Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Next Stop June 13th, 2011

The prop h8 trial debate over whether Vaughn Walker should have recused himself for being gay will be going before Judge James Ware (who has a lot of controversy behind his name if you google him, and I'm only guessing the Prop H8ers ProtectMarriage.com will bring all of that out if they don't get the answer they want). Proponents of Prop H8 are waiting to hear whether or not the ruling by Vaughn Walker will be thrown out. This happens June 13th. FINALLY! OMG I've been waiting for another trial date, more information, something new I could share with you guys about California, for my home state readers. Don't get me wrong I'm all about national, but I really needed to share something that came close to home, just before I got into everything else that's going on.

So it looks like that Prop H8ers aren't really going to get what they ask for. Many specialist on ethics in the court room have been spoken to on the subject and said that in no way shape or form did he have to announce his sexual orientation any more than a heterosexual judge would have to announce there's. Honestly, for them to expect anyone to have to announce their sexual orientation before anything is just as discriminatory as prop h8 and its like the proponents for the h8 measure already expect even JUDGES to abide by their way of life. Arrogance vs argument, it never turns out good for the arrogant.

Besides isn't this whole case in itself, in violation of separation between church and state? I don't know, but on the upside for a little bit of laughter, there will be a 5 show Comedy tour, lead by Dan St. Paul, a heterosexual comedian that will be fighting for gay rights via laughter. This includes a stop in Santa Cruz, CA on June 25th. All proceeds will be donated to the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER). For more information please visit the website/article>/a> for more information.

You can also read more about the debate over Judge Walker's sexuality by visiting

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Gay White Bloggers = Racist... ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

I've been scanning the news waves looking for something of interest to post. The only thing I'm finding is all the pro prop8 bloggers and reporters out there, that are accusing the marriage equality defenders of being racist white gays. Because of Judge Vaughn Walker's successor Judge James Ware being black. This really grinds my gears. These blog sites are claiming what us "gay white bloggers" and "gay whites" WILL DO... not what we have done, but what we will do. They are claiming we're going to be using the term "f***ing n****r" in retaliation if the case is thrown out as the proponents have requested. First and foremost, IT HASN'T BEEN DECIDED WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE ALLOWED TO FIGHT THE CASE YET! Second of all, I'm not racist by any means. My step dad and step siblings are black, and yes I am a gay white blogger.

Not to mention the "over-the-top" gay white guys out there are mostly trying to encompass what they think is the black girl attitude. Not to mention they do it all wrong, or their "black girl" attitude is stuck in the early 90's.

Back to the first paragraph, so these prop h8 sons of bitches are out there talking shit on us (yet again) based on what they think we "may do." Its already been made very evident from our side, that no one in their right mind living in, representing, or setting the rules for California would ever call "protect marriage" constitutional. Anyone in their right mind knows its discrimination.

I see it like this, I understand there was an overwhelming support for prop 8 in the straight black community amongst the men. Although, I personally find it pretty RACIST of these pro h8 bloggers and reporters to determine that Judge Ware will throw the case out just because he's black. NOT ALL BLACK MEN VOTED FOR PROP 8. Not to mention Judge Ware is a JUDGE, Judges are here for what purpose, to bring... JUSTICE. Now I'm not sure if these Pro H8 people realize it, but Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., another black man, fought for Justice against Intolerance. I wouldn't put it past Judge Ware to do the same, or ANYONE of ANY ETHNICITY for that matter.

---------------------------------------------------

I'm also seeing a lot of, "Well, we got a Civil Union... that's good enough I guess," going on all over the news and blogs in other states. Well, CIVIL UNIONS AREN'T ENOUGH! Why in the hell would you settle for anything less than EQUAL. This is a FREE COUNTRY, we should be FREE to LOVE anyone we want, ANY WAY we want. Do not settle for anything less than what others have when fighting for your rights. Settling for Civil Unions is like saying, "Hey, you know what... okay, you're right, I don't deserve the rights that you have." This is a bunch of bullshit.

