Religious Leaders Support Marriage Equality

Faith-Positive Marriage Equality Rally at New York City Hall

Following a week with multiple religious leadersissuing statements in support of marriage equality in New York State, two prominentgroups, the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club and Queer Rising, are endorsing a faith-positive LGBT rally organized by Connecting Rainbows in support of marriage equality at New York City Hall on Tuesday, June 14, 2011, at 11:30 am.

Everybody is asked to meet at the East Side Security Gates outside City Hall. (This is the area right outside the fenced-in parking lot.)

2011-06-13 Marriage Equality Connecting Rainbows -- City Hall Demonstration

Marriage Equality Rally New York

Marriage Equality Rally at City Hall on June 14 :
It's a Civil Rights Issue

Join the growing number of voices, who are saying that Gov. Andrew Cuomo should pull out all the stops -- and get marriage equality passed through the state legislature.

LGBT New Yorkers, who have faith or who follow a different spiritual journey, should not be the targets of religious rhetoric. Yet, a group of extremist and right-wing religious organisations are holding a press conference on Tuesday, June 14 from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm on the steps of New York City Hall. These extremist groups are asking all believers in the Lord to join in a day of fasting and prayer to invoke ''divine intervention'' to prevent the passage of Marriage Equality in New York State.

Connecting Rainbows, an LGBT civil rights group, is inviting all community groups, activists, and allies to join us -- and to spread the word to others -- about a counter demonstration that supporters of Marriage Equality are holding at the same time and at the same place : on Tuesday, June 14 at 11:30 a.m. on the steps of New York City Hall ! Please RSVP to the Marriage Equality Rally Facebook Event.

Connecting Rainbows is asking for a similar and powerful coälition of Marriage Equality groups to show up -- and to send a message that these religious organisations should be protecting the sanctity of LGBTQ lives, too. We are each somebody, and we each deserve full equality.

Candlelight Vigil for Benderella in Tacoma, WA

Vigil held for Benderella (Benjamin Scott Rae) - Shot in the face three times with a small caliber handgun in 1977 in Tacoma, WA.

http://www.intothelightwalk.com -- Embarking on a journey from the Pacific Northwest of the United States, walking 6,000 miles to Washington DC the walk embodies one simple goal -- an end to gender discrimination.

During the walk there will be numerous candlelight vigils at the specific places where people have been murdered or have taken their own lives due to gender expression/identity discrimination or bias. Providing gender expression/identity, social movement and civil disobedience workshops and theatrical performances inspiring people to walk into their own light and true potential, this 9-18 month journey will help raise up more voices in the effort for full social and legislative equality.

During the journey, the Into the Light walk is asking for donations that will cover basic expenses. And, 10% of every dollar raised will go directly to the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund, whose mission is in line with that of this walk -- to end gender discrimination.

Donate: http://www.intothelightwalk.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/intolightwalk
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/intolightwalk

Simon Malls : A Case of LGBT Discrimination ?

Simon Malls in Tacoma, Washington, discriminated against and harassed a gay man in public facilities. The gay man, who is walking across the country to end gender discrimination, was only checking his e-mail in the food court.

Alan Bounville was harassed by security in Tacoma, Washington, because of his walking cart had a sign on its side, indicating that Mr. Bounville was walking across the country to end gender discrimination.

They were on the Wrong Side History in respect of Civil Rights -- and Marriage Equality

OP-ED : My prediction for how history will judge the New York State politicians, who are blocking marriage equality :

‎''You should not be inbetween on equality,'' to quote Iana Equality Di Bona.

THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964 *	NEW YORK MARRIAGE EQUALITY **
The bill came before the full Senate for debate on March 30, 1964 and the "Southern Bloc" of 18 southern Democratic Senators and one Republican Senator led by Richard Russell (D-GA) launched a filibuster to prevent its passage. Said Russell : "We will resist to the bitter end any measure or any movement which would have a tendency to bring about social equality and intermingling and amalgamation of the races in our (Southern) states."	The bill has yet to come before the full Senate for debate and already the notorious hate group National Organization for Marriage (NOM) has forged an alliance with Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr. (D-Bronx), to prevent its passage. Diaz and NOM sponsored a hate rally in the Bronx on the same day as AIDS Walk New York. Said Diaz : "We're sending a message to the governor that the Hispanic community is against gay marriage."
The most fervent opposition to the bill came from Senator Strom Thurmond (D-SC) : "This so-called Civil Rights Proposals, which the President has sent to Capitol Hill for enactment into law, are unconstitutional, unnecessary, unwise and extend beyond the realm of reason. This is the worst civil-rights package ever presented to the Congress and is reminiscent of the Reconstruction proposals and actions of the radical Republican Congress."	The most fervent opposition to the bill came from Senator Martin Golden (R-Staten Island), who introduced a hostile "defense of marriage" bill that would declare same-sex marriages entered into outside of New York void under New York law : "I am sending the message that there is some normalcy in this great state when it comes to the principled idea that marriage is between a man and a woman."
Michael Rubens Bloomberg attended Johns Hopkins University, where he joined Phi Kappa Psi, and graduated in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in electrical engineering.	In 2005, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg appealed a landmark marriage equality ruling and has been providing financial support to right-wing Republican legislators, including Senator Golden.
Christine Quinn was not yet born when the Civil Rights Act was enacted.	In 2008, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn changed the term limits law to reward Mayor Bloomberg with a third term in office.
Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr., was born in 1964.	Sen. Joe Addabbo (D-Queens) voted against marriage equality in 2009 and is sitting on the fence as to whether he will support or oppose the pending marriage equality bill.
Carl Kruger was a teenager when the Civil Rights Act was passed into law.	Sen. Carl Kruger (D-Brooklyn) voted against marriage equality in 2009, even though Sen. Kruger has recently been outed as being gay. Yet, he still has the gall to yet say whether he will support marriage equality in 2011 for other LGBTQ New Yorkers.
President Lyndon B. Johnson, who wanted the bill passed as soon as possible, ensured that the bill would be quickly considered by the Senate. Normally, the bill would have been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Senator James O. Eastland, Democrat from Mississippi. Given Eastland's firm opposition, it seemed impossible that the bill would reach the Senate floor. Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield took a novel approach to prevent the bill from being relegated to Judiciary Committee limbo. Having initially waived a second reading of the bill, which would have led to it being immediately referred to Judiciary, Mansfield gave the bill a second reading on February 26, 1964, and then proposed, in the absence of precedent for instances when a second reading did not immediately follow the first, that the bill bypass the Judiciary Committee and immediately be sent to the Senate floor for debate.	Governor Andrew Cuomo, who wanted the bill passed as soon as possible, has not yet ensured that the bill would be quickly considered by the Senate. Normally, the bill would have been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Senator John J. Bonacic, Republican from Mount Hope, New York. Given Bonacic's firm opposition to marriage equality, it would seem impossible that the bill would ever reach the Senate floor. Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Long Island) has backed away from initially signaling that senators should "vote with their conscience" on the bill and has now, instead, threatened to not allow a vote on marriage equality. Thus far, excepting for intense lobbying and some major political demonstrations, the bill has not progressed within the state legislature after having been first introduced in the Assembly on May 10, 2011, by Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell.
Shirley Huntley participated in the civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery.	Sen. Shirley Huntley (D-Queens) marched in Selma and didn't learn a thing.

