In God's Name

I find it so incredibly disheartening the way God has been used in this country to condemn same-sex marriage; as though Almighty God advocates the denial of hospital visitation, the nonpayment of child support, or the refusal of spousal health insurance. I am deeply saddened that the religious opponents of marriage equality have apparantly failed to learn from our history, from the faithful loving couples of the past that have been denied the recoginition of marriage in the name of God-ordained Christian tenants.

"Such equality does not in fact exist, and it never can. The God of nature made it otherwise, and no human law can produce it, and no human tribunal can enforce it." (Scott v. State, 1869)

"[T]he natural law which forbids their intermarriage and the social amalgamation which leads to a corruption of races, is as clearly divine as that which imparted to them different natures." (Gibson v. State, 1871)

"It is an institution of God, and a very honorable state ... 'Thou shalt not,' said Abraham, 'take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanities,' ... The laws of civilization demand that the races be kept apart in this country." (Lonas v. State, 1871)

"The purity of public morals ... require that [the races] should be kept distinct and separate, and that connections and alliances so unnatural that God and nature seem to forbid them, should be prohibited by positive law, and be subject to no evasion." (Kinney v. Commonwealth, 1878)

"[Marriage] is a public institution established by God himself, is recognized in all Christian and civilized nations, and is essential to the peace, happiness, and well-being of society." (Frasher v. State, 1877)

"Almighty God created the races white, black, yellow, malay, and red, and he placed them on separate continents. And but for the interference with his arrangement there would be no cause for such marriages. The fact that He separated the races shows that He did not intend for the races to mix." (Loving v. Virginia, 1967)

The above quotes were taken from unjust U.S. rulings upholding bans on interracial sexual conduct and, by extension, marriage. Religious conservatives of the day (and others in the national majority) heralded such rulings as "common sense" and in accordance with God's will.

Today's religious conservatives would be wise to learn from the mistakes of their predecessors and not misuse fallible interpretations of scripture to inflict continued injustices upon future generations. Most of the quotes were drawn from "The Sexualization of Difference" by Josephine Ross (pdf) from the Harvard Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review.

Barbara and Tibby

I promised that I would keep you posted... Here's the release. If you want more info just leave me a note.

DOCUMENTARY TAKES ON VIRGINIA SAME-SEX UNION BAN Screening Slated in District of HB751’s Chief Patron
The Welcoming Congregation Committee of the Bull Run Unitarian Universalist Church will host a documentary critical of Virginia HB751, a controversial law banning same-sex unions in Virginia. The screening will be held in Manassas, the hometown of the law’s Chief Patron, Delegate Robert Marshall.

“Barbara and Tibby: A Love Story in the Face of Hate” features a Fredericksburg lesbian couple leaving Virginia because the legal arrangements they’ve made to protect each other could be barred under HB751. Tibby relies on legal documents to ensure the medical care of her partner of nearly 40 years who has a brain aneurysm. Barbara remarks in the film, “I truly don’t know why people hate us. I really truly do not understand it.”

Following the 40-minute film, panelists will relate how HB751 has strained their own lives, families, and relationships. The speakers include: Suzanne Moe, the film’s creator; Gaye Adegbalola, blues musician and Black civil rights activist; Rev. Nancy McDonald; attorney Leila Kilgore; and several concerned Manassas residents.

HB751 voids “arrangement[s] between persons of the same sex purporting to bestow the privileges or obligations of marriage” (full text). Critics of the legislation contend it could be used to void powers of attorney, wills, medical directives, and property arrangements since these contracts grant rights automatically conferred in marriage (more on marriage rights).

Gov. Mark Warner had vetoed HB751, asserting to the Associated Press on April 16, 2004: “The ramifications of this could be enormous in terms of their ability to break apart business partnerships. It would move Virginia so far out of the mainstream that that’s not where I think we ought to be.” Despite the Governor’s objections, both Virginia houses passed the original broad language of the bill into law, just five days later.

A statewide coalition of over 70 organizations has joined together in opposition to the exclusionary law. The Stand Up for Equality Coalition includes churches, civil liberty organizations, social justice groups, and businesses. Companies such as the Acteon Multimedia Group joined the coalition, concerned HB751 would hinder employee recruitment and retention. In addition, the Virginia Education Association listed the repeal of HB751 as one of its ten legislative goals for 2005.

The documentary screening will take place on Friday, April 1, 2005 in the Fellowship Hall of the Bull Run Unitarian Universalist Church, 9350 Main Street in downtown Manassas. Doors open at 7pm for refreshments and social gathering. The film starts at 8pm. It is free and open to the public.
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Press coverage:
Local film addresses same-sex unions
Couple feels forced to leave
Film will be used to educate
Some choose to leave

Revealing my Nerdiness

Take the quiz at dicepool.com

You are the large, round, friendly d20! (You probably didn't know this, but the shape of the twenty-sided die is called an Icosahedron.) You are the friendly, outgoing, outspoken, leader of friends. You are often looked up to, even though you don't normally deserve it. Most other types secretly wish they were you, and you'd give them tips on how, if only you had a clue yourself. Your charisma is often all you need, but you have your occasional moments of brilliance as well--just never when it's actually needed. You are the all-around good guy, a dependable chum, a respectable foe, and an inspiration to those who need one. Who says you can't get by on a smile and good looks alone?

This survey is completely scientific. Despite the mind-boggling complexity of mankind, the billions of distinctly different personalities found on Earth can easily be divided into seven simple categories that correspond to the five Platonic solids, a pseudo polyhedron, and whatever the hell a d100 is. The results of this quiz should be considered not only meaningful but also infallible, and pertinent to your success as a fully realized individual. If you feel the results of this examination do not match your perceived personality, you should take whatever drastic measures are needed to cram your superego back into proper alignment, as described by the quiz results.

And if you believe that, we have some really great critical-hit insurance to sell you.