Dear Straight People

HAPPY JULY!!!

First let me say Happy July! The LGBT Community has had such an amazing week, its unbelievable!  DOMA was struct down, along with Prop 8 and our couples are finally being recognized. We are definitely on the way to national acceptance.

Second I wanna say Ive had so many views but still no one comments! Maybe its harder than I think? So lets try this, I have two other ways of talking with readers without them being in the spotlight.

Twitter: ur_superwoman
Ask.fm: DesContess

Ask me questions, give me topics or just drop a line letting me know you follow my blog :-) I wont bite I promise!

Have you been following the Supreme Court's Cases?

CNN Supreme Court Producer Bill Mears provides five summaries of the biggest cases all to be ruled on before the end of June including the cases on DOMA & Prop. 8. Here's his breakdown:

Defense of Marriage Act: Windsor v. U.S.

ISSUE: Does DOMA violate equal protection guarantees in the Fifth Amendment's due process clause as applied to same-sex couples legally married under the laws of their states?

CASE: Windsor v U.S. - A woman legally married to another woman was forced to assume a bigger tax bill than other married couples because her marriage wasn't recognized.

THE ARGUMENTS: Federal courts have not yet addressed the federal law's other key provision: states that do not allow same-sex marriages cannot be forced to recognize such unions performed in other states. Traditionally, marriages in one jurisdiction are considered valid across the country.

THE OUTCOME: There are many options. The simplest solution would be for the court to dismiss the appeal on standing grounds, or who has a right to bring a case before the court. That would leave the lower courts or the other branches to decide who would defend DOMA. But if the court strikes down the benefits provision -- the only part of DOMA at issue here -- that would create many unanswered questions, especially in those states that currently ban gay marriage.

California ballot measure (Proposition 8): Hollingsworth v. Perry

ISSUE: Does the Constitution's 14th Amendment guarantee of "equal protection" prevents states from defining marriage as being only between one man and one woman?

CASE: The "Prop 8" case, as it has become known, has been down a complicated legal road. California's Supreme Court ruled same-sex marriages were legal in 2008. After the statewide ballot measure banning them passed with 52% of the vote later that year, gay and lesbian marriages were put on hold. Then a federal appeals court in San Francisco ruled the measure unconstitutional. In its split decision, the panel found Proposition 8 "works a meaningful harm to gays and lesbians" by denying their right to civil marriage.

THE ARGUMENTS: California is the only state that accepted, then revoked, same-sex marriage as a legal right. The measure's supporters asked the justices to preserve the will of the voters in this politically charged social issue. Opponents of Prop 8 seek a court-ordered expansion of the "traditional" views of marriage.

THE OUTCOME: With so many options, the simplest one would be to "DIG" it -- dismiss the case as "improvidently granted," meaning the larger constitutional issues would not be settled, at least now. That could throw the case back to the lower courts to sort out the jurisdictional issues and perhaps allow another voter referendum next year on gay marriage. A sweeping ruling on whether same-sex marriage is a fundamental constitutional right seems unlikely.

Click here for the entire article.

Where I have been?

You can find me on Etsy :-)
I've just opened my own store full of inspirational prints, you should definitely check it out!

BTB's a week away!

Beyond the Bar is exactly a week away!
I'm EXCITED!!!!
....and nervous.
So much to do, so little time, so many worries!
BLAC interview.
I wonder how my pieces will print?
What the heck am I gonna wear?!?
Did I take off work yet?
Nope.
I should do that.....
I'm EXCITED!!!!!
And I hope you are too!
I hope to see you in seven days.
:-)

What is Beyond The Bar?

Despite the victories of LGBT Americans, many continue to stereotype this unique subculture. Now is the time to debunk these stereotypes and show Metro Detroit the talents of the LGBT community, through art and design and thats what Beyond the Bar is all about.

Details.
When: June 6, 2013
            7 pm - 10 pm

Where: Start Gallery
             Downtown Detroit
             206 E. Grand River Ave.,
             Detroit, MI 48226

A little history.
This is our third year and we've come a long way from where we started. Our curator Alex Harvilla started with maybe 20 artists in a small gallery concentrating on only graphic design. Our second year we broadened that category to all professional art work and kicked off Ferndale Pride with around 50 artists.

This year were back in Detroit, kicking off for Motor City Pride at the Start Gallery and we couldn't be more happier with its growth in not only number of artists and its fan base but also with its reputation. Each years only gotten better and this year will be no different!

Partners.
Motor City Pride, Detroit Design Festival, The AdCraft Club, Ruth Ellis Center, Between The Lines, Wink Detroit, DJ Lena

Sponsors.
DC3, Donor, Lush-ious Cupcakes, the Great Lakes Coffee Co., the Capitol Grille, Element PR, Batch Brewing Company, Rodin

Beyond the Bar.

Two weeks until 1 very special night.
A gallery.
Over 70 LGBT Michigan artists will show their contribution to the world.
I am one of them.




2012 AIGA Beyond The Bar from Erik Bare on Vimeo.