What a year... the gay movement in 2009

What a year!

In 2009:

• The assembly of the Church of Sweden voted strongly in favour of giving its blessing to homosexual couples, including the use of the term marriage,
• Uganda introduced the Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Bill which would broaden the criminalisation of same-sex relationships, including the death penalty for repeat convictions,
  
• California Passed 11 pieces of legislation. Hundreds, if not thousands of couples who marry around the world will have all the rights of marriage in California,
• The New York State Assembly voted NO on gay marriage,
• the governor of Maine legalised same-sex marriage in that state in Maine, USA; however, citizens voted to overturn that law when they went to the polls in November,
• New Hampshire governor John Lynch signs legislation allowing same-sex marriage,
• Portugal aims to permit marriage between same sex couples.
• and the list goes on...

2009 was a memorable year of yoyo-ing back and forth in educating the masses on gay issues and gaining the rights we deserve as human beings.

2010 will no doubt continue in this trend as we strive to teach the reality of homosexuality, dispel the myths and move toward a better world community.

While we're at it, we've picked three organisations that we believe donating to will help with the cause:

1. In The Life.  Documentary stories from the gay experience, one of the only unbiased media outlets for the gay community.
2. Equality California.  The Prop 8 saga was probably the most demoralising setbacks, especially when the gay movement failed to get Proposition 8 overturned earlier this year.
3. The RDFS.  Not necessarily a gay rights campaign, but very much a one for free thinking, including the acceptance of homosexuality as a part of the natural spectrum of human sexual orientation.

Together we can make a difference as we support the people and movements that help spread the truth.

On that note, see you in 2010!

-Gay Truth

New York State's Gay Marriage Vote - The Dissapointment

Myth

We can rely on the Democratic and non-conservative parties
to move us forward on equality issues.

Truth

"I don't understand how any of us could vote no" - neither do we.

On December 2nd, 2009 the New York State Senate voted on a bill that would legalise same-gender marriages and at the same time protect religious institutions who wish to abstain from performing these marriages.  The measure failed 24-38, with 8 Democrats and all 30 Republicans voting against.

This video looks into the reaction that followed the vote, and asks how we can be better activists in the fight for our civil rights.

Senator Diane Savino gave a passionate speech on the floor of the Senate in favor of the same-sex marriage bill. The video of her speech has become a YouTube hit.

For more video links and information visit the IN THE LIFE website.

Let's Ban Divorce!

This video is of course not meant to be completely serious, although the issue it is targeting is very much so. Titled "2010 MARRIAGE PROTECTION ACT Signature Drive", Travis from YouTube has created a very witty video that alludes to the mockery that was the Californian Marriage Protection act that took away the right for homosexuals to get married.

RescueMarriage.org is the brain-child of concerned Christian and political activist John Marcotte, who felt strongly that Prop 8 did not go far enough in protecting traditional marriage. With the help of attorneys and friends, Marcotte is attempting to ban divorce in the State of California.

It doesn't take a genius (or does it?) to realise that that anti-gay marriage organisations such as NOM and Focus on the Family have no real desire to do with "protecting marriage".  Their movement to ban gay marriage is a direct homophobic attack on gay people based on myths and fear mongering.

It makes total sense that these organisations would support the mock movement of this video.  After all, they're using the same arguments:

• Getting back to 'old' values.  Divorce wasn't always legal.
• Its all about protecting families.  We all know the best families are those where there are two parents (of the opposite sex, that is) are living under the same roof.  Right?
• It makes a mockery of marriage.  What can undermine marriage more than divorce?
• It will protect the children!  The creme de la creme of arguments.  We don't want children learning about divorce now, do we?
  

Featured Reading: "Is It A Choice?"

Initially released in the mid 1990's, Eric Marcus produced an updated sings-of-the-times version of his highly acclaimed book "Is It A Choice? Answers to the Most Frequently Asked Questions About Gay and Lesbian People".

Yes, we have come a long way in achieving acceptances and education relating to homosexuality, but everyone knows there's still a high mountain to climb when it comes to the common misconceptions out there. Homosexuality is still very much a taboo, even in the Western World. This is only so true when we hear about the marriage law saga and appalling television commercials produced by anti-gay groups.

This book is perfect for gay and pro-gay individuals who need that extra bit of affirmation and perfect rebuttal up their sleeves when they hear the dreaded "if it doesn't fit, then how can it be normal?" and "you just need to wait until the right person comes along?" questions. Likewise, for those of you who are completely convinced homosexuality IS a choice and haven't yet heard a convincing argument, then this book is for you too.

Basically, if you have a question, more than likely, you'll find it in this book.

The beauty though, is that Eric's arguments are not bogged down by religious bias (which we know can often turn into a tail chasing case). He writes well and incorporates a sense of humour that keeps the topic light hearted. He delves into the realm of gays in the military, sexual practices, dating, marriage, gays in the workplace without putting anyone on the defensive.

This is a book we wish would be on the shelves on every high school's library. As a resource, it is simply a must to the 10% or so youth out there who need a sanity check.

If you can't come up with the answers for "that" gay question fast, this book pretty much answers them all.

Grab a copy today:

I Am An Ex Gay

MYTH:

I am an ex gay. You can be too!
There's no harm in trying to be straight.

TRUTH:

Sure. Right. We believe you! Not.

The ex-gay movement is perhaps the most dangerous movement to gay people that there is, in more ways than you might think.

Some notes:

• Ex-gay movements destroy people's lives and breaks apart families.
  In The Life have made an excellent documentary depicting various instances of the harm this idea does.
  
  
• It spreads mis-information about homosexuality.
  Especially the lie that your sexual orientation is a choice.
  
  
• It simply doesn't work.
  We've written about several instances of people denying their sexual orientation, being caught in the act. Instead of admitting that they're not straight, they choose to hide behind a blanket of regret and human fallacy in the hope of forgiveness.
  
  
• It kills people.
  We're not talking about suicide here. Ideas like those of ex-gay Richard Cohen (we're so willing to place a bet there) and Rick Warren actually influence people and governments to push ideas, practises and laws that not only take gay people's rights away, but in the case of Uganda, take their lives (although these individuals haven't pulled the trigger, they certainly left behind some smoke).

So, back to the "you can be straight too!" line. We simply know this as one of the stickiest myths out there. Jonathan Jones from Queer Life doesn't either. He begins by telling Richard Cohen' story:

"I watched the telly with great interest when Rachel Maddow interviewed ex-gay Richard Cohen on her show. Richard was an out gay man who came to Christianity in his earlier life and believes that Jesus gave him the power to be free of his homosexuality and thus ever since has traveled about telling other gays the 'good news' which has led thousands of people away from the homosexual 'lifestyle.' "

Read the rest of his article here.