All posts for the month March, 2015

File this under crazy

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Image from HRC blog

The Religious Freedom Restoration Act of Indiana has gotten plenty of press attention when the Governor of Indiana Mike Pence made it legal to discriminate against the LGBT community (and other minority groups) if that’s what your religion believes in.  There is similar legislation in place now in Arkansas (shocking).  Here is a little nugget of information straight from HRC on their blog.

The wave of anti-LGBT bills filed across the country continues to swell. As of today, lawmakers have introduced more than 85 anti-LGBT bills in 28 state legislatures.

Some state legislative sessions have already drawn to a close, but other state legislatures will be in session for several more weeks or even months.  So far this year 34 anti-LGBT bills in nine states have been defeated or failed to meet key legislative deadlines, but two have passed — one in Arkansas and one in Indiana.

To me, the bottom line is simple.  Religion should not be used to justify hate.  If a religion is preaching hate it’s wrong.  It’s actually that simple.  There is no room for debate here.  Here is the other thing.  We should all know better.  Especially people in the government.

As it turns out, companies are outraged as well.  Apple, Walmart, Salesforce NASCAR and Subaru have all spoken out against the laws  The list of supporters is growing by the hour.  Indiana is facing very real backlash which will ultimately result in a loss of revenue for the state.

In closing, check out this quote…“Discrimination is always wrong, always beneath the dignity of our nation, and always a shameful legacy to leave our children.” – House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.  I agree Nancy.  And good for you for making to very clear.

Hope the world wakes up and soon. We have come so far and yet have so much further to go…

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by MJB on March 31, 2015  •  Permalink
Posted in LGBT News
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Posted by MJB on March 31, 2015

https://thatssogay.co/2015/03/31/file-this-under-crazy/

Being a good parent

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I just had such a great moment with my friend who happens to be a mom with a husband and adorable little boy.  She sent me a picture of her little boy at daycare.  Her son was being held by a gay man who works at the day care.  I’m assuming he is a teacher or teacher’s assistant.  The point of the conversation was for my friend to show me how much her son loves this particular member of the daycare team.

The conversation warmed my heart because there are many people out there that would say “I don’t want a gay man taking care of my little boy at daycare”.  That is sadly the reality of the world we live in.  My friend went on to tell me that there have been parents who have actually complained.  To respect the privacy of my friend, I won’t say which state we are talking about here but let’s just say it isn’t Texas.

This is just one small example of the difference you can make in a child’s life.  Our opinions, the way we talk and the actions we take shape the world our children live in.  Imagine for a moment if you happen to be a gay child growing up and you heard your parents spewing anti-gay propaganda.  What does that do to you? I sadly know all too well what that does to someone and I can tell you it’s not fun.  It’s very easy for people to say “well…I didn’t know any better”.  I disagree.  As an adult and as a parent, it’s your job to know better.

The same can be said for any bigoted comment regarding any group (race, religion, etc.).  It isn’t just a “gay” issue.  That said, this example came up and I  wanted to share.  I am so proud of my friend.   I am so happy there are people like this in the world.  We need more people that “get it”.  Please help do your part.

 

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by MJB on March 26, 2015  •  Permalink
Posted in LGBT News, Parenting
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Posted by MJB on March 26, 2015

https://thatssogay.co/2015/03/26/being-a-good-parent/

History in the making

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How amazing is this?!

On 3/6, HRC delivered The People’s Brief to the US Supreme Court.  Over 200,000 people added their names to The People’s Brief which asked the Supreme Court to provide marriage equality to same-sex couples in the United States.  The People’s Brief has more signatories than any amicus brief ever submitted to the Supreme Court.  BAM.  

Obergefell v. Hodges is the marriage equality case that will be heard by the Supreme Court on 4/28/15.  This case is a HISTORIC moment in history.  Specifically for gay rights movement.   I had the HONOR of hearing the named plaintiff, Jim Obergefell  speak recently.  Long story short, Jim and his partner were together for 20+ years.   Sadly, Jim’s partner John Arthur was diagnosed with ALS so they had to make some very tough decisions.  Jim and John bravely decided to seal the deal and get married.  They had to leave the state to do this as they couldn’t get married in their own home state of Ohio.   Through the generous help of friends and family, Jim and John flew to Maryland to get married.   Jim required a medical team in order to travel as he was bedridden due to the advancement of ALS.  They married in June of 2013 and John died several months later.

When hearing Jim speak, you can’t help but get emotional.   Here he is grieving as his life partner is diagnosed with a terminal illness.  There are many different rights that come with being married.  One of which is having your partner listed as your surviving spouse on your death certificate.  Something to think about…a heterosexual couple can get married with zero restrictions or conditions.  They are provided all the legal benefits of marriage and their relationship is acknowledged regardless of the duration of their relationship.  Imagine what it must feel like to not have your 20+ year relationship acknowledged by same government you have paid tax to your entire life.
Hopefully, we will soon look back at the fight for marriage equality and say “remember when”.   It feels pretty darn good to be able to say I am on the right side of history 🙂

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by MJB on March 16, 2015  •  Permalink
Posted in LGBT News
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Posted by MJB on March 16, 2015

https://thatssogay.co/2015/03/16/we-are-living-through-history/

Remember this day

President Obama and Representative John Lewis led thousands in a commemorative march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Credit Doug Mills/The New York Times

There are few points in one’s life where you can pause and say to yourself, “I am living through history”.  This is one of those moments.  50 years ago, many peaceful protestors were brutally assaulted and beaten because they simply had enough.  Enough hate and unjust discrimination.

Here is a quick history lesson for those that may need one.  Two years after Dr. Martin Luther King’s iconic and historic “I have a dream” speech in Washington, members of the black community linked arms to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge.  They did this knowing what awaiting them on the other side.  They literally were walking into the pits of hell.  I can’t imagine the amount of sheer courage required to do this.  This march is now known as Bloody Sunday due to the violent reaction of the police at the time.  This March was also the first of three aiming to reach Montgomery, Alabama, to demand an end to discrimination against black voters and all such victims of segregation.  The brutal and disgusting actions of the police troopers at the time disgusted many in Washington at the time which helped leaders pass Voting Rights Act five months later.

I have several reasons for highlighting this.  First and foremost, to honor all that walked across that bridge that day.  And acknowledge what happened.  Also, this was a CIVIL RIGHTS issue.  The black community STILL faces many different injustices in the United States.  While things have gotten exponentially better on the surface, there is still a tremendous amount of work to be done. That said, WHAT AN AMAZING SCENE to watch the President of the United States hold hands with people that 50 years ago marched across this very bridge only to be greeted by brutality and hate.  What a difference 50 years can make.  IT NEVER SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED IN THE FIRST PLACE!!! 



I am a gay man who does not have equal rights in 2015 in the United States and many other countries.  While my struggle is extremely different than the black community’s struggle, there is one thing in common.  We all should have the same human rights and the same civil rights.  There are many that disagree with that statement.  There are many (ignorant people) that get offended when you compare gay rights to black rights.  It’s not about comparing and contrasting.  It’s about highlighting the one commonality.  Civil rights.

I am so proud of my President today.  The picture above literally moved me to tears.  I hope we can all take a moment and reflect.  We all deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.  We are all HUMAN.  Ok… I’ll stop now.  Byyyyyeeeeeeeeeee

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by MJB on March 8, 2015  •  Permalink
Posted in LGBT News
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Posted by MJB on March 8, 2015

https://thatssogay.co/2015/03/08/remember-this-day/