March 25, 2013

Political Level Up: March 4 Equality

On March 25, equality-minded citizens across the nation will unite in support of marriage equality, in an event called <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/523132734392175/">March 4 Equality</a>. The movement seeks raise awareness of the pending marriage equality cases in the U.S. Supreme Court, which stand poised to either uphold or strike down both <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defense_of_Marriage_Act" target="_blank">DOMA</a> (the Defense of Marriage Act) and California’s <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Proposition_8" target="_blank">Proposition 8</a> (a voter initiative prohibiting same-sex marriage). If either one of these discriminatory legislations is struck down, it will be a major step forward in the fight for equal rights and marriage equality, and GaymerConnect is going to be a part of it. In November 2008, voters in California were presented with a bittersweet election day. America had elected its first African American to the highest office in the land, but California had taken a step backward in civil rights by affirming Proposition 8. Proposition 8 amended the California Constitution to define “marriage” as between a man and a woman, effectively ending same-sex marriages which had been sanctioned in California since the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_re_Marriage_Cases" target="_blank">California Supreme Court’s ruling in June 2008</a>. In San Francisco, members of the LGBT community and its allies gathered in the streets bearing signs in support of marriage equality and marched from the Castro district to City Hall. They stood together in protest of the state’s refusal to recognize marriage for same-sex couples as a fundamental and human right, and they held candlelit vigils at City Hall to show their commitment to those principles. Almost 5 years later, the Supreme Court of the United States is slated to rule on the constitutionality of Proposition 8, and those same individuals have risen again in support of marriage equality and in protest of discrimination and hate. For Gaymers, as well as any individual who values civil rights, it is a chance to be a part of history by participating in this movement. Marriage may not be the top priority for all Gaymers, but everyone can agree that all citizens should be allowed the right to marry the person of their choosing, no matter their gender. Our community is strongest when we can come together to support each other for a common goal, and everyone is elevated when we support equal rights. If you’re in the Bay Area, especially San Francisco, you should make it a point to join the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/523132734392175/">March 4 Equality</a> on March 25th at 6:30 p.m. at the intersection of <a href="http://goo.gl/maps/0VSbd" target="_blank">Castro and Market</a>. March 4 Equality will be marching until 8:30 p.m. and will end the march at <a href="http://goo.gl/maps/avhLf" target="_blank">San Francisco City Hall</a> in Civic Center. There will be some pre-made signs available at the beginning of the march, but you are encouraged to be creative and bring your own handmade sign (something Gaymer-related would rock!). If you’d like to volunteer, email march4equality.volunteer@gmail.com or just show up for set-up at 5:30 p.m. on March 25th at Castro and Market. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/sfgaymers/" target="_blank">SF Gaymers</a> and the folks from GaymerConnect will be there, and you can tell them you’re coming on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/555201327852963/" target="_blank">Facebook</a>. There will also be two vigils held at San Francisco City Hall on March 26th and 27th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. If you aren’t in the Bay Area or can’t make it, never fear! You can always help out by spreading the word about the Supreme Court cases or marriage equality in general. A good place to start is <a href="http://www.lighttojustice.org/" target="_blank">www.lighttojustice.org</a> where you can check the latest developments in marriage equality and protests across the nation, including a fantastic <a href="http://www.lighttojustice.org/find--create-a-local-action.html" target="_blank">interactive map of local events</a>. Spread the word and let your voices be heard, Gaymers! By supporting marriage equality we can help our nation level up. - Brett

Tags: civil rights, DOMA, equal rights, March 4 Equality, marriage, marriage equality, politics, Prop 8, protest, San Francisco, SF Gaymers, social justice, Supreme Court

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