Gay And Lesbian Lifestyles

Del Martin died Wednesday at the UC San Francisco Medical Center hospice after her health deteriorated after breaking her arm two weeks earlier. Del was 87 years old and had married her long time partner Phyllis Lyon on June 16, 2008. They were the first same sex couple to marry after the 2004 ban on gay marriages was upheld by the courts.

Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon were the founders of the Daughters of Bilitis back in 1956 with six other women. They were always in the news for their fight for equality for same sex couples. California would not be were it is today if it had not been for Del and Phyllis.

The couple had married in 2004 in a ceremony preformed by Newsome, who challenged the marriage laws, preformed, and issued over four thousand gay marriage licenses. Those marriages were invalid according to the Supreme Court. Del and Phyllis along with several other couples filed a lawsuit against California, which resulted in the court overturning the Supreme Courts 2004 ruling against same sex marriages, thus allowing gay couples to marry starting June 16, 2008.

It was only right that Newsome marry Del and Phyllis again on June 16, in a small ceremony in his office. Supporters cheered outside as the two women were pronounced legally married. It was a happy day for Del and Phyllis who have been together for over 55 years. They were lesbian activists that worked hard to get support for the gay community.

Del Martin was part of a group that worked to lobby against harassment by police and modify the unbelievable laws that said homosexuality was criminal. This group was the Counsel on Religion and the Homosexual. Del was also the leader in an effort to have the American Psychiatric Association take homosexuality off the list of mental disorders.

Del and Phyllis co-authored the book, “Lesbian/Woman” in 1972. Del also wrote a book called “Battered Wives” in 1976. The two of them were active in many groups and worked hard for what they believed in.

Del was born May 5, 1921. Her name was Dorothy Taliaferro. She married James Martin and had one daughter Kendra. Her daughter, one granddaughter and son-in-law survive her. Del is also survived by one sister-in-law and her beloved Phyllis Lyon.

Del will be deeply missed by the community and all those who lives she touched in her many years as a lesbian activist.

Del Martin died today, just two months after marrying her partner of 55 years Phyllis Lyon. Martin and Lyon were the first couple to marry in California in 2004. That marriage however was voided by the state. Del and Phyllis married again on June 16. They were the first gay couple to married after the court upheld the ban on gay marriages. The two founded the Daughters of Bilitis in 1959. It is a sad day for the gay community everywhere.

Our prayers are with Phyllis and the rest of the family.

Look back tomorrow for more information.

Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things. Let me not whine and whimper over things that I have no control over.

I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood.

However, I thank you that I believe that God changes people and God changes things.

I pray for all my brothers and sisters. For each and every family member in their households. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes.

I received a prayer in an email and thought I would share some of the lines with everyone. I had to read this a few times before I saw the words that I have displayed here. If you read the words with an open mind, you will see that these are not the words that people live by.

Lets look at these words with an open mind.

Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things. Let me not whine and whimper over things that I have no control over.

I believe this means that people should stop whining and whimpering about the gay community because they have absolutely no control over how others live. They need to open their minds and accept all things including the gay community, marriage and adoption.

I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood.

I believe this means that people are misjudged and not understood and everyone deserves the right to be themselves without judgment or misgivings. People should understand that everyone is different and has the right to live the way they see fit.

However, I thank you that I believe that God changes people and God changes things.

How many people that pray to God actually can say that they believe this? If they did, they would have to accept everyone no matter what their sexual orientation. Everything changes and it is about time everyone accepts it.

I pray for all my brothers and sisters. For each and every family member in their households. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes.

Brothers and sisters. Yes, everyone is a brother and sister if you believe God created only Adam and Eve. Nevertheless, how many people can say that they want peace, love and joy for everyone? Discriminating against people that are gay is not showing peace, love and joy to families. Saying that gays cannot adopt is not showing love for families.

I look forward to hearing how everyone else feels about these words.

Arkansas has been given the go ahead to place the gay adoption issue on the ballot in November. Once again, this means that the gay community living in Arkansas will not be able to have a loving family life with children if the bill goes through. Children that need homes will lose out on having a loving home when heterosexual couples do not want them.

Use loses in this battle. The only people that will lose are the children in Arkansas that are not adoptable to straight couples. Maybe they can ship them out to other states that allow gay adoptions. Wouldn’t that be a nice way for a child to be raised? They will feel so loved and wanted. People wake up and think about what you are doing.

Kids need homes and it does not have to be a man and a woman because single parents are raising children every day. Why do these people call themselves Christians and whatever else, but can deny young children homes and love. Aren’t the children the important issue?

Someone needs to start looking at all these rules against gay marriages and gay adoptions and find out who is really benefited from the denial of rights. The kids are going to suffer and never know what it feels like to be loved and cared for.

It is a sad day when a state picks prejudice over the love of the children. No Child Left Behind means any child.

Have you heard the latest? Being gay is no longer just wrong, it is illegal. Many people have taken the new stand against gays by saying that it is illegal to be gay. Now, the last time I looked the only lifestyle that was illegal was if you were a criminal or drug user. Being gay is not on the law books anywhere. I would guess that someone that had to much time on their hands has decided to make a new law and forgot to tell the lawmakers.

Yes, it is true, being gay is illegal. That was what I read. You know, you have to believe everything you read! The sad thing is that it is spreading like wild fire. Everyone has this knew way of thinking and the Internet is a buzz. If you are gay and living as a gay person, you are illegal.

