Equal rights movement

Onechance do you have the text of your speech. I just can't here it, perhaps it is my hearing and I really want to know what it says. Is it something you could perhaps post on the thread?

Love the video onechance, but the music seems a bit loud in comparison to your voice. I think your voice should be heard louder over the music.

beatrix: "we need to adapt to things like this in order to keep the peace, not keep the conflict alive by saying, "you can't do that!" I do not believe in that type of sexuality, but it is there and thus there is no going back"

Michael Jackson and all his buddies are so in agreement.

AGAIN, the central issue here is "what is sexuality?" Once there's an involved discussion on that, it may clarify what various camps mean and give rise to a new way of thinking for all of us.

California Supreme Court Grants Review
in Prop 8 Legal Challenges

Court to Determine Constitutionality of Prop 8

Today the California Supreme Court granted review in the legal challenges to Proposition 8, which passed by a narrow margin of 52 percent on November 4. In an order issued today, the Court agreed to hear the case and set an expedited briefing schedule. The Court also denied an immediate stay.

On November 5, 2008, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, the American Civil Liberties Union, and Lambda Legal filed a lawsuit challenging the validity of Proposition 8 in the California Supreme Court on behalf of six couples and Equality California. The City of San Francisco , joined by the City of Los Angeles , the County of Los Angeles , and Santa Clara County , filed a similar challenge, as did a private attorney in Los Angeles .

The lawsuits allege that, on its face, Proposition 8 is an improper revision rather than an amendment of the California Constitution because, in its very title, which was “Eliminates the right to marry for same-sex couples,” the initiative eliminated an existing right only for a targeted minority. If permitted to stand, Proposition 8 would be the first time an initiative has successfully been used to change the California Constitution to take way an existing right only for a particular group. Such a change would defeat the very purpose of a constitution and fundamentally alter the role of the courts in protecting minority rights. According to the California Constitution, such a serious revision of our state Constitution cannot be enacted through a simple majority vote, but must first be approved by two-thirds of the Legislature.

Since the three lawsuits submitted on November 5, three other lawsuits challenging Proposition 8 have been filed. In a petition filed on November 14, 2008, leading African American, Latino, and Asian American groups argued that Proposition 8 threatens the equal protection rights of all Californians.

On November 17, 2008, the California Council of Churches and other religious leaders and faith organizations representing millions of members statewide, also filed a petition asserting that Proposition 8 poses a severe threat to the guarantee of equal protection for all, and was not enacted through the constitutionally required process for such a dramatic change to the California Constitution. On the same day, prominent California women’s rights organizations filed a petition asking the Court to invalidate Proposition 8 because of its potentially disastrous implications for women and other groups that face discrimination.

In May of 2008, the California Supreme Court held that barring same-sex couples from marriage violates the equal protection clause of the California Constitution and violates the fundamental right to marry. Proposition 8 would completely eliminate the right to marry only for same-sex couples. No other initiative has ever successfully changed the California Constitution to take away a right only from a targeted minority group.

Over the past 100 years, the California Supreme Court has heard nine cases challenging either legislative enactments or initiatives as invalid revisions of the California Constitution. In three of those cases, the Court invalidated those measures.

Don't confuse bitterness, hatred, and revenge with having an opinion, disagreeing, and protesting.

I really like this video. It kinda represents what I stand for as far as gay/lesbian rights. Kudos!

Spot on onechance!
There is a lot of love in the world, and if we start treating each other as humans and not male, female, hetro, hexual, or wtf ever, learn that WE ARE ALL ONE peace IS possible. Never give up the peaceful fight.
Kudos for a swell video!

PS: I've been studying the poetry of John Trudell...check him out too!

Almost everyone here is completely on the right track. The ones in the dark just need to feel more love in their lives.

You are not alone, and though you choose to not accept people now, know that people still love you and that you will see the light of love sooner or later.

PEACE

Lovely Video. I believe gay marriage will slowly become accepted by mainstream America over the next decade. The haters have already lost. Once you open the floodgates you can't go back. It's only a matter of time before Prop 8 falls, maybe a few years, but it will fall nonetheless.

soleil10- it is pride and conciet that you exude the most. you would be much better off forming your statements as questions so you do not come off as all knowing and acquisitory. another thing that all the bible thumpers need to realize is that your biblical quotations will be regarded as opinions at best, as most of us in the free world are not convinced that the bible is the word of god, or that it has any authority in our lives. some good advice here and there, coupled with many other things that are not agreeable with a free thinking society. ttfn

Gay marriage is an issue of civil rights. Pro gay is pro people. To deny anyone the right to marry the person of their choice diminishes all of us. Good people must stand up against the ignorant, the religious zealot, and the homophobic. The haters won a temporary victory in California but justice will prevail. We shall overcome. Yes we can.

I notice anything pro-gay makes it to the top of this website..
Gays have equal right- this is not and dont DARE compare it to civil rights.
You or any other HUMAN have the right to marry as we all do.

