If you're an author... you know this feeling. You write. You write. You write. And when it's all ready you wonder if you'll connect with anyone. When a stranger writes, it can feel like a miracle. Good energy for getting up in the morning and continuing to spread word about your book. Thanks for this note...
Dear Lars, I received your book . . . what a powerful work of the Holy Spirit! How blessed we all are that you heeded Her prompting to make the trip and to tell the story--that is the only way I can describe it. I could not put it down until I finished it. My partner Brian is reading it now.
The way you share the stories of the people you encountered on your journey came alive even more so as you shared YOUR story. You are a blessing. Thank you so much for taking the risk of sharing so much of yourself with the rest of us.
My life as a gay man has not always been easy, but since living my life out of the closet I do understand "the peace that passes all understanding." Jake Reitan said it perfectly when he told you,"Allies listen, and allies believe the stories they hear." Lars, thank you for listening, and thank you for believing. You and your family are, and will continue to be in my prayers.
And you are in my prayers,
Blessings for the day,
Lars
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Letters to the Editor
I have a slow fuse. The anti-marriage Supreme Court decision this week grows more and more troubling as the days pass and I think of the implications. This morning I collected my thoughts to write a Letter to the Editor of the Seattle Times and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Whether it makes the paper or not...its nice to have a blog...
Letter to the Editor : July 28, 2006
The "activist judge" accusations of the religious and political right must be hitting home. The Supreme Court decision against marriage wrote, ""while same-sex marriage may be the law at a future time, it will be because the people declare it to be, not because five members of the court have dictated it." If the courts of the 1960's had followed this logic, we might still be waiting on civil rights legislation.
As much as I wish the court had decided for same-gender marriage, I still appreciate their truth that marriage equality will become law when "the people declare it to be." Last summer I unicycled for five weeks and 1,000 miles to gather stories of gay, and lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. I also asked hundreds of straight people what they thought of equal rights. Even for those who thought homosexuality was a sin, when I told about specific couples, and the specific hardships which the Supreme Court noted in last weeks decidsion, almost to a person, people responded, "Yes, they should have those rights."
The fastest way to the privileges and responsibilities of same-gender marriage is to recognize that that we're talking about real people, and real gay and lesbian families that already exist. Getting beyond political and religious polarization will require us to tell our stories, listen to one another, and believe what we hear. A young gay man during my tour last summer, defined an ally for me. "Allies listen. And they believe what they hear." As soon as we act, as soon as declare it to be, we can achieve marriage equality.
STRAIGHT INTO GAY AMERICA: MY UNICYCLE JOURNEY FOR EQUAL RIGHTS has just been released. It's my way of adding a voice to the equal rights movement. A neighbor who is reading my book addressed me with some frustration, "You're making me think about things I've never thought about before."
"Good," I replied to this mother of two young girls, "If your daughters grow up lesbian, now you'll be ready to keep loving them." So many gay and lesbian, bisexual, and transgender families have been torn apart by hatred of homosexuality. Real family values don't tear families apart. Marriage equality will give dignity to all families. Let's do what the court says, and "declare it to be."
Letter to the Editor : July 28, 2006
The "activist judge" accusations of the religious and political right must be hitting home. The Supreme Court decision against marriage wrote, ""while same-sex marriage may be the law at a future time, it will be because the people declare it to be, not because five members of the court have dictated it." If the courts of the 1960's had followed this logic, we might still be waiting on civil rights legislation.
As much as I wish the court had decided for same-gender marriage, I still appreciate their truth that marriage equality will become law when "the people declare it to be." Last summer I unicycled for five weeks and 1,000 miles to gather stories of gay, and lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. I also asked hundreds of straight people what they thought of equal rights. Even for those who thought homosexuality was a sin, when I told about specific couples, and the specific hardships which the Supreme Court noted in last weeks decidsion, almost to a person, people responded, "Yes, they should have those rights."
The fastest way to the privileges and responsibilities of same-gender marriage is to recognize that that we're talking about real people, and real gay and lesbian families that already exist. Getting beyond political and religious polarization will require us to tell our stories, listen to one another, and believe what we hear. A young gay man during my tour last summer, defined an ally for me. "Allies listen. And they believe what they hear." As soon as we act, as soon as declare it to be, we can achieve marriage equality.
STRAIGHT INTO GAY AMERICA: MY UNICYCLE JOURNEY FOR EQUAL RIGHTS has just been released. It's my way of adding a voice to the equal rights movement. A neighbor who is reading my book addressed me with some frustration, "You're making me think about things I've never thought about before."
"Good," I replied to this mother of two young girls, "If your daughters grow up lesbian, now you'll be ready to keep loving them." So many gay and lesbian, bisexual, and transgender families have been torn apart by hatred of homosexuality. Real family values don't tear families apart. Marriage equality will give dignity to all families. Let's do what the court says, and "declare it to be."
