Closets are for Clothes

Interview Reflection

My partner and I decided to contact a local organization regarding the issues of same-sex marriage. We decided upon GayFresno here in the central valley. We started out by contacting Jaymi Morgan who helps to run the organization. We let her know who we are, what we are advocating for, and what our goal was throughout this project. She was more than happy to help. She immediately offered to send us informational pamphlets, stickers, buttons, temporary tattoos, and a lot of very neat stuff. She then thanked us for our courage in advocating for such a controversial subject: “I also would like to thank you for your courage and advocacy in presenting your project on this topic. Its been the topic of much controversy since prop 8 in 2008. We fully support you in your efforts. The more we educate people about the LGBT+ community the more positive change we see.” We thanked her thoroughly for her time and efforts. A few days letter she personally appeared to deliver the package for us. We are extremely thankful for all that she has done to help us push our project forward, GayFresno is definitely a a group that deserves everyone’s support.

-Stasia S.

Let’s Get Public!

Dear California Voter,

                Iniative #1529 states that same-sex marriage will be valid in the state of California. It also states that persons should not be restricted based on race, color, national origin, sexuality, gender, or religion.  This bill gives everyone the freedom to marry any other person they’d like, regardless of gender and isn’t that what we as Americans praise? We praise freedom. As a country, we are known for our very few restrictions on freedoms and rights. There are three economic reasons as to why we should legalize same sex marriage. For one, to obtain a marriage license, it costs about 56- 60 dollars. The average wedding costs $19,000. Imagine two hundred-fifty thousand more marriages at the average wedding rate would result in wedding costs of $4.75 billion! All of this money flows back into the government’s poll of money and at the moment we are in no position to deny it. Secondly, increased state tax income as a result of joint filing for same-sex couples would total $2.1 million statewide. This meaning that when people file for their taxes while married, it costs more than if they would file single. More and more money just keeps pouring in. Lastly, a goal we have as a state is to keep control of a stable society. The cornerstone for a stable society is stable family units. This is where our society starts. If same sex marriage is legalized then more families will be happy and feel accepted. These families will then be able to provide a stable home for themselves and this will incorporate into our stable society. Economic benefits seem to just follow same sex marriage around.

Sincerely,

Tierra H. and Stasia S.

Think. Feel. Advocate.

This event and quote is an example of advocacy; or “public support or recommendation of a particular cause or policy.”  After Zinn was wronged by the president, his supporters step in and advocate to make a change and get Zinn teaching at Spelman again.

 “But by this time, I was acutely conscious of the gap between law and justice. I knew that the letter of the law was not as important as who held the power in any real life situation” (Zinn 43).

There is a huge difference between justice and the law. The law is something that people must follow. Justice is what one should be brought to after they break the law. To me, through this quote, Zinn is trying to say that when it comes to real life situations, the law often becomes irrelevant because the creator of the situation now holds all power. Further through the paragraph Zinn explains “‘The rule of law’, in such cases usually means that whoever can afford to pay lawyers and who can afford to wait is the winner. And “justice” does not much matter.”  In this quote, Zinn is talking about the “fight” between the college and himself. Upon leaving his home, Zinn ran and checked the mail. In this pile of letters, Zinn received a letter from Spelman College that informed him after the current semester, he could no longer work there. This was a violation of Zinn’s tenure rights. (Tenure Rights: Give (someone) a permanent post, esp. as a teacher or professor.) Zinn then had to make the decision whether he would fight this and spend countless money and time, or if he would just let it be. Soon after, many of Zinn’s friends and/or colleagues decided to step in and help.  Many students wrote in to the college and told stories of what a great teacher Zinn was. These students admired Zinn and his teachings and hated to see him go. Zinn explained in the novel, “It was all those students and so many others that made the Spelman years- even with being fired- such a loving, wonderful time. Watching them change in those few years, seeing their spirit of defiance to established authority , off and on the campus, suggested the extraordinary possibilities in all human beings, of any race, in any time.

-Stasia S. 

Top Advocate: Dr. Howard Zinn

This quote ties in with the topic of advocacy because this is expresses the change from unaware students to informed students. This is all that advocacy is, it’s when someone becomes aware of a subject and feels the need to vouch for or support it. These students were learning how to advocate and how good it feels to stand up for what you believe in.