Since this site is pro-gay i wonder why they dont put ads in your #1 "video slideshow"- they are making money off of our videos why dont they promote the gay ones too?

I really don't believe its any of the governments or any other citizens business if two people of the same sex are married. Just like abortion, who is anybody to say how another individual should live their life, besides those who are making the choices for themselves? Making rules on a persons personal life and how they are comfortable within it seems fascist, bottom line.

Very nicely done! Very.

Easy watchable tribute. The reference to equal rights has some meaning but I would put it on a par more with the right to die. This may seem a bit strong but over here in the UK it is even a criminal offence to assist anyone to die even with terminal cancer etc. People who feel that the only way out of the problem is to travel to Sweden where their wish is granted.

They are given that right as the gay people should automatically be given the freedom of their choice. In the american constitution I have never read anything to objecting to gays so why are they being treated in some states like lepers?

I am so freakin' proud of you I could just do a jig ... WAIT!!!!
There, I did one. You rock buddy!
Peace!
Patio Patty♥

PS: For those to whom I sent this, it was put together by my nephew and all-time favorite activist!☺

Good evening OneChance
You sure do stay busy. Good causes.
Especially this one. I just don't understand some people and their prejudices. Truly baffles me.
This discrimination is every bit as foul as racial or sex.
For being a straight man, with one woman and one woman only for over 38 years, I have been around gay people my entire life and have never had a problem for one second. Of course everyone should be treated as an individual and be allowed to be whomever they choose or are destined to be. And the weird thing about it all is, is that the biggest bigots of all seem to be the ones who profess to be holies. I always figured the ones who holler the loudest about the other side are usually on the other side but still seriously in the closet.
This is the 21st century. Do any of those bigots actually have a logical/legitimate explanation for their bias???
Keep up the good work.
Love and Peace to ALL
Obia Man

All this talk of God and Bibles regarding marriage ..... Sounds like more attempts to legislate Religious belief to me. Separation of Church and State ,marriage as it is issued from the state is a civil right and a means to determine taxation not a definition of which sex you may love and wish to be joined with under the civil arrangement of marriage by the State. All you fundamental (fascist) religionists need to get your God Damned noses out of our government and if you want to try and force it with a Civil War we'll kick your ass just like the last Racist Bigots who did not want to extend our civil rights to people of color. I would add that they too based their reasoning off of a blasphemous interpretation of the Judaic/Christian bible.

I think everything that can be said has been said.

I liked the video and particularly liked the touch of using JFK's words in relation to it. The music suited well however your editing built up towards the end when I felt like the music was at a constant. Emotionally tying those two together would have a lot of impact.

Also the last 20 or so seconds is black.

Great film though man. Moving.

The lepers were shun and cursed, denied their civil rights yet Jesus walked among them. I believe if Jesus is the son of God as you Christians claim then he walks among the homosexual community and embraces them as brothers as he did the lepers. Don't speak for the prophets until you follow their example not the words interpreted for your beliefs and purposes.

We are supposed to have equal protection under the law based on our three inalienable rights of life liberty and pursuit of happyness..... ANY law that abolishes ANY citizens ability to exercise these rights without causing harm or obstructing anothers such rights is unconstitutional. This isnt a religion vs gay situation, I know some gays who dont want marriage, and some religious people who support gay rights.

Did we truly need an amendment of the constitution to "allow" women to vote?

Did we truly need an amendment to "give" blacks freedom and citizenship???

Do we really need another amendment to recognize a biological parents right to be a part of their child(ren)s life(lives)??

Can our government deny two people the right they give two other people based purely on gender??

Would the ERA have held clout with this situation if its writers werent so against the proposed amendments??

The law of the land guarantees these rights already, it is our interpretations swayed by our own sense of right and wrong that skews the laws meaning.

Yea onechance! Nicely done. I think its absolutely ridiculous that some people feel such a need to limit the freedoms of others. Who cares what type of relationship someone is in? It's kind of an oxymoron if you think about it... saying that love will corrupt our society. Pretty silly. Wish I could of voted in CA unfortunately I'm stuck in cold, cold Chicago.

we must understand the feelings of others and not judge them because of values and gender. Good report

If you love the same gender then so be it I dont have a problem with it touchee on that report hope more listen and heed those words

What rights do we not have that heterosexual couple do not already have? With the proper communication and planning with your partner, you can have medical power of attorney, living and posthumous wills that everyone else has the ability to do. I am not religious, but have a personal relationship with Christ and so does my partner. Granted we are a minority in This Community, but we would rather look beyond ourselves and see the affects it would have on society as a whole. There are greater forces at work here, something greater than ourselves.

...it is not about anything but common decency and trying to see both sides of any situation..In Paint Your Wagon...Clint Eastwoods character is wondering if his share of gold dust is as good as Lee Marvins Character...Lee Marvin says..... lets trade......it is that simple...if you would not like the results of any situation if it was reversed..then there is something wrong with it...and I still hold that the most important rule is the Golden Rule....one size fits all....Golden Ruler...Will......

