Talk.

Hey guys - I know how exciting the holidays can be. Time to visit with loved ones, family, and just a time to reflect on life - focusing on the positive times. I received this email from Taskforce and I encourage you to take the advice... this Season, talk about your love, talk about your life, relationships, hardships... just be who you are, as I have said this whole time - because that has brought us this far.

---------------
It's amazing what we've accomplished together these last few weeks.The California Supreme Court has agreed to review the legal challenges to Proposition 8, and the protests and the actions of thousands in our community have forced the public eye on the inequality that LGBT people face every day.

But our fight is far from over. In fact, there's one thing you can do this week to help move the needle even further.

Talk.

Talk to your family and friends when you sit down to Thanksgiving dinner. Talk to your co-workers when they ask what you are doing for the holiday. Talk to your neighbors when you stop to chat outside your apartment or home.Tell them about your life, your relationships, how you feel about the state constitutional amendments. It seems simple, but far too many of us know how hard it can be to talk honestly about our lives. Telling our stories is what will make a difference in our pursuit of equality. Hearing from you, hearing about your life is what will change the hearts and minds of every American, one by one — starting with those closest to you.

So take the time this week to talk. Your story is important to this movement and it truly matters.
---------------
Be peaceful. Be visible. and Be thankful.

Whit

A day to remember...

Today is Transgender Day of Remembrance. This day is set aside to remember those who have died due to prejudice and hatred. Hatred towards those who do not easily wear labels like "male" or "female" or "man" and "woman."

Over the last decade, more than one person per month has died due to transgender-based hate or prejudice, regardless of any other factors in their lives (gender.org). Most anti-transgender hate crimes are rarely solved.

The Transgender Day of Remembrance exists for several reasons. It raises public awareness.. there are candlelight vigils nationwide, so please check gender.org for one near you. It gives positive media attention toward our transgender community. It also allows us to, again, unite and mourn and remember our transgender sisters who may otherwise be forgotten. Candlelight vigils put faces to the many names and allows the transgender community and allies to mourn together, to give a voice to those who have died, and to let non-transgender people know that transgender people are not "freaks" but their sisters, brothers, daughters, sons, mothers, fathers, and so often great friends.

"Although not every person represented during the Day of Remembrance self-identified as transgendered — that is, as a transsexual, crossdresser, or otherwise gender-variant — each was a victim of violence based on bias against transgendered people."

Below is a list of names.. which undoubtedly fails to cover everyone it should. Please read the names and take a moment to remember them.


