Mar 31st, 2006
Minnesota Queer Families Visible at State Capital on Monday
Rainbow Families is organizing a kid-friendly rally on Monday to speak out against the proposed constitutional amendment that would remove all marriage-like rights and responsibilities from same-sex couples.
I will be speaking, along with Laura Smidzik of Rainbow Families (and lesbian mother), Dan McGrath from Progressive Minnesota (and straight son of a lesbian mom); Peter Vitale, Rainbow Families Board (and gay father) and Senator Scott Dibble & Representative Karen Clark.
Music by Coleman Lindberg (second gen son of a lesbian mom)
Why should kids participate? First, politicians and citizens must be reminded that we are talking about real children. Voting to peel back the already-unequal rights our parents is not about preventing some hypothetical scenario of “non-traditional” families from cropping up “someday.” We are already here. We exist and live here in your state. And your laws affect our day-to-day lives in which you tell us our families do not deserve the peace of mind straight-parented families enjoy so deeply and fully, they don’t even have to think about the privilege they have.
But the other reason for a kid-friendly rally is just as important for the sense of worth for children of gay parents. Kids can’t vote. And as I mentioned in yesterday’s post, when people with power who know nothing about gay-parented families obsess about passing destructive laws to “protect” (heterosexual-parented) families, kids feel powerless, helpless and hopeless. Gathering together, children can see the community of families and allies who are taking action and responding to fear-based law-makers.
Please join us.
April 3, 2006 11:30 am - Noon.
On the steps of the Minnesota State Capital
I’ll be there with my allies!
Another reason it sux that I live in Alabama. That sounds wonderful. Be sure to let us know how it goes.