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All families should be valued in South Dakota
Written by cp Wednesday, 23 July 2008 20:59
(Editorial Page, Rapid City Journal, Saturday, July 19, 2008)
I found it ironic to read Rev. Richard Wells exhortation to fear and trepidation in the face of the "gay marriage" decision by the California Supreme Court ("A Hope and a Prayer for California," July 12) on the same day as parents, children, and friends gathered at the Shrine of Democracy for Black Hills Pride Fest. At Mount Rushmore, we shared the peace and joy that blooms when everyone is accepted for who they are, especially including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. What exactly makes Rev. Wells' "blood run cold?" What is he so afraid of?
Similar words of alarm (accompanied with carefully interpreted Scripture) were (and are) used in the Church to prevent ethnic minorities and women from sharing their gifts as full members of the Church, but (in my view) the Holy Spirit continues to work to open it up to everyone. Happily, especially in the Episcopal Church (of which I am a proud member), our communities are becoming ever-richer as we fully include more and more persons that in the past have been simply shut out from our common life.
Meanwhile, as shrill heralds continue to warn that the sky is falling, the citizens of California, (and six other states) are quietly living with "civil union" and "gay marriage" laws in force. Despite dire predictions, straight people are not abandoning marriages in droves; in fact, nothing alarming has occurred at all. However, people (and especially their children) are changing their views on this subject. In May, the Field poll reported (for the first time) that a majority of Californians favor "gay marriage." Across our Nation, gay and straight citizens alike are "coming out" and speaking the truth that there is nothing to fear from treating everyone fairly and with respect.
EqSD/Integrity SD Marriage Equality editorial published
Written by Curtis Price, Treasurer, Equality South Dakota Wednesday, 23 July 2008 20:52
In my hometown of Rapid City, we were blessed last week with a polemic attacking the "activist judges" in California, from Rev. Richard Wells, local Baptist pastor and a founding faculty member 1972 reactionary Baptist Christian school Criswell College... you can guess where they stand. Wells said, last week:On May 15, the California Supreme Court overturned the state's ban on homosexual marriage. .. if you care about America, you should be very worried.
I responded with an op-ed published today, representing myself, Integrity USA, and Equality South Dakota:
Similar words of alarm (accompanied by carefully interpreted Scripture) have been used in some churches to prevent ethnic minorities and women from sharing their gifts as full members of the Church, but (in my view) the Holy Spirit continues to work to open the doors to everyone. Rev. Wells was right to quote Aretha Franklin saying that what's at stake is r-e-s-p-e-c-t. Marriage equality is one of the ways we can respect the rights of all citizens (including LGBT folk) and allow them and their families to live in liberty, freedom, and integrity with their God and their fellow humans. This day is coming and it is not to be feared; rather, it is something to joyfully celebrate!
The Rapid City (South Dakota) Journal does not post editorials online, but I have posted captured images of both editorials (400K pdf). The full text of the op-ed (All Families Should Be Valued In South Dakota) has posted on the eqsd.org site as well.
CA Marriages; another step closer to equality
Written by David Tuesday, 10 June 2008 20:14
Article published Jun 10, 2008 in the Aberdeen American News
Times changing now
2008-06-10 To the editor - It is indeed a fine time for fair-minded people to be alive. Not only has the Democratic party selected a black American for its presidential nominee, the candidate coming in second was a smart, assertive woman willing to take on the "big boys."
In the 1960s we sang with Bob Dylan, "For the times they are a-changin'” and hoped it was true. Those lyrics and music can be pulled again from the old guitar case as nearly every day another chain of discrimination or lock on bigotry opens as the keys of justice release its captive.
The strength and genius of the American justice system is that it eventually discovers that the tyranny of a majority is the primary threat to liberty. It is not judicial activism when a besieged minority is rightly uplifted, awarded and honored with equal rights. And so it was that the California Supreme Court recognized that same-sex marriage is equal to any heterosexual marriage.
Poll after poll reveals more Americans recognizing that inequality is wrong. It was evil to enslave anyone, prevent women from voting and bar interracial marriage. Now a more compassionate and younger generation leads the growing public support for the freedom to marry the person you love. In California on June 17, gays and lesbians from every state will be able to ceremoniously and legally take their partner's hand and announce their commitment through marriage while humming Bobby Darin's “Simple Song of Freedom.”
David D. Fischer
Aberdeen
Equality South Dakota, board member and secretary
©2007 Aberdeen News Company. All Rights Reserved. AberdeenNews.com
Obama Statement on Pride Month 2008
Written by Obama Press Office Sunday, 08 June 2008 12:39
Chicago**, IL* -- Senator Barack Obama today released the following statement commemorating Pride month."I am proud to join with our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered brothers and sisters in celebrating the accomplishments, the lives, and the families of all LGBT people during this Pride season. Too often, the issue of LGBT rights is exploited by those seeking to divide us. But at its core, this issue is about who we are as Americans."
"It's time to live up to our founding pr omise of equality by treating all our citizens with dignity and respect. Let's enact federal civil rights legislation to outlaw hate crimes and protect workers against discrimination based upon sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. Let's repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell and demonstrate that the most effective and professional military in the world is open to all Americans who are ready and willing to serve our country. Let's treat the relationships and the families of LGBT Americans with full equality under the law."
"We are ready to accomplish these goals because of the courage and persistence of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people who have are working every day to achieve equal rights. The gay couple who demand equal treatment in our family laws as they raise their children; the lesbian soldier who wants nothing more than to serve her country openly and honestly; the transgender workers who asks for the simple dignity of being judged by the quality of their work. Generations of LGBT Americans, at once ordinary and extraordinary, have made possible this moment in our history. With leadership and hard work, we can fulfill the promise of equality for all."
The Obama for America campaign is proud to be actively participating in over 60 local and state wide Pride events over the summer. To find the events nearest you please visit www.pride.barackoba
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 6, 2008
Obama Press Office, 312-819-2423
Fargo/Moorhead Pride Event June 3-8, 2008
Written by David F. Sunday, 01 June 2008 20:07
For complete information, events, dates, times and directions check out the Pride Collective & Community Center schedule. Fargo Moorheed Pride begins Tuesday June 3rd through Sunday June 8th. Check out the complete Schedule Here.Page 1 of 3