South Carolina, New and Improved

[EntycingFemme]

Originally posted by GentleKnyghtt
Did you get everything you wanted for your birthday?
*wicked grin*

Well...............

I didn't find the Harley in the driveway yet ..... dammit.

I had to work the whole weekend......

But... the Panthers goin to the Superbowl is a start !

besides........I have plenty of time to celebrate...

and to get everything I want ....

[tattooedturtle]

:::::::: sticking my toe in just to warm it up ::::::::::

[GentleKnyghtt]

A harley in the driveway??

[EntycingFemme]

Originally posted by GentleKnyghtt
A harley in the driveway??

I was really hoping to find one wrapped up in a big red Birthday bow... but darn it !

Maybe next year....

[FemmeLovinBoi]

Originally posted by EntycingFemme
I was really hoping to find one wrapped up in a big red Birthday bow... but darn it !

Maybe next year....

You didn't get the one I sent to you????

[Sweet Thang aka Celeste]

Hi All,

My partner and I are moving to South Carolina within the next 2-6 months and I am a little nervous about the LGBT climate and finding community. We are able to be very out in Philadelphia with our two kids. We are active in our church too.

We plan to move to one of the towns between Florence and Sumter. Can someone tell me something positive or does anyone live within an hour of here? If I don't have community, I don't think I'll survive two months.

Thank you.

[jelli]

Neither Cruel or I are familiar with that area. I will tell you SC has some sweet little historical areas. Beautiful scenary to boot.

Good luck!

[Sweet Thang aka Celeste]

Jelli,

I love the history and architecture of Philadelphia. It is one of the reasons why I enjoy this city. I hope that SC can satisfy some of my interest in this area.

Thanks

[GentleKnyghtt]

South Carolina is a great place to live! I love driving home and seeing the mountains. I've lived in New Jersey, Penn, and Florida, and I've never loved a state more than I love South Carolina!!
GO Panthers!!!

[GentleKnyghtt]

I posted the last message in the wrong place *shrugs* what can I say? It's friday, I'm tired....and maybe a slight airhead at times *grinzzzz*
Sorry!!

[Sweet Thang aka Celeste]

Wish us luck...My partner and I are driving down to SC this weekend to look at houses. We both are very intested in one particular. We are very excited! It has everything that we could want in a house, including an excellent price, low taxes, no neighbor for over a half a mile and lots of trees on the property.

My partner seems to believe that we will not have any problems with anti-gay people, since she has so much biological family in the area.

What an adventure we are on!

[boi4life19]

Good Morning! 20/f/sc....here! Butch i might add! Looking for a sweet femme in SC as well!

[Sweet Thang aka Celeste]

Hello All,

We drove down to see this house that I fell in love with and found out it is infested with termites. They have literally eatin' the entire house.

We have decided to build a house. My partner's father has a trailer we will live in on the land temporarily until the house is finished. He is also giving us two of his 48 acres.

It looks like we will be moving down when the kids are finished school for this year. We are both very excited!

Thanks for listening.

[FemmeLovinBoi]

Just droppin' by to see how things are in South Carolina. Heard ya'll had some snow. We got some here but even 4 inches was melted within 24 hours. That's West Texas for you. In the teens one day and the 60's the next.

[jelli]

My how time flies...

It's been 19mths today...

*today*

(waving to two michigander pals)

Good luck Celeste.

[jelli]

Vote on this little TV poll. Make a difference where you can.

Go to the bottom right corner of the page and vote AGAINST a
constitutional amendment.


http://www.counton2.com/servlet/Sate.../CBD_FrontPage

[jelli]

As an FYI, Larry had the article below printed in this mornings Greenville News as an Op-ed piece.
Same-sex marriage is about fairness, equality
Posted Monday, March 1, 2004 - 7:11 pm Greenville News

By Larry Candler

Contrary to popular opinion, marriage is not under attack. Gay people are simply asking that they be allowed to marry the person they love and afforded all the civil rights associated therewith.

My wife and I have been married 42 years. We cannot think of a reason how our marriage will be devalued by allowing same-sex marriage. It certainly would not be a special right for same-sex couples. The term is more applicable to heterosexual couples since we are the ones receiving the benefits of marriage.

