Random Thoughts on Equal Rights

The following are just some thoughts, ideas and comments regarding LGBTQ legal and civil rights, discrimination against gay and lesbian community, same-sex marriage, injustice and equality that we wanted to share with you. Let us know your thoughts on these and other subjects!

Hatred, Fear Homophobia: What is it with the "intolerencia" (did we just make up a new word? Look out Stephen Colbert!) that they cannot or will not face their own hypocrisy? Is it internalized homophobia? Fear of being weak? Or is it really just a hatred of all things  feminine? Really! We do not understand!

LGBTQ Equality is still tenuous On the same day that Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski signed two major LGBT civil rights bills at a ceremony in front of the legislature, Massachusetts lawmakers are planning to amend their state's constitution to ban equal marriage rights. This is just a reminder that as we celebrate the gains we are making state-by-state, we must never forget that anti-equality forces are determined to roll back every right and every benefit we have worked so hard to achieve! Read about these stories on RainbowZine. Get legal documents to protect your relationship and your rights!

Internalized Homophobia The Pathology Of The Gay Conservative: Homophobic self-hatred is harmful to everyone -- not just the person who is experiencing these feelings. Some of the most virulent gay-bashing events results from this phenomenon. Negative attitudes about LGBTQ equality have been reflected in legislation and these attitudes have had a profound impact on political debates over gay and lesbian legal and civil rights in general. The treatment of LGBTQ people as undeserving of equal legal rights has resulted in more internalized homophobia which in turn creates more inner and outward turmoil. It is a vicious cycle that will only end when the courts or the legislature pass laws that protect the LGBTQ community from the harm that irrational fear and hatred cause.

Marriage Matters to our Kids Too! The hypocrisy of the pro family crowd never ceases to amaze!  Children are not harmed because they have gay or lesbian parents. They are harmed when an unjust society treats them and their family like second class citizens who are undeserving of legal rights and protections. When our children were young they were teased by their peers and we were often shunned by other parents. Now our young grandchildren will face the same hostile attitude about their Grandmothers who love them so dearly.

America's Anti-Gay Immigration Policy Gay foreigners with non-immigrant visas are being warned that they should avoid public acknowledgment of a coupling, because this would signal immigration officials that the foreign partner is planning, or desires to, stay in the country, which is grounds for deportation. Read this entire article on RainbowZine.com NOTE: The poem etched on the Statue of Liberty -- "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free..." does not now and has never included the gay, lesbian and trans community. Our legal right to immigrate to the US has always been restricted!. And even when we ARE citizens of the US, many of the freedoms, rights and protections guaranteed in the Constitution are systematically denied to us!