Progressing Ever Forward

Earlier, last week a lesbian couple in North Carolina were ushered out of a public mall when they were chastised for public displays of affection! Now- let's get one thing straight- it's not as if they were snogging each other senseless like half the teenagers I see everyday outside of the high school. They were "embracing" and "kissed each other on the cheek" and were asked to leave by a security guard who admitted that the circumstances would be different if the pair had been a heterosexual couple.



Well, Caitlin Breedlove, (one of the women in this duo and a co-director of the social justice group Southerners on New Ground, I might add) planned a protest this past Sunday at the shopping mall. The owner of the mall issued a formal apology to the women and released this very positive statement, which I personally hope becomes a standard which all public shopping centers across the country will strive to achieve:

We apologized that the women were offended, and we affirmed that Cameron Village and York Properties have no tolerance for discrimination of any kind and believe all people deserve the right to be treated fairly in their work, homes and daily lives.

I must say, I was surprised and delighted to see the owner take this so seriously. It made my day, actually. Just as I was happy to see Target issue their apology to the gay community, I am happy to see people taking responsibility for the intolerance that is perpetuated across the country, and actively taking a stand against it. Good work, Cameron Village Mall and good going on the community out there in N.C. - you made a difference.


-Vignette-Noelle Lammott, Fish out of Water Blog Commentator -

"To find out more information about LGBTQ rights, gay marriage, religion and homosexuality, The Bible's stance on gay relationships or the politics around gay mariage please feel free to contact us or book a screening of FISH OUT OF WATER. Please note that a study guide can be downloaded from the "Book A Screening" page at www.fishoutofwaterfilm.com"

The All American Family Revisited

Remember the Brady Brunch? Well, I was browsing CNN.com and came across this very interesting story of David Mayer and his partner Keith Kennard. David is a father of three and Keith has three sons of his own. Sound familiar?

"We really couldn't ask for a better opportunity to really raise our kids together ... you don't really hear that in our gay community, especially with black men."

In a time where gay rights are at the forefront of the media and public awareness, and gay adoption is an issue under fire in many states across the country, I think it very encouraging an informative to come across a story like this one. The article goes on to discuss the difficulties many gay couples face when beginning the journey through child adoption. As most of you know, adoption laws are different in every state. While Florida is the only state which openly bans gays and lesbians from adopting, other states like Mississippi and Utah will allow homosexuals to adopt if they are single, but will not allow a same-sex couple to adopt. Backwards? You're telling me! But, unfortunately this is the reality. About 20 % of same-sex couples in the U.S. are raising children and I have to wonder if perhaps that number would be higher if it weren't so difficult for same-sex couples to adopt. I also wonder if the laws were more lax, would there be so many instances of foster children ending up in unfit homes? Of course, I'm referencing back to a previous post of mine which can be read here.

Keith says of the challenges of parenthood:

"For David and I to actually have that little Brady Bunch thing going and for it to actually work is a wonderful thing. We just wish we could really see more of that."

Me too, Keith!

As a mother myself, I found this article very interesting in that it could have just as easily been a straight couple discussing the challenges of raising a family and running a busy household. I only have one and I am constantly in motion! The one difference? If I want to expand my family, whether biologically or through adoption, it's no big deal. But for a gay couple, who are just as in love as my husband and I are, it can be an awful lot of hoop jumping. And that is just simply unconstitutional.

Here's what you can do to make a step toward positive change and help millions of children in the process:

Sign this petition to help repeal the ban on gay adoption in Florida.


-Vignette-Noelle Lammott, Fish out of Water Blog Commentator - "To find out more information about LGBTQ rights, gay marriage, religion and homosexuality, The Bible's stance on gay relationships or the politics around gay mariage please feel free to contact us or book a screening of FISH OUT OF WATER. Please note that a study guide can be downloaded from the "Book A Screening" page at www.fishoutofwaterfilm.com"