Marriage Equality Promos in Maine

A new marriage equality campaign starts in Maine tomorrow. As reported on Towleroad, the campaign is “Timed to run around Thanksgiving, when families gather around the table and in front of the television, the first 30-second ad features a close shot of an elderly Catholic couple from rural Maine who have been married 42 years, describing the journey they took to accept that one of their daughters is a lesbian…A second 30-second ad features a self-identified conservative United Methodist Church minister, wearing his religious collar, and his wife as they talk about how they ‘really struggled through this issue.'”

Maine is being targeted for these ads because the state will likely once again be dealing with the issue of gay marriage in 2012.

“Instead of being preachy, the ads aim to empathize with the ‘journey’ voters are taking as they try to sort out their conflicted feelings about same-sex marriage,” which was reported in the San Francisco Chronicle.

The advertisers in Maine are trying to learn from the mistakes made in previous pro-gay marriage campaigns. These ads will reflect the struggles that people undergo as they come to terms with gay marriage. For a majority of the nation, the concept of two men or two women pledging their lives together not only makes them uncomfortable, but it challenges a long-held belief system. By highlighting the struggles of those who have accepted gay marriage, gay marriage proponents in Maine hope to capture the “one-third of Maine voters who are comfortable with civil unions but conflicted about supporting marriage.” 

This approach is brilliant. Life and our opinions are a never ending journey. As humans, we change and evolve over time. We don’t remain static. Showcasing the paths other people have taken on the road to marriage equality will hit closer to home and be far more persuasive than simply preaching about how we all deserve to be equal. As any good debater knows, standing on a soap box only convinces an audience that already agrees with you. Skeptical or neutral audiences need more than an emotional appeal. They need arguments that appeal to their belief and their core values. They should see themselves reflected in the argument. This advertising campaign does that well.

Here are the two promos.

(videos found via Towleroad)

NC Baptist Church Stands Up For Gay Marriage

Pullen Baptist Church, located in Raliegh, NC, has decided to protest the state’s proposed constitutional amendment banning same sex marriage by not performing any weddings until full marriage equality is guaranteed for all, as reported by ThinkProgress.

This decision was made by a unanimous vote of the congregation, which is comprised of approximately 650 members. When asked, “The congregants said in a formal statement that current North Carolina law – and the language proposed for a vote next year on an amendment to the state Constitution – discriminates against same-sex couples ‘by denying them the rights and privileges enjoyed by heterosexual married couples.'”

Nancy Petty, Pastor of the Pullen Baptist Church, is a lesbian and began having “a burden of conscience” while signing marriage certificates for heterosexual couples and not for homosexual couples. When she expressed her concerns to her congregation, they supported her 100% and began the process of banning all marriage in their church until full marriage equality was realized.

Stories such as these give me hope in this uncertain political climate. While the Republican presidential candidates attempt to out posture each other by proving they are best suited to support “traditional” family and beat back the oppressively sinful homosexuals and while Obama continues to waffle  on gay issues, it’s nice to see American citizens taking a stand against discrimination. These people are making their voices heard. They are telling their elected officials that they are tired of discriminatory legislation, and they won’t stand for it anymore.

One day (hopefully soon), voices against discrimination will echo throughout the 50 state capitals and The White House, and like the congregation at Pullen Baptist Church, everyone might come to believe that “As people of faith, affirming the Christian teaching that before God all people are equal, we will no longer participate in this discrimination.” 

Mister Chase Does Lily Allen’s “F You Very Much”

Awhile back I posted about YouTube performer Mister Chase doing a sign language parody of Katy Perry’s “Last Friday Night.” Click here to read the post and see the video.

Michael Chase does it again with Lily Allen’s “Fuck You” song. In the video Michael fights anti-gay Republicans in a Mario Bros. inspired video game. Enjoy!

Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys: New Season

Those of you who read this blog regularly know how important a fruit fly is to a gay man. I’ve posted about them here and here.

Well, if you are fly without a fruit or anyone else who wonders just how the relationship between a gay man and a straight woman works, Logo’s new season of “Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys” debuts on November 18.

The show follows the lives of four fruit and fly relationships and all the love and drama that can accompany such a unique relationship.

I know our TiVo is set to record it!

Here’s the promo clip for season 2.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoxLCOuPGBc

Unhate Campaign by Benneton

You may or may not have heard about the Unhate Foundation launched by the United Colors of Benneton. Their purpose is to “contribute to the creation of a new culture of tolerance, [and] to combat hatred,” as stated on their website.

So far, their campaign has caused quite a stir with photos of Pope Benedict engaged in a man to man kiss. That photo has since been removed. However, pictures of President Obama and other world leaders locking lips remain active. Click here to see those pictures still a part of the campaign.

Below is the YouTube video promoting their campaign. Its focus is on what the Unhate Campaign is using to fight hate–love.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVfmu1IACxs

(video found via Queerty)

Gay Marriage Headed to Supreme Court?

It just might be on its way there.

The California State Supreme Court ruled today that “proponents of Proposition 8 do have standing to appeal Federal District Judge Walker Vaughn’s ruling declaring the anti-gay marriage initiative unconstitutional, even if state officials refuse to take up the matter,” as reported by ThinkProgress.

While this might sound like a negative for gay rights/marriage, this could actually force the United States Supreme Court to finally decide once and for all the constitutionality of banning gay marriage in the nation.

