Christ, Love, Salvation, and the LGBT People

As a Christian, I have written extensively in this blog on what the Bible really says about homosexuality.  I have used other people's studies, my own studies, theologians, historians etc...
         
           

                    The Favorite Sin of the Conservatives

                     I Have Family Values....Oh...and I'm Gay!

                    Does God Really Hate Homosexuals?

                    What Other Abominations Should We Condemn?

                    Jesus, the greatest commandments and Homosexuality

                    Ruth and Naomi

                    The Bible Says- - - Homosexuality

                    

And several others.  Actually, I had no idea how many times I have written to Christians pleading with them to please do some studying.  When I see people shouting that "God Hates Fags..." or "Homosexuals are going to hell", claiming that it is the Word of God, it truly appalls me that these people think are doing God's work when indeed they are buying into lies to turn people away from Salvation.

I ran across this, the way Christians should behave, the way to bring the Good News to all people, and I was so happy that at last, some Christians believe that God's Word is for everyone.  

From This Blog:  Where is Jonver??

 

This is an amazing photo that captured the moment a gay man hugged a member of a Christiangroup, that came to Gay Pride to apologize for the way the church has treated homosexuals. It’s nice to see people of faith have common sense enough to know that hate and prejudice is wrong. A step in the right direction towards equality and something everyone should learn from. THIS is the kind of compassion that religion teaches, but far too often doesn’t follow. Well done.



Since seeing this photo, a friend of mine had introduced me to more of the story. A man, by the name of Nathan, is the one you see above hugging the gay guy in his underwear, or Tristan rather. Well, Nathan wrote a blog about this day and this moment and what his and his fellow church-goers had done. Here is what he had to say:
I hugged a man in his underwear. I think Jesus would have too.

I spent the day at Chicago’s Pride Parade. Some friends and I, with The Marin Foundation, wore shirts with “I’m Sorry” written on it. We had signs that said, “I’m sorry that Christians judge you,” 
“I’m sorry the way churches have treated you,”
 “I used to be a bible-banging homophobe, sorry.”

 We wanted to be an alternative Christian voice from the protestors that were there speaking hate into megaphones. 

What I loved most about the day is when people “got it.” I loved watching people’s faces as they saw our shirts, read the signs, and looked back at us. Responses were incredible. Some people blew us kisses, some hugged us, some screamed thank you. A couple ladies walked up and said we were the best thing they had seen all day. I wish I had counted how many people hugged me. One guy in particular softly said, “Well, I forgive you.” 

Watching people recognize our apology brought me to tears many times. It was reconciliation personified. 

My favorite though was a gentleman who was dancing on a float. He was dressed solely in white underwear and had a pack of abs like no one else. As he was dancing on the float, he noticed us and jokingly yelled, “What are you sorry for? It’s pride!” I pointed to our signs and watched him read them. 

Then it clicked. 
Then he got it.

He stopped dancing. He looked at all of us standing there. A look of utter seriousness came across his face. And as the float passed us he jumped off of it and ran towards us. In all his sweaty beautiful abs of steal, he hugged me and whispered, “thank you.” 

Before I had even let go, another guy ran up to me, kissed me on the cheek, and gave me the biggest bear hug ever. I almost had the wind knocked out of me; it was one of those hugs. 

This is why I do what I do. This is why I will continue to do what I do. Reconciliation was personified. 
I think a lot of people would stop at the whole “man in his underwear dancing” part. That seems to be the most controversial. It’s what makes the evening news. It’s the stereotype most people have in their minds about Pride.

Sadly, most Christians want to run from such a sight rather than engage it. Most Christian won’t even learn if that person dancing in his underwear has a name. Well, he does. His name is Tristan. 
However, I think Jesus would have hugged him too. It’s exactly what I read throughout scripture: Jesus hanging out with people that religious people would flee from. Correlation between then and now? I think so. 

Acceptance is one thing. Reconciliation is another. Sure at Pride, everyone is accepted (except perhaps the protestors). There are churches that say they accept all. There are business that say the accept everyone. But acceptance isn’t enough. Reconciliation is. 

But there isn’t always reconciliation. And when there isn’t reconciliation, there isn’t full acceptance. Reconciliation is more painful; it’s more difficult. Reconciliation forces one to remember the wrongs committed and relive constant pain. Yet it’s more powerful and transformational because two parties that should not be together and have every right to hate one another come together for the good of one another, for forgiveness, reconciliation, unity.

What I saw and experienced at Pride 2010 was the beginning of reconciliation. It was in the shocked faces of gay men and women who did not ever think Christians would apologize to them.

What I saw and experienced at Pride 2010 was the personification of reconciliation. It was in the hugs and kisses I received, in the “thank you’s” and waves, in the smiles and kisses blown.
I hugged a man in his underwear. I hugged him tightly. And I am proud.

 

THIS is truly heart-warming. I am crying as I write this because I am proud of this man and his willingness to share what he believes, despite the criticism he may receive. After this, even more came together to keep this story going. Someone had recognized Tristan from the photo, and Tristan got in touch with Nathan. These two shared how this moment meant so much for each of them, and that is what’s remarkable. One person meets another, and for each of them, this was a lasting experience and memory.
*******************************************************************************
What a wonderful story!  This is what I believe Christianity is all about.  This is what I believe Jesus Christ would do.  He would not discriminate.  He would tell them of His love.

Just Not Feeling "It" Lately

It has been quite awhile since I last wrote something for this blog.  I think it is because I am a tad bit discouraged.  While it is true that a lot of steps have been made in the right direction for marriage equality, very little has been done to help with same sex bi-national couples.

The last two months I have seen two couples who I personally know have to separate.  The whole thing is so indescribable and painful.  Having to say good bye to your spouse, the person that you desire to spend the rest of your life with is literally "bring you to your knees" painful.

While people in Washington D.C. are busy worrying about how decisions they make will advance their political career the two ladies pictured had to say good bye to each other just this week.  While Congress ignores immigration reform, lives are being torn apart and children are growing up without their Mothers.

One of the most heartbreaking things is that some of my friends who are bi-national same sex couples do not even know when they will see each other again.  These are people who are legally married (at least in six states) but, because of the so called Defense of Marriage Act or DOMA, they cannot sponsor their spouses for immigration.  DOMA is tearing apart families.