Edna Brown
Tyra Hunter
Huriell Lockett(David King)
UnknownNew York City, 1972
Rhonda Star(Ronnie Dean Lyles)
Cynthia Coffman
Felicia Coffman
Harvey Aberles
UnknownAtlanta, 10/29/91
Jamie Ford
Jean (Woodrow) Powell
Unknown,Atlanta 12/20/92
Anthony Swain
Derry Glenn
Quincy Favors Taylor
Lynn Therrett
David A. Perez
Michelle Maree
Rev. John “Gypsy” Prowett
Chanelle Pickett
Brandon
Logan Smith
Robyn Brown(James Brown)
Maxwell Confait
Giuseppe Mandanici
Marsha P. Johnson
Alan Fitzgerald Walker
Jae Stevens
Stella Essie(Jerome Brent)
Debra Forte
Unknown,Madrid, 1997
Jose Angel Osuna
Mara Duvouw
John
Sigfrilda ShantallPastor Arguelles
Fitzroy “Jamaica” Green
Luana(Junior de Silva Lago)
Chanel Chandler
Rita Hester
UnknownSanta Ana, 11/20/88
Harold Draper
Richard Goldman
Monique Rogers
Jessy Santiago
Cameron “Tina” Tanner
Robert Woefel
Thomas Hall
Maria “La Conchita”Palencia
Rene “Michelle” Ouellet
Tasha Dunn
Terrie Ladwig
Chrissey (Marvin) Johnson
Steven Wilson
Christian Paige
Vianna Faye Williams
Johanna Langer
UnknownGuatemala City, 1997
Robert H. Jones
Stacey Estupinian
UnknownLos Angeles, 1991
Diane Delia
Marcela(Sergio Arias)
Lisa Janna Black
Janice Ricks
Dianne Aubert
Deanna Wilkinson
Larry Laverne Turner
Karla (José Alexis) Barrahona
Mocha Celis
Shawn Keegan
Keooudorn Phothisane
Castro Nova Estabon
Gracie (James) Detzler
Felix Abarca
Nikki
Jerrell Williams
Venus Xtravaganza
Donald Pierce
Monique (Rufus) Thomas
Lauryn Paige(Donald Fuller)
Carlos “Tasha” Santiago
Lazaro Comesana
Peggy Santiago
Carmen Marie Montoya
Rafael Sanchez Ayala
Jody Susan Ford
Steve Dwayne Garcia
Grayce “Candace” Baxter
Robert Eads
William Battles
UnknownPhiladelphia, 1995
Anna Francisco
Lynn Montana
Patrick Calvert
Gisele Gaga’
Tarayon Corbitt
Stephan “Stephanie” Chapman
UnknownHouston, 2/25/99
Ashley-Ann Summers(Eric Farrow)
Cam (Camilla) Lyman
Chantal Gillade
Ernest “Ernestine” Murray
UnknownOakland, 7/10/95
Gordon Tuckey
Regina Haskins
David F. McLaughlin
UnknownBronx, 2/8/92
Donnie O. Osby
Larry Venzant
Leslie Re’Geanne
Alanna Kella
Reynaldo “Reyna” Sandoval
UnknownWashington, D.C., 1/4/82
Rosando “Crystal” Sanchez-Reyes
Tracy Thompson
James “Tatiana” Rivers
Tara O’Hara
Ruby Bota
Philip Robert Filshie
Daniel A. Castro
“Midnight”(Kenneth Dale Robinson)
Christiaan D’Arcy
Jacqueline Julita Anderson
David Edward Wigley
UnknownSan Antonio, 03/29/91
UnknownAkron, 09/17/94
Emmon Bodfish(Margaret Bodfish)
Carol Wright
UnknownSan Diego, 6/22/94
Valerie Hill
Shannon Elroy Clay
Derrick “Miss Tess” Hampton
UnknownMiami, 1984
Barbara (William) Brodie
Jean ShelleyBoushard Fox
Toni (David) Lowry
Martine Bohn
Chiron Collins(Allen Kenneth Byrd)
Jonathan “Tanya” Streater
Faustino “Tina” Arroyo
Diane (Anthony Ellsworth) Carter
Sherri Ransom
Tianna (Timothy) Langley
Steven Hernandez
Samantha York
Eduardo Lora Vasallio
Michelle Byrne
Juaquin Jiminez
Linda Williams
Vernon Sivills
Maurice E. Murray
Lim Yeow Chuan
Jessica (Gerardo) Castillo
Phyllis Olson
“Benderella”
Cortez Morris
Clyde Massie
Terry Wilson
Charles Albert Lizotte
Felix Benitez
Terri Williams Moore
Jane Golden(James Boyd)
Ramon Baez
Victor Hugo Castillejos
Rita Sellers
Carla Leigh Salazar
Perry Young
UnknownBoston, 1979
Vanessa (Barry) Lane
Rodney D. Neadeau
Ali He’shun Forney
UnknownSanta Ana, 7/10/93
Dion Webster
Adele Bailey
Kevin Freeman
Pfc. Barry Winchell
Yancey-Lisa R.
