US Gay Secession...

[JamieMcG]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 11:03am

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

[PalJoey]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 12:09pm

Is this the same protest as the one they're calling "A Day Without Gays" on Facebook?

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 12:10pm

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.

[JamieMcG]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 12:38pm

The Day Without Gays is in May and is more about people taking the day off work to protest. Similar ideas, The Secession is happening on MLK Day, which is also Bush's last day in the White House.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 12:44pm

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.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 1:00pm

I've always thought that about taxes.

I'm supporting this, but as I said on the Facebook group, I'm not 100% sure it's the best idea in the world to do it on Martin Luther King Day.

[Mother's Younger Brother]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 1:05pm

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.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 1:09pm

That's what I thought. Also, there are always going to be people who are not going to want to link gay civil rights with African-American civil rights. This is what I mentioned on the facebook group. They said they had taken that into consideration, but they felt that the civil rights issues were parallel. I'm supporting either way, but I'm still just a little queasy about the date.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 1:38pm

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.

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

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 1:41pm

pay no attention to what these people say. did the african-american communtiy support y'all in cali? i don't think so. so why should you support them? rub their noses in this!

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 1:46pm

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

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 1:49pm

Well, I certainly have no intention of supporting any divide between gays and people of color.

We have to remember that there are black people and latino people and Christian people and Jewish people who not only stand with us, but some of them ARE us.

So, I do hope that the intentions for this day are to honor MLK while exercising some peaceful political activism. I believe that is the intention of the creators of this.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 1:53pm

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.

[Biff AKA Levi]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 1:53pm

Besides the slavery issue, what's the difference between two minorities fighting for justice? I don't see one.

There should be a Harvey Milk Day, but there isn't one. Yet.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 1:53pm

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.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 1:55pm

I was told they DID consider what day it was. You are all welcome to make your thoughts known on Facebook, too. Perhaps if I'm not the only one doing it someone will listen.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 1:57pm

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

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 1:58pm

Given that it's about not buying, maybe it should be the day after Thanksgiving?

Though there's no way we're gonna get people to not go out that night.

Longer is better to build the group. But sooner is better so people won't forget about it.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 1:58pm

File or pay.


Screw them.


And their thank you check.

[Calvin]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 2:13pm

The day after Thanksgiving actually is not the biggest shopping day of the year, contrary to popular opinion. It's probably the busiest day as far as shoppers going to stores, but the biggest buying weekend is generally that weekend before Christmas.

So Dec. 20 would be an ideal day if you were looking at it from that angle.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 3:39pm

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

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 3:45pm

"pay no attention to what these people say. did the african-american communtiy support y'all in cali? i don't think so. so why should you support them? rub their noses in this! "

Such a freaking racist statement. What about the Republicans that paid AND PASSED THIS!

Whether or not black people supported this in CA made NO DIFFERENCE. It is statistically impossible for their vote to have swayed that margin either way.

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 3:52pm

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.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 4:04pm

Did you hear that, folks?

MeJustHavingFun said the words "PJ'S RIGHT"

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 4:08pm

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