All of you Pro H8s out there that think you're doing us a "favor" or "compromising" with us need to get your head out of your asses. There is no "compromise" for equal rights. Hence the term EQUAL. You must really think your pretty high and mighty, NO ONE MAN IS BETTER THAN THE NEXT. You judgmental a-holes. In your little HOLY WAR your trying to operate, go back to the good book. Please see...

John 8:7
So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said to them, "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her."
Leviticus 19:35
Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure.
Leviticus 19:18
Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.
Leviticus 19:17
Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.
Proverbs 10:12
"Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins."
Really Pro H8ers... Look, I was raised with Christian Morals, in a Christian Church. I know first hand that one, I AM NOT A MISTAKE, GOD MADE ME THE WAY I AM. I also did not CHOOSE to be gay. I CHOSE to tell the truth and not live in a lie. I've read the bible, through and through. I'm active in my church and I know that GOD IS LOVE and LOVE IS REAL. I have no hatred in my heart, and you do. Yet you call me the sinner? Why don't you stop skipping over the verses in the bible that act against you and YOUR beliefs.







Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Lets Go National... We're Already Overcoming Obstacles

Here are some videos I searched out for everyone to see that its not just state by state and we are actually going after this on a national level. I would love to rush this process, but issues like this can not be rushed for resolution, if rushed it leaves too much open for anti-marriage equality groups to challenge it. So once these state by state legalization's happen. We will go national. Fighting it state by state is fighting it nationally... check these videos out.

Jeremy Benard... Openly Gay Social Secratary to the White House
(and first openly gay of this postion.)



Obama will no longer defend DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act)

Monday, May 23, 2011

I SIGNED IT, YOU SHOULD TOO!

CLICK THE PIC AND SIGN FOR EQUALITY

Found this on HRC's TWITTER

This is a copy and pasted article from The Human Rights Campaign

New HRC Poll Shows Majority of Christians Support LGBT Equality

1750Share

new-hrc-poll-shows-majority-of-christians-support-lgbt-equality

By Paul Guequierre
May 23rd, 2011 at 10:43 am

We are excited to release new polling today that shows the nation’s Christians stand firmly on the side of LGBT equality. A new HRC poll released moments ago, in partnership with Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research, shows the majority of Christian Americans oppose the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act, favor protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people from discrimination, and support anti-bullying laws. Armed with this information, hundreds of clergy from across the country will lobby members of Congress tomorrow during HRC’s Clergy Call for Justice and Equality.

Key Findings:

Overall, 68 percent of Christians (compared to 70 percent of overall respondents) strongly favor or somewhat favor protecting LGBT people from discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations. Seventy-four percent of Christians (76 percent overall) favor a law prohibiting bullying and harassment against LGBT students or the children of LGBT parents. Eighty-six percent of Christians (85 percent overall) believe their faith leads them to the conclusion that the law should treat LGBT people equally. Seventy percent of Christians (74 percent overall) agree that when religious leaders condemn LGBT people it does more harm than good.

View the polling results, as well as a detailed analysis of the cross-tabs at www.hrc.org/religionpoll2011.


Be sure to visit Human Rights Campaign and get involved.


TO MY POST ON GAY PRIDE LONG BEACH MAY 22, 2011

I wrote that post very steamed and after having read it back, I realized with the help of a friend and my fiance that it seems as though I was hating the pride festival in itself. I wanted to clear up the fact that it wasn't the pride festival or what it was supposed to represent. It was the people creating a false image of the gay community by wearing certain attire or conducting themselves in a very rude and disrespectful manner. It was not at any time my intention to upset anyone and if you really read the posting closely you will see that I only want what's right for us. Now do I agree with the Festival being sponsored by Lube and Alcohol, no. Sure Alcohol is a great way for adults to relax like any festival, but it seems (even though they aren't) are the only two sponsors there. Lube and Alcohol as primary sponsors does not send a healthy image to those opposed, in fact it fuels their fire. Thank you all and please keep checking in. I try to bring you all posts on what's going on daily. Ooooh and I hope you enjoyed the pictures I took of the Solar Halo. Used my cell phone, crazy that it worked. Maybe that's the worlds way of saying it approves equality? A Full circle using every color... sounds like equality to me.

