“Class never runs scared. It is sure-footed and confident, and it can handle whatever comes along. Class has a sense of humor. It knows that a good laugh is the best lubricant for oiling the machinery of human relations. Class never makes excuses. It takes its lumps and learns from mistakes...Class is comfortable in its own skin. It never puts on airs. Class never tries to build itself up by tearing others down. If you have class, you've got it made.”
Abigail Van Buren [Pauline Phillips] (born 1918);
Columnist
This past week, I had a chance to have a great discussion on the air with my good friend and media partner, Miko Evans, Founder, CEO and Executive Producer of the Atlanta based Meak Productions, Inc. Towards the end of our hour long discussion about the recent two years of local developments with the activism for marriage equality in Georgia, he asked me something which I'm sure quite a few people have been curious about. "How did you come up with the name, 'Love Under Fire'?" Some have loved the name, finding it powerful, inspiring and intriguing. Others have felt it too dramatic, too aggressive, militant and angry sounding for a social justice movement campaign centered on the themes of Love and Family. What in the world is causing people to think, aggression and militancy from a name like "Love Under Fire"? Perhaps simply the word, "FIRE". For many, the word "FIRE" is cause for alarm. I guess because "FIRE" is destructive, or can be. It is also the most powerful catalyst (change agent) in many chemical reactions in Science. It literally changes the physical properties of matter. It can turn water from ice into liquid and then into vapor, when placed under fire, because of its abilities to accelerate its molecules. It turns wood and other carbon compounds to ash, and refines, strengthens and polishes gold. As you see, Fire not only changes things, it burns away everything that is untrue and insubstantial , and glorifies that which is eternal and resolute. When placed under fire, If this happens to water and gold, what can it do with 'LOVE'?
You see, the "FIRE" in the name, "Love Under Fire" does not represent our own aggression, militancy or anger at our present injustice. It is representative of the "FIRE" of discrimination, oppression, challenge and disrespect faced from without. If the Love is not true and solid, surely it will be destroyed and can never make its lovers free and equal. Those who do not understand the romance and powerful love connections between same-sex partners assumed this much, sticking a ban in the Georgia constitution, not anticipating that our love would soon enough come along to knock down its entire existence. If mustering what it will take to accomplish such a feat, how much stronger will that love between Georgia's same-sex couples be forged? I believe this is a story this current generation will tell to future generations about a time when they could not establish families and romantic covenants within the protections of the law, simply because of the genders of those involved and what their love did put an end to such an injustice. I hope to future generations, the reality we know now will be just as alien and strange as "FOR WHITES ONLY" signs are to a millennial kid like me, b. 1982, just a generation away from the peak of America's Racial Civil Rights Movement.
Actually, the name came about very organically from the first action I took as soon as I discovered Georgia's Marriage Ban in 2012. My home state of Maryland ruled for marriage equality. Wanting to stay in Georgia, I naturally thought, "Well how about here?" That lead me to reading the ban, and I felt sick to my stomach that I had chosen to live here just three years prior. With bold audacity I laugh about now, I wrote and 8 page letter to Governor Deal, saying this midway through, "Because of your state, Love itself has come under fire, and until your state lives up to its principles of WISDOM, JUSTICE and MODERATION, do not expect this matter to fade from your face for even a moment!". I then literally marched this letter in person directly into the Governor's Office, downtown Atlanta. You can tell I am from the world of live theatre. I was ready to pack up and leave, but I was not going to leave without having my say first. A good friend of mine read a copy of my 'epistle' and thought I should title it "Love Under Fire", believing that particular sentence was the most poignant and powerful part of the document. Was that sentence a bellicose threat, or was it prophecy? I didn't know. That's just how I was feeling at the moment. Well, we have seen since 2012, marriage equality has only heated up to a mainstay issue locally, becoming a problem for Atlanta's mayor and now the Georgia General Assembly. It is not going away without being resolved. As one event leads to another, it has not left the local headlines since.
What I like the most about the title "Love Under Fire" is how it plays on that age old adage of determination and resilience, "Grace Under Fire". It is how Christ is depicted in the last 12 hours leading up to his crucifixion. Never once did he break character and cower or become belligerent. He remained firm, poised, dignified and assertive in his truth. You simply can't beat that. It is the way of being, Gandhi advocated for. While he denounced violence, hatred and divisiveness, he also railed against using "non-violence" as a cloak for impotence and cowardice. Fear no one. You can not be a true Satyagrahi if you hate, fear people or will allow someone to bully you and push you around and you will not stand up for yourself. For, you can never stand up for others if you will not stand up for yourself. If someone wants to physically beat you on account of your truth, don't fight them back and don't run from the either, turn them the other cheek for them to strike also. His philosophy was neither fight or flight, but centering and grounding oneself in the stillness of truth and love. It is the strength of your truth and your love which will win the day, and ultimately the fight which had been brought to you. With that, he overthrew a superpower of British colonialism over India without ever drawing a sword or firing a shot. Rev. Dr. King, had been arrested 30 times, spit on, punched, mocked, hit with a thrown rock, stabbed, house bombed and ultimately shot to death, and yet his legacy is honored with 730 cities in 39 states with streets named after him, 116 US public schools and 1 hospital bearing his name, a federal holiday and a Washington monument. It is not the man who is being honored, it is the principles he stood for.