Many same-sex couples are in long-term relationships. The 2000 census noted approximately 7,200 same-sex households in South Carolina. This number is probably low since many couples fear discrimination in employment and reprisals if someone learns of their relationship. No one in this country should be fearful of losing their job or being harmed physically for who they are.

Many same-sex couples have adopted children and are raising them in a loving, supportive environment. Often these are children others will not adopt because of some abnormality. Studies have shown that children raised by same-sex couples are as well adjusted as those raised by opposite-sex couples. Allowing gay couples to marry can only make the family unit stronger, not weaker.

President Bush not only wants to deny same-sex couples the right to marry, but he wants to do it by amending the Constitution. It has been amended 17 times since 1791. Each time it was done to expand the rights of the citizens. An amendment to deny the right to marry would be the first time the Constitution has been used to deny citizens their rights.

South Carolina legislators are also considering two bills (HR4657 and HR4674) that would disallow same-sex marriage as well as reciprocity with states that do allow it. With the economic and budget problems we face in our state and nation, our governmental officials have better things to do than to pass discriminatory laws against citizens who work and pay taxes.

Activist judges are blamed for the assault on marriage. This is a common tactic when the courts rule against prejudice in our society. When the Supreme Court ruled against state bans on interracial marriage, the decision was not popular and was criticized by the politicians of that era. The "Brown vs. Board of Education" decision ending segregation in our public schools was also highly unpopular.

Prejudice can never be allowed to be the order of the day, even if it is popular. The Constitution was designed to prevent the tyranny of the majority against the rights of the minority.

Many argue it is a moral issue (sin against God). If whether someone is a sinner is the basis for marriage, who among us would qualify? Civil marriage is a civil contract between two people. It has nothing to do with religious beliefs although some believe that it is a religious sacrament. They are entitled to this belief but they do not have the right to force it on others.

Some people are against same-sex marriage because they believe churches would be required to perform them. This is not correct. No church or synagogue would be forced to perform same-sex marriages. It would be a choice by individual churches. There already are churches that will perform same-sex marriages for those who desire to have a religious ceremony.

There are 1,049 laws that benefit heterosexuals that are denied to same-sex couples. Marriage has tax and workplace implications such as automatic qualification for health insurance benefits, the fairness guarantees of divorce law, inheritance rights, estate resolution in the absence of a will and asset protection for estranged couples with joint accounts. Imagine being shut out of a partner's sick room, losing custody rights to your children and being denied the right to plan a funeral that honors your love.

Our leaders say they want to strengthen marriage. Then they say "no" to people who want to marry and form a long-term relationship. This logic defies understanding.

President Bush stated, "A strong America must also value the institution of marriage." Same-sex couples recognize the value and want to participate. Not allowing them to participate is nothing more than discrimination. Same-sex marriage is an issue of fairness and equality. It is nothing more and nothing less.

[petitedrag]

*waiting to see jelli's wedding pictures*

[jelli]

::: pictures will be awhile yet :::

[jelli]

There is a call for action in this email. Please contact your
representatives and senators
Thanks,
Larry Candler

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

We've lived to fight another day. The S.C. House did not reach H4657
today. That puts our bill behind the budget. Our lobbyist thinks the
earliest that H4657 will reach the floor for a vote will be on Tuesday,
March 16. THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT WE HAVE ANY TIME TO RELAX! That
just
gives us two weeks to get prepared.
>
> We are trying to put together a press conference with straight ally
groups
for Wednesday, March 17, 2004. If you have contacts with NAACP, Urban
League, NOW, YWCA, etc., please contact those folks now and ask them to
support us.
>
> Also, write your state senator and representative. If you go to
www.scequality.org and enter your zip code in the "Contact lawmakers"
section of the first page of the website, you will get email links to
your
elected officials. Tell them you oppose the bills which discriminate
again
GLBT folks (H4657, H4674, S0996, S0387). Our letter-writing campaign
is
critical.
>
> Thanks for all you are doing.
>
> You can email South Carolina representatives and senators at the
following
addresses:

