How a couple & a web server sparked a national movement... in 1 week.

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Wednesday November 12, 2008 · 12:18 PM PST

2008/11/12 · 12:18

"The minute we say we are going to boycott the LDS, for example, we stray. It is time we take back the conversation and do it responsibly. There is already too much finger pointing.

- Amy Balliett, Founder of the National Anti-Prop 8 protests happening this Saturday

Today was the first time that I realized how large the protests against prop 8 are going to be on Saturday. Maybe it was my friend in Georgia posting on facebook all the information for the protest sites in their state (GEORGIA!). Maybe it was my favorite blogs (Pams House Blend in NC), podcasts (Feast of Fools in Chicago) and media sources talking up the protest organizing. It might well have been the buzz in the air, of friends postponing trips, getting off work and skipping meetings. It means that many of the people in my life are dropping their usual routine to have their voices heard.

theantidesi101

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Tuesday November 11, 2008 · 3:25 PM PST

2008/11/11 · 15:25

When same-sex marriage was legalized in Massachusetts in 2004 I assumed that other liberal "blue" states would not be too far behind. I was in high school at the time and not as politically conscientious as I like to think I am now. In the past 5 years there has been a plethora of organizing on equal marriage from both pro and con sides, some of which has been truly innovative and inspiring. In this diary, I would like to highlight some of the most memorable organizing strategies that have recently come to my mind. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but in these times of furious prop 8 organizing, perhaps we can learn a thing or two from what our movement- and that of our opponents- have already employed. Perhaps, just perhaps, we will integrate some of these strategies on the national level in a post-Prop 8 environment.

theantidesi101

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Monday November 10, 2008 · 1:46 PM PST

2008/11/10 · 13:46

For 5 days now, thousands of people have flooded the California streets protesting the passage of Prop 8, which has made illegal equal marriage in California. This Wednesday a large protest is expected in NYC, followed by a massive nationwide protest on Saturday.

These are great moves and I will be attending my local protest on Saturday here in D.C., but protest in itself is not enough. We need a plan . A long term plan and the discussion should start now.

theantidesi101

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Sunday November 09, 2008 · 3:28 PM PST

2008/11/09 · 15:28

Today on a whim I trekked down to the Convention Center in Washington D.C. for 2008’s Green Festival. I came down primarily to hear 3 of the most amazing progressive women I know of: Amy Goodman, Barbara Ehrenreich and Katrina vanden Heuvel, but I discovered so much more. The entire vibe of the festival is tinged with excitement about the progressive victories last week, with the election of Obama and other progressives on the national stage. Thousands of Washingtonians and visitors to our wonderful city are converging as I write this on this center to learn about sustainable living, sustainable politics and the push for a sustainable progressive community. Below is my reaction to hearing Amy Goodman speak, as well as transcribed excerpts from Barbara Ehrenreich and Katrina vanden Heuval:

theantidesi101

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Saturday November 08, 2008 · 1:17 PM PST

2008/11/08 · 13:17

Thousands of activists, volunteers and first time engaged citizens contributed their efforts to fight Prop 8 and preserve equal marriage in California.

While I celebrate every active opponent of Prop 8, two particular groups of people stood out to me in this struggle: LGBT and allied Mormons who took a decided stance against their church, and African-American LGBT activists, who fought homophobia in their communities without much of the resources available to other LGBT groups.

theantidesi101

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Friday November 07, 2008 · 8:27 PM PST

2008/11/07 · 20:27

Out queer politicians matter to LGBT people. They inspire the next generation of out political leaders, who right now might be very young people in college, high school or even younger. Just like that brown child being told by his grandmother this week that he can finally be anyone he wants to me, some gay or transgender child is opening the newspaper, or peeping over their parent's shoulder at the tv, and seeing an LGBT person elected to perform public service.

That LGBT child is seeing openly gay Jared Polis become a Colorado Congressman. They are witnessing open bisexual Kate Brown become Oregon's next Secretary of State (not to mention highest elected openly bisexual political figure in the U.S.). One kid who knows they're not the gender assigned to them by society will discover by chance the fact that the people of Silverton, Oregon elected the first openly transgender mayor in U.S. history, Stu Rasmussen.

theantidesi101

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Thursday November 06, 2008 · 1:59 PM PST

2008/11/06 · 13:59

Many of my friends found themselves in awe the past few days. In awe of the fact that this nation has elected it's first black commander in chief, but also in awe at its continued penchant for bigotry.

"Thousands Protest Over Prop 8, LAPD on Tactical Alert"

George Takei, one of the most visible gay Asians-Americans today, was one of the few Americans able to articulate their frustrations so soon after these humiliating defeats for the LGBT movement:

Best known for his role as Mr. Sulu on "Star Trek," Takei on Wednesday was disappointed but philosophical about California voters’ decision to yank that right by passing a constitutional amendment restricting marriage to heterosexual couples.

