Sunday, February 26, 2012

MarriageEvolved

So, I want to challenge you. I have tried my hand in activism, and God knows that I am definitely an activist now. In my quest to try and make change and not just noise, I have had friends support my crazy ideas like dontsayh8 or my rants on here. I have realized something though as of late, what good does it do? I know I have friends who have signed on and will fight the fight, Zac, Ty, Bennie and of course Steve (hell, he's the bravest of us all), but how do I cause massive change, how do we?

I got married in May of 2011 to man I love more than anything; to a man I would lay my own life on the line for. To be very frank, for a man who has laid his life on the line for every person reading this blog and those who never will. I think that's one of the main reasons I have become so crazed by causing true and real change. I want to alter peoples thought, I want people to go beyond clicking 'like' or sharing my links. I want all my friends to become part of a movement, and I want them to expect the same of their friends!

Right now my marriage is not recognized in the state where I live. I know brave families, who have children, and who are on this case with Steve and I. Families who are willing to sacrifice their lives for every single one of you. Yet NONE of them have promises that their families will be OK if the worst should happen. Some of those very heroes live with diseases that are a grim reality. And how are they spending their few remaining days that are winding down in front of them? They spend them fighting for their families wellbeing for when they are gone, rather than enjoying what little time they have left with their family.

I do not care if you love a person of the same gender or not, you are affected by this. You have family, friends, coworkers, or just a friendly stranger who are being treated like second rate human beings. They are being told that who they love is not normal, is not OK, and is vile. Would you ever stand for another person saying that to you, your children, your parents, your grandparents, your best friends, or anyone you cared for? No you wouldn't, so why are you now? 

Over for the next few weeks/months Steve and I will take even larger steps to wake people up. With that said, I want to challenge you, AND I TRULY MEAN YOU! If you are my friend, if you respect me as a human being, and if you are reading this, I am putting a true challenge to you. MAKE CHANGE, BE AN ACTIVIST, and STOP INEQUALITY.

If you live in a state like Ohio, it is time to truly make an impact. If your state does not support equality and you are not married, but plan to get married, I have a huge request.  It's not for just me, it's for every LGBT member out there. Get married in a state that DOES support equality, do your gift registry with small businesses in states that DO support equality, spend your honeymoon there. Start to MAKE AN IMPACT! Show the leaders of Ohio that, if this great state, or any state for that matter, will not support equality, that YOU WILL NOT SUPPORT IT. Even If you're married spend your anniversary vacation enjoying a city like NYC that supports equality.


This sounds huge and it is a ton to ask, but do you really think clicking 'like' on my post is doing a damn thing? Do you think the eight couples fighting for this will be enough? NO! Why do you think we are all putting our necks out there to spread the word of what we are being denied? It's because we need support FROM EVERYONE. We need people making statements, talking to friends, and making an impact on what this really means.

I will make one last point and leave it to you. I ask that if you support me, you make a vow to take your business to a state that DOES support marriage equality! I am not asking you to leave your family, live on the other side of the earth, risk a bullet that could end your life, or a mortar that could take you from your family. I am asking you to take an amazing moment in your life and use it to not only show your love to your husband or wife, but to make a stand.  A stand that will not risk your life, but a  stand that will help cause change and show that you would never deny someone the amazing love you have found yourself. I want to see who will commit to this. I have people who are not friends already making this promise, will you?

Write me an email or make me a video and explain how you will MAKE CHANGE how you will be a TRUE activist. Spread the word, get commitments, PUSH PEOPLE! We can send a message across the country that we will no longer just sit back and sign a bill or click 'share', a message that we will make a financial impact that will send a booming message. Imagine how huge a message can be when people are leaving their states in droves to show support for equality. So do this! Spread this! Please help me make this happen! MAKE them hear our message!

I want MarriageEvolved, I want equal rights and damn it I deserve them!

4 comments:

Karen Morgan said...

Thanks for stepping up the fight! Your message is beatifully & powerfully stated. May I put a link to your blog on my own?

Jeaksua said...

Please do share!

Unknown said...

Thank you Josh, you gave me something to think about. I remember applying a similar strategy during the SB5 debacle (not supporting businesses that supported the bill), but I'm embarrassed to admit that I never thought to support businesses in states that support equality. I guess our roles have reversed - thanks for the lesson and I will make a conscious effort.

Steven Howell said...

Thank you Josh, you gave me something to think about. I remember applying a similar strategy during the SB5 debacle (not supporting businesses that supported the bill), but I'm embarrassed to admit that I never thought to support businesses in states that support equality. I guess our roles have reversed - thanks for the lesson and I will make a conscious effort.