Yamile (Jorge) Lee
Barbarella(Joe V.)
Kareem Washington
Barretta Williams
Marvin Ball
Chareka Keys
“Tiny”(Robert Howard Gibson)
Quona R. Clark
Tacy Raino Ranta
Lindsey Alexander(Todd Alexander Asay)
UnknownDallas, 12/8/99
Toni Lee
Alina Marie Barragan
Christine Chappel
Jill Seidel
Delores Mack
Ihok(Hugo Yonathan)
Vanesa-Lorena Ledesma(Miguel Angel Ledesma)
Curdell James III
Michelle Lynne O’Hara
Carla Natasha Hunt
Stephanie Yazum(Frank Yazum)
Toya Charlton
Andre Vacarro
Tyra Henderson
Amanda Milan
Julie Birchall
UnknownNew York City, 1975
Déjà (Dondre) Johnson
Astrid La Fontaine
Dayana(Jose Luis Nieves)
Keith E. Jackson
Julia Carrizales
Beverly Lineth
Dinh Van Vo
Brandi Houston
James Jerome Mack
Ana Melisa Cortez
Billy Jean Lavette
Antonio Johnson
Francisco Javier Luna
Robert Martin
Sissy (Charles) Bolden
F.C. Martinez, Jr.
Jamie (James) Jackson
Loni Okaruru
Joanne Lillecrapp
Willie Houston
Alexandra
UnknownRome, 9/12/98
Carlo Enrique Teixeira
Marzia De Melo Rosa
Antonio Texera Dos Santos
Antonia K.
Terrianne Summers
Faye Urry
Bibi Barajas(Hugo Cesar Barajas)
Marquita (Martin) Johnson
Michelle Paz
UnknownIndonesia, 5/17/02
Gary “Brazon” McMurtry
UnknownJapan, 2/26/02
Arlene (Hector) Diaz
Aretha “ReRe” Scott(Franklin Freeman)
Alejandro Ray Lucero
Della Reeves(Lester Childress)
Amy (Raymond) Soos
“Walquiria”(aka “Walter”)
Paola Matos
Leonela Valero Parra
Chris Muzett(Eddie Matthews)
Anjie Milano (Andy Rafael Milano)
Nicole Lee Anderson(Thomas Shrom)
Deasha(Gerald Andrews)
Ukea Davis
Raymond Nonato
Stephanie Thomas
Victor Pachas
Pilar (Vladimir)Ibáñez Carrasco
Sidnei Geber Aguila
Daniel Phillip“Danielle” Redding
Raimundo Rocha Alves
Nguyen Bui Linh
Ontwon Curtis
Ediviana Lopez da Cruez
Joseph Moran
Porfiro Mejia
Gwen Araujo
Roberta Nizah Morris
Georgina Matehaere
Timothy “Cinnamon” Broadus
Nikki Nicholas
Danisha VictoriaPrincipal Williams
Chandini, aka Nazir
Mimi Young
Tanesha Starr
Luciana D. S. Oliveira Mazza
Tamyra Michaels
Shelby Tracey Tom
Ze Galhinha
Ronald Andrew Brown
Merlinka(Vjeran Miladinovic)
Amanda Jofré
UnknownColumbia, 03/06/03
Cinnamon (Kendrick) Perry
Nireah Johnson
Brandie Coleman
Ericka (Erick David) Yáñez
Jessica Mercado
UnknownBrazil, 04/02
Fernanda Covarrubi
Jorge Rafael Cruz
Marcelo Cesar Goulart
Selena Álvarez-Hernández
Bella Evangelista
Emonie Kiera Spaulding
Michael Charles Hurd
“Amirilis”
Dayana Valverde
Rogelio Jiménez Cortez
Cassandra “Tula” Do
Enrico Taglialatela
“Sindy” Cuarda
Rider Orcero
Erika Johana
Lee “China” Zainal
Adrian Torres de Assuncao
Stanley Van Dyke Traylor
UnknownNew Zealand, 2/9/04
Reshae McCauley
Mickey Ward-El Smith
Precious Armani
UnknownIndia, 6/7/04
UnknownPuerto Rico, 7/11/04
Augusto Flores Munoz
Cedric Thomas
Pedro Cruz Ramos
UnknownPuerto Rico, 7/11/04
Darryl Fearon
Gennaro Rizzo
Tony “Delicious” Green
LeandroÊBispo Estavao
Rivera Rene
Divas B
Joel Robles
Bella Martinez
Andre
UnknownLong Beach, 11/06/04
UnknownPeru, 11/26/04
Ryan Shey Hoskie
Penny Port
Karlien Carstens
Felicia Moreno
Alejandra Galicio
Luana
UnknownArgentina, 1/12/05
Phool Chand Yadav
C. Hernández
UnknownArgentina, 2/22/05
Eddie Chung Chou Lee
Timothy Blair, Jr.
Amancio “Delilah” Corrales
Ashley Nickson
Robert Binenfeld
Kasha Blue
Julio Argueta
Marisa
Ronnie Paris, Jr.
Mylène
Noleen Jansen
Irene
Lisa D.
Christina Smith
Kaaseem Adalla Juanda
Donathyn J. Rodgers
UnknownMalaysia, 11/11/05

