These were Rustin's last published words, less than a year from his death in 1987. For the unschooled, until recently, Bayard Rustin has been one the greatest unsung heroes of the African-American Civil Rights movement. He is the connecting link between three of the greatest social justice/human rights prophets of the 20th century who never made contact with one another in person, Mohandas (Mahatma) Karamchand Gandhi, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and South African President Nelson Mandela, as he collaborated with all three. In fact, Rustin learned the philosophy of non-violence directly from Gandhi. After Gandhi's civil disobedience movement in India, in which Rustin participated in the latter stages of, he went on a NAACP speaking tour in the US. The tour would make a stop at Antioch college in Ohio, where he inspired the socially conscious, Coretta Scott, who would later become the wife of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It was Coretta Scott-King who introduced Rustin to her husband with great esteem, and he thereby transferred the Satyagraha philosophy to the young middle-class preacher from Atlanta, newly chosen as one of the primary leaders of the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott. It was during their long hours in debate and conversation, that Rustin would help reshape the trajectory of the African-American civil rights movement in its infancy. King's prominence thereafter is largely attributed to the promotional work of Bayard Rustin. It was agreed that King performed better as an orator, descending from three generations of Baptist ministers, but the profound ideas and principles of non-violence as a tactic was taught to him by Rustin which coupled with the pacifist principles of Jesus. In fact, Rustin had been arrested from a segregated bus years before Rosa Parks. Rustin would go on to become the chief organizer of the 1963 March on Washington.
When you look at it, Rustin has a point in regards to LGBT people being the most vulnerable class. There are laws currently in place to protect animals from mistreatment. Even heterosexual illegal aliens may gain access to 1,380 rights, benefits, privileges, and validations and hundreds at the state level which are connected to marriage over their LGBT counterparts even those who are naturalized citizens of the US and the state of Georgia. This is because for those responsible for marriage equality not being in the state of Georgia already, the very concept of homosexuality is unreal, invalid, perverse and sick, morally and mentally. Therefore doing the work to respect and protect that which those of us who are LGBT know as our truth, is laughable and ridiculous. "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." -M.K. Gandhi. In Georgia, we are right between them laughing at us and taking our cause serious enough to fight with us.
Over the past 40 years, with just the previous 2-4 years in particular, a sea-change of public opinion is happening in all corners of this country, even in the Deep South. This can only be attributed to the changed tone to the conversation about LGBT equality. It has now become almost solely focused on marriage equality to the chagrin of some veteran activists for LGBT equality. What they fail to understand is that only LOVE could make the connections which are being made now. I'm not just talking about Agape love for LGBT people as relatives, friends, neighbors and co-workers. Many anti-marriage equality Christians claim to have at least that much, believing that we ought not to be subject to abuse, harassment and/or discrimination in public venues like the workplace. Though, ask them if our relationships are equal on par with theirs, and therein lies the debate of today. Like racists who opposed the terrorist activity of the KKK, but also opposed non-whites moving into their neighborhoods, or marrying into their families or competing on par with them for the same jobs, the transition to a belief in equality is not yet complete. I am of the opinion that if one believes themselves to be equal, they should never settle for less than this complete transition into a beloved community resting on the foundations of equality and respect. If you don't believe yourself to be equal, then you don't really believe in the principle of equality to begin with and are thus unfit to lead any movement for the cause. We need to stop having this conversation on the terms of those who oppose us, and not on our terms instead, but on the terms of what's TRUTH. Through the shared human experience of romantic love, many who would not have otherwise, are awakening to the awareness and acknowledgement of our full experience as LGBT people, and I have seen that moment of epiphany shake even some of the most stubborn stalwarts to tears. Marriage Equality is the symbolic representation of all of this. When international families have to fear the attention of ICE, for only the simple fact of the same genders of the parents, we have not yet arrived. When the non-affirming relatives of a dying woman have more authority over the decisions regarding her life than her romantic partner of more than 20 years, the errors of our society are still yet glaring. When couples have to travel over 500 miles away to nearest jurisdiction which will document and respect their love, their relationships and their families only to come back home to Georgia to nuptials which are null and void, we have some ways yet to go. When a mayor who makes himself an advocate for equality, contradicts his stance by jumping ahead of you in line to exercise his constitutional rights to marriage simply because heterosexuality is held as superior and preferable, even our closest allies are failing to get it. Congratulations, Mr. Mayor, though I'm sorry, there is a line. A reported line of over 21,000. Take your place. It's not so much about us, it is about the principle of equality you say you believe so wholeheartedly in. It sucks right now, doesn't it? I'm sure you would understand your hungry white friends grabbing a bite to eat at that lunch counter which would not serve you alongside them. Perhaps they are more hungry than you. Grab your meal to go 555 miles away. This is why marriage equality has become the barometer of social change and I am glad that it has. It is through winning this, that we will advance greatly in all the other areas that we are failing the principle of equality by advancing our understanding of what it means, for a society is only strong as it's weakest link.
