A Day in Hand

[Daniel]

Ok everyone. There is an new online group out there called A Day in Hand, and their effort - as far as I can tell- is in keeping with the mission of Soulforce, that is, non-violent change.

What can you do to belong to this group?

Hold hands!

Now. I know why you don't hold hands in certain places etc etc. Fear and trembling notwithstanding, being the change we seek means taking action. And this one is simple. So very very simple.

http://www.adayinhand.com/

Here are two guys from Britain who are doing their part.

http://www.communitynewswire.press.n...jsp?id=5748096

BRIAN PADDICK FRONTS LGBT HAND HOLDING CAMPAIGN

By Bethan Hill, Community Newswire
SOCIAL Handholding, 04 May 2009 - 09:53

A campaign is under way to promote equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people by encouraging same-sex couples to hold hands in public.

The A Day in Hand campaign, organised by a new group, also called A Day in Hand, wants people to upload pictures of same-sex hand-holding to their website, to help spread the word and raise awareness.

It has received backing from a number of public figures, including human rights activists Peter Tatchell and Cleve Jones, who was also aide to Harvey Milk, while I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here star Brian Paddick appears in a photo shoot for the campaign.

The photos are being used to create a same-sex love map of the world. London is currently the same-sex hand-holding hotspot of the world, with more couples in the city uploading their photos than anywhere else.

The group is now keen for people across the UK to get involved and send in their photos.

David Watkins, the group's founder, said: "Hand holding is a simple, liberating gesture that is essential to our communities' health, visibility, and respect."

The group is keen to stress that the campaign is a silent one. Same sex hand holding or "sshh" is something which anyone can contribute to at any time without a fight.

Organisers are encouraging straight people to get involved in the project too. David Watkins said: "We want straight people to hold hands with someone of the same gender in public, and describe how it made them feel.

"This is an inclusive event and involving straight people will support a wider understanding of this issue. You don't have to be gay to object to homophobia and inequality. Hand-holding crosses gender, age, orientation and geographical borders.

"We want to show that LGBT people are relevant to everyone, and that we live and breathe in all communities."

The campaign will officially launch on May 17 at XXL Club, London Bridge, on the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO). Hand-holding photos will be on sale and also displayed in a gallery.

[Alecto]

0_0 There's an International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia?!

[Zerbie]

Originally Posted by Alecto

0_0 There's an International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia?!

Yep. We're having something here in Phoenix - a party in a city park, I think. Not sure - not part of the planning group, but will attend if possible.

RE the OP - I'm in. Who wants to hold hands with me?

[Alecto]

lol that's kind of the only problem I have with this. Like...I plan to be all about the hand-holding, but I've got a terminal case of Single for the time being.

[NathanATX]

Originally Posted by Alecto

lol that's kind of the only problem I have with this. Like...I plan to be all about the hand-holding, but I've got a terminal case of Single for the time being.

lol...

I have the song stuck in my head... "I wanna hold your hand..."

[Zerbie]

Originally Posted by Alecto

lol that's kind of the only problem I have with this. Like...I plan to be all about the hand-holding, but I've got a terminal case of Single for the time being.

Awww!

Sounds like a great excuse to meet someone, to me.

And I've got a bad case of hopelessly, meltingly in love, and we'd love to make a show of holding hands, but with the boy/girl thing goin' on, the point of the hand-holding would be lost.

[Jennifer5]

I'll hold hands, with any of you! I love this idea. Showing your feelings, whatever they may be, for another person is the best way to make a point.

[Jennifer5]

Originally Posted by Zerbie

Awww!

Sounds like a great excuse to meet someone, to me.

And I've got a bad case of hopelessly, meltingly in love, and we'd love to make a show of holding hands, but with the boy/girl thing goin' on, the point of the hand-holding would be lost.

It's still makes people think about loving relationships in general.

[Jennifer5]

Originally Posted by NathanATX

lol...

I have the song stuck in my head... "I wanna hold your hand..."

[Daniel]

That I saw Paul (the Beatle) at the dairy section in Whole Foods at Columbus Circle a couple of weeks ago? Boy. Did heads turn. Ok. I was a good New Yorker, pretending like I didn't see him. The man was entitled to his cheese!

Back to hand holding!

When Jonathan and I were first together we held hands everywhere. It was radical to do that in our part of town- strange to say- that is - on the Upper West Side. Back then (about 15 years ago), gay people were only holding hands in safe places, or what was considered a safe place, like the West Village- the gay ghetto.

Now? You see gay people of every description holding hands pretty much everywhere south of 109th Street. North of that? That's an open question.

My sense is that the circle of love- of hand holding- is widening. The ability - and right- to hold hands is universal. And I believe that the more we are Ok with doing it, the more the world as we know it will change. To be more succinct: minds will change.

I have this image in my head of gay couples sitting in pews on a Sunday morning, holding hands. Conservative or liberal congregation. Doesn't matter. No one has to say or do anything. Just sit there holding hands.

Radical. And simple.

