3/18/11

This week at Brown University, students rallied in support of the legalization of same-sex marriage in Rhode Island, carrying posters with words like 'equal rights' and 'love.'  I always think it's interesting when students are acting out in support of a social movement, because many believe that our generation is the one that must act to make sufficient change, and subsequently that our generation also has the skills and beliefs in order to make that happen.
(http://www.wpri.com/dpp/news/local_news/providence/providence-brown-gay-marriage-rally)

Also this week, 62% of voters in Delaware approve of civil unions, which don't give marriage to gay couples but provide many of the same benefits and responsibilities of marriage, while 31% oppose.  Actual legalization of civil unions in the state has yet to happen, but lawmakers are pushing for it.  However, there is already a strong opposition to the legislation, especially from the Delaware Family Policy Council.  But Ellen Goodman, President of Equality Delaware, was optimistic that the legislation will be passed.
(http://www.ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=7834&MediaType=1&Category=26)

"While supporters of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) are quick to point out that it won bipartisan support in Congress and was signed into law by a Democratic president, they neglect to mention that many of those lawmakers have since had a change of heart."  And Bill Clinton is no exception.  Clinton recently said that the previous position he held on gay marriage was wrong.
(http://www.queerty.com/doma-signer-bill-clinton-gives-yeah-on-gay-marriage-20090714/)

3/11/11

Two weeks ago in this blog, I talked about a monumental statement from the Obama Administration that caused the gay community around the nation to celebrate: the Administration would no longer support DOMA as constitutional, possibly paving the way for same-sex marriage to be legalized across the country.  A week after this game-changing stance was articulated, Jodi Picoult's new book went on sale.  It couldn't have come at a better time.  It is Picoult's own version of her pro-gay personal mission statement, fleshed out in novel form.  "Sing You Home" hit shelves at a time when the gay rights movement is even more alive than ever.  And it became even more of a personal issue for her when Picoult's son came out as gay while she was in the process of writing the book.  This book, I feel, can in a way be a kind of manifesto for the gay rights movement, if in however small a way.  Because Picoult's own stance as pro-gay rights and marriage has become even more personal because of her son, this book is the physical written-out reinforcement of her place as a gay rights activist.  Picoult says, "I am an activist...I'll be totally honest with you: If you can even change a single mind, it's worth it."  This book serves as the ultimate form of persuasion for this social movement, because Picoult has many loyal fans. (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/books/jodi-picoults-new-gay-rights-novel-couldnt-be-more-timely/article1933872/)

The Washington Square News shed some light on something that has been named as the beginning of the gay rights movement: the play "The Boys in the Band."  This play was the first of its kind to portray homosexual characters as people with hopes, dreams, and feelings.  It was extremely successful Off-Broadway, and had a film adaptation with the name title in 1970.  Here is the event that actually "spurred" the movement though: a year after "The Boys in the Band" opened, police stormed into a bar in NYC to arrest people for 'homosexual acts.'  Gays and lesbians fought back, causing a riot.  And a year after that, on the exact same date, the very first gay pride march occurred.  Light is shed on all of this in Crayton Robey's new documentary film entitled "Making the Boys," which chronicles these events and says that they would never had happened without the success of "The Boys in the Band." (http://www.nyunews.com/arts/2011/03/08/08boys/)

Also this week, about 250 people in New Mexico protested in support of gay marriage and gay civil rights.  They dressed in bright colors, shook instruments, displayed rainbow-colored banners, chanted, and beat drums.  Even though this is a relatively small occurrence in a place that's not local, I always try to look for the news of people actually going out and doing something in support of this social movement, instead of a piece of legislature being passed or a celebrity speaking in favor or against gay marriage and rights in general.  This is the core of social movements: the people in New Mexico utilized songs, slogans, and symbolic acts to support the cause and promote their view.  "'I just love my gay dads,' 7-year-old Alegra Sewell said. 'And I want them to get married.'"

(http://www.dailylobo.com/index.php/article/2011/03/gay_rights_protests_stop_traffic)