“Watching them change in those few years, seeing their spirit of defiance to established authority, off and on the campus, suggested the extraordinary possibilities in all human beings, of any race, in any time” (Zinn 45).

 In this quote 2, Zinn is reflecting on his student’s actions and their take on what’s going on in their city. Zinn sees his students fighting against authority. He sees them deciding to stand up for what they believe is right even though the opposing side is intimidating. They’re not only doing this on campus but off the facility too. They’ve brought it upon themselves to make it a part of their lives, and not just an idea to ponder upon in Mr. Zinn’s class. He saw new people compared to the ones who had entered his class at the beginning. In the beginning his students weren’t willing to alter their lives but Zinn soon was a part of these massive changes to the students. He saw these changes as unbelievable and remarkable for a human being at this time to accomplish in general.  He didn’t just mean black people but others too because others were finally listening, more and more people of non-color were falling into the side of justice. He finds the fact that people will actually stand up against the highest authority as something that isn’t common. I feel as though he admires this quality regardless of the person who is actually doing it. Zinn supports the potential of one human being. He has very high expectations for people because he sees what they are capable of when they are in and out of their comfort zone. This is an inspiration to him which is ironic because he is the one inspiring these kids to speak. He is his own example of the potential of a person speaking a few words. His words move people, they are so heavy and deep that people actually comprehend and take action off of what he is saying. That’s all he wanted and that’s what he received.

 -Tierra H

Gay Marriage: Cost v. Benefits

  Along with legalizing Gay Marriage, there comes different costs. Costs that can either come to our society or to our government. This is why we need to decide if the benefits of same-sex marriage out-weigh the costs of it. 

  First off, I’d like to say that there can not be a price put on marriage. There is no monetary value that marriage should have. Marriage between two who love each other should not be restricted because it would “cost our government too much.” 

Many believe that allowing same-sex marriage will cost the state money, but in all actuality,not legalizing gay marriage would cause the state to LOSE money. Increased state tax income as a result of joint filing for same-sex couples would total $2.1 million statewide. In America, there is a total of 594,391 gay couples. Meaning that if these couples were to get married, it would bring billions into our government.Some studies have actually shown that states who have not passed a constitutional ban on gay marriage saw divorce rates go down an average of 8%. 

The current initiative working to legalize gay marriage is Initiative #1529. Initiative 1529 is working to reinstate the right of same-sex couples to marry. 

So I’ve come to a conclusion, and I think you can agree. Cost of gay marriage < Benefits of gay marriage.

-Stasia S.

Time for a Federal Change!

Current Federal  Definition of Marriage

In determining the meaning of any Act of Congress Supreme Court, or of any ruling, regulation, or interpretation of the various administrative bureaus and agencies of the United States, the word “marriage” means only a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife, and the word “spouse” refers only to a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or a wife. Between two humans of any gender or sexual orientation, and the word “spouse” refers only to a person of any sex, who is husband and wife, husband and husband and/or wife and wife. Same sex marriage couples should also obtain the same rights and luxuries as any heterosexual couple would such as, shared property, insurance rights, adoption/surrogacy/sperm implantations/egg implantations rights in order to have a child and any other rights that a heterosexual married couple would have. These persons should also be at least 18 years of age for both parties. 

 … with a few changes.

Quotes by Mr. President Barack Obama

 “When it comes to federal rights — the over 1,100 rights that right now are not being given to same-sex couples. I think that’s unacceptable, and as president…I’m going to fight hard to make sure those rights are available.”

Obama simply sees that the rights that heterosexuals are given aren’t available for couple of the same sex. He thinks this is “unacceptable” and unfair. He wants to do what he can to make these rights available and I believe that as a President, that is his job.

“I personally believe that marriage is between a man and a woman. But I also agree with most Americans, including Vice President Cheney and over 2,000 religious leaders of all different beliefs, that decisions about marriage should be left to the states as they always have been.”

Obama sees the issue to alter and change the definition of marriage should be left for the states to decide and I believe his purpose is wholehearted because he doesn’t neccesarily believe that marriage should be open to any gender. However, this is an issue that needs to be changed federally so the entire United States can be guaranteed these rights.

