Join the Courage Campaign!

Have you heard that Ken Starr -- and the Prop 8 Legal Defense Fund -- filed legal briefs defending the constitutionality of Prop 8 and attempting to forcibly divorce 18,000 same-sex couples that were married in California last year? The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in this case on March 5, with a decision expected within 90 days.

The Courage Campaign has created a video called "Fidelity," with the permission of musician Regina Spektor, that puts a face to those 18,000 couples and all loving, committed couples seeking full equality under the law.

Please watch this heartbreaking video now. If you have the same reaction that I did, please help me spread the word by sharing it with your friends and family ASAP:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/Divorce

The more people who see this video, the more people will understand the pain caused by Prop 8 and Ken Starr's shameful legal proceeding.

After you watch the video, please join us and over 200,000 people who have signed a letter to the state Supreme Court, asking them to invalidate Prop 8 and reject Starr's case.

Thanks.

Boston Gay Men's Chorus (BGMC) 2008 holiday concert: Hallelujah Chorus

I hope you enjoy this very funny rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah.

Proposition 8 - The Musical

Check this out - it's a real hoot!

"Prop 8 - The Musical" starring Jack Black, John C. Reilly, and many more... by Jack Black

UUA Releases Marriage Equality Video

In light of the passage of Proposition 8 in California and similar blows experienced on election day which restrict the rights of bisexual, gay, lesbian, queer, and transgender people in other states (Florida, Arizona, Arkansas), the Unitarian Universalist Association has produced a video which makes clear the support of people of faith for marriage equality.

The video uses images, gathered from Unitarian Universalists (UUs) across North America, of those who have advocated for marriage equality or been joined in equal marriage; the video also celebrates the role of Unitarian Universalist clergy in officiating at these services.

Watch the video: YouTube (www.youtube.com/watch?v=nz8omkCTvQA)

Unitarian Universalist Association and Allied Faith Groups File Lawsuit to Invalidate California Proposition 8

On November 17, 2008, the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of California (UULM-CA), and other religious leaders and faith organizations representing millions of members, filed a petition with the California Supreme Court asking the Court to invalidate Proposition 8. The petition argues 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. The full text of the petition (PDF) is available online.

The petition is filed on behalf of the California Council of Churches, the General Synod of the United Church of Christ, two Episcopal Bishops (of California and Los Angeles), the Progressive Jewish Alliance, the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations, the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of California, and the Northern and Southern California Nevada Conferences of the United Church of Christ. The groups are represented by Eric Isaacson, a Unitarian Universalist attorney based in San Diego, and by Jon B. Eisenberg of Eisenberg and Hancock, LLP, based in Oakland.

“Proposition 8 denies an entire class of citizens a basic civil right—the freedom to marry the person of their choice” said Rev. William G. Sinkford, President of the Unitarian Universalist Association. “Even worse, this amendment writes discrimination into the California Constitution. As people of conscience, we cannot permit legalized bigotry to attack California couples and families.”

The UUA has advocated for civil equality for gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender people for several decades. In 1996 the UUA’s General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to call for full legal marriage rights for same-sex couples. Hundreds of legally recognized same-sex weddings have been celebrated in UU churches in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and California.

The petition cites the California Constitution's declaration, in Article I, section 1, of the “inalienable” rights of all persons under the law: “This equal protection principle is the basis of our governmental social contract and thus the bedrock foundation upon which our state Constitution is built. It cannot be overridden by fleeting majorities.”

Eric Isaacson, attorney for the petitioners and a member of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego, explained why Proposition 8 threatens other minorities, including faith groups: "California's Constitution is based upon each person's equality before the law. To deprive people of equal protection of the laws on the basis of sexual orientation thus amounts to more than a simple amendment—it is a breach of the fundamental agreement that is our Constitution. If that can be accomplished by a simple majority vote, then all potential targets of discrimination are at risk—including religious groups."

“We are heartened by the outpouring of support from across the country,” said Rev. Lindi Ramsden, Executive Director of the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of California, a group that fought against Proposition 8. "We trust that ultimately love will prevail over fear.”

Transgender Day of Remembrance, Thursday Nov 20, 2008

When: Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 7p - 9p
What: Boston to honor Transgender Day of Remembrance; Community Speak-Out, Vigil in 10th anniversary observance
Where: at St. Luke's & St. Margaret's Church, 5 Saint Lukes Rd, Allston, MA - Off Brighton Ave near Packard's Corner stop on the Green line - B train

For the latest details, please visit www.masstpc.org/dor.

All are welcome at Boston's Transgender Day of Remembrance observance at Allston's St. Luke's & St. Margaret's church, where a non-worship, non-denominational program begins at 7pm and concludes, after the candlelight vigil, with a reception featuring hot drinks and home-baked snacks.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the community gathering and candlelight vigil for slain transsexual Rita Hester. A program of speakers, featuring ASC's Rev. Kim Crawford-Harvie, will be followed by a community speakout, after which a candlelight vigil will retrace the path taken by the vigil that inspired what has become an international event.

Boston's transgender and LGB community extends a warm welcome to all who would like to attend this important event to memorialize our dead and underscore the seriousness of the suffering of our communities. No persons should be subjected to violence simply because of their gender identity or expression.

No persons should be denied the basic rights that enable their safety and security. Please join with us on this day to remember our dead, whatever the cause of their departure.

Event Background:

Ten years ago at this time, Boston's LGBT community recoiled in horror at the discovery of the latest victim of transphobic violence. Rita Hester, a popular figure in the local rock 'n roll scene, who also happened to be a transsexual, had been found brutally stabbed to death in her Brighton apartment. Like so many killings of gay and transgender persons, the victim was subjected to enough brutality to kill her many times over.

A local community of queer activists, rockers, family, friends and allies over 250 of them came together and held a speak-out and candlelight vigil in Rita's honor, forming a human stream of light winding its way through Rita's old Allston stomping grounds. One year later, a memorial vigil was held in San Francisco; the following year Boston and a few other cities joined in, and this year hundreds of observances will be held in dozens of countries.

Boston's transgender community remembers Chanelle Pickett, Debra Forte, Monique Thomas, and Rita Hester, all of whom were local transgender victims of unusually violent and hateful murders. Before these, there were many more, mostly uncounted and unnoticed by all but their friends and family.

Co-sponsored by the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition, BAGLY (Boston Alliance of GLBT Youth), JRI Health - Boston GLASS/UYI, TransCEND (Transgender Care & Education Needs Diversity), Keshet, Interfaith Coalition for Transgender Equality, St. Luke's & St. Margaret's Church, GLAD (Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders), Fenway Community Health, MassEquality.

Save the Date: Thurs Nov 20 for Transgender Day Of Remembrance

Every year transgender people around the world gather in solidarity and community to memorialize those who have fallen victim to violence, and to reaffirm our solidarity and commitment to stand up for ourselves. This year’s Transgender Day of Remembrance will be observed in Boston on Thursday, November 20. This time we’re doing something a little different: we’re gathering for our traditional community speakout and candlelight vigil at St. Luke’s & St. Margaret’s (“SLAM”) in Allston. In recognition of 10 years passage since the Rita Hester tragedy, we’ll retrace the path taken then, by the vigil that inspired the International Transgender Day of Remembrance. So save the date: Thursday, Nov 20, 7pm, at SLAM in Allston. For more information, visit the TDOR pages at MassTPC.org/dor.