This case will make its way to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. The three judges who make up that court will have to decide whether Prop 8 is constitutional or not. Two of those judges, Judge Stephen Reinhardt and Judge Michael Daly Hawkins are “one of the most liberal judges in the country” and “sympathetic. . .to marriage discrimination,” respectively. With these two judges on the court, it’s almost certain they will agree with Judge Walker’s ruling.

Naturally, proponents of Prop 8 will be unhappy, and the case will likely find its way to The Supreme Court. While the make up of the Supreme Court seems conservative in its majority–Justices Scalia and Kennedy appointed by President Reagan, Justice Thomas appointed by President George W. H. Bush, and Justices Roberts and Alito appointed by President George W. Bush, Justice Kennedy “has a fairly progressive streak on gay rights. Kennedy wrote the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Romer v. Evans holding that laws motivated solely by anti-gay animus violate the Constitution, and he also wrote the decision in Lawrence v. Texas holding that the government has virtually no business regulating people’s sex lives.”

This means that should the case find its way to the Supreme Court, we might just have the ruling we need–banning gay marriage is unconstitutional. This would mean all states would then be prohibited from denying homosexual couples the right to marry and allow gay married couples federal benefits previously denied.

 

 

Take My Poll: Republican Presidential Candidates

If you’ve read my blog, the Republican Presidential hopefuls have been a topic of much discussion. Today, I was wondering just who you think should be the candidate who ultimately runs against Obama.

After you cast your vote, I would love to hear your comments on why you think that individual should go head-to-head with Obama (that’s if you feel like sharing).

Which Republican presidential candidate do you think should run against Obama?

  • Mitt Romney (60%, 3 Votes)
  • Newt Gingrich (20%, 1 Votes)
  • Michele Bachmann (20%, 1 Votes)
  • Herman Cain (0%, 0 Votes)
  • Ron Paul (0%, 0 Votes)
  • Rick Perry (0%, 0 Votes)
  • Rick Santorum (0%, 0 Votes)

Total Voters: 5

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Brand New Bacon Flavored Lube: Be A Bacon Lover

For those of you out there who’ve been looking for a way to spice up your love life, I may have just stumbled upon what you need–Bacon Lube. Yes, you heard that right, and no, this isn’t a joke. Bacon flavored lube is now available for purchase from the J & D’s website by clicking here.

As quoted from the Bacon Lube website, Bacon Lube is “the world’s first bacon-flavored personal lubricant and massage oil.” (No big surprise there!)

I have to admit: I’m a meat lover (hehehe), but even I find this a tad strange. I’ve never been in an intimate situation and have thought: you know what this needs, some bacon!  But, hey, to each their own. I don’t judge what others do in their bedrooms, especially since homosexuals are constantly judged for what we do in ours.

So for those of you who want to get piggy with it, head over to the Bacon Lube website and get yourself a bottle. And, remember, bacon always goes best with eggs. 🙂

(story via Joe.My.God)

In Michigan: “License to Bully” Bill Changed

Two weeks ago, I posted about the Michigan State Senate passing SB 137, which sanctioned bullying in schools on the basis of “sincerely held religious or moral conviction.” Click here to read that post.

“But thanks to media coverage and a great campaign by State Senator Gretchen Whitmer, a Republican lawmaker has agreed to remove the religious exemptions language from the final bill,” as reported on Queerty.

I’m pleased to hear this news and also happy that Rick Jones, the State Republican Senator who added the “religious or moral conviction” addendum agreed to “drop his amendment and vote for the House version after critics said the language could allow gay, Muslim or other minority students to face harassment,” as quoted from The Washington Post.

Jones also said that “had he foreseen the controversy, . . . he would have removed the problematic language.”

I’m grateful when a politician realizes his/her mistake and does what is right to rectify it. Although the State Republicans “only wanted to protect free speech,” they understood the damaging ramifications of the amendment.

This just goes to show us that when our elected officials get something wrong, it’s up to us to make our voices heard. When we do, we are able to affect change. That’s something we should always remember.

Alien Prequel–“Prometheus”

I’m sure you remember how much of an Alien fan I am from my Sigourney Weaver post a few weeks back. Well, I’ve heard some rumors for some time now about an Alien prequel in the works, and I’ve recently learned those rumors have been confirmed.

Ridley Scott, the director of the original Alien, returns to science fiction with Prometheus (currently slated for release in 2012). The prequel tells the story of how Weyland-Yutani, the company that sent Ripley and her Nostromo crew to the planet in the first film, discovered the aliens. Based on what I’ve read, we will finally learn just who/what was in that original space ship that Dallas, Lambert, and Cain ventured into.

Derelict spaceship from AlienOn the official Prometheus website, Ridley Scott is quoted as saying “the last 8 minutes of the ‘Prometheus’ story evolve into a ‘pretty good DNA of the Alien one.” That promises to be an intense 8 minutes!

Among the cast (as taken from IMDb) are Michael Fassenbender, who played Magneto in X-men: First Class, Charlize Theron of Monster fame, and Noomi Rapace who played Lisbeth Salander in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

Here is a trailer of the movie I found on YouTube. It looks to be a hodgepodge of clips, but it’s a good first glimpse. I’ve even heard the movie tagline will be “In space, something can hear you scream,” which is a nice play off the original tagline “In space, no one can hear you scream.”

The only sad news is that Sigourney Weaver will not be making a cameo in the film. 🙁

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDBbxkSw3po