The Legislature in the State of Washington is scheduled to pass a Marriage Equality Bill today and the Governor is planning to sign it. The State Senate passed the bill yesterday and the House of Representatives has apparently already passed the same bill. They need to take one more vote so the Bill will be officially considered a single piece of legislation for the Governor to sign.
The State of Washington will be the SEVENTH state plus the District of Columbia to extend equal marriage rights for same-sex couples!
I'm proud to live in the first state in the U.S. (Massachusetts) to allow same-sex couples to marry. This was on May 17, 2004.
Many of you have probably already seen this, but I want to post this video again to celebrate. After we posted the video this past summer, we got an email from the "producer/writer/star" thanking us for sharing this (gay) version of Lady Gaga's song, The Edge of Glory, and we've reprinted the email he sent us below.
Name*:Jason O'Ffill
Email*:rebelwthcause@gmail.com
Subject:The (Gay) Edge of Glory
Message*:Hello All,
My name is Jason O’Ffill. I am the producer/writer/star of “The (Gay) Edge of Glory”. I wanted to personally say thank you to you, for being among the first people to not only post the video; but blog about it as well. It really means the world. In three weeks we have reached 270,000 views. And in all honesty I could never have done it without your help.
The main reason I am writing to you today is, well, I want to really push the video. I have gotten letters from around the world, as far as China and close as Nebraska. All from young people, old people, people. Telling me how a single video showed them that love is amazing. They want to be married. And in a lot of cases, it helped them realize it was okay to be gay.
I want to break the walls we have set up and show the youth of the world that it is okay to be who you are. Cause in the end that is what is important. And while not everyone in this world, gay or straight; wants to be married. We all want to be loved. A basic human need. The positive feeling the video has evoked I want to keep providing. And pushing. If you can help me with this I would greatly appreciate it.
My focus was changed by the responses that I got. And now I want to push the idea that who you are is what you love. At the end of the day, the gym bodies, the clothing, the cars, that will all fade away. What is left is the person. The heart. The soul. That is what is important. That is the edge of glory.
People ask what is real in the video, what is not. It is ALL real for the people that desire it to be. There is a lot of truth on that screen. Let’s continue to show it. The Link is http://youtu.be/be9w4QpQ4Xw.. Please repost it, blog it, link it, Facebook it, tweet it. Let’s send a message. If we can change even one heart we can change the world. We are giving youth hope. Let’s not stop now.
With full thanks, and best regards,
Jason O’Ffill
Woot!! That is amazing, Matt. I keep telling people how proud I am to live in a state that was the VERY first one to legalize (for some reason I don't like that word in this context - as if same sex marriage was illegal) and allow same-sex marriage.
ReplyDeleteAnd how awesome is that our representative Barney Franks will be marrying his long time partner! :)
One of the reasons why I love MA and, most importantly, Boston. Wonderful, wonderful video!! I was smiling the entire time! The moment at 4:25 to 4:35 made me teary eyed! *sniffles*
Yeah, I just heard that Barney Frank and his partner are getting ready to tie the knot.
DeleteIt's also inspiring to see our Governor (Deval Patrick) and his wife marching in Gay Pride with their openly-lesbian daughter.
There's even a "Gay [Police] Officers Action League of New England" and the City of Boston has an organization for LGBT Police Officers who also march in Gay Pride... in uniform!
Um, I am SO going to be there... Police officers, uniform and LGBT... you spoke all the right words, Matt! :D
DeleteVery exciting news! I have been following along here in Maryland as bills are in progress here as well. I just sent letters to all my assorted state legislators. It looks promising as our governor is behind the bill so let's cross our fingers.
ReplyDeleteGo Maryland!
DeleteReally JJ? And here I just posted about MD being behind the eight ball. That's great news, neighbor!
DeleteI know this sounds so trite and overused but never has it been truer. Your generation is our future. You have not only the opportunity but I think the responsibility to speak out for the right for everyone to live in peace and equality. When I was your age it was civil rights for our African American brothers. Now it is your turn to speak. Never forget Matty, Bradley your loving relationship--the sharing of that love on this blog--THAT speaks volumes to the world. Thank you for being so brave--for having the courage to speak for those who cannot!
ReplyDeleteI've heard a lot of people our age saying things like, "Why are people so worked up about denying marriage rights to gay people?" It's like they're trying to grasp the logic behind the argument against it.
DeleteSammy, your confidence in what you call our bravery and courage means a lot to us. Thank you.
DeleteJust rewatched that video. How can you not want that kind of happiness for everybody? These ant-gay marriage folks make me crazy...
ReplyDeleteIt's a great thing. Unfortunately, I've become a cynic after it was overturned in California.
ReplyDeleteYeah I heard about that. Aren't they going through the courts now to overturn "the will of the people" because it's in conflict with the State Constitution? I haven't followed it closely, so I could be wrong about that.
DeleteFor all of you in Massachusetts, my husband's aunt, Elizabeth Warren, is running for the US Senate against Scott Brown. She did an interview January 25th on the website baywindows.com about LGBT issues. She's a really cool lady. Very down to earth and genuinely concerned with what's happening to middle class families.
ReplyDeleteWHAT??? Your husband's aunt is ELIZABETH WARREN??? I'm still trying to learn about the candidates for the Senate race and every time I see her interviewed I'm more and more impressed.
DeleteYep! Better known in our family as Aunt Betsy. Check out her website. Lot's of good info.
DeleteI'll check out her site! "Aunt Besty"? I want a bumper sticker that says, "Aunt Betsy For U.S. Senate." ;)
DeleteLISAAA! OMG that is so awesome! I am very impressed by how she had to come up from a middle class family too!
DeletePlus she is so elegant! :)
I think she would be a great senator.
DeleteLOL!!! I'll get to work on that bumper sticker right away :)
Awesome!! One more state down on a (slowly) growing list!
ReplyDeleteToo slowly, things are changing but they are changing.
ReplyDeleteHere, nothing seems to change, everybody seems not to care...and it's depressing.
Love this vid. Touched each time I see it.
That's great news! Just have to keep working so all states pass this. It still amazes me that people can protest against someone else's happiness and right to marry. I am hoping that by the time my kids are grown this won 't be an issue.
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool...both the Bill and the video guy contacting you. Wonder when my state is gonna jump on the bandwagon? Oh well, progress may be slow but it's better than none at all.
ReplyDeleteI have that video bookmarked for inspiration - love it every time I watch it.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is in WA and she has been texting me with updates -she's always been a champion of fairness and justice in all venues, but especially this one. The tide of opinion is turning, and though sometimes it seems slow and prone to setbacks, I truly believe your generation will see gay marriage eventually legalized across the nation.
And every person who knows you from your blog, or sees your affection for each other in real life, is one more potential ally in that progress toward fair and equal treatment for all. You are part of it.
What an amazing video. It nearly brought me to tears! I hope to one day find that kind of love. It made me feel all gooey inside haha.
ReplyDeleteOh wow! Congrats America for moving another step forward!
ReplyDeleteThe Boston area sounds fantastic. There's a reason it's the setting of my book series. The gay acceptance and rights is very advanced (or that's what I read). Maybe it would have been smarter to use Cambridge...but "Cambridge Boys"? I, as a European, would automatically think "England". So "Boston Boys" it became ;)