tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260549402011-07-14T17:39:54.446-07:00On November 7th, 2006, Tennesseans are likely to step into their polling places and vote on an amendment to the Tennessee Constitution that would permanently ban marriage for lesbian and gay couples in our state. The people of Tennessee have a historic opportunity to become the first state in the nation to reject a constitutional ban on legal protections for gay couples.Vote No Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01305001237052626319noreply@blogger.comBlogger121100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26054940.post-1160432515018968042006-10-09T15:19:00.000-07:002006-10-09T16:54:06.296-07:00

Recently, there was a Value Voters Summit held in Washington, DC. Among those who spoke were James Dobson, Tony Perkins, and Gary Bauer. All of these men will be in Nashville on October 16 for an event, Stand for the Family. Let's be honest about what this event really is. It should be called Stand against Gay and Lesbians or Stand for Discrimination.At this same summit in Washington, they shared

randythttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01288808403085346490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26054940.post-1157673143363751882006-09-07T16:51:00.000-07:002006-10-03T20:49:45.910-07:00

So James Dobson is coming to town. And he is bringing friends. Nashville welcomes The Right Wing Express on October 16 to the Municipal Auditorium.This visit illustrates that like the guests who are here to promote it, Amendment 1 is to the extreme far right. These are the same people who oppose the government conducting stem cell research even though it has the potential to save many lives and

randythttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01288808403085346490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26054940.post-1155672397467667582006-08-15T13:05:00.000-07:002006-11-02T15:06:33.370-08:00

Last week I was driving from our campaign headquarters on Church Street headed toward Green Hills (Or Gay Hills) Mall. As I got to the corner of Elliston and West End, I saw several young people holding up signs and I heard car horns honking.As I turned the corner, I got a look at the signs which stated, "Marriage Equality Matters," and "Vote No on 1." I honked my horn and gave them the thumbs up

randythttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01288808403085346490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26054940.post-1153506250687639272006-07-21T11:22:00.000-07:002006-08-28T10:14:40.036-07:00

With deference to the theory that sequels are rarely better than the original, this week's column takes a deeper look at the definition of winning in regard to Amendment 1 in November.I have given much thought to those who say we can't win. Therefore, they will put in limited or no resources to this battle. They will choose to not join in a door to door effort to secure more votes to defeat this

randythttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01288808403085346490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26054940.post-1152214358436079742006-07-06T12:31:00.000-07:002006-07-20T12:19:07.256-07:00

So this column is not about talking points. It's not about making sure I am on message with the words of the day. It's far more personal. It's about why marriage matters to me and why you should spend time thinking about what it might mean to you. For me to understand why it matters now, I have to look at who I am today and how I got here.I am a native Tennessean, born and raised in Centerville,

randythttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01288808403085346490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26054940.post-1151529643111840532006-06-28T14:19:00.000-07:002006-08-11T21:02:40.970-07:00

I have been told by several people in the past few months that I have been working on the Vote No on 1 campaign that they believe in what I am doing and will vote no in November. However, they will not invest much time or money into the campaign because they just don't think we can win.First, I think we can win in November and I think we can win on many different levels.Our opponents released the

randythttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01288808403085346490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26054940.post-1150234695940851262006-06-13T14:36:00.000-07:002006-06-14T11:06:05.946-07:00

At some point I know I should stop being amazed by the words that come out of the mouths of those who oppose gay marriage and well basically anything that deals with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender issues. However, they continue to sink to such lows that I find myself still observing with my mouth wide open in absolute shock and amazement.The latest to enter the "Stupid Homophobic Comment

randythttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01288808403085346490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26054940.post-1149535790582302762006-06-05T12:20:00.000-07:002006-06-05T12:32:40.760-07:00

Today, the Senate debates to put discrimination into our Constitution. We have 155 days until the people of Tennessee vote to possibly add discrimination into the state Constitution. One thing we know in this debate. We have the message that wins. When we talk about marriage equality, we win. The only direction in the marriage debate is in our favor for full marriage equality. Today, more

randythttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01288808403085346490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26054940.post-1149013597798956462006-05-30T11:24:00.000-07:002006-06-14T11:07:46.420-07:00

As we prepare to celebrate Pride, it gives us all a chance to take a moment and think about what we are celebrating.There is a fine line separating Pride from self-esteem. I have to admit that as a 45 year old gay man who has had what many would define as a successful life, I struggle to maintain a high level of self-esteem.There are factors from all sides which influence this. Externally, read

randythttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01288808403085346490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26054940.post-1148310021511268352006-05-22T07:55:00.000-07:002006-06-14T11:09:30.526-07:00

Today was just a crappy day. It was one of those days when a referee somewhere should have thrown a penalty flag for piling on. (I love to throw those sports references in just to confuse some people).The day started with me reading about a town in Missouri that voted to keep the law on the books that stated any family unit with more than 3 people living in the house without married parents would

randythttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01288808403085346490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26054940.post-1147200213083532802006-05-09T11:33:00.000-07:002006-05-09T11:45:38.276-07:00

We had our first canvas on the Vote No on Amendment 1 campaign this past weekend. We talked to the neighborhoods in East Nashville and our response was overwhelming. Over 80% of the people we talked to plan to Vote No on Amendment 1 this November. One of the best quotes of the day was a woman who told me if she voted no, she'd have to answer to her neighbors. Almost all the voters we talked to

randythttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01288808403085346490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26054940.post-1146115207221978572006-04-26T22:19:00.001-07:002006-05-10T11:21:54.673-07:00

I'd like to tell you the story of Billy and Sarah. Billy and Sarah were introduced by mutual friends and set up on a blind date. Both were 24 years old with successful careers. Both were single but ready to settle down. They had their first date and it went beyond either of their expectations. Sarah laughed at all of Billy's jokes and he thought she was the most beautiful woman in the restaurant.

randythttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01288808403085346490noreply@blogger.com0