Comments for Standing On The Side Of Love

Comment on “So Rabbi, how do you feel about gay-marriage?” by Mr. SR22 Auto Insurance

Mr. SR22 Auto Insurance — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 22:31:34 +0000

Congratulations on your prolific work here. I must admit I have popped in a read a number of your blogs but I have no idea how to post a response over there, so I’ll tell you now how good you are at describing the stuff your at – I must admit I find it insightful to read your blogging. Keep up the good work.

Comment on Friday Afternoon in Tijuana by Kay Anderson

Kay Anderson — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 05:52:40 +0000

Kathy I’d love to know your schedule of visits to TJ so that I could try to come up from Rosarito to meet you & help out. I travel a lot but do want to get more involved in volunteering in the community! Actually I’m in AZ now helping a friend drive back returning from Iowa after losing a leg to diabetis. I should be home by Sunday!

Comment on Friday Afternoon in Tijuana by angela davey

angela davey — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:36:56 +0000

I lived in Tijuana,Ciudad Juarez&Puebla Mx. in fact I was there do to my partners deportation. I also found myself stuck on the other side on the day of 9/11,my daughters due date but she was premature & it was her 3wk. check up. I didn’t pass until she was 8 mon. old.I eventualy moved back to the states & her biological father stayed. Where he passed away due to lack of medical care for a noncurable but treatable illness. I can’t begin to tell you how taxing this was. Prior to his deportation he did 1 year of federal Prison time due to his illegal status & continiouse re entry. Where his family was, here. While in Puebla we lived w/ no running water & pirated the electricity,which the entire varrio did.I could tell you much more on the living conditions & lack of oppertunities as well as how the war effected jobs that locals held in Volkswagon & other National owned co. that closed or layed off workers. Don’t get me going on women ,childrens & human rights. Open your hearts we have so much here.

Comment on Love Triumphs in DC by Carol D.

Carol D. — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:13:07 +0000

Congratulations to all the men and women who can now celebrate their love in the District! Blessings to you all!!!

Comment on Love Triumphs in DC by Layne

Layne — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:53:38 +0000

Oh, you just made me all misty first thing in the AM! What a wonderful story and I wish everyone happiness!

Comment on Friday Afternoon in Tijuana by AJ Wolff

AJ Wolff — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 11:42:04 +0000

How wonderful….I would love to get involved. This is how we really can make a difference. I am a member of a small UU church in North Georgia. How can we help?

Comment on Friday Afternoon in Tijuana by Mar Cardenas

Mar Cardenas — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 02:02:15 +0000

Dear Kathy,
You are such an inspiration! It was an honor to be part of the group that visited parts of Tijuana that I have never been to, even though I have owned a home there for 15 years.
I hope to bring more UUs down so that can meet people like the ones we befriended on this trip.
May God continue to bless you always!

Comment on Transgender Day of Remembrance by Lou-Ann Broadmeadow

Lou-Ann Broadmeadow — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:29:35 +0000

Fear of the unknown quantity makes ignorant people act like savages. Let’s continue to try to educate the masses, and love each child for who they are not what someone else thinks they should be.

Comment on Thursday by Martha McDevitt-Pugh

Martha McDevitt-Pugh — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 05:29:44 +0000

I’m so inspired by the work you’re doing. Thank you for being where many of us cannot be. Standing on the Side of Love gives us hope.

I’m a Californian, born and bred, and my family was one of millions that was voted less than equal by the slim majority that passed Prop 8. I would love to live in the USA near my family, especially my 80-year-old mother. Due to archaic US immigration law my marriage of nearly nine years to my Australian wife is not federally recognized so she is only eligible to stay in the USA for short periods as a tourist. It’s a heartbreaking situation for us and many other love exiles.

Comment on Friday Morning by Mar

Mar — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 01:22:58 +0000

Adam, the death toll is much higher! 4,000 is just the number of names that we have been able to collect from news articles and other sources.

Comment on Thursday by JR Herold

JR Herold — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:07:52 +0000

Hi Adam. Thanks for all the energy, devotion, passion. I’m following your West Coast adventure. Looking for videos (are you taking any?) to share with everyone at UU Arlington, VA — http://www.uucava.org — June H.