It is never to late to educate, remove stereotypes and fear, and help erase hate. Join hands, hearts, and minds... we are a community. Love your neighbor.

In Mourning,
Whitney

We are family..

Each day I wake up and am amazed by the unity of the gay and straight community, nation-wide, even globally. People truly are reaching out and educating, linking arms, and becoming visible. In the aftermath of the passing of Proposition 8, I have done a lot of thinking about the recognition of gay marriage and what it means to families... a commonality between both the opponents and supporters of 8.

Family: Family denotes a group of people affiliated by consanguinity, affinity, and co-residence .(Webster.com)

Family is something that is important in nearly everyone's life. Though it may not always be blood-related family, people create families of their own. Too often, GLBT youth and adults find that their sexuality separates them from their family. Parents disown their children, brothers and sisters feel they cannot relate, grandparents find no way to be supportive, and members of the GLBT community become isolated from their very foundation. I have done some research and these statistics are appalling:

Of the estimated 1.6 million homeless American youth, between 20 and 40 percent identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT).

In one study, 26 percent of gay teens who came out to their parents/guardians were told they must leave home

Homeless LGBT youth are more likely to: use drugs, participate in sex work, and attempt suicide

LGBT youth report they are threatened, belittled and abused at shelters by staff as well as other residents

And alarmingly:
There are no city-, county- or state-funded initiatives targeted at specifically helping LGBT homeless youth.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Those are a small portion of the many disturbing statistics and facts I have found. A very small portion.

So - you may ask, what does this have to do with Prop 8 and gay marriage?

Prop 8 may be directly worded to legalize gay marriage, but for the gay community it does a lot more than that. Not only is it legal recognition of our love and relationships, it removes our second-class citizenship and makes us completely equal with every other person in our state. This is something we have yet to become and we remain separate and unequal.

Our current legal state sets the precedent for many unfair judgements, misunderstandings, and long-lasting stereotypes to constantly inhibit us. The ability to be seen as equal will help remove those stereotypes and misunderstandings that too often end in violence. It will help parents realize their child is still their child and lovable. It will help create safe-places for youth and a sense of community and equality.

Many people are unaware that the GLBTQ community has been active in obtaining equal rights since the 1960s, if not before then. This is something that has been happening and will happen until equality is achieved.

What would you do if your family disowned you for simply loving? Where would you go if your friends didn't understand? Millions of children and adults are in this situation... what if it is someone you know? It's likely it is...

Hope-filled,
Whitney

Many of you have been following the Prop 8 since it originally appeared on the ballot. It has become a focal part of many of our lives - both gay and straight, both for and against.

I think one thing has become clear through all of this: stripping any HUMAN of rights is violating a. our constitution and b. the American dream. Prop 8 did exactly that... it **eliminated rights** of an entire group of people. No matter what someone feels about the actual issue - the proposition stripped rights from thousands, millions, of California citizens.

Below is an email I received from EQCA (Equality California) that I feel is important to share with all of you. Those of you who have wanted to become active, to become a part of the civil rights movement we see ahead of us - this is your opportunity. Help gather signatures, be visible... for those of you who don't want to be active, and even if you don't agree with these ideas, please remember that this isn't about your religion or your marriage - it will affect neither of those. Please give our rights back, remove us from second-class citizenship, and do as little as put your signature on the prop 8 ballot if needed.

Below is the email and below that is Keith Olbermann's Special Comment on Prop 8. "If this country hadn't re-defined marriage, black people still couldn't marry white people. Sixteen states had laws on the books which made that illegal... in 1967. 1967." That was a mere 41 years ago, my friends. Only 41 years.

