Category Archives: Gay Rights & Equality

Donate a blog post day: Matthew Shepard Foundation

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No regular post today. Instead, I’m donating my blog post to a non-profit organization — one that I think is worthy of attention from anyone interested in making the world a better place. So here’s my pick for “donate a blog post day.” Please take a look.

This week here in the US, we are celebrating Thanksgiving. I thought it was the perfect time to create a new section of my blog titled “Donate a blog post day.” I’ll be posting these occasionally throughout the year. So here’s my first selection…

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The Matthew Shepard Foundation
Seeks to “Replace Hate with Understanding, Compassion & Acceptance” through its varied educational, outreach and advocacy programs and by continuing to tell Matthew’s story.

Even after all this time, I still can’t watch or read about Matthew and not cry. If you’ve never seen the video from the foundation’s site, take a look below. And also, please take a moment to think about what you can do in memory of Matthew. I know not all of us have a lot of money to spare, but you can help in small ways. How about sending out a tweet with a link to the foundation’s site so that others never forget the tragedy of what can happen to people like Matthew? Or adding a link on your website or blog to help spread the foundation’s message? Find out how to get a banner ad for your site here.

(embedded video below)

Matthew Shepard Foundation Organizational Video from Matthew Shepard Foundation on Vimeo.

Thanks for taking a minute to read about this important organization. It’s people like you who care who will help make a difference.

Have a great day!
Sloan Parker
www.sloanparker.com

Quote I love: The fight is in each one of us

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Once a week, I post a quote that I’ve read/heard recently. So here’s this week’s Quote I love …

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about marriage. My anniversary was last week. My partner and I celebrate from our first date in high school. We both dated other people after that (when you’re bisexual, it sometimes takes time to figure things out in your own head), but we were in love, even then. One of the things Rosie would love in life is to be married to me. Too bad the US government and far too many citizens of the great state of Ohio don’t want that outcome.

I also wrote a short story for I DO TWO, a charity anthology in support of marriage equality. (Side note: if it isn’t selected for the book, I may post it as free fiction on my site in January). So, it’s been on my mind lately.

I’ve never been a huge supporter of marriage licenses. I don’t think couples need a legal document to be committed and spend a life together. But I have to say, it irks me to no end that I can’t give the love of my life one of the things she desires most, that I’m not legally allowed to marry the person I share a home with, a dining room table with, a bed with, a life with. We’ve lived together for 18 years.

Here’s one of the statements I read after Maine voters repealed a state law that would have allowed same-sex couples to wed. It reminded me there are many straight people who care, who have made the cause their cause too.

“I sat in my hotel room and watched the sun rise from my eighth-story window and cried. I wished I had done more.

But a new day was dawning. A different day and a new fight for marriage equality. It will soon be time again for us as Mainers and as a nation to come together. Gay or straight, the fight is in each one of us, and we must take it. We must.”

Dana Hernandez
A straight white married mother of two young children
Reporting Election Night outcomes for Advocate.com

Thank you to Dana and everyone who cares enough to realize this isn’t about your marriage or taking something from you, it’s about giving a basic right to others. A basic right that grants so many other rights to the couple the minute they are married. Rights my partner and I can’t duplicate, no matter how much money we give to our attorney to draft legal documents. Marriage in the US offers over 1,000 Federal rights and benefits. And this does not include the hundreds more offered by every state.

Thanks for stopping by today,
Sloan Parker
twitter.com/SloanParker

Video I love: A hero named Philip

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Once a week, I post a video I’ve seen recently that I’m loving. So here’s this week’s Video I love …

A man named Philip once fought for the country he loves. Now, he fights for equal rights for one of his four sons. It’s a beautiful speech. If you haven’t seen it yet, please take a moment to watch.

<<embedded video below>>

“The woman at my polling place asked me do I believe in equality for gay and lesbian people. I was pretty surprised to be asked a question like that. It made no sense to me. Finally I asked her, ‘What do you think I fought for in Omaha Beach?'”

Philip Spooner, an 86 year old WWII veteran

Now, that’s a hero.

Comment or send me an email. I’d love to hear from you.

Cheers,
Sloan Parker

Quote I love: Grey’s Anatomy, when a priest shows up

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I was watching Grey’s Anatomy over the weekend (yeah, I DVR all the TV I watch and I’m usually a week, or two, or three behind) and this line seemed to hit it big at my house. Rosie and I loved it.

“You can’t pray away the gay!”

Callie on Grey’s when her dad brings a priest to counsel her about being a lesbian.

I have been fortunate to have a loving, supportive family. My mom’s not out marching in any PFLAG parades, but she loves me and has told me she wants me to be happy. And most importantly to me, she loves Rosie. My heart goes out to all the real life people like Callie who not only have to live with the knowledge that their parents think there is something wrong with them, but also have to live with these types of attacks aimed at changing who they are — suggesting they’re not good enough.

That’s also a huge theme in my book More. Luke’s father wants his son to be a different man, and he’ll do anything to force Luke to behave the way he wants him to. But Luke doesn’t let his father’s hatred destroy him. He doesn’t deny who he is (not for his dad or anyone), but he does grow and become someone who can fall in love again. It’s a beautiful thing. I’m quite proud of his journey.

Anyone else watch Grey’s? Anyone have a personal story to share? Comment or send me an email.

Thanks for stopping by,
Sloan Parker

Video I love: Campaign for same-sex marriage in Ireland

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Once a week, I post a video I’ve seen recently that I’m loving. So here’s this week’s Video I love …

I love this ad. It’s one of the better marriage rights ads around. I just hope it makes a difference.

I’d to like to send my best wishes to all the gay and lesbian couples in Ireland as they fight for marriage equality. View more on the MarriagEquality’s campaign for same-sex marriage in Ireland at http://www.marriagequality.ie/

What do you think? Isn’t it lovely? Comment or send me an email.

Sloan Parker