Welcome to this week's WHHS! If you have seen our blog posts
over the last few days you may have noticed that we’ve had significant week in
the world of Sprezzatura! We've hit 10,000 views, gotten our first award, 100 posts, and we have big news - we've finally gotten a Facebook Page!! Please please PLEASE check it out and 'Like' it - we'd love that!
(See our FB Page HERE)
But on with what’s been happening in the rest of the
world….
We mentioned last week that Maine is due to hold a referendum
to legalise gay marriage – this will now happen in November. Voters will vote
on whether same-sex couples should be able to get married in their state. The
secretary of state this week confirmed that marriage equality activists have
gathered 85,216 verified signatures required for a ballot measure - far more
than the 57,277 required. 'Same-sex couples want to marry for the same reasons
other couples want to marry: because they love each other and want to spend
their lives together,' said Betsy Smith, the executive director of
EqualityMaine. 'There’s no question that
momentum is growing for same-sex marriage in Maine.'
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| Maine State House |
The last time Maine voters
went to the polls on this issue, things did not go well for gay marriage
proponents. Both houses of the state legislature had passed a law legalising
the marriages in 2009 but it was overturned in a statewide referendum! It was
good to hear Pastor Michael Gray of Old Orchard Beach United Methodist
Church come out and say that people's feelings on the issue have evolved just
as his have. 'More and more people in Maine are coming to understand that
loving, committed same-sex couples should not be denied the freedom to marry,'
Gray said.
The developments in Maine come during a
time of momentum for the marriage equality movement in various states. Same-sex
couples can currently marry in the District of Columbia, New York, Iowa,
Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, Washington, California and New Hampshire. We just need them to
change the federal law so that our marriage would allow Laura to bring Sarah
home!
In Australia, last Friday marked the first civil unions
between same-sex couples in Queensland history after sixteen gay and lesbian
partners tied the knot. Each couple lined up outside the Office of Births,
Deaths and Marriages to officially have their relationship legally recognised. One
couple, Dave Mildren and Collin Dubery, who have been together for 21 years, were
SO happy that they could finally prove and justify their relationship in a
legal and official sense. ‘It's wonderful to have a legal recognition of our
relationship, the reason being that for the first time we are confident that we
don't have to prove our relationship. Our neighbours recognise our
relationship, our siblings recognise our relationship, our friends recognise
our relationship, our parents recognise it, and now finally the State will
recognise it too.”
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| Dave & Collin in Queensland |
There is good news in Ireland too -equal marriage advocates
have welcomed a poll which puts public support for allowing gay couples to
marry at 73%. Kieran Rose, Chair of Ireland’s Gay and Lesbian Equality Network
said: “The poll confirms the openness of Irish people and their support for
further critically important progress to achieving equality for lesbian and gay
people." Moninne Griffith, Marriage Equality’s Director said: “The results of
today’s Red C poll are vitally important. It shows that not only are Irish
people in favour of marriage equality, but they are also in favour of its
inclusion in our Constitution. That is a huge step forward in our work to
achieve equality for same-sex couples and families all over Ireland’’.
On UK soil there has been high profile support for the LGBT
community as all three main British party leaders sent messages of support as
LGBT students gather in Brighton for Student Pride.
Organisers have received a letter of support from Prime
Minister David Cameron, deputy PM and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg and
leader of the opposition Ed Miliband and the local Brighton and Hove MP and
leader of the Green Party, Caroline Lucas. David Cameron says: ‘As you gather
in Brighton, I hope you will reflect on the role each of you can play in
bringing about change in your communities. Role models are hugely important
when tackling homophobia. Homophobia can prevent people from realizing their
dreams and we cannot allow prejudice to prevail. Everyone has a voice and
collectively we must challenge unacceptable behaviour and attitudes.’
Nick Clegg uses his message to emphasise the coalition
government’s role in tackling homophobia in schools. He says: ‘Homophobia sadly
rears its ugly head too often in our society – in our schools, workplaces,
sport and playgrounds. That is why we’re investing more money in tackling
homophobic bullying in schools, helping head teachers to ban it from their
grounds, and working with clubs and organisations to tackle homophobia in
sport.’
Labour leader David Miliband praises Britain’s National
Union of Students, which is 30 this year, for its ongoing support for LGBT
rights in his message. He goes on to emphasize the UK’s role in promoting LGBT
equality worldwide: ‘I want Britain to be seen as a beacon of hope on LGBT
equality, speaking out against injustice and prejudice at home and in other
parts of the world. Together we can build a more equal and just society.’ –
this may be the best thing he’s said in a while!
