My friend Jon was a vibrant, kind and wonderful person. He loved music and dancing. He never ceased to make me laugh with silly jokes and goofy impressions of movie stars. I could always count on him to be there when I needed him, whether it was to help me move, or hold my hand when I was scared or sad.
But in 2008, I lost my dear friend when Jon took his own life.
I will never really know why Jon left us so early. But I do know that behind the laughter and the kindness Jon struggled to accept who he was. He struggled because our society told him who he was was wrong, immoral, sinful, and different.
Jon was gay.
For me, this is what the LGBTQ equality fight is all about. Homophobia – like racism, sexism, and classism – causes harm. Real and tangible emotional and physical harm. What’s more, our government condones this discrimination in its utter failure to grant LGBTQ couples the dignity and respect that only marriage can afford.
This week the House Judiciary Committee will take testimony on three pieces of LGBTQ anti-discrimination policy: the Equal Access to Marriage Act, the Equal Access to Family Courts Act, and Equal Religious Protection Act. They are simple pieces of legislation aimed at one goal, ending LGBTQ bias in state law.
If years past are any indication, testimony this Wednesday at the State House will be impassioned, fraught with Biblical references, personal stories, and legal arguments. For me the argument is not merely about same sex marriage, access to divorce or religious protection, though these are certainly a critical steps forward.
For me it is about my friend Jon, who after belting out Tori Amos songs in my living would lose himself in despair so deep that he couldn’t find his way out because we allow our government and our neighbors to discriminate against him and all LGBTQ Rhode Islanders.
It can “get better” but not if we sit on our heels and wait for it. We have to take action to make it better. Ask you legislators to stand on the side of tolerance, acceptance and love and fight for LGBTQ equality.
Originally posted on RightHer www.wfri.com/blog
Kate, what existing laws do these new laws try to modify?
Learn more about the bills here equalityfederation.salsalabs.com/o/35030/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=493/
Thanks for the link… I guess what I don’t understand is why these new laws are needed in the first place. Aren’t what these laws attempt to fix already illegal under the 14th Amendment?
Thank you Kate, for sanity and humanity too.
When is the IRS requirements for limitations on lobbying going to be enforced in RI on the Catholic Bishop and his lobbiest Father Healy?
Huh? Churches are allowed to lobby provided that lobbying is not a “substantial part of a church’s activities. Are you suggesting that Tobin and Healy’s lobbying is a “substantial part” of that church’s activities.
I look forward to your condemnation of President Obama who opposes civil rights for homosexuals. Indeed, we wouldn’t be having this fight if Obama ended DOMA. But he won’t because he doesn’t believe in equality. Why should Rhode Island not follow the President’s lead?
Hopefully, you will rip the Obama sticker off your car as so many other Democrats have done.
Dear President Obama and Senator Jack Reed – You are wrong to support DOMA. It is time to repreal it.
Sen. Reed – Your continued refusal to say you will vote against DOMA is a dark stain on your otherwise mostly noble service to the people of RI.
I think, Mr Forsanri, that you will find almost all gay rights groups have condemned Obama and Reed for thier stands. I think you will also find that many organizations are not single issue, and so continue to support elected officials with whom they disagree on one or more major issues. I would prefer to have a half-assed Democrat like obama as President than a troglodyte caveman like Romney.
FYI – Here is MERI denouncing Sen. Reed for continuing to support DOMA: equalityfederation.salsalabs.com/o/35030/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=719
“I would prefer to have a half-assed Democrat like obama as President than a troglodyte caveman like Romney.”
Ha, as if there’s that much difference between them.
This ^^^ is why the marriage equality movement is a total joke. If they aren’t willing to fight for what they believe in, then don’t waste our time and clog up the legislative agenda anymore.