Below, you will see opportunities for you to get involved with advancing equality. Sharing this weekly newsletter is a start. For the remainder of this year, there are 3 battlefields we need to be active on. The court of public opinion, the court of law and set-up the legislature as favorable to our cause as we can. While we are waiting until July to begin taking independent legal actions against the state, giving Lambda Legal and the ACLU the chance to take the lead on this battlefield, there is word that Lambda Legal is promising an announcement "very soon" is regards to this. No other details are yet given. We will wait and see. You can learn more about this HERE.
Grassroots Activity:
Tuesday, April 15th 7PM: Alternative Perspectives- Tune into 89.3FM Atlanta or livestream online at http://wrfg.org/howlisten.asp Betty Couvertier's Marriage Equality segment featuring Branden Mattox and special guests this month, Lorraine Fontana of Moral Mondays, Sonnie and Jazzie Jones-Smith and Atlanta Couple Larry and Nolan. Invite over 5 friends to listen and/or call-in to the show at 404-523-8989. Then discuss afterwards featuring potluck desert (Strawberry Shortcake) and game night, cards, monopoly, charades whatever. Have those 5 friends invite 5 more, and alternate hosting for this show which will occur every 3rd Tuesday of every month @ 7PM. If we wish to publicly host and invite for a listening party, please post your venue atwww.facebook.com/LoveUnderFire or e-mail dir.loveunderfire@aol.com
Thursday, April 24th 7PM: Love Under Fire Spring '14 Planning Session #1, open to the public. Get involved with the coming grassroots activity of The Love Under Fire Campaign. We are needing those interested in leading, organizing and participating in future activities during the remainder of this year. The exact location is being determined, though will occur in either Atlanta or Decatur and will be announced next week. We need your talents, your passion and your energy. We will be developing further infrastructure in our campaign, detailing actions and phonebanking for the our next session in May. Bring a telephone contact list. If you have an interest in being a part of this, please contact our Secretary, Barry Stern at 678-760-0746 and/or email him atSec.LoveUnderFire@aol.com
Saturday, April 26th 6PM-7:30PM: Be a part of the Fourth Annual Beloved Community Dialogue: An Intergenerational Conversation about Marriage Equalilty at The Friends School of Atlanta, the only Quaker school in Georgia. To be moderated by Fulton County Commissioner Joan Garner, the panel discussing marriage equality will include: Robin Shahar, Mayor of Atlanta’s Adviser on LGBT issues; Dr. Susan Barrett, psychologist/advocate for LGBT families; Branden Mattox, Director of the Love Under Fire Campaign to repeal the Georgia ban on same-sex marriage; and Conrad Honicker, gay activist/student. The conversation will examine issues related to marriage equality ranging from legal,to the implications for families, to activism efforts, to rapidly changing attitudes about marriage equality, especially among younger people. If you have interests in getting involved in this movement as an activist, here is your opportunity to thoroughly educate yourself. If you really wish to get the most impact out of this event, bring along a "fence-sitter" or even an "objectionist" if you can. If you doubt your own abilities to challenge the nay-sayers in your life, the panel is stocked with over 100 years worth of civil rights and social justice activism experience combined, which is well equipped to address any reservations your guests may have. In fact, we prefer not to preach to the choir to make for a lively discussion. You don't have to be a Thurgood Marshall yourself to argue for equality before the court of public opinions. You may use discussion events such as these. Get more details and register here: http://bit.ly/1dxUsae
Thursday, May 1st: "Sonny" & Joyce "Jazzie" Jones-Smith are launching a statewide initiative to take a stand on Marriage Equality in the State of Georgia to encourage the 21,000+ same sex couples living in Georgia to go to their local county courthouse and apply for a marriage license on May 1st, 2014. Learn more about this here: http://www.prlog.org/12304834-sonny-jazzie-of-louddmouthradiocom-launches-mayday-georgia-marriage-equality-initiative.html ;
ONLINE: From Marriage Matters Georgia- Sign the petition to protest the Georgia Department of Revenue's policy that requires these couples to file their returns as “single” rather than “married.”