Thanks,
Jon Scott

YOUTUBERS SUBSCRIBE to @OURSCENETV

Our scene TV is out there getting the message going in the right direction, here's one of their clips from their YOUTUBE CHANNEL...


Steve-O of Jackass says Prop 8 is F*CKING BULLSH*T

I also agree we should get Barrack Obama to do a NOH8 shot... it would spread the message wide.

So Much to Say Today...

Over at The Washington Post we find three stories that are leading us to the fact that there are more than just gays (heterosexuals) on the marriage equality team that are fighting to make same sex marriage not only legal, but a reality for all. However, there are still the intentional set backs (Minnesota, I'll post that later) that are keeping their ignorance before constitutionality, which is why we must fly through these state legalization's and go National. If Minnesota can't save themselves I say its up to the rest of to lend that hero hand. My recent post about the Gallup Polls gives us the reason to know that it can be done.

In New York the fight continues and its not just the "people" fighting for their marriage equality its their officials as well. Mayor Mike Bloomberg (R) of New York released this Marriage Equality Message Today...



We also have these other New Yorkers for Marriage Equality:
Bill and Chelsea Clinton, Barbara Bush, Vogues Anna Wintour, Sean Avery (NY Rangers), Steve Nash of Phoenix Suns (who lives in NYC off season), and Russell Simmons (Music Mogul)






See more by heading over to the Washington Post.
WASHINGTON POST ARTICLE

Sunday, May 22, 2011

SOLAR HALO LONG BEACH,CA 5-22-11






Just so happens I'm the first to have uploaded shots I took of the Solar Halo (Rainbow encircling the sun) today actually a few minutes ago... up on facebook, but I want to post it here too... funny thing is pride is happening today, so if everyone looked up they saw a huge circle rainbow around the sun... hopefully it'll help them realize what its all about, but who knows. I really wanted to publish this though to get it on the web first ;)

Wanda Sykes, Our New Face... I AGREE! (Oh and Jay Leno, THANK YOU)


(Video/Article Source)

"Sally Kerns she should move up in goverment. Because if she thinks homosexuality is a bigger threat than terrorism, maybe she'll remove our troops from Iraq and have them invade West Hollywood." - WANDA SYKES on ELLEN <--- LMAO, love her for the comedic relief, videos of her are helping me calm down from my rant in the post below.









Long Beach Gay Pride Parade and Festival... 2011

I just posted on my facebook page my feelings against gay pride parade, now those of you who actually read my blog may call me hypocritical, but in reality I couldn't be further from it. I live in the neighborhood adjacent to the pride festival and the parade itself drops its floats off directly in front of my apartment.

This weekend I decided to stay at my sisters house on the other side of Long Beach. Reason being my first but not most important concern... the parking situation. Pride festival designates parking that can facilitate pride attendee's vehicles. Instead of the attendee's paying the money to park, they take up the parking in my neighborhood which on a regular day doesn't have enough parking as it is. So those that work hard for their money all week (gay and straight) come home to having to park over a mile away and either cabbing, walking, or busing back home until Monday when the festivities have ceased.

Second, the streets flood with people once the evening events have come to end (on both Saturday and Sunday) that have no respect for the neighborhoods they are cruising through to get to their next stop destination. They trash the streets, argue, scream, yell, make as much noise as possible in their drunken states. Gays are throwing attitude back and forth and getting in little bitch fights here and their all because one thinks they are better than the other. Showing no disregard for the people that do work on weekends because they are single parents trying to support their families that long for those weekends when they can sleep. Yet, because they are gay/lesbian, they are very proud, but they embody the wrong kind of pride. Their arrogance (and not EVERYONE attending, I'll get to that later, I'm talking of those who are ruining it for the rest of us) gets the best of them and for some reason makes them feel as if they are better than the next person which they aren't, that's what the whole fight for equality is. Everyone being of the same value.