Comment on Thursday by Deb Hansen

Deb Hansen — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 10:24:33 +0000

Thank you for the work you are doing on behalf of all of us who believe in equity and justice for all.

Comment on We’ve Made History in the Nation’s Capital! by Dong Squadrito

Dong Squadrito — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:24:32 +0000

it is my very first time viewing your site and im inspired can definitely see myself becoming a frequent guest, wonderful write-up

Comment on Ugandan President feels heat over anti-homosexuality bill by Roxie Kellam

Roxie Kellam — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 23:01:02 +0000

God is in all of us and we are equal in the eyes of god. Nothing good will come about by criminalizing anyone’s sexual behavior – only the climate of hate and fear will spread.

Comment on Reimagining Valentine’s Day by Leveraging Love & Tech to Self-Organize, Online Tools for Progressive Clergy to Advocate for LGBT Community

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 01:11:52 +0000

[...] See how people in your community are standing against oppression, exclusion and violence. Visit http://www.standingonthesideoflove.org/reimagining-valentines-day/ to take part in an event near [...]

Comment on Standing on the Side of Love Day Success! by donna swall

donna swall — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 02:35:55 +0000

It is wonderful to hear about the “standing on the side of love” events and my husband and I totally support this effort. We are members of Lawrence, KS Unitarian Fellowship and Lawrence-Topeka Chapter of PFLAG. Today my husband spoke to our Human Relations Commissioners of the need to add transgender or gender identification persons as an added protected class to our local Human Relations Ordinance, that already included gay and lesbian citizens.
Donna and Forrest Swall

Comment on Standing on the Side of Love Day Success! by RevMark

RevMark — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 19:58:07 +0000

We weren’t on any official lists–but at First U Oklahoma City we acknowledged our work with GLBT teens, our commitment to microlending and for diginity in relationships by fighting library censorship of books portraying non-traditional families. We also asked “What does Standing on the Side of Love demand we do next?”

Comment on a (redefined) happy valentine by Theadora Davitt-Cornyn

Theadora Davitt-Cornyn — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:36:28 +0000

~ so lovely and loving to re-signify the meaning of Valentine’s Day in this way….

Comment on a (redefined) happy valentine by debra boyd

debra boyd — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:30:49 +0000

Love it! You are raising such a good little UU. =)

Comment on Standing on the Side of Love Day Success! by Ralph W

Ralph W — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 21:58:28 +0000

We had a fantastic time Standing on the Side of Love in Minnesota. You can watch video of our state capitol rally at http://www.muusja.org or on Facebook by searching: MUUSJA.

Tons of thanks to SSL for the inspiration and support. It felt awesome to know we were part of over 100 events!!

Comment on “Stand” and Sing Out Your Love to Haiti by Wendy Brown

Wendy Brown — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:19:55 +0000

Thanks for posting this video and the write up about service. I have been one of those shy new visitors at this church for the past few months, but I am always telling my friends and family about the wonderful services, congregation and outreach opportunities. It is nice to be able to send this link along to them because it really shows what a vibrant active community you/we are!

Best,
Wendy

Comment on “Stand” and Sing Out Your Love to Haiti by Inspired Faith, Effective Action » Blog Archive » “Stand” and Sing Out Your Love to Haiti - Advocacy & Witness at the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 17:26:13 +0000

[...] Cross-posted from the Standing on the Side of Love blog: [...]

Comment on “Stand” and Sing Out Your Love to Haiti by Gawaine Ross

Gawaine Ross — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:54:42 +0000

Hi Gloria,
You contacted me on Facebook. Thanks! Love is where it’s at. I like to sing.
Blessings,
Gawaine

Comment on Reimagining Valentine’s Day by Chrissie Brodigan: Leveraging Love and Tech to Organize on Valentine’s Day: Online Tools for Progressive Clergy to Advocate for LGBT Community | Deconstructing The News

Sun, 14 Feb 2010 23:56:33 +0000

Comment on The Real Threat to Religious Liberty by Laura Jackson

Laura Jackson — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 04:48:49 +0000

Marriage is a civil right. Defend equal rights for all and do not dicriminate.

Comment on The Real Threat to Religious Liberty by tracy L avent

tracy L avent — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 22:00:40 +0000

My exercise of civil rights does not threaten anyone else’s civil rights. Rights are understood to be practically limited where they infringe upon the rights of another party. If two people get married, that cannot possibly affect the rights of a third person, unless that person is already married to one of the first two.

