Activism - Past, Present & Future

Stearns · 07-19-2010, 11:10 AM

I thought we could have a central place to post activist activities in which we engage, have engaged in the past, or plan to engage, in order to combat all manner of injustice. Did you march at Gay Pride? E-mail a representative over an issue? Write a letter? Make a phone call? Sign a petition? Work behind the scenes? Were you a part of the Civil Rights Movement? Women's Liberation Movement? Tell us about it.

I myself am a prolific e-mailer. It's not all I do, but it's my most common activity. Some of my e-mails are excoriating in nature (cursing and name-calling are off-limits, though), others are simple requests to a rep to support a particular issue or bill. My most recent e-mail was to David Vitter over his comment re Rachel Maddow's yearbook pic. I pointed out the sexism behind his comment and suggested that he post his apology to her on his home page. I hope what I do makes a difference, but my take on it is: Maybe it does, maybe it doesn't, but you never know what's going to stick...

So, here's a place to share with one another stories of our efforts to combat bigotry, homophobia, -isms, etc. Let's hear it.

Stearns · 07-19-2010, 11:36 AM

I called around to find out what plans Tampa/St. Pete LGBTQI groups have for the National Organization for Marriage's "One Man One Woman" Summer Bus Tour visit on August 8. NOM will be met with a march organized by Tampa's GaYbor District. Soon and I will be making signs, one of which will read:

The Homosexual Agenda:
1. Spend time with family
2. Be treated equally
3. Buy milk

P.S. Thanks to weatherboi for the inspiration for this thread

chefhottie25 · 07-19-2010, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stearns

I thought we could have a central place to post activist activities in which we engage, have engaged in the past, or plan to engage, in order to combat all manner of injustice. Did you march at Gay Pride? E-mail a representative over an issue? Write a letter? Make a phone call? Sign a petition? Work behind the scenes? Were you a part of the Civil Rights Movement? Women's Liberation Movement? Tell us about it.

I myself am a prolific e-mailer. It's not all I do, but it's my most common activity. Some of my e-mails are excoriating in nature (cursing and name-calling are off-limits, though), others are simple requests to a rep to support a particular issue or bill. My most recent e-mail was to David Vitter over his comment re Rachel Maddow's yearbook pic. I pointed out the sexism behind his comment and suggested that he post his apology to her on his home page. I hope what I do makes a difference, but my take on it is: Maybe it does, maybe it doesn't, but you never know what's going to stick...

So, here's a place to share with one another stories of our efforts to combat bigotry, homophobia, -isms, etc. Let's hear it.

This thread reminded me of the "take back the night" marches and rallies my dad use to take me to when I was in college. For those of you who don't know...take back the night is an organization that offers support, education, and advocacy about ending sexual violence. Check out their website www.takebackthenight.org for events in your area.

Stearns · 07-19-2010, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chefhottie25

This thread reminded me of the "take back the night" marches and rallies my dad use to take me to when I was in college. For those of you who don't know...take back the night is an organization that offers support, education, and advocacy about ending sexual violence. Check out their website www.takebackthenight.org for events in your area.

Chef,

That's really cool that your dad was active in Take Back the Night and got you involved in it in college. It's refreshing to see, as we don't see a lot of examples of cis-men standing up for women's rights and protesting against sexual and domestic violence. Thanks for your post and the link.

chefhottie25 · 07-19-2010, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stearns

Chef,

That's really cool that your dad was active in Take Back the Night and got you involved in it in college. It's refreshing to see, as we don't see a lot of examples of cis-men standing up for women's rights and protesting against sexual and domestic violence. Thanks for your post and the link.

I am proud to say that my dad is a bigger feminist than I am. He is a medic at a large hospital here and is actually part of their rape crisis response team. I am very lucky to have a dad that is so aware and active in causes that seek to end violence against women.

Passionaria · 07-22-2010, 08:24 PM

And we stand anyway.......

|....CORREVEIDILE :: Run, Go Tell Him

Land of oblivion, impossible roulette
time still puts out the fire
who wants to look themselves in the eyes now
who wants to discover the stars now

On the clock the hours fold their wings
the women go dressed in sorrow
a mourning look in their eyes screams at the world
come, peace and stop, wars.

Run, go tell him, run, go tell him
Run, go tell him, that I have the weapon
Run, go tell him, run, go tell him
Run, go tell him, that I buried the weapon

Mad hope watches over every corner
troops of grief attacking the giant
that bombards beloved places
and by the moment vanishes the light

How absorbed the women weave
with black thread and lace adornments
a tapestry of a boy laughing innocent
among grenades and rivers of blood

Run, go tell him, run, go tell him
Run, go tell him, that I have the weapon
Run, go tell him, run, go tell him
Run, go tell him, that I buried the weapon

Life’s short, autumns go by, says the jailer
more lost children, patience used up and dashed desires
that this story could have a different ending
and that this time other lights would remain burning
unripe flights, flags that refuse to fly

disobedient, brazen,
standing up to the fatherland and the general himself
they’re not alone, history is with their truth
it’s not worth it, it’s not worth anything

Run, go tell him, run, go tell him
Run, go tell him, that I have the weapon
Run, go tell him, run, go tell him
Run, go tell him, that I buried the weapon

Wounded breast, slaves to selflessness and love
harvesting hopes... always free

AtLast · 07-22-2010, 11:38 PM

Getting ready for Take Back the Night annual neighborhood street BBQ and gathering. Live in a very active neighborhood in terms of watching out for each other and setting up Neighborhood Watch programs, here. It does cut crime!

