Plans for the January meeting will be announced here shortly.

Again, we apologize for the short notice and cancellation. Please make sure you sign up for the newsletter to stay informed about all activities for EAA Tucson.

Thank you for your understanding.

There are no logical reasons possible for continuing to deny LGBT Americans their full measure of rights as promised in our Constitution. This constant cycle of voting on the civil rights of others is weakening our nation as it calls into question that truly there is no right that is not subject to mob rule at this point in our history.

When the government decided to link inheritance laws, insurance laws, visitation rights, parental rights, and even the right to bury a deceased partner to a civil contract called “marriage” they assumed the responsibility to insure that all people in loving and committed relationships have access to that contract without regard to religious belief.

Once again it has been proved that Madison was correct when he cautioned that majority rule when applied to civil rights would lead to mob rule. In America today civil rights are being bestowed on citizens not as a natural right but rather as a popularity contest. These votes should be a wake up call to every American who values freedom because it signals that each of us can have our rights stripped away in a moment with specious arguments.

We could not say this better than the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force did in their statement:

“Denying this fundamental freedom to same-sex couples and their families doesn’t protect anyone; it simply places more families in harm’s way and makes them more vulnerable to discrimination and hardship.”

The vote in New York strengthens our resolve that LGBT rights are not something that must be “given” but rather that we already possess those rights under the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution but are being denied those rights by those who are pursuing a narrow agenda of exclusion, misinformation, and hate.

We will continue to fight for our rights under the 14th Amendment as the events in the New York Senate show that no one will be free until we are all free.

The second meeting of the CDAT will continue our planning for upcoming events including support of the “Freedom to Marry Day” counter actions in cooperation with Marriage Equality USA – Arizona.

In addition we will discuss ideas for better organizing the group in order to insure a sustainable organization for the future. Items will include a discussion of incorporating as a non-profit or PAC.

Also included will be updates from current members on outreach efforts within the LGBT community as well as allies from the straight community, labor, native American groups, the faith community and other minority and social justice groups.

Focus will be on developing ideas to involve more members of our community in the fight for equality directly with particular attention paid to youth and college age people.

All attendees are asked to give their input, propose ideas, and voice concerns about the state of the fight for full equality for LGBT Americans.

Please join us on Sunday for this important meeting and bring a friend!

President Barack Obama address the Human Rights Campaign on the eve of the National Equality March.

At certain times in history great people step forward to do the right thing even when it is unpopular or difficult. Despite personal misgivings about it being the “right time” to tackle Civil Rights for African-Americans John F. Kennedy finally stepped up to bat. Lyndon B. Johnson, a Southerner brooked the hatred of his own home state, hatred that led to the assassination of his predecessor, to push through the landmark “Civil Rights Act.” Today, LGBT Americans wait while Barack Obama, a direct beneficiary of Kennedy’s & Johnson’s risks hems and haws and says “it’s not the right time.”
Is it ever the right time? There will always be those who would prefer that only their race, religion, sex, or economic class be allowed the full measure of civil rights. We still have people today who would prefer that African Americans were denied basic civil rights.

Even the Great Emancipator didn’t think it was the “right time” for the very same slaves he freed to have full civil rights in our nation. It would be another 5 years after his death before our Constitution was amended to allow former slaves to vote in elections. It would be almost 100 more years before Johnson still fighting against those whispering “it’s not the right time” signed the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act.

Today, we see forces in our nation who do their very best at every election to make sure that these same great-grandchildren of those freemen are kept from the polls. From voter intimidation to outright fraud at the polls, those who would see a person stripped of their right to vote because of race and/or economic status are out in force. Obviously, it is still “not the right time.”

If “the right time” is defined as the moment when there no longer exists anyone who will oppose those selfsame Civil Rights then that time will never come. Instead, “the right time” is the moment when those rights are most under attack by the forces of ignorance, intolerance, hatred, and cruelty.

“The right time” is now, not tomorrow, not next week. “The right time” cannot wait until it is politically expedient and safe for each day delayed is a lifetime lost.

At moments in history when a portion of our population was under attack there have always been men of vision to step into the fray and say “Now is the time!” Where are those men today when LGBT Americans are told “You cannot love without the consent of the majority. You cannot take care of yourself or your family. You are not as valuable. Your service is not needed. Your hopes and dreams are worth less than mine!” Where are those men who will step into this fray and tell those who oppose our right to live our lives with the same protections as all other Americans that they are wrong and their time is over?

We keep looking to President Obama and he only extends a handshake and glances away. Still, we hope that he will be the one. We hope that he will be the next great President who will inch our nation forward on the road to freedom for all. Mr. President, now is the time and it is your time if you are willing to seize this moment and be strong.

Anyway, we’re working on restoring the site and have decided to go back to a more secure platform.

Thank you for your understanding and patience. In the meantime, if you have questions, please feel free to email Equality Across America Tucson.