united states
![I was there when the Governor of Hawaii vetoed House Bill 444A guest opinion piece by Être Humain
I was there at the Hawaii State Capitol when our governor, Linda Lingle, vetoed House Bill 444, which would have given all couples the right to get a civil union, homosexual or heterosexual. All of us came out early in the morning to wave signs for equality, and many showed their support by honking.
After we learned that she would veto the bill, we were all disappointed, and many got up to the microphone and spoke about their long-term relationships. One man, with his boyfriend for five years, said he wonders everyday that if something happens to either of them, the other will be granted visitation rights. Another man, with his boyfriend of twelve years, called Lingle a “coward,” and yelled, “Shame!”
Everybody knew that even though her decision affected gay couples’ lives personally, it would not be the end. Hawaii’s ACLU and HRC have already vowed they’d litigate until the case reaches the Supreme Court. Other politicians came out to show their support, including Gary Hooser, majority leader of the Hawaii Senate, and Justice Steven Levinson, who authored the Supreme Court’s Baehr v. Lewin back in 1993, which deemed same-sex marriages constitutional.
There were many people dressed in white with buttons that said “iVote”, alluding that they would vote out supporters of equality. For the most part, we ignored them and they ignored us. After Lingle handed down her decision, her supporters sang hymns and yelled out prayers, swaying with their hands in the air.
[July 6] was a big defeat for equality, but Hawaii activists vow to never stop fighting until the LGBT community is treated as first-class citizens: as equals.](http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l57urusVp51qacar6o1_500.jpg)
I was there when the Governor of Hawaii vetoed House Bill 444
A guest opinion piece by Être Humain
I was there at the Hawaii State Capitol when our governor, Linda Lingle, vetoed House Bill 444, which would have given all couples the right to get a civil union, homosexual or heterosexual. All of us came out early in the morning to wave signs for equality, and many showed their support by honking.
After we learned that she would veto the bill, we were all disappointed, and many got up to the microphone and spoke about their long-term relationships. One man, with his boyfriend for five years, said he wonders everyday that if something happens to either of them, the other will be granted visitation rights. Another man, with his boyfriend of twelve years, called Lingle a “coward,” and yelled, “Shame!”
Everybody knew that even though her decision affected gay couples’ lives personally, it would not be the end. Hawaii’s ACLU and HRC have already vowed they’d litigate until the case reaches the Supreme Court. Other politicians came out to show their support, including Gary Hooser, majority leader of the Hawaii Senate, and Justice Steven Levinson, who authored the Supreme Court’s Baehr v. Lewin back in 1993, which deemed same-sex marriages constitutional.
There were many people dressed in white with buttons that said “iVote”, alluding that they would vote out supporters of equality. For the most part, we ignored them and they ignored us. After Lingle handed down her decision, her supporters sang hymns and yelled out prayers, swaying with their hands in the air.
[July 6] was a big defeat for equality, but Hawaii activists vow to never stop fighting until the LGBT community is treated as first-class citizens: as equals.
US opinion on gay marriage shifting rapidly
A few months ago, we posted a chart showing that America’s opinion on gay marriage has eased slightly, but a recent chart by Five Thirty Eight shows that it could be even more of a change.
The chart uses data from dozens of polls about gay marriage. We may soon be able to safely say that the majority of America supports gay marriage!
Studies have shown us that americans who oppose gay marriage are both less educated and older.
See also:
- America’s opinion: gays receive the most discrimination
- Gays in the military: A thorough breakdown of opinions
- Archive: LGBT data and infographics
(Chart by Five Thirty Eight)
Gay activists create flash mob inside Target
A group of activists performed a musical flash mob inside Target, after the corporation donated $150,000 to the political campaign of an anti-gay Republican candidate.
Target has been under fire from gay rights groups for the donation. According to the LA Times, this is the first case in this election cycle that a company receives national protests over a donation.
Earlier this year, the Supreme Court ruled that corporations can use treasury funds to fund election campaigns.
Learn more, take action and sign the petition: targetboycott.org
Two men promote equality by attempting to break world record for longest continuous kiss
UPDATE: We’ve just been informed that the kiss has been postponed to Saturday, September 18th at approximately 10am until 7PM on Sunday.
