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.

Follow Our Blog!

Blogger just introduced a new feature called "Following", that lets you keep up to date on our blog, and let people know (if you choose to follow us publicly), that you are a fan of the blog.

The advantage to you is that when you become a follower of a blog, the blog will also be added to your Reading List on your Blogger dashboard. You can read more here about following.

Just look over on the right hand side of the blog, and scan down until you see the item called "Followers". If you want to become a follower, just click the "follow" link.

A helpful web page as the election approaches

I stumbled across a page recently that gives you a guide to how Obama and McCain compare on gay marriage, LGBT adoption and sex education.

I hope you find this useful.

One-to-One Education To Protect Marriage Equality

The following is a "call to action" from UUs in California fighting to preserve marriage equality.

Dear Unitarian Universalists,

Here in California, UUs and our religious allies are working night and day to defeat Proposition 8 which would eliminate the existing right of same sex couples to marry. We must protect not only couples, but also our constitution. We must stand on the side of love.

1 of every 8 people in the US live in California. The outcome of Proposition 8 will impact, for decades, the rights of same sex couples and the role of wedge issues in politics across the nation.

$22.8 million dollars has been raised to enshrine discrimination in our constitution, and eliminate marriage for same sex couples. Much of this money has come from out of state religious groups.

California UUs working on the No on 8 campaign need your help.

Nothing is more important than one on one conversations with undecided voters to help us dispel misleading ads. Now you can help by phone banking from remote locations using our on-line system through your computer.

To get started in on-line phone banking, please contact Jeff Melcher and he will help you. There is a good script to follow, and some of the people you will talk to are downright inspiring.

While you can phone bank as an individual, it is even better to phone bank with a friend or two, or to organize a phone bank with your congregation. All you need is a computer, a phone, and high speed internet access for each person.

You can also help with a donation. Their ads are claiming that congregations will be sued if their ministers don’t marry same sex couples. We can’t let lies have the last word. Please consider a gift to the campaign. DONATE NOW to the No on 8 campaign! (The UU Legislative Ministry Action Network, CA-PAC is part of the No on 8 coalition, and your donation through this link will be flagged as a UU donation to the cause.)

Unitarian Universalists have been at the forefront of marriage equality for years. Keep the flame burning!

Please join the action now and help us make history – it is well within our reach!

Thank you for your support.

Blessings,

Rev. Lindi Ramsden,	Jeff Melcher,
Executive Director	Interfaith Phone from Home Organizer
	jmelcher@uulmca.org