Shower Curtain Chronicles: March 2009

Shower Curtain Chronicles

Latex painted shower curtains make great, cheap, waterproof banners to display at demonstrations, over freeways or anyplace you want to take it to the anti-gay, anti-Constitution fascists. This blog will feature banners I've made over the years, commentary on the outrages du jour, general observations and accounts of the latest actions by our blog troop as we wield the bathroom accessory cum political billboard.

Monday, March 30, 2009

Senate Meets Noon, Wed., 4/1; House 12:30

I'll be there to demonstrate for marriage equality at 11:30. Please come.

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Monday, 3/30 Senate Meets 11:00; House 1:00

I'll be there a half hour before both. I've emailed the protest group so there may be some company.

Protest A Success


Wednesday's protest drew around 40 people to the hallway at the entrance to the House. People held signs calling for progress on the bill, chanted slogans and one person staged a die-in. Participants provided their names and emails for furture contact. Hopefully, some will become regulars. After an hour, the group dispersed.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Tuesday Surprise

Both chambers are meeting today - the Senate at Noon, House at 12:30. The same schedule tomorrow, Wednesday, and oh yeah, there's a big protest at Noon at the entrance to the House demanding a hearing for the bill. This is crunch week, and if we don't get a hearing by Friday, the bill is done for this session. Isn't that just great? It's a non-election year, the DFL has 2 to 1 margins in both houses of the legislature but it's still not safe enough for the leadership to even give us a lousy hearing.

This all hinges on the actions of the Speaker of the House, Margaret Kelliher. She has the power to direct the Civil Justice Committee chair to hear the bill. Will she do it??? Please call her and encourage her to do so, today; 763-296-0171.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Monday, Senate Meets 11:00; House 1:00

I'll be at the Senate at 10:30 to demonstrate for marriage equality, House at 12:30. Come on down!

Monday, March 16, 2009

Senator Mee Moua Is Pissed

She wants very much for the Marriage and Family Protection Act, a bill she co-authors, to be voted on in both houses of the legislature. Unfortunately, the DFL House leadership is failing to arrange for a committee hearing with a vote on the bill. So, Senator Moua, the Senate Judiciary Committee chair, refuses to hold a hearing on the bill unless the House has a hearing and a vote, too. She understands how important it is to have the bill pass both houses of the legislature whether it is vetoed by the governor or not.

The Speaker of the House, who represents the gayest district in the state, is not behind a gay marriage bill that would pass if she demanded a proper hearing and a vote. She has the power to make that happen. We are not fighting the Republicans here. They can't stop this bill. The Republicans don't have enough power in this legislature to blow out a candle. We are fighting with the DFL leadership to get them to allow a vote on a bill designed to end marriage discrimination against thousands of gay and lesbian families across this state.

Friday, March 13, 2009

Monday 3/16, Senate Meets 11:00; House 1:00

I'll be demonstrating for marriage equality at the entrance to the Senate at 10:30 and at the House entrance at 12:30. We are beginning to attract opposition protesters. Please come and support marriage equality.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Thurs. 3/12, House Meets 10:30; Senate 11:00

I'll be there from 10:00 to 11:00. Please join me in promoting marriage equality.

Sunday, March 08, 2009

Couples Intent On Suing State, Demand Marriage Licenses


On Friday, member-couples of Marry Me Minnesota gathered near the first floor fountain at the Hennepin County Courthouse. Group pictures were taken to commemorate the day that this group, intent on suing the State of Minnesota for the right to marry, took the first step in the run-up to filing their case.
The three couples, one female, two male, proceeded to the service center two floors below to seek marriage licenses. With giddy anticipation, the couples qued up as each took their turn bestowing bewilderment upon the clerk behind the counter. "Where's your bride?" "I don't get it." "You can't do that in Minnesota." We finally called for the supervisor, who did get it and was prepared with copies of the state's discriminatory marriage statutes, which he handed out to all three couples.
I called our law firm from the sevice center to make sure we were getting what we needed to make our case and we had met the requirements. We were all told our applications would be rejected. The application does not accomodate same-sex couples. We were given business cards of the people we dealt with. One of the people actually told us he hopes we win.

Friday, March 06, 2009

Yesterday's Capitol Protest

There were a lot of people at the Capitol yesterday. A large group from Gustavus Adolphus and red-shirted firefighters were crowded into the hall outside the House chamber. I'm not sure if these young women were Gusties or not, but they were very supportive of marriage equality and wanted their picture taken. They all accepted "Marriage Equality Minnesota" stickers and wore them when they went to sit in the gallery.

This picture was taken by a little girl who was there with her father. When she tried to frame the picture, her father, who was talking with someone else, was in her shot, so she literally kicked him in the ass until he moved. It was kind of shocking but mostly hysterical.

On the Senate side, I was opposed by Girard, the anti-gay "ex"gay, I've known and argued with for years. I don't argue with him anymore now, it's pointless and unpleasant. I try to keep the subject off marriage. We went over to the Senate side together and chatted about his recent fame as the Minnesota boy portrayed by an actor in the film, "Milk." He's been getting many radio and television speaking spots. Anyway, when we got there he parked his wheel chair across the hall from me and began telling people as they came up the stairs, "marriage between one man and one woman only." Most people either ignore him or sneer at him and turn to me and express their support for marriage equality. He is quite amazed and perturbed at the level of support for my message. : )

Mayor Rybak, came up the Senate stairs with an entourage and walked directly over to me, shook my hand and expressed emphatic support for the cause. Girard looked rather exasperated and said, "that's my mayor!" Yeah.

Senator Scott Dibble came out of the Senate chamber, gave me a hug and told me he had a marriage bill being introduced that day. I told him I thought the news was excellent and asked if this was the same bill Rep. Karen Clark is introducing in the House. He said it is. I believe this makes 4 marriage equality bills in play so far this session. Good! Something's gotta work!

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

House Meets Thursday, 3/5, 10:30; Senate 11:00

Protest begins at 10:00 inside the Capitol at the House entrance. Senate protest begins at 10:30.

Sunday, March 01, 2009

Monday 3/2, Senate Meets 11:00; House 1:00

I'll be demonstrating for marriage equality at the Senate at 10:30, House at 12:30. Please join me.