Please carefully read what is below...                  

Top 10 Reasons for Marriage Equality!

(As listed by The Human Rights Campaign) 

10. Marriage equality would build on America’s tradition of moving civil rights forward and erasing the inequities of the past. More than 10 nations already allow same-sex couples to get married or to enter federally recognized domestic partnerships. What’s more, the fact that excluding same-sex couples from marriage has a long history in this country doesn’t necessarily mean that this policy is in keeping with American values. The real tradition in this country has been to pass laws to safeguard the American people and to expand laws where they leave citizens unprotected, as was done for voting rights and workplace protections. It is also an American tradition to abandon discriminatory laws, even if they are popular – as were bans on interracial marriage and Jim Crow laws segregating the races in everyday life.

9. Marriage protects couples nationwide. Unlike civil unions and domestic partner registries, which aren’t portable, marriages are recognized across state lines, under the Constitution’s full faith and credit clause. If the question of recognition is left to the states, same-sex couples in some states might not achieve equality for decades. After all, it wasn’t until 2000 that Alabama voters removed laws against interracial marriage from the state constitution – and that was with a solid 40 percent voting to keep the law on the books.

8. Separate is not equal. Although any step toward legal recognition of same-sex couples and their families is a step in the right direction, Sexually diverse families will not be truly equal until they, too, can receive marriage licenses. As American history has proven, a separate but equal system does not ensure real equality. And nothing short of marriage would provide same-sex couples with the more than 1,000 benefits, responsibilities and protections afforded under federal law on the basis of marital status.

7. Public support is growing. The Human Rights Campaign released results in August 2003 from a poll (conducted by the Democratic polling firm of Peter D. Hart Research Associates and the Republican firm American Viewpoint) showing that 50 percent of registered voters DO support or accept granting marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples as long as religious institutions do not have to recognize or perform these marriages. A total of 47 percent were opposed. There is no consensus in this country around denying the legal protections of marriage to same-sex couples. In fact, polls show us that a plurality of voters support or accept granting marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples. And, according to a Sept. 22, 2003, ABC News survey, only 20 percent would agree with amending the U.S. Constitution to ban marriage for gays and lesbians.

6. Sexually diverse people deserve equal access to the American dream. Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people grow up dreaming of falling in love, getting married and growing old together. Just as much as the next person, same-sex couples should be able to fulfill that dream. We know from anecdotal evidence that after same-sex couples have a commitment ceremony, their friends and family treat them differently – as a married couple. Shouldn’t they, too, have the legal security that goes along with that?

5. Marriage provides families stability and security. One thing that both sides of the marriage issue can agree upon is that marriage strengthens families. Children are more secure if they are raised in homes with two loving parents who have a legal relationship with them and can share the responsibility of parenthood. According to conservative estimates from the 2000 census, there are more than 1 million children being raised by same-sex couples in the United States. Without the ability to establish a legal relationship to both parents, children of same-sex couples are left without important protections, such as Social Security survivor benefits. These children should not be penalized just because their parents are gay.

4. There are hundreds of ways in which state laws take marital status into account, including some of the most basic of human rights. State laws protect married couples in extremely important ways, such as allowing hospital visitation, the right to inherit without a will and the right to make decisions in a medical emergency. Some of these can be secured through costly legal documents, but not all of them can. Furthermore, same-sex couples – who pay the same taxes and work just as hard as other couples – should not be forced to pay higher taxes and high legal fees just because of whom they love.

3. The Constitution promises liberty and justice to all Americans, not just the majority. Opponents of marriage equality are pushing a divisive measure that would amend the U.S. Constitution to state that marriage “shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman.” The Constitution has been used throughout American history to ensure, protect and expand the individual liberties of Americans.

It has never been amended to single out a class of people for unequal treatment,

but it has been amended to grant freedom of speech, religious liberty and voting rights for women. The Constitution should secure equality, not restrict it.

2. No religious institution would be required to perform a ceremony. Just as no religious institution can be required by the government to marry an interfaith couple, no religious institution could or should be told to marry a same-sex couple. Right now, the government fails to ensure religious freedom when it refuses to honor the unions of same-sex couples performed by one religion the same way it honors those of opposite-sex couples.