Beyond that, precepts of a given religious belief system are strictly that: practices of those members. They cannot and must not be enforced as law in any form, at any level of government. That is what the passage “Congress shall make no law with respect to religion” means.

Comment on Reimagining Valentine’s Day by Bulletin Board: Standing on the Side of Love « UUCIF Social Justice

Bulletin Board: Standing on the Side of Love « UUCIF Social Justice — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 23:07:42 +0000

[...] Board: Standing on the Side of Love By Morganna Today’s bulletin board is about the Standing on the Side of Love program organized by the UUA. Next week’s service is also about Standing on the Side of Love [...]

Comment on Uganda’s Proposed Anti-Gay Legislation by Inspired Faith, Effective Action » Blog Archive » Uganda’s Proposed Anti-Gay Legislation - Advocacy & Witness at the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 23:35:36 +0000

[...] from Standing on the Side of Love When I was 18 years old I spent three months in Kenya for a service learning opportunity. During [...]

Comment on Grandchildren ask Obama to get rid of Don’t ask, Don’t tell by Bill Baar

Bill Baar — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 19:53:11 +0000

It’s Congress, not President Obama, kids need to write to revise Pub.L. 103-160 (10 U.S.C. § 654). Obama can’t do all that much about it.

Comment on Care Bags for Haitian Neighbors by Therese Desmarais

Therese Desmarais — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 21:07:16 +0000

I really like your idea. Do you have any references to Haitians here on Cape Ann? Churches, clubs, fraternal organizations?
Thanks,
Terri Desmarais
DRE
UUSR

Comment on Don’t Ask, Tell Obama by Captain Tom Beall, USN (ret.)

Captain Tom Beall, USN (ret.) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:34:56 +0000

Captain Darrah,

Thank you for your courage.

Tom Beall
Captain, USN (ret.)

Comment on Singing our Journey for Justice by Lori Sandlin

Lori Sandlin — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 23:25:54 +0000

Making a way and celebrating love…how beautiful. Oh the Power of praying with your feet and voices.
Love and Light,
Lori

Comment on Banners for Sale! by admin

admin — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 22:27:29 +0000

Absolutely Julie-Ann. Please send us an email directly at love@uua.org. -Jay Carmona, Online Organizer

Comment on Banners for Sale! by Julie-Ann

Julie-Ann — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 16:54:36 +0000

Any chance we can get the banner in a vertical version, or atleast get the content on a file so we can print them ourselves in that format?????

Comment on Looking Back, Looking Forward by Adam Gerhardstein

Adam Gerhardstein — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 21:39:11 +0000

Patty – I’d talk to your church staff about the campaign and let them know you are fired up. I know there is a lot of energy there in Portland, so I’m sure they’ll help get you moving.

Adam

Comment on Uganda’s Proposed Anti-Gay Legislation by Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill « UUCIF Social Justice

Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill « UUCIF Social Justice — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 23:27:24 +0000

[...] from Standing on the Side of Love, campaign manager Adam Gerhardstein writes*: When I was 18 years old I spent three months in Kenya for a service learning opportunity. During [...]

Comment on Not Promised Anything – a New Jersey Reflection by Belinda Phillips

Belinda Phillips — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 23:40:19 +0000

As an educator, parent of a lesbian, and reasonable adult, I am appalled that we are still worrying about this issue! I am even more concerned at the energy and time that is being wasted on an issue that is inevitable- the next generation is sure to embarrass us as as they learn that some of our generation feel it necessary to regulate whom we love and how our neighbors and friends should love one another. I thought I lived in an intelligent, open-minded state and society. Taking a basic human rights issue and putting it to a VOTE is nothing short of reactionary and against our American ideals.

Discouraged,
Belinda Phillips

Comment on Looking Back, Looking Forward by Patty Wolff

Patty Wolff — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 04:34:57 +0000

How can I get this started at First Unitarian Church in Portland, ORE? Thanks. Patty

Comment on Transgender Day of Remembrance by admin

admin — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 21:33:31 +0000

Thanks Jack. This is something we are aware of and are dealing with. -Jay Carmona, Online Organizer

Comment on An Update from Larry Love by admin

admin — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 14:35:24 +0000

We’ve fixed this error, thanks! -Jay Carmona, Online Organizer

Comment on An Update from Larry Love by C.W.

