Straight Up Thanks

This is me [left] and my beautiful sister [right]. She’s...

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 12:01:17 -0800

This is me [left] and my beautiful sister [right]. She’s always told me, “I don’t care who you love or don’t as long as you’re happy,” and she worked tirelessly to get out the vote in both Washington and Minnesota. Her celebration of allowing everyone the right to marry the people they love have been an inspiration to me and everyone she comes in contact with, and her positivity draws everyone around her in. If the world were made up of Rebeccas, it would be a more beautiful and loving place.—Emily

DAN SAVAGE: HOW LGBTS CAN THANK OUR HETERO ALLIES

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 20:13:10 -0800

Gay.net (1/3/13)

Gay writer and activist Dan Savage would love to throw a huge party to thank all the heterosexual activists, voters and politicians who helped change people’s minds and win LGBT equality at the ballot box during the 2012 elections.

The only problem is that there’s no way we could fit all those straight people into a single place.

That’s why he’s created Straight Up Thanks, a Tumblr where LGBT people can share their gratitude for all the heteros fighting for queer rights.

“If you’re a queer person whose straight friends worked hard to win marriage equality—worked phone banks, knocked on doors, spoke out, gave money,” the site says, “send us a photo and a couple of sentences about what your straight friends did. Click on SUBMIT, upload a photo, and thank your straight friends publicly!”

“If you’re a straight person who worked for marriage equality…” it continues, “THANK YOU!”

We’re not sure if his latest venture will have the same traction as his “It Gets Better” video campaign, but if a few gay celebs gave their thanks, it’d certainly help.

Also, while it’s nice to that more of us can get married now, can some of our straight friends also help us find suitable boyfriends? Just sayin’.

http://www.gay.net/news/2013/01/03/dan-savage-how-lgbts-can-thank-our-hetero-allies

Our straight ally is the Rev Canon Allisyn Thomas, Episcopal...

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 14:15:04 -0800

Our straight ally is the Rev Canon Allisyn Thomas, Episcopal priest and sub-dean of St Paul’s Cathedral, San Diego. She is a tireless advocate for marriage equality both civilly here in CA, and within The Episcopal Church. This picture shows us with her on the day she blessed our civil marriage in 2011. Thank you Allisyn, for being the most awesome friend and straight ally.—S.L.

My mom, Mary Lovell, is one of the planet’s best people....

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 12:27:04 -0800

My mom, Mary Lovell, is one of the planet’s best people. She has been my biggest supporter from the day I came out to her, 20 years ago. And she has made my husband of 17 years a bonifide member of my family from day one. This year, mom took to the streets in Maryland, handing out fliers and talking to people about marriage equality. She also got on the phones for the democrats. I can’t thank her enough for providing me with a loving and life-affirming upbringing. She has expanded her love to reach out to the larger family of LGBT people. She makes the world a better place. Thanks Mom!—Shaw

These two awesome ladies are the second best thing that came out...

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 12:25:58 -0800

These two awesome ladies are the second best thing that came out of the marriage campaign (marriages being the first, of course). Both Becky and Lauren have full-time lives and responsibilities, and yet they were with me at least twice per week talking to voters and changing the hearts and minds of one voter at a time. Their dedication was astounding, and their compassion was overwhelming. I am a better person having worked with them, and I feel honored to know that my marriage will be possible because of them.—Amanda

Video

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 09:11:10 -0800

My mom, Dort (short for “Dorothy,” she is 80 years...

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 12:11:23 -0800

My mom, Dort (short for “Dorothy,” she is 80 years old) and me. Though quite conservative, even politically, she is, more importantly, what can be called an independent thinker. She voted against the anti same-sex amendment to Minnesota’s constitution, knowing how important equality is to me and my deceased sister (who lived in Seattle with her lover for many years—miss you, Mary). My mom didn’t think the amendment was fair, among other things.—Mark

These are my friends Kim, Mike, and Kristi (left to right). I am...

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 12:10:26 -0800

These are my friends Kim, Mike, and Kristi (left to right). I am convinced that there are no better allies anywhere. They worked tirelessly to defeat the proposed anti-marriage amendment in Minnesota this election season, hosting a house party and knocking on many, many doors. I do not even live in Minnesota, but am so grateful for these three people. Mike and Kristi had a wedding in 2008, but made the decision to not legally get married in a show of solidarity with LGBT folks. I was blown away by the selflessness of their choice at the time and now I am proud to report that they have decided that, with the momentum that same-sex marriage seems to be collecting, they will be making their marriage legal soon. Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do. I love you so much. <3 —Ames

Winston-Salem, NC, just before the NC Amendment One vote.—Laurel

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 12:09:45 -0800

Winston-Salem, NC, just before the NC Amendment One vote.—Laurel

This is Melissa and her husband Cain. Melissa has been a very...