Today, for our current struggle, If we love who we are, love who we're with, get motivated by the love for our children and have a sense of forgiveness toward those who are set out to resist us, to disrespect and invalidate us, we are going to win this BAR NONE. With love, we don't need to make our determination about making others wrong or defeating them. Truth has already done that. We have only to demonstrate this truth. Our love is our truth, our equality is our truth, our beauty is our truth, and there is nothing that they can do to ever take that away from us. We're not out to conquer, humiliate or vilify flesh and blood, we're entirely focused and committed to dismantling and destroying a bad law which is not rooted in justice and is not uplifting, and thus was never a true law to begin with. With this cause, we always carry ourselves with a sense of calming peace or poise, dignity, and strong assertiveness our opponents will find irresistible. It is this standard of genuine authenticity and confidence or "swagger" which wins over supporters without going to the lengths of arguing of trying to "sell" them the idea of what we know to be true. Therefore, we have no use for talking points fed to lobbyists on how to change hearts and minds. All you need to know and keep in mind is what is written above.
"Love Under Fire" is not only campaign and a movement, it is a spirit, like a steady torch which illuminates truth, is a guiding light and hope to those who seek equality and justice. It burns lies, untruths and falsehoods, melts hatred, judgment and unkindness and is ultimately a catalyst for change. I have seen the poised and dignified aspect of it best demonstrated by my friends Juan and Gee Sessions-Smalls, an Atlanta couple who are founders of the Gentlemen's foundation and The Gentlemen's Ball for same gender loving men of color to discover their truth, their power and their beauty, despite what society has had to say about them. The love aspect of it I see demonstrated best in the palpable romance between another Atlanta couple Larry "Pylle" and Nolan Carter. The assertiveness aspect I see demonstrated in the calming determination exhibited by Chwanda and Kacey Frierson-Nixon, a Jonesboro couple who has taken their 7 kids on a voyage across the American map, collecting marriage licences wherever they can to stack a moral case against GA's marriage ban as to why it will not legitimize even one. The assertiveness of doing what you have do is also demonstrated by a Stockbridge couple, Jazzy and Sonny Smith who are leading a campaign urging Georgia's same couples to appear before their county courthouse requesting marriage licenses which will be denied as an act of civil disobedience. These actions have already stirred up conversations in some regions of Georgia which are not accustomed to being confronted with the cause of marriage equality. I'm thinking of the humor of my monthly radio shows with Betty Couvertier, which while profound and intense, comes across like a comedy hour as we joke and laugh at the nonsense in our community and with our opponents. If you want to know what "Love Under Fire" looks like or what I had in mind when I coined the title, look at these folks. They are the epitome of the beauty and strength of Love Under Fire and we are working together in camaraderie and humility as we support one another. We've got no time for ego or community politics as we are making Georgia's trek toward marriage equality what it should be; a Peoples Movement, owned and controlled by no one, but lead by many. Our Truths: We are Human. We are Equal. We are Beautiful, We are Georgia and We are Here!
Grassroots Activity:
#MAYDAYGAEQUALITY: "Sonny" & Joyce "Jazzie" Jones-Smith have launched a statewide grassroots initiative to take a stand on Marriage Equality in the State of Georgia, encouraging the 21,000+ same sex couples living in Georgia to go to their local county courthouse and apply for a marriage license:
During any weekday day in May except Memorial Day 5/26, go to your local courthouse and apply for a marriage license. Take a picture of your denial paperwork and use hashtag #maydaygaequality in your social media postings: Here are a few things to remember:
1. Make sure that you and your partner both have valid ID.
2. If either or both have been previously married you will need to bring a copy of the divorce decree with you to apply.
3. Know your rights! Although it is illegal to be issued a license YOU HAVE THE LEGAL RIGHT to apply.
4. It is FREE to apply. It is illegal for the clerk to ask for money (especially non-refundable money) to process your application. The $66 fee is FOR THE LICENSE once it is approved.
5. This is a peaceful demonstration. You may be treated unfairly but remain calm (POISE). Be polite (DIGNIFIED) during the process, regardless of how you are treated.
2. If either or both have been previously married you will need to bring a copy of the divorce decree with you to apply.
3. Know your rights! Although it is illegal to be issued a license YOU HAVE THE LEGAL RIGHT to apply.
4. It is FREE to apply. It is illegal for the clerk to ask for money (especially non-refundable money) to process your application. The $66 fee is FOR THE LICENSE once it is approved.
5. This is a peaceful demonstration. You may be treated unfairly but remain calm (POISE). Be polite (DIGNIFIED) during the process, regardless of how you are treated.
Why is this important?
Applying and being denied may seem silly to some, but you must understand that your information is being sent to the capitol to be stored in a database. The couples that apply this month are making history and sending a message ultimately to the Supreme Court! It also heightens the local urgency and strengthens the argument for a speedy and fair resolution in regards to the Class-Action lawsuit underway and the Legislative Repeal pending in 2015. We want Marriage Equality! So go out and apply!!! Tell us about your experience and spread the word.
