Equal Junction

Openly Lesbian, Representative Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, is a true leader who is a fine role model for all women.

Born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin, she graduated as valedictorian from Madison West High School and her alma maters include Smith College, and Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition to her current role as representative, she is an attorney who is a major supporter of Violence Against Women Act, and Baldwin has also promoted her efforts on behalf of women’s health and reproductive rights. A true pioneer for women, she is the first women elected to congress from the state of Wisconsin.

Photo Courtesy of Wiki Commons

Carthage College is hosting a regional conference led and sponsored by Intervarsity.

“After an extensive investigation, it has come to light that the following speaker, Shannon Marion, will be presenting at this conference. Shannon Marion has stated that being homosexual is against God’s design, and therefore it is wrong. This will be at the core of his message that will be delivered to Intervarsity students that are coming from all over Southeastern Wisconsin.”

According to Intervarsity’s website, their purpose is this: “In response to God’s love, grace and truth: The Purpose of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA is to establish and advance at colleges and universities witnessing communities of students and faculty who follow Jesus as Savior and Lord: growing in love for God, God’s Word, God’s people of every ethnicity and culture and God’s purposes in the world.” EXCEPT FOR HOMOSEXUALS

Okay we added the “EXCEPT FOR HOMOSEXUALS” however, if both a representative and an organization’s purpose is to educate students to grow love for God and God’s people of every ethnicity and culture, why does it discriminate so openly?

If Mr. Marion is going to use discrimination at the core of his speech, then he already lost his purpose. Is it freedom of speech? Yes, but plain and simple its words of hate.

Thank you Kim for this story.

According to the Racine Post, to join the rally, here is whats going on:

• Over the next three days, Carthage students will be standing united against Mr. Marion and his message.
• Starting at 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19, Carthage students will be gathering at the Lincoln statue at the north end of campus to rally as a community united in favor of open dialogue that enables all sides to be heard. Members of progressive communities from Madison, Milwaukee, and Chicago will also be in attendance to support the students.

If you are nearby, please join in the rally!

We definitely support the LGBT students and allies in the fight for equality. Go Red Men and Lady Reds!

Photos Courtesy of Flickr

The Harmony Café has two locations in Wisconsin; one in Fox Valley, and one in Green Bay; both have great calendar events coming up that you should check out and tell us about.

The Harmony Café is a unique space with an honorable pledge, within their declaration they state:

“I believe: that ALL people should be valued and appreciated; that every person is a treasure worthy of dignity & respect; that diversity in humans is a strength;that by pre-judging people and by holding biases, I will miss the beauty within each individual person.”

What a great pledge! All groups and community spaces can learn from their acceptance.  We often find ourselves working with individuals who may or may not share our views and values, however when the respect for each individuals self worth is there, real progress can begin.

What a great idea the founders of the Harmony Café had; think about contacting them if you feel their model would be a success in our neighborhoods.  Sometimes providing an accepting space to meet is the first step-not to mention that their rooms look great.  What a wonderful space for the organizations around these locations to meet.

Let us know how the spaces have worked for you?

Photo via flickr

More after the jump:

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