blished on Doing Things Differently blog (www.doingthingsdifferently.blogspot.com) as post #62 – Light Up The Night]
Something happened in 2008 which I continue to cry about. Even writing this blog post this morning, I’m sat here sobbing.
The issue is the passing of Proposition 8, an amendment to the Californian State Constitution to eliminate the rights of same-sex couples who want to marry. It’s covered beautifully in an article by Brian Normoyle who informs us that this is the first time in America that an existing civil right has been taken away from a group of citizens and asks the (frightening) question: whose rights are next?
I’ve spent hours on YouTube watching footage relating to this issue, reading discussion boards, talking with my friends about this. What strikes me strongest is the immense outpouring of love which surrounds the Vote No To 8 campaign. Candlelit vigils, families protesting peacefully in the streets, posters which read: Love is the way. In this movement, I see people uniting together in love, regardless of sexual orientation, to stand up for the basic human right of being accepted for who we are.
I remember trying to find a Valentine’s Day card the first year I was with Sam. I scanned the shelves and all I could see were men and women, male bears and female bears. Having spent the rest of my young adult life in relationships with men, I suddenly realised that it was different now – that there was a huge gap in how your love was received by the world, dependent purely on the gender of the person you fall in love with.
A few months later, I started working for a Cambridge organisation which provided support for young people who are lesbian, gay and bisexual. I encountered a community of inspirational teenagers who were climbing gently out into the light, done with hiding and self-loathing. I saw their struggles – with their schools, their families, their friends; I witnessed the bravery and strength it took them to say: “This is who I am”. My work was sacred to me because it was about helping young people have an easier time of being themselves. It was about supporting them in finding profound self-acceptance that wouldn’t be shaken by an often hateful world. Some of those young people were at our wedding in July. I don’t think we can underestimate the impact of them seeing first-hand a love that they identify with being supported and acknowledged by friends, by family and by the law of this country.
On December 20th, there will be candlelit vigils across America (and beyond) to recognise the rights of same-sex couples who married and to look forward to the day when those rights will be available again for everyone. This time of year, whether you look at pagan or Christian origins, has always been about the unconquerable light in the darkness. As activist Anne Lamott writes: “Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come.”
I see a dawn where people hear this message, from others’ hearts to theirs:
You are okay. Your heart is true. You can follow it. We will support you in that.
Love is the way. Light up the night.
Do Things Differently
1) What do you want to join with others about? What is the issue of 2008 which touched your heart? What do you feel passionately about, what stirs you and motivates you to spread the word or do things differently?
2) Find out more about Proposition 8 if it’s news to you. How do you feel about this issue? What does that tell you about what you value? And what do you want to do, to honour those values more completely?
3) On 20th December, light a candle to commemorate a human right that you hold to be sacred – either one which is now accepted, or one which is not yet granted to all people.
Extra – Search for the song United We Love on YouTube – so beautiful.
(c) Corrina Gordon-Barnes
Love is the way, light up the night
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By: Corrina Gordon-Barnes
What Do We Do When a Group of People Have Their Rights Taken Away?
Lesbian Lifestyle and Lesbian Rights in Australia
Lesbian is a woman who loves and has sexual relationship with women. Lesbian sex is a homosexual carry out that like all same sex activity has been there since centuries and is here to stay and prosperous.
Internet dating service offers free lesbian personals seeking women for sex apart for love and relationship. There free dating service for lesbian or dykes as they are often referred to known as lesbian dating sites. Lesbian sex is a very popular activity among lesbian woman and bisexual women.
Like all homosexuals face unfairness in Australia. The supporters of lesbian rights in Australia have a hard-hitting time and support lesbian sex rights. There is as discrimination against same sex families especially in parenting and acceptance laws where equal rights to all families have become a bane of contention. Same sex couples in Australia just want the regular rights afforded to heterosexual couples every day.
Significant law improvement is required for same sex dating in Australia to change things for lesbians and gays. The Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (GLRL) have been confrontation for equal opportunity in the work place. Recently a report was published which claimed that a fairly large number of lesbians faced experienced some form of ridicule or unfair treatment in the workplace. Although many countries are opening up to gay lifestyle but a significant amount of legislative change and a perspective devoid of bias is required to deliver equality to homosexuals.
Lesbians face widespread discrimination on the basis of their sexual identity. Australia’s international human rights compulsion require governments to take all necessary actions to remove sexuality discrimination, however current centralized, state and territory laws provide only limited protection against discrimination and also lack uniformity.
Same sex marriage for lesbians is not allowed in Australia. Hence, the state does accord marital status to lesbian couples. Other questions include refutation of promotions, unfair removal from office, pestering, breaches of privacy and refusal of overtime and higher duties. Lesbians have been refused treatment and hospital visitations due their sexuality. Vilification – Lesbian face verbal and physical abuse on many instance in Australia.
The discrimination in case of lesbian and gays is homophobic and large-scale public awareness campaign and education is required to increase toleration for homosexuals.
By: Alina Farace