“Q: Define marriage. A: I believe that marriage is the union between a man and a woman… Q: Would you support a constitutional amendment with that definition? A: No I would not. Because historically we have defined marriage in our constitution, it’s been a matter of state law.” 

Again, Obama says that he sees marriage as between a man and a woman. He states that he wouldn’t sign an amendment that stated that however because he believes it’s a state issue. If we were to leave it in the states hands than I don’t believe justice would really be given to every couple. There will always be states that will deny this right to everyone.

 This is a federal issue Mr. President. Unless every single state votes “yes” for same sex marriage than I hope to see this on the November ballot so we can guarantee it to EVERYONE.

-Tierra H

Same Sex Marriage as an Economic Solution?

As everyone is well aware the economy is in much of a crisis. We have job opportunities plummeting, house foreclosures continuing, etc.

One issue we’ve heard come up is same sex marriage but quite frankly I have yet to hear or read any economic tie between same sex marriage and our economy.

Marriage has its’ economic prospers definitely. For anyone who has ever been married it does cost money to receive a marriage license.

Weddings cost a fortune too. According to Bride’s Magazine, the average wedding costs $19,000. Two hundred-fifty thousand more marriages at the average wedding rate would result in wedding costs of $4.75 billion!

That money flows back into our system of tax payers. Their taxes when married are greater than their combined tax liability as single filers.

This only shows as beneficial to me?

James Alm, M.V. Lee Badgett, and Leslie Whittington estimate that legalizing gay marriage would lead to an annual increase in federal government income taxes of between $0.3 billion and $1.3 billion and due to our huge debt in California, we could use it.

Sadly, no one has considered the economic prosper of divorces. 50% of American’s marriages end in divorce. It takes much more money to get a divorce than to get hitched. Economic benefit?

Assuming that gay couples divorce at the same rate as heterosexual ones, I am surprised the legal battle is not fully endorsed by Divorce Lawyer Associations everywhere?

-Tierra H

The Rainbow Delegation

“Everyone deserves to be loved and accepted. Rainbow wristbands say ‘I am safe and supportive’. It is a visible statement that the LGBTQ youth are not alone.”

-Matt Mazzei (Founder of the Rainbow Delegation) 

The Rainbow Delegation is a non-profit education who’s goal is to spread awareness through a tiny rainbow wristband. Founded by Matt Mazzei in Fresno, California, The Rainbow Delegation started as a small group in 2010 and has now become a ginormous organization that has shipped over 75,000 wristbands to over 66 countries. The Rainbow Delegation advocates to spread awareness. Awareness that there is an LGBTQ community filled with youth who desperately need someone to reach out to them. By wearing these wristbands it doesn’t mean that you’re gay. It means that you are a supporter of the LGBTQ community and you are willing to listen if someone needs to talk. The Rainbow Delegation does not work with any other advocacy groups, nor do they collect memberships. It is a simple act of wearing a rainbow colored bracelet in a visual support of the LGBTQ community. There is no major “problem” the Rainbow Delegation is trying to solve, their goal is simply to reach out to those who desperately need someone to talk to. 

-Stasia S. 

Same Sex Marriage Timeline

On May 17th, 1970 a case of Baker vs. Nelson opened a door for the legality of same sex marriage. As 1984 rolls around California decides in recognizing same sex relationship with naming them, “domestic partnerships”. However, in 1993 Hawaii recognizes same sex marriages can’t be denied unless there is a legitamite reason to do so but they soon ban same sex marriage regardless. Shortly after in 1998, Alaska voted upon the initiative that marriage was between a man and a woman. It seemed as though the world was bending towards the fact that same sex marriage was not allowed. On March 30th, 2000 US rabbis approved gay partnerships and many after began to wed them. In June of 2003, Ontario, Canada decided to legalize same sex marriage as British Columbia did soon after. However in 2003 California’s own president George Bush said he wanted marriage to stay between a man and a woman. In 2004, San Francisco begins wedding same sex couples and San Francisco fights back and forth between California about the ban. They see it as discrimitary. As years pass this constant struggle continues until the US President Barack Obama declares Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional and directs Department of Justice to stop defending the law in court in 2011. Now, the initiative will be on the June ballot this year for people to vote on.

-Tierra H and Stasia S