November 12, 2008

Dear Whitney,

Together, we must do everything we can to overturn Prop 8 and regain the freedom to marry.

Equality California's pledge is to do everything in our power to channel all of the incredible energy, both in California and around the nation, into a campaign that will get back our rights .So here is our plan:EQCA, represented by NCLR, ACLU, Lambda Legal, Munger, Tolles, & Olson and the Law Office of David C. Codell, has filed a petition to invalidate Prop 8 – the fundamental rights of same-sex couples cannot be eliminated through the amendment process.

EQCA is supporting peaceful rallies and protests to ensure we keep this injustice front and center.
EQCA will work to expand our coalition and create the tools so that each of us can reach out and educate those who were not with us last week
EQCA will work as part of a coalition to gather the more than one million signatures needed to overturn Prop 8 at the ballot box.

Here’s how YOU can help:Donate now– Every dollar will go to the fight to invalidate Prop 8 -- the work has already started.

Be visible. Rally at your local City Hall at 10:30 a.m. PT/1:30 ET this Saturday, November 15. Events are happening across the country at exactly the same time, to show the nation we will not give up.

Sign the pledge that you will work to educate people who did not support us and help gather signatures to put a repeal of Prop 8 on the ballot if needed. We will contact you soon.

To win, it will take all of us working together to cross the finish line. We need everyone’s help. Not just yours—everyone’s.

Join the fight to win back marriage today!

In solidarity,
Geoff Kors

Keith Olbermann's amazing special comment.

The blogs will continue. I know I have some new readers in the house...welcome and please feel free to comment any time..

Fighting the good fight,
Whitney

The time has come...

What: Nationwide Anti-discrimination rally

Who: Anyone who believes EVERY human deserves equal and civil rights

When: November 15, 2008 @ 10:30 across the US.

Where: EVERY STATE IN THE US.

Check www.jointheimpact.wetpaint.com for your state!

California Locations:

Bakersfield
Bakersfield City Hall: 1600 Truxtun Ave., Bakersfield CA

Chico
Chico City Hall: 411 Main St., Chico CA

Eureka
Humboldt County Courthouse: 825 5th Street (5th & I Streets), Eureka, CARide the Bus: HTA (stop at 4th & K or 5th & K) or ETA (stop at H & 3rd)

Fairfield
Fairfield City Hall: 1000 Webster St, Fairfield CA

Fresno
Fresno City Hall: 2600 Fresno St., Fresno CA (near Amtrak station)

Long Beach
Long Beach City Hall: 333 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach CAPeace rally, held by the Center Long beach & community leaders.

Los Angeles
LA City Hall: 200 N Spring Street, Los Angeles CAVia the Metro: Metro Red/Purple Line Civic Center Station

Moreno Valley
City Hall: 14177 Frederick St.

Napa
Napa City Hall: 955 School St., Napa CA

Oakland
Oakland City Hall: 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland, CA

Orange County
Irvine City Hall: 1 Civic Center Plaza, Irvine CASouth Coast Plaza: Bear St at Coast Dr., Costa Mesa CA

Palm Springs
Palm Springs City Hall: 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way

Pasadena
Pasadena City Hall: 100 N Garfield Ave., Pasadena CAVia the Metro: Metro Gold Line Memorial Park Station

Pomona
Pomona City Hall: 505 S Garey Ave, Pomona, CA 91766

Riverside
Riverside City Hall: 3900 Main St., Riverside CA

Sacramento
Sacramento City Hall: 915 I St, Sacramento, CA 95814

San Diego
6th Ave. and Upas St., San Diego CAMeeting at 10:00 AM

San Francisco
SF City Hall: 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Pl. (Civic Center Park)

San Jose
San Jose City Hall: 200 E Santa Clara St., San Jose CA

San Luis Obispo
SLO City Hall: 990 Palm St., San Luis Obispo, CA

Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara County Courthouse (Sunken Gardens)1100 Anacapa St., Santa Barbara CA

Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz County Courthouse: 701 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz CA

Santa Rosa
Santa Rosa Courthouse: 4th & Mendocino, Santa Rosa CA

Stockton
Stockton City Hall: 425 N El Dorado St., Stockton, CA 95202Organizing help needed!

