Thomas Waters | thomascwaters.com

EQPA Responds to Supreme Court Decisions on the Defense of Marriage Act and Proposition 8

Today, the Supreme Court of the United States issued decisions in two cases involving marriage for gay couples. In the case of U.S. v. Windsor, the Justices ruled the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), the 1993 policy that denies married same-sex couples equal protection under the law, unconstitutional. In Hollingsworth v. Perry, the Court dismissed the case, leaving in place a Federal District Court ruling that found Prop 8, California’s ban on marriage for[Read More…]

June 26, 2013 — 3 comments — Same-Sex Marriage

A SCOTUS Decision that Won’t Affect you

Excitement is high as we await the 10am Supreme Court announcements of two same-sex marriage cases. I’m anticipating lots of disappointed folks in the LGBTQ community who are seeking a very broad decision that we are unlikely to get. My hope will be that the disappointment can be quickly harnessed and turned towards positive steps forward in the struggle for full equality. I’m hoping the shock of a more narrow ruling reminds people to refocus[Read More…]

June 26, 2013 — 1 comment — Same-Sex Marriage

This is a moment when the LGBTQ Rights Movement Changes.

You could say, that now we await the decisions, but I’d like to suggest that we do more than simply wait. Use this time to relish the importance of this milestone and this moment! And use this time to prepare for how we move forward, demanding full equality for all LGBTQ persons. Some feel that the inordinate focus on Marriage has eclipsed the needs for other rights for gay, lesbian, bi, trans, and queer people. It is up to us to make sure that no one is left behind and that freedom for all, includes ALL.

June 24, 2013 — Comments are Disabled — Activism, Same-Sex Marriage

How to be Ready for the Supreme Court Decisions

The US Supreme Court will hand down their decisions in the two same-sex marriage cases before them: a case to repeal section 3 of DOMA, and a case to repeal Prop 8 in California. Here are some resources to help you stay on top of this news

June 22, 2013 — 2 comments — Activism, Same-Sex Marriage

The post I wish I had not written.

As a blogger, I fail if a post itself stands in the way of people understanding the points I’m trying to make. The Dyke and Trans March is a critically important event for the participants and questioning any aspect of it comes across as questioning that importance. The bottom line is that the March is extremely important. Period.

June 22, 2013 — Comments are Disabled — general

Religious Right Threaten Supreme Court

At the heart of the battle is a religious battle for the soul or souls of America. It is the religious war we didn’t ask for, yet find ourselves fighting. For conservative Theocrats, marriage is the hill upon which they will die,

June 22, 2013 — 3 comments — Activism, American Theocracy: Analyzing the Religious Right, general

Delta Foundation Sheds Partyboy Image by Calling for Riot!

When you call gathering some people together for a rally a RIOT, you dismiss and offend Queer History and the hundreds if not thousands of folks in the past who didn’t have the freedoms and fairness we share today. When you call gathering some people together for a rally a RIOT you disrespect the way the queers in 1969 placed EVERYTHING ON THE LINE to demand change and the most basic fairness.

June 21, 2013 — 3 comments — Activism, Gay Pride, general

What does “Closeted” mean?

One aspect of the “sexual orientation” discussion in general, is that it often gets condensed into a binary of gay or straight when sexual orientation is far more fluid running between these two different ends. Kinsey knew this, yet because of how political the issue has become, and how it has been framed by the most vocal advocates of change, this binary seems to have taken hold,and most everyone frames the issue in their head as gay or straight.

June 19, 2013 — Comments are Disabled — general

Pittsburgh Pride, Delta Foundation, and the Bigger Picture

Pride: Pittsburgh will have celebrated, danced, marched, networked, and there was probably some other fun stuff in there too. We are now just another part of the rich tapestry of neighborhoods and people that make up what we call Western PA. Not only is Pittsburgh used to us, but they embrace us and love us and want to show off their pride in us, and pride in the way we are an integral part of the whole.

June 15, 2013 — 3 comments — Gay Pride, general

A Gay Man Sees Other Desert Cities.

I left the theater and the first thing that came to my mind was that I had to call my father and tell him that I loved him. That was the very farthest thing from what I thought this show would do for me. But there is was. Indeed, I left the show wondering if politics is just a tool we use to distance ourselves and make ourselves safe from vulnerability? Of course politics is more than that, but is that how we use it?

June 14, 2013 — 2 comments — general, Review

Articles by: Thomas Waters

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