Also, this is a good way to know who around you might need special assistance when the BIG ONE hits! hey, I live right on the Hayward Fault in the East Bay Area of California- it will happen! Have 3 elderly neighbors in their 80 and 90's. I want to know where their gas main is and valve key to be able to shut it off! Plus they are more sensitive to climate and if it happens in winter, these three could have a very hard time without heat.

I really think small steps get way big steps going!

07-19-2010, 11:10 AM	#1
Stearns Member How Do You Identify?: Trans Man Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: Husband Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: 'nita land Posts: 272 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 385 Thanked 443 Times in 149 Posts Rep Power: 3640	Activism - Past, Present & Future I thought we could have a central place to post activist activities in which we engage, have engaged in the past, or plan to engage, in order to combat all manner of injustice. Did you march at Gay Pride? E-mail a representative over an issue? Write a letter? Make a phone call? Sign a petition? Work behind the scenes? Were you a part of the Civil Rights Movement? Women's Liberation Movement? Tell us about it. I myself am a prolific e-mailer. It's not all I do, but it's my most common activity. Some of my e-mails are excoriating in nature (cursing and name-calling are off-limits, though), others are simple requests to a rep to support a particular issue or bill. My most recent e-mail was to David Vitter over his comment re Rachel Maddow's yearbook pic. I pointed out the sexism behind his comment and suggested that he post his apology to her on his home page. I hope what I do makes a difference, but my take on it is: Maybe it does, maybe it doesn't, but you never know what's going to stick... So, here's a place to share with one another stories of our efforts to combat bigotry, homophobia, -isms, etc. Let's hear it.

07-19-2010, 11:36 AM	#2
Stearns Member How Do You Identify?: Trans Man Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: Husband Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: 'nita land Posts: 272 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 385 Thanked 443 Times in 149 Posts Rep Power: 3640	NOM in Tampa August 8 I called around to find out what plans Tampa/St. Pete LGBTQI groups have for the National Organization for Marriage's "One Man One Woman" Summer Bus Tour visit on August 8. NOM will be met with a march organized by Tampa's GaYbor District. Soon and I will be making signs, one of which will read: The Homosexual Agenda: 1. Spend time with family 2. Be treated equally 3. Buy milk P.S. Thanks to weatherboi for the inspiration for this thread Last edited by Stearns; 07-19-2010 at 11:38 AM. Reason: Credit to weatherboi

07-22-2010, 08:24 PM	#6
Passionaria Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Urban Bohemian : http://youtu.be/IM96Ch9Gx4A Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: She ran away with with the Gypsy's ✿ Posts: 2,519 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 5,316 Thanked 3,737 Times in 1,248 Posts Rep Power: 16689910	Solidarity And we stand anyway....... \|....CORREVEIDILE :: Run, Go Tell Him Land of oblivion, impossible roulette time still puts out the fire who wants to look themselves in the eyes now who wants to discover the stars now On the clock the hours fold their wings the women go dressed in sorrow a mourning look in their eyes screams at the world come, peace and stop, wars. Run, go tell him, run, go tell him Run, go tell him, that I have the weapon Run, go tell him, run, go tell him Run, go tell him, that I buried the weapon Mad hope watches over every corner troops of grief attacking the giant that bombards beloved places and by the moment vanishes the light How absorbed the women weave with black thread and lace adornments a tapestry of a boy laughing innocent among grenades and rivers of blood Run, go tell him, run, go tell him Run, go tell him, that I have the weapon Run, go tell him, run, go tell him Run, go tell him, that I buried the weapon Life’s short, autumns go by, says the jailer more lost children, patience used up and dashed desires that this story could have a different ending and that this time other lights would remain burning unripe flights, flags that refuse to fly disobedient, brazen, standing up to the fatherland and the general himself they’re not alone, history is with their truth it’s not worth it, it’s not worth anything Run, go tell him, run, go tell him Run, go tell him, that I have the weapon Run, go tell him, run, go tell him Run, go tell him, that I buried the weapon Wounded breast, slaves to selflessness and love harvesting hopes... always free __________________ *Moon cat madness*

07-22-2010, 11:38 PM	#7
AtLast Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Woman Preferred Pronoun?: HER - SHE Relationship Status: Relating Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: CA & AZ I'm a Snowbird Posts: 5,408 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 11,826 Thanked 10,827 Times in 3,199 Posts Rep Power: 21474857	Getting ready for Take Back the Night annual neighborhood street BBQ and gathering. Live in a very active neighborhood in terms of watching out for each other and setting up Neighborhood Watch programs, here. It does cut crime! Also, this is a good way to know who around you might need special assistance when the BIG ONE hits! hey, I live right on the Hayward Fault in the East Bay Area of California- it will happen! Have 3 elderly neighbors in their 80 and 90's. I want to know where their gas main is and valve key to be able to shut it off! Plus they are more sensitive to climate and if it happens in winter, these three could have a very hard time without heat. I really think small steps get way big steps going!