The forces of hatred and oppression have scored another victory. One year after California's Prop 8, 53% of Maine voters voted in favor of Proposition 1, repealing the recently passed law allowing gay marriage there.

In Washington State where voters responded to Proposition 71, dubbed the "Everything but Marriage" law, ballots are still being counte,, however things are looking a little better. The law would grant same-sex couples the same rights as married couples, just not the word "marriage.". So far, voters are approving Referendum 71 by a margin of 52.4 percent to 47.6 percent.

There were a few other bright spots in elections around the country. Kalamazoo voters decided by almost a 2-to-1 margin to retain Gay Rights non-discrimination protections, stunning opponents who forced the ballot measure.

In Detroit, openly gay former news reporter Charles Pugh will lead that city's city council.

Chapel Hill, North Carolina elected Mark Kleinschmidt, the city's first openly gay mayor.

In Houston, openly gay city controller Annise Parker will face attorney Gene Locke in a run-off election for mayor. In a broad field of candidates, Parker and Locke were the two top vote-getters, with Parker receiving 30%to Locke's 25%.

Still, the loss in Maine stings. It's time to change our political stratgies and divest ourselves of the illusion that Barack Obama is our friend. Friends don't stand silently on the sidelines with their hands in their pockets while civil rights are stripped away. Nor should the Democratic Party, as a whole, be let off the hook.

It's time to consider the lessons of history. Without H. Rapp Brown and Stokely Carmichael, Malcolm X and Angela Davis, nobody would have given Martin Luthor King the time of day. Where would the fight against AIDS be without ACT-UP?

It's time to consider open civil disobedience.

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This morning I woke up and called my US representatives, emailed and sent messages to friends and family telling them that the more we allow people to vote against my equal rights - the more my future family is affected. My own mother is a bigot and supports gay apartheid - she can't event think past her bigotry to see what she is doing to me, her son and her future grandchildren.

Join the Impact - I am going to post a protest outside a Catholic church here in New York City for this Sunday to the New York City page. Please - if you are listening - spread the word for others to do the same.

We can't just rally on street corners anymore - we have to take the fight in numbers to the oppresors!

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http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2009/11/group_launches_drive_for_same-.html

Gay rights activists on Monday will launch a campaign to persuade Oregonians they should reverse their vote of five years ago and support same-sex marriage.

Basic Rights Oregon, the state's largest gay rights group, aims to put on the Oregon ballot as early as 2012 an initiative asking voters to lift the constitutional ban on gay and lesbian marriage that passed in 2004.

The goal is "to allow same-sex couples to legally marry in this state," said Jeana Frazzini, executive director of Basic Rights Oregon "There is no substitute for the respect and dignity that comes with marriage."

But Basic Rights can expect fierce resistance from the Oregon Family Council, the church-backed group that successfully ran the Measure 36 campaign in 2004 to ban same-sex marriage in the state constitution, said Tim Nashif, the council's political director.

"We're going to fight it, and we'll fight it just as hard now as we did in 2004," he said. "I don't think Oregonians are going to overturn Measure 36," which defines marriage as a bond between only a man and a woman.

Oregon gay activists have been buoyed by victories in the Legislature and the legalization of same-sex marriage in six states – Massachusetts, Iowa, Maine, Vermont, Connecticut and New Hampshire.

The 2007 Legislature passed laws to protect gay Oregonians from discrimination in housing, work and public places and to establish domestic partnerships that give same-sex couples most of the state protections and responsibilities of marriage. Oregon has registered 3,196 of the state's 12,700 gay and lesbian couples for domestic partnerships.

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http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2008/year.in.review/your.picks/index.html
Of course Prop 8 and Sam Sex Marriage is listed as an option. Pick that as one of the (if not THEE) top 10 important stories of 2008.
Ciao,
SwankyJohn / San Diego, CA

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The LGBT community has done a tremendous job of organizing and fighting for equal rights over the years. And with much notable success, especially compared to 40 years ago when you couldn't even have a gay bar! From today's vantage point you wonder, how could that even be possible!

But Barney Frank is right: the next step is putting the heat to our politicians in 435 congressional districts and 50 states. Obama is not the problem, he has way too much on his plate already. The problem is our United States Congress. That's where the power is.

In general, politicians care only about votes. And five or ten percent of the total voting population is not a majority.

I believe the LGBT community needs to build the mother of all gay/straight alliances. And in recognition of where the necessary votes really are, let's call it a straight/gay alliance.