Legislators' E-mails:
South Carolina Senate
Thomas C. Alexander: TCA@scsenate.org
Ralph Anderson: RA@scsenate.org
Andre Bauer: RAB@scsenate.org
William S. "Bill" Branton, Jr.: WSB@scsenate.org
John E. Courson: SIV@scsenate.org
John W. Drummond: SFI@scsenate.org
Dick Elliott: DE@scsenate.org
Michael L. Fair: MJM@scsenate.org
Robert Ford: RIF@scsenate.org
Warren K. Giese: WKG@scsenate.org
Maggie Wallace Glover: MWG@scsenate.org
Chauncey K. Gregory: CKG@scsenate.org
Lawrence K. Grooms: LKG@scsenate.org
Robert W. Hayes, Jr.: RH@scsenate.org
Donald H. Holland: SJU@scsenate.org
C. Bradley Hutto: CBH@scsenate.org
Darrell Jackson: DJ1@scsenate.org
John C. Land III: STR@scsenate.org
Hugh K. Leatherman, Sr.: SET@scsenate.org
Phil P. Leventis:SAG@scsenate.org
Larry A. Martin: LAM@scsenate.org
John W. Matthews, Jr.: JWM@scsenate.org
Glenn F. McConnell: SRU@scsenate.org
J.Yancey McGill: JYM@scsenate.org
William C. Mescher: WCM@scsenate.org
Thomas L. Moore: MED@scsenate.org
William H. O'Dell:WHO@scsenate.org
Ernest L. Passailaigue, Jr.: ELP@scsenate.org
Kay Patterson: KAY@scsenate.org
Harvey S. Peeler, Jr.: SFG@scsenate.org
Clementa C. Pinckney: CCP@scsenate.org
Luke A. Rankin: LR@scsenate.org
Arthur Ravenel, Jr.: AR@scsenate.org
Glenn G. Reese:GR@scsenate.org
Scott H. Richardson: SR1@scsenate.org
W. Greg Ryberg: WGR@scsenate.org
Edward E. Saleeby: SBI@scsenate.org
Nikki G.Setzler:EDU@scsenate.org
Linda H. Short (Mrs. Paul): LHS@scsenate.org
J. Verne Smith: SLC@scsenate.org
David L. Thomas: CP@scsenate.org
Robert L.Waldrep, Jr.: RLW@scsenate.org
Addison G. "Joe" Wilson: SGE@scsenate.org
South Carolina House
Karl B. Allen: KBA@scstatehouse.net
Merita A. Allison: MAA@scstatehouse.net
Harry R. Askins: HRA@scstatehouse.net
Dr. Jimmy C. Bales: JCB@scstatehouse.net
Liston D. Barfield: LDB@scstatehouse.net
J. Gresham Barrett: JGB@scstatehouse.net
James A. Battle, Jr.: JAB@scstatehouse.net
Kenneth A. Bingham: KAB@scstatehouse.net
William K. Bowers: WKB@scstatehouse.net
Floyd Breeland: FB@scstatehouse.net
Grady A. Brown: GB@scstatehouse.net
Joe E. Brown: HMM@scstatehouse.net
Robert L. Brown: RLB@scstatehouse.net
George E. Campsen III: GCC@scstatehouse.net
Marion P. Carnell: HIC@scstatehouse.net
Harry F. Cato: HLC@scstatehouse.net
Converse A. Chellis III: CAC@scstatehouse.net
William "Bill" Clyburn: WC@scstatehouse.net
Marty W. Coates: MWC@scstatehouse.net
Gilda Cobb-Hunter: GCH@scstatehouse.net
Creighton B. Coleman: CBC@scstatehouse.net
Daniel T. Cooper: DTC@scstatehouse.net
William F. "Bill" Cotty: WFC@scstatehouse.net
Thomas M. Dantzler: TMD@scstatehouse.net
G. Ralph Davenport, Jr.: GRD@scstatehouse.net
F. Gregory Delleney, Jr.: FGD@scstatehouse.net
Michael E. Easterday: MEE@scstatehouse.net
Tracy R. Edge: TE@scstatehouse.net
Eldridge R. Emory: ERE@scstatehouse.net
Ronald N. Fleming: hin@scstatehouse.net
Mary Beth Freeman: BF@scstatehouse.net
Marion B. Frye: MBF@scstatehouse.net
JoAnne Gilham: JG@scstatehouse.net
Amos L. Gourdine: ALG@scstatehouse.net
Jerry N. Govan, Jr.: JNG@scstatehouse.net
Glenn L. Hamilton: GLH@scstatehouse.net
Robert W. Harrell, Jr.: HWM@scstatehouse.net
James H. Harrison: HJU@scstatehouse.net
C. Alexander Harvin III: CAH@scstatehouse.net
Jackie E. Hayes: JH@scstatehouse.net
