Posts Tagged ‘Election Day’

Love Wins Big at the Ballot Box

No Comments | Share On Facebook| Love Wins Big at the Ballot Box Share/Save/Bookmark Nov 07, 2012

Pinch me! I, like many of you, still can’t believe that this moment has finally arrived.

Yesterday, voters in Maine and Maryland affirmed marriage equality at the ballot box. Minnesota became the first state in the country to reject writing discrimination into its state constitution. And, while the ballots are still being counted, marriage equality appears headed for passage in Washington State. These outcomes may influence the U.S. Supreme Court when it considers the constitutionality of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act. After working for more than a decade for LGBTQ equality, I’m ecstatic to say that the United States has reached the tipping point. We are poised to take our place among the other nations of the world who stand on the side of love.

But wait–there’s more! Wisconsin voters elected Tammy Baldwin–the first openly-LGBTQ American, and a woman of profound integrity–to the U.S. Senate, offering new hope and a shining example of success to young people who are hoping that it will get better, who will know they can achieve anything. Electoral outcomes in New Hampshire and Iowa mean marriage equality is most likely safe in those states, and the composition of Colorado’s legislature could mean new possibilities for relationship recognition for same-gender couples. Iowa Supreme Court Justice David Wiggins has retained his seat after anti-gay forces tried to oust him for joining in a unanimous 2009 decision for marriage equality.

Of course, whether we are Republicans and Democrats, all of us understand that when it comes to advancing equality for LGBTQ people in our nation, there was simply no contest between President Obama and Governor Romney. Hopefully, with President Obama’s leadership, we will never again have a sitting president who does not support full equality for LGBTQ people in our country.

Friends, Election 2012 is our moment. Love wins big!

Of course, our victories go much further than just LGBTQ equality. Voters in my home state of Maryland became the first in the nation to ever vote on a DREAM Act measure at the ballot, signaling resounding approval for providing in-state tuition to undocumented residents. Minnesota voters rejected a regressive voter ID amendment. And voters in two states–Colorado and Washington–said yes to decriminalizing marijuana. In an ideal world, this could indicate a shift in our national conversation about drug laws that disproportionately affect poor communities of color.

As these victories set in, however, we remember that this is really about people, and our love for one another. “Gratitude” is the number one word I am hearing emerge from the mouths of those who had so much invested in outcomes yesterday.

So today, let us all offer our gratitude to one another for our collective work to bend the arc of the world towards greater love and justice.

In faith,

Dan Furmansky
Former Campaign Manager
Standing on the Side of Love

The message above went out on Wednesday, November 7, 2012 to Standing on the Side of Love supporters. You can sign-up for these emails here.

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Speak, Act, Vote with Love

1 Comment | Share On Facebook| Speak, Act, Vote with Love Share/Save/Bookmark Nov 02, 2012

With just a few days remaining until Election Day, we’re all at the breaking point–waiting has become excruciating, our patience is flagging, and we’re moments away from throwing the television out the window to avoid another campaign ad. Amid this climate of dual frustration and anticipation, it is easy to lose sight of what truly matters.

This inspiring video, created by Elliott Cennamo, reminds us that LOVE is the true antidote for the fear and hate that is so widespread during this election season:

Please help us spread this message of love before the election on Tuesday. Simply click here to share the video with your friends on Facebook, or click here to share via Twitter.

Many of us care about the same things. Who will be elected President? Who will hold majorities in Congress? Will Wisconsin Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin become the first openly gay individual to be elected to the U.S. Senate? Will various ballot initiatives across the country—on marriage equality, voter ID, animal welfare, reproductive justice, health care, the death penalty, and so much more—become law or be rejected?

No matter the outcome of these social justice issues that we care so deeply about, what gives us hope is that people like you all over the country will never stop working to make our society a more compassionate, loving, just place. Of all the things people in the world choose to worship, LOVE is right there at the top for all of you.

Thank you for all you do to promote justice in the world. And as Elliott’s video reminds us, may we all remember during this trying time to speak, act, and vote with love.

In faith & justice,

The Standing on the Side of Love Team

The message above went out on Friday, November 2, 2012 to Standing on the Side of Love supporters. You can sign-up for these emails here.

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Erring on the Side of Love (Theologically Speaking…)

3 Comments | Share On Facebook| Erring on the Side of Love (Theologically Speaking…) Share/Save/Bookmark Oct 24, 2012
Rev. David Miller

This post was written by Rev. David A. Miller, minister of the UU Fellowship of San Dieguito and SSL Creative Advisory Team member.

As I listen and view the debates on marriage equality and all the issues during this election season, I cannot help but remember a conversation I had with a professor while attending seminary. She said, “do not get into a debate about whose interpretation of scripture is wrong or right, it is a discussion that you will never win.” I think she said this because there are so many chapters in the Bible, so many verses that can be read one way or the other, that is possible to “proof-text,” or pull out what one needs to prove one’s point.

Some say that the bible is inerrant, that each verse is the word of God–but is that not easier for the issues that one wishes to highlight and a little more difficult for those verses that time, customs, and culture have changed? I love that line they use in The West Wing from Leviticus 11:6-8 about how one should not be touching the skin of a dead pig because it makes one unclean, but I sure know a lot of deeply religious people of all denominations that love football. Another favorite is Exodus 35:2 – “Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a Sabbath of rest to the LORD: whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death.”

