In a week that has seen everyone from Ellen DeGeneres to Drew Barrymore speak out against California's passing of Prop. 8 -- the ban on same-sex marriage -- MSNBC anchor Keith Olbermann issued a passionate commentary on the passing of Prop. 8, asking supporters, "Why does this matter to you?"

In the rather long and impacting clip is is quoted saying "To me, this vote is horrible... horrible," Olbermann said. "Because this isn't about yelling and this isn't about politics. This is about the human heart, and if that sounds corny, so be it."

This video rocked my inner core, it brought tears to my eyes, love to my heart, and brought hope to my soul.  He delivers this short clip with great emotion and power.  I am hoping with watching this video, everyone passes this on.  Not for the sack of me, not for the sack of yourself, but for the sack of every person in this world that shares the same air as the other person. 

-Brandy

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History was made yesterday when Senator Barack Obama was elected the next president of the United States. Woohoo! Yeah we are pretty excited too!

However while we seemed to have finally conquered gender and racial divides, 3 states have seriously discriminated against LGBT Americans. Arizona and Florida have voted to ban gay marriage, and California has stripped the right to marry and will seek to permanently change the state constitution. Religious conservatives including the Mormon poured millions of dollars into a heinous campaign to see that Proposition 8 passes, and it is religious conservatives that continue the fuel the hatred and bigotry against the LGBT community.

Today is a sad day for me, for many of us. I am outraged, disappointed, and left feeling lost. We came to America to get away from religious tyranny, only to find ourselves right back where we started. Religious fanatics and christian fundamentalists, who have used the bible to justify everything from slavery to genocide, now interpret the text to as they see fit and continue to spew hatred from pulpits across the world.

So today will be bittersweet. While I am ecstatic that change will come with Mr. Obama, I am deeply disappointed that we have only come so far. The road to equality was never promised to be an easy one, but one we must never cease to pursue.

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Focus On The Family, the evangelical group founded by James Dobson, has been delving into those same pagan rituals they claim to have eradicated from the 'christian world' and has read their tarrot cards to send us a letter from the future. 2012 to be exact. In their letter, they predict a world of gay mahem! Here are some of the queer quotes.

The most far-reaching transformation of American society came from the Supreme Court’s stunning affirmation, in early 2010, that homosexual “marriage” was a “constitutional” right that had to be respected by all 50 states because laws barring same-sex “marriage” violated the Equal Protection clause of the U.S. Constitution.

The Boy Scouts no longer exist as an organization. They chose to disband rather than be forced to obey the Supreme Court decision that they would have to hire homosexual scoutmasters and allow them to sleep in tents with young boys.

Elementary schools now include compulsory training in varieties of gender identity in Grade 1, including the goodness of homosexuality as one possible personal choice. Many parents tried to “opt out” their children from such sessions, but the courts have ruled they cannot do this, noting that education experts in the government have decided that such training is essential to children’s psychological health.

President Obama invited homosexual rights leaders from around the United States to join him at the White House as he signed an executive order directing all branches of the military to abandon their “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy and to start actively recruiting homosexuals. As a result, homosexuals are now given special bonuses for enlisting in military service (to attempt to compensate for past discrimination), and all new recruits, and all active-duty and reserve personnel, are compelled to take many hours of “sensitivity training” to ensure they demonstrate positive attitudes toward those with different sexual orientations and practices.

This last quote obviously shows the organizations lack of education, as Don't Ask, Don't Tell is a law enacted by congress, not a military policy, that can only be repealed by congress, not done away with by an executive order. But I digress.

The list goes on, and on, and on, and on... Just doing a search of the 15-page document, the words homosexual is used 38 times and same-sex 9 times, averaging thrice per page that portrays how the LGBT community, under the leadership of President Obama, will distroy the world.

It dissappoints me, that a religion based on love and acceptance of humans as humans, has stooped to a new low. Spewing hatred from pulpits that many Americans seems to grasp as reality... Kind of like sheep.

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With voting day just around the corner, now is the time to get the word out there....   Vote no on prop 8.  It's about love.

With California being amongst the largest states in the US. I believe it is vital that we as a state stand up and be the example for other states. So when November 4th comes, make sure to take the time to vote NO on Prop 8. Even if you don't see yourself getting married anytime soon, vote no and insure you are granted that choice when the time is right.

-Brandy

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It seems the more Palin opens her mouth the more she goes against McCain.  There have been numerous times where quite frankly it seems as though in the mind of Palin, she herself is running for NOT VP, but the big spot itself, presidentcy. 

I hesitate to say this, but up until this point i have been uncommitted in my vote.  I have really put in alot of time and effort in trying to listen and research the issues that are important to me.  Gay Marriage being a BIG one.

 Up until a recent interview, all candidates both President and Vice have been for the right for states to come to their own conclusions when it comes to the right to marry.  Not entirely pro-gay marriage, but strong in the idea that the states themselves should decide.  Until this brilliant quote from Palin in an interview with Christian Broadcasting Network recently.  The quote reads:

" I have voted along with the vast majority of Alaskans who had the opportunity to vote to amend our Constitution defining marriage as between one man and one woman. I wish on a federal level that's where we would go. I don't support gay marriage"

Couldn't be any plainer said then that folks. 