Jesse E. Hines: JEH@scstatehouse.net
Mack T. Hines: MTH@scstatehouse.net
Shirley R. Hinson: SRH@scstatehouse.net
Lonnie Hosey: LH1@scstatehouse.net
Leon Howard: LH@scstatehouse.net
Chip Huggins: CH@scstatehouse.net
Douglas Jennings, Jr.: DJ@scstatehouse.net
Thomas G. Keegan: TGK@scstatehouse.net
Mark S. Kelley: MSK@scstatehouse.net
Kenneth Kennedy: KK@scstatehouse.net
James S. Klauber: SJK@scstatehouse.net
Jake M. Knotts, Jr.: JMK@scstatehouse.net
Larry L. Koon: LLK@scstatehouse.net
James N. Law: JNL@scstatehouse.net
Robert W. "Bob" Leach: RWL@scstatehouse.net
Brenda Lee: BGL@scstatehouse.net
Harry B. Limehouse III: HBL@scstatehouse.net
Lanny F. Littlejohn: LFL@scstatehouse.net
Walter P. Lloyd: WPL@scstatehouse.net
Dwight A. Loftis: DAL@scstatehouse.net
Joel Lourie: JBL@scstatehouse.net
James H. "Jay" Lucas: JL@scstatehouse.net
David J. Mack III: DJM@scstatehouse.net
Becky Rogers Martin: BRM@scstatehouse.net
E. DeWitt McCraw: EDM@scstatehouse.net
James G. McGee III: JGM@scstatehouse.net
Walton J. McLeod: WJM@scstatehouse.net
Becky Meacham-Richardson:
HET@scstatehouse.net
James H. Merrill: JM1@scstatehouse.net
Vida O. Miller: VOM@scstatehouse.net
Bessie Moody-Lawrence:
BAM@scstatehouse.net
Joseph H. Neal: JN@scstatehouse.net
James M. "Jimmy" Neal: JMN@scstatehouse.net
Denny Woodall Neilson: DWN@scstatehouse.net
Harry L. Ott, Jr.: HLO@scstatehouse.net
David J. Owens: DJO@scstatehouse.net
J. Anne Parks: JAP@scstatehouse.net
Robert S. Perry, Jr.: RSP@scstatehouse.net
Olin R. Phillips: ORP@scstatehouse.net
Richard M. Quinn, Jr.: RMQ@scstatehouse.net
Rex F. Rice: RFR@scstatehouse.net
John W. "Bill" Riser: JWR@scstatehouse.net
R. Thayer Rivers, Jr.: RTR@scstatehouse.net
Alfred B. Robinson, Jr.: ABR@scstatehouse.net
Edith Martin Rodgers: EMR@scstatehouse.net
J. Todd Rutherford: JTR@scstatehouse.net
William E. Sandifer III: WES@scstatehouse.net
Wallace B. Scarborough:
WBS@scstatehouse.net
John L. Scott, Jr.: JLS@scstatehouse.net
Charles R. Sharpe: HAG@scstatehouse.net
Vincent A. Sheheen: VS@scstatehouse.net
J. Gary Simrill: JGS@scstatehouse.net
Phillip K. "Phil" Sinclair: PKS@scstatehouse.net
Donald C. Smith: DCS@scstatehouse.net
Fletcher N. Smith, Jr.: FNS@scstatehouse.net
G. Murrell Smith, Jr.: GMS@scstatehouse.net
James E. Smith, Jr.: RepSmith@JamesSmith.org
J. Roland Smith: JS@scstatehouse.net
W. Douglas "Doug" Smith: cs@scstatehouse.net
John J. "Bubber" Snow: JJS@scstatehouse.net
Harry C. Stille: HCS@scstatehouse.net
Elsie Rast Stuart: ERS@scstatehouse.net
Scott F. Talley: SFT@scstatehouse.net
J. Adam Taylor: AT@scstatehouse.net
Michael D. Thompson: MT@scstatehouse.net
Ronald P. Townsend: HED@scstatehouse.net
Daniel L. Tripp: DLT@scstatehouse.net
Teddy N. Trotter: TNT@scstatehouse.net
Lewis R. Vaughn: HOM@scstatehouse.net
Robert E. "Bob" Walker: REW@scstatehouse.net
Byron K. "Bud" Webb: BKW@scstatehouse.net
J. David Weeks: JDW@scstatehouse.net
Michael S. Whatley: MSW@scstatehouse.net
J. Seth Whipper: JSW@scstatehouse.net
W. Brian White: WBW@scstatehouse.net
Donny Wilder: DW@scstatehouse.net
David H. Wilkins: HSP@scstatehouse.net
William D. Witherspoon: WDW@scstatehouse.net
Annette D. Young: ADY@scstatehouse.net
W. Jeffrey Young: WJY@scstatehouse.net

