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!

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!