Third, I'm going to touch on the parade and festival itself. Now granted their are floats that represent the gay community (which its sad to even say its a community, because that means their is a straight community, which one of each leaves us with only one thing... segregation) correctly. They are out their promoting marriage equality. Though anyone who has attended this parade each year will see that more and more each year we are seeing more guys in underwear walking in it or on a float showing everyone what they have to offer which is disgusting and humiliating, and they are walking next to someone in a thong and assless chaps, who are holding the hand of a drag queen that's done up way over the top. Waving rainbows and throwing glitter like confetti on to the street. All being completely over the top... read the next paragraph, this is where you will see my anger.

I CREATED THIS BLOG TO EDUCATE OTHER GLBT'S ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE WORLD WITH EQUAL RIGHTS, NOT JUST GAY RIGHTS, BUT EQUAL RIGHTS. TO BE EQUAL YOU CAN NOT MAKE YOURSELF APPEAR DIFFERENT. STANDING ON THESE FLOATS EXPLOITING YOURSELVES AND A FALSE IDEA OF EVERYONE ELSE BY BEING OVER THE TOP WEARING ALMOST NOTHING IS NOT GOING TO SAY "HEY WE ARE THE SAME AS YOU! GIVE US THE SAME RIGHTS." WHAT THIS WILL DO IS SAY TO THOSE WHO HAVEN'T COME AROUND YET, "HEY LOOK HOW DIFFERENT WE ARE! WE ARE OVER THE TOP AND RUBBING IT IN YOUR FACE! BUT WE ARE STILL THE SAME AS YOU, SO GIVE US THE SAME RIGHTS!" Okay honestly, lemme explain something before I get bashers telling me those people are just being true to themselves. True to yourself, is being who you are. For example, I'm a gay man, a fiance, a hairstylist, a dancer, a brother, a son, a writer, etc. That's being who you are... being GLBT isn't WHO YOU ARE its A PART OF WHO YOU ARE. To dress in disgusting outfits and be over the top isn't who you are, its what you do. What you do requires an action, who you are is just simply being.

The pride festival is sponsored by what??? LUBE and ALCOHOL, now what kind of message does that spread about the LGBTs out there? That we're all about getting drunk and having sex. Is that what married people do? Get drunk and have sex? You see, there are people that go to the festival because they are proud of the adversities and years of torment/torture they've had to overcome. To come together with people that have been through the same thing and are proud that they aren't the only ones and that they have all done it. If they all team up, they can gain so much more with equal rights and erasing that discrimination out there. Fighting the hate and encouraging the love. Now any of you want to tell me that even 90% of the attendee's are there for that reason, you are telling me that just for the sake of argument, because you know deep down, that UNTIL GAYS STOP EXPLOITING A SIDE OF THE SO CALLED LGBT COMMUNITY THAT DOESNT NEED TO BE EXPLOITED we are never going to gain EQUAL RIGHTS AMONGST ALL.

Heterosexuals don't have a pride, if they did it would be considered a festival of hate. Just like ethnic minorities can have their clubs in school. Even down to black history month itself, now if there were to be a white history month, or a white scholars program, or club in school or society, it would be racist. When in reality allowing one to have it and not the other is reverse racism in itself. I wasn't there when their were slaves or even when their was the serious oppression and segregation back before the late sixties early seventies. Yet because of it if I do anything and attach the word White to it in a big group of like ethnic people, that makes me racist or a racist.

Now same is going for homosexual and heterosexual people in the world. We can have our pride but they can't have one for themselves? They don't even care to have one, because its not about their sexuality or anyone's for that matter. So we make ours about our sexuality and not our rights which is the ONLY THING we should be focusing on, and we expect to be treated equal or the same to everyone else.

People its time to get your head out of your asses. I guarantee about 30% (and that's being generous) of those pride attendee's are actually going to rally's for equal rights. Actually involve themselves in the fight for equal rights. Having those pride festivals are actually the result of hard work from our "community" predecessors to ensure that the tolerance that is alive today is their. Without them we would all still be targeted and not be able to live life as freely as we already do, it is up to us to gain the rest of that freedom. Instead, their are the many out there taking advantage of and reaping the benefits of their hard work by exploiting something that only a small group of people are about. The most stand out shocking is what people are going to relate to "GLBT". Take a look at yourself long and hard and ask yourself, is what I'm doing going to gain me and everyone else equal rights? If your answer is yes and its sincere, then good on ya. If not, stay in the shadows and let the rest of us do what we set out to do, just as you have today, you can reap the benefits of our work later.

