Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves; and, under a just God, can not long retain it.
—Abraham Lincoln
Summer Heats Up with MESV Outreach
Marriage Equality Silicon Valley, led by volunteer and coordinator Donna C., is taking the bull by the horns through tabling efforts at local farmers' markets and art fairs. This is a fantastic way for members of the LGBT community and its supporters to talk one-on-one with our community neighbors and tell our stories. It is important that we share with others just why anti-equality efforts like Prop. 8 hurt us in tangible ways. As people learn more about us and can interact with us, face-to-face in a pleasant environment, their fears, misconceptions and stereotypes about who we are start to dissipate, and they begin to understand that supporting prejudice and bigotry is harmful to many, and benefits no one.
Indeed, such community outreach is probably the most powerful tool we have at our disposal. As the battle over Prop. 8 and other important issues like "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," DOMA and ENDA plays out in our nation's courts and legislatures, we are still charged with the all-important task of changing hearts and minds of ordinary Americans.
In recognition of this task, Donna C. and other stalwart volunteers are crusading for our cause at local events like the San Carlos Farmers Market, the De Anza Flea Market, and the Palo Alto Art and Wine Festival. We would like to invite you too to help us out by volunteering to help staff tables at these events. As Donna says, "Tabling is fun and educational. At these events we see thousands of people, get a chance to have real face to face conversations, raise visibility, and raise some money." A list of upcoming events can be found on our Events page. You may even want to consider setting up a table of your own at other events in your local community. It doesn't take much cash, and by investing just one day of your time, you and a few friends can make a tremendous positive impact for the LGBT community.
If you are unable to volunteer yourself, please stop by during one of these events and say hello to our friendly volunteers. We would love to meet you!
Email Donna to volunteer or ask questions.
Prop. 8 Overturned; Same-Sex Couples Still Waiting
Federal Judge Vaughn Walker has ruled that Proposition 8, the voter-approved ban on same-sex marriages in the state, is unconstitutional under both the due process and equal protection clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment.
In spite of this hard-won victory, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ordered that Judge Walker's ruling by stayed to give the court a chance to hear arguments why same-sex marriages should not resume, and indeed to determine whether Prop. 8 supporters even have legal standing to appeal the ruling. The appellate court's decision is not expected until early 2011, and until then, would-be married couples must once again put their plans on hold and wait to see how the appellate court will rule.
Obviously, our work is not yet done. We must continue to talk about marriage equality and why each of us deserves equal treatment under the law — no more and no less. That's why MESV's outreach efforts, spearheaded by our wonderful volunteer Donna C., are so important in helping change hearts and minds on the issue of marriage equality. Denying any one group their civil rights endangers those same rights for all Americans.
Please see our Events page for upcoming outreach events, and email Donna to learn more about tabling and to find out how you too can get involved by volunteering to help staff a table.
NOH8
From our friends at the NOH8 Campaign, here's a cool video celebrating the LOVE side of things. Feel free to paint your friends' faces with the logo!
Memorial Held for Stuart Matis
NEW! Why We Remember Stuart: A Personal Connection
By Rick Infantino
Henry Stuart Matis was just 32 years old when he took his life on the steps of the Stake Center at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Los Altos, California, on February 25, 2000. Stuart, as he was called, was a devout Mormon who also happened to be gay. At the time of his suicide, the battle over Proposition 22, the California bill that first put the "one-man, one-woman marriage" text into the books, was raging. Stuart tried to reconcile two opposites: the scorn from the Mormon community, including his own family, for gays and lesbians, and being true to his own identity. Sadly, he made the tragic decision to end his life just days before Prop. 22 was indeed passed by voters.
To remember his life, cut so short by divisiveness and vitriol, the Foundation of Reconciliation and several other organizations held a pre-dawn memorial ceremony on February 25, 2010, at 6:30 A.M. in Cuesta Park, Mountain View. At 6:50, participants walked the 3/4 mile south on Grant Road to the LDS Church building in Los Altos, where Stuart's body was found ten years ago. The day-long vigil continued at the church until sundown.
For more information, please visit Mormons for Marriage.
Mercury News Covering Prop 8 Trial
Although the federal trial on Proposition 8 will not be broadcast via YouTube, as originally hoped, the San José Mercury News has in depth coverage of the trial, as well as same-sex marriage in general, on a special, dedicated website. Go to mercurynews.com/samesexmarriage for all the latest information, including Howard Mintz' frequently updated blog, direct from the trial.
Here are a few other sites that are covering the trial:
- Firedoglake's blog
- Courage Campaign Institute's Prop 8 Trial Tracker (you've got to love their logo!)
- Commentary from UC Berkeley Law students
Brother Outsider Screening an Eye-Opener
On Friday, January 15, at the Billy DeFrank LGBT Community Center, Rick Infantino, along with his husband Dean Harpster, presented a free screening of Brother Outsider, which features the life of Bayard Rustin (1912–1987), the unknown hero of the civil rights movement. A disciple of Gandhi, Rustin was a mentor and teacher to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., lived his life as an openly gay man, and was the architect of the historic 1963 March on Washington.
A group of about 25 showed up to see the movie, most of whom had never heard of Rustin before. Participants were moved by how much impact Rustin, who worked tirelessly from the 1930s up until his death, had had on the civil rights struggle. It is shocking that the legacy of such an important figure in our history has been suppressed and denied to both the African-American and LGBT communities; hopefully, it will only be a short time before his greatness is realized in our history books.
Here you can see a trailer of Brother Outsider. If you are interested in arranging a screening of this film for your church, school, or community center, please contact Rick Infantino.
MESV Merchandise Now Available from CafePress
You can now purchase Marriage Equality Silicon Valley merchandise at our new CafePress.com store. Browse items such as T-shirts for men, women and children, as well as gift ideas such as buttons, teddy bears and mousepads. Most items have the MESV logo; in addition, specially designed T-shirts are available with timely messages: "It's not IF, it's WHEN" (shown above), and "To change hearts and minds, you need to find them first." All profits from the sale of merchandise go directly to MESV to help fund its activities.
Please let your friends know about our store's URL: http://www.cafepress.com/MESV. It's the best way to show your local pride!
Donate to Marriage Equality Silicon Valley
Marriage Equality Silicon Valley has relied on contributions from its core group of volunteers for funding its activities to this point. Although we understand that these economic times are perhaps as bad as they have been for decades, we nevertheless must call on the community for donations to help support its activities. These include very basic, relatively inexpensive things such as printing flyers and supplies. If you would like to donate to our organization, your contribution of any amount would be most welcome. Please visit our donation page for details. Although we will happily issue a receipt for your contribution, any amount contributed will not be tax-deductible, as Marriage Equality Silicon Valley is not a registered nonprofit entity.
Marriage Equality Movie Night & Potluck
As part of our ongoing outreach, the religious outreach and youth movement subgroup of Marriage Equality Silicon Valley hosts a monthly movie night & potluck. Contact Ray Hixson at (650) 346-7557 or Joanne Loomba at (408) 921-0041 for more information.
Spread the word about Marriage Equality Silicon Valley!
Marriage Equality Silicon Valley has just a few volunteers who work tirelessly (well, okay, we do get tired now and then!) to make sure that our local community keeps marriage equality on the front burner. So that's why we're asking for your help. Here is a flyer (Adobe Acrobat format) that you can download, print out, and leave at places where people might be likely to pick them up — coffeehouses, community centers, libraries, etc. — and learn more about our organization. You can also save it on your computer, email it to your friends, and ask them to distribute it as well. "Grassroots" means we need to rely on each other to help spread the word.
Together we can make a difference!