I cannot understand how people think that by allowing bi-national same sex couples to be able to sponsor their spouse or permanent partner, that it would do anything other than enhance our society.

I have heard all and I do mean all of the arguments for this evil, horrible, offensive and hateful law, and none of them make any sense to me.  Traditional family, traditional marriage, child bearing, abomination, nuclear family, natural order, etc... what does any of that have to do with allowing people who are in love to be together.

Everyone has different traditions.  People often say, let's make our own traditions.  Traditions change over the years.  Very few, if any, traditions are EXACTLY the same as what they were started out to be.

We are not going to stop people from having children.  Saying that a couple must be able to have children the "traditional way" to be married is a bit presumptuous.  Anyone with a brain in their head would not even use this as an argument because of elderly couples, infertile couples, and cancer survivor couples (not to mention same sex couples).

An abomination before God.  When did the USA get so concerned over abominations before God.  This is not even to mention that no where in the Bible does God condemn a monogamous and loving same sex relationship.  Back to my point of when did Congress and folks in the USA get so concerned over abominations.  Lying is an abomination, I haven't seen anyone put that up on a billboard.  As a matter of fact, in Proverbs 16:16-19, the Bible mentions seven things that are an abomination to God:

16 There are six things which the LORD hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: 17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil, 19 A false witness who utters lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers.

If they are going to go by what they think the Bible says Congress had better work together because "one that spreads strife among the brothers" is pretty much a definition of the GOP today.

Have you ever had to say goodbye to someone you love?  Have you ever had to say goodbye not knowing when you would see them again?  Have you ever had to do that when it wasn't necessary except for a discriminatory law?  I have had to do this.  Thousands of couples have had to do this.

What can you do to help end this discrimination?  You can send a simple e-mail (click here) to your elected members of Congress asking them to co-sponsor the Respect for Marriage Act (Click on it to read it).  As important, or maybe for bi-national couples more important is the Uniting American Families Act.  

I personally tweet the House Judiciary Committee (they hold UAFA and Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act in their hands) at least once a week.  Please do whatever you can, but please do something.

For more information:

Stop the Deportations: The DOMA Project

Torn Apart:  United by Love, Divided by Law

Out4Immigration Blog

Immigration Equality Organization


One final thought.....I took this from a friend's Facebook page.  Although it may be simple for some, it is what most bi-national couples long for, dream about and hope...on a daily basis...just to be.....

Once Again, DOMA Declared Unconstitutional

From Lambada Legal

"This ruling, the first to come after the Justice Department announced it would no longer defend this discriminatory statute in court, spells doom for DOMA."

Read Judge White's order HERE.

With all of the positive progress States are making on Marriage Equality, The Defense of Marriage Act being declared unconstitutional once again is great news.  

The question that is on all bi-national Same Sex couples minds is this:  What does this mean for us?  Right now, it means nothing.  As soon as we hear from Lavi Soloway or Out 4 Immigration, I will update this page.

To make things crystal clear, I believe our best bet is to get the Uniting American Families Act passed.  We need to be actively contacting our Congress officials and asking them to pass the UAFA.

Today, 2/22/12,  The Ballot Book reports the following:  

Advocates, Officials gather in LA to discuss immigration reform

 KPCC: Congress members, advocates, officials gather in LA to discuss immigration reform

Congress members, immigration advocates and officials from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services all met Tuesday in downtown Los Angeles. The group has gathered to support President Barack Obama’s recent attempts at immigration reform.

Again, make your voice heard and contact your Congress Members and let them know that we need the Uniting American Families Act passed.  We are a small group, we need to band together and speak up for our families. 

California, Washington State, and Marriage Equality

 California and Proposition 8

Prop 8 is overturned again.  A federal appeals court ruled Tuesday that California's ban on gay marriage is unconstitutional. The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Proposition 8, the 2008 ballot measure that limited marriage in California to one man and one woman, violated the equal protection rights of gays and lesbians. Now, a forthcoming appeal could pave the way for the U.S. Supreme Court to rule on gay marriage as early as next year.

 A three-judge panel ruled 2-1 to uphold Walker's decision. "Proposition 8 served no purpose, and had no effect, other than to lessen the status and human dignity of gays and lesbians in California," the court said. The Constitution "requires that there be at least a legitimate reason for the passage of a law that treats different classes of people differently. There was no such reason that Proposition 8 could have been enacted."

Currently, this means nothing for same sex couples as they still cannot start getting married.  The proponents of Prop 8 will have a chance to appeal. If and when the appeal is filed, which it inevitably will be, gay marriage will be kept on hold "pending future proceedings." From everything I have read, experts believe that the proponents of Prop 8 will bypass the full Ninth District Court and will try to take the issue directly to the U.S. Supreme Court.   The Supreme Court has the option to take up the case or not.

Rachael Maddow interviews conservative Republican Lawyer for Marriage Equality, Ted Olson

Washington State Legislature Passes Marriage Equality

Washington state lawmakers voted to approve gay marriage Wednesday, setting the stage for the state to become the seventh in the nation to allow same-sex couples to wed.


 

I, along with hundreds of thousands of Lesbians and Gays listened to the testimony given.  On a personal note I would like to say the following:  I am sick to death of the "Christian" religious right saying how that God feels that the act of homosexuality is a sin and an abomination.  Such things spewed forth from the lips of conservatives like I was in Baptist Sunday School.  We heard things like how much "in anguish" they were about this decision.  We heard the ever tiresome, yet erroneous, "traditional marriage" argument again and again.  We heard the flawed "marriage is for pro-creation" argument.  Let us not forget the new argument that Representative Hargrove gave:   Gays shouldn't get married because of a Super Bowl Ad.

The argument that is beyond me, however, is when they say that the gay and lesbian couples already have the same rights.  In the state in which I live, I can still be fired just for being a lesbian.  My wife and I traveled to Iowa to get married.  My marriage is not recognized in my state of residency.  I cannot sponsor my wife for a green card.  So when they say that we have equal rights, they are as mistaken as when they say that the Bible says that homosexuality is a sin.

 Right now, none of this really helps bi-national same sex couples at all.   Immigration is a federal issue and all of this really fabulous great news is only happening at the state level.  We can only hope that some of the court cases being brought against the mistakenly called Defense of Marriage Act or DOMA come up before the United States Supreme Court.

