Fake fundamentalist, Reformed Fundamentalist, Unrepentant Fundamentalist, and Scary Fundamentalist

This post has a cute theme yay!

First is Fake fundamentalist Betty Bowers who satirically examines the various “Biblical” definitions of marriage. (via Joe.My.God)

Next is Reformed Fundamentalist Dick Cheney who has now taken a more pro-marriage-equality position than our current president. (In all fairness Dick is more of a neo-con than a “fundamentalist” but I needed to call him one for the post to work.) (via gayzetteblog)

Unrepentant Fundamentalist Marilyn “mad cow” Musgrave sent out a fundraiser letter this week portraying herself as a political victim who stood up for family values and then goes on to quote the Bible. Her letter included a special shout-out for us queers:

“It’s certainly not easy to lose your seat in Congress. And harder still to be true to your values as I have been, but the radical homosexual lobby, abortionists, gun-grabbers and all the rest of the extremists finally spent enough money, spread enough lies and fooled enough voters to defeat me.”

(via the Denver Post)

Lastly in Scary Fundamentalist news the U.S. Marshals are providing 24 hour security for Dr. Warren Hern who runs the Boulder Abortion Clinic and is one of a few doctors who performs late-term abortions. (via 5280)

gayzette examines when marriage will come to Colorado

Civil rights in this country move in one direction, forward, so it’s not a question of if but rather a question of when Colorado will legally recognize gay marriage.  Nic Garcia has an excellent two page article in the new issue of gayzette examining that question.

• Could a court declare equal rights in Colorado?
• How about the Supreme Court?
• What about another ballot initiative?
• What’s being done currently to achieve equal rights in CO?

To answer these questions Nic got a diversity of differing opinions of activists, politicians, and community leaders and citizens.

Click here to read the full gayzette issue online (the article is on pages 8 and 9) or click here for just the article on gayzetteblog.

Video of yesterday’s Prop 8 excitement

This video which I made for Soulforce in Colorado covers everything that happened yesterday from the picket to the sit-in to the arrests.

Video of yesterday's Prop 8 excitement

This video which I made for Soulforce in Colorado covers everything that happened yesterday from the picket to the sit-in to the arrests.

CA Supreme Court issues ruling on the legal challenge to Prop 8

Six of these people believe your civil rights can be decided by a popular vote.

The CA Supreme Court has upheld the validity of Prop 8 but also chosen to uphold existing marriages performed prior to Prop 8′s enactment. You can download a PDF of their full decision here or read CNN.com’s online coverage here.

And just a reminder Soulforce has a protest/rally planned this afternoon downtown from 3:00-5:00pm.  Here’s the Facebook event invite which has all the details.  There’s a good old fashioned picket along Colfax but the fun part comes around 4:00pm when several volunteers are going to stage a sit-in at the clerk and recorder’s office (where marriage licenses are issued) and quite likely get arrested.  Again, the protest is open to everyone and the whole arresting part is only for the few people who have already volunteered and received special training.

The GLBT Center of Colorado has released a statement on how today’s decision affects couples here in CO:

“A tremendous number of Colorado couples traveled to California from May to November last year while the state recognized same sex marriage,” said Mindy Barton, legal director of the GLBT Community Center of Colorado. “We continue to encourage those couples here in Colorado to use their marriage as an opportunity to educate others about the importance of having the government, not just friends and family, recognize their relationship.”

Meanwhile in CA already swooping into action the Courage Campaign which is running the following TV ad.  God bless them.

CA Supreme Court to issue ruling on validity of Prop 8 on Tuesday – Denver group planning local protest

From Soulforce’s Facebook event invite:

This morning, the California Supreme Court announced that it will rule on the validity of Prop 8 this TUESDAY, MAY 26th. Over 60 events across the nation are planned for the Day of Decision. Locally, Soulforce in Colorado is organizing a direct action on Tuesday.

The protest on Tuesday will have two parts.

FIRST – from 3:00-5:00pm there will be a peaceful walking picket along Colfax between 14th and 15th streets. This is in front of the Webb Administration Building where marriage licenses are issued.