[jelli]

Folks we have a battle on our hands for fairness and equality. The South Carolina Equality Coalition has developed an "Action Center" which will take you through the issues. I urge you to go to the SCEC website (www.scequality.org) for a list of actions that you can take at the local level and the federal level.

There are 5 main messages that we want to convey:

1. We have to pay attention to the discrimination the proposed state legislation and the federal marriage amendment creates.

2. We have to remind folks that there is still a separation of church and state.

3. We have to point out the correlation between civil rights and this movement to ban rights of specific individuals.

4. We have to raise the issue of fundamental rights being challenged.

5. We have to point out that this is a diversion strategy to deflect attention away from the real problems in this state and nation such as rising health care cost, rising tuition at state supported universities, loss of jobs, budget shortfalls, etc.

I urge you to get involved and take action for our glbt children, friends, and family members. We will discuss some specific items that we can do as PFLAG at the meeting on Wednesday.

[FemmeLovinBoi]

Originally posted by jelli


Prejudice can never be allowed to be the order of the day, even if it is popular. The Constitution was designed to prevent the tyranny of the majority against the rights of the minority.

Great article! Thanks for posting this Jelli.

[jelli]

"All I've been hearing or reading in the news is how gay marriage is going to harm heterosexual marriage. I'm having a hard time understanding how our gay friends being married is going to destroy our marriages.

After all we heterosexuals are doing such a fantastic job of marriage. We have a 50% divorce rate, and as far as a typical family, what about all the remarriages with families consisting of his, hers, & ours? How is that good for the children? What about all the single mothers out there raising their children alone because all these wonderful heterosexual men can't take the responsibility and so leave their wives & children and don't even pay child support, is that what we want for our children? Do we heterosexuals have such a good marriage & relationship record?

How could 2 people of the same sex who love each other and want to be married hurt my marriage? I am proud to say I have been married for over 46 years, (to the same man), have a gay son, & lots of gay friends. Some of them have been committed to each other for 20, or more years. It hasn't affected my marriage one iota. How is it going to affect yours? Be honest with yourself how is affording Gay people who are taxpaying law abiding citizens the right to marry going to hurt your marriage?

What I think it boils down to is fear. Fear of something we don't understand. A lot of you don't think you know any gays but that,s not true, their your neighbors, friends, family members, even your pastors, ( who are forced to hide their identities, because of your irrational fears.) No one can make you gay, unless you are, no one can make a gay person straight, unless they are..I have heard many horror stories by friends who have tried to be straight, in order to fit in to sociaties definition of how we should be.)IT DOESN'T WORK!!!

We feared blacks & whites marrying, they said the world would end, it didn't. It won't end if gays are allowed to marry.This is America we are supposed to stand for freedom for all.

Now we are in Iraq trying to tell them how to run their government and how to write their constitution, you know that the woman are treated like second class citizens with no rights, it was that way here too, but we grew, we opened our minds, and the world did not end when women were allowed to vote & be counted. If we as Americans cannot extend rights to every citizen equally, than who are we to tell other countries how to achieve freedom. My gay son & friends don't have it here in the USA.

Think about it! It may be you who are denied rights in the future because of who you are! Don't deny them to our children.

Carole Lender "

[jelli]

South Carolina Gay and Lesbian Pride Movement

[jelli]

Two women from Spartanburg Marry

I've met these two and they are extremely kind and definitely in love.

[jelli]

Hi All, I received this email from Phil, and wanted to share it with all of the group. I urge all who can, write or email their legislature. We need to let them know there are more people in S.C. than just the conservatives.



March 5, 2004



Dear Senators/Representatives,



I encourage you to vote NO on Bills 4657 and 4674. These Bills are hateful and discriminating. This Country has just killed thousands of people in Iraq and spent billions of dollars in the name of freedom, when right here, in our own country our Lawmakers submit Bills that will take away freedom in our own country. THIS IS WRONG! My hope is that you will open a dialog with your colleagues and vote NO.