C.W. — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:16:58 +0000

Larry Love is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, not the “Church of Latter Day Saints.”

Comment on “Keep Fighting.” by Deborah Sherman de Santos

Deborah Sherman de Santos — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 04:22:33 +0000

Jason, thank you for this post. A good friend of mine is now held in detention at South Bay and I spoke with him this afternoon. He tells me conditions there are awful. They are held 6 men to a cell and are not let out for very long. They have no access to a library or anything to break the monotony. I’m going to see what I can do to get some books sent in to them, so they at least have something to read in there.

The detainee who died, Pedro Tavarez, was held earlier at Plymouth County Correctional Facility. There he organized a Christian prayer group and was greatly loved by the inmates. A tribute to Mr Tavarez from the detainees at PCCF is published on my web site. This situation is beyond comprehension and I am so glad that you and others are doing everything you can to help these people. I told my friend of the vigil held last night, December 19 and he was most grateful and spread the word among the others that all of you are working to be heard and to give them a voice.

Comment on We’ve Made History in the Nation’s Capital! by HeadacheSlayer

HeadacheSlayer — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:12:32 +0000

I’m not sure I agree about government getting out of marriage–how many people do not have a religion per se–or what about atheists? They deserve marriage just as much as GLBT and right wing fundie Christians. How many people don’t have a marriage in a church, but are married by a notary (my uncle was married by his dad at a beautiful garden). Do they not deserve to be “married”? And how about the fact that most religions are against gay marriage in the first place–who wins? The Christians? The Jews? Do we validate only Hindu marriages?

I totally understand what you’re saying–the government should not deny civil rights based on one faction who say that GLBT is wrong. But to then penalize those who want marriage and not a civil union is equally as incorrect.

Sorry for the ramble, it’s early for me.

Rock on!

Comment on We’ve Made History in the Nation’s Capital! by SandiT

SandiT — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:46:53 +0000

I feel the same as Julian. The government should get out of the business of marriage. Since those who oppose same sex marriage appear to object to it based on their religious beliefs, the government should be excluded from managing marriage so that we can get back to the conept of separation of church and state.
All unions should first be civil unions sanctioned by the federal government. All civil unions would have equal civil rights under federal law. The civil union should take the place of a marriage certificate.
THEN – if you want to get MARRIED, you should go to the church of your choice, get a marriage certificate issued by the church, have the ceremony of your choice and live your life as you see fit.
I believe that this is the only way to level the playing ground and treat all citizens equally in the matter of “marriage”.

Comment on We’ve Made History in the Nation’s Capital! by julian

julian — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:03:00 +0000

It is encouraging to see government get back to the idea that all are equal in their pursuit of happiness.

However, I don’t agree with the idea that government should be allowed to sanction or state that same-sex marriage is legal or illegal. In fact, I believe government should get out of the marriage business entirely. Marriage is a religious construct not one of government.

Anyone should be allowed to marry whomever they love because their religion ok’s it… not the government.

Comment on SHINE by Jodi

Jodi — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:21:27 +0000

so lovely and affirming!! i am humbled by this…perhaps this piece could be used for anyone hiding their light…ie “What if being ________ made you glitter?”

Comment on SHINE by Rachael

Rachael — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:35:00 +0000

Oh my gosh this is beautiful. Felt I had to share it when I read it so I emailed the poem and link to a few friends. Hope it makes an impact on them like it did for me.

Comment on SHINE by Alison

Alison — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:16:46 +0000

Thank you so very much for this poem. It really hits home and it is something everyone should think about. I love the last line “What would be revealed in the gleaming?”

Kudos, love, and blessed be.

Comment on Glee by David R. Gillespie

David R. Gillespie — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 23:38:18 +0000

Brought a tear to my eye, for sure, and I don’t think your comments cheesy at all.

Comment on Glee by Rev. Debra Haffner

Rev. Debra Haffner — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:17:54 +0000

Hey Adam! I LOVE Glee and what it stands for! It’s the most positive yet realistic portrayal of teenagers on television. It has huge heart, and I love that it’s so popular with young people.

Rev. Debra W. Haffner