For up to date information:

Prop 8 Trial Tracker

Immigration Equality 


Uniting American Families Act/Torn Apart

In the meantime, continue to contact your Congressmen/Women on a weekly basis regarding sponsoring the Uniting American Families Act.

Contact your Representatives via Pop Vox

Contact your Senator via Pop Vox

As bi-national same sex couples, we are the minority of a minority.  We must all work together to get our Representatives and Senators to take notice of the Uniting American Families Act.  

The Holidays for Bi-National Same Sex Couples

As the holidays draw close, most people's thoughts turn to spending time with their loved ones, Christmas shopping and presents, large meals and family time.  For the 40,000 plus bi-national same sex couples, (estimated from the 2010 US Census)  the holidays often take on a different meaning:  Lonely separation. 

My lovely friend in Colorado will celebrate Christmas with her wife via Skype.  Her wife is British and lives in the UK.  In spite of her wife's extensive education, there is no "line" at the immigration office for this bi-national couple to get into.

VIDEO made by the US Citizen 

     

Follow Up Story:  Heartbreak for Lesbian Binational Couple: What's Changed in a Year

My very dear friend lives in California, her wife, her legal wife (married in Canada and in California) will be in England due to the United States immigration discriminatory laws. These two ladies pose no threat to anyone, as a matter of fact, the Californian is a Military Veteran.  In spite of serving her country, her country refuses to acknowledge her marriage to her lovely wife from the United Kingdom.  They, too, will spend Christmas apart....touching their computer screens instead of holding each other.

Their Story:  Part 1         Their Story:  Part 2

 I have a friend on twitter who is struggling on telling her son (age 2) and daughter (age 6), that their "other" Mom's visa may not be renewed.  Another family separated by the so called Defense of Marriage Act and immigration discrimination.  Will they be able to watch their children open their presents....together as a family?

  Things that heterosexuals take for granted, spending holiday's with the family, watching the kids open presents, sitting around the dinner table, are things that bi-national same sex couples pray to be a reality soon.  

For a bi-national couple living exiled in New Zealand, you would think that life is perfect for them, after all, they are together legally.    Here is the two of them singing together a song that the Hoosier wrote for her New Zealand wife.  The Hoosier longs to "sit on the porch and have a beer with her dad in Indiana"     

Say You Will

These are just a few of my bi-national friends.  I could go on and on about friends living in exile in Canada and two other couples moving to Canada before the end of the winter season, but I won't.  I won't tell you of a lovely New York couple.....as one of them is from New York the other from Italy... they struggle with issues that heterosexual couples would never even think about.  If they marry, will that cause problems with Homeland Security?  Will the New Yorker's lovely wife be "red flagged" by Homeland Security because of their marriage...even though it is legal in New York?

Think about us, think about the bi-national couples as you celebrate the holidays with your loved ones.  As you hug your sweetheart, know that others are just touching a computer screen.  As you snuggle with your children, know that bi-national couples are scared and worrying that their children will be torn from their non-US citizen parent.


There are some that live in the United States illegally, in civil disobedience, seeing this as the only option to be together.  Exile is not an option for some of these couples.  Moving to their partner's country is not an option in some of these cases.

Author, Judy Rickard, in a bi-national relationship herself, has written a book called

Torn Apart: United by Love Divided by Law

A repeal of DOMA needs to take place.  The passing of the Uniting American Families Act, needs to take place.  We are human beings.  We have families.  We have fallen in love with a person who is not a US Citizen.  We need to be allowed to be with our spouses...we need to be allowed to pursue our happiness.

Other Resources:
Out4Immigration
Stop the Deportations:  The DOMA Project
Immigration Equality
Lavi Soloway:  Attorney

American Family Association Sends an Email Full of Lies

This email was sent to me on November 16, 2011 by the American Family Association.  The lies throughout the email are fantastic.  The misrepresentation of the facts is close to being liable.  The whole of the untruths is so Unchristian it is amazing.   I am quite sure that this is not what the Bible means when it says to Preach the Gospel and to love our neighbors. I cut and pasted this.  I changed nothing except removing my personal identifying information.       Gay weddings coming to ? - Senate voting on repeal of 'one man, one woman' marriage S. 598 now goes to the full Senate, where YOUR Senators can stop it dead in its tracks. November 15, 2011 Dear , Late last week, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and force to recognize same-sex marriages from other states. If passed by the full Senate, the so-called "Respect for Marriage Act" (S. 598) will repeal DOMA and give federal recognition to two homosexuals who wish to be "married." S. 598 shows anything but respect for the sanctity of marriage. Urge your Senators to stop this bill! The repercussions are enormous: States laws protecting marriage as between "one man, one woman" will become null and void - including the 31 states who have voted on constitutional amendments. The military will be thrown into complete chaos and disarray, as Department of Defense leaders try to figure out housing, benefits, and "same-sex spouse" sensitivity training regimens. Churches will come under fire from radical homosexual activists. Ministers and churches will be sued for "religious discrimination" for refusing to perform or allow gay "marriages." Public schools will be forced to indoctrinate our children, teaching them that homosexual marriage is both natural and acceptable. S. 598 now goes to the full Senate, where YOUR Senators can stop it dead in its tracks. Last July, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said President Obama supports the bill to repeal DOMA. Carney replied: "I can tell you that the president has long called for a legislative repeal of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act...He is proud to support the Respect for Marriage Act...which would take DOMA off the books once and for all." Take Action Email your senators today, without delay! Urge them to do everything within their power to protect marriage by voting AGAINST S. 598. After sending your email, please call your senators personally. Ask for your senators by name when you call the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121. Email your senators today, without delay! It is very important that you forward this alert to your friends and family members. Sincerely, Tim Wildmon, President American Family Association Help us Financially Donate Online to AFA One-Time Monthly Text the letters "AFA" to 20222 to give $10 Standard messaging rates may apply.

The Uniting American Families Act

While I can provide people with the legal terms of The Uniting American Families Act, what I want to say about it is this:  We are torn apart from those with whom we have fallen in love.  We are separated from our wives and children.  We are living in exile in different countries so we can be with our partners only to be apart from our families.   ....  We are Americans being told that we do not deserve the same rights as other Americans.  We are Americans being told that because someone doesn't like the way that we live, they can tell us how to live.  We are Americans being told that we are not important enough.  We are Americans being discriminated against because of whom we love. 