SECOND – Individuals who have volunteered will stage a nonviolent sit-in and civil disobedience at the Denver Clerk and Recorder’s office. If you’re interested in being trained to participate in the sit-in please contact Chris Hubble ASAP at 303-800-5664.

—————————————————-

WHO: Soulforce in Colorado, YOU, and thousands of Americans at 60 confirmed events throughout the nation!

WHEN: Tuesday, May 26, 2009 from 3:00-5:00pm

WHY: We expect the media in Denver will be covering the Prop 8 decision and we want to give them a way to “localize” the story. We want to take this opportunity to continue the discussion of marriage equality in Colorado and respond to a national call for social change through the ongoing use of nonviolent direct action until the federal government extends equal protection in all fifty states on matters governed by civil law, including marriage equality for same-gender couples.

WHERE: In front of the Webb Administration Building on Colfax between 14th and 15th streets.

—————————————————-

For questions please contact

Chris Hubble at cahubble09@gmail.com or 303-800-5664
Kate Burns at kateburns303@comcast.net or 303-806-8444

gay news roundup

Kerry Eleveld, a reporter for The Advocate in the White House press pool, asked White House Press Secretary Gibbs about repealing DOMA. Gibbs punted, check it:

With marriage equality sweeping the nation fundies in Pennsylvania are freaking out and and re-introducing a bill to ban it. [Towleroad]

Denver resident, gay rights leader, and former director of the Gill Foundation Rodger McFarlane committed suicide. [New York Times]

GOP Chair Michael Steel makes the absurd claim marriage equality is bad for small businesses. [New York Times] Keith Olbermann lets him have it.

Photos from Saturday's marriage rally organized by 3rd grader

We had a couple posts up about it last week but on Saturday Denver third grader Ethan organized, held and spoke at a marriage equality rally on the steps of the capitol building.  From the photos you can see turnout was quite good and all the third graders about made for an adorable media event.

At the bottom of this post you can find some links to video of Ethan’s speech as well as a local news report.

Ethan doing an interview with local news before the rally.

Mindy Barton from The Center served as MC while third graders milled about. Eventually they got tired and sat down on the steps.

Curious how many adults showed up?  More photos after the jump!

Photos from Saturday’s marriage rally organized by 3rd grader

We had a couple posts up about it last week but on Saturday Denver third grader Ethan organized, held and spoke at a marriage equality rally on the steps of the capitol building.  From the photos you can see turnout was quite good and all the third graders about made for an adorable media event.

At the bottom of this post you can find some links to video of Ethan’s speech as well as a local news report.

Ethan doing an interview with local news before the rally.

Mindy Barton from The Center served as MC while third graders milled about. Eventually they got tired and sat down on the steps.

Curious how many adults showed up?  More photos after the jump!

The Weekend Of May 15-17

Sorry, this pre-Memorial Day weekend weekend is a little slow.

• Free Friday night and know what Creative Commons is?  Well Friday night the film “RIP: A Remix Manifesto” is being screened at Denver Open Media.  The film examines “remix culture and the ideas of sharing the work you create” including an interview with Creative Commons founder Larry Lessig. 8pm, 700 Kalamath St, suggested donation of $5.  More info here.

• Saturday is the Colorado Colfax Marathon. Yes, I know it’s kind of late to start training so let me tell you about the road closures in the gayborhood.  Westbound Colfax in Denver will be closed and 17th St will just have one lane closed for runners to use. Closures could start as early as 3:00am and end as late as 1:00pm. More info here.

• Saturday, Ethan, a third grader here in Denver has organized and is holding a marriage equality rally on the west steps of the Capitol with the backing of The Center.  Saturday, noon, west steps of the Capitol.  Facebook event page here. Remember, westbound Colfax may be closed due to the marathon.

• Arapahoe Basin is still open and will be till June 7th.  Go out and ride the mashed potatoes on mostly green and blue runs.  Only 5 months till October!

• Saturday and Sunday is the 9th Annual Indian Market and Powwow at The Fort in Morrison.  Expect to see lots of Native American art, crafts, dancing and drumming.  More info here.