The Nerdy Hippie

The Lovely Audra

A little special tidbit for someone in Wisconsin who utterly adores the divine Audra McDonald. It seems the enormously talented Audra is furious with the NY Senate vote. So much so she's started an equality twitter account. You go, girl!

If anything ever tempts the Missus to join Twitter it'll be this. ;)

Olbermann's Special Comment on Gay Marriage

Thank you.

No On Prop 8 Money Trail

I do appreciate Ellen DeGeneres filming this public service announcement featured on NoOnProp8.com and aired on her daytime talk show. 

I do not appreciate that this very wealthy woman has not contributed a single dollar to the effort to defeat Prop 8. Here's a list of prominent No On 8 donors:

Brad Pitt $100,000

Steven Spielberg & Kate Capshaw $100,000

T.R. Knight $50,000

L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa $25,000

Tony Kushner $15,000

The Nerdy Hippie & Mrs. Nerdy Hippie $50

Ellen DeGeneres $0

Faith Leaders Speak Out for Marriage Equality

I'm preparing myself for Prop 8 to pass. There's been a dramatic nearly 10 point swing in favor of Prop 8 here in California. An inflammatory ad featuring San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom has propelled Prop 8 from a 5 point deficit to a 5 point lead. More discouraging, it seems young voters may factor as swing voters in favor of removing the right of same-sex couples to wed. That makes faith leaders willing to speak out in favor of marriage equality all the more cherished. Stick with this piece past the opening 30 second slideshow. It's worth it.   

"In the long run, likely little fiscal impact..."

Received my California sample ballot today. Prejudice always hurts but it really packs a punch when presented through succinct and indifferent text.

VP Debate: Same-Sex Benefits

I repeat, I am a human being created by God. What part of my humanity requires tolerance?

On the issue of same-sex marriage, frankly, all of the major candidates fail. It's a civil rights issue and I'm sick of being tolerated rather than being equal. Sure, it's swell to be allowed the privilege to visit my partner in the hospital. Weeeee! Such generosity! It is not enough. I will vote for the Democrats because they're further along than the alternative and because I believe they are better for the nation as a whole. I will not rest on this issue after the election, though. Tolerance no longer suffices.

The Exceptional Unextraordinary Del Martin

The memorial for civil rights activist Del Martin (left) was held today in San Francisco. Del Martin passed away less than three months after finally being able to marry her long time partner, Phyllis Lyon. The couple had been together for 55 years. I was particularly struck by a quote from their daughter's eulogy.

"Many of you are going to disagree with what I am going to say next," Mon told the crowd. "Mom was not an extraordinary person, but she was a person who accomplished extraordinary things, and this is an important thing because each of us is needed to continue her work. It would be a shame if you left here today thinking that Mom was somehow bigger and bolder than you could ever be." (Source: San Francisco Chronicle by Rachel Gordon)

Powerful words--a call to action for each of us to use our unextraordinary lives for a bigger and bolder and better good. Del Martin's life lesson: we can. 

Let California Ring

Cool and important ad running on KNBC during the Olympics. 

More information: Let California Ring