- For contact info and other information, go to www.jointheimpact.wetpaint.com

Remember: this isn't a gay thing. it isn't a god thing. it's a civil right thing.

Don't forget the importance of remaining peaceful and representing the glbtq community well!

We will prevail..

These last few days have been mentally and emotionally exhausting as I hear so many reasons as to why people voted Yes on 8. I have heard the usual church arguments, school and education arguments, and recently I heard, "I don't understand what the big deal is." I have heard that my being upset is similar to a child not getting their way - or someone not getting an occupation and blaming it on their race or socio-economic status.

These things are very difficult to handle because usually the people who say these things have yet to face discrimination to this extent. They have not encountered their government deciding who they can and cannot marry, what types of legal recognition or benefits they receive, or even had to contemplate what they need to do in order to ensure they have decision-making status if their partner gets sick or is in the hospital. They take for granted the recognition of their relationship from their and their partner's family, and never really have to be concerned that they may not even, legally, be admitted to the hospital to visit their sick or dying partner.

Though this is not their fault because these rights have been awarded to them, and expected from them, since they were born. It is however, important for them to realize that many gay couples who have been together for both a short and extremely long time, do not share these same benefits or expectations. While heterosexual couples benefit from "traditional" marriage rights, gay couples are told that they should be happy they at least have some rights in domestic partnership. They may be separate - and unequal - but at least it's something, right?

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom recently said something very relevant, "All they did was fall in love and say I do. Nothing more than that. They entered into a legal marriage, not a religious marriage."

For this reason, I strongly urge the straight community to analyze your marriages. To look at the legal benefits and the rights that you have. I also urge you to look at the people who also do not engage in religious marriage - atheists, agnostics, people who ultimately divorce, and people who get married for reasons other than romance. They are able to get married merely because they are heterosexual.

For my gay community - I commend your peaceful protests. It is truly incredible that we can not only unite as a community, but we can gather more than 12,500 people in one place and end with no arrests. This is truly something to be proud of. Today, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger also commended our rallies and protests and said that he too hopes the protests continue until Prop 8 is overturned. Continue educating, continue rallying, and continue to be yourselves because this is what makes us truly powerful and it is us that can convince the world that we are no longer okay being second-class citizens.

Keep fighting the good fight. Every minute is worth it.

Yours in solidarity,
Whitney

Thousands came...

"Thousands took to the streets tonight in Long Beach to protest the passage of Proposition 8 in last Tuesday's general election." It was truly an incredible sight - thousands of people demanding something so simple: equal rights. It was powerful and emotional - and mildly disturbing to think that three days ago - these people were seen as equals, as citizens, and after an election (that is potentially unlawful), they are now - again - second-class citizens

.I have attached a video for you all to see. I wish someone could tell me why these thousands of people can't get married. Why they, and myself, are so undeserving.

On another extremely important note - I got an email from No on 8 that had some pretty important stuff: "We achieve nothing if we isolate the people who did not stand with us in this fight. We only further divide our state if we attempt to blame people of faith, African American voters, rural communities and others for this loss. We know people of all faiths, races and backgrounds stand with us in our fight to end discrimination, and will continue to do so. Now more than ever it is critical that we work together and respect our differences that make us a diverse and unique society. Only with that understanding will we achieve justice and equality for all."

It is true that the Mormon church and its congregation donated over 1.5 million dollars to the Yes on 8 Campaign. That was extremely hate-filled and disgusting but it is likely they will be unable to keep their tax exempt status.

The same is true for groups like Knights of Columbus. Knowing their faith, their ideas and actions are between God and them. I wish they felt the same way about my life and me.

Anyway - I just think its vital that at a crucial time where gays and lesbians are being watched so closely - we need to remember that everything we do represents our community. Everything we helps people see that we are humans. Humans that love other humans and deserve nothing less than equal rights.

Keep fighting the good fight,
Whitney

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gihdawVDIT0