Sisters in San Diego, California

Thank you Sister Nora Torios for sending in such fabulous pictures.

If YOU would like to be featured on Humans 4 Equality, just send your words, pictures, or videos to humans4equality@blogspot.com

An Open Letter to Barack Obama

You can download your copy of the letter and the official signature pages at:
http://jointheimpact.wetpaint.com/page/Open+Letter+to+Barack+Obama?t=anon

If you would like to see more of yourselves and your friends on this blog please send your words, pictures, and videos to humans4equality@gmail.com and keep an eye on this blog as we strive to update it daily!

Migrant Rights

December 18: International Migrants Day 2008
From: Hispanic Institute of Social Issues
Sent: Thu 12/18/08


Statement by René Plaetevoet, Director:

The 9th International Migrants Day coincides with the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Many UDHR provisions vividly relate to some of the threats – racism, xenophobia, labour and sexual exploitation, arbitrary detention and other injustices- and hopes – freedom of movement, right to work, to education, to live in dignity - experienced by millions of women, men and children and demonstrate that migrants rights are human rights.

This year also marks the 5th year of the entry into force of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families. The decades-long gap in the adoption of a treaty and other human rights tools for the protection of migrant workers is about to have particularly dire consequences. For scores of migrants, the world financial crisis will expose their existing vulnerability to stronger hardship and exploitation. It will also result in diminished remittances to those left behind in their home countries. Ironically, while migrants have often been the invisible architects of many striving economies and least benefited from financial investment and related wealth generating products, they will be amongst the worst hit.

It is thus essential that civil society actively monitors respect for the Convention, engages with the UN Committee on Migrant Workers and renews the call for universal ratification. But, the fact that major countries of destination did not ratify this convention does not mean that they should not / and cannot be held accountable. Other international instruments do apply to migrant workers and it is up to migrants’ organisations, civil society and the international community to make use of them. (See December 18’s newest publication, “the Samizdat”)

More than ever, International Migration Day (IMD) is an occasion for international solidarity and for making migrants voices heard. December 18 gives a platform to these testimonies via Radio 1812, a global event that brings together a wide range of radio stations that broadcast special programmes on the occasion of IMD. This unique radio marathon enables migrants’ voices to be heard, not only on community-based radio stations but also on large public broadcasts and via our dedicated website. More than 100 radio stations from over 35 countries will participate in this year’s event.

December 18 believes that it is wrong to deal with migration as a security issue only. Many governments want to stay out of the limelight and orchestrate policy discussions, for instance within the Global Forum on Migration and Development conveyed outside of the United Nations thereby excluding civil society from the process. Civil society, including NGOs and migrant organisations often are the sole actors delivering assistance and advice to migrants in countries of origin, transit and arrival. Their unique experience would greatly enrich analyses and solutions oriented discussions respectful of a human rights framework.

However, the UDHR and other human rights norms and standards evolved since then and have slowly been integrated in some international, regional and national government responses to migration, including, albeit timidly, in some migration management initiatives. More than ever, civil society, migrant and human rights organizations will need to remind governments of their commitments and highlight the relevance of the Preamble of the UDHR which declares that:

“[…] recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,

[…] disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,

[…] it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,

[…] it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations.”

December continues to work for the respect of the human dignity and the fundamental human rights of all migrant workers and their families.

Humans4Equality believes if we ignore our rights, they will go away. Do not be ignored! Send your words, picture or video to humans4equality@gmail.com TODAY! And look back tomorrow to find yourself on our page

St Louis - the need to DO SOMETHING

The St. Louis greater LGBT community and it's straight alliance gathered today to participate in the nationwide protest against HATE. While it was 35 degree's out, it was truly heart warming (yes I was emotional) to see the speakers present a unified voice.

Speakers included St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay, leaders of the ACLU, Growing American Youth, the Latino community, Black Pride, The Gateway Sisters of Indulgence, the bear community and the Imperial Court and others. The police estimated 1000 people present. It was an electrifying moment.

During the nationwide moment of silence I was struck by a mixture of strong emotions. Comforted by the knowledge that I stood with 1000 people and an estimated 1 million family members across the USA, yet saddened that we, in the year 2008, still have to struggle for BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS.

We as one voice recognized the need to DO SOMETHING and to be satisfied with no less than victory.

Tonight as the Gateway Sisters manifest, those of us who stood today to make a statement feel a renewed calling to stand for what is right, to educate those who are ignorant and above all, return love when faced with hate.

Guard Brian


We thank Guard Brian, of the Gateway Sisters, for sending in his picture and words.

If you'd like to see your pictures, words or video here send them to humans4equality@gmail.com because we want to hear from people all over the world about how they feel about Equal Rights!

Unequal Rights, Equal Responsibilities

Carlie ponders the question, "If I am not given the same rights as every other citizen, why am I expected to fulfill the same responsibilities?"



If you have something you'd like to say about equal rights, send it to humans4equality@gmail.com and check back daily as we share the equal rights words, pictures, and videos of any and all humans with you. Maybe you will find yourself here soon!

The Next National Demonstration for Equal Rights

WHAT IS LIGHT UP THE NIGHT FOR EQUALITY?
On December 20th, we ask that you join us again for a nation-wide demonstration that will make an impact on the private sector. Candlelight vigils will be held at commercial centers in cities across the country in vigil for the rights of 18,000 same-sex couples who married and look forward to the day when those rights are available again - for EVERYONE. <>

HOW DOES IT WORK? Please take to your local commercial district -- be it a shopping mall, outdoor financial center, you name it. Check your city page for the time and location of your event. This will be a peaceful demonstration in the spirit of the holidays. Dress alike. Wear the same t-shirts or signs pinned to your coats. You can make or buy a "2nd Class Citizen" t-shirt, but the message is optional. Learn more about why we suggest "2nd Class Citizen." This will be the culmination of our National Food Drive for Equality

WHAT WILL WE BE DOING?