It's what love does, right?

Connect.

[Jennifer5]

Originally Posted by Daniel

That I saw Paul (the Beatle) at the dairy section in Whole Foods at Columbus Circle a couple of weeks ago? Boy. Did heads turn. Ok. I was a good New Yorker, pretending like I didn't see him. The man was entitled to his cheese!

Very neat , it was very nice of you to leave him alone.

Back to hand holding!

When Jonathan and I were first together we held hands everywhere. It was radical to do that in our part of town- strange to say- that is - on the Upper West Side. Back then (about 15 years ago), gay people were only holding hands in safe places, or what was considered a safe place, like the West Village- the gay ghetto.

Now? You see gay people of every description holding hands pretty much everywhere south of 109th Street. North of that? That's an open question.

My sense is that the circle of love- of hand holding- is widening. The ability - and right- to hold hands is universal. And I believe that the more we are Ok with doing it, the more the world as we know it will change. To be more succinct: minds will change.

I have this image in my head of gay couples sitting in pews on a Sunday morning, holding hands. Conservative or liberal congregation. Doesn't matter. No one has to say or do anything. Just sit there holding hands.

Radical. And simple.

It's what love does, right?

Connect.

I can see where 15 years ago that was probably a very brave thing. Now, it is easier to do so without having any issues. I like to believe that part of the reason for this is the different generations. The young generation of people who were holding hands 15-20 years ago, are now middle aged and the people who do the most judging probably in the eyes of the youth. While the youth, are more comfortable with holding hands in general, just with friends or whatever.

Things like this change over the years. I think that hand holding will always make an important statement though, because it shows that you care greatly for the other person.

Find somebody to love then, hold their hand.

[A Day In Hand]

Hello Soulforce,
thanks for getting on board our campaign so positively. Whoever said that you need to be in a same-sex couple to be a part of the hand holding revolution is mistaken. Anybody can take the hand of someone of the same gender and publicly, silently, powerfully support equal rights. Hey, I'm single and I'm the founder of the whole adventure.

David
Founder
A Day In Hand
http://www.adayinhand.com

[Daniel]

Originally Posted by A Day In Hand

Hello Soulforce,
thanks for getting on board our campaign so positively. Whoever said that you need to be in a same-sex couple to be a part of the hand holding revolution is mistaken. Anybody can take the hand of someone of the same gender and publicly, silently, powerfully support equal rights. Hey, I'm single and I'm the founder of the whole adventure.

David
Founder
A Day In Hand
http://www.adayinhand.com

Dave!

Great to get your message! While I do not speak for Soulforce itself (this is a public forum), I can say that your organization's mission and campaign is an excellent one! And I and my partner are very glad to be part of it.

Gay or straight- we can all support this!

A hand across the pond to you,

Daniel

[tdogg]

This is a great idea! (thanks for starting this Dave). Funny, when my wife and I first starting going out (and actually probably a couple years after moving in together), she was pretty shy about PDAs of any kind. I'm pretty open and without thinking, we'd be at the grocery store and I'd take her hand, or hug her from behind or just call her honey or baby. Now she doesn't even think about it, it's a natural occurence! This is all part of living our lives out 'loud' and being ourselves. It takes some work at first.

Zerbie, I'm visualizing you and Bill holding hands and it's a sweet picture. Love anywhere helps to bring about love everywhere. So please, don't hesitate to hold hands!!

Daniel, your story about seeing Paul McCartney reminded me of my experience with Wanda Sykes in February. I love her, and she was speaking at CA rally I was working. Doing crowd control in the speaker holding and escort area, I came face to face with Wanda. Now, what I really wanted to do was melt like everyone else, scream "I LOVE you Wanda!" and then beg for a photo and autograph. But, I reined the wild in, became my 'professional and controlled' self and calmly said "Hi Wanda, how are you?" to which she replied, "I'm great, how are you". I said very well and went on with my job, all the while stealing glances and finding myself holding my breath now and then!

[A Day In Hand]

Hey tdogg, perhaps you would consider taking a pic of you holding the hand of a man and sending to our website (same for you wife, but with a woman).
Also, fancy taking our Elvis challenge "Walk A Mile In My Shoes"

http://www.adayinhand.com/news/adayinhandchallenge

David
A Day In Hand
http://www.adayinhand.com

[tdogg]

Originally Posted by A Day In Hand

Hey tdogg, perhaps you would consider taking a pic of you holding the hand of a man and sending to our website (same for you wife, but with a woman).

No big Dakota, but not sure you realize I'm a girl. Tdogg is a pretty butch nickname huh? I got it from my 'horsey' friends, and even though we get to dress up in fancy show outfits here and there, it's mainly a butch activity! Oh well...I wouldn't mind holding the hand of any of my male friends!

[Emproph]

Originally Posted by Jennifer5

The Beatles - I Want To Hold Your Hand

And plenty more here if that one ever goes belly up.


And for dessert:
Across The Universe "I Wanna Hold Your Hand"