Help this initiative get the word out about this event to the public-at-large and to further organize by donating to: http://www.prlog.org/12304834-sonny-jazzie-of-louddmouthradiocom-launches-mayday-georgia-marriage-equality-initiative.html ; $$ Remember those who said that we'll never raise enough money to pull it off, here's your opportunity to prove them wrong. Many of us who or working tirelessly and passionately for marriage equality are not being paid to do so. We do it because it is the right thing to do, and our conscience would not allow us to do otherwise at such a time as this. However, no war is ever won by a poorly outfitted and poorly equipped army. This couple is needing the funds necessary to get the word out about their movement, "OUR" movement with billboards, radio ads and other means which engage the public at large. Please help them with whatever you are able going to: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/louddmouthradio-com-mayday-georgia-marriage-equality-campaign $$$
Applying and being denied may seem silly to some, but you must understand that your information is being sent to the capitol to be stored in a database. The couples that apply this month are making history and sending a message ultimately to the Supreme Court! It also heightens the local urgency and strengthens the argument for a speedy and fair resolution in regards to the Class-Action lawsuit underway and the Legislative Repeal pending in 2015. We want Marriage Equality! So go out and apply!!! Tell us about your experience and spread the word.
Help this initiative get the word out about this event to the public-at-large and to further organize by donating to: http://www.prlog.org/12304834-sonny-jazzie-of-louddmouthradiocom-launches-mayday-georgia-marriage-equality-initiative.html ; $$ Remember those who said that we'll never raise enough money to pull it off, here's your opportunity to prove them wrong. Many of us who or working tirelessly and passionately for marriage equality are not being paid to do so. We do it because it is the right thing to do, and our conscience would not allow us to do otherwise at such a time as this. However, no war is ever won by a poorly outfitted and poorly equipped army. This couple is needing the funds necessary to get the word out about their movement, "OUR" movement with billboards, radio ads and other means which engage the public at large. Please help them with whatever you are able going to: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/louddmouthradio-com-mayday-georgia-marriage-equality-campaign $$$
Tuesday, May 13th, 7PM- OPERATION: YES, WE DO!- At First Christian Church of Decatur, 601 W. Ponce De Leon Ave, Decatur, GA 30030. 2nd Floor. Recruiting active participants in ongoing public demonstrations to dramatize the injustice of marriage discrimination in the state of Georgia to convict the public conscience that GA's Marriage Ban MUST END! We are asking you to take part in the planning and execution of a strategic series of marches, vigils, rallies and actions of civil disobedience primarily throughout the remainder of 2014. We are needing Gay and Lesbian couples seeking marriage, equality advocates and supportive straight allies. Please invite at least 10 to this movement. Please RSVP here: http://www.facebook.com/events/273288932845220/ and or call 404-492-4197 or 404-604-8124
Tuesday, May 19th 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, Amanda Newkirk Carver, Georgia Marriage Equality petitioner to the Governer. 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 you wish to publicly host and invite for a listening party, please post your venue at www.facebook.com/LoveUnderFire or e-mail dir.loveunderfire@aol.com
OPERATION: VOICES OF REASON- Now that the end of GA's Marriage Ban has begun, the next phase is to build popular support for marriage equality in Georgia by leading a campaign to encourage Georgia based celebrities and public persons of influence to deliver a Video PSA speaking from their hearts in support of marriage equality in GA to Southerners For The Freedom To Marry, HRC or independently for the use in television ads, billboards and social media sharing. If you know of any Georgia based celebrities or influential public personas you would like to pursue for this cause, please help us research their contact information and post in this group so that we may begin sending them collective requests. I will also be interviewing GA allies for blog feature articles to be distributed via social media. To participate, please join facebook group here: http://www.facebook.com/groups/162790130594479/
Join the IDOMARATHON Support Team: Kacey and Chwanda Fierson-Nixon are a Jonesboro couple who have been cris-crossing the nation with their 7 children collecting marriage licences to build a moral case against the state of Georgia which nullifies each and every one of them where this couple resides. They have just returned from their second tour and have plans of launching another in the near future with any couple who wishes to be a tag-along. Everyone is welcomed to join the cheer leading squad. They have plans soon on taking to the Western States and could really use all of the moral, spiritual, and financial support you are able to offer them. Like https://www.facebook.com/IDOMARATHON and learn about how to support them and get the word out.
Civic Engagements:
VOTE! TUESDAY, MAY 20th, 2014
Preliminary elections are to elect those who will be candidates in the November General Elections. Want to really like who to choose from in November? Then, I stress the importance of going out and supporting your candidate of choice on this day. Find your polling place and check your voting status here: http://www.mvp.sos.ga.gov Then maximize the power of your vote by bringing 2, 3, or 4 friends along for a group effort. Carpool and have them invite friends too!
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, May 14th, 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: "Lean On Me" by Aretha Franklin
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, May 14th, 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: "Lean On Me" by Aretha Franklin
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