Talismen or Talismans?

I've been married legally to my husband for almost 14 months, but we've been together a little more than 19 and a half years.  Yeah, I know.  We don't look that old.  Gays don't age like straights, so sue us. You get everything else. 

Anyway, last month we were in Palm Springs for a weekend, where Carl picked up a used book of Irish short stories. He's from Ireland, he writes short stories, it was meant to be.  Tonight, in front of the tv and the gin and the tonic and the red wine - really, just one drink each - Carl mentions that the book is filled with papers.

One falls out. It's a ballot receipt from Palm Springs dates, April 4, 1990.  The first day we became a couple (I'll leave the rather sordid and amusing details to your imagination).  The second drops out. It's a handwritten tag which reads "God Bless the business of wine forever."

WTF?  Well, ok, then. Duely noted. 

Gay Rights Are Civil Rights

Getting Interviewed By The New York Times

Ah, so that happened. A few weeks ago, out of the blue, a NY Times reporter gave me a buzz at work. I was so flummoxed by it, I actually asked him to prove that he was a reporter for the Times. Somehow, I believed him.

Anyway, he was doing a story on Gay Marriages and Engagements and wanted to know more about our relationship. I gave him a brief rundown of our lives together, when we got engaged (on the day the California Supreme Court announced the legality of marriage, in front of cheering strangers) and our actual marriage ceremony. A good story. No. Really. He was intrigued and we arranged to be interviewed by him the following week.

We spoke to the man for about an hour one morning. We shared a lot, were engaging, were funny and had the guy just seemingly really interested. After the hour, he said he'd call back in the next week or so if he had any further questions and said that if the paper wanted to, they'd send a photographer. We were thrilled.

Then, no call. No photographer. And, this evening in the Times, the article and no Miles and Carl. We're on the cutting room floor on the NY Times.

And it really doesn't matter because we still have each other and it's Valentine's Day and we're going out in our little L.A. neighborhood for some so-so Mexican food and some really fantastic margaritas and that's just gonna be great.

Love and Respect

Big Pro Gay Marriage Rally Saturday

Hey, if you have a jonesing for equality and you want to shout it at City Hall, Saturday's your chance. There's a giant rally planned at L.A. City Hall, starting at 10:30a on Saturday.  Rallies are happening across the country at exactly this time and, hey, why not let your voice be heard.  Oh, and do us a favor, and take Metro there.  Show the world that we cherish equality and conservation. Take Metro.

Gay Marriage

10,000 protesters took to the streets of Silverlake in Los Angeles tonight to protest the bigotry of the Proposition 8.  Unfortunately, I couldn't be there as I have to work all weekend, but I support their efforts wholeheartedly.  In the long march to equality in modern times, rights have never been actually stripped from a constitution.  And, the silver lining of the this is, well, magical.

Here's a photo of us as documented by LAIst.com on the Wednesday following the election.

Rally For Marriage Equality Tonight

Tell your friends.  Here's the info.

Proposition 8 Protest Rally & Street Closures


Wednesday, November 5th

As deeply disappointed as we all are that California voters passed Proposition 8, we must not allow that disappointment to linger. This vote is a temporary defeat in the long march toward equal rights for all citizens in America.

Please join me for a protest rally tonight at 7 pm on San Vicente Blvd between West Hollywood Park and the Pacific Design Center (647 N. San Vicente Blvd. West Hollywood CA 90069) as we move forward towards restoring equality for all in California.

San Vicente Blvd, between Santa Monica Blvd and Melrose Avenue will be closed tonight starting at 6 pm. San Vicente south-bound traffic will be directed to make left or right at Santa Monica Blvd. Signs have already been posted to help divert traffic.

For more information about tonight's rally, please contact (323) 848-6460.

Gay Marriage

After 18 years of being together, the state has finally seen fit to give us "permission" to marry. We are thrilled and encourage all our friends and family to vote NO on Proposition 8 in November so other couples in California can enjoy the experience of equality.

Brad PItt and Gay Marriage

Yeah, he's hot and he rocks equality!

What of the gay celebs?  Why aren't they giving?

Come on, Ellen. It's not just about puppies, is it?

Del Martin

Rest in peace.

Gay Royal Marriage

Or what happens when somebody has too much time on his hands. Well done, Andrew.

Happy Gay Marriage Day Continued

At least in California. And the LA Times -- sadly declining under Tribune -- manages to get it right with an Editorial today. The question, the paper poses, comes down to this: "How can the state's blessing on these acts of love in any way diminish us?"

Happy Gay Marriage Today

Today, at 5:01pm Pacific Time, equal marital rights came to gays and lesbians in California. And the people rejoiced. Let freedom ring.

Gay Marriage

We're going to the chapel...gonna get married...Well, not really the chapel, but we are gonna get married. Yeah, that's right. See if you can find us in this...(hat tip, April in Salt Lake!)

Equal Rights Milestone

Gays can now marry in California. Equality marches onward.

And, you know what, families won't be hurt by this, they'll be helped.

(so, this is what it feels like to not have to sit in the back of the bus. gotta tell you, it feels pretty fucking right and good.)

The city celebrates today and tonight.

(above image from Defamer)

Marriage Equality

Unlike the San Diego Mayor, once again the Governator vetoed Marriage Equality in California. Now, is the time. Massachusetts and Canada and Spain and a host of other countries and territories have opened up Marriage to all consenting adults and the result has not been catastrophe. It's time California joined them.
Speak out, contribute, spread the word.

Republican San Diego Mayor Stands Up for Gay Marriage

During the same week that cowardly senators could not raise their voices loud enough to really begin to end the shameful, unnecessary, illegal and deadly war, across the country, a republican mayor did something remarkable.

He changed his mind, stood up, and spoke out emotionally and elogquently about Gay Marriage. More than 50 years ago, we as a country decided that separate but equal is inherrently unequal. The same holds true today. This Mayor did good.

Now if only our senators could be brave and speak the truth that they know -- whether it be about Gay Marriage or the War or you name it. You people are elected to lead. God damn it, lead.

When a leader does as this Mayor has done, he has the power to change history.