My point is it is not just about the words, but about the spirit of the whole idea–what is the overall message of the Bible? Since we all choose passages, here are my two texts I would like to “proof:”

Matthew 22:37-40:
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

And,

1 Corinthians 13
“If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.”

As a raised-Jewish, Unitarian Universalist, agnostic, mystic, post-Christian Jesus appreciator, I am really far from a biblical scholar, which detractors would be happy to point out, but this seems pretty clear to me: “If I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” I can have all the faith in the world, but it means nothing if I do not have love. Love is the be-all and the end-all message of almost all of the wisdom traditions. Relationships of mutual love, of mutual respect, of mutual understanding, and of mutual commitment are heralded in the wisdom literature.

So whether or not I read or understand the Bible as detailed poetry, incredibly wise metaphoric lessons, or literal interpretations, I choose to err on the side of love. I choose to spend my time on earth praying that love conquers all, not praying with others that love be kept on the sidelines of that football stadium, (with perhaps the pigskin). I choose to spend my time on this earth taking from these wise and timeless lessons, that love is the request, love is the rule, and love is the reason. That is why I intend to be kind to those who hold views in opposition to mine, support love everywhere possible, support the right for two people who love each other, whoever they are, to marry and, in this and all elections, intend to cast my vote on the side of love.

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Take Action for Marriage Equality

No Comments | Share On Facebook| Take Action for Marriage Equality Share/Save/Bookmark Oct 23, 2012

When my wife and I were married in the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Richmond, VA, two years ago next month, we celebrated our love and our commitment openly with our family and friends in our spiritual home. At the same time, we knew that we would not be receiving any of the benefits and protections from the state and federal government we would have received had we been a man and a woman. So in lieu of gifts, we asked our guests to make donations to support Equality Virginia.

With just two weeks left until Election Day, there is great hope that 2012 could be a tipping point for LGBTQ equality at the ballot box. Voters in Washington, Maine, and Maryland have the opportunity to approve marriage equality laws, while Minnesota voters will hopefully vote “no” to writing discrimination into their state constitution.

No matter where you live, you can take action to support marriage equality. Click here to get involved.

There are several innovative programs that allow marriage equality supporters across the country to take action. The Human Rights Campaign has developed a revolutionary “Call4Equality” tool that harnesses the power of Facebook to connect you with people you know in these states. The tool automatically creates personalized call lists and scripts for you to drum up votes and volunteers. For the more travel-inclined, you can work on one of the equality campaigns through United for Marriage’s “Volunteer Vacation” program.

Please join me in standing on the side of love this election season. Click here to find out how you can speak out for marriage equality no matter where you live.

Two years ago, my wife and I knew that Virginia was, and still is, a long way from voting to approve marriage equality. But this year in Washington, Maine, and Maryland, we have a real chance – a chance to make it clear that attitudes have changed – that the majority of Americans now support the right of everyone to marry the person they love. And, in Minnesota, we have a shot at saying “no” to defining marriage according to a few people’s view of what love should be. Help us seize this opportunity. Please take action for marriage equality today.

In faith,

annette_marquis

Annette Marquis
LGBTQ & Multicultural Ministries Program Manager
Unitarian Universalist Association

The message above went out on Tuesday, October 23, 2012 to Standing on the Side of Love supporters. You can sign-up for these emails here.

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Mark Your Calendars: It’s Time to Renew Our Vows

2 Comments | Share On Facebook| Mark Your Calendars: It’s Time to Renew Our Vows Share/Save/Bookmark Nov 04, 2010

Susan Leslie is the Congregational Advocacy & Witness Director for the Unitarian Universalist Association and a member of the Social Justice Council of First Parish Cambridge MA Unitarian Universalist

On Tuesday, my husband, Bruce, and I joined our congregation in bringing love to the polls. We donned our yellow Standing on the Side of Love t-shirts and buttons, carried Love placards, and handed out Love wallet cards. Across the country, many of you did the same.

When voters inquired about the purpose behind the Standing on the Side of Love campaign, we explained that we were there to call for an end to marginalization, discrimination, and scapegoating in elections and beyond, and to ask others to work towards the same for our entire country. Universally, we were greeted with positive energy, smiles, and thanks for our being there. For many, seeing our yellow messages of love opened up a dialogue about the need for more non-polarizing activism that reaches across partisan divides.

Bruce and I were blown away by the beautiful diversity of people from all walks of life who came to vote – but saddened to think there is so much fear in our culture about that very beauty. How disheartening that a number of candidates won their elections with platforms that preyed on this fear!

Now, more than ever, people need our movement.

That is why I am asking all of us to keep the faith, continue to be visible with our values, and to look ahead…

National Standing on the Side of Love Day – February 14, 2011 — will be the moment for us to elevate our most important values in the public square, just weeks after a more conservative 112th U.S. Congress will begin its session.

Please mark February 14, 2011 on your calendar now, and begin thinking about how you might re-imagine Valentine’s Day as National Standing on the Side of Love Day – an opportunity for your community to inspire love, connection, and compassion.

With the outcome of election 2010, I am completely recommitted to standing on the side of love. In the face of fear, this campaign is exactly what we need to elevate the tone of debate in this country, to change hearts and minds, and to call forth those who believe in the values of respect and inclusion.

Bruce and I will be asking our congregational leaders to put February 14, 2011 on the calendar as an all-out, visionary public witness. Last year, our congregation collected immigrant rights postcards and delivered them to Sen. Scott Brown; partnered with the Haitian Coalition on a joint service; and then went outside and sang “Stand” in Harvard Square holding our Love banner.

We have already started thinking about how we can visibly share our values this coming February through meaningful partnerships on National Standing on the Side of Love Day.

Please look forward with us — and mark your calendars for February 14, 2011.

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