I am a citizen of this state, I pay taxes on my property, I pay taxes on my business, and my employees do the same. I am personally responsible for millions of dollars going into our local and state economy. I provide a living for scores of people in my community and I love South Carolina.



Our constitution protects the rights of ALL PEOPLE. Any law that discriminates against one of us discriminates against ALL of us. Why do we, as human beings, find it necessary to judge others? I will never have the answer to this.



Gay and Lesbian people are Business owners, Executives in large Companies, Professors at our Universities, Teachers in our classrooms, Doctors, Nurses, Attorneys and most of all Human Beings. They are kind, gentle, strong, and talented. I know this because these are my friends. My friends and I have families that love us and we try to shelter them as best as we can from all the hate that is directed towards us. They would not understand. To them we are just who we are. Their love is unconditional.



Yesterday was the most emotional and wonderful day of my life. The mother of my child told me that she knew from the minute that she heard my voice that I was going to raise her child. She is a college student with a beautiful 3 year old daughter that she loves more than anything. Becoming pregnant was not in her plans. She is fortunate enough to have a family that supports her and is giving her the opportunity to go to college and become a nurse. The father is not in the picture and she can not support this child. She has been struggling with this for 5 months. She had considered a married couple, but she never really felt that it was right. They were very nice, but something was missing. She saw our website and she was moved. The minute she heard my voice she was at peace. In her own words, she said, I have never felt so right about a decision in my life. Out of the thousands of people in this country that want to adopt a child, SHE CHOSE ME!



I am 40 years old. God has always answered my prayers except for one. When I was eighteen years old, I prayed, God, I dont want to be Gay. People will hate me and I do not want to be alone. God did not have to answer my prayer. The answer was already there.


Sincerely,


Phil Anderson

[jelli]

BITTERSWEET NEWS FROM THE STATEHOUSE
an email from Nekki Shutt distributed through the SCEC Alert list on
3/17/04


Dear Friends,

I spent most of the day at the State House today watching the debate on
H
4657, the Bill that would prohibit same-sex marriage, civil unions, and
benefits
from government entities. All told, it took about 1.5 hours. It was a
bittersweet day. The sweet was that our friends really stood up. The
bitter was that
we lost in the end. I took notes so that I could give you the
highlights:

-Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter: She took the floor to oppose the bill even
though
she had already received a DEATH THREAT for supporting a debate on the
bill.
She likened the bill to discrimination in Nazi Germany saying. . . they
came for
the Jews, and I was silent because I'm not Jewish; they came for the
Catholics, and I was silent because I'm not Catholic; when they came
for me there was
no one left to speak up. She quoted Pres. Bush as being for civil
unions and
urged SC Republicans to follow suit. She undercut the Biblical
arguments.
She was M-A-G-N-I-F-I-C-A-N-T.

-Rep. Kennedy took the floor next to oppose the Bill. He said he has
members
of his family who are gay and he knows that all of the other House
members do
too. He added that he even questioned the sexuality of some of his
fellow
House members (to lots of laughter from the floor). How then, he
challenged,
could they pass this Bill discriminating against us? "Are you trying
to show
how macho you are?" he questioned.

-Rep. Jennings got up next and moved to divide the bill into two parts.
One
to include only the prohibition on gay marriage. The other, the
prohibition
on civil unions and benefits. The object was that it would be easier
to defeat
the second one. Rep. John Graham Altman tried to move to table this
Motion,
but the Speaker ruled that he would not accept a Motion to Table at
that
point. A vote on Jennings' motion lost 86 to 23. The Representatives
that voted
for it (and, thus, for us) were Reps. Allan, Brabham, Brown, Clyburn,
Cobb,
Freeman, Marvin, Hines, Hines, Jennings, Lloyd, Mack, Miller,
Woody-Law, Neal,
Nielson, Parks, Rutherford, Scott, J.E. Smith, T.N. Smith, Weeks, and
Whipper.

