Joy and Equal Rights to the World!

After the Tempe, AZ Light up the Night Vigil I wrangled some of the stragglers (with the help of Michele thank you very much) over to my area where they agreed to participate in the humans4equality blog project.

7th Generation Mormon


A lovely volunteer in red

Hard workin' behind the scenes HERO!

If you would like to join HERO in planning upcoming actions, hear about what's coming up in the Phoenix community, etc. Come on down to Community Church of Hope at 6:30 tonight and every Monday for their town hall meeting. Tonight after HERO, head over to Red Devil on 32nd Street and McDowell for chicken, pizza or some really delicious wings and then next door to Icepics for BINGO before Christmas. Wear your Nightmare Before Christmas gear for the special treatment.

Thank you to all who posed and please, tell your friends!!!

If you would like your photos, videos or words to appear here, please send them to humans4equality@gmail.com and we will get them up asap! And look back daily to find your photos here.

Light Up the Night

All around the country last night, people held a vigil for the rights that have been taken away from Californians, and denied to so many others.


We held just such a vigil (sponsered by HERO and Marriage Equality AZ) on the Tempe Town Lake Bridge.


At this time when so many are celebrating love and light, we felt a need to hold that space of love and light through song and candles, yet also acknowledge the pain. Sister Mischif of the Grand Canyon Sisters brought us the "Veil of Pain" and "Veil of Hope" in an effort to "release the pain and build hope for our community, and our world"



Please send in your stories from Light up the Night in your area! Any words, pictures or videos you would like to share advocating for equal rights would be most appreciated! Just send them to humans4equality@gmail.com and look back here daily to find the words of yourself and those you love.

Just Around the Corner

Viva la differance! Keep on sending in your videos, words and pictures. Do not think just because someone else has, you don't have to, you never know when the picture you send will be the one that touches hearts and moves mountains. Send your thoughts on equal rights to humans4equality@gmail.com be they about Marriage Equality, Gender Equality, Employment, Adoption, Immigrant Rights, or something completely different.

And look back tomorrow, because you never know who or what you will see here next!

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

Domestic Partnerships Recognized in Phoenix, AZ

It's a baby step, but one that deserves great applause. At a time when many in Arizona are feeling hurt by the passing of Prop 102, there is light.

Yesterday the Phoenix City Council voted to adopt an ordinance to recognize domestic partnerships by a vote a 6 to 0. The council approved the creation of the domestic partnership registry for Phoenix residents who are in committed relationships, be they gay, straight or other the right to visit each other in the hospital.

"By recognizing domestic partnerships, the Phoenix City Council removed some of the barriers that have prevented unmarried couples, gay or straight, from being able to take care of each other," said Barbara McCullough-Jones, Executive Director of Equality Arizona. "It's hard to imagine what it would be like to be told that you couldn't visit your loved one in the hospital or hold your partner's hand before they went into surgery. Unfortunately, that story is all too common for gay and lesbian couples. We are thankful that the members of the Phoenix City Council have taken this important step to help unmarried couples in committed relationships take care of each other."

1 down, 1137 rights and protections to be gained... but every step in the direction of equal rights should be celebrated! Phoenix City Council, we tip our hat to you.

If you would like your words, pictures, videos, etc. to appear here, please send them to humans4equality@gmail.com and look back daily for updates!

Just don't do anything to get thrown in jail!

When I speak with people about the inhumane treatment of prisoners, and especially LGBT prisoners, the common response is "Just don't do anything to get thrown in jail." I used to believe this myself, but over time have come to realize that ignores several facts. Here are a few things I never knew before:



It is not unusual when an LGBT person is attacked for them to be arrested. Let me reword that for you: Person A attacks Person B, yet Person B is thrown in jail. Also occasionally known to occur, is that Person A attacks Person B and both Person A and B are thrown in jail.

Not everyone in jail is guilty. This is not only because we are innocent until proven guilty in this country, but also because while they are investigating a crime, people are sometimes placed in jail under SUSPICION and later released. Too few people realize or recognize this.

Although I respect and am grateful for those men and women in blue who are hard working, honest people of integrity, and while there are wonderful law enforcement officers who are open minded, loving, and/or respectful towards people of all genders, the fact is there is transphobia and homophobia running rampant in this country and that does sometimes include police officers.

Thank you Lori for sending in this video which highlights some very important changes needed in the prison system. And one more reason that we need EQUAL RIGHTS and protections under the law for ALL.

Thanks to Mila and Jayna of Trans-Ponder.com for the use of their video!

If you would like to stand up for Equal Rights for ALL, send your video, picture, or words to Humans4Equality@gmail.com and check back daily to find your input here.

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!