Congratulations, France!

Today, France became the world's fourteenth nation to approve marriage rights for same-sex couples. The lower house of the French Parliament passed the "marriage for all" law, sponsored by President Hollande, by a vote of 331 to 225. Although protests continue--even after the law has won--from the far right and the radical Christian agenda along with Jews and Muslims, this is certainly a time to celebrate.

Congratulations, France!

Day of Silence 2013

http://www.dayofsilence.org/

Day of Silence 2013

I am not sure how many high school or middle school students stop by "Oh, By The Way," but if you are, consider joining the Day of Silence. And if you are an adult who knows a teen, especially a gay teen, who might benefit from this, please pass it along. The Day of Silence started seventeen years ago as a way to protest bullying and harassment in schools. In recent years, the destructive Radical Christian Agenda has attempted to thwart or stop this student outreach, effectively claiming that it is their religious right to harass and attack human beings for being gay. Because of this, it is even more important to counteract such hurtful, hateful, backward beliefs. A religious freedom is a personal choice, not a ticket to ostracize, punish, intimidate, shame, or attack (mentally, psychologically, socially, verbally, OR physically) another person.

I am posting this ahead of the date so there is time: to organize a Day of Silence in a school or to learn how to participate, please visit the GLSEN website linked below.

http://www.dayofsilence.org/

International Women's Day

Today, March 8th, 2013, is International Women's Day.

Since the world is still pretty much run by (straight white) men, and pretty much every day is Men's Day, we are pleased to celebrate International Women's Day and to celebrate mothers, grandmothers, sisters, daughters, nieces, aunts, wives, and friends. After all, we all, each and every one of us, came from a woman. (Thanks, Mom!)

To the women in my life, I love you all. I wish the world was a better place for you and treated you better. I truly believe women are still seen as second class citizens. Unfortunately, misogyny is alive and well... feminine things always take a backseat to what is masculine. Manliness is seen as a virtue while femininity is seen as a weakness, something to be avoided or discouraged. And unfortunately, misogyny is the basis of homophobia (an unnatural fear of what is perceived as feminine).

Figures from Amnesty International, The US Census Bureau, and Women's Learning Partnership.

Of course there are countries around the world where women are still literally treated as second class citizens, denied the ability to drive, vote, live alone, own property, and work at a chosen career--or they are treated like property and beaten, raped, mutilated, or aborted even before they are born because they are female.

As a man, there are many things I don't have to worry about like whether or not the clothes I am wearing are too revealing so as to attract the attention of a man who might attack me, being molested or raped on the way to my car at night--or even in broad daylight, being sexually assaulted at work, and having my personal feelings and ideas discounted because I am "hysterical" or because it must be "that time of the month." I have heard many stories from my female friends about what clothing they could wear if they felt safe, and about how their thoughts or suggestions were passed over at work in favor of the exact same thought or suggestion from a man. This still happens. Not all the time and not to every woman, but enough of the time and to too many women.

http://www.internationalwomensday.com/
http://www.equalitynow.org/english/index.html
http://www.weareequals.org/

MLK/ Inauguration

“Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity”

— Martin Luther King

Thank you, Mr. President.

But we still have a long way to go and a lot of conscientious--willful--stupidity to overcome.

All Soldiers Scar The Same

http://www.freedomtomarry.org/military

And the good news just keeps coming...

...Gay marriage wins in Washington state! R-74 prevails along with fairness and equality.

It is laughable and predictable to hear the anti-gay foes of marriage equality claim that they lost because they were simply outspent in fundraising and advertising. They apparently can't contemplate the idea that they were simply wrong. What they fail to realize is: allowing someone to have a right that you yourself enjoy does not in any way diminish or harm that right for you.

Congratulations Washington!

Spirit Day 2012

Today is the third annual Spirit Day. The movement was launched in 2010 by teenager Brittany McMillan in conjunction with GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) as a day to remember the young people who have taken their lives due to homophobic bullying and soul-destroying lies perpetuated by homophobic groups, both political and religious in nature (and some who think they are above the law and combine both without paying any taxes!). To show support to the young gay people still with us and to combat the rampant bullying and frantic hatred that seems to be sweeping our country at cultural and political levels, today is a day to wear purple and demonstrate to anyone who might be feeling alone and worthless that there are many people in the world who believe in the value of their lives and souls.

"Dear gay teen contemplating suicide:

You are not wrong. You are not “bad.” You are not sick, defective, or evil.
You are perfect and beautiful just the way you are.
You have done nothing wrong and you have done nothing to deserve being humiliated, punished, or hurt, either physically or emotionally.
Bullying and discrimination are never ever innocent: the bullies are the ones who are wrong, bad, and sick for hurting you.

Don’t let anyone tell you that you are any less of a human being than they are. Don’t let them tell you it is a choice or that being gay is about behavior; you are who you are. Embrace yourself and be proud of being alive.

You have value. You have as much right to be here on this planet as anyone else.
It may seem like the world is against you, but there are people for you out there, there are places for you out there. You will be happy, you will get to live YOUR life the way YOU want to, without having to pay any attention to the bullies or whatever “bible” nonsense some people might throw at you… you are not "impure," "immoral," "unnatural," or "against nature." Those are just ridiculous lies they tell to hide their hatred, fear, and prejudice.

You will survive and thrive! You get to live here. This is your RIGHT.
You might turn out to be an important author, a doctor who cures a disease, a famous designer, someone who invents a new type of metal, an inspiring performer… or you might end up working with kids who need to hear that they have value and are perfect the way they are.
Please stick around.
Please.
We need you.

Love,
JEF"

To help, please visit:
The Trevor Project
Dan Savage's "It Gets Better Project" on Youtube
Please spread the word about this issue and these sites--you never know who might need to hear about them.

http://www.glaad.org/spiritday