Marriage Equality

Today marks an historic day in America

            And across the world.

Today my marriage is recognized by my country

            And not just my state.

Today I am inspired that justice has prevailed

            And will continue.

Today I have faith in humanity

            And that love will conquer all.

Equality: Part Two

Change is scary. Acknowledging a reality that has been around since the dawn of time is scarier.

Whenever the rights of a minority are put up to a vote by the majority, it almost always yields the same results; the minority loses. This isn’t always the case, but most of the time it is. It does, however, surprise me when some states put discrimination in their constitution which is in direct conflict of both the state and federal constitutions. What is more surprising is these are usually in states where religion, mostly Christianity, plays a big part of people’s lives. Do to others what you would have them do to you… unless you’re different.

I find it amusing that the people with loudest voices who claim to follow Christ, do so in a way that is very un-Christ-like. Jesus taught us to love, yet so much speech spewing from pulpits, funerals and capitol steps is that of hate. Forgive me if I’m wrong, but isn’t that the very definition of a hypocrite? The Bible has plenty to say about hypocrites, especially Jesus, who, by the way, had nothing to say about homosexuality. It is ironic to say the least.

But still, I have faith in the people of the State of Washington that we will vote marriage equality into law. Three years ago when the same people tried to repeal the Domestic Partnership Law from going into effect that would grant same-sex couples and heterosexual couples who couldn’t get married without losing benefits the same state rights as married couples, it was easily voted in favor of the law. Of course, the ‘M’ word is now at stake and some people have a very narrow view of the word, with claims that allowing more people to get married will somehow destroy the institution. I think the ‘D’ word has been a rather strong force in doing that. If marriage is such a sacred institution then why do most of them end in divorce? It is a contract people sign into that gives them certain rights and responsibilities and is shared by both religious organizations and the state in authorizing them. And it is a contract I am willing to sign.

Equality: Part One

My church supports marriage equality. Does yours?

I was recently asked by our pastor at church to create yard signs for church members to show their support of marriage equality in anticipation of the opposition getting enough signatures to get it on the ballot this fall. Not surprisingly they did… again. Hopefully Washington voters will affirm, much like a couple years ago, equal rights and protections under the law. Anyway, so I had him scribble up some basic drawings to get an idea of what they should look like and put a few together in a matter of minutes. The response at church was overwhelmingly positive. I mean, it is one thing to participate in a march for equality, but to publicly display your support in your yard? That takes courage.

And so it was decided to take the one with a line drawing of our church and use that one specifically for our members first and see if there was any other churches who would want to do the same. I don’t think the signs were even delivered before other churches showed interest. So it looks like I will have to design a less specific and more broad version of the sign. Fortunately our pastor came through again and figured out a logo that would work. I just have to put it together now.

The little corrugated plastic yard signs, typical of election year signage, have gotten quite a bit of publicity on the local news stations, newspapers and online publications. It’s kind of neat to know that I had a small hand in making it happen.

http://www.pqmonthly.com/2012/06/vancouver-church-distributes-yard-signs-my-church-supports-marriage-equality

http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/jun/06/opponents-block-gay-marriage-law

http://www.kptv.com/video?clipId=7373203&autostart=true

March for Equality

On Wednesday our church finished a one-hundred and sixteen mile walk from Vancouver to Olympia in support of same-sex marriage. Yesterday after work, and making cupcakes for a party later last night, I finished editing together the video.

Even though my husband and I were only walking seventeen miles of the stretch (well, we each signed up for five miles) I thought for sure I’d be able to walk the whole thing. I was wrong. Let’s just say uneven pavement and being severely out of shape didn’t help. My total miles ended up at about ten and a half. Oh well. The experience was great and I wouldn’t trade it in for anything.

Of course, while this march was planned last summer, we had no idea that there would be a bill to allow same-sex couples to marry pass both in the senate and the house and have the governor sign it into law during the walk. Still, it was apparent that many churches felt it was important to stand in solidarity for this cause to show that the religious right isn’t the only voice of religion out there. I couldn’t be prouder of not only our church, but all the other churches and synagogues that joined in the march to the state capitol in support of equal marriage rights.

Walking

Today I will be walking. Walking and walking and walking.

Our church organized a community effort to walk from Vancouver to Olympia, Washington and my husband and I figured that since this effort is in support of equal marriage rights, we decided we would join the walk. We signed up for the final leg of the walk into the state capitol for a couple reasons, but one I didn’t want to do is wake up so damn early. Ugh.

So I figure I will make the most of this walk. I’ll take pictures along the way. I’ll take video along the way. And I’ll take lots of ibuprofen just in case. In fact, I’m going to go take some right now with my coffee so I can prevent some inflammation. Actually, maybe I’ll wait a bit since it’s now just after five in the morning and we don’t start walking until eight because we have to drive to the starting point. Oh joy.