Well, after 8 years of discrimination with a smile, Bush turned a corner that has officially shocked me, but I’m not about to complain. Yesterday, Bush signed Worker, Retiree and Employer Recovery Act of 2008 into law! This new bill provides important protections for LGBT families and is something we should celebrate! At Join the Impact, we come together in one very hard and long struggle. Let’s take this moment to come together in celebration. Tonight, as you ring in the new year, do so with the knowledge that we are ONE STEP CLOSER to achieving full equality for all! This is a win worth celebrating.
Tomorrow is not just a new day, it’s a new year in the fight for equal rights. What do you resolve to do? I resolve to DOUBLE our impact on November 15th 2009 with over 2 million people protesting world-wide. I resolve to have MANY more celebrations of equal rights gained as marriage passes in many states, Prop 8 gets repealed, and Obama begins to act on the promises he made us. I resolve to continue my conversations of equality. I resolve to not be the victim and instead be the victor. I resolve to be a 1st Class Citizen.
Happy New Queer!
4 Responses
Might I suggest some sort of mass transportation to state capitals instead of trying to have protests in smaller cities? It would make a much bigger impression, especially in states like Ohio. We only had 1,000 people statewide, but we were spread through six cities, making it look (and feel) a little…pitiful. Outreach to gay-affirming religious groups would be great too.
Posted on January 1st, 2009 at 9:02 pm
The Jan 10th DOMA protest is suppose to be held at state capitols.
Posted on January 2nd, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Hi Elizabeth & Matt,
Because of the economy, many people are having trouble justifying a drive to their state capitol. As such, the Jan 10th DOMA protests have been opened up to the city level to ensure that we get as many signatures on the Open Letter to Obama as possible. That said, it is not too late to contact organizers in your state and ask that they work together to setup a carpool for one massive event. In a state like Ohio, this is easier (I’m originally from Ohio, so I know how easy it is to get from one end to another). In a state like California, this is not nearly as easy. Remember, the goal of January 10th is to get 1 million plus signatures on the Open Letter to Obama. The goal is not to get 1 million people out protesting. This is not to say that 1 million people wouldn’t be amazing, it is only to say that with the holidays and the economy, we don’t want to overextend what people can do, especially when the Open Letter will make the largest impact and needs the most attention.
Thanks!
Amy
Posted on January 2nd, 2009 at 4:51 pm
As long as lots of photos are taken and everyone sends press advisories to their local papers, tons of smaller events can be great. One person holding a vigil for equality on the steps of city hall in a small town, times 20 small towns in Ohio, sends a huge message… perhaps a bigger message than 20 people rallying at the state capitol.
Everyone, do whatever you can, just make sure that you do it! (And photograph it, and report it to the press, and blog it….!)
Posted on January 5th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
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