Matty and Bobby are New Jersey college students and LGBT activists. On Wednesday, August 11th (UPDATE: Saturday, September 18th), they will be attempting to break the Guinness World Record record for the longest continuous kiss.
The current record is held by Nikola Matovic and Kristina Reinhart of Germany managed, who kissed for 32 hours and 7 minutes in 2009.
Equalitopia interviewed Matty and Bobby to get some insight into why and how they plan on breaking the world record.
EQUALITOPIA: So, you’re attempting to break the record for the longest kiss—what made you decide to do this?
BOBBY: We were watching an episode of Fantasy Factory where someone made the world’s largest skateboard, and I commented on what a waste it was to do something that ridiculous and that the only reason the person was able to do it was because he had a lot of money. So Matty came up with the idea of the longest kiss, and then the idea kind of hit us as the longest kiss between two boys to support gay rights.
MATTY: Yeah. Why break a record if it doesn’t mean something? And to us, this means so much.
EQUALITOPIA: You two have been training for the event. Could you tell us a few things you’ve been doing to prepare?
BOBBY: We have been practicing standing in place for hours at a time, and being awake for a prolonged period of time is something we do quite often at college.
MATTY: My personal record for being awake without sleeping is 72 hours. This was back in February when I was at an exhausting convention in Boston for campus activities. So, we know that it’s possible. And like Bobby said, we’re in college, sometimes, like during midterms and finals, neglecting sleep is necessary. Haha. Also, Bobby and I will be practicing the thirty-three hour kiss on our own in two weeks from now, to prepare for the event. We’ve even come up with a set of hand signals for our select stand-by supporters in the event of both foreseen and unforeseen obstacles that may arise during the time period.
EQUALITOPIA: Standing, being awake, not eating, bladder concerns—what part of the 33-hour kiss are you most worried about?
BOBBY: I think staying awake and completely focused on not breaking our lips apart will be the most challenging. But I am also concerned about the ability to stand for such a long duration, my ankles are not exactly the best.
MATTY: Of course, all of these will be worries. And I let it be Bobby’s job to worry and keep me grounded in remembering what it is we’re challenging our bodies to do, besides stay lip-locked for all of this time. Haha. Honestly, I’m most worried about the weather. Hopefully it doesn’t rain, because even though we’ll be under a canopy, I don’t want to catch pneumonia!
EQUALITOPIA: So Bobby is in a relationship, and he’s completely in support of the cause?
BOBBY: Yes, I am in a relationship and my boyfriend supports the cause completely. We all know each other, and we’re very close friends.
MATTY: Bobby’s boyfriend is such a good sport. And he knows this isn’t about him and I kissing; it’s about something much more important. When you really think about it, the kissing part is really only an extra added element to these other obstacles, like a hire wire performance artist wearing a blindfold when crossing a tightrope. So really, we’re attempting to break the World Record for Longest Continuous Standing-Spree without Using the Bathroom with Our Lips Touching. Bobby’s boyfriend understands something else though, that we hope others will see in the cause. Given that Bobby and I are just friends (and we’re not each other’s type, despite how cute Bobby is), this kiss isn’t just about supporting LGBT rights and cementing a place for the LGBT community in an expression of affection honored by the Guinness World Records. This kiss is about fighting hegemonic norms. In deaf culture, beyond the gesticular vocabulary, body language is the primary form of communication. For the hearing population, we limit ourselves in spoken language by the words we use. This kiss isn’t about sexual or romantic expression between two lovers. We’re not required to make-out, use our tongues, or any of that nonsense. It’s all really simple and innocent; it’s a kiss between two men, two friends. Hopefully, others will see this and begin to think that it’s okay to kiss your closest friends Hello and Goodbye, to let them know in other ways that you care and are ready to face the obstacles life throws your way together, when the words refuse to surface in our voices. And afterall, thirty-three hours is a long time to be standing together with our lips touching - I doubt Bobby and I will want to kiss each other for a while after that. Haha. And his boyfriend is Awesome because he understands this :)
EQUALITOPIA: Who’s going to be there? Are you required to have a Guinness World Record representative to witness it?
BOBBY: We’re not required to have a Guinness World Record representative there, but we do need official witnesses, who will serve to gain nothing from participating in this event.
MATTY: Yeah, there is this entire package of evidence we must supply and submit to the Guinness Records committee for approval. But the more the word is spread, the more people that come and support our campaign, the easier this all becomes.