1. There are at least 1,049 protections, benefits and responsibilities extended to married couples under federal law, according to a 1997 study by the General Accounting Office. Gay and lesbian couples in lifelong relationships pay higher taxes and are denied basic protections under the law. They receive no Social Security survivor benefits upon the death of a partner, despite paying payroll taxes. They must pay federal income taxes on their employer’s contributions toward their domestic partner’s health insurance, while married employees do not have to pay such taxes for their spouses. They must pay all estate taxes when a partner dies. They often pay significant tax penalties when they inherit a 401(k) from their partner. They are denied family leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act. All American families deserve these crucial protections.

OK ...  so now ... this is me, Christian talking ...

I am expecting every sexually diverse person out there who listens to the sound of my voice...  to start standing up and demanding his or her rights!  It is your right to LOVE and MARRY who you choose.  However, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY that you represent yourself HONESTLY and with INTEGRITY.  I am also asking those who DO respect sexually diverse people (who are heterosexual) to stand up with us and let the world know that hatred, bias, segregation and separation will no longer do!

You know what?  I used to not believe in gay marriage.  No, really ...  I DID NOT BELIEVE IN GAY MARRIAGE!  I wanted to be respectful of other heterosexuals and their views.  I was willing to take a back seat and allow others to feel more valued than me.  But it took a heterosexual TRUE AMERICAN judge in the State of Massachusetts to wake me up!  This judge told those seeking simple Civil Unions, "You know what?  That is not enough!  That is not fair!  That is not constitutional!  YOU DESERVE MORE!  YOU DESERVE MARRIAGE IF YOU WANT IT!"

Wow!  You know what? ... I think I would now like heterosexuals to RESPECT AND VALUE ME NOW!  My Jamie and I have been together 8 years folks.

That is 8 years of good times and challenging  times.  8 years of Loving and Cherishing God, The Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ together. 8 years of companionship and praying and sitting and eating dinner together.  8 years of waking one another up because of a bad dream and talking it out.  8 years of helping each other clean the house, wash the dishes and shop for the food.  8 years of waking one another up to go to work and 8 years of being there to say good-night.  8 years of experiencing times of sickness and good health.  8 years of seeing dreams that came true and some that did not.  8 years of seeing babies get born and putting Loved ones in the ground.  8 years of reaching out and helping others unable to help themselves.  8 years of dedicated community service, and 8 wonderful years of service to our families, our friends, our neighbors, our city, our Nation, our Churches and our jobs ....  Don't we deserve the same rights as all others?   Can't you see how blessed by God we are?  Don't we deserve credit?

PLEASE ... TELL ME YOU SAID YES!

And now that I really think of it, marriage is about the commitment of TWO PEOPLE to stick it out and be there for one another (through thick and thin) ... no matter what!  Who says you HAVE to be only a MAN and a WOMAN to do that?  Hundreds and thousands of sexually diverse people have been sticking it out with the same person for decades!  And yet that is not to be utterly  respected socially?  What I find funny at the same time, is that Jamie and I are usually the "relationship" everyone ends up admiring, whether the person is gay or straight.  You see the commitment, the generosity, the understanding and The Love we have for one another and it is hard NOT to be compelled.  Another thing I find so distasteful is how so many will go on and on and on about the "sanctity" of marriage between a man and a woman, but then over 50% of all heterosexual marriages end in divorce!  And to those who go on and on about the blessed Bible, while you will never find Christ saying even ONE WORD about it being 'wrong" to be gay, you will hear Him over and over again condemning divorce! 

We call this, "AMERICA, LAND OF THE FREE."  Ladies and gents, we are far, far from it!  With this great question looming whether or not "gays" are equal in their humanity just like everyone else, it seems our nation has no Soul.  Are sexually diverse people not human?  Are we not allowed to have free choice?  Are we to believe that those who we choose to maintain Loving relationships with, who bring us solace, companionship and comfort are second class?  As I listen to all the different opinions on the news, online and on the street, I am sickened by the blind ignorance and intolerance I am witnessing.

