I recently listened to (and subsequently fell in love with) Fun.’s newest album Some Nights, and have decided that I MUST see them in concert. In looking up tickets, I found a fantastic contest by an organization called Revel and Riot, where LGBTQ Individuals and Allies can potentially snag free tickets to one of Fun.’s upcoming concerts - which led me to wonder, “Why does Fun. care about the LGBTQ community?” This led me to this fantastic Huffington Post article by Fun. guitarist Jack Antonoff about the critical importance of straight allies to the LGBTQ community. Awesome.

Antonoff discusses the value in being an outspoken ally of the LGBTQ community in the fight for eliminating inequality.

“A large part of being an ally is establishing ourselves within our social and professional circles as people who will not tolerate homophobia in any form or under any circumstance. This is also, in many ways, the hardest part. It goes without saying that bringing up weighty issues can be awkward in social situations — even more so, standing up to a colleague or a friend.”

“[W]e as a culture place social comfort over right and wrong. We would rather let hate speak linger among us than endure that awkward moment when someone points out that something is simply not acceptable. It is that same part of the brain that can’t locate the words to ask a cab driver flying down an avenue at the speed of light to just slow down. Social paralysis is strong and stands firmly in the way of change on the ground level. As allies, we have to prepare ourselves to step into the fire when necessary, even — and especially — when said fire is merely a still-lit cigarette tossed carelessly onto the street.”

Antonoff speaks eloquently about privilege, power, and oppression, (“if the situation were flipped, we would all be sick to our stomachs watching our friends and family casually stand up for us in order to save face and be agreeable.”) and I can only hope that this fantastic article strikes a cord with many individuals and helps them gain a better understanding of social justice.

Please read the article in it’s entirety. It will take you five minutes, max - and I promise you, Antonoff’s words are a heckuvalot more impressive than mine. :) Then - assuming you agree - share it with your friends/followers/circles/whatever, and encourage them to do the same. Speak out. Share your voice. Fight for equality for ALL people.

And while you’re at it, buy this AWESOME t-shirt that Fun. is selling with this concert tour. I promise you will look really cool wearing it around town - and you will certainly attract attention. :)

And perhaps most importantly, buy Fun.’s album, Some Nights. I’m going to do that promptly with my iTunes giftcard Chris bought me for my birthday (thanks, friend!). You won’t regret it.

I love iPhones. Thanks to the New York Times app, I received an alert today that made me smile from ear to ear. 

In case you haven’t heard… Proposition 8 - the 2008 state of California ballot measure that effectively halted statewide gay marriage (and resulted in MAJOR nationwide conversations, rallies, protests, advocacy work, and chatter) was ruled as unconstitutional by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. While marriage between same-sex couples will not immediately resume, there is hope that the decision will be taken to the U.S. Supreme Court for an ultimate decision that would impact the entire nation. There’s plenty of speculation as to whether or not the U.S. Supreme Court would take the case, but that is yet to be known.

What is known, however, is that this is one more step toward my ability to marry my future husband - and that is awesome.

SO EXCITED!! PRAISE GOD! Thank you, Chief Judge Vaughn Walker!

CONCLUSION Proposition 8 fails to advance any rational basis in singling out gay men and lesbians for denial of a marriage license. Indeed, the evidence shows Proposition 8 does nothing more than enshrine in the California Constitution the notion that opposite-sex couples are superior to same-sex couples. Because California has no interest in discriminating against gay men and lesbians, and because Proposition 8 prevents California from fulfilling its constitutional obligation to provide marriages on an equal basis,the court concludes that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional.

As the state Supreme Court case over the California ban on same-sex marriage comes to a close this week, Frank Rich provides an outstanding op-ed in The New York Times, blending pop culture references and factual political evidence eloquently in his support for marriage equality. His compelling argument in ‘Two Weddings, a Divorce, and ‘Glee’ (linked above) includes this gem:

Domestic partnerships and equal economic benefits aren’t antidotes, Boies explains, because as long as gay Americans are denied the same right to marry as everyone else, they are branded as sub-citizens, less equal and less deserving than everyone else. That government-sanctioned stigma inevitably leaves them vulnerable to other slights and discrimination, both subtle and explicit. The damage is particularly acute for children, who must not only wonder why their parents are regarded as defective by the law but must also bear this scarlet letter of inferiority when among their peers.