EQUALITOPIA: There was a six-week long approval process? What was required in this process?
MATTY: We had to submit an application to Guinness explaining why we wanted to attempt to break this record, how we were going to achieve in doing so, and so on. Then we had to wait for them to process our application. And then it was another several weeks before we received our approval. Without going through this, we weren’t allowed to talk about attempting to break the record or we could be disqualified. So it was a pretty heft secret between Bobby and I for six weeks, and we couldn’t even move to launching it as a campaign until all was said, done, and given the go-ahead.
EQUALITOPIA: What happens if you don’t break the record? Will you try again?
BOBBY: We hadn’t really talked about it. But, it’s up to Matty. I wouldn’t mind giving it another try.
MATTY: Absolutely! But, I don’t believe in failure. If I have to hold Bobby up for thirty-three hours, pinching his rib cage with one hand to keep him awake, and pressing his head against mine with the other to keep up lip-locked, we’ll do whatever it takes!!
We have discussed it, and we do plan to live-stream the event online now. That information will be up on the website soon.
Follow Matty & Bobby on their official site, Facebook, and Twitter.
This is a developing story. Follow Equalitopia Blog for updates.
(Photo: AJVR Photography)
A photo by Steve Griffin / The Salt Lake Tribune:
As a rainbow appears in the background Jeff Key, of Salt Lake City, proudly holds the flag as advocates for gay marriage rally on Capitol Hill in Salt Lake City after a federal court judge overturned California’s same-sex marriage ban Wednesday. Key asked his husband to remarry him during the rally.
(via sadax on Reddit)
July 19, 1993: United States President Bill Clinton announces his compromise to the controversy around gays in the military: “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
(Quote by @Citizens4Repeal via @NOH8Campaign. Photo courtesy US Army)
Everything you need to know about Prop 8
Matt Baume of Stop8.org has created a video recap of Proposition 8 within the past few years.
Watch and learn! :)
Pentagon survey on DADT biased, derogatory
A copy of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell survey has been acquired by Servicemembers United, the United States’ largest organization of gay and lesbian troops and veterans. The organization strongly condemns it for being “biased and derogatory.”
The organization believes that the “biased and derogatory design of the long-awaited Defense Department survey on issues related to the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law.”
Alexander Nicholson, Executive Director of Servicemembers United, is a former U.S. Army interrogator who was discharged under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” He explains that the survey has an overwhelming focus on the negative aspects of the repeal, completely ignoring the positive impact the repeal could have.
Nicholson says that it is safe for gay and lesbian troops to participate in the survey, but that it is “simply impossible to imagine a survey with such derogatory and insulting wording, assumptions, and insinuations going out about any other minority group in the military.”
According to ABC News, Servicemembers United believes that the summary of the survey “implies that the repeal of this law will result in the open performance of ‘homosexual acts’ on duty and throughout the military,” which they believe is wrong and “highly inflammatory.”
View the full survey at servicemembersunited.org/survey (32-page PDF).
What do you think? Is the survey biased? Reblog or comment with your responses.
Judge: US federal gay marriage ban unconstitutional
In a step forward for marriage equality, a United States judge in Boston ruled—in two separate cases—that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional.
According to AP, in one case, Joseph Tauro, Massachusetts district judge, ruled that Congress violated the constitution when it passed DOMA, as it interferes with the state’s right to define marriage.
He said that the act forces Massachusetts to discriminate against its citizens.
“In the wake of DOMA, it is only sexual orientation that differentiates a married couple entitled to federal marriage-based benefits from one not so entitled, and this court can conceive of no way in which such a difference might be relevant to the provision of the benefits at issue.”
In another case filed by Gays & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, Tauro ruled that DOMA violates the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution.
Google to offer gay staff extra pay to allow for tax inequality with straight couples
Internet giant Google today began paying its gay staff more than heterosexual employees in the latest example of its lavish perks culture, reports The Daily Mail.
Lesbian and homosexual staff will get extra wages to make up for higher taxes they have to pay.
The search engine decided it was only fair to bump up the salaries of its gay staff, a spokesman said.
Under U.S. law, when a firm offers health insurance as a benefit for an employee’s partner, it is tax-free for married couples but taxable income for gays.
Google will make up the difference in additional pay, on average $980 a year.