And when I observe this whole mess, I see that Love and companionship between two same gendered couples is rarely (if) ever mentioned.  What everyone is thinking  about truly ... is sex.  We are a sex obsessed culture!  People everyday are destroying their bodies, by yoyo dieting and remaining in depression because they believe "they are not sexy" or good or young enough!  We spend billions and billions of dollars on items and things to help us FEEL more sexy.  Sexuality is a personal and private issue.  It is about what is going on inside, and it is about the individual expression you choose to share with another in the most intimate way.  Sexuality is a gift from God and it can be very beautiful.  Especially when lust is pushed past and feelings of Love are reached for.  But today, we are a lust driven society.  Lust is about never feeling fed or full.  Only Love can do that.  Only Love can make us feel full.  Everyone needs to get their imaginations out of the gutter.  And you need to ask yourself, if your imagination is in the gutter, what or who else is down there with you?

To those of you who hide your hatred and social prejudice behind God, don't for one second tell me you know who God is!  Cause you don't.  God is Love.  And don't tell me about the Bible, cause if you knew anything about the Bible you would know that the word Homosexual was never even written in the original languages.  The word homosexual (or any reference to it) never hit the pages of the good book until the late 1800's.  Some scholar read a word for "temple prostitute" and then transcribed it as "Homosexual" and just ... added it in!  And funny thing about Jesus was ... the first person He appeared in front of after His resurrection ... (to share the good news with) had been a prostitute!  Doesn't that say anything to you?

God allows His children the freedom to live their lives and make successes AND mistakes if need be.  Eventually we all find God for ourselves in time.  But none of us have the right to say who knows or deserves the Creator's Love and who does not!  If you have hate in your Heart, you certainly do not know Christ.  You have NO clue who He is and what He came here to do.  And you are buying into some evil rant that someone else TAUGHT you to believe in!

Today I watched the news and watched dozens of venomous people react to the fact that sexually diverse people are now wanting their rights.  It made my Heart hurt as I watched thoughtless, cruel and arrogant accusations being made one on top of the other.  It reminded me so much of the 1950's when black civil rights marches would evoke bigoted responses from the general public.  This is history repeating. 

But many are stepping up to bat and swinging back hard at the opposition. Mayor Gavin Newsome of San Francisco has so bravely opened up his offices to allow same sex couples a run on marriage licenses.  This is historic and has never happened before.  Mayor Newsome is having his city employees stay late into the night to attend to the hundreds and hundreds now standing in line ...before the State shuts the office down.  This city of San Francisco is breaking the law and showing just how unjust our Country has become by doing so.  Thank you Mayor Newsome for your courage!  MAY GOD BLESS YOU ... AND MAY GOD BLESS GAY AMERICA AND THOSE WHO LOVE AND RESPECT US AND REVERE OUR RIGHT TO BE FREE!

Now on to other news ...

(For those of you who DO still Love me!  LOL!)

Jason Warner and I finished recording our duet of "Still" and it will be out in his greatest hits package soon.  I will also be adding the tune to my 2-CD set "Storybook Collection" as well.  I am due to hit the recording studio very soon and finish up "New Millennial Man."  A company called The Orchard will be doing something called, "On Demand" albums for me soon.  I plan on releasing "New Millennial Man" that way (as soon as that service is ready and going.)  Until then ... you will be able to hear a few selections from that album on "Storybook Collection" which will be available via my onsite Listening Store and major Online retailers everywhere some time in May.

** FINGERS CROSSED!**

Speaking of recording, I am looking for producers to work with on the project now.  If all goes well, I should have something to play toward the end of the year.  It is hard to guess when "art" will be ready.  It is a long and shifty process.  I guess that is what makes it art in the first place! 

Other than music, I am back to doing one-on-ones and fitting them in whenever I can do them.  If it is taking me awhile for either LAM, Jamie or me to get back, it is only because we are up to our eye brows with all the stuff we have going on!  Another thing I have undertaken is teaching what I call "Lightworker" clinics during the weekends starting this April.  I share much of what I have learned in metaphysical Christianity in these intensive "almost all day" sessions.  Good Stuff!

Hope all of you are happy, well and have something to look forward to!  It is so important in life to have something to look forward to!  I cannot stress that enough!

So what is your dream?

Much Love,

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