Boise Joins the Impact
The following release comes from PrideDEPOT:
Boise Joins National Call for Marriage Equality
Advocates and allies for marriage equality in Idaho will come together this week in solidarity with others around the nation to hold President-elect Barack Obama to his word and to speak out against a political campaign that aimed at denying LGBT citizens the legal right to marry.
Those who support marriage equality will gather together at noon on Saturday, January 10, on the steps of the Boise City Hall to speak out against the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
“The time to speak out and be heard is now,” said Jody May-Chang, event organizer and PrideDEPOT.com editor. “Marriage equality is about having our loving relationships fully recognized by law and finally having the status of second-class citizen removed once and for all.”
Speakers at the rally will include Monica Hopkins, ACLU executive director; Idaho State Senator Nicole LeFavour; and Methodist minister, Rev. Jon K. Brown. A musical interlude will be offered by Idaho artists Rebecca Scott and Debbie Sager.
May-Chang and her partner, Maria May-Chang raised a son and they understand the challenges that are unique to same-sex couples and their families.
“DOMA is a fraud,” May-Chang said. “The only thing it defends is the right to legislate discrimination based on unfounded fear and malicious propaganda.”
May-Chang said the Boise rally will coincide with a much broader national effort aimed at holding President-elect Obama to his promise to call for the repeal of DOMA and the so-called “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” military policy that discriminates against gays in the US military.
This is also very much a pro-family movement because it protects the rights of couples while also providing stability and security to families. Couples in committed relationships are excluded from federal rights and state rights that protect heterosexual marriages.
Some of these rights include:
- Social Security survivor and pension benefits
- Hospital visitation rights
- Medical decision making rights
- Inheritance rights
- End-of-life decisions (burial)
- Family leave under the federal "Family Medical Leave Act"
- Employment and housing protections
According to the 2000 US census, more than a million children are being raised by same-sex couples. Under DOMA, these children are deprived of the protections that most families take for granted. Same-sex couples in a committed long-term relationship to should be afforded the legal protections that will have a positive impact on their children.
Those attending the rally will have an opportunity to sign an open letter to Barack Obama that will be sent directly to newly elected President once he occupies the White House. The national goal is to collect at least one million signatures upon his inauguration insisting that he keep his word and call for the repeal of DOMA.
I thought I left a note about the DVD I watched over the week-end. I'm going to watch it again tonight ..... talking points.
It was entitled 'For the Bible Tells Me So' - it was one of the best I've seen in relation to same-sex marriage and the bullshit arguments those so-called 'religious right' theocrats use to bolster their argument to continue their bigoted bullsh*t. I got it thru Netflix. The Boise Library has it, but I can't remember if you're in Boise or in the outer lands. :)
Course there's always the other video joints.
Posted by: Kitt | January 07, 2009 at 06:06 PM
Yeah, I watched it a few months ago and thought the same thing--one of the best I've seen. Thanks for mentioning it here!
Posted by: MountainGoat | January 09, 2009 at 02:20 AM