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| Lord Carey |
Unfortunately a former Archbishop of Canterbury has spoken
out against the prime minister’s support of equal marriage rights for gay
couples, calling it undemocratic and ‘one of the greatest political power grabs
in history’. Writing in the Daily Mail, Lord Carey said marriage was not
‘owned’ by the state or any religion but pre-dated both as a cultural
institution. As a result, he argued, no one should be allowed to alter it. The
Archbishop was pledging his support for a new Coalition for Marriage, which has
been created to oppose marriage equality efforts. Lord Carey talks about the
importance of the marriage relationship for society and speaks of his own
wife’s long support of him. But he argues that gays should not be able to marry
because equality does not “mean being the same”. Instead, he recommends the two
institutions of marriage and civil partnerships be maintained. Allowing gay
couples to marry, he adds, would change the institution “beyond all
recognition”. Schools, he writes, “will be forced to teach children the new
definition of marriage (ohno) – which will run counter to the wishes of many
parents”. The Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu said David Cameron’s support
of gay marriage with the actions of a dictator earlier this year. As a result,
a protest was held outside his cathedral, York Minster. The Coalition for
Marriage hosts a petition on its website opposing “any attempt to redefine”
marriage.
To end here is something that made us smile, a teenage
YouTube user in the US has recorded the conversation in which he comes out to
his mother and posted it online saying he hopes it will be an “inspiration”. On
arriving home his Mom senses that he wants to discuss something and Thompson
replies: “I’m gay”. His mother replies, “Daniel, Daniel,” before hugging him. He
adds: “I know you probably already know, but I want to make it official.” She
says: “You know what, I am so proud of you.” She goes on to discuss coming out
in the modern world where prejudice still exists. In the video description, he
writes: “Finally got the strength to come out to my mom. My Mom has been
extremely supportive. I could not ask for anyone else. Love you. Every
circumstance is different and you will know when the right time to come out is." - Sarah may have shed a tear or two when watching this!!
In contrast, here’s how Sarah’s conversation when with her
Mum when they met up in Bali after not seeing each other for 5 months:
S’s Mum: ‘‘You look really well and really happy’
Sarah ‘’I am….like the happiest I’ve ever been and it’s not
just living in Australia’’
S’s Mum ‘Oh well, I’m glad you are happy’’
Sarah ‘Thanks. The thing is the reason I’m so happy is I’m
with Laura – as in a couple with Laura’’
S’s Mum ‘Er, no you’re not, that’s SO wrong –why would you
say that to me, I can’t believe you just said that – take it back – never say
that again!'
Sarah ‘But Mum it’s true – I love her and we are so happy!’
S’s Mum – 'No-one else knows, do they? Don’t tell anyone – this
is so devastating it can never leave this room, no-one can know, what will they think?? – Just go back to Oz and change
your mind then you can come back and we’ll forget this ever happened.’
Sarah ‘This isn’t a stage, this won’t go away – I want to
be with Laura and I will want to come home at some point and bring Laura –
Australia is temporary, Laura is not.’
S’s Mum ‘What did I do wrong??!? – I love you but I can’t, won’t
accept this – it’s breaking my heart, it will destroy your Dad. You have to
change! That American has ruined our family!!!!!’
We have been together almost 3 years and Sarah’s parents' opinions remain the same, it’s a sad but true fact that while society is
changing, her parents remain firmly against our love. We will persevere, and we sincerely hope
there are more stories like Daniel’s than like Sarah’s.
To end on a high, we found out that the commercials Ellen DeGeneres has made for JC Penney will premiere during the Academy Awards
telecast on Sunday (26 February- tonight!). 'I can't tell you how excited I am
about them,' DeGeneres said to her talk show audience Friday. 'There are five
different ones that run throughout the Oscars.
I had so much fun making them. I'm proud of them. ... They're
beautifully done.' The group OneMillionMoms had tried to get retail chain JC
Penney to fire DeGeneres as their spokesperson because she is a lesbian. But
the company stood by DeGeneres and more than 43,000 people have signed a Stand
Up For Ellen petition on Change.org. Well done JC Penney!
Phew that was quite a round up. We hope you've enjoyed it!
Enjoy the last week of February!!
Laura & Sarah xo
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