Posted on 07/14/2008 3:32:54 PM PDT by SJackson
A famous Chinese proverb teaches that a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.
For Meg Sneed, a 25-year-old Arizona lesbian, journeys to change a thousand hearts begin with a single thought: There's power in sharing personal stories.
In 2006, she and other young activists in Soulforce, a gay rights group devoted to the kind of peaceful confrontation practiced by Gandhi and the Rev. Martin Luther King, traveled eight weeks by bus to evangelical colleges to share what it's like to be gay.
The next year, Sneed, who was fighting cancer, was weak from chemotherapy but walked 60 miles to help raise money for breast cancer research.
Now, with her home state set to vote on banning same-sex couples from marrying, Sneed is back on the move: Starting Aug. 8, she and other young Soulforce activists will walk 96 miles to the state capitol to share touching accounts of how the amendment would hurt real people.
She picked 96 miles for the six-day trek through egg-frying heat because that's the number of years gay Arizonans haven't had equal rights. (Arizona became a state in 1912.)
"Walking 96 miles," Sneed says of her bold adventure, "is nothing compared to a gay or lesbian person being told they can't see their partner in their dying moments at a hospital because they don't have full marriage rights."
At the same time as the blazing walk, other Soulforce activists will spread out to share their stories with Arizona's young Mormons and senior citizens, two large voting blocs that most gay rights supporters would write off as unpersuadable. But Soulforce never writes anyone off.
"It is important to reach out and have those conversations, because until you get the dialogue started, you can't start change," Sneed says.
Besides Arizona, marriage measures will be on the ballot in California and Florida. The broad Florida proposal would ban any sort of legal recognition for couples, except male-female marriage. To pass, it must get 60 percent of the vote.
California, where same-sex couples have been marrying since June 16, is the first state where voters will be asked whether to take marriage rights away from gay couples.
Two years ago, Arizona became the first to defeat a ballot measure that included a gay marriage ban. But that sweeping proposal, similar to the one up now in Florida, would also have banned domestic partner protections, even for heterosexuals.
This year, Arizonans will be voting solely on gay marriage. That distinction hints at the challenges -- and opportunities -- ahead for activists determined to change hearts before Election Day.
Will voters in California or Arizona become the first to turn down an anti-gay amendment limited to marriage? California looks especially promising.
In Arizona, a Cronkite/Eight poll in February found voters supporting an amendment by 49-40 percent. A whopping 11 percent were undecided.
Sneed sees those poll numbers as an invitation to keep talking -- and walking.
"If you just say, 'their minds are not going to change,' then you are right, their minds are not going to change. But if you reach out to them, then there is a possibility."
Hearts are reached, the Arizona woman teaches, one step at a time.
"Walking 96 miles is nothing compared to a gay or lesbian person being told they can't see their partner in their dying moments at a hospital because they don't have full marriage rights."
I'm sympathetic, however this can be corrected with state legislation, it doesn't require "marriage"
it doesnt require legislation. The patient can designate anyone they want to visit at any time. The only restriction is if it is in the ICU there may be a limit to the number of visitors at one time
As for decision making, it is called a medical power of attorney, and can be filed easily at a do it yourself legal site, or a lawyer can help. I urge married couples to have the same paperwork, it helps immensely
The medical arguement is the biggest straw man I have ever seen. I know of no doctor or hospital that does not honor the wishes of a life long partner whether they are of the same sex or the opposite sex.
Where’s the Barf Alert?
Agreed. This focus on hospital visits and legal matters does not require changing the definition of marriage. And an amendment that simply reinforces the status quo is not a punitive measure that takes away rights. I don’t like the way this issues gets debates and presented to us by the MSM.
I do sympathize with her health problems.
I am sympthetic to her statement as well. But my position is that the state should get entirely out of the marriage business. Marriage is what you do in a religious institution; the state should only be empowered to give anyone - gay or straight - a domestic partnership.
Just barf.
Homosexuality is still an abomination unto the Lord.
And despite inflation, the wages of sin is still death.
Liar. Lying little sniveling piece of rat's excrement. Sign a paper, get in to visit-- no need for any "marriage". Same deal with wills, contracts, POA's etc. No rights are denied to these lying bastards.
That’s been my experience in hospital visiting. My wife has been in and out of the hospital for different operations and procedures. I was never ever asked if I was her husband or challenged as to whether I was allowed to accompany her. If this is a problem in some hospitals or some states, it should be changed, and can be changed without changing the legal definition of marriage.
All they need to do is let the hospital know who can visit. There are healthcare powers of attorney, wills and other legal documents available to everyone. What a crock.
Does this actually happen? Ever? Come on.
She’s 25 and battling cancer. That’s really sad. However, it’s a non-sequitur when it comes to the issue of lawful marriage. The left often does this with pet issues. It’s exploitation of the worst kind.
“I’m sympathetic, however this can be corrected with state legislation, it doesn’t require “marriage” “
You are correct. All of the advantages concerning inheritance, contact, medical decisions, property ownership, etc. etc. on the state level can be accomplished by domestic partnership legislation which is becoming increasingly common. Federal benefits are another matter, gay marriage or no gay marriage.
“Soulforce”, in my opinion, is the most vile, deceptive, abominable group to come along in some time, tearing at the heart of the church - full of false teaching and perverting, twisting, and distorting scripture at every turn. They are under the direct control of the enemy himself, in my opinion, no question about it and they are rotten to the core.
Hah! Good line -- I think I'll steal borrow it.
Yes, the wages still remain the same -- but Thank God for HIS Gift...
My sister is a lesbian (I still can’t admit that without shuddering a bit...) and we mix it up ALL the time about her freakin’ RIGHTS.
She has all of the same RIGHTS any single person in America has. She needs to get off her lazy @ss and get to a Lawyer if she wants things set up properly between she and her partner of six years who, amazingly, I really like. Go figure!
But, no. She’d rather play “The Victim Card” time and again and sing the blues. *Rolleyes*
I have the RIGHT to be with my Husband if he’s dying, I just have the convenience of a state-sanctified marriage (something else that makes me shudder; not the marriage, the fact that The State needed to ‘license us’ and CHARGE us for it!) but we STILL made that trip to the Lawyer to make sure everything is in black and white should something happen to either of us, and to ensure our kids are cared for.
Boo-Freakin’-Hoo! Be a Grown Up and take care of business instead of wasting your time walking 96 miles to prove a MOOT point, LOL!
“Soulforce”, in my opinion, is the most vile, deceptive, abominable group..”
They’re as bad as envirowackos.
“And despite inflation, the wages of sin is still death.”
Good one. :)
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I doubt this is a real issue in today's hospitals.
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