The bottom line being that we are Americans being told that we are not important enough, that we are too different, that we are nothing...not worth having the same rights as our heterosexual counterparts.

Because so many people have bought into this, because people think that they are much better than the gay and lesbian people (they say so each time they say that a vote for them is a vote for morals), because they think they have God on their side (although they have not picked up a Bible in years), they are against us.

The LGBT youth have been committing suicide at appalling rates and have the support to do this by our right wing government, clergy, and adults.  "Christians" have seem to have forgotten that Jesus said the first two commandments are love the Lord God and to love your neighborhood as yourself.

We want to be able to sponsor our spouses for immigration, please!

Now here is the Legal Stuff:

From Wikipedia

The Uniting American Families Act (UAFA, H.R. 1537, S. 821) is a U.S. bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate discrimination in the immigration laws by permitting permanent partners of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents to obtain lawful permanent resident status in the same manner as spouses of citizens and lawful permanent residents and to penalize immigration fraud in connection with permanent partnerships. Section 18 of the bill would be amended to include permanent partnerships as an illegal way to evade any provision of the immigration law and allow for the individual to be imprisoned for no more than five years, fined for up to $250,000 or both. Also, if the partnership ends within two years the sponsored partner’s legal immigrant status would come under review.

UAFA was most recently introduced during the 112th Congress, to the United States House of Representatives on April 14, 2011, by New York Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY).

Repeal DOMA /Separation of Church and State

What are the reasons to keep the Defense of Marriage (DOMA) on the books? Wait, the reasons that do not break the rule of separation of Church and State are the ones in which we are interested.

1. Traditional Marriage - Marriage has always been defined as between a man and a woman.

There are records from the 1st century church indicating that the church did indeed marry same sex couples.

In an article written by Father James Duffy, he writes and has evidence that same sex marriages took place throughout history.

Read the whole article in the The Gay Christian

As churches struggle with the issue of homosexuality, a long tradition of same sex marriage indicates that the Christian attitude toward same sex unions may not always have been as "straight" as is now suggested. A Kiev art museum contains a curious icon from St. Catherine's monastery on Mt. Sinai. It shows two robed Christian saints. Between them is a traditional Roman pronubus (best man) overseeing what in a standard Roman icon would be the wedding of a husband and wife. In the icon, Christ is the pronubus. Only one thing is unusual. The husband and wife are in fact two men.

The following research by Yale Law School Yale Law School Legal Scholarship Repository

A History of Same Sex Marriage

William N. Eskridge Jr.

Yale Law School

Makes the following observation regarding the problems with the "Traditional Marriage" (has always been between a man and a woman) arguement:

The early Egyptian and Mesopotamian societies that are considered important antecedents for Western culture apparently not only tolerated same-sex relationships, but also recognized such relationships in their culture, literature, and mythology. Evidence of same-sex marriage is at best indirect in these ancient societies, however. One finds slightly stronger and more direct evidence of same-sex marriages in Greek and early Roman culture, in imperial Rome, and in Western Europe for much of the Christian Middle Ages.

Read the entire research article here.

2.

As far as I know, there is no #2.

Traditional marriage is their only argument that does not break the Church's rule of "Separation of Church and State". Although, it has been proven that today's marriage is not necessarily all that traditional; it is good, right, and admirable to break with traditions when they are oppressive to a people.

An example of a tradition that was good and right when changed is slavery. Another example is women voting.

As Americans we pride ourselves in equality, yet, a whole group of people are being told that they do not deserve any rights. They are being told that they are second class citizens.

The Daily Kos has a wonderful article on Why was DOMA enacted?

They enacted DOMA specifically to confer a higher status on heterosexual people, so that more children would grow up to realize they should be heterosexual. This has of course led to higher incidents of suicide and depression among gay people, and outright rejection in some cases even by a gay person's friends or family, all to reach the ends of "promoting heterosexuality."

This is one of the biggest reasons it's time to repeal DOMA: sexual orientation is understood as a real distinction by law and by psychologists. Back when, for example, the military's gay ban was implemented, the idea was to stop a perceived aberrant sexual behavior. Society and science's views on homosexuality have changed - it's no longer a behavior but an orientation. It can't be changed and so-called "conversion therapy" has been rejected by scientists and psychologists. It made no sense to keep the gay ban going.

And it makes no sense to keep DOMA. Simply put, the goal of promoting heterosexuality is not served by laws like DADT or DOMA. The government can't promote heterosexuality even if it wanted to. At this point, it's only creating a second-class status for a group of people it can't change.

It is time to get this discriminatory law REPEALED!

How Many Times Does "DOMA" Need To Be Declared Unconstitutional?

Obama, Holder Call 1996 Defense of Marriage Act Unconstitutional

Defense of Marriage Act called unconstitutional by bankruptcy judge

Christian Attorney says, "DOMA is Unconstitutional"

Wikipedia Defense of Marriage Act

Federal Judge Rules Defense of Marriage Act Unconstitutional. Will It Stick?

Google Search: Defense of Marriage Act Declared Unconstitutional

The Speaker of the House, Mr. John Boehner is using funds that are ill gotten without permission (this has been swept under the rug) to try to defend DOMA.

The Huffington Post Reports

DOMA Defense: Lawmakers Puzzled Where House GOP Is Getting The Money To Pay Paul Clement

The Christian Post, while defending Boehner, still wonders from where the money is coming..

Boehner Hires Lawyer to Defend DOMA, Demands DOJ Pick Up the Tab

Above the Law Also reports:

Paul Clement and King & Spalding Defend DOMA — at a Discount

In addition to all of this mind blowing hypocrisy, those defending the so called Defense of Marriage Act, are refusing to have the trial video taped. Many people are asking "why?"

Lambda Legal Decries DOMA Defenders' Refusal to Allow Taping of Court Hearing

"It is outrageous that the leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives wants to shroud in secrecy their use of tax dollars to try to defend discrimination."

If they really think their cause is just, shouldn't it be brought to light. Shouldn't they be screaming it from the roof tops...oh wait that is right...the majority of Americans support same sex marriage

Gallup Poll Reports

It would seem that so much is going on in favor of same sex couples, yet, we have no Federal recognition. Most of the States deny any sort of recognition and many of them seek to write this horrible discrimination into their own Constitutions. When will people realize that the separation of Church and State is supposed to go on always, NOT JUST WHEN IT BENEFITS THE CHURCH.

