All posts by marcie

Remember Orlando

marcie

Since I woke up last Sunday to the news of 49 people killed in an Orlando gay nightclub (the Pulse) I have gone through a gamut of emotions, but mostly I’ve just felt sad.

Forty-nine people like me were killed for being themselves; in a place they felt safe and should have been safe.

The reason this event hits so close to my heart is one of the reasons hate crimes are considered more egregious than others – because they affect a whole sub-group of our population in profound ways. And, just like many many other LGBT folks, I am feeling profoundly affected.

The responses from all over the world that I have seen are overwhelming and there is no way to adequately mention it all here. I am including a small smattering of examples.

President Obama made a statement about the shooting and here is an excerpt:

“For so many people here who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, the Pulse Nightclub has always been a safe haven, a place to sing and dance, and most importantly, to be who you truly are — including for so many people whose families are originally from Puerto Rico. Sunday morning, that sanctuary was violated in the worst way imaginable. So whatever the motivations of the killer, whatever influences led him down the path of violence and terror, whatever propaganda he was consuming from ISIL and al Qaeda, this was an act of terrorism but it was also an act of hate. This was an attack on the LGBT community. Americans were targeted because we’re a country that has learned to welcome everyone, no matter who you are or who you love. And hatred towards people because of sexual orientation, regardless of where it comes from, is a betrayal of what’s best in us.”
(More about the statements and reactions from President Obama)

In a statement Seattle’s Mayor Edward Murray said:

“Words cannot adequately encompass the feelings of grief I am feeling for the loss of so many of our LGBTQ and allied brothers and sisters in Orlando during the largest single act of violence against LGBTQ people in United States history. For too long, our community has been the target of violence throughout the world. It will never make sense to me that love is met with such hate.”
(Mayor Murray’s complete statement)

On Monday June 13^th, several Kitsap organizations, Kitsap leaders and about 300 Kitsap folks joined together for a vigil to honor the victims and their families.

During the vigil many of us signed a banner that read “Kitsap Stands With Orlando” and the next day Bremerton’s Mayor Patty Lent mailed the banner to Orlando’s mayor.
Kitsap Sun article on vigil

In addition to the vigil, those lost in the Orlando shooting will be remembered at all of the LGBTQ Pride events in Kitsap County leading up to the 20^th Kitsap Pride on July 16^th.
KitsapPride.org

I found several web pages with the names of those that died, with some information about each. Here are two:
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/orlando-nightclub-mass-shooting-pulse-victims/

http://fusion.net/story/313038/orlando-shooting-victims-names-pulse-massacre/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=socialshare&utm_content=theme_top_desktop

These are the names to remember!
Many were so young! Senseless and tragic!

Some of the resources in Kitsap County:
Kitsap Pride Network
Kitsap PFLAG
The Q Center

Obama also said: “So if there was ever a moment for all of us to reflect and reaffirm our most basic beliefs that everybody counts and everybody has dignity, now is the time.”

~ Marcie

Alternative Transportation – Bike to Work Month!

marcie

One of the ways we are diverse as people is the way we get to work and other places – Some folks drive their own car, some take the bus or van/car pool, and others walk or bicycle. Around here the trip can also include a ferry ride. I have commuted all of those ways at one point or another in my life. These days it is mostly by bus, but my favorite way to commute is by bicycle.

May is Bike to Work Month! Although the statewide organization, the Cascade Bicycle Club, is calling it Bike Everywhere Month this year.

2016-Bike-Month-600px

May 20^th is set aside as Bike to Work Day, or Bike Anywhere Day. For many years the West Sound Bicycle Club has sponsored a station at 1^st and Pacific, near the Navy Museum and the Ferry Terminal, and there will be one at that intersection again this year.

For a map of all the “Celebration Stations” go to:
https://www.cascade.org/celebration-stations

BremertonBTWDStation2

From a previous year’s Bike to Work Station, staffed by members of the West Sound Cycling Club

Cities in the area are becoming more and more bicycle friendly, so now is a great time to get started bicycling! I agree with the Cascade Bicycle Club that “The best way to celebrate Bike Everywhere Month is simply to get on a bike: ride to work, ride to the grocery store or just ride for the sheer joy of being outside soaking up the spring weather.”

