ISSUE 1 PROTEST-RALLY UPDATE & REMINDER

[thedarksiren2]

Ohio's Issue 1, the marriage and civil-union amendment, will be taking effect tomorrow, December 2, 2004.
For those of you who are not entirely aware of the actual amendment, or have not read it as it is written, here it is:

Be it Resolved by the People of the State of Ohio:

That the Constitution of the State of Ohio be amended by adopting a section to be designated
as Section 11 of Article XV thereof, to read as follows:

Article XV

Section 11. Only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in or
recognized by this state and its political subdivisions. This state and its political
subdivisions shall not create or recognize a legal status for relationships of unmarried
individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance or effect of marriage.


~*~*~*~*~


There will be a rally-protest opposing this amendment from 4-5:30 P.M. tomorrow.

The location of the rally-protest has been changed. It will now be held at Market Square Park. Market Square park is at Lorain and West 25th street, across from the West side market.

There has been some mention of meeting up here at Jawndomay (my place), for anyone who is interested. Please let me know A.S.A.P., as I'd like to get there just before 4P.M.



Ohio... [is] the 39th state with a law banning marriage rights for same-sex couples; however, no other state prohibits the extension of benefits to all unmarried couples. - from the article,"HRC DENOUNCES OHIO BAN ON MARRIAGE AND MARRIAGE-RELATED BENEFITS FOR SAME-SEX COUPLES"


This is not merely a marriage issue. It is a civil rights issue which effects not only families of all forms, but also drastically harms Ohio's economy:

According to an analysis of the 2000 Census, every single county in Ohio is home to at least one same-sex couple and same-sex couples with children in Ohio are raising an average of 1.79 children. Heterosexual couples are raising an average of 1.93 children. The law prevents state employees from ever receiving health insurance benefits for their unmarried partners – undoubtedly leading to more uninsured individuals in the state. Additionally, out-of-state same-sex couples who are both legal parents of their children may see these adoptions invalidated or not honored when they visit or move to Ohio.

If you are a part of the LGBT community, a supporter/ ally of someone who is, and most importantly, someone who believes in EQUALITY AMONGST ALL PEOPLE, please come out and be a part of this event. Even if you can't make it until 5:20 P.M., your presence is important, and will make a difference. If you don't believe me, ask me how...I won't claim to know all the answers - I don't - but I have some ideas, and plan on fighting for equal rights in this, no matter what the cost. This effects too many people I know, regardless of their sexual preference.

Please feel free to copy and post this in your own journal too. We need to encourage people to come and support this, no matter what!

Hope to see you all there.

Comments

[thedarksiren.livejournal.com]

so then... will we be seeing you tomorrow?

[transmission00.livejournal.com]

buh, i'll be working then :/

[georgeanne.livejournal.com]

I will try like hell to be there - if I'm not - or can't get the car that will get me to cleveland - know - and pass on to our mutual friends -that my spirit is there with you all.

[dark-gardener.livejournal.com]

Well, I had said that I hoped to be working on the 2nd because I'm broke. I AM working (YAY!), and so will be unable to attend, but I will be there in spirit.

I will, however, post this in my journal in the hopes that anybody else who views it might be able to attend.