A straight girl's thoughts on NJ's decision on gay marriage

[Kber]

I admit that my very first reaction when I heard the news that my state of NJ was going to be forced into recognizing gay marriage was to think about the elections and the effect the court ruling might have. I’m worried, I’ll admit it.

But then I got a call from my friend. She and her partner have been together for about 15 years. They just bought a house. They are pretty ordinary in that they bicker, they negotiate which family they spend the holidays with. They are the first ones there to help out with sick nieces or nephews. Oh, and they are gay.

So, anyway, I got a call from my normally calm friend and she was giddy! Did I hear the good news? Wasn’t I excited? And then “What kind of dress should I get? Where should we have the reception? Did I know any good bands?” I was suddenly taken out of the theoretical and political and thrust into the personal.

Will this have an effect on national politics? Probably. Maybe it’s even better having this happen now instead of in two weeks – less time for the bigots to mobilize perhaps. Who knows. But in the mean time, I am going to try to loose 15 lbs so I look less silly in a bridesmaid dress, I am going shopping for a flower girl dress, and I will be spending a fair amount of time looking at sample menus.

Oh, and if you know a good blues band in the central NJ area that does weddings, let me know. This is a good thing.

[meganmonkey]

1. Congrats to your friends!

And don't worry about the 15 pounds - you are beautiful just the way you are :)

[Kber]

3. In regular clothes, I'm just fine.

bridesmaid dresses are something else entirely! But thanks!

[bbernardini]

2. I know of a good band that can play the blues...

...along with many other fine types of music:

www.vibetribeprod.com

(Oh, did I mention I'm a member of said band?)

[Kber]

4. Thanks - Ill forward your link!

[LeftHander]

5. I won't do the chicken dance...at anyones wedding...

gay or straight....

or beer soaked dance floor tuxedo slides....

[Kber]

6. I know what you mean

Traditional wedding can be a bit of a drag, in my opinion, but that's what she wants. Going to throw the boquet and everything. She's been planning this since she was about 9, I think.

[Ian David]

7. This would be a good time to donate to Garden State Equality

And other organizations in New Jersey.

They're going to need the support of the legislature now.



Garden State Equality is New Jersey's political action organization uniting LGBTI and straight voters who support equal rights for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community.
http://www.gardenstateequality.org/


* NJLGC: New Jersey Lesbian and Gay Coalition
P O Box 11335
New Brunswick, NJ 08906-13
35732 828 6772
[e-mail]
http://www.njlgc.org/about/


Presbyterians for Lesbian/Gay Concerns (National)
P.O. Box 38
New Brunswick, NJ 08903-0038
www.andrew.cmu.edu/~riley/PLGC.html

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

12. GSE is asking that everyone who makes a donation towards gay marriage

whether it be to Garden State Equality, Human Rights Campaign, ACLU, et cetera to call up your NJ state representatives and tell them how much you donated and why you donated.

[Ian David]

15. DONE! I don't live in NJ, but I sent emails to:

From: Congress.org <[e-mail]>
Date: Oct 26, 2006
Subject: I donated to Garden State Equality

Thank you for using Congress.org Mail System

Message sent to the following recipients:
Senator Lautenberg
Senator Menendez
Representative Frelinghuysen
Message text follows:

[lukasahero]

8. Congratulations to your friends

and to you for getting personal with it. Too many people forget that we are talking about real people when we talk about the rights (or lack) of others.

PS - I was among those handing out flowers in Government Center in Boston when the day finally came here. It was an honor to be witness to the joy generated by something I took for granted. It will stay with me a very long time.

[eleny]

9. This kind of family & friend story is just what DU needs to read

Congratulations to your friends and to NJ. K&R

[izzybeans]

10. My first thought as a straight man formerly of NJ. I'm proud to have lived

there for reasons such as this.

[Ellis Wyatt]

11. The only negative about gay marriage

Is that when I go to one, I'll have less chance of getting laid.

[Kber]

14. Ha!

But gay girls have sisters too.

[FogerRox]

13. Congrats to the happy couple

A good band, Peter Karp....

http://www.peterkarp.com/multimedia.html