Director's Column: Thoughts on Prop 8
It is with a heavy heart I write this month’s column-the California Supreme Court decided to uphold Prop 8 but the thousands of same sex couples that were married stand. It is unimaginable to me that in 2009, people can honestly believe it is okay to deny all people the same protections under the law. Our fore fathers had the ability to write in protections to protect people unlike themselves, but still we struggle with actually giving those rights to all people. After thousands of years and experiences we still cannot justly apply the Constitution to all people.
I was fortunate to spend the evening of Memorial Day in Iowa, with PFLAG members from Decorah, La Crosse, and across Iowa. It was an amazing evening. There were over 20 people gathered to celebrate the holiday. What a rich experience to be with strong advocates for equality. In the room were Catholics, Lutherans, and Methodist church members-a working example of the diversity needed to gain equality for the LGBT community. We all have commonalities that link us as human kind and we must recognize them so we can be successful. I was inspired to see such loving families come to support their children, family members, and friends-it is such a blessing to know there are active thriving groups meeting the needs of families in the tri-state area.
The Center is going strong and we continue to work to meet the needs of the community. We recently started a monthly men’s group which was temporarily called Guy Time and from here on will be called GNO which stands for Guy’s Night Out. GNO will meet the fourth Friday of every month at the Center from 6-8 pm. All male identified persons are welcome. The next meeting for GNO will be June 26th.
We are gearing up for Pride which will be Saturday, August 22nd, at the Southside Fest Grounds. Look for more information as the time draws near. Saturday, June 27th, at Players will be a Drag Show with proceeds to benefit La Crosse Pride, get your reservation today by emailing illusionsreservations@yahoo.com – be sure to indicate it is for the Pride benefit show!
There are many things going on at the Center. Feel free to stop down and check out our library. We have many new books and DVD’s. Thank you to those that have donated books and materials for the Center. It is greatly appreciated.
My heart is still saddened by the injustice that continues in California; however, it just works to fuel my desire to realize equality in my lifetime. We will make progress even with setbacks such as the one today. Stay strong. Together we will make it happen in California, Wisconsin, and across the nation.
Peace & belief,
Rosanne