It's Not Like DOMA is Hurting Anyone

REALLY???

Quote from a bi-national couple:

"The agony of enforced separation gets harder every time. Didn't think it could get any more painful but it does. Our hearts are broken once again by DOMA."

Quote from a Lesbian:

"Love is not a crime People should not have to hide their feelings or pretend to be someone they aren’t just to conform to societies views of normal. Love Definition: Noun: An intense feeling of deep affection. Verb: Feel a deep romantic or sexual attachment to (someone) It shouldn’t matter if that someone is black or white, a woman or man, gay or straight. Love is a beautiful thing.

Quote by a bi-national couple:

"It is not possible to kiss while crying? It is if you are a bi-national same sex couple."

Quote by a binational couple:

"The only reason they can separate me from my husband, is because of DOMA".

Quote from a binational couple:

"Living our lives from visit to visit. We have been legally married for five years and have never lived more than three months in a row under the same roof together. DOMA keeps us apart. Until the laws of our land accept us with equal treatment, this is our life. 3 months in California, 3 months in the UK. It’s hard. It’s challenging. But it’s more than we’ve ever had before."

Quote from a binational couple:

I have no regrets at all. (of being in a binational relationship) She is the best thing that's ever happened, she is the reason why I get up every morning and strive to be a better person. She is the reason why I won't stop fighting and trying to find ways to put this family back together. I hate that I have a kid that's growing up with a part time parent, I hate that my wife doesn't have me there supporting her with our girl when she's hitting such a difficult age. Imagine being 10 years old and already having an understanding of gay rights, immigration and proposals like the UAFA. Don't get me wrong I think that it's great for kids to be politically aware, but this isn't the way in which they should learn.

Quote from a binational couple:

Please pass the Uniting American Families Act, we have suffered so much already."

Quote from binational couple:

HOW on earth does that adversely affect our society? It’s been months since I last saw my partner. I have cleaned out my savings, having to use it for travel and phone bills. This imposed separation is harmful physically, mentally, emotionally, fiscally and familialy. No one would be harmed by granting people equal (not special) rights to sponsor their partners in fact we would all become healthier and more productive members of society instead of legislative outcasts. Pushed to abandon the country we call home, when our partners are willing to give up their lives and homes to start new here. Please realize that these are REAL people, and they are being HARMED by this situation. I am being harmed by this situation. Please put yourself in our situation and think how it would feel that some stranger has the power to change your world for good or ill.

Still think DOMA is not hurting anyone? Think again. Tonight when you lie down next to your spouse, know that there are those of us who because of USA law cannot. When you hug your children, know that because of DOMA hundreds of kids will not feel their Mom or Dad's hug. Because of DOMA people have to sing their children to sleep via SKYPE.

It is hurting someone. It is hurting US citizens who have fallen in love with someone who is not an American Citizen.

Now I have heard all the reasons to keep DOMA and not pass the Uniting American Families Act, but they all are based on a thological thoughts...and the thoughts that because I am in love with someone who is of my same sex, I am non deserving of the right to be married in my country. I have had members of Congress tell me the following:

1. Move out of the USA

2. Your family is not a nuclear family

3. Marriage is between one man and one woman

All of these reasons...make no sense to my heart....to the people I have quoted.... it makes no sense to them either. We don't want to rip apart your fundamental beliefs, but we do want to be able to be with our love. Your fundamental beliefs should be that "all are created equal...". They should be that ALL Americans deserve EQUAL treatment under the law. After all....isn't that the principles that our forefathers founded this country?

State Marriage Equality Does Not Help - Repeal DOMA Pass UAFA

Immigration is under Federal jurisdiction and therefore, the States passing Marriage Equality does not help with Same Sex bi-national couples being able to be together legally here the the United States.

What if you couldn't see your spouse? What if you went months or years without being able to hold your husband or wife? What if that decision was not yours, but your government? What if your future with your family was in the hands of a government? I am not talking about some backwards third world country, I am talking about the United States of America, where all are created equal...that is except for the second class Lesbian and Gay people. They apparently do not deserve the same rights as all American people...just ask Congress.

There are two bills that have been introduced into Congress again and again to help with this situation, yet, they have yet to be brought for a vote. This is because the GOP for whatever reason believes that if they ignore us, they will not have to deal with us. The two bills are the Uniting American Families Act and the Respect for Marriage Act.

Once again the 112th Congress (which has been called the "Do Nothing Congress) refuses to bring the UAFA and the RFMA up for votes.

Please sign the following to help repeal DOMA:

https://secure3.convio.net/hrc/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1070

The Senate actually did hold a hearing...the first in the long history of the bill:

ABC News’ Arlette Saenz (@arlettesaenz) reports:

The Senate held the first ever hearing on the Respect of Marriage Act, which would repeal the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act and extend to legally married same-sex couples the same benefits and protections provided to heterosexual married couples.

“I’m concerned that DOMA has served to create a tier of second-class families in states like Vermont. This runs counter to the values upon which America is founded, to the proud tradition we have in this country of moving toward a more inclusive society,” Senate Judiciary Committee Chmn. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., said.

Testifying before the Senate Committee, Rep. John Lewis, D-Georgia, equated DOMA to racism and his personal experiences with discrimination.

“As a child, I tasted the bitter fruits of racism and discrimination, and I did not like it. And in 1996, when Congress passed the Defense of Marriage Act, the taste of that old bitter fruit filled my mouth once again,” Lewis said. “The Defense of Marriage Act is a stain on our democracy. We must do away with this unjust, discriminatory law once and for all. It reminds me of another dark time in our nation's history, in many years when states passed laws banning blacks and whites from marrying. We look back on that time now with disbelief. And one day we will look back on this period with that same sense of disbelief.”

But Republicans pounced on the Respect for Marriage Act and defended the constitutionality of DOMA.

“Traditional marriage is a sacred institution and serves as the cornerstone of our society. We cannot afford to devalue it with legislation like S. 598, and we must oppose any effort that would diminish the definition of marriage,” Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, said. “The other side argues that you can't choose who you love and that a union between two men or two women is equal to that of one man and one woman. But these are the same arguments that could be used to promote marriage between fathers and daughters, mothers and sons, or even polygamist relationships.”