Ride Safe!

~ marcie

Marriage Equality – Kitsap County Joins the Nation in Celebration

marcie

While there is more work to do on many levels, today’s history making Supreme Court decision is worth celebrating. In social justice work, in order to keep from being overwhelmed and getting burned out, we need to celebrate even small victories, and today was more than just a small victory, it was a huge one.

Kitsap County joined folks around the nation in celebrating with at least two Bremerton bars hosting. One celebration was at the Honor Bar near Evergreen Park, and another was at the Toro Lounge downtown Bremerton.

The Supreme Court decision has far reaching impacts, and it is hard to know where to begin. However, I found some statements from a variety of organizations that I thought worth sharing. I have been working towards marriage equality for about 15 years, and many folks have been doing more for longer. Even though getting to this point in marriage equality has taken a long time, in some ways it seems like it happened fast. I guess because once the marriage equality ball started rolling through the states it really picked up speed.

The decision today is a positive thing for families all over the United States, including military families that include same sex spouses. Since Kitsap County is a “Navy Town” the decision today affects many military families here. The American Military Partner Association posted in their blog:

“Nationwide marriage equality is a tremendous victory, and the progress made for LGBT service members and their families in just a few short years has been profound.” Before today’s decision “… even after so many states gained marriage equality, and even though the military recognized the legal marriages of our members, once they stepped off their military installation, the laws of the state often took precedence. Even if they lived in an equality state, it was very likely they would eventually be transferred; with no guarantees their new assignment would be in another equality state. They lived in fear of their families losing the everyday legal recognition others often take for granted, like married tax status, the ability to make healthcare decisions for your spouse, or enrolling your child in school.”

The Kitsap Sun talked with the spouse of a Sailor on the USS Stennis in this article:
www.kitsapsun.com/news/local-news/supreme-court-ruling-erases-uncertainty-for-local-families-on-the-move_13438317

The effects of today’s Supreme Court ruling are so far reaching that, in a joint effort, the American Civil Liberties Union, Freedom to Marry, Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal and National Center for Lesbian Rights created a page of information for families with questions about how this affects them:
http://marriageequalityfacts.org/

Lambda Legal was a key player in the legal part of the process and posted this on their blog:

“What a day! After decades of work by Lambda Legal and many others, we have at long last secured the freedom to marry for all same-sex couples throughout the entire United States. Today’s moving and inspirational decision in Obergefell v. Hodges is one for the history books.”

This victory for marriage equality is about love and families, and Kitsap PFLAG joins PFLAG National in celebrating the Supreme Court decision. PFLAG National board president Jean Hodges made this statement today:

“Today feels like a wedding that the entire country was invited to, and the whole PFLAG family is right up front with hearts overflowing and tears in our eyes. By affirming the rights of all loving couples to commit to each other with the full weight of legal protection that marriage affords, the Supreme Court has affirmed a founding principle that we must all continue to strive for: a more perfect union.”

The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24. On their blog they describe how youth are affected by this decision in a positive way:

“Today we celebrate the Supreme Court’s landmark decision to uphold marriage equality across America. This historic ruling not only affects couples who have been fighting to obtain the basic civil right to get married, but also the many youth who live in families with same-sex parents. Today, all youth, including those who identify as LGBTQ, can have hope that they will grow up in a nation that is moving towards respecting all human rights.”

One of the highlights for me today was President Obama’s expression of support. Part of what he said this morning about the Supreme Court decision is:

“This ruling is a victory for Jim Obergefell and the other plaintiffs in the case. It’s a victory for gay and lesbian couples who have fought so long for their basic civil rights. It’s a victory for their children, whose families will now be recognized as equal to any other. It’s a victory for the allies and friends and supporters who spent years, even decades, working and praying for change to come.”

for the complete transcript of what President Obama said today go to:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/06/26/remarks-president-supreme-court-decision-marriage-equality

To all of you that have played a part in getting us to where we are today, even if that part was just coming to the understanding yourself of how marriage equality is the right thing – Thank You!
~Marcie

It’s LGBT Pride Month!

marcie

It’s LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) Pride Month and
organizations in Kitsap County have plans well underway for
celebrations.
There is the main event, Kitsap Pride, as well as a special Kitsap PFLAG
meeting. I have also included a link to a video that might help explain why we celebrate LGBT Pride Month in June.