Key :

* Quoted entirely from Wikipedia, excepting for the references to Speaker Quinn's birth, Sen. Addabbo's birth, Sen. Kruger's age, and Sen. Huntley's march in Selma.

** Quoted from other sources over the Internet.

Into the Light Walk Update

Alan Bounville reflects on the 2010 vigil and the subsequent fast for LGBT civil rights.

The day before he departed from New York City to begin his epic cross-country walk to end gender discrimination, LGBT civil rights activist Alan Bounville reflected on the Civil Rights Fast.

School Bullying Is Seen As A Civil Rights Issue

Gay students win strong allies in battle against bullying

Following a spree of suicides, attacks, and murders linked to LGBT prejudice, LGBT students have found help from the U.S. Department of Education, which now regards school bullying as a civil rights issue, reported the wire service of the McClatchy Newspapers.

Connecting Rainbows LGBT Civil Rights Walk Map - 2011 NYC Easter Parade Along Fifth Avenue

Join us for an LGBT civil rights walk that is being organised by Connecting Rainbows. The walk will take place on April 24 during the 2011 Easter Parade in New York City. We need your help to create a mass movement to legally recognise LGBT civil rights.

Suggested Connecting Rainbows Route During NYC Easter Parade 2011

Create profiles, form and join groups, and plan LGBT civil rights actions at our social media site at : Connecting Rainbows.

An LGBT Civil Rights Demonstration is Planned for the 2011 New York City Easter Parade

You are invited to register to participate in the LGBT civil rights demonstration that is being planned by Connecting Rainbows to take place on April 24 during the 2011 Easter Parade in New York City. We need your help to create a mass movement to legally recognise LGBT civil rights.

Queer Rising Activists Arrested In Demonstration Supporting Marriage Equality

5 Activists Arrested Today For Blocking Traffic In Front Of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's Office In Political Demonstration To Support Marriage Equality

NEW YORK - In a bid to raise political pressure on the passage of a marriage equality law in the state of New York, members of the LGBTQ activist organization Queer Rising held a series of coördinated protests in New York City, culminating in the arrest of 5 of the group's members.

A Trio of Actions for Marriage Equality from David Wallace on Vimeo.

In one phase of the protests, balloons were released inside Grand Central Station and floated up to the iconic ceiling. The balloons were attached to a large sign, which called on New Yorkers to put pressure on their government to demand marriage equality, according to a press release issued by Queer Rising.

In another phase of the protests, several activists blocked traffic near the intersection of East 41st Street and Third Avenue during rush hour ; the location was just outside Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office. Once they blocked traffic, the activists unfurled a huge 75-foot banner that read, ''Marriage Equality NOW ! Call Cuomo : "518-474-8390 !!!'' Five members then handcuffed and chained themselves in the middle of the street. The activists, who were arrested, were identified to be : Natasha Dillon (26, lesbian activist); Kevin Donohue (51, gay Jewish activist); Melissa Kleckner (31, straight ally); Ali Lozano (20, lesbian student activist); and Robert Moore (30, gay Mormon activist).

In still yet another phase of today's protests, approximately 10 drag queens from a separate group calling itself Drag Queen Weddings for Equality organised a ''drag wedding'' at Grand Central to publicise the need for marriage equality in New York State. The drag queens then invited commuters to march in solidarity to Gov. Cuomo's office.

''Unwilling to wait any longer for equal rights and protection from the state of New York, Queer Rising is calling on all the New Yorkers to call the governor’s office and voice their support for marriage equality,'' the press release stated.

The Queer New York blog has published the text of the Queer Rising press release.