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 13:52:59 -0800

This is Melissa and her husband Cain. Melissa has been a very vocal supporter of marriage equality. From support for efforts to stop Amendment One here in my home state of NC, to changing hearts and minds in favor of the Vote No campaign where she lives in MN. Melissa and Cain value love and family above all. They believe every family is equal. Melissa has always followed the loving example of her parents, and her recently departed Dad would be so proud of her efforts in support of love and all familes. Thank you, Melissa and Cain, for fighting for your brother and his fiance, me and my partner, and all loving couples everywhere. I am honored to call you my friend.—Jeremy

Thank you to the congregation of Paint Branch Unitarian...

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 11:40:59 -0800

Thank you to the congregation of Paint Branch Unitarian Universalist Church, led by Rev. Diane Teichert, for all of their support of their GLBT members and for marriage equality in Maryland. A special shoutout for Nancy Boardman, Social Action Committee Chair, who organized PBUUC members in support of marriage equality for the last three years.—Jennifer

These are my friends Jehan and Seth. They gave a substantial...

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 11:40:31 -0800

These are my friends Jehan and Seth. They gave a substantial donation to Equality Maryland as a wedding favor to all the guests at their wedding. Jehan even had her toenails painted in rainbow colors as a sign of support! My wife and I (and all the other gay people present) had a great time dancing at their wedding, and four months later, their donation helped our state of Maryland achieve marriage equality!—Jenise

6-year-old Cornelia putting up signs in her neighborhood in...

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 11:40:08 -0800

6-year-old Cornelia putting up signs in her neighborhood in support of WA State marriage equality.—AF

Thanks to our wonderful housemates, Sam and Jack (on right), for...

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 22:37:51 -0800

Thanks to our wonderful housemates, Sam and Jack (on right), for voting NO in Minnesota! Extra shout out to Sam for phone banking like the champ he is.—Holly

Betsey Brock is the kind of person who just makes you want to...

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 22:37:19 -0800

Betsey Brock is the kind of person who just makes you want to have a good time. Lucky for us homos, she generously put her infectious enthusiasm to work for the cause of marriage equality in Washington state. Betsey spent many days out knocking on doors and doing phone shifts, starting conversations with people to try and get them to think about the importance of the equality for queer couples. My girlfriend and I had dinner with Betsey in Seattle a few days before the election, and she told us about her methods for talking to strangers over the phone. Hearing how she opened up the topic and engaged people that she didn’t know was really inspiring to me; she made me believe that reaching out to strangers this way can really have an effect. When I saw the breakdown of the votes in Washington State, I could see the influence that Betsey’s efforts had on the modest margin of votes which passed marriage equality. Betsey worked so much harder for our liberties than we even did— the fact that she chose to spend her weekends working for the benefit of others means so much. You rule Betsey! Thank you so much!!!—TB

This is my friend Hope with her family Jeff and Felix. Hope is a...

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 10:31:04 -0800

This is my friend Hope with her family Jeff and Felix. Hope is a long-time friend who was posting messages on Facebook about her volunteer time with Minnesotans United For All Families before anyone else I know was working to defeat the Marriage Amendment in Minnesota. She inspired me to volunteer as well, and that inspired others around me to volunteer. Hope started a chain reaction that lead to defeating this discriminatory amendment and moving our state closer to equal rights for all citizens.—Andrea

My parents, Pam and Byron, made a point to talk to every member...

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 10:30:38 -0800

My parents, Pam and Byron, made a point to talk to every member of their family about the importance of voting against the Marriage Amendment to the MN State Constitution. They live in Wisconsin but care about me, my partner, and my gay and lesbian friends enough to have sometimes challenging conversations with their loved ones in Minnesota on our behalf. Perhaps most surprising was how easy most of these conversations ended up being. There is more love and support out there than I had realized, but thanks to them and other allies, I feel more supported than ever.—Andrea

This is a picture of our families (and one friend) on our...

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 10:29:59 -0800

This is a picture of our families (and one friend) on our wedding day in May. Everyone in the picture except us is straight, and we couldn’t have gotten to where we are without all of their support and the support of our many straight allies (including our coworkers). Thank you everyone!—Nicol & Steph

My brother Kris and his girlfriend Alex (two on the left)...

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 10:29:13 -0800

My brother Kris and his girlfriend Alex (two on the left) phone-banked and marched for R-74. They are two of the best people I know. Thank you for fighting for equality. Thank you for working to make it possible for me and other LGBT people have the freedom to marry the person we love. You are wonderful and I am so proud of you.—Liesl

This is The Firm Mpls. We are a health club in Minneapolis that...

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 08:23:06 -0800

This is The Firm Mpls. We are a health club in Minneapolis that has a large LGBT clientele and have always created an open and welcoming environment for everyone, no matter what their sexual preference or political beliefs may be. On the Saturday before voting day my clients organized themselves and wore their VOTE NO T-shirts to class. It was really amazing to see all that support in one room. Thanks to everyone who voted NO and THANKS to my amazing clients at The Firm Mpls. You guys are the BEST!