all be moot if Prop 8 gets overturned by the Supreme Court, but in any case, it looks like the success of same-sex marriage laws in other states has had a galvanizing effect on California public opinion. According to the Field Poll, about 51 percent of Californians approved of gay marriage in 2008, and that number hadn't budged much by 2010. But their latest poll shows a huge shift: 59 percent of Californians now approve. Read Full Story Here.

The Biblical Truth About Marriage...

How many of you know that if I was to rape a virgin, she would be obligated to marry me, and in turn, I'd have to pay her father because she isn't worth anything to him anymore. Yeah, you can read that in Deuteronomy.  Or how about if your husband died and you had yet to bear a child?  Did you know you are required to marry his brother, and submit yourself to his sexual advances? Yep, yep - you can read that in Genesis.  

But you know what they're telling you?  The same thing I was told when I was raised in the church, that the Old Testament doesn't mean a damn thing today, it was replaced with the New Testament when Jesus came to be.  We are only to use the Old Testament as an example.  Oh really?  An example?  And what an exemplary example it is.

Keep in mind, that Jesus never said a single word about gays, but Jesus actually condemns those who condemn others and told us NOT TO JUDGE OTHERS (Matt 7:1-5).

Saturday Morning Coffee Break: The License

"Now, did you bring your own rocks or did you need one of ours?  There'll be a small service charge for that."

At the end of the short film you're about to see, it asks, "Love, Trust, and Equality, shouldn't these be our traditions?"  And that's absolutely true!  Seeing the couples at the end of the video made me cry, and I'll tell you why.  

Because every moment I saw those couples embrace, or kiss, you could see how much they loved each other in the same way I love my dear Ryan.  We are all loving people.  Why can't love conquer all? 

The short film, written and directed by Keith Hartman from Los Angeles, California was filmed shortly after California banned same sex marriage in 2009, and it's a very poignant film.  It's about a straight couple who wishes to get married, and find out their relationship isn’t as "traditional" as they thought when they go in to get a marriage license.

You'll enjoy it, I assure you - it's a definite must watch!

Quoted: Miley Cyrus on Her Marriage Equality Tattoo

“Imagine finding someone you love more than anything in the world, who you would risk your life for but couldn’t marry. And you couldn’t have that special day the way your friends do – you know, wear the ring on your finger and have it mean the same thing as everybody else. Just put yourself in that person’s shoes. It makes me feel sick to my stomach …. When I shared a picture of my tattoo on my Twitter page and said, ‘ALL LOVE is equal,’ a lot of people mocked me – they said, ‘What happened to you? You used to be a Christian girl!’ And I said, ‘Well, if you were a true Christian, you would have your facts straight. Christianity is about love.’ The debate resulted in a lot of threats and hate mail to people who agreed and disagreed with me. At one point I had to say, ‘Dude, everyone lay off.’ Can’t people have friendly debates about sensitive topics without it turning into unnecessary threats?” 
                                      – Pop star Miley Cyrus on her marriage equality tattoo on Glamour

Another State Down, 42 More To go

Before I continue with my blogs I did want to mention an important achievement that occurred yesterday.  In a move that has Washington Republicans and conservative bible thumpers screaming their lungs out - marriage for the gays was passed in the state!

In a vote of 28 to 21 the Senate passed a marriage equality bill where it is expected to easily pass through the House.  Once that is done, Governor Christine Gregoire will sign the bill into law!!!  And for those who are unaware, she's actually the one who introduced the bill.  And for that we're thankful!

We love you Christine - the gays love you!

Laugh of the Day: Think Before You Commit

OMG - when I saw this video this morning my mouth just dropped. I wanted to laugh, I wanted to shout wtf! In the end, it accomplished what it was meant to do. Make my day!!!

The video itself is a cell phone commercial warning you of the dangers of commitment. So don't go marrying someone before sampling the goods, otherwise you'll have a honeymoon you wished you never had.

The Proposal

I just saw this video on my dear friend, Cipi's Facebook and I had to share it.

Meet James and Paul - at the time this video was made they knew each other 7 years.

Ironically enough, my partner Ryan and I will be reaching our 7 years together on May 23rd of this year, and we still can't say "I do" in our state.  I hope that wherever James and Paul may be, their dreams have since been fulfilled.

Today, 7 states currently recognize gay marriage, yet in Texas and 42 other states - we're not allowed to marry the person we love.  If you know us and love us, please support us.

Post Secret Fridays - Issue 091

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a homemade postcard.

 See More Secrets. Follow PostSecret on Twitter.

 Want to see older Post Secret Friday issues? Go here.

What a Hot Mess: Jumbotron Marriage Proposal

Can anyone say embarrassing or humiliating?  Ugh, this is such a difficult thing to go through.  How do you know when it's the right time?  I mean, you think you love each other enough, and have hope for a future together, then you get rejected in front of few hundred people?  I thought marriage proposals were supposed to be spontaneous, sweet, romantic, and exhilarating.  What a hot mess!

A young man at a UCLA game gets onto the kiss cam with the intention to propose to his girlfriend. Turns out she didn’t feel the same way. 

Post Secret Fridays - Issue 088

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a homemade postcard.

 See More Secrets. Follow PostSecret on Twitter.

 Want to see older Post Secret Friday issues? Go here.

How To Explain Gay Rights To An Idiot

There are so many people in this country who try to associate our rights with those of a pedophile, animals, or marrying a tree, that we don't know how else to explain to these idiots the difference between inanimate objects or people that are alive.  So a big thank you goes out to the very bright individual who wrote the following post, and my Facebook friend, Brett Daminski for posting it on his wall.   The moment I read it, I knew I had to share it with my blog readers.  I Absolutely love it!

Explaining Gay Rights

To People Who Make The Huge Leap That

If We Legalize Gay Marriage It Will Open

The Doors To All Sorts of Ridiculous Things

Like Marrying Your Toaster, Children, The Dead Or Your Dog

By NevermoreFTW

Yes, someone really debated me about the toaster on the basis that you could give your own possessions consent to marry.

Now let's move on...

That is inequality, the following is not...

Additional not like gay rights examples...

Hopefully gay rights makes more sense.

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