Being truly equal participants in Life, Liberty and all things American will take more than a right to get married. All of us, need to keep that in mind, and need to keep working for progress on all fronts where LGBT’s are treated differently than others.
“What’s worse,†added Hamer, “is to see a good man like Pastor Micklos, who demonstrates true Christian values in the film, maligned by people who clearly haven’t seen the film or even bothered to read the synopsis. If they had they would know the Pastor never compromises his biblical beliefs; he’s simply trying to demonstrate what Christianity really means through a Christlike response.â€
That’s right. If Lancaster County is successful, women, minorities, and the religious, will be just like gays and lesbians who can be fired, refused entry, or denied housing.
The LGBT movement has been making some strides forward, even if at times they seem far too few and far too little. Still it all has the Religious Right up in arms and vowing to turn it all around. Is that the Pennsylvania you want to live in?
According to Dowd, involvement in this program, not only teaches citizens about the police, but possibly more importantly, teaches the police about real citizens, and helps the police learn more about how to best serve the people of Pittsburgh.
An analogy for gaining rights (for me at least) is a game of tug of war. Both parties have an intended goal, to “win.” which is a demarcation in the sand. Winning requires concentration and an ongoing, consistent effort. Sometimes an unexpected event shifts the course of things, but generally speaking, what wins the game is firmly digging in your heels and continue to push (or pull as it may be).
The primary thing that stops movement on protections like this is a lack of knowledge, or ignorance. By giving voice to the realities of the benefits of non-discrimination to the community at large, fair-minded people overwhelmingly support non-discrimination.
I’ve written a bit before about Dreams of Hope, a Pittsburgh organization that I think is doing amazing work for LGBTQ youth and their allies. For far too long the greater LGBT community hasn’t focused enough on youth, for a variety of reasons. but today, it may be both easier for kids to come out as well as more challenging, and in response, we need to be doing things that create safe spaces for kids[Read More…]
Corbett has already made clear that once elected he will push for a constitutional amendment in the PA constitution that will make marriage as being only between one man and one woman, and the general consensus is that if he wins, the Republicans will also win the House, and he will have little trouble getting the constitutional amendment through both the Senate and House quickly, setting the stage for a battle at the ballot box in 2 years.
Charelene can take her story to the President, what is stopping you (or anyone??) from telling your own story? If we all follow that example, it certainly will change everything for the LGBT community.