I'm outro, peace.
-Jon Scott

Saturday, May 21, 2011

So 53% of Americans support gay marriage? Lets go National.

In a recent study it was found that 53% of American's now support gay/lesbian marriage. They not only support gay/lesbian marriage, but believe it should be validated and recognized by the law. Allowing all the same benefits and misery (haha) of a heterosexual marriage. Last year it was 44% in favor and 53% not in favor, but oh how the tables have turned, literally the percentage of support vs objection has reversed. The change in this year mostly consists of Democrats and Independent Parties. The Republican's 28% has not changed.

Regardless we have seen a 26% increase since 1996. I believe if California can officially legalize gay/lesbian marriage again, and have the law to ban gay/lesbian marriage be seen and stay as discriminatory (which it is) our percentage will increase. It is also known that California is the front man, so to speak, for the Western States of the USA. If we legalize it, the other states here on the west coast will surely have to follow. At which point I fully believe it should become nationally recognized, and that in our UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION it should state that any one group seen as or treated differently in rights or otherwise by anyone will be treated as discrimination. The fact that this is even an issue reflects poorly on American Value's and makes us look like a bunch of hypocrites.

The poll was based on Gallup's Beliefs and Values poll, this poll has followed the support of legalizing gay/lesbian marriage. This year alone, with a 9% increase in support, has been the biggest increase since the poll began back in 1996. Below I will be posting a few graphs with some Article Source links for you to read more in depth. I just wanted to bring to your attention that us gays and lesbians are #WINNING! once again.


Click Here to Read More on this National Poll

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Get Her Julie!

Mad respect, the beauty of this is, Julie actually quotes the scripture the way it was meant to be quoted. These extremists only use what is helpful to them, example... when reading Leviticus Shirley Phelps quoted verse 17 only, knowing what was about verse 18. Julie went on her rampage against Shirley and dropped more than a couple other verses that Shirley completely ignored. I myself am a Christian, and we are taught God is Love, and Love is real. God does not hate, and no one is a mistake. Take a look...


Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Reuters: 21 Journalist Slaughtered

I wanted to bring everyone's attention to this... it has nothing to do with "gay rights", but it is something that should be seen. Now I'm going to warn you some of the images in this short documentary video are a bit graphic, so viewer discretion is advised.


Openly Gay Republican to run for Presidential Nomination

Fred Karger stopped by Washington Unplugged to announce he, just hours before, filed his intent with the FEC to run for the Republican nomination for U.S. President in 2012.





Why is he Running? Karger said, "It was the culimnation of a lifetime of political work." He also added, "It was a very exciting moment."

Karger goes on to state that he, "wants to be a different kind of Republican," and that he "considers [himself] to be progressive."

He wants to open up the Republican party, because it "should not be dominated by one faction or another. It should be open to all."

In explaining his hopes to state his arguments in the Republican presidential debate he said, "If I can get in one or more of these presidential debates, I will make History."



Karger on why a gay candidate could win GOP nom


Karger on his possible Republican opponents


Karger's Standing on the crisis in Libya


For more visit CBS News

Image Source

Uganda's Anti-Homosexual Bill Tossed to the Back of the Line

Uganda's anti-homosexual bill has been put on hold. The Bills objective is to seek the death penalty for certain acts of homosexuality. This anti gay law was introduced/proposed by an evangelical Member of Parliament (go figure). When the debate, that took place Friday the 13th of 2011, failed to provide a successful argument the bill was thrown to the back of the line.



This bill proposed a law that would have called for certain homosexual acts to be punishable by death. Even though homosexual acts are already illegal in Uganda, the bill was designed to broaden the criminalization of homosexuality. The bill proposal would mean the death sentence for:
  • teenagers engaging in gay sex
  • people with HIV/AIDS
  • having homosexual relations/encounters with any disabled persons
  • what the bill refers to as a "serial offender"
  • Ugandan's that engage in same-sex sexual relations outside of Uganda, asserting they may be extradited back to Uganda for punishment.