The main event is the Kitsap Pride Festival on July 18^th, noon – 5 pm, at Evergreen Park in Bremerton.

For current information and updates check out the Kitsap Pride Network web page or follow them on Facebook:
facebook.com/kitsappride
kitsappride.org

Why June? Are you wondering why we celebrate LGBT Pride Month in June? This video explains:
You Tube – Why Pride?
A brief historical perspective of LGBT Pride Month, along with current information about events and resources in Kitsap County.

The June 15^th Kitsap PFLAG meeting will include a screening of Faces and Facets of Transgender Experience. This short documentary shares the stories of 18 transgender people and their families. It is a moving look at the issues that transgender people can face with their families and coworkers.

We will screen the film at 6:45 p.m. and then have a discussion from 7:15 p.m.
About the film:
Produced and presented by PFLAG Boulder County
Co- directed by Gus Spheeris and Carol Christenson
Jean Hodges, Executive Producer, 2010
From their web site:

About “Faces and Facets of Transgender Experience:
“Eighteen people and their families share touching stories about the journey from despair and loss to the joy of being the gender they were meant to be. Diversity of ages, ethnicity and background of the interviewees put many faces on what it means to be gender variant. Some topics include how family relationships changed, employment discrimination and coming out at work, issues with law enforcement, interactions after transition, being the parent of a gender variant child and dealing with schools. The emphasis is on positive adjustment, the healthy choices trans people make to work with the challenges, without ignoring them. The purpose for a general non-trans audience will be to create awareness, reduce discomfort and prejudice about transgender persons, and to help people see gender variance as just another aspect of the human experience.”
http://pflagboulder.org/pflag-resources/faces-facets/

Another diversity related event happening is the Olympic College Diversity Conference on Jun 25^th and 26^th. Last year’s, their first one, was wonderfully done and I am looking forward to this year’s.
http://www.olympic.edu/about-olympic-college/diversity/2015-diversity-conference

~ Marcie

Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act and Some Consequences

marcie

I am not sure Gov. Mike Pence and the state of Indiana expected quite the outcry when they passed and signed into law a controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act. In fact, the Governor is already saying he plans to introduce a clarification of the law and that if the law was about discrimination he wouldn’t have signed it. He is not saying yet what that clarification would include. According to Lambda Legal:

If he and Indiana’s elected leadership want to be taken seriously and to fix public perception of their state, they can — and must — take two simple steps:

Pass a law to include gay and transgender people within Indiana’s existing statewide nondiscrimination rules.
Add this language to the new religion law: “This chapter does not establish or eliminate a defense to a claim under any federal, state or local law protecting civil rights or preventing discrimination.

Backlash to Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act. has included:

Thousands of people gathering in downtown Indianapolis on Saturday to protest the passage of the law.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/03/28/thousands-protest-religious-freedom-law-indy/70596032/

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray prohibiting municipal employees from traveling to Indiana on city funds. Murray said Indiana’s new law “doesn’t reflect the values” of Seattle.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/seattle-mayor-prohibits-city-employees-traveling-indiana/story?id=29979438

Angie’s List announcing it is canceling a $40 million headquarters expansion. According to co-founder and chief executive officer Bill Oesterle the decision is a direct result of passage of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. “Angie’s List is open to all and discriminates against none, and we are hugely disappointed in what this bill represents.” Oesterle said.
http://money.cnn.com/2015/03/28/news/companies/angies-list-indiana-gay-discrimination/

Indiana’s law is not the end of the issue either. According to the Advocate Magazine: “It’s too late to stop Indiana’s new “turn-away-the-gays” legislation. Governor Mike Pence has signed it into law. But nearly half of the states are considering similar bills, some of which go even further.” There are already many states that have some sort of religious freedom or religious liberty legislation. There is a difference, though, because many of these other states, including Washington, have anti-discrimination laws that include lesbian, gay, and bisexual folks (and some include transgender folks).

~ Marcie