"Our Story": Seniors Say No Amendment 2 in Florida

NO on 2...from the NO on 8 STATE...

Thanks waymon.. Those are good. I know your Florida amendment would take away DP rights too, and they are So SO important because SRS are not ALLOWED to MARRY.,..either they could lose their Soc Sec, Medicare and other Tax Benefits. (and alimony)....

Second one very good....because of Song...Sorry I had to look it up.

ONE by U2...presumably with permission...

Here is video,just for fun: youtube.com/watch?v=JFWPeVfWB9o

ALSO TODAY though on 365 NEWS: These two stories: One about..guess who the ADF trying to take away benefits from same-sex couples.

(Albany, New York) A midlevel New York State appeals court is considering a challenge to the policy granting benefits to the same-sex married partners of state workers.
The Alliance Defense Fund, a conservative Christian legal practice, argued that then-Gov. Eliot Spitzer acted illegally when he directed the Department of Civil Service in 2007 to extended health benefits to those spouses. 

The ADF, which fights LGBT issues across the country, is representing four upstate taxpayers. 

 

THE other Study Results asking MARRIED Same-Sex couples in Massachusetts..why they did it...

(Boston, Massachusetts) A newly released study of same-sex couples who have married in the 13-months since gay weddings became legal in Massachusetts is providing insight into the reasons for tying the knot.

The most common motivations for marrying are obtaining legal protections and making a public statement of commitment. The biggest obstacles to marriage are lack of family approval and difficulties planning and paying for the wedding. 

and there again.  THE LEGAL RIGHTS are one of the most important reasons.

Good luck in FLORIDA

It's the Hammer of JUSTICE,
It's the Bell of FREEDOM,
It's the Song about LOVE between,
my Brothers and my Sisters
...All over this Land.

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by: Orion45 @ Thu Oct 16, 2008 at 18:25:57 PM CDT

Thank you Wayne and Helene

we owe you!

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by: bkmn @ Thu Oct 16, 2008 at 20:28:57 PM CDT

new commenter here, but...

last week, I commented on a Proposition 8 article in my hometown newspaper in California and apparently brought some needed sense to the typical fundi-arguments being presented.  After my comment, the- anti-gay "Yes on 8" comments just ceased.  I believe we can each do this in newspapers and blogs,  be it Calif's Prop 8, Arizona's Prop 102, or Florida's Amendment 2.
Here are some points I made, but I bet you all can add others to this list:
=Based on the "will of the people" argument, there are probably some US states that would still allow slavery today if they could.  
=You simply don't let a majority vote on the rights of minorities.  
=This whole proposition is ridiculous, and was merely put on the ballot to scare more people to go and vote.  Once again, gay people are being used as political footballs.
=Don't take the bait people.  If you have been convinced to go out of your way to deny others the same rights/benefits/dignity/happiness you are allowed to enjoy, then it's time to have a good look at yourself.  If you don't like gay marraige, don't marry a gay person.  Yes, it is that simple.
=Step back people and look at what this is really about.      
=I find it creepy that so many people think they need to have a say in the love lives of others, and worse, people they don't even know.
=Don't hide your bigotry behind your children and your religion.
*******Please share your "catch phrases/hit-home quotes"  to use to combat the micro-arguments that are dominating the discussions (indoctrinating children, slippery slope, my bible says, etc.).  What do you write to deal with the threads you find?   I don't believe we get anywhere questioning religion (e.g. your imaginary super-being in the sky...)**************
'Just hoping there is a yet untapped angle here.  I grew up in California, my conservative fundi-folks live in Arizona, and I'm a registered voter in Florida.  How about that combo?!

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by: castaway @ Thu Oct 16, 2008 at 21:01:03 PM CDT

Oops...

...maybe not exactly the right place for this comment.  

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by: castaway @ Thu Oct 16, 2008 at 21:17:34 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I willing to wager that the fundies...

...are quick to point out that the senior citizen couples that choose to live as partnerships instead of going ahead and get married are "living in sin" or other garbage. Real heartless, considering that their Social Security and other benefits will be greatly reduced if they were married.

These religious holier-than-thou a-holes really need to get another hobby, beside trying to force their beliefs down other people's throat. Sheep-herding would be right up their alley (but PETA, SCPA, etc. would object)!

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by: Robyn @ Thu Oct 16, 2008 at 21:01:30 PM CDT

Typo: SPCA

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by: Robyn @ Thu Oct 16, 2008 at 21:03:21 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

From someone on the ground here in south central FL.

I've seen only three "Yes on 2" yard signs and a few bumper stickers in my travels around the county.  Only one of which was in someone's front yard (also had a bumper sticker on the front window that mobile home in a Senior Retirement trailer park).  The others were on the front lawn of a Baptist church and at the corner of two country roads.  

I'm in Highlands County - with the second highest per capita percentage of retired seniors in the U.S. - about as red as it gets!

That being said, I've seen no "No on 2" yard signs, and just a very few bumper stickers (the exception being at gatherings of the local GLBT organization).

This area is about as red as it gets, but I doubt the Rethugs are getting the traction they were hoping for from this issue.  It truly seems that people are embarassed to identify themselves as bigots to neighbors and friends!

Also, I saw the Florida International University was having a forum on Amendment 2, and the group chosen to speak out in favor of it was none other than Fred Phelps, Inc.  I really hope they do come.  It can only benefit our side - see link below:

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/ne...

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by: Phil @ Thu Oct 16, 2008 at 22:03:40 PM CDT

Last weekend

We live in South Florida and I've only seen 1 "yes on 2" yard sign locally. Depending on which neighborhood I'm driving in there many be a few or many "No on 2" yard signs.

This past Friday thru Wednesday my partner and I were in Lake and Marion counties (central Florida) for our Saturday commitment ceremony. In Leesburg and Ocala there were many "Yes on 2" signs, mostly big signs in front of churches. We did see 1 in Mt. Dora, in front of an insurance agency.

I wear a rainbow Obama button and a VoteNoOn2 button on the front of my purse strap and a SayNo2 button on the back so people see them whether I'm arriving or leaving. What was really cool was the number of people (both young and old) in central Florida that stopped me and said "I love your button." Most of the time it was the Obama button and they quietly said they were voting for Obama. I then started talking about Amendment 2 and how it would affect their own/family/friends/coworkers lives. Except for 1 person the responses I got were very negative toward the Amendment and these people have pledged to Vote No.

For a long time I have felt there are many closeted equality minded people in conservative/rural/republican areas of Florida. When polled they say they are for Amendment 2 but in the voting booths I believe there are many people who will "Do the Rights Thing" (I love the name of that ad ;-) ) and Vote No.

Got an email this morning regarding the above ads. The SayNo2.com campaign needs $70k to run these ads in 7 major markets before early voting starts Monday. My partner and I asked everyone attending our commitment ceremony to donate to SayNow.com in lieu of gifts. We have donated again today.

If any Blenders have a few $$$ please donate to SayNo2.com.  

You can lead a fool to knowledge, but you can't make him think.  

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by: Dianne @ Fri Oct 17, 2008 at 12:07:22 PM CDT

[ Parent ]