Living Out Loud with Darian

Activism can take on many forms, one need not carry a bullhorn or lead a march in order to actively participate in the fight for equality. Lesbian couple and vocalists Cheryl and JaVonne succeeds in proving this fact by using their talents in "Waiting All My Life" a beautiful ode to the importance of marriage equality.


The pair have taken an issue that's undoubtedly personal to them and laid it to music while simultaneously telling the stories of millions of other gay and lesbian couples who hope to legalize their relationships all over the country.





"I know your mother will never understand, but I can love you better than anyone else can," sings Cheryl & Javonne. "We must change this law cause it's you baby...you woman that I adore." Love it!


If music has the power to heal and transform lives let's hope the accompanying images of loving gay and lesbian couples in the video for Waiting All My Life has the power to change hearts and minds.





Check out the video below as well as a few screen captures including a cameo from the one and only Rev. Kevin E. Taylor of Unity Fellowship Church in New Brunswick, New Jersey.








Thanks JaVonne!

Over the weekend the "Summer for Marriage" national tour organized by anti-gay group The National Organization for Marriage rolled into Atlanta to rouse up an embarrassing estimated crowd of 30 supporters who showed up at the state capitol to "defend" traditional marriage. The Atlanta stop on NOM's tour is yet another low turn-out for the leading organization in the country working to prevent marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples.


Over 300 marriage equality supporters showed up to silently counter-protest NOM's hateful rhetoric and attack on gay and lesbian couples and their families. Matt Hennie, editor of Project Q Atlanta has a brilliant and humorous account of all the action.


Dr. Alveda King, niece of late civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke on behalf of NOM and embarrased herself and the King legacy by comparing marriage equality to "genocide" and warned supporters they could possibly face "extinction" if equality becomes law.





"I come from a long line of Christian soldiers...we know that people of virtually every faith and culture agree that marriage is a union between a man and woman...marriage of a man and a woman remains the guard against human extinction", said King.


Earlier in the day marriage equality supporters held their own rally in Atlanta's Woodruff Park. One of the most moving moments occurred when Patti Ellis, a local mother of a gay son explained why she was in the fight for equality.


“I want my son to have the same rights that his younger brother has,” she said.


“I don’t understand Prop. 8," she said. "Truth only reveals itself when one gives up all preconceived ideas. And that’s what I say to every mom and dad out there — give up your preconceived idea of what a gay marriage is. Stand up for your gay child,” Ellis said to cheers and applause.


Watch Patti Ellis' moving speech below as well as Dr. Alveda King's speech to NOM supporters and a very revealing interview with a local reporter that solidifies King's brand of crazy.

The tide may be shifting in favor of full equality for gay and lesbian Americans but that still hasn't stopped the opposition from standing in the way of progress. One such organization is the New Jersey based National Organization for Marriage (NOM) currently on a nationwide tour to promote "traditional marriage" between "one man and one woman".


The previous stops have been plagued with low attendance and cries of (false) attacks by gay marriage proponents. Dr. Alveda King, niece of civil rights icon Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has agreed to speak during the Atlanta stop on the tour scheduled for August 7, 2010 at the state capitol.


But it looks as if NOM is saving the coup de grace for the last stop on their hate tour with a special performance by Grammy winning gospel star Karen Clark Sheard. Yep, you read right.


Sheard is known for her amazing vocal ability and multi-octave range. A former member of the gospel group The Clark Sisters, Sheard and her siblings are often credited for blending the sound of popular music with gospel, most notably on the 80's hit "You Brought The Sunshine". Sheard's brand of gospel music along with her daughter's, gospel sensation Kiera Sheard is no stranger to gays and lesbians and can be frequently heard inside gay clubs.


If there was any doubt regarding where Sheard stood on LGBT rights, despite being apart of an industry and a religious denomination overflowing with gay and lesbian people, her upcoming performance in support of stripping a segment of the American population of their civil rights will deliver a strong answer.


It never fails that large (mostly white) anti-gay organizations will always find a person of color to help promote their agenda, and because so many of us think we've already overcome and our rights as African-Americans won't be up for popular vote next we take the bait. Karen Clark Sheard's participation in NOM's hate rally...and that's exactly what it is no matter how they try to disguise it... is a disgrace!


Karen you don't have to agree with gay marriage simply don't have one. You can cite your religious beliefs as reason why you disagree with marriage equality, but your religious beliefs should in no way dictate the laws in a secular society that will create two classes of people, those who have full equality and protections under the law and those who do not.


It's a sad day when a voice that has the power to heal and unite people is being used as a weapon of mass destruction, but of course in the most loving hypocritically Christian way possible. Love the sinner but hate the sin, right?


Sheard is scheduled to perform on August 15, 2010 at 2PM on the Capitol Steps in Washington, DC.


Update: NOM is no longer advertising Karen Clark Sheard's appearance. NOM's website now only lists Deitrick Haddon for August 15.