December 14: A Time for Action

Is volunteering something you do regularly? If yes where do you volunteer? If not, why not? (Kassie)

At this particular point in my life, I am not engaged in any service activities. I wish I was. I should be. Making charitable donations, helpful as they may be, is not the same as actively engaging in one's community. And I don't have any good reasons for not participating...other than a few volunteer outings for some local political campaigns and a couple opportunities for neighborhood service activities, it's just not something that I've made time for in recent years.

I think part of it is finding the right cause or the right organization ...political events in our state have provided just such an opportunity.

Tag-board and markers...it's how we'll change the world.

Toward the end of May, Jay and I spent the better part of a Saturday at the Minnesota State Capitol protesting a proposed constitutional amendment that would define marriage as one man and one woman. Proposed by the Republican majority in Minnesota, the motion made it's way through the state House and Senate and will be on the 2012 ballot.

Although I fully support gay marriage and would happily fight to ensure equal rights in regard to marriage, that isn't actually what this battle is about. This is about amending our state's constitution to prohibit gay marriage. So not only is gay marriage not currently legal (something with which I vehemently disagree), but an attempt is being made to write this discrimination into our state constitution. I do not believe we should use our most sacred civic documents to deny rights to others. I also do not believe that the civil rights of a minority of citizens should be voted on by the majority of citizens.

While a day of protesting was energizing and inspiring, 10 hours at the Capitol isn't enough. Organizations have been established and efforts are being coordinated. Soon, there will be daily opportunities to fight for the civil rights of all Minnesotans. And I am thrilled to be part of that battle.

I am grateful that Minnesotans United for All Families exists. And I'm really grateful that their Volunteer Action Center opened this week. 

I imagine I'll be spending quite a bit of my 2012 in their new space.

Photo credit: Andrew VonBank
And yes, that is a "Marriage is so gay" shirt that I'm wearing.