Regardless of the ruling, it is likely that the case will be heard in the Federal Supreme Court in the upcoming years, and will certainly be an interesting time to live in America. I hope Rich’s words above (and the rest of his outstanding article) are read by people on all sides of the debate, and don’t fall on deaf ears. Check out the complete article above.

As we honor the LGBT Americans who have given so much to our Nation, let us remember that if one of us is unable to realize full equality, we all fall short of our founding principles. -President Barack Obama

On Friday, May 28, President Barack Obama released this Presidential Proclamation that June would officially be recognized as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month.

Obama’s proclamation discusses the progressive changes the LGBT community has seen under his administration, and claims that further change needs to continue - and will - during his time in office. His bold statement includes:

Much work remains to fulfill our Nation’s promise of equal justice under law for LGBT Americans. That is why we must give committed gay couples the same rights and responsibilities afforded to any married couple, and repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. We must protect the rights of LGBT families by securing their adoption rights, ending employment discrimination against LGBT Americans, and ensuring Federal employees receive equal benefits. We must create safer schools so all our children may learn in a supportive environment. I am also committed to ending “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” so patriotic LGBT Americans can serve openly in our military, and I am working with the Congress and our military leadership to accomplish that goal.

Will America see such grand changes in the next two years, or are these simply words to appease LGBT Americans and their allies? I certainly hope his actions match his promises, but regardless if everything mentioned is accomplished, it is encouraging to see verbalized support for LGBT Americans from the President.

I encourage you to read the entire proclamation, linked above.

“It’s not hard to get married in Florida. Just ask Brian Feldman and Hannah Miller, two almost-strangers who were wed Friday, two days before Valentine’s Day, to make a political point.
“Before a crowd of 30-some onlookers, Feldman and Miller took their vows just because they could — and because two people of the same sex cannot.”

Check out the rest of the article, shedding light on the hypocrisy of the sanctity of marriage argument we hear all too often.

Kudos, Brian, and others fighting for marriage equality!

Please read this compelling argument supporting gay marriage, and consider the five reasons the author claims the Constitution supports marriage equality. Definitely worth your time!

Thanks to my friend Richard Dedor for tweeting a link to this outstanding article in The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Oh, yet another reason to love ice cream.

I think it’s fantastic when socially responsible companies come out in support of important causes. Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream is the next company joining others in support of gay marriage, having temporarily renamed it’s fabulous Chubby Hubby flavour’s name to Hubby Hubby. The renaming comes just after Vermont’s decision to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples on Tuesday, September 1, 2009. Risky? Yes. But the company has a long history of supporting causes that often result in negative backlash. The company - who proudly wears the slogan Peace, Love & Ice Cream - publicly supports its values - and I have a great deal of respect for businesses that practice what they preach. Read the full article above, and check out the Activism tab on Ben & Jerry’s site to learn more about their values. Then visit your local Ben & Jerry’s and order yourself a scoop!

Thanks, Drew Barrymore! It’s great to see your support of marriage equality - particularly after the disappointing ruling California received Tuesday. Sometimes it feels as though America takes one step forward and two steps back.

“Following the California Supreme Court’s ruling to uphold Proposition 8, Drew Barrymore shows her support for marriage equality for same-sex couples at a march in West Hollywood, CA.”

(Photo and caption courtesy of Entertainment Tonight - Copyright 2009 Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

Thanks to twitter (and the outstanding @DavidBadash), I’ve discovered another fantastic writer who’s work is full of impact and plays well on the emotional appeal of his readers. Cody Daigle, entertainment writer for The Times of Acadiana, has a fantastic blog on gay issues at theadvertiser.com - much of which gets picked up by 365gay.com.

Check out Daigle’s recent article, A Prayer for Prop. 8:

“On Tuesday the California Supreme Court will deliver its ruling on the validity of Prop. 8 and by extension, the validity of existing same-sex marriages in California.

So, until Tuesday, there are a few things I’m praying for…”

(keep reading at 365gay.com)