Some say 6/6/06 is the apocalypse, maybe their right: The FMA vote

Hi everyone. Today, the US Senate is actually taking the time to deliberate on if LGBT people deserve equal rights and propose to amend the constitution banning gay marriage (the FMA: Federal Marriage Amendment). If you're reading this from outside the US, you're probably throwing your arms up in the air and thinking, if Americans are this bored, perhaps a library card or gardening would be less harmful to portions of their human segments? It's quick and easy for us Americans to respond with sadness, rage, depression, powerlessness at the very thought of someone's value being discussed in legislation. It's oh too easy to go there.

This is the consequence of doing nothing.

That willingness to sit in a corner in defeat and fear is what has allowed the discussion to even get this far. Lethargy is one of the main factors for the fact this documentary had to be made and is in high demand, that there is a PFLAG and an HRC. One would know the world is serving fully and spiritually if none of these organizations had jobs...there'd be nothing basic and obvious for us to teach and explain to each other like there's no difference between heterosexual and homosexual people...all are people.

We are not to be on the defensive. There's no reason. We have nothing really to explain, or justify. It just seems that way because many LGBT people feel attacked. Well, Osama felt attacked so he attacked. It's perception. Americans felt we got attacked by Osama. Who's right? It's perceived, long-held, well-watered beliefs.

I agree with Anne Frank. I believe there is good in every person. I also agree with Mandella when he said: "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world." (Read Marianne Williamson's Return to Love for more)

I especially have been inspired by that last line. I used to tell my media theory class to stop robbing us of them, for example. When we "play small" we stay as insignificant as we believe we are. That's a lie.

Think of watching a group of kids in a dance recital. There's always one or two kids that just give it their all, you can tell they've rehearsed, focused, practiced and now really are shining. Then there's the other 82 that watch the person next to them, look bored or are clueless. They aren't connected, they dance small. Who are we inspired by as the audience? Who do we pay attention to? The kids who are dancing big and connected to themselves.

Below is a segment of a blog written by an episcopalian reverand who speaks on behalf of HRC. Please consider the words and their meaning. Call your Senators and tell them to continue to say no to the FMA:

"The exploitation of gay and lesbian families in the game of partisan American politics is what we went to Washington to protest. Writing discrimination into the Constitution is antithetical to our core American values and I believe it is critical that we hold to account those in this country would use the issue of marriage equality as a wedge to further polarize and divide a nation looking for ways to come together to solve the many very real problems we face.

Just as we said "No" to the Federal Marriage Amendment we must say "No" to any resolution that would place the burden for the unity of the Communion on the shoulders of a percentage of the baptized. Our vocations and our relationships cannot be used as bargaining chips to secure unity for some at the price of justice for all."