The Uniting American Families Act would add three words to immigration law "or Permanent Partner". For some reason, Congress feels that they should have the power to keep us from those that we love because it would put a strain on immigration. Our immigration system is so broken and our Congress is so "do nothing" that President Obama had to take steps to not deport the DREAMers or the partners of the Lesbians or Gay people.

Do they not see how cruel it is? Do they get such a power rush by waving their all powerful pens saying I cannot be with my wife. What if Someone had the right keep them from their spouses for as long as they keep DOMA as law...for as long as they refuse to pass the Uniting American Families Act.Maybe it would give them some sort of understanding as to what thousands of bi-national same sex couples are going through daily.

Pass the Uniting American Families Act, Repeal the Defense of Marriage Act Please

Our Leaders Are Sheep

I just read a "tweet" from one of the Congressmen that I follow. He said, "I just joined 40 of my colleagues...." The bill he is talking about totally discriminates against women's health care and takes away from many low income women the ability to get their yearly PAP smear and check up.

What I want to know is this: Do any of the people that we have elected do any research on what they are doing? Do they only sponsor or vote for bills because their "party" tells them to? Do they even know what the bill contains? Do they care?

Do they try to educate the public or their-selves as to what is accurate, or do they only feed into the ignorance.

Most of United States Citizens are woefully ignorant as to the immigration process, yet, we allow them to make decisions as to who can immigrate instead of educating them, we feed into their ignorance and fear.

I am certain that those voting to keep me from my rights because of religious belief have never ever picked up a Bible and done any sort of research. If they did, they would not be so fast to continue to allow me to be a disposable, second class citizen because I am a lesbian.

TO CONGRESS:

1. Make decisions based on research

2. Do Your own research

3. Don't discriminate because of religion

You don't have time? You hold people's lives in your hand and you don't have time? You are either on a power rush or you have no idea what your job really is.

You have the ability to allow my wife, children and I to live together legally and in peace. You have the ability to take my family away and dispose of them like a piece of garbage because of your religion....yet, you have never personally done any research on what the Bible really says. Let's face it, when is the last time you picked up a Bible with a Concordance and done any sort of research....NEVER. Then how can you vote intelligently based on what other people have said that other people have said that they say tradition has said.....your hold my life in your hands and you do such shoddy work....thank God you don't have my job otherwise people would die with the disdain that you do your research and how your base your voting.

What to Do About Speaker Boehner

The Speaker of the House, John Boehner refuses to bring the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) up for a vote. Not to mention that the immigrant hater Lamar Smith refuses to bring the Uniting American Families Act up for a hearing in the Judiciary Committee (but that is a different blog subject)

What we need to do is for all of us, every single one of us to contact, email, tweet, and/or fax the Speaker's office daily. YES, Daily.

To Email the Speaker, you must use this form outside of Ohio's 8th district.

http://www.speaker.gov/Contact/

Office of the Speaker

H-232 The Capitol

Washington, DC 20515

Phone: (202) 225-0600

Fax: (202) 225-5117

If you live in Ohio's 8th district, you can email his Ohio Office

http://johnboehner.house.gov/Contact/

We can complain about his tears and the fact that he refuses to bring DOMA up for a vote, but unless we take action, our complaints are only heard by those who actually agree with our arguments .... and this will not bring about change. I urge you to take action.

It was brought to my attention that I was remiss in leaving out his twitter accounts. He has two of them. @SpeakerBoehner and @johnboehner

Binational Same Sex Couples: The Minority of a Minority

Why Passing the Uniting American Families Act

and Repealing DOMA is Urgent

 

The Census in the year 2000 said that binational same sex couples numbered approximately 36,000.  In the 2010 Census, we have yet to receive a number, however rumor has it that it was not counted or divided to give an accurate number.  With the onset of online dating, Skype, chat rooms, and other various ways our lives our touched by technology, I believe that number to be at least tripled.  However, all in all, we are a small group of gays and lesbians who have fallen in love with someone who is not an American Citizen.  If we were heterosexual, we could apply for a green card for our spouses and it would be immediately granted with little fanfare.  Because the people with whom we have fallen in love are of the same sex, there is little to no options for our spouses to immigrate.  Our options include the following:

1.  Our foreign born spouse can get a job here in the United States.  Unfortunately, it has to be a specialized job that no American citizen is able to do or wants to do.

2.  College.  Paying out of state fees.  However, one can only afford that for so long and there are only so many degrees that a person can earn.

3.  Be unusually talented.  By that I mean a Celine Dion or a Sammy Sosa type talent. 

Those are the legal options we have for immigration.  If our spouses do not or cannot fall into any of these categories, our options are really limited:

1.  Move to the spouses country if they are gay friendly.

2.  Move to a third country if able

3.  Live apart and on visits from time to time

4.  Live in the United States as a non-person "under the wire"

While Marriage Equality is so very important and absolutely needs to get done, those who live with their partners can go home at night and be held by their spouse/partner.  Bi-national same sex couples live visit to visit...often going a year or so before being able to hold their loved one.  I am asking everyone to please take action to get the Uniting American Families Act brought up for some sort of vote.  Right now, Lamar Smith, chairman of the Judiciary Committee in the House, has no intentions of bringing anything like it up for a vote.  He needs to be contacted daily.  We need to make the Uniting American Families Act something that Congress hears each and every day.

Tonight when you go to bed and you reach out and touch your loved one, know that thousands of bi-national gay and lesbian people are alone and not able to hold their loved one.  We just want a chance to live our lives with the person with whom we love, to live and love and just be and be legal.   Know that we are a small group, but we are part of a larger group and we are Americans asking for our right to live with our love. We ask for your help in getting the necessary legislation brought forward. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New York Marriage Equality Bitter-Sweet for Bi-National Same Sex Couples

"Hey American ... Hey American Lady.... " A man with a very thick middle Eastern accent approached us.  "Hey you are American?  I will marry you for for $40,000"  As my girlfriend (later to become my wife) and I walked along the streets of Amsterdam fourteen years ago, this offer shocked me and made me uncomfortable.  I chuckled and said something about the guy being desperate.  Today, sadly, I  understand this man's desperation all too well.