• Hosting peaceful candlelight vigils
  
• We will stay silent unless asked a question, we will not yell, instigate, or bear signs. Instead, we will let our shirts do the talking and our candles pay our respects. Bring candles (battery powered if you'll be huddling inside).
• Singing and/or silence encouraged...chanting is not....keep it peaceful and in the holiday spirit.

From Bill G

Our thanks to Bill G. for these photos!
If you have photos, videos or just something to say in support of equal rights, be they about employment, marriage, adoption, or something completely different, send them to humans4equality@gmail.com

Be a H.E.R.O.

Be a H.E.R.O. (Human and Equal Rights Organizer) met tonight to discuss what is happening in Arizona, and specifically Phoenix. Over 200 H.E.R.O.s attended, and we were informed the final count for Saturday's Phoenix rally and protest was over 5,000 strong.

Plans were made, ideas, discussed, passion shared, and volunteers signed up for some specific tasks for the near future, including making angels wings to support the Larame Project over at Glendale Community College. If you are in Arizona and want to learn more, go to www.be-a-hero.us, and if you are in Phoenix, stop by the Community Church of Hope, 4121 N. 7th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85013 at 6:30 PM on any Monday or Wednesday to be the change you want to see in the world.

Several people from the Be A HERO meeting allowed Sister Mischif (see photo on left) to take their picture, and we now share their images here. Thank you to each and every person who has participated in this project, showing the world the diversity of the U.S. population. Please keep sending in your human pictures!






If you sent in a human picture of your own and haven't seen it here, keep checking back. We still have more photos from livejournal members, people at the various Join the Impact Rallies, and more from Be A HERO. Keep on sending in your photos to humans4equality@gmail.com and I will keep adding more photos to the blog each day!

Joining the Impact

Today Humans for Equality took to the streets of Phoenix, and people took a ton of pictures, some of which are here today. I will add more tomorrow, so if you're looking for a picture that you, or someone else took at the Phoenix Stop the h8/Spread Love rally, then keep on looking back daily.

Protect this Family - Julie Purdy and Becky Garcia with their son - Phoenix, AZ

If you have pictures of Humans for Equality from one of the national Stop the H8 rallies, another Equal Rights Rally, or if you just want to send in a picture of yourself at home like the one I took of myself shown here to the right, or if you have some other creative idea of how to express the desire for all Humans to have Equal Rights, please send them to Humans4Equality@gmail.com along with your first name, and where you're from, or anything else you want to share with the world.

Unfortunately I don't know all the names of all the lovely people at yesterday's rally, but I thank them for the use of their photos and for coming out to stand up for Equal Rights. This whole things may have started with marriage, but it is about so much more.

Luis from Echo Magazine - 11, 15, 2008 - Phoenix, AZ

Sister Felicity - 11, 15, 2008 - Phoenix, AZ

PFLAG Parents - 11, 15, 2008 - Phoenix, AZ

Rev. Michael and a Rally Worker - 11, 15, 2008 - Phoenix, AZ

The people of our nation are coming together and standing up to say that they believe that "A person's a person no matter how small" and all humans deserve equal rights and protections under the law. And if you'd like to join in on future national rallies, go to jointheimpact.com for more details.

If you saw your photo here today without your name, and you would like your name mentioned, or to add some words of your own, please send them to humans4equality@gmail.com with the subject line "Joining the Impact" and I will add your name and/or 2 cents into the mix.

Thank you to Sister Mischif for so many fabulous human pictures!

Coming Together in Non-violent Protest

Today people (and pets) from all around the nation are coming together as part of a non-violent rally for equal rights. Here in Phoenix, AZ the Stop the H8 rally is at the Cesar Chavez Memorial at 11:30 AM. That's 200 W. Washington St. Phoenix, AZ. You can learn more and find your own location at jointheimpact.com

Marriage equality is only one piece of the picture. At this time in our nation there is a lack of equality for many be it lack protections from loss of job, home, child or other. There is especially a lack of understanding and legal protection for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queeer, Intersexed. So stand up, be you LGBTQI or one of our many straight allies, stand together, and keep on sending your pics and videos to humans4equality@gmail.com no matter where you're from, just like these students did so that you too can eventually end up on this here blog ;)

Quinlan Jeremiah - November 14, 2008 - Baker City, Oregon, USA

Thank you Cera and Quinlan, I'm feelin' the love and support!

Humans for Equality

Let us come together, every one of every nationality, religion, or other background and stand strong as human beings united for equal rights. Come to the table, I'm saving a seat for you!

Send your picture or video and any information which you would like posted to humans4equality@gmail.com (and in case your browser couldn't view my email address, it's humans4equality at gmail dot com)

Bill - Phoenix, AZ

Samantha - Phoenix, AZ

Diana - Phoenix, AZ

Sean-Michael - Phoenix, AZ (Laveen)

Michele - Scottsdale, AZ

Billie - Scottsdale, AZ

Toni - Phoenix, AZ

All my love, respect and gratitude goes out to these 6 individuals who shared their photos here today. May your passion for equal human rights spread like wildfire!