This law would also target those promoting homosexuality, meaning penalties for any non-governmental organizations supporting LGBT rights. Which could also target any groups supporting human rights. This caused human rights groups and foreign governments to speak up even louder against the bill. The law would also give a life sentence to any two consenting adults if found guilty of same-sex sexual relations.


David Bahiti (seen above), the chief proponent for the bill has remained obstinate to ensure the bill passes. Bahiti said, "When I moved this bill I had two objectives." "One, to make the issue of homosexuality and the dangers to our society part of the national debate, and second to have the legal framework to protect our children from recruitment and promotion." All just hours after the bill was put on hold. His statement was geared towards the idea that, in Uganda, homosexuals are trying to brainwash children into becoming gay.

So Bahiti... are you saying homosexuals are building some kind of gay army? What about how society in every country brainwashes children that are naturally born gay into believing that, though it wasn't their choice, their entire existence is not only morally wrong, but should be a crime punishable by a life/death sentence? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that "scare tactics" or putting "fear" into someone was the most basic tactic used for ensuring brainwashing.

To see more on this subject check these source links below to get more information. My goal is translating all this information to break it down into an easier understood context for everyone to read.

www.u.tv
GlobalPost.com
Wikipedia

Image Sources: BBC and Huffington Post

Monday, May 16, 2011

Battle for Marriage Equality from Coast to Coast

Naturally, this battle has to be as fashionable as the gays it represents, it has become a total jetsetter, now in both California and New York. Theodore B. Olson, co-counsel for the American Foundation of Equal rights (AFER) one of two leading the fight for Perry vs. Brown, has teamed up on this nationwide discrimination with New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, and the gloves are about to come off.

I'm going to pause for a second and say thank you to our dear friend Theodore, for fighting this battle for us. He has taken it upon himself to be everywhere he is needed to put an end to all this discrimination.

Okay, so what's currently going on is that Olson has jumped on bored with NY Attorney General Schneiderman in the effort to pass a marriage equality bill before this year's legislative session comes to an end. It has been proven in other states that Civil Unions just aren't working. They are not enough. New Jersey after granting Civil Union learned that hospitals and employers failed to recognize them, the terms "single" and "married" always seemed to appear on documents, forms, and applications. However, "domestic partner" was never on there to begin with forcing persons in civil unions to put "single" to avoid fraud, because legally they are not married.

Connecticut, New Hampshire, and later Vermon saw that Civil Unions were not working and replaced them by granting marriage to all. Come on... really? California we are laid back and New York you hold fashion week. Shouldn't we be the ones to say okay, eh, fuck it let's just give EVERYONE the SAME RIGHTS.

Obama has even said that if same sex couples wanted to challenge the federal standing on same sex marriages he would not defend it. A million black men marched for their rights, so why don't we? Why don't we go to D.C.? I mean, yes, its understood that these state to state battles will give us leverage, but let's lock them in and keep it moving.

Anyway, you should read the article printed in the NY Daily News titled, "Civil Union Bait and Switch: Compromise is Far From True Marriage Equality." Here is a little diddle from the article:
"A Civil Union reflects a second-class status that fails to protect same-sex couples who choose to be married. This is not a Democratic or Republican issue; this is a matter of protecting the Constitution's protection under law for all Americans."

To read the rest check out what they had to say here @ NY Daily News

From the West Coast to the East Coast same-sex marriage is #WINNING lol.

If this seams a little choppy or off please bare with me I have posted and coded everything from my HTC G2 Android.

Thanks Jon Scott

Saturday, May 14, 2011

It Gets Better Project by Google

Everyone out there I'm sure its old news to you considering the campaign launching forever ago. I posted to my Facebook to try and get friends more aware of what's going on and one smart ass friend of mine replied back "Oh you're just finding out about this?". He can suck my big toe. No, I didn't just find out about it, but I noticed it spreading into mainstream media. Including a commercial aired during the second to last American Idol episode 3 days ago (May 11th, 2011). So I figured hey, get more people involved or at least guide them to somewhere they can see what's happening and get involved if they choose.