-Rep. Rutherford was next. I HAVE SAVED THE BEST FOR LAST. Rep.
Rutherford,
bless his heart, fearlessly offered an amendment to the Bill which
would
provide same-sex civil unions. Rep. Altman immediately moved to table
the
proposed amendment. Altman's motion carried. Next. Rep. Rutherford
spoke out
against the Bill. He was I-N-C-R-E-D-I-B-L-E! I felt like I was
watching Atticus
Finch in "To Kill a Mockingbird." He was articulate and fiery. He
called the
members of the House who planned to vote for the Bill, "bigots." He
said that
as a legislator that he wouldn't be able to live with himself if he
voted for
the Bill because it was "bashing" folks. He likened it to interracial
misogamy laws. I had tears in my eyes by the time he finished.

Finally, the speaker called for a vote. The Bill passed 103 to 7.
Only
Reps. Breeland, Cobb-Hunter, Kennedy, Lloyd, Mack, Rutherford, and J.E.
Smith
voted against it. More people opposed the Bill by abstaining from the
vote. I
don't have a complete list yet, but I know they included Reps. Clyburn,
Jennings, and Neal at least.

When I left the gallery to find our SCEC lobbyist, I found Rep. Gloria
Haskins instead. She had been the primary sponsor of H4657. I
extended my hand,
she took it, and I explained that I was a lawyer in town and a gay
woman. She
smiled sweetly at me all the while holding my hand and telling me that
this was
not personal, that it was public policy, and that she was protecting
the
taxpayers' money. Through clenched teeth, I told her that I was a
taxpayer and
that so was my partner of 19 years. She replied that she had lots of
gay
friends and that they understood that she was not trying to harm them
with this
Bill. At this point, I was shaking with rage and hurt and I was
holding back
tears. I tried to explain how legislative discrimination is so
harmful. Clearly,
she didn't get it. I found out later that she is a Bob Jones graduate,
what
a surprise!

As I turned from Rep. Haskins, I ran into Rep. Cobb-Hunter. At that
point, I
couldn't hold in my tears any more and they started pouring down my
face.
Not knowing me from Adam, she grabbed my hand and said "my poor baby,
what is
wrong, what has happened." I tried to say "thank you" to her for
defending us
so bravely, but the words wouldn't come out. All I could do was shake
and cry.
Fortunately, our lobbyist, Laddie Howard, was standing nearby and he
introduced me. At that point, Rep. Cobb-Hunter gathered me in her arms
and whispered
in my ear that "this too shall pass." She and Rep. Neal were both
comforting.

One more thing, which I think is indicative of the House mentality.
Our
dear, strong, smart lobbyist, Laddie, has been the target of some
vicious gay
baiting since he took SC Equality Coalition on as a client. Rep.
Altman refers to
him at the House as "the Head Homo" even though he knows that Laddie is
the
married father of two small children. Laddie told me repeatedly how he
didn't
give a nickel what they called him, but we all know how hurtful
gaybaiting is.
I think it just goes to show you the kind of evil people we are
dealing
with, though.

OK, sorry to blabber on, but this is important. WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Well, a
couple of things:

1) Write/email or call each of the Representatives who voted for us.
Their
email addresses are at the bottom of this letter.

2) Email or call the members of the SC Senate Judiciary Comm. who are
scheduled to hear the next anti-gay bill next week. Tell them that you
oppose S0996
and S0387.

3) Join SCEC. It costs only $15 a year to join SCEC. Go to
www.SCEquality.org now and sign up on line.

4) Join your local GLBT organization (AFFA, Affirm Youth, the Guild,
GLPM,
LGLA, PFLAG, Rainbow Alliance, PALSS, AID Upstate) and volunteer to
help. You
can find their contact information at www.SCEquality.org

5) Send whatever money you can afford to SCEC to support the lobbying
effort:
P.O. Box 544, Columbia, SC 29202. We are hopeful that we can stop
the
bills in the SC Senate if we can sustain the lobbying effort.

Thanks for all of your notes and calls of support!

Nekki



Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SCGLPMBulletin/

[neobutch67]

Dropping in and saying hello to everyone. Jelli, congratulations on your wedding!!!!!!!!! I am truly sorry for the late response.

[Carolina Girl]

It has been a while since I have been online....I have been busy planning a wedding myself! Congrats to you and Cruel by the way! Good luck planning....it's a ton of work, but well worth it. Please let me know if I can give you any names of vendors. We have found out who is gay friendly and who is not! We have put alot of work into this.



