Dear Editor -
RE: California Supreme Court ruling on Marriage equality
My partner and I were married in a religious ceremony in the Unitarian Universalist church a year and a half ago. We have been registered domestic partners for several years. Following Thursday’s ruling of the California Supreme Court we will soon enjoy the same dignity and respect as other marriages through full legal recognition.
I am proud to be a Californian and a Unitarian Universalist today. Our denomination has been at the forefront of advocating for equal rights regardless of sexual orientation. Our denomination has called for same sex marriage by resolutions at our General Assembly for more than 20 years. And our clergy have been blessing same-sex relationships in some cases for more than 50 years. More directly, my Santa Clarita Valley congregation was one of the many religious organizations in California that added our name to an interfaith Amicus brief that was part of this present case before the California Supreme Court. I had also signed the brief as an independent clergy supporter.
Today’s Supreme Court ruling is an affirmation of my faith in a loving God who celebrates the flowering of love wherever it appears, and who urges each of us to express our individuality, celebrate our diversity, support each other equally, and create safe communities for all of us to live our full deep selves.
Rev. Ricky Hoyt
Thursday, May 15, 2008
my letter to the editor re: marriage equality
I'm getting married, again.
The historic ruling came at 10 AM, California time, when my husband Peleg was on a plane flying to Boston. I emailed and texted the news to him, and asked if he would marry me. He texted me back when he landed that he would.
Tonight I will be attending a political rally in the street in West Hollywood. The Gay Men's Chorus has been asked to sing. We're going to sing, "Brand New Day." from the Wiz. It's the scene at the beginning of the Wizard of Oz story where the munchkins learn that the Wicked Witch of the East is dead:
Everybody look around
'Cause there's a reason to rejoice you see
Everybody come out
And let's commence to singing joyfully
Everybody look up
And feel the hope that we've been waiting for
Everybody's glad
Because our silent fear and dread is gone
Freedom, you see, has got our hearts singing so joyfully
Just look about
You owe it to yourself to check it out
Can't you feel a brand new day?
full lyrics here.
more marriage equality
from page 120 of the California Supreme Court majority opinion (4 to 3) issued today:
"Accordingly, in light of the conclusions we reach concerning the constitutional questions brought to us for resolution, we determine that the language of section 300 limiting the designation of marriage to a union "between a man and a woman" is unconstitutional and must be stricken from the statute, and that the remaining statutory language must be understood as making the designation of marriage available both to opposite-sex and same-sex couples. In addition, because the limitation of marriage to opposite-sex couples imposed by section 308.5 can have no constitutionally permissible effect in light of the constitutional conclusions set forth in this opinion, that provision cannot stand."
I cannot express how thrilled I am. My heart is beating so fast.
california marriage equality
we won! From page 12 of the opinion released today:
"Accordingly, we conclude that to the extent the current California statutory provisions limit marriage to opposite-sex couples, these statutes are unconstitutional."
round and round
a little more than a month ago a car drove through the front window of my gym and took out the entire room of aerobics equipment. The gym owner used the insurance money to buy all new machines. So far so good. And after waiting over a month they finally arrived.
Here's the bad news. He bought nothing but treadmills and ellipticals. I always rode the stationary bike because I figured it helped me with my training for my actual cycling. He only had a couple of old machines and sometimes there was a wait for them. But now I don't even have the option of waiting for a bike because there aren't any. I know the ellipticals are popular but I've tried them in the past and never felt like they gave me a good workout. The treadmills are definitely out as being too hard on the knees.
Anyway, yesterday, seeing I had no choice unless I was willing to find a new gym I climbed aboard one of the ellipticals. And I spun around for half an hour. And after I adjusted the resistance up a few times I have to admit I had a pretty good workout. You know I was looking for a new thing anyway. Why do we waste our time grumbling for nothing? Silly habits and prejudices.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
sabrina eating
a two minute video of my dog sabrina eating a carrot. I love the way she holds it between her paws. And the sound of crunching. Notice that she knows she has to take it outside to eat.
sabrina crying
a thirty-two second video of my dog Sabrina crying for attention, even though she's already on the couch. The voice you hear and the right forearm you see belong to my husband Peleg.