Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Pumpkins for Love

My daughter carved a message into our jack-o'-lanterns.

In Maine, Ballot Question One would grant the right of marriage to everyone, including same-sex couples. To me this isn't really an issue of politics or religion but a recognition of love and universal human rights. All families and committed couples deserve legal protection. 

Last weekend I joined a candlelit vigil in our town organized by Standing on the Side of Love. It was wonderful to see teenagers showing their support for marriage equality too. Next week voters in Maine, Maryland and Washington can vote yes for marriage equality laws. Please remember to vote on Election Day. 

Storm Watch: Maine was not hit as hard as the rest of the eastern coast. My thoughts are with NYC and other communities recovering from Sandy's onslaught. Up north, we know the pain of days without power or internet. Light a candle for love and hang in there, my friends.


Happy Halloween!


The Four 2012 helpful graphic for ballot questions.

18 comments:

troutbirder said...

I agree completely. We have a similar amendment on our ballot. The storm of hateful media advertising is overwhelming. Sad...

A Cuban In London said...

What a brilliant initiative! Well done to you and those youngsters. I agree with you 100%, love knows no barries, no oolour, no sexual orientation or (dis)ability.

My thoughts are also with the people from Haiti, Cuba (of course), New York and all the other East Coast cities affected by the storm.

Many thanks for such a beautiful post.

Greetings from London.

Sarah Laurence said...

troutbirder, thanks for voicing your support. There was an article in the NYT today on the 3 states trying to pass marriage equality and how Minnesota is dueling over the state's ban on same-sex marriage:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/31/us/politics/gay-marriage-supporters-hope-to-win-in-4-states.html

ACIL, I knew you'd support this too. My condolences extends to Cuba. What a horrible storm!

Unknown said...

I walked by that sign in your window this morning, and it made me smile! It's telling and heartwarming that to so many kids and teens this issue is just obvious. All season that song from "South Pacific" has been playing on my internal soundtrack, and I am crossing my fingers that all our kids have indeed been "carefully taught" - to love!
xoxoxoxoxoxox
Jackie Sartoris

Cassie said...

Beautiful, Sarah! Hear, Hear!

Amanda Summer said...

your daughter's pumpkins are fabulous - also appreciate the positive message on the signs. there are so many negative ads out there right now that it's refreshing to see a different approach. good luck with the proposition. i applaud your statement that it is not a political issue but a recognition of love and universal human rights.

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Wonderful Pumpkins!
Why are people so afraid?
xo,
p

Anonymous said...

YES! Yes Makes us Happier. The pumpkins are lovely. http://indiasink.wordpress.com/

Anonymous said...

Great statement, great advocates!

Les said...

I am glad we both dodged Sandy's bullet, and I hope your friends and family in NY are safe.

Rose said...

How wonderful to see your daughter and other teens supporting such a worthy cause. I hope the bill passes.

I'm glad to hear that you were spared the worst of Sandy; I've been watching the news footage of New York and New Jersey in disbelief. My heart goes out to all those affected by the terrible destruction.

☆sapphire said...

I've been wondering if you've been doing fine. I feel relieved to know that you are safe. I've also been watching the news reports from N.Y. We often have terrible typhoons and earthquakes, so I can understand how tough the situations are there. My thoughts and prayers go out to those in the affected areas.

Your daughter's pumpkins look GREAT!!

Anil P said...

The jack-o'-lanterns are carved very well. The candles transform them into warm entities. Lovely.

Anonymous said...

YES, I'd vote yes as all committed couples deserve legal protection regardless of their sexual orientation. It has nothing to do with politics and in terms of religion, there is the relationship between the person and God which is vital.

I'm relieved to hear that you're OK, Sandy hit hard.

AKH said...

It's wonderful to see the kids supporting such an important cause. They are the future, after all! I hope some day they will be able to tell their children stories about the bigotry that was a thing of the past--the way we learned about the Civil Rights movement when we were kids.

walk2write said...

Great carving work on the pumpkins! Would you believe we have 12 amendments on the Florida ballot? We spent a good deal of time researching each one of them before going to the polling place (Florida has early voting). We wanted to weigh the pros and cons of each one very carefully and consider the possible future consequences. What's that saying? Freedom ain't free? There's always a cost. I'm glad that young people are getting more involved in the political process and thinking about their place in society when they reach adulthood.

Sarah Laurence said...

All, thanks for your support! I've added a helpful graphic from thefour.com (viral on Facebook) to this post as I agree with w2w that the ballots are confusing. Remember to vote tomorrow!

Sarah Laurence said...

Good morning! Same sex marriage passed in Maine, Maryland and Washington. Results are too close to call in Minnesota. Wisconsin elected Tammy Baldwin, the first openly lesbian senator.