Historic gay marriage decisions expected by end of June; ATL rally planned
Last month, five gay couples lined up at the DeKalb County Probate Court to ask for marriage licenses. In a poignant protest, all were denied, as Georgia law bans gay marriage.
A handful of local LGBT and allied clergy were on hand as “peacekeepers” for the protest, part of the “We Do” project organized by the Campaign for Southern Equality.
As the couples and a crowd of about 50 supporters marched to the courthouse, they were led by Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, who wore her clerical collar. Before entering, they gathered in a prayer circle on the lawn.
The Campaign for Southern Equality, the group behind the recent “We Do” campaign marriage demonstration in Decatur, Ga., has released a video highlighting the current campaign as it prepares to travel to Washington, D.C.
Since Jan. 2, the group has traveled to Hattiesburg, Miss.; Mobile, Ala.; Decatur, Ga.; Morristown, Tenn.; Greenville, S.C.; and Wilson / Winston Salem, N.C.
The campaign winds up in Arlington, Va., where gay couples will also be denied marriage licenses Jan. 17. Then the group of activists will march approximately four miles to Washington, D.C., to participate in the legal marriage of a couple in front of the Jefferson Memorial.
The Campaign for Southern Equality brings its “We Do” protest for marriage equality to Decatur, Ga., on Monday, Jan. 7.
The organization made national news last year after several events in North and South Carolina where activists attempted to receive marriage licenses but were denied – and in some cases arrested.
Aaron Sarver, communications director for the Campaign for Southern Equality, told GA Voice today by phone that his organization expects a handful of couples, perhaps as many as five or six, to take part in the Decatur protest where they will apply for and be denied a marriage license.
Gay activists and allies plan Wednesday to protest Uganda's "Kill the Gays Bill" at the Georgia State Capitol from noon to 1 p.m.
Organized by J.R. Rich, the Facebook invite to the protest describes the Uganda bill as "genocide" and states, "It is 2012 and there is still genocide in the world and we can not let it happen! PLEASE join the fight and let your lawmakers know you want them to speak up and end this atrocity!"
Leaders in Uganda are pushing the bill to be passed soon as a "Christmas gift to the people of Uganda" as stated in the video below that was posted to YouTube on Nov. 12.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals today announced plans to protest Friday's Atlanta Pride Kickoff Party at the Georgia Aquarium over concerns the event is harmful to the animals inside the aquarium.
Dan Matthews, a PETA senior vice president, sent a letter to acting Atlanta Pride Executive Director Buck Cooke, again urging Cooke and the Atlanta Pride Committee to move the annual event to a venue that does not hold animals captive.
Matthews, who is gay, holds no punches in the latest letter to the APC, including accusing Atlanta Pride of misogyny, after Cooke and members of the APC have failed to directly respond to PETA's communications written by women.
I was bombarded with Facebook messages and emails. Everyone sent me the same couple of links. An organization in Chicago claimed Chick-fil-A had seen the light of reason and kindness, and intended to change their ways. “Yaaay,” said my friends and colleagues. “Just wait,” I replied.
Turns out the policy in question was merely a reminder to Chick-fil-A employees (and the country) that the company treats all of their customers equally. I have never doubted that Chick-fil-A is willing to take my gay money. My problem is that they then use my gay money to fight against my gay rights. This practice remains unchanged.
I understand people love their damn waffle fries, but I’m gonna need y’all to let this company go. You just can’t fix some folks, and interacting with them will only frustrate you and embolden them. I will give you an example.
It was a very small crowd that showed up at the Chick-fil-A on Piedmont Road near the Lindbergh MARTA station. Jimmy Moss, 39, and his partner Sebastian Steele, 38, took a photo of themselves with their smartphone at about 12:30 p.m. Friday. They said they wanted to show their family and friends that eating at Chick-fil-A is not just about free speech.
"I've seen lot of my family and friends on Facebook and they really didn't understand when they come to Chick-fil-A that they were supporting not just freedom of speech but actually giving money to a company that gives money that keeps me from having rights," Steele said.
"I felt strongly about it and wanted to get a picture of us. We've been together seven years,and had a civil union seven years ago. And for better or worse, for richer or poorer, we've done all of that and I think that's what marriage is all about and that's what we got," Steele added.
Yesterday might have been Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day, but local businesses and activists will host their own demonstrations tomorrow, in what's being called National Same-Sex Kiss Day.
At least four groups are planning local protests.
Carma Productions, the force behind the Gayborhood App and The Gay Community Yellow Pages, will be outside the Chick-fil-A in Decatur from noon to 2 p.m.
Carma will be handing out coupons to gay-owned and gay-friendly local businesses and will have other giveaways for participants.