I believe today about fifty percent of straight Americans would agree that everyone should have equal rights. And it's getting better every day as more and more old Christian and Mormon bigots die or turn senile, and more and more young people turn 18 and can vote.

That's why I'd like you to take a look at the "Equal Rights For All Americans" petition campaign at UniversalFreeChurch.org. It's an effective mechanism that makes it easy to influence your congressional representatives and contact your friends anywhere in the country to do the same thing. Unless you have a better solution, please join in and let's make this happen.

Also, please read the pre-written email appeal at the website. You can cut and paste that email and send it to everyone you know that might be supportive of this effort. (don't forget your straight friends).

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One of the most striking things about the Walk was the huge turnout of young people, especially from the high schools. It was the most diverse crowd I have ever seen and I estimate that 50% of that crowd was under 25 and a lot of them was minority and straight kids supporting their gay friends.
As cynical as I am at times I have to say looking at all those beautiful young faces gives me hope for the future. Aids Walk did a great job and it was amazing to see the huge support that we do have.
below are some of the links.
http://www.brianlowe.net/Events/AIDS-Walk-Los-Angeles-2009/10009945_rL9Wx/1/684939843_kKFiE#P-1-12

http://www.aidswalk.net/losangeles/index.html

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post more later.

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We will NEVER win the Rights we Deserve, because of one thing and only one thing. WE DO NOT HAVE THE PASSION needed to FIGHT for them. Back in the 60's, 70's and even the early 80's we were passionate and worked hard to change things. Maybe it was because of the Civil Rights movement or the Womens Movement, or a combination of everything that was happening, but I do know that there was a drive in people to make things better that does not exist today. There are many organizations out there who claim to be working towards change, but seldom is there any ideas on how to accpmplish these goals. Mostly all that you get is solitions for MONEY. These organizations are businesses and the people who work for them are employees. Many of them seem to think they are experts and know how to motative people. Well GUESS WHAT, THEY DON'T!
Many millions have been given to them and we are no better off than we were 6 months, a year, 5 years, or more. It takes the people who REALLY want a better world to get the changes we need and deserve.

If this sounds like I'm angry, I AM! The last couple of generations have become so lazy and only want other people to do the work for them. Boo Hoo!

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Just got back from DC. Sitll feel the fire up in my vein from the March. It was amazing. I don't know how many people marched, but I know I saw a sea of LGBT and allies. I am proud, very proud to be there. And I want more. I really want to march every year till all of us have basic rights that every human being should have.

In 2010, I really really hope to more of my generation, 40+, marching with this young generation who have fire for equality. I am hopeful to see more of them coming out and coming in to DC. Imagine if this year if had had them! Well, we will have them. Let's start orgazing 2010 NEM right now.

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I just received an e-mail saying I have a message from the above person. I went to view the message and what it was the following solicitation.
JTI says she has been a member since Oct 9, 2009

From Mrs Judith Hoffmann
E-mail: wilson9952@gmail.com

Beloved,
Compliments of the day to you ! By this e-mail,I do sincerely apologise for my intrusion of your privacy. However, I have a serious concern with which I believe you might be of help and for this reason, My name is Mrs Judith Hoffmann, I.m 57yrs old .I am a nationality Deutsch.I'm married to Deutsch (a German ) Mr Marco Hoffmann who worked with ELF OIL COMPANY for thirty years before he died in the plane crash On 25th of July 2000 with other passengers aboard.

We were a dedicated Christians and decided to serve mankind to the best of our ability. Since his death, I have lived with the memories, fighting ffortelessly to lead a normal life but all to no avail. I suffered mentally and psychologically and shortly was diagnosed of Cancer. I lived with the scourge praying earnestly for divine intervention. Just a month ago, the doctor informed me that I have just about three months more to live. I was shocked, I accepted the news in good fate. Brethren, it is in this regard that I write to you, after fervent prayers. Before my husband died, he deposited a sum of $5.6Million (Five Million six Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) with a bank in cote d'ivoire. I have wholeheartedly decided to donate the entirety of this fund to any devoted believer or organisation and to achieve this, I need an individual that will utilize this funds adherently for these purposes.

1: For the sick, less-privilledged and destitute,

2: For the Widows and the motherless babies e.t.c.

3: orphanages, Research centres and widows propagating.

CONTINUED IN THE NEXT POST

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