US Gay Secession...

Hey friends,

Just wanted to invite you to join the group we've created on Facebook.

JANUARY 19, 2009

This group has been created in response to the disenfranchisement of GLBT Men and Women all over this country.

WE CAN NO LONGER WAIT FOR CHANGE.

WE CAN NO LONGER ALLOW THE HATRED AND DISCRIMINATION TO BE WRITTEN INTO STATE CONSTITUTIONS.

"BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE IN THE WORLD" - GANDHI

WE MUST BE THE CHANGE.

This is a call to action.

This boils down to taxation without representation. We pay taxes to state and federal governments who do not recognize us as equal citizens.

On Monday, January 19th, the last day of the current administration, which is also our country's most important Civil Rights Holiday, We move that the GLBT Community secede from the US for one day.

On Monday, January 19th, we will take to the streets, we will not make any purchases which would add to the tax revenue of the states and country which has chosen to name us second-class citizens. And we will be heard.

Change is coming, but we cannot sit back and watch. Change does not come from inaction. Change comes from mobilization, protest and passion.

Please join this group and become part of the US Gay Secession. Allies are welcome to show your support by taking part in this National protest.

This can happen with all your help. Let's make it happen. Let's enact the change we have been promised. Let's claim the change we deserve.

More details will follow. If you would like to take part, just join the group and let your friends know about it. If you have other aspirations in assisting us with this, then message us!

We have received offers of help from as close as Philadelphia and as far away as Australia. With your help, we can have simultaneous Nationwide, if not Worldwide protests. Come join us.

US Gay Secession 2009

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It would be nice to see the gay community put down their drinks and unite for something that had nothing to do with fetishes or having sex in public. I know it sounds cynical, but since the quilt project, it's rare we see as large a turnout for anything not related to alcohol, fetishes and/or public sex. I would love to participate and genuinely hope it is successful. But keep a couple of scantily-clad go-go boys and porn stars as backup, just in case.

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I joined. One of the thoughts that has been on my mind lately is "why DO we pay taxes?". I keep saying that as a tax-paying American I deserve equal rights...

So I think one day where we don't will be a good way to protest.

I also find it fairly self destructive that a state that is enduring major economic strife would cut off a major economic source. And, I hope that does not go unnoticed in this period betweem equal marriage rights.

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I think this is a good idea, but I too am not exactly sure it's best to do it on MLK Day. It could be seen as hijacking someone else's day of recognition/remembrance.

It's a terrible idea to do this on Martin Luther King Day. That holiday was long fought for and hard won. Doing this on Martin Luther King Day puts all black gays and lesbians into an awful and awkward situation.

Jamie--did you reach out to any African-American lesbians or gay men before choosing that date? Did you consult with anyone who said it was a good idea?

It would be a shame, wouldn't it, if your group exacerbated the divide between blacks and gays rather than served as a force for healing the divide.

I would start by reaching out and speaking to prominent black lesbian and gay activists, like Keith Boykin and Pam Spaulding.

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Updated On: 11/7/08 at 01:38 PM

I posed the question on the group, PJ. It's a good idea, but a bad choice of day.

The date will HAVE to be changed. It was clearly ill-considered and obviously too hastily decided.

It's just a question of whether they will change the date before or after they piss off a lot of black gay activists.

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I agree with PJ. The date is wrong. It should happen sooner and not on a holiday and Bush's last day in office. Too much already going on and no one will care.

Also, I didn't file taxes last year in protest to the war, Bush, and the fact that they were just going to send it back to be in the form of a stimulus check. I sent them a letter explaining that. I haven’t heard a word back.

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Wait. You didn't PAY taxes or you didn't file them?

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File or pay.


Screw them.


And their thank you check.

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I was just speaking with a woman at work (who is black) and asked her opinion (with the caveat that I did not expect her to speak for each and every black person). She said that she understood that some people will probably take offense, but that she personally thought nothing wrong with it, that Martin Luther King believed in equality for all, etc.

So that's ONE person. :) I dunno, though. I guess - if the date isn't changed - it's up to each of us to decide what we think is right.

She also responded to one of my mass mailings today about the prop 8 mess with this -

I am a Christian who, I feel, is not called to judge anyone! I am called to love, to serve, and to share my knowledge of God’s word and encouragement. I have no heaven or hell to put anyone. There should be equal rights for all.

While I certainly do my fair share of ribbing "the Christians," it was so heartening to read such a warm and loving statement from someone who - on the surface - I could have easily assumed would have felt quite the opposite. It doesn't make me want to rush out and go to a church, but I wish more people of faith could follow her example, and it serves as a reminder that I just be more thankful for those that do. (Jerby will LOVE hearing that)

Updated On: 11/7/08 at 03:39 PM

And PJ's right, why not Valentines or something?

Maybe we could all book weddings and vacations in California and cancel them at the last minute.

Again, I think any of you who are on Facebook should go there and suggest these alternate dates to them.