Jeff and Lori Wilfahrt Work For Marriage Equality in the Name of Their Beloved Son

I acknowledge your dedication and efforts towards making this country a place where all the sacred rights of being an American are extended to all Americans to enjoy. Also, for your witness as parents who loved and supported your gay son, JEFF and LORI WILFAHRT, I thank you. You make me PROUD to be an American!

BTW, This is the 500th Post for this Blog!!!

This is HUGE, (though not quite as huge as the accompanying photo here). Introducing the, The Whole World is a Single Flower's "DEFENDING EQALITY AWARD." See the Right Sidebar for More Information!

This award will be given to people this blog believes demonstrates a fierce dedication to equality in some big or interesting way, especially in the face of some kind of tangible opposition. This award is NOT limited to people who defend LGBT rights or gay marriage. Anyone in ANY field or expression of life who shows a dedication to equality is eligible for the DEFENDING EQUALITY AWARD. Woo Hoo!!!

Republican Representative Tim Kelly of Minnesota Speaking Out *Against* That States Republican Initiated Proposed Amendment Banning Gay Marriage

If you are interested in extensive coverage of this specific issue in the Minnesota legislature visit the Wild Reed blog by Michael Bayly here.
For this speech to the Minnesota legislature, Representative Kelly receives moyo aflames DEFENDING EQUALITY Award 

NFL Linebacker Nic Harris Supports Marriage Equality; Joins NOH8 Campaign

From a wonderful piece over at Darian Aaron's blog, Living Out Loud with Darian. 

Carolina Panthers linebacker Nic Harris has become the latest of very few professional football players to come out in support of marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples. In addition, Harris has lent his face to Adam Bouska's NOH8 Campaign.

Let me just say that I am not a fan of the phrase "NOH8." I was living in Oakland and working in San Francisco, working against proposition 8 when I believe this phrase was coined. The reason I am not a fan of the phrase is because my exposure to this term, in my opinion, attempted to propagate the use of this term as a broad stroke weapon against people--all people--who supported proposition 8 as people who are/were motivated by hate. I'm sure there are some supporters of proposition 8 who were motivated by hate but to assume any and everyone who supported proposition 8 was/is motivated by hate is in my opinion, ludicrous and defaming  and an irresponsible act. Hate is a very strong, incendiary word and in the proposition 8 fight in California, I believe it was terribly and irresponsibly bandied about and used. I was there. I lived there until April of 2010 and I know how this phrase "NOH8" was used by many, many people.

Photo Credit: ©Adam Bouska

Read the rest of this blog post here.
Visit Adam Bouska's NOH8 photo campaign here 

For these actions Nic Harris receives moyo aflame's DEFENDING EQUALITY AWARD.

Republican Representative John Kriesel of Minnesota Speaking Out *Against* That States Republican Initiated Proposed Amendment Banning Gay Marriage

If you are interested in extensive coverage of this specific issue in the Minnesota legislature visit the Wild Reed blog by Michael Bayly here.
For his passionate and moving speech before the Minnesota legislature Representative John Kriesel receives moyo aflame's DEFENDING EQUALITY AWARD.