That was great. We will only be judged by one, no matter what anyone says.

I had this discussion with my wife the other night.
Let me preface; I have many gay friends, and I support the right for gay couples to marry.
Now.
It bothers me when people compare this struggle to the civil rights movement, or the equal rights movement for women.
Being gay does not change your race or your gender. Civil equality arguments based on sexual persuasion, devalues arguments that are based on race and gender. It's not the same thing, it doesn't matter how you wrap it.
The gay rights struggle is what it is. Don't co-op other historical movements. Fashion your own. Case in point; have gays ever been denied the right to vote? Have gays ever been considered property, rather than people? Etc.

Thank you all for your contributing posts.

It saddens my heart that some people cannot give up hating and hurting people because they do not think like they do, do not look like they do. I am truly upset that gay marriage was banned. I do believe that we all have to stand up and say no more division among our people. This is the time and the chance for us to be united for the first time in a long while. I support gay marriage. I do not believe that gay marriage will lead to the destruction of the family, but the uplifting of the family. Yes this is civil rights movement all over again. Now that we have the first black president, the fight continues for equal rights for gays.

Why are people so threatened by those who can love one another irrespective of gender? Do we need to label ourselves homosexual or heterosexual? Isn't this just another artificial divide? Aren't we are all just people loving who we love? Live and let live.

The church and state have no right to tell anyone how to be.

First ,I am not talking about killing anyone. I would probably be the one being killed first and sacrificed

Second, it is not my God. I do not own God

Third, Jesus Christ would speak against the curse of homosexuality and help the people afflicted by it.

Every one struggle with sexuality in their life. People with same sex attractions face more challenges because it deals directly with their own masculine or feminine identity.

While all religions recommend their members to control their sexual desires, very few people do.

The Bible says that after they fell Adam and Eve felt shame and hid their sexual organs. Why ?

What Xristians called the original sin is inherited through each generation even after Jesus came

Adam's family became dysfuctional and their oldest son killed his younger brother.

Jesus came as the second Adam but was murdered before he could get married and start of family.

Xristianity does not understand Jesus. He did not come originaly to die.

People with same sex attraction are confused about Jesus because he never got married.

Many families are dysfunstional, divorce is rampant, porn invaded every home and there is now even confusion about gender.

Looking at the symptoms is not looking at the cause

a civil war? are you effing kidding me? you're talking about killing people over this stuff? you're sick soleil. did you ever stop to consider that your God created all of us? not just us heterosexuals, but the gays and lesbians too? do you honestly think that Jesus Christ would discriminate against anyone? i've yet to hear a religious person awnser that question.

Teach Tolerance

It was nicely done.

The question I have is what is the true standard of life? there's standards for everything that we deem important: water, food, drugs, housing, business, health....why not life? Life is important.

People who voted yes on 8 are the true friends of people with same sex attraction issues.

True friends do not tell you just what you want to hear.

What anyone does affect others in this planet.

It is not about discrimination, it is not about civil rights, it is not about hate.

Being free from homosexuality is where your true freedom and liberty are.

Do not use religion as a scapegoat to attack the 6 millions people that voted for prop 8.

There cannot be two definitions of marriage that are opposite. Realise that they cannot coexist. Only one can survive.

One is 6000 years old, one was 6 month old and decided by one vote (Ron George)

The example of the Anglican church which has been destroyed by the issue of homosexuality is an example of what will happen to America.

The facts speak for themselves.

Like slavery, the issue of homosexuality will divide the country and bring a civil war.

Call me all the names you want, it is not about me

Look at the reality

Poetic.

So many of us share your same thoughts and feelings!!
Thanks for putting that video together. Job well done.

Gay or straight this IS a civil rights issue and civil rights are human rights.

The last time I checked ALL of us fell into the human category.

your video was very touching and I hope, one day soon, that everyone has the ability to marry who they want

eliminate religion eliminate bias. Its a shame that in this day and age people are led around by their godless religious leaders. They are always telling us that their God is love yet we get nothing from them but hate.

OK, OneChance, that was truly lovely and inspiring and moving. And right. As the Supreme Court of California wrote, "There is no 'gay marriage' just as there is no "interracial marriage'. There is only the fundamental human right to marriage guaranteed in our constitution." You repeated the line from RFK's speech, "What we need in the United States is not...." And as optimistic as that is, I believe that we are literally at war with the leaders of the Christian Reconstructionist/Dominionist movement and their conservative cohorts who truly wish to impose a pseudo-judaic-christian theocracy on the rest of us, based on their distorted idea of Levitican mandates). They would gladly and literally (check out their beliefs) stone lesbians and gays to death. So, what we [really] need in the United States is not.... RELIGION.

Well said!!