"There are going to be heartbreaks, setbacks and sacrifices to be made," he said, "but we will soldier on."

Indeed we will soldier on...

theantidesi101

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Wednesday November 05, 2008 · 8:43 AM PST

2008/11/05 · 08:43

Ronald Reagan once famously quipped in his 1980 Presidential campaign that "It's morning again in America."

I'm proud to say that, 28 years later, America is truly seeing a morning, bright and shining in every last state this Nov. 5th.

Our adrenaline is still pumping, our mood is still upbeat and our convictions are stronger than ever. Our euphoria, while tempered by congressional and ballot defeats, persists because our months of volunteering, phonebanking, canvassing and donating have paid off.

We acknowledge our labor accomplished so far, yet recognize that the real work, that of governing, begins today.

theantidesi101

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Monday July 28, 2008 · 8:17 PM PDT

2008/07/28 · 20:17

Like what you read? Please add me to your blogroll and check me out regularly!

Sure, this generation is not free of homophobia, but this is a generation that grew up with openly gay and lesbian people serving in Congress, acting in films, hosting television shows and fronting rock bands. This generation grew up in schools where students unite in gay-straight alliances and march for tolerance. This generation grew up in a country that shared a common grief over the murder of a gay college student. This generation grew up watching gays and lesbians marry on cable news, bicker on reality TV and compete in pro sports. This generation grew up with gays in the Secret Service, gays in the FBI, gays in the CIA and yes, gays in the military, such as former Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Eric Alva, the first soldier injured in the ground war in Iraq and a recipient of the Purple Heart.
- Lisa Neff, columnist, 365gay.com

theantidesi101

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Friday July 25, 2008 · 8:29 PM PDT

2008/07/25 · 20:29

Like what you read? Please add me to your blogroll and check me out regularly!

I'll be frank, my previous diary on school bullying touched a nerve both here on DailyKos and also at Pam's House Blend. I want to share these comments with my readers and also use this opportunity to respond. Emotions were (rightfully so) very raw on this issue, and to understand the full context I do encourage all readers to check out Part I of this pair of diaries for background. I want to thank every single commenter for sharing their thoughts. More than anything else, I appreciate your time and thank you for adding to this very important discussion.

theantidesi101

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Thursday July 24, 2008 · 7:21 PM PDT

2008/07/24 · 19:21

If you like what you see. Please add me to your blogroll and check me out regularly ;)

I have never endured a more difficult experience than the cliquey, judgemental, make it or break it middle school crowd of my childhood years. I'll be perfectly honest, at 20 years old, those memories are quite fresh in my mind. I'm sure you can relate in some way.

I know, I'm well aware of the demographics of Dkos, however I also am aware of the universality of assholes, bullies and jocks throughout time, culture and class. If not middle school, then high school or certainly college. So many of us Kossacks can recall those dark experiences of school harassment in the form of intimidation, humiliation and sometimes violence.

Some of us, like me, remember those days as perpetrators. I know it may be hard to imagine, but for us reformed bullies, the experiences can sometimes be far worse than anything we dished out. Please allow me to explain.

theantidesi101

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Wednesday July 23, 2008 · 8:07 PM PDT

2008/07/23 · 20:07

Please add me to your blogroll and check me out regularly ;)

At any given time there are 1,500,000 individuals enlisted in one of the branches of the U.S. military, 15% of which are women. That's one million and five hundred thousand people enlisted in the institution set up to protect American freedoms from outside aggression. This institution instills values and beliefs that will be carried by those very same men and women for the rest of their lives, even after service, when they attempt to reintegrate into civilian life.

That's why it's so worrisome that our military has become one of the largest national incubators for implicitly sanctioned rape and sexual assault. By allowing our military to slack in the disciplining of sexual assault crimes, we are creating a culture of impunity, where perpetrators of rape and sexual assault escape punishment, and their victims are denied justice. These perpetrators of sexual assault are then free to return to civilian life. That's right, they're free to then visit your neighborhood, your jogging route, your favorite local bar, anywhere. We know our enemy, and it is within.

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How a couple & a web server sparked a national movement... in 1 week.

Lessons Learned on Marriage Equality

Prop 8 Protests, Not Enough. Wake the Heck up!

My Day With the Green Movement

Underfunded Mormon & Black Heroes Against Prop 8

You Cannot Live on Hope Alone.

"but we will soldier on." On Prop 8

A New Morning in America

LGBT Communitie(s), Divided we Rise. United We Fall.

Confessions of a Schoolyard Bully (Part II)

Confessions of a Schoolyard Bully

At What Point Did We Condone Rape?