A Sea of Red

Looking at my social media sites today, I can't begin to describe the awesome feeling I get seeing all those who changed their profile pictures to red today. If you have ever been to Gay Days at Disneyland and walked in seeing all the people in their red shirts, it is much the same feeling. Its a feeling of community. A feeling of support. A feeling of knowing you are not alone. I know change is scary. I know change takes time. All I ask is that we be open to change. And by the looks of my Facebook wall, so many of you all are. I have had a few people actually send me messages asking me what all the red was about. I explained to them what was happening at the Supreme Court and why it was so important. A few proceeded to change theirs too. Equality is not just a gay issue. Equality is a human issue. The purpose of the icon changes is not only to show support, but to open dialog and educate. So instead of asking for comments today, I ask you all to show your support and go red! Love to all.

Burly Bear Chris

An Important Week Ahead

This is an incredibly important week coming. This week the US Supreme Court will begin hearing the arguments regarding the constitutionality of not one, but two issues that seek out to limit the rights of the LGBT community. California's Prop 8 and the DOMA act. I think the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER) outlines the cases best:

The Cases

The U.S. Supreme Court is considering two cases that deal with marriage equality for gay and lesbian Americans.

On Tuesday, March 26, the Court will hear oral argument in Hollingsworth v. Perry, AFER’s federal constitutional challenge to California’s Proposition 8. Two couples, Kris Perry & Sandy Stier and Paul Katami & Jeff Zarrillo, are represented by Ted Olson and David Boies, who argue that Prop. 8 violates the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution.Learn more about the Perry case >

On Wednesday, March 27, the Court will hear oral argument in United States v. Windsor, a challenge to the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), the 1996 law that prevents the federal government from recognizing the legal marriages of gay and lesbian couples in states with marriage equality. The case involves Edie Windsor, an 83-year-old widow who was forced to pay $363,000 in estate taxes after her wife died, a tax she would not have to pay if she was married to a man. Represented by the ACLU, Ms. Windsor claims that DOMA violates her right to equal protection of the laws.

The Court

The building that houses the U.S. Supreme Court was erected between 1932 and 1935. Prior, the Court was housed in various buildings including the U.S. Capitol. The building was designed by architect Cass Gilbert (1859 –1934), who also created numerous skyscrapers, museums (Saint Louis Art Museum) and libraries (Saint Louis Public Library), state capitol buildings (the Minnesota, Arkansas and West Virginia State Capitols).

The nine Justices are seated by seniority. The Chief Justice occupies the center chair, the senior Associate Justice sits to his right, the second senior to his left, and so on, alternating right and left by seniority.

Following Along

While cameras and live updates are prohibited inside the courtroom, audio of the proceedings will be made available shortly after oral argument concludes on each day. The Supreme Court has said that audio will be released by 1 p.m. EDT on Tuesday and 2 p.m. EDT on Wednesday. Seating inside the Court is extremely limited and on a first come basis.

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Proceedings

Shortly before 10:00 a.m., the Justices will meet in the Robing Room where they will all shake hands and don their robes.

At 10:00 a.m., oral argument will begin.  As the Justices enter the courtroom, the Marshal of the Court will intone:

The Honorable, the Chief Justice and the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States.  Oyez!  Oyez!  Oyez!  All persons having business before the Honorable, the Supreme Court of the United States, are admonished to draw near and give their attention, for the Court is now sitting.  God save the United States and this Honorable Court!

The Chief Justice will call our case and invite Charles J. Cooper, attorney for the Proponents of Proposition 8, to the lectern.  He has 30 minutes to make his argument.

Once Mr. Cooper has concluded, the Chief Justice will invite AFER lead co-counsel Ted Olson to the lectern.  He has twenty minutes to make his argument.

After Mr. Olson has completed his argument, the Chief Justice will invite Solicitor General Donald B. Verrilli, Jr. to the lectern.  The Solicitor General has 10 minutes to make his argument for the United States as amicus curiae, or “friend of the Court,” in support of AFER’s Plaintiffs.

If he has reserved time for rebuttal, Mr. Cooper will then have a few minutes to address the Court.

Once oral argument is concluded, the case is submitted for consideration.  The Justices will vote at their private Conference on Friday, March 29.  A final decision is expected by the end of June.

The eyes of not only our nation, but the world are upon this court. Will we continue to be the champions of freedom and human rights? Or are we giving up progression for burying our heads in the sand while the rest of the world continues to surpass us? I truly hope the Supreme Court agrees with me in saying, Love to all.

Burly Bear Chris

Something To Think About This Valentine's Day

First a little history of Valentine's Day. Catholic and Protestant churches have nearly identical accounts of the story of Valentine. Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. Now here is the thing to ponder. Today, men and women are still being denied the rights of marriage. No debate has been so heated in our nation's modern times as the debate of gays right to marriage. When (not if, but when) marriage equality does happen, will their ever be a holiday to celebrate this milestone? And how about the hypocrisy of those who deny these rights in the name of the Church? Yet this is the same church that sainted someone who defied the orders of the ruling government and church to perform illegal marriages. So instead of sending cards and chocolates to someone, how about sending a Valentine Card to your government officials to tell them its time to stop the hate and discrimination, and instead, spread the love. There is no better day to do this. Love to all.

Burly Bear Chris

The Rules Of Love And The Modern Relationship

The only constant in life is change. As the things around us change, so do the so-called rules to the use of these things. Everything from how we drive a car, or use a phone, to even how we eat. All these things change. So why do we insist that we hold the rules to how we love so steadfastly in the past? Some use religious beliefs as the reason for this, yet even in religion, the rules evolve and change. No one is going to stone you to death for wearing a cotton poly blend or eating bacon on your burger. Yet the resistance to adapt love to the modern world is strong enough to enrage some to the point of murder to protect their ideals of it. I find it ironic that Merriam-Webster defines love as "...unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another" yet nothing brings on hate, loathing and contempt faster then when two people who love each other happen to be of the same sex. Its more then past due for societies views on love and relationships to step out of the dark ages. Its a shame that there has not been as much effort in teaching the values of love versus the teachings of who to love. It is becoming more and more acceptable to see sex and promiscuity between a man and a woman. To idolize sluts and whores. Its easier to rewrite the rules of sexual behavior, then to simply allow a same sex couple to vow publicly that they will love honor and cherish each other and forsake all others. How pathetic is that, really? There was a time when an adulterer would be arrested, tried and disciplined in public. Now, they get their own TV series and become role models. When I first came out I would often hear the argument for not allowing gays to marry as being that they were by nature promiscuous and could never be faithful. Now the argument is that it will undermine the institution of marriage. These people need to look into their own houses and what their own actions are doing to the very thing they are trying to protect. I would love to hear your input on the matter. Far too many people have strong feelings on the subject, but have their voices muted. Let me know how you feel and I will add voice to it for you. You can leave a comment here as anonymous or send me an email. Love to all.

Burly Bear Chris