This One’s For Edie!
It has been a funny week, so far, for women but Edie Windsor, 83, finally managed to get the tables
turned on DOMA - Defense of Marriage Act, when the Supreme Court ruled yesterday that married
same-sex couples were entitled to federal benefits.
Senator Wendy Davis stood on her feet in the Texas State Capitol and filibustered for over 11 hours
in an effort to turn down Gov Rick Perry's proposal that would shut down the state's abortion clinics.
Wendy, a teenage mother, somehow managed to get herself out of the trailer park and off to Harvard
Law School eventually becoming a Democrat senator representing a conservative county.
Meanwhile, Julia Gillard, ex Prime Minister of Australia, was dumped as was Paula Deen from the
Food Network and other sponsorship deals, one of which was Walmart. That must hurt!
And how could I possibly forget the gift who just keeps on giving, the incredible Michele Bachmann
who in her final term of Congress, denounced the Supreme Court's decision on DOMA in the statement
"Marriage was created by the hand of God. No man, not even a Supreme Court, can undo what a holy
God has instituted."
As Nancy Pelosi famously replied. "Who cares?"
Meanwhile, down on Christopher St in Greenwich Village it was street party time with the
Stonewall Inn featuring as the bright candle on the celebratory cake.
Welcome to the wonderful world of marriage everyone! The playing field of sexual politics
and power is now well and truly level. Marriage, no longer gender-based, becomes the issue
it was always meant to be - one of human rights!
* * * * *
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I LOVE your portraits, Patti…
you have such a talent for capturing the spirit of your subject(s)…
so nice!
🙂
Thank you so much kind SiG! The subjects have a lot of spirit to give!
Bravo Patti! It was indeed a bewildering week full of surprises – most of them good but I’m still scratching my head about the the Voting Rights Act decision that has in essence given cart blanch to the racist political machine in some states ;-( Thankfully there are people like Wendy Davis within that machine to keep them on their toes …. great set of shots in front of the Stonewall!!
Pat, I was hoping you might be able to clear my confusion re – the Voting Rights Act! As for Wendy Davis, do you think they are casting for the role in the bio pic already?
Essentially – Scalia described the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act as “the perpetuation of a racial entitlement,” and other justices questioned whether racial discrimination even still exists. ??? HUH ??? the right wing has won that one for sure ;-(( Next they will pander to conservative Hispanics in an effort to regain the WH… sad days ahead IMHO
As for who to play the part of Wendy Davis – I can see Gwyneth Paltrow in her running shoes ;-))
Which is the equivalent of returning certain states back to pre-1965 voting rights because we are now one big happy family?
Exactly – NOT!!! :-(( but let me not digress any further into the abyss and pass on this very funny item that one of my FB buddies passed on: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008FFX950/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_dp_oVmZrb1050RY08VE
The comments are priceless ;-)) !!!
Absolutely fantastic, I want a pair!
Breaking news also has it that Connie Britton aka Tami Taylor has been cast for the role – whether she likes it or not! The internet has spoken.
Maybe but I’m still partial to the more legitimate actor Ms. Paltrow !!
Beautiful post, Patti. We’ll all get past this issue someday, I imagine, and look back and wonder what all the fighting was about.
and wonder whatever happened to that crazy Michele What’s her name? Thank you Charles!
Again, you’ve captured the spirit of the City. Beautiful.
There was so much to go around, thank you Tom!
One thing I forgot to add tp my post was that my trusty SONY Cybershot died. I’m now shopping around for something smilar or better. Ans, ypu are a child of the City.
History in the making and all these happy people being part of it.
What a divine collage by Patti to mark the occasion!
And the sky hasn’t fallen in yet Annie!
Dear Patti, I found your blog and must say: what a great portrait series. I really like how you capture the moment. Very nice work.
Lovely to meet you Stefan and I am so pleased to know you enjoyed the street party. Thank you!
Fabulous photos Patti and so any smiling faces – and yes what a big week it has been – this country has lost one of its most accomplished Prime Ministers – such shame.
Thank you Veronica. Politics, etc, is such a funny old business isn’t it – like being back at school, in kindergarten!
sadly yes !
what a happy, happy series! finally the way it should always have been…
It was such a lovely evening and thank you for your kind thoughts Inge!
Love is love. Pity about Julia Gillard being dumped. Australia might not be quite ready in accepting females in power.
However, history will be kind to her. She achieved a lot, moved mountains.
Her speech on sexism and misogyny was hailed by many, including the New Yorker, The Sud Deutsche Zeitung, The Guardian, Le Monde and others as an international sensation. The world gave a standing ovation for her fifteen minutes speech. No female in Australia’s history has ever come closer to so succinctly and precisely sum up the curse of sexism and misogyny.
Well done Patti.
Politicians seem to have the knack of sticking in the knife wherever it hurts and then it’s on to the next great white hope to offer world salvation! Malcolm Fraser did it to John Gorton, Paul Keating did it to Bob Hawke and the GG did it to Gough. Julia, regardless of her gender, has simply joined the wall of fame and if John Howard’s bounce back record is anything to go by Julia still has time on her side to mount the big come back. Knife in hand!
Love IS love! A great series Patti!
Isn’t it just! Thank you Elena!
This issue has been/is a hot potatoe for quite some time in my country, while there are so many more urgent issues to be dealt with. I have the same standpoint as always .. live and let live…. Of all the posted photos I am most inclined to the baby with pink sunglasses :D, and horses behinds :).
No-one enjoys paying taxes they don’t have to hence the issues which result and how timely for this July 4 week-end! Perhaps a more content domestic population might ease the way for the settlement of more pressing issues . . . . 🙂
you made a great portrait gallery, Patti!
It was great fun, thank you Frizz!
That is really one thing I don’t understand. Why do so many people get aggravated by how others choose to live their lives? Why is there still a debate going on in this country about same sex marriage? Of course I can understand – or at least accept – that some people find it to be against their believe system. Fine then don’t do it, I would say, but why do they need to make the rest of the world submit to their ideas? Great post with great pictures, Patti.
So many valid questions Otto and I don’t know the answers . . . I haven’t had a sheltered life but I came home from that evening feeling quite overcome and overwhelmed. The crowd that night down at Christopher St was full of everyone, all ages, and I would defy even the most hardcore bigot to point at anyone, casting judgement upon any one of us. Straight marriage and the concept of “family” have for too long been its own closet where unhappy couples plod along together with children living in fear of divine retribution etc etc. Yet, there are so many happy families from whence gay people have come, who are loved and accepted by both parents, and all they want is the chance to have the same for themselves. That can only be a good thing, no, for everyone?
Pastor Ted Haggard is typical of those who rather than come to terms with his own deep personal issues attempted to use the public platform of God in beating society into the repressed submission he himself was living with.
What joy on their faces Patti! How free they must feel finally! So happy for them and for you all. Hope this gives impetus to the fight against prejudicial discrimination across the world. Thank you for this stirring, emotion packed post 🙂
There were so many champagne corks popping, not to mention the many proposals. It also made me more aware of how much we take marriage for granted . . . . not that everyone in the world needs nor wants to be married but the denial of choice is always tough to handle.
Congratulatons on being Freshly Pressed Patti!! Well deserved 🙂
Madhu, it was such a shock/surprise and thank you, a veteran FP, for your warm wishes!
Fantastic post, Patti – some amazing photography and a spