Politely And Passively Jumping The Broom

[Liberal Crozier]

DID YOU KNOW?

Brompton, Ontario, Canada was the final and safest end to the Underground Railroad. Most people thought the safehouses ended in the so-called US "Free States". However, slaveowners were businessmen, and unbridled and immoral capitalism of the day suggested that bounty hunters and bribery were ways to restore their property. After all, the SBC broke from the ABC, clearly stating that Paul had converted a slave and returned him to his master, now a Christian but a slave. Dredd Scott informed the infamous SCOTUS decision, and made the Loving v Virginia decision take more than a century to be decided. Is the Roberts Court a rightwing successor to Roger Taney?

Canada was truly the safest choice, since slavery was outlawed and no international extradition between the USA and the new Canadian Dominion permitted the return of human slaves to the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.

We have had many discussions about the varied laws that provide everything from RDP benefits, to civil unions --to one state - MA -with marriage recognised only on the state level * for MA residents only * if same-sex couples * until at least 2008*. At that time, MA same-sex couples already married can keep their status ( until an FMA ), but all future RDP's, CU's or SSM will be perpetually illegal.

A MA referendum seems to be inevitable - since GLAD has been unable to stop all the tools in the LBGT arsenal - the 1913 law stays - the names collected frought with fraud not declared invalid - and the ConCon procedes in a little more than one week.

National and international political voices say that the Constitutional Convention will pass the amendment and call for a referendum vote in November of 2008. These voices also say that no amount of money or political capital in an open presidential campaign year will be spared, and that the vote would be successful for theocons.


In the pre-Stonewall days, the Mattachine Society and the Daughters of Bilitis dressed up in their best suits and dresses ( on the appropriate gender ) and politely and gracefully requested that the bigoted and hateful opponents provide justice to an oppressed minority. The Gen X and Y have observed their parents - Boomers- go from Yippies to Yuppies to worse. We, the Boomers, made passive aggression an art form, and a virtue of sorts. Nothing is worth fighting for when you are working to accumulate and play and party.....and now retire with ease and comfort.

Forget all the other fora for same-sex marriage rights in the USA, for if you lose it in MA, everything will be over but the famous lady singing her swan song, IMHO. Did you see countless same-sex couples throughout the nation come to MA to marry while playing on Cape Cod? Did you see hundreds if not thousands of same-sex couples saying, " My red or blue state "commitment" ceremony has no legal significance, and never could, but my MA marriage could be more than a commitment ceremony, but a real protest against blatant injustice under law."

The same goes for Canadian marriages. It is a travesty of international law that only opposite-sex marriages are recognised as valid in the USA if enacted under the Canadian Marriage Act that recognises no difference in licence or certificate or rights or privileges under law.

Of the four nations providing full marriage rights, ONLY CANADA allows YOU, and YOU, and YOU, regardless of your citizenship, to marry in our nation. Other European, Latin American and Asian couples married in Canada are using their marriages as springboards for judicial and legislative changes. These activists are beaten, arrested, and hold their sacred Canadian marriages in their bloodied hands while seeking their family and friends to stand up for them and their rights under law.

We share a 2000 mile border, and only the statistical average married in our country. At the same time, countless US citizens jumped the broom or had RDP or CU ceremonies rather than sometimes travel an hour or so across the international border. It is difficult, despite the mobility of the vacationing gay or lesbian, but border-state couples have only to get in their vehicle and travel north a few hours.

YOU are probably not aware how FRIGHTENED the USA theocons were when the laws for same-sex marriage of foreign nationals would not be different than for the straights. The Liberal Prime Minister told the Theocon President to not meddle in Canadian politics. Of course, a few months later, we had trade restrictions on certain commodities traded across our borders. Fascists are hateful zealots. It also heralded the hijacking of true progressive conservatism and the formation of one-theocon conservative party that has a minority government in place. We leftists are now fractured and divided, and even the Liberal Party of Canada has not elected a new leader. During this dangerous time, the theocons know that neither the Liberals or the NDP are ready to call the vote of confidence against the minority Extreme Right Wing minority government without risking a worse fate. The BQ support our LGBT agenda, but are unwilling to support a Liberal return to government.

We Canadians do not know what cataclysmic event will finally unlock the spirit of Stonewall and all forms of civil disobedience. Probably reading the cultural tea leaves, when there is absolutely nothing left to lose....and maybe a day or two longer than that

Soulforce and their Freedom Ride is more real civil disobedience and activism that this nation has observed in decades !!!!

[Liberal Crozier]

+LC and I have just returned from the oncologist, and another X-ray and CBC workup, and he has mild pneumonia. He is so brave and so anxious to finish his treatment. His concern, as usual, is for his family above himself. I love him so, it is such a privilege to share three decades with him.

[Liberal Crozier]

Dear Soulforce Family:

+LC makes me go to the Soulforce Website for any feedback. I know, I know, rest should be his priority, and he is NOT getting up. Our son and I are playing in the study, and every time he rings, it is for feedback.

So far, I told him that individuals read and appreciate his imput, but do not necessarily feel a need to respond.

[tdogg]

LC (thru loving spouse),

I'll take a ride on this one briefly...

So, I'm not understanding the post entirely, but, do you mean that there is a possibility that same sex marriage in Canada could be in jeopardy?

We have registered domestic partnership rights here in California. It's a big improvement, but I'm always torn between being happy for what we have and being incensed for what we don't have - equality.

My partner and I have been talking recently about what to do for my 50th birthday - coming up sooner than I wish in less than 3 years! One option I thought of is to rent an RV (if not make a purchase), travel up the coast thru CA, Oregon, Washington and on to Canada, and then get married before returning to the states. I realize that it will be meaningless by California and US law, but it would be extremely meaningful to us. The fight goes on, we must be willing to engage, however, non-violent, activate ourselves and fight the good battle. I think, in the end, we will be victorious and therefore, all will be victorious, but I believe the battle will be a long one.

Hope you are feeling better soon LC, prayers are continued upward for you and your family!

[tdogg]

Oh, I forgot to ask, is same sex marriage in all of Canada or only in selected territories? Thx!

[Liberal Crozier]

The Canadian Marriage Act was passed by Parliament and given Royal Assent and is law throughout the nation.

A minority government is when a political party has a simple majority in the House of Commons, but not enough to pass any legislation without the help of other political parties. Minority governments usually do not last more than a few months to a few years.

The two-decade old Charter of Rights and Freedoms provided the Supreme Court of Canada with the legal impetus to provide equal rights. Several months ago, Stephen Harper, the new theocon conservative party leader, won a minority government and is prime minister. The other three political parties support same-sex marriage, and Harper knows that he will not seek an exception to the Charter, called the Notwithstanding Clause ( originally added by the then Reform Alliance party, who hijacked the Tory mantle).

So, the Tories do NOT have the votes to overturn - but of course, he plays to his base, and promised an open vote on the matter in the fall. It could, if push comes to shove, and the left is in better shape, topple his government.