Mountain GLBTQ Group

I hate putting out my personal background out there, but I am going to, because I just can't understand government logic these days.
I am straight. I had a child for a gay couple, almost two years ago, two years on the 17th of december to be exact.
Why is it illegal for gays to get married, but perfectly fine for them to have babies and adopt? They are already a family, but can't be recognized as one by the state? I feel this is not justified and we are supposed to be a country of equal rights. I just see so much missing in this childs future when her parents can't even be legally married and recognized as a REAL family. Thank you... I just needed to put it down in writing, but it still makes NO sense.

MichaelsGirl says,
I just see so much missing in this childs future when her parents can't even be legally married and recognized as a REAL family. Thank you... I just needed to put it down in writing, but it still makes NO sense.

First of all let me thank you for the sacrifice you have made to help make this wonderful family. I know of other women who have done this and it is such an unselfish thing that you do.

You are so right. This is so wrong that marriage equality has been threatened by the vote of the people. Where is the equality and justice for all, when with a simple majority vote, rights that have been granted can be denied? Proposition 8 must be overturned and Proposition 1 in Maine must be defeated, otherwise our Constitution is not worth the parchment it is written on. PG

President Obama, it's time for you to start keeping the promises that you have made to the gay community. As you have said, "it is not for you to expect us to wait" and we cannot wait any longer. Do what is right for our community and what is right for a nation whose founders believed in equality and justice for all Americans. PG

From the Center for American Progress: Progress Report
CIVIL RIGHTS
The Struggle For Equal Rights

As the Obama administration and congressional leadership push forward on health care, the fiscal stimulus, and the war in Afghanistan, many of their supporters are becoming frustrated that there hasn't been more aggressive movement on one of Obama's other campaign promises: equal rights for gays and lesbians, particularly on the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT). On Sunday, tens of thousands of people marched on the nation's capital and demanded progress. The National Equality March coincided with National Coming Out Day and featured speeches by NAACP Chairman Julian Bond and Judy Shepard, whose son, Matthew , was brutally killed in 1998 because of his sexual orientation. The march came one day after LGBT advocates warmly welcomed President Obama at the Human Rights Campaign's (HRC) annual dinner, where he acknowledged frustrations at the pace of progress but promised to keep pushing for equal rights. "I'm here with a simple message: I'm here with you in that fight," Obama said to rousing applause, adding, "[I]t's not f or me to tell you to be patient , any more than it was for others to counsel patience to African Americans petitioning for equal rights half a century ago. But I will say this: We have made progress and we will make more."

HATE CRIMES: It has been nearly 11 years since two men horrifically murdered Matthew Shepard in Laramie, WY, an event that launched the movement for national hate crimes legislation that protects people based on sexual orientation. Last year alone, the FBI reported that there were 7,621 hate incidents , 16.6 percent of which were "motivated by a sexual-orientation bias." Since 1968 -- after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. -- the country has recognized the injustice of bias-motivated crimes based on race, color, religion, and national origin. On Oct. 8, the House passed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act which intends to combat crimes "committed because of a person's gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability ." "The day is within sight when lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people will benefit from updating our nation's hate crimes laws and giving local law enforcement the tools they need to combat hate violence ," said HRC President Joe Solmonese upon the passage of the bill. The hate crimes legislation now moves to the Senate, where it also has strong support . Obama promised to sign the legislation as soon as it reaches his desk, telling attendees at the HRC dinner this weekend, "Together, we will have moved closer to that day when no one has to be afraid to be gay in America. When no one has to fear walking down the street holding the hand of the person they love."

DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL: One of the nation's most unjust policies is the ban on gay men and women serving openly in the military, known as DADT. Obama has repeatedly promised to overturn this policy, and both Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Michael Mullen have said that they're ready for repeal. In the House, Iraq war veteran Patrick Murphy (D-PA) has taken the lead on ending DADT and already has 177 co-sponsors for his legislation, and the White House is reportedly talking to Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) about strategies for pushing it in the Senate. As the nation continues to fight the war in Afghanistan, the need for repeal remains urgent. Since 1994, more than 13,000 servicemembers have been discharged simply because of their sexual orientation. In that number are more than 50 critical Arab linguists, including at least one under Obama's watch. A July 2008 poll found that 75 percent of Americans support allowing gay men and women to service openly in the armed forces. However, Obama has resisted the call from groups such as the Center for American Progress to issue an executive order suspending DADT, with White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs insisting that "the only and best way to do this is through a durable, comprehensive legislative process ." When CNN's John King recently pressed National Security Adviser Jim Jones on when DADT repeal will come about, Jones refused to give a timeline. "The President has an awful lot on his desk," he said, adding, "I don't think it's going to be -- it's not years, but I think it will be teed up appropriately." In the meantime, approximately two servicemembers are discharged each day for being gay.

MARRIAGE EQUALITY: One of Obama's other promises is to repeal DOMA, the federal ban on same-sex marriage. He has already taken a step to mitigate the discriminatory effects of this law by instructing all federal agencies to extend all possible benefits to the families and partners of LGBT employees and urging Congress to pass the Domestic Partner Benefits and Obligations Act. "Hundreds of Fortune 500 companies already offer such benefits not only because it's the right thing to do, but because they recognize that it helps them compete for and retain the best possible talent -- and we need top talent serving their country right now more than ever," Obama said. Along these lines, Congress and the President are also pushing the Employee Non-Discrimination Act , which would outlaw sexual orientation discrimination in the workplace. As Obama noted in his HRC address, for the first time ever, "an administration official testified in Congress in favor of this law." Reps. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Jared Polis (D-CO) have introduced the Respect for Marriage Act to fully repeal DOMA , but there is currently no matching bill in the Senate. While the federal ban on marriage remains in place, most activity on same-sex marriage is occurring at the state level. Since California voters chose to buck a court's ruling and pass a proposition banning marriage equality - - foes of same-sex marriage in Maine have put a similar proposition on their ballot. On Nov. 3, "Maine voters will become the first in any state with the chance to repeal or uphold a law passed by their Legislature and signed by their governor, legalizing same-sex marriage." Five other states have legalized marriage equality, and the Washington, DC City Council is considering a bill to do the same.

We went to so many Prop 8 protests and rally's. I really thought it was gonna turn out alot different. It's so sad, these guys are the best dad's ever... I really hope things change!

Church of Sweden says yes to gay marriage

The Synod of the Lutheran Church of Sweden has come down in favour of church weddings for homosexuals in a vote held on Thursday morning.

The decision, which is based on a proposal from the church’s governing board, means that the Church of Sweden will conduct wedding ceremonies for both heterosexual and homosexual couples.

The proposal was approved by 176 of 249 voting members.

The decision comes just three days after the 30th anniversary of the date when homosexuality stopped being classified as a disease in Sweden.

“The Synod’s decision takes a stance in favour of an inclusive view of people. Regardless of whether one is religious or not, this affects the entire social climate and the view of people’s equal value,” Åsa Regnér, head of the Swedish Association for Sexuality Education (RFSU) - the country's largest gay rights group, said in a statement.

Read the rest here: http://www.thelocal.se/22810/20091022/

The Church of Sweden counts 74 percent of Swedes as members.

Because the Lord said it is wrong. Truth is what it is, the truth. You are in control of your own salvation.

I drank to much last night. Any salvation for me or the person that made all the jello shooters I had????

Easy Boomer, Just go to the Lord and repent wanting true forgiveness for yourself. Then help others to do the same. Best Wishes to you.

Did you just call me easy???? Only my wives call me that.