Today, NEW YORK celebrated Marriage Equality.  It was so very bittersweet.  I looked at all the pictures and had tears in my eyes for happiness for these couples.

  Congratulations from my heart to all of those who got married today and will marry in the future. 

Today, a friend of mine will leave her country in Europe and come for a short visit here in the United States.  She will visit the love of her life.  She will have to leave in three months and go back to her country of origin and leave her life partner....because there is no equality for us. 

Even if every single state in the Union and Puerto Rico were to legalize Marriage Equality...to legalize Same Sex Marriage, it would not help bi-national same sex couples...not one little bit.  Immigration is under Federal law and the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is the law of the land.  If we could get the Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR) passed or the Uniting American Families Act. (UAFA) Now that is something that would remedy the situation and give us the freedom to be able to hold our loved ones in our arms...just to be able to be with them...

In the last year, two of my friends who are in a bi-national relationship will have in the last year, only spent 14 days together.  How is this justice? 

Please read my friends stories. Their courage to share what they are going through and their strength inspire me.

I am My Beloved's and My Beloved is Mine

Love Forbidden

Married and In Love, Yet Strangers by US Law

Living Our Lives Three Months At A Time

A Love Story

The Last Night: VIDEO

A lot of my bi-national friends are legally married, however because of DOMA and because of unjust immigration laws, it does not matter. Legally, we are not allowed to be together. Please, if immigration by some other way, along some other avenue were possible, all of these bi-national couples would have done it already.

Please celebrate Marriage Equality in New York and know our hearts rejoice with yours. Please understand that we still are apart from our husbands, wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, life partners and we have no legal avenue to get our spouses here. We need DOMA repealed and we need it done soon. We also need the Uniting American Families Act passed. We should have the right to sponsor our partners for immigration.

Please stand with us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Senate DOMA Hearing

The first ever congressional hearing on the Respect for Marriage Act has ended. Among the witnesses were Freedom to Marry's Founder and President Evan Wolfson

Ron Wallen, a California man who may lose his home because DOMA prohibits him from receiving Social Security survivor benefits from his recently deceased husband Tom.

Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) questions Focus on the Family's Tom Minnery about his misrepresentation of a HHS study while claiming that children are better off being raised in homes with opposite-sex couples. The study found that children fair best when raised in homes with two parents regardless of gender.

Under questioning from Sen. Patrick Leahy, Focus on the Family's Tom Minnery admits that children are disadvantaged by lack of protections for same-sex couples.

From The Atlantic

Back in 1996, no senator was calling the antigay forces on their lies, damn lies, and statistics. No senator approvingly quoted his state's married same-sex couples or invited white-bread suburban lawnmowing gay men and lesbians to tell the heartbreaking disaster stories about being excluded from full marriage recognition. This time, perhaps no Republican senator was yet willing to urge DOMA's repeal, but only Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) showed up to speak in support of it.

The moral panic of the late 1980s and early 1990s left behind three major legacies: Bowers v. Hardwick, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and DOMA. The first two have fallen. And while states' laws and constitutional amendments have to be repealed as well, the federal DOMA is the most important brick in the wall. Today I could see that wall shaking.

Tom and Ron's story is a stark example of the kind of injustice same-sex couples face due to the Defense of Marriage Act. You can help reverse it by signing the petition to end the "gay tax" and repeal DOMA at http://freedomtomarry.org/taxday

The Church/World Wrong?

The Earth is Flat

The church says the earth is flat, but I know that it is round, for I have seen the shadow on the moon, and I have more faith in a shadow than in the church” Ferdinand Magellan

The Earth is the Center of the Universe and the Sun rotates around the Earth Galileo Galilei - believed that the Earth rotated around the Sun. The entire world...all of the experts felt that the Earth was the center of the universe. From Wikipedia:

In February 1616, although he had been cleared of any offence, the Catholic Church nevertheless condemned heliocentrism as "false and contrary to Scripture", and Galileo was warned to abandon his support for it—which he promised to do. When he later defended his views in his most famous work, Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems, published in 1632, he was tried by the Inquisition, found "vehemently suspect of heresy", forced to recant, and spent the rest of his life under house arrest.

The Bible says that Homosexuality is an Abomination

What the Bible says is an abomination is the unholy practice and cult ritual of a man depositing his sperm in the body of the High Priest during idol worship. The Bible never condemns a loving, monogamous, same sex relationship.

The Bible Says - Marriage

The Bible Says - Homosexuality

The Favorite Sin of the Conservatives

Does God REALLY Hate Homosexuals?

It is Against My Religion

Can You Justify Discrimination because of Sin?

Ruth and Naomi

Jesus, the Greatest Commandment and Homosexuality

Does God REALLY Hate Homosexuals?

All of the above links are previous entries from my blog. They contain a great deal of research and compelling evidence that The Almighty God does not condemn a monogamous same sex relationship. I would be more than happy to discuss or debate my research in a respectful manner. Please feel free to comment or email.

The Salem Witch Trials

From Wikipedia

The Salem witch trials were a series of hearings before county court trials to prosecute people accused of witchcraft in the counties of Essex, Suffolk, and Middlesex in colonial Massachusetts, between February 1692 and May 1693. Despite being generally known as the Salem witch trials, the preliminary hearings in 1692 were conducted in a variety of towns across the province: Salem Village (now Danvers), Ipswich, Andover and Salem Town.

The best-known trials were conducted by the Court of Oyer and Terminer in 1692 in Salem Town. Over 150 people were arrested and imprisoned, with even more accused but not formally pursued by the authorities. All twenty-six who went to trial before this court were convicted. The four sessions of the Superior Court of Judicature in 1693, held in Salem Village, but also in Ipswich, Boston and Charlestown, produced only three convictions in the thirty-one witchcraft trials it conducted. The two courts convicted twenty-nine people of the capital felony of witchcraft. Nineteen of the accused, fourteen women and five men, were executed by hanging.[1] One man, Giles Corey, refused to enter a plea and was crushed to death under heavy stones in an attempt to force him to do so. At least five more of the accused died in prison.

