Freedom Without Equality?
Freedom Without Equality?
By: Whitney Wedell, Bakersfield LGBTQ / Bakotopia.com contributo
Description: Bakersfield gay community rallies downtown for marriage equality and AB 43
Topics: lgbtq, marriage, AB 43, Bakersfield, Bakotopia, lesbian, gay, Bi, Transgender, Questioning, blog, Equality, 2007
Posted by Bakontributor Wed Oct 3, 2007 12:12:02 PDT
Viewed 355 times
0 responses 1 comment Location: 1415 Truxtun Avenue., Bakersfield, CA 93301
Bakersfield gay community rallies downtown for marriage equality and AB 43
By Whitney Weddell, Bakersfield LGBTQ / Bakotopia.com Contributor
Bakersfield LGBTQ (Lesbian Gay Bi-Sexual Transgender and Questioning) joined with hundreds of activists statewide on Sept. 18, 2007 to rally for marriage equality.
Sponsored by Marriage Equality USA and Equality California, rallies were staged in cities all over the state with the theme, “Don't Do a Veto Sequel: Be A Hero,” directly challenging Governor Schwarzenegger's planned veto of AB 43, the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act.
This bill would allow gay and lesbian couples to legally marry in California, and has already passed the state Assembly and Senate.
The bill was due to hit the Governor's desk on the 19th, so these rallies were designed to encourage him to really think about his stated belief in equal rights, and to do the right thing and sign the bill. When a similar bill was offered two years ago, he did veto that legislation.
In Bakersfield, more than 30 people turned out for the event, held from 5 to 7 p.m., appropriately near the Liberty Bell downtown.
Holding signs with slogans like, “Don't Veto My Family,” and “You Can't Veto Love,” local activists waved rainbow flags, and waved at passersby, reveling in a tremendous amount of local public support in the form of horn honks and waves.
People traveled from as far away as Wofford Heights and Porterville to show their support, and they ranged from high school students to senior citizens.
Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) brought out their banner to show that there are many straight people in Bakersfield who care about the issue of gay equality even though they are not gay themselves.
The Governor made a special point of issuing Gay Pride proclamations this year, appearing in programs for Pride events throughout the state, claiming to be completely supportive of equal rights.
Next to his smiling portrait, he said, “I reaffirm my commitment to join you in building a California where everybody matters and every family counts,” and yet as soon as AB 43 cleared the Assembly, he was already stating he would veto it, indicating that his previous words were nothing but “True Lies.”
It's time for him to become a leader, a “True Action Hero,” and stop playing it safe when it comes to making right choices.
Otherwise, gays and lesbians across the street may decide they're getting a “Raw Deal,” and look to other, stronger leaders in the opposing party in the future.
Editor's note: At press time, the proposed AB 43 bill was still awaiting action by Gov. Schwarzenegger
What are your thoughts on gay marriage in California?
LEAVE A COMMENT!
On the web:
-www.marriageequality.org
-www.eqca.org
Contact: bakersfieldpride@aol.com
661 - 361 - 1547
*Originally printed in Bakotopia Magazine, Issue 12, 10 - 5 - 07
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Thu Oct 4, 2007 10:20:11 PDT
Why is it everyone else's business who you want to be with? What if it were a law ugly people couldn't marry....the world would be full of (ugly) single people everywhere. Let everyone have equal rights!
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