https://equalityfederation.salsalabs.com/o/35006//p/dia/action3/common/public/index.sjs?action_KEY=1430
Civic Engagements:
JASON CARTER
With marriage equality coming to the state capitol at the next legislative session, by all means we need to do whatever it takes to get possession of the high ground, which means for us, the Governor's Office. If we want to win equality, we have no other choice other than Jason Carter, and he is not a bad choice, the grandson of former Georgia governor and US President, Jimmy Carter. With him as governor, the fight under the Gold Dome, will not be as steep. The requisite of signatures in both houses is only 51% to reach the Governor's desk, and we can count on Carter's signature. This is opposed to the 75% which will be needed to overturn a veto we can expect from Governor Deal. This is why Carter's election is crucial. "Take the high ground, facing the sunny side." Sun Tzu in The Art of War. Please get involved with his campaign and help him to victory however you are able at http://carterforgovernor.com/
MICHELLE NUNN
Our US Senator, Saxby Chambliss is retiring, which means one less conservative vote in the US Senate. We need to keep it that way with Obama's "Respect For Marriage Act" moving through congress. Surely, conservatives in this state will be vying to maintain that conservative vote and Michelle Nunn is our answer to defeating their efforts and bolstering the voice for equality, namely in the South. She now has a dedicated LGBT contingent which meets bi-weekly for phonebanking, telefundraising and canvassing. The next game night for her LGBT contingent is this Wednesday, April 23rd, starting at 5:30PM-9PM at 1206 Spring St NW, Atlanta GA 30309. You may also contact Andy Ratto for further details @ andy@georgiavictory2014.com work: 404-445-6700 ext 133 or cell: 678-561-7248. You will be paid in pizza and snacks. Learn about more opportunities of getting involved at www.michellenunn.com ;
KYLE WILLIAMS
Ahead of Rep. Dr. Karla Drenner's and fellow progressive voices in the State House resolution to begin repeals of Georgia's Marriage Ban in 2015, Kyle Williams was the first to announce that he would "unequivocally and without hesitation" do so if elected to replace Jason Carter as Senator of Georgia's 42nd district. Regardless of what Drenner and what her caucus decides to do, we still need him and his intentions in the Senate. If elected, he would be the first and only "openly" gay male in the Georgia Senate, which means that when the conversation reaches that side of our government, we have someone who knows personally, not vicariously our struggles and can effectively advocate for them. How can you help him to victory? His headquarters, The High House at 1830 Sycamore St, Decatur, GA 30030 will be open from 2:30 through 7pm on Tuesday through Thursdays for:
- Phone invites to our Meet & Greet events
- Filling out neighbor-2-neighbor cards
- Helping with data entry (for someone who has a laptop you can bring)
- Helping with list cleanup in Kyle's contacts
- Organizing materials for Kyle and volunteers who are canvassing
Each Saturday - we'll have Walk With Kyle days where volunteers can come to High House at 10:30 and head out with Kyle to walk a neighborhood door-to-door. Learn about other ways you can help @ http://kylewilliams2014.com/
THE LONE WOLF:
You may always choose to work independently yet in tandem with this movement. Doing what you can do from where you are is what this all about. You don't have to wait for anyone's permission to get to work. You may start with forwarding this e-mail. His is a list of 10 other things you may do. http://loveunderfirega.blogspot.com/2013/01/what-can-i-do-in-name-of-love.html
If you have any related events you would like to add to our calendar, please e-mail dir.loveunderfire@aol.com details about it.
And now, I send you off with a weekly tune to pump up your spirits: "Our Love" by Natalie Cole: http://youtu.be/lDhgXCTEJWc
Excerpt:
'Cause our love will stand tall as the trees
Our love will spread wide as the seas
Our love will shine bright in the night like the stars above
And we'll always be together, our love
'Cause our love will stand tall as the trees
Our love will be for the whole world to see
Our love will change people's wrongs to right
And we will never die
'Cause we'll always have each other, our love
And now, I send you off with a weekly tune to pump up your spirits: "Our Love" by Natalie Cole: http://youtu.be/lDhgXCTEJWc
Excerpt:
'Cause our love will stand tall as the trees
Our love will spread wide as the seas
Our love will shine bright in the night like the stars above
And we'll always be together, our love
'Cause our love will stand tall as the trees
Our love will be for the whole world to see
Our love will change people's wrongs to right
And we will never die
'Cause we'll always have each other, our love
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