On the flipside Senator Biden, said during an appearance Monday on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" that if he lived in California he would vote against a ballot measure that seeks to ban gay marriage. DeGeneres, who is gay and newly wed to actress Portia de Rossi, has urged Californians to reject Proposition 8.

"I think it's regressive," the Delaware senator said. "I think it's unfair, and so I vote 'no.'"

Biden added that he and Barack Obama, the Democratic presidential nominee, opposed a similar initiative nationally. In the debate with Palin, Biden said he supporters partnerships rights for gays and lesbians, although he also opposes same-sex marriage.

So needless to say, I'm pretty well committed on my decision now.  No questions asked.  I encourage everyone to not just vote in the direction that you feel like you "should", research the issues, figure out for yourself.  Your vote does count.  Don't be afraid or timid to decide for yourself.

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We know we don't have to tell you how important this election is going to be. We we can tell you though, is in some areas you can start voting today! Our friends over at PFLAG National has sent us information on the states that have opened the polls early.

Colorado: Early voting begins today and ends October 31. Vote-by-mail applications msut be received by October 28 (via mail) or October 31 (in-person).

Florida: Early voting begins today and ends November 2. Vote-by-mail applications are due October 29.

Georgia: Early voting begins October 27 and ends October 31. Vote-by-mail applications are due by October 31.

Indiana: Early voting is arleady underway and ends November 3. Vote-by-mail applications are due by October 27.

Iowa: Early voting is already underway and ends November 1.

Maine: Early voting is already underway and ends on November 4.

Montana: Early voting is already underway and ends November 4. Vote-by-mail applications are due November 3.

Nevada: Early voting is already underway and ends on October 31. Vote-by-mail applications are due by October 28.

New Mexico: Early voting is already underway and ends November 1. Vote-by-mail applications must be received by October 31.

North Dakota: Early voting is already underway and ends on November 3.

Ohio: Early voting is already underway and ends November 3. Vote-by-mail applications must be received by November 1.

Wisconsin: Early voting is already underway and ends on November 3.

Update: Several PFLAG readers have pointed out that other states are now voting, too. In Tennessee, early voting has started, and lasts until October 30. In Arizona, which is facing a divisive anti-gay amendment, voting is also already taking place. And in The District of Columbia, early voting started on October 20.

Stay tuned to the PFLAG blog for more information as other states begin early voting in the days ahead. And, whether you vote now or vote on November 4, just remember to vote . . . please.

If you are still undecided you can check out cnn.com/politics for all the latest coverage and candidate profiles and thier positions. Whatever you do, don't pass up this opportunity to make history!

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As if from an Eytan Fox film, an incredible and tragic story is unfolding this week in Israel. A 33-year-old Palestinian man is pleading the High Court of Israel to be granted permanent residency in Israel with his partner of nine years after receiving death threats from his family and others in his West Bank hometown village of Tamon. "The sanctity of life is beyond reproach and needs no evidence to back it up. A human life must be protected without distention of race or creed," said the petition. The Court's decision has not yet been published.

Israel, known as the 'gay mecca' of the world, is known from granting asylum to LGBT middle easterners with and without the governments knowlege, predominately Palestinians because of their proximity. Like the man mentioned above, violence against those who are, or even perceived to be homosexual in the Arab world has been escalating out of control, so much so that the US military has acknowledged the threat against LGBT Iragis. Though homosexuality was legal in Iraq under Sadam Hussein, it was outlawed in 2001 because of religious pressure and has since created a widespread cleansing by militia groups, slaying boys as young as 12 to rid the percieved homosexuality. Many organizations are currenlty working to aid LGBT middle easterners to find asylum elsewhere.

Eytan Fox is an Israeli film director that has tackled issues like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, gay rights, and life in Israel. His latest film "The Bubble", both beautiful and tragic, follows a group of friends in Tel-Aviv, and the love story of a gay Palestinian and an Israeli soldier. The Bubble, Jossi & Jagger, and Walking On Water are all available in the US and are a must see!

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Gale Harold, the actor who plays the new boyfriend of "Desperate Housewives" star Teri Hatcher, has been seriously injured in a motorcycle crash. Yesterday, October 14, 2008.

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I ran across this video today, and i must say BRAVO to the creator!  I not only laughed out loud a couple of times, but i also walked away feeling a great since of accomplish that i have already registered to vote.  My voice does matter, and for the first time, im speaking up.  Check it out!

Bottom line... stand up and let your voice be heard.  Register now, before its too late.  It too important not to.

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One more step towards the better....

Connecticut joined California and Massachusetts this Friday, October 10, 2008, as the only states to legalize gay marriage, adding to the long-running debate over the definition of marriage and who should be entitled to it.

 On one side are people who believe that marriage is the sanctifying of love and commitment between two people, regardless of gender. For others, marriage encourages a long-term relationship between a man and a woman as a framework for caring for their children. In such a construct, in their view, the population is replenished, and children are raised responsibly and are less likely to be a social and financial burden on the state.  On both sides, we as a nation are growing closer to allowing those that love each other to be able to expereince the joys of marriage.

 It's a small step, but definently a step towards the better.  I don't know about you, but I'm pretty thrilled about this step forward.  It's a good feeling!

 -Brandy

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