The episode is one of the most famous cases of mass hysteria, and has been used in political rhetoric and popular literature as a vivid cautionary tale about the dangers of isolationism, religious extremism, false accusations, lapses in due process, and local governmental intrusion on individual liberties

Congratulations NY, Now Immigration Equality

What a wonderful, exciting, and remarkable victory for equal rights for all. I am referring to the state of New York passing equal marriage rights for all. What a huge landmark decision for equality for all! I so enjoyed reading all of the ecstatic tweets from those in New York as they celebrated Pride.

My favorite moments was when the GOP senators explained their votes. How they could not vote against equality for all Americans. I loved when they said that they could find no legal reason to vote no. I hate to say it, I loved when Senator Saland refused to yield the floor to the only Democrat dissident, Ruben Diaz. Diaz claimed that Senator Saland was “ashamed” of his yes vote after he [Saland] refused to yield to him. Diaz also later claimed his right to speak was being trampled upon when he was continually asked to “wrap it up” after going over the time he (and all the Senate members, regardless of political stance, mind you) was allotted to speak. After Diaz made quite a fool of himself, the Senate was brought back under control. Several passionate speeches by other members of the Senate were made in support of the bill, including Senator Tom Duane,

Senator Carl Kruger, and Senator Mark.
Congratulations New York!
What does this mean for bi-national same sex couples. Currently, it means nothing at all. We still cannot sponsor our spouses, our partners for immigration. We have had some steps in the right direction, but as long as we have not passed immigration reform (the Uniting American Families Act) or repealed the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), bi-national couples are still unable to legally live here in the United States permanently.
ICE Memo on Deportations Provides Guidance on Use of Prosecutorial Discretion Which Will Help Binational Couples

Posted on Advocate.com June 20, 2011 05:15:00 PM ET

New Guidelines on Deportation Cases Could Apply to Gay Couples

By Andrew Harmon

IMMIGRATION PROTEST NEW YORK ARIZONA X390 | ADVOCATE.COM

Immigration officials may be able to consider the circumstances of married binational same-sex couples when making decisions about deportation, although an immigration group in response has asked for further clarification of new federal guidelines.

According to guidelines issued in a Friday memo by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement director John Morton to field directors, agents, and attorneys, Morton listed 19 criteria that could be considered in deportation cases, including whether an individual has a U.S. citizen spouse, as well as “the person’s ties and contributions to the community” and whether the individual’s nationality “renders removal unlikely.”

Morton specified that the list “is not exhaustive.” In response, an LGBT immigration advocacy group has asked the agency to clarify whether terms like “spouse” and “family” in the memo include gay partners and spouses.

“While ICE has taken a significant step in recognizing that tearing families apart should not be a government priority, it must be explicit that lesbian and gay families are protected, too,” Immigration Equality executive director Rachel Tiven said in a statement today.

Following the Obama administration’s February announcement that it would no longer defend the Defense of Marriage Act in federal court cases, Tiven’s organization and other advocates have called on officials to exercise their discretion in immigration cases involving married gay binational couples because President Barack Obama has said the 1996 law, which prevents federal recognition of same-sex marriages, is unconstitutional.

In some recent, well-publicized cases, officials have perhaps indicated their willingness to exercise such discretion, though the administration has so far said it will not issue a blanket policy on the matter.

“Neither [the Department of Homeland Security] nor [the Department of Justice] has granted any form of relief to the entire category of cases affected by DOMA,” wrote DHS assistant secretary Nelson Peacock and Assistant Attorney General Ronald Reich in a May letter to Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., and Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., replying to correspondence this spring from the two lawmakers.

Kerry and Lofgren, backed by dozens of colleagues in the House and Senate, had urged restraint in deportation proceedings involving married same-sex couples and asked that any green card application proceedings be put on hold pending legal resolution or legislative repeal of DOMA.

Lavi Soloway, an LGBT immigration attorney and cofounder of Stop the Deportations, said the ICE memo "offers abundant discretion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement attorneys handling deportation matters to consider the circumstances of lesbian and gay binational couples. There are at least three provisions that will prove to be very important for LGBT deportation cases: consideration of the person's ties to the country of origin and conditions there; consideration of the person's ties to the community, including family relationships; and consideration of whether the person has a spouse, parent or child who is a U.S. citizen or green card holder."

"Stop the Deportations will urge that these guidelines be applied fairly and compassionately to the spouses of lesbian and gay Americans facing deportation," Soloway said.

Until I am able to sponsor my wife for immigration, until I am able to live in the United States with the love of my life without the fear of our family being torn apart, until all Americans can have the rights that heterosexual people have, we do not have "Liberty and Justice for All".

We will continue our fight for Equality. We will continue......

Christian Attorney says, "DOMA is Unconstitutional"

While people may say that they believe in "traditional" marriage (meaning between one man and one woman), they still cannot deny that the "Defense of Marriage Act" is Unconstitutional. The American Family Association's in-house attorney says that while he and many members of his organization believe that marriage should be reserved only for heterosexual adults, the Defense of Marriage Act is "probably unconstitutional."

Here is my question: Exactly what is traditional marriage? They say that it is between one man and one woman. This is a fairly new "tradition". In the Old Testament King Solomon had 300 wives and 700 concubines. Basically, what they mean when they say "traditional marriage" is marriage by what we believe to be Christian standards. Indeed, it seems that the tradition they are speaking of is quite nontraditional.

Most of the "traditions" we associate with marriage are in fact comparatively new. It was only two centuries ago that people began to marry for love rather than for mercenary or practical considerations. Only 130 years ago did men start to lose their legal right to physically beat or imprison their wives. And only in the past 40 years have we established the principle that within a marriage wives and husbands have equal rights in decision-making.

Not until 1979 did the last American state finally repeal its "Head and Master" law, which had given husbands the final say over many aspects of family life. Not until 1993 did marital rape become a crime in every state, overturning the millennia-old tradition that a wife was obligated to have sex with her husband whenever he demanded it.

'Traditional' marriage has changed a lot Seattle Post-Intelligencer, February 23, 2006

By Stephanie Coontz

Stephanie Coontz teaches history and family studies at The Evergreen State College and is the author of "Marriage, A History: How Love Conquered Marriage" (Viking Penguin).

So what are they fighting for??? A law that is unconstitutional and defends marriage that is nontraditional. Their reasons? They believe it is the Christian thing to do.

I do not want to take away their Christianity. I am a Christian. All I want to be able to do is marry my same sex partner and have it respected and recognized by the government both State and Federal.