Remember years ago when people used to say it was illegal for two people of the opposite sex to cohabitate together? Look at all the people that live that way today. Now, you can even buy a house together, have kids and share health insurance. No one ever mentions that it is illegal to live together without marriage.

The point of this conversation is that if you listen to others, you will never know what is true and what is fictional. Being gay is not illegal and cohabitation is not illegal.

The things that are illegal are hate crimes, discrimination and any other criminal acts.

Being gay does not mean you have to suffer or hide your sexuality. Being gay is about loving yourself and being true to ones own self. Hope, happiness and optimism is what you need.

As long as you are happy with yourself, you can have a happy life. Being gay does not mean that you have to live a life that is subjected to hate and discrimination. As you accept your sexuality, others will accept you.

Those who choose to ridicule and show discrimination are the ones who will suffer the loss. Heterosexuals that show malice toward another, pay in the end no matter how religious they may be.

Trusting your own judgment about your sexuality and acceptance of who you are is the only thing that matters. After that, the rest is easy.

Friendships are important, but being yourself is the most important thing that is needed. True friends accept you for who you are and not who they think you should be.

Be yourself. Be gay and live a happy life. Never listen to what others think. Only listen to your heart and you will know more than anyone else does.

The other day I posted about Hallmark making wedding cards for the gay marriages. I believe I said we would have to see who had a problem with this latest development. Well it only took the American Family Association a couple of days to start a boycott of Hallmark. Yes, Hallmark is now another one of the companies that you should not use because they make a card for gay couples.

Once again, I will say the same thing. People love Hallmark cards and gifts and will not stop buying them just because the AFA tell you to boycott the company. Has the AFA not learned anything over the years? These companies are not going to succumb to extortion or blackmail. Yes, telling Hallmark to stop making the cards or come under a boycott is blackmail.

What surprises me is that this so called group can get away with trying to blackmail companies to do what they want. Isn’t it a federal offence to blackmail someone?

Blackmail- to force or coerce into a particular action, statement, etc

Sp, there you have it. The AFA is trying to blackmail these companies into thinking, acting and obeying what they believe in. They are breaking the law. Why does the government allow them to continue with this blackmailing scheme when a company does not meet their particular standards?

I can see boycotting a thing or object that is harmful or that could kill you. Nevertheless, to blackmail a company into thinking the way you do, is just wrong. Keep going strong Hallmark. You are going to make money selling gay marriage cards. Keep up the good work.

Will you leave your comment in support of Hallmark?

John McCain changes his mind about gay issues so much that one has to under if he is selling his soul to become President. First, he does not support gay couples adopting children, and then he supports gay couple’s adopting hard to place children.

Now, first off, John McCain is trying to get all the votes he can, so he is going to please the people against gays and then he has to correct that statement a little bit to get the vote of the gay community. Was John McCain ever a lawyer? I have been in courtrooms with lawyers that have the same method of making the words meet their needs.

Do not allow gay couples to adopt healthy children that us there righteous people want, but let them adopt them there poor children that we don’t want because they are sick or mentally challenged.

John McCain has proven himself to be a saint to the world now. Every child will have a chance at a good life under his new way of thinking. The only problem with his way of thinking now is that if you are gay, your child can only be a child that no one else wants.

John McCain has no clue what he is going to say when he opens his mouth. I believe this man has foot in mouth syndrome and needs help. This is just one instance where McCain has proven his ability to cover up or lie about things he is asked about.

Watch this video about his inability to tell the truth about how many houses he has. Then you tell me if this is the person you want running the country and deciding about our future. I don’t care if you are gay, straight or whatever else, you better watch this video and see the real John McCain. He is out for the rich and straight and not for all the people.

Hallmark says yes to gay marriages and makes cards for such occasions. The largest card company is now recognizing gay marriages even though most states don’t. The cards are going to be available for those who want to send their best wishes to the same sex couple on their nuptials.

Once same sex marriages became legal in California, Hallmark knew there was a need for same sex wedding cards. Since Massachusetts and Canada recognize and perform the marriages, there is a need for same sex wedding cards. The cards can also be used for same sex civil unions.

The greeting card competitor American Greeting said that they have no intention of joining Hallmark in making same sex wedding cards. Nevertheless, Hallmark started making coming out cards sometime last year. How unique. You can send a card to someone to let them know who you are and what you prefer.

Now, there are stores and vendors that handle the cards, but so far, only a few have had any problems. You knew that was coming as soon as news got out that Hallmark was making the cards and who the vendors were. Hallmark does not buckle under to societies ridiculous mind games as well.

California is not going to be a quiet state until after the November vote about Proposition 8. It seems that there are groups and other organizations that are going to start protesting against the Proposition. They want you to vote yes when you mark your ballot in November.

What these people do not understand is that as soon as you vote yes to the vote, you are saying that no one has the right to equal rights. This means the very people that are voting yes as well. If you can campaign for a vote of yes and get it accepted, what are they going to do next? Maybe they will decide they do not like the swingers or the staving artists and propose a bill to forbid any swinging or any artist to do what they love if they cannot make a good living.

Proposition 8 should not even be on the ballot. Gay couples are getting married every day and no one is going to change that. You need to think about the bill and how it might affect everyone in the future. Don’t just think about voting against gat marriages, think about how you are going to feel if someone would tell you that you cannot practice your religion.

If you there was a vote to ban you from practicing your religion because others do not feel it is the way of the bible. Don’t snicker and don’t think it is crazy because it could happen. If you allow one thing to happen and the so called people that want you to vote yes get their way, what is to stop them from going after something else. Maybe you or your family.

Everyone needs to vote NO.