You can check out the site by Googling "it gets better project" or
CLICKING THIS LINK

You can also view their
YOUTUBE PAGE...
here's their video posted now... enjoy.




For more information on how you can get involved with the It Gets Better Project. Be sure to visit their site, I'm looking forward to your video.. I will be submitting mine soon!

Prop 8.. oh you mean Prop H8

Not sure how many of you are following prop 8 right now. You may not be in California, you might be else where. I used this blog for other things, but decided to take down the postings, one because they were old which completely contradicts the name of the blog itself, and two because the only thing I won't stop, can't stop doing is keeping up on what's going on with Prop 8. Reading articles pertaining to both sides of the story and I have to say some piss me off both ways. Right now I'm going to catch you up to speed.

Back in mid-late 2010 Kris Perry and Sandy Stier challenged prop 8 in District court before Judge Vaughn Walker. His ruling was this:

" Proposition 8 fails to advance any rational basis in singling out gay men and lesbians for denial of a marriage license. Indeed, the evidence shows Proposition 8 does nothing more than enshrine in the California Constitution the notion that opposite sex couples are superior to same-sex couples. Because California has no interest in discriminating against gay men and lesbians, and because Proposition 8 prevents California from fulfilling its constitutional obligation to provide marriages on an equal basis, the court concludes that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional. "

He did however allow a stay for Prop 8 to be appealed, in which of course it was. This sent the case "Perry vs. Schwarzenegger" (as it was classified as then) to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals (or Appellate Court)... You keeping up? Good, moving along.

The opening arguments were shown broadcasted live in a two hour part which you may find here if you would like to see it here:



Before this case even got to the 9th Circuit Court, proponents (who have already lost the first battle) asked Judge Stephen Reinhardt to recuse himself, which he refused, based on the fact that his wife is the Director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Southern California for the last 38 years. When denying to recuse himself he said his objections were due to “outmoded conception of the relationship between spouses.” As well as making note that he has been a 9th Circuit Judge since 1980. He also said, “My wife and I share many fundamental interests by virtue of our marriage, but her views regarding issues of public significance are her own, and cannot be imputed to me, no matter how prominently she expresses them.” He then went on to speak about the differences in opinions that are commonly held in marriages especially, the fact that his wife's opinion does not dictate his own.
(One battle down.)

Now after these opening arguments have taken place the battle takes off. As you will see in the video posted above (you might want to move to the second hour where the arguments really begin) that the proponents of Prop 8 have really no argument. One moment it seems like they are arguing to protect marriage from divorce, and in another instance they are arguing that marriage is for procreation only, which backfires when it is brought to their attention that there are heterosexual marriages out there that are physically unable to produce children.

When a "law" or "measure" is challenged, its automatically referred to as case vs. Governor. Meaning the one to defend the case should have been either Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (at the time) or his Attorney General, Jerry Brown. Both, at the time, Gov. Schwarzenegger and A.G. Brown refused to defend Prop 8. This left a vital question in the appeal. Are the supporters of Prop 8, those who put the measure on the ballot back in 2008, even allowed to appeal Judge Vaughn Walkers ruling? We'll get to that a little later. Continuing on...

Since the beginning of the case, as you may know, we held elections and have a new Governor and Attorney General. Gov. Jerry Brown (haha, promotion), and Attorney General Kamala Harris. So because we switched out Governors the case name becomes Perry vs. Brown. However, I personally think, it would be more fun if it were... ready for this? Perry vs. Jerry... but that's besides the point and a lame joke.

Behind the scenes after the initial arguments before the 9th Circuit Judges. Proponents of prop 8 stretched as far as they could to find anything in their favor, each time losing a little more and making themselves look like an even bigger bunch of assholes. When they are asked how anyone would ACTUALLY BE HARMED, their response, "I Don't Know."

