A friend on Facebook commented “Now aren’t we supposed to find the judge, or the prosecutor exiting the airport with a rentboy. Isn’t that how these things work.” As flip as that comment may be there is a kernel of truth in it. That being – that if these men had kept everything quiet and led lives that kept their love hidden from everyone they would be free. They would have gotten married to women, had “normal” lives and secreted their love away from the world.

Instead they chose to publicly declare their love for one another. They went against everything their society told them was “right” and did what they felt was RIGHT in their guts. They knew the right thing to do – for them. And now they are doing time in prison for an act that in all actuality would probably not have had much of an impact on anyone in their city, village or family. In imprisoning them the government of Malawi has done two things – On the one hand they have given us a new pair of faces in the global argument for same-sex equal rights. (We all know how the West, America especially likes to have a foreign, preferably third world face to personalize an issue in our own home territory). On the other, Magistrate Nyakwawa Usiwa Usiwa has delivered a stern message to homosexual population of that country and other countries in Africa with similar legislation on the books. Besides the inhumane treatment of HUMAN beings, these backwards laws regarding morality, sexuality, and civil rights have been what UNICEF and other charitable groups around the globe have pegged as one of the reasons for the explosion of HIV/AIDS on the continent.

Keeping this case in mind and the lives of other GLBTQ peoples around the globe in African countries and elsewhere with strict anti-gay laws, let’s bring it back to our own country. The goold ol’ USA, where, you remember, we are FREE. That’s right. You remember that right. George W. Bush and everyone on God’s green American earth has been telling us that vehemently for years now. Free.. and not only that but we must protect that freedom at all costs! Well here is another case where the USA and other countries can hold up a newspaper article, a picture, a court-ruling, and say, “Look! Look at those poor bastards. If only they lived here. They can’t even get married and love one another in their own way there. They are not free.”

But this is where it gets a little muddled, a little hazy and confusing. The US State Department condemned the decision and the Malawi legislation that led to the ruling. But this is where we have to look back at ourselves and ask – how can we condemn a country for doing what we also do, maybe not in such a formal and harsh way, but in a way that is just as oppressive in it’s intent.

No-we may not throw queer people in prison for loving one another, but we surely do not make it easy for them to live here. I remind you that as of today…only six states in the country allow same sex marriages, another three recognize those marriages from other jurisdictions. Two states that had the laws on the books repealed them. And beyond that our country has a nebulous record in protecting it’s queer citizens against hate crimes, discrimination and equal opportunity.

It is important to pay attention to the case of Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga. In doing so let’s not lose sight of what continues to happen right here in our own country, where we are not yet free to be equal citizens.

The WEDLOCK Project artists, TTBaum, Michael Grohall and collaborator Nathaniel Fink are proud to be participating in this worthy event!

The Auction happens tonight – Saturday April 10th, 2010 at the school 621 Huntington Avenue, Boston MA. Tickets can be purchased by going to the website.

Happy bidding..

This is a preview of a work in progress for MATRIMONY–the finale of The WEDLOCK Project in August, 2010

Amazing…

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/15/nepal-seeks-gay-tourists_n_499062.html

The ICA… www.icaboston.org!

Check-in from 630PM – 7PM at the WATER CAFE… (first floor of the ICA).
PLEASE BRING:
A partner of the same-sex
Your enthusiasm.

From 7PM – 8PM we will be roaming about looking at the Roni Horn Show.. and performing Public Displays Of Affection (Acceptance).

Feel free to interact with other PDA participants..

If you know of ANYONE who would like to join us – IT’S NOT TOO LATE - tell them to come on down!

We are so excited to have you with us!
See you Thursday!

Best,
TT and Michael!

According to sources at the Washington Post, McDonnell’s stance is that, “his predecessors had overstepped their executive authority by including sexual orientation protections in the orders and has not renewed them. He said the issue would be properly decided by the General Assembly.” This seems to be more of the same argument that many lawmakers, and states are using to remove existing protections for queer citizens with regard to marriage equality in places like California and Maine.

The new-old bill on the floor of the General Assembly in Virginia has passed the largely Democratic House, but it is expected to be killed by lawmakers in the more conservative Senate. More on the Governor’s stance and possible motives can be found here.

My question is, when did we become America’s pariahs? Last year it took tacking a hate crimes bill onto a defense bill for the federal government to even consider GLBTQ people in that lawmaking decision, and even then it still didn’t pass. Living in a country where defense spending tops EVERYTHING in the Federal Government, it is astonishing that my sexuality could play such a huge roll in one bill. It has prompted states to take away rights of marriage equality that had already existed, again creating a second class of citizens, and in some cases even third. Now Governor McDonnell has taken away his own states employees rights against discrimination which could lead to good, hardworking people being fired for who they love, in an already tight job market.

All of this with the argument that executive and judicial powers are being abused when laws are instituted outside the legislative process- laws that are meant to equalize and protect EVERYONE!

I didn’t see any of these guys raising a stink when the Supreme Court recently sold our election process to the highest corporate bidders.

Think.

romeos@thewedlockproject.com

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100203/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_military_gays