I think that is great that you still continue to copy emails that PFLAG sends out to everyone. When you copy the emails to this site it would be nice if you did let eveyone know that they are coming from PFLAG. This way everyone will know that PFLAG is very involved in our community!!!


Carolina Girl

[Simcha]

From The Carolina Rainbow News:

SC Residents Asked To Sign Petition

An online petition opposing the anti-gay, discriminatory legislation
making its way through the South Carolina legislature has been posted!
The proposed legislation will deny marriage recognition/benefits to gay
couples who wed in other states and make it illegal for gay couples to
adopt children in South Carolina. South Carolina residents - please
sign AND pass it on to every South Carolina family member, friend, and
colleague.

http://www.PetitionOnline.com/sc4242gl/petition.html

[Vinzdaddy]

Thanks Simcha for posting the link for the petition. I have already signed it and sent the link home to the wife to sign as well.
When I signed it said a total of 882 people had signed it. Let's keep this going people! Let's show them how many of us there really are in SC.

[KissMePlease]

I wandered on to the 'old home thread' after being gone for many months. I saw the petition and signed it immediately. I am sure that my daughter will want to read and sign it as well. Thank you, Ms. Simcha for posting the link.

Also, Thank you Ms. Jelli for posting the info from Nekki Shutt. It is heartening to see that there are at least some that understand and will chose what is right, even at the risk of gay baiting.

Nice to see y'all. Have been horribly homesick since I drove through the South a week ago and saw the wisteria in bloom, the dogwoods and the Kudzu...{Nasty stuff...but still reminds me of home.}

It just does not smell the same where we are in temporary residence.

soon...very soon...

Ms. Kelly

[KissMePlease]

Originally posted by Vinzdaddy
Just wanted to ask everyone: Are you all native to this state or transplants from somewhere else like me?

Native three generations back and I have a native 16-year old daughter. My family is from Charleston but I am originally from the Midlands - Chapin area.

However, I have met many transplants that are wonderful people and love our State as much as we do. Hey! What's not to love?

Ms. Kelly

[jelli]

I posted awhile back that I was passing (and would continue to do so) information from PFLAG (both the Greenville and Spartanburg Chapters).

Good to see you Neo, Simcha, and Kiss*

Homesickness... ahhh it can be a real downer. Keep your chin up.

[Carolina Girl]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jelli
[B]I posted awhile back that I was passing (and would continue to do so) information from PFLAG (both the Greenville and Spartanburg Chapters).

and that's great but.........

For the benefit of all the new readers, putting PFLAG on each quote or copy would be a great idea. PFLAG needs all the attention and credit they deserve.

Carolina Girl

[neobutch67]

Thanks for posting the current info for us. Even if I am in NC, its nice to know what my neighbors to the south are doing.

Congrats again on your engagement!!!

[FemmeLovinBoi]

Congratulations Cruel and Ms Jelli. I'll be coming out to SC one of these days and when I do, hopefully I can meet both of you.

[KissMePlease]

Still here...and still coming home. I miss the pines and the green and the red dirt and blue skies. The thunder storms and the country and the garden overflowing with goodness beckons me.

Soon....

Who knows..maybe someday I will get up the nerve to come out and meet some of y'all at a group function.

Ms. Kelly

[JustJean]

RunningaroundhugginallmySCfriends.

Y'all miss me, right?

Jelli, where is the thread about your wedding? Congrats and more congrats, I want details!!

My own bit of news is that finally, after a year and a half here (I know, hard to believe I've been gone that long), I GOT A JOB... and just in case you didn't get that, lol, I GOT A JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I start next Monday at a local Police Department working on their AS/400 computer system. Gonna wear a uniform and everything, and my kid thinks I'm going to be a cop, lol. I'm really excited about it, things are finally looking up for me.

Bunnyliciousness, how come we keep missing each other?

::: Setting out a sampling of cheeses and Ohio grown/made wine on the crystal cake plate :::

Hugs to all!

JJ f)

[jelli]

{{{{{{{JEAN}}}}}}}} KUDOS!!!!!

I know how dang excited you *MUST* be.

AS/400 must be a standard system. I know when I first went to work with USF Holland that was the system we used. Eventually the ones still using this outdated DOS unit switched to the AS/400 as well.

Hope mom and mr. man are both doing well.

Take care...

::: snitching a lil piece of cheese and a nice glass of wine on my way out the door :::