District Judge Vaughn Walker retired after that case. Later to come out as an openly gay man in a relationship with his partner of 11 years, a doctor I believe. Thus, causing the proponents of Prop 8 (Protect Marriage Act for those not following yet) to call his ruling bias because he himself is gay and overturning Prop 8 would allow him to finally marry his partner. Too bad it was legal back before 2008's Prop 8 initiative made it illegal. He could have done it then.

This would be the same as not allowing a black judge to rule over a human rights case, or a woman judge over a women's rights case. Besides if a hetero judge in a hetero "legal" marriage ruled in favor of Prop 8 instead of Judge Vaughn Walker, wouldn't that be just as bias? Moving forward...

So 9th Circuit came to the conclusion they weren't even sure if Proponents not being the Gov., or A.G., were even allowed to appeal. So they send that part of the case over to the California Supreme Court, which hearing will be coming up later this year (2011). A.G. Kamala Harris, the first to make a proactive move in helping the opponents of Prop 8 (Perry and Stier), submitted an amicus brief recently stating in it:

“California law affords an initiative’s proponents no right to defend the validity of a successful initiative measure based only on their role in launching an initiative process,”

“would rob the electors of power by taking the executive power from elected officials and placing it instead in the hands of a few highly motivated but politically unaccountable individuals.”


In this she was saying, that the proponents for Prop 8 have no right to appeal. That she and the Governor have refused to defend the Prop and by allowing the proponents to defend it would compromise the constitutional responsibilities delegated to the Governer and herself. You can visit her site here and see what she has to say. It may take a little digging, but I am directing you to her general site alone, because if you live in California its vital to know what's going on all together, not just specific subjects.

A Bill was recently submitted to a Senate panel May 3, 2011 that would give initiative proponents legal standing to defend voter approved ballot measures against legal challenges, (the main concern of the 9th Circuit and the reason for them forwarding to the Supreme Court Also, the reason A.G. Kamala Harris submitted her amicus brief, over the Prop 8 issue, or Perry vs. Brown case) but the bill was rejected by a 3-2 vote.
(Another loss for proponents of Prop 8)

Finally the proponents come down to the point that District Judge Vaughn Walkers ruling should be vacated due to his ruling being bias, which it was not. They also attacked Judge Vaughn Walker for a tape showing of the original District court hearing in which Judge Vaughn Walker ruled Prop 8 as unconstitutional. This tape argument I want to break down for you a little bit just to show you a little more of the 'asshole' tendencies of Prop 8 proponents...

Prop 8 proponents asked that the court hearings in which Prop 8 was ruled against would not be publicly broadcasted. Judge Vaughn Walker agreed to not broadcasting it live, but also state that he would allow it to be taped. Judge Vaughn Walker after retiring was giving a lecture at which time he showed a five or six minute clip of the case. When Prop 8 proponents found out they argued that he should surrender any and all copies because of his decision not to broadcast it and that he shouldn't have shown ANYONE the tapes. Now here's the thing, it was ruled a while back that any all court recordings were to be viewable by the public at any time to keep faith in the Judicial System as well as following and not infringing the 1st Amendment Constitutional Rights.
(Yet another...)

As I said before, the proponents for Prop 8 have been reaching and reaching for any and all angles they can. In the process have made them look more desperate and pathetic. A group of people with a specific interest pertaining to that group and group alone should not have the power to strip or hinder the rights of another group. If the Supreme Court rules they are not allowed to appeal the Prop 8 ruling as unconstitutional, the appeal will be dismissed and the LGBT community will be free to marry as they please. *Fingers Crossed*

As for protecting Marriage lets look at some actual facts of Marriage today as it is now...

  • Nearly 70% of all married men and 60% of all married women have had affairs. That's two out of every three marriages.
  • Every 10-13 seconds a couple divorces.
  • More than 90% of divorces involve infidelity


So what are they protecting? The right to enter a union and break that union at free will? Visit NationMaster to see the divorce rates from country to country. Remember how many billion people are in the world, if you do the math you might shit yourself.

If you want to follow prop 8 and its trials please subscribe to my blog. I will also be touching on other subjects as well, not all political but stuff I find might be at anyone's interest.

Thanks - Jon Scott