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Washington Supreme Courst says NO to Marriage Equality
Some months ago my friends Dotti and Roby asked if I'd help officiate the state sanctioning of their marriage if the Washington State Supreme Court decided in favor of marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples. They'd already been married in Oregon, and then later had the state sanction for their marriage revoked. We won't be doing that wedding anytime soon.
WA Supreme Court rules against marriage equality: The court acknowledged the hardship and inequality that couples like Dotti and Roby suffer because they're same gender, but the court decided they have no right to the state sanctioning of marriage. The court said the legislature could take this up if they want to create marriage equality law.
I read the Washington Supreme Court Ruling and found myself thankful for advocates who keep pressing through the long legal thickets of gaining equality. Dissenting Justice Bridges predicted that "gay marriage will ultimately be on the books and this court will be criticized for failing to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act." I agree with her. The majority responded, "while same-sex marriage may be the law at a future time, it will be because the people declare it to be, not because five members of the court have dictated it." Although I believe the court is in business to protect minority rights (women, slaves, and the long history of those who have been included in the rights and privileges of our country), still, I find hope in this statement of the court.
Equality will come when people declare it to be:That's our job, declaring equality, making it so in our everyday lives. Dotti and Roby, (who have traveled the country this year in search of authentic connections,) tell us all that we must come out of the closet, claim our authentic selves, and engage people in daily real life. This is equally true for "straight" folks who understand the need for equality.
As I found on my unicycle tour Straight Into Gay America, Dotti and Roby are confirming that when people hear about real people and real situations, almost everyone responds, "Yes, they should have those rights." Equality will come when we declare it to be.
A neighbor recently came up to me and gave me a friendly shaking on the shoulder. "You're making me think too much," she said, "I've never paid any attention to gay rights."
"Good," I replied, "If your daughter's grow up lesbian, or bisexual, or transgender, you've still got plenty of time to make sure you'll accept them and love them for who they are."
No straight marriage was made stronger by yesterday's ruling, but plenty of same-gender partnerships and plenty of children being raised by same-gender parents will continue to live together and love together without the strengthening privileges and responsibilities of state-sanctioned marriage. For now, the simple promises to one another, to their communities, and to God, will have to suffice.
Once we declare equality to be,
WA Supreme Court rules against marriage equality: The court acknowledged the hardship and inequality that couples like Dotti and Roby suffer because they're same gender, but the court decided they have no right to the state sanctioning of marriage. The court said the legislature could take this up if they want to create marriage equality law.
I read the Washington Supreme Court Ruling and found myself thankful for advocates who keep pressing through the long legal thickets of gaining equality. Dissenting Justice Bridges predicted that "gay marriage will ultimately be on the books and this court will be criticized for failing to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act." I agree with her. The majority responded, "while same-sex marriage may be the law at a future time, it will be because the people declare it to be, not because five members of the court have dictated it." Although I believe the court is in business to protect minority rights (women, slaves, and the long history of those who have been included in the rights and privileges of our country), still, I find hope in this statement of the court.
Equality will come when people declare it to be:That's our job, declaring equality, making it so in our everyday lives. Dotti and Roby, (who have traveled the country this year in search of authentic connections,) tell us all that we must come out of the closet, claim our authentic selves, and engage people in daily real life. This is equally true for "straight" folks who understand the need for equality.
As I found on my unicycle tour Straight Into Gay America, Dotti and Roby are confirming that when people hear about real people and real situations, almost everyone responds, "Yes, they should have those rights." Equality will come when we declare it to be.
A neighbor recently came up to me and gave me a friendly shaking on the shoulder. "You're making me think too much," she said, "I've never paid any attention to gay rights."
"Good," I replied, "If your daughter's grow up lesbian, or bisexual, or transgender, you've still got plenty of time to make sure you'll accept them and love them for who they are."
No straight marriage was made stronger by yesterday's ruling, but plenty of same-gender partnerships and plenty of children being raised by same-gender parents will continue to live together and love together without the strengthening privileges and responsibilities of state-sanctioned marriage. For now, the simple promises to one another, to their communities, and to God, will have to suffice.
Once we declare equality to be,
- then partners can visit one another in the Intensive Care Units where current visitation practices restrict visitation to immediate family members.
- then custody questions will cease if one parent in the family dies
- then social security benefits can be shared
- medical coverage will apply
- inheritance will transfer
- taxes can join
- the other 1138 federal benefits that apply to married couples will apply to same gender who have promised their lives to one another and to their children.
After the tour last summer, and after the week in Colorado with beautiful families, I know equality makes sense. I'll keep pushing Straight Into Gay America. There is an equality day in our future, no matter the length of the journey. Blessings for the road.
Blessings,
Lars
www.straightintogayamerica.com
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Eyes Wide Open - The Human Cost of War
Today Chelan, Washington is hosting the Eyes Wide Open exhibit. Anne and I have been helping to organize this day for the last six weeks. Hundreds of combat boots are arranged on the corners of a busy downtown intersection, representing civilians and the 366 National Guard soldiers who have died in Iraq.Like I said, this is a busy corner with tourists from all over the state who are here to enjoy our 50-mile-long lake. Most of the walkers stop for a moment to take a careful look. It's a memorial to the dead, a remembrance of The Human Cost of War. It's a place for conversation. One teacher passing by jerked himself to a stop when he noticed the name of one of his elementary students whose name was attached to a pair of boots. Another young woman lay on the ground next to a pair of boots, stroking the toes of the boots that bore the name of her onetime best friend.
Thanks to the American Friends Service Committee for this exhibit, and for their persistent attention to the possibilities for peace. Almost 2600 U.S. soldiers have died since the start of the war. Perhaps 100,000 Iraqi civilians has suffered death. No matter what a person's position on the war, almost all of us can grieve the high human cost. Almost all of us can turn our best efforts and intentions toward the goal of peace. Today in Chelan, we're looking at boots, remembering the reality of death, and seeking best paths forward for compassion and peace.
Blessings,
Lars
Monday, July 24, 2006
Soulforce at Focus On The Family
Apologies! I didn't have my blog password along during this past incredible week at Soulforce. If you haven't been following the Soulforce week, you can read all the daily reports on the website at LATEST NEWS I'll figure out that password for next time I travel. We sold two cases of books while we were in Colorado. What a feeling to hold that book and now be able to share it with others.
Blessings,
Lars
Friday, July 14, 2006
Books are OFF THE PRESS!
Today, in Kansas, 1,000 copies of Straight Into Gay America are headed out from the printers to their distribution center. For all who have ordered books, shipping starts on Tuesday.
I hope you'll really love this book. It's been such an adventure to create it. So many people have rushed to help create it in time for this election season.
Turns out that my publication date is coinciding with the House of Representatives voting on the Federal Marriage Amendment to exclude gay and lesbian people from marriage. There's an excellent article on the national call in day on the PFLAG Website. If you want to sign a petition, The Task Force Petition is an easy way to do so online. Their goal is 100,000 signatures. If you can add yours, thank you.
I fly to Colorado Springs on Monday, and I'll be unicycling with Soulforce for my publication release on Tuesday. If you've ever done promotional work you know how endless and consuming it can become. I'm thankful for the daily emails that arrive with reminders of the purpose of this journey. Another gift was made to Soulforce for my riding in the march. The giver, who I don't know, wrote this remark.
"My Godson was expelled from The Episcopal School in Wichita Falls, TX because he has 2 loving mothers. He was only 3 years old! They fled to Canada because they did not feel it was safe to raise their children in Texas. It is amazing what some Christians will do! We have to make a difference. Thanks for helping make that difference."
Next week, I'll join hundreds of people in Colorado Springs to help end Focus On The Family's anti-gay focus. I'll do my best to offer daily updates next week, of the people I meet who are acting to make a difference.
The books are off the press! Now begins a new adventure. I hope it makes a difference. If you haven't ordered your copy yet, now would be a great time.
Blessings,
Lars
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Gifts of Encouragement
6 days before my publication date ride in Colorado. I was looking through emails this morning, remembering the journey of these last months. The letters helped me remember the variety of reasons we need equal rights. I posted a few excerpts on the website. Maybe there will be connections for others. Here are the quotes. You can also see them on the homepage at www.straightintogayamerica.com
"Thanks for doing what you do.... I'm a PROUD MOM of a GAY son."
"I am a gay minister. Thank you SO MUCH for your courage. Your insights are keen. Your writing consistently brilliant, enlightening, questioning, supportive and ongoing."
"I am a gay woman in the deep south and my partner and I are lucky to work together. We endured several years of harassment at work and we've survived it with our heads held high. We have been together in a committed relationship for almost 9 years and we are raising two beautiful children together that had been given away and left to perish."
"I am overwhelmed at what you have accomplished. There is no other way to say it. I am 60yrs old, in a 30 yr relationship and before that was married for almost 10 yrs... I am not sure some folks will appreciate as much as they should what you have done."
"I am a mother of a 17 year old gay son.....just found out a few months ago. I am scared for my son with this world. I praise you and am proud of you! I told my son about your book. God bless you and be safe."
"Your writings and thoughts are straight to the point and cover it all."
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