Here's one of the ads against Proposition 8 that I just discovered in my earthlink account, which I haven't looked at in a long time.
My old pal Tracy sent it to me. It features happy couples and families from Los Angeles's Beth Chaim Chadashim, the nation's oldest and largest GLBT synagogue.
BCC's Rabbi, Lisa Edwards (she in the embroidered kepot), and Rebbetzin, Tracy Moore, (shown together on the second frame of the video) are old friends from Iowa. Tracy and Lisa had their first date as a couple when they came to our house in Mt. Vernon for supper. This was long before Lisa ever expressed an interest in studying for the rabbinate.
Tracy is one of the angels of my life. She took me aside the first time we met and said, "When are you going to deal with your deafness? Are you just going to sit there and let life go on around you?" I thought, "What does SHE know about 'dealing with deafness'?" I was pretty pissed off, but I had to laugh. She has never been one for mincing words.
Her next comment was, "Let's organize a sign class for you and your kids and friends." And so she did. She said, "I know just the person to teach it, too. She's a grad student at U of I, and she's deaf."
And so Jane Kelliher entered my life and changed it completely by teaching me how to communicate by signing. It was Jane's example that eventually led me to Gally.
Proposition 8 passed, to our abiding shame, but this will not be the end of marriage for those of us who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transsexual. Whatever is the MATTER with people that they think "God" gives a hoot about their "religion" or their twisted attitudes toward their brothers and sisters in humanity?
I agree with everything you've said here.
ReplyDeleteSomeone I know here made a nasty comment about my gay friend Richard and I told them that they needed to take a lesson or two from him. I said,
1. Richard always calls to check to see if I'm okay and offers to help if I need it -- you don't.
2. He doesn't make nasty comments about people he doesn't really know like you just did just because he's gay.
That person was speechless (mercifully)-- I usually just shrug rather than argue.
I'm tired of such closed-minded people.
My gay friends deserve what my daughter calls the "wrongs of marriage" as much as the hetero community does.
ha...love that "wrongs of marriage...."
ReplyDeletethanks, kay
No one should ever have to be alone - or worse, shamed to be anything (at least outwardly) other than they are. We are meant to share our lives. It should be with the person we choose, not whom society would have us choose.
ReplyDeletekay and speak(er): one good thing about all of this is that it's allowed those of good heart to speak out. we just have to do it loud and often enough. one of Lisa's memorable sermons was the one in which she pointed out that people who have enjoyed privileges are obligated to speak out for others to whom those privileges are denied. thanks for your kindness and bravery.
ReplyDeletem.e.
I have never understood how people use their religion as an excuse for bigotry. Love should never be denied to anyone.
ReplyDeleteI always speak out when someone makes a nasty comment or uses a vile word about being gay. Maybe I don't do it as cleverly as Kay did, but I nevr let it pass.
I met a lovely Lesbian couple a few days ago, one was British and the other was American, and the British one is only allowed to come to USA for 6 months and then has to stay in UK for the other 6 months.... and they can't get married, but they did go to Vermont and get a civil union... what sort of a relationship is that???/ They said people are very intolerant of them here in USA.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful video...I hope gay marriage rights are quickly restored and expanded...I have a feeling that when today's children become old enough to vote gay marriage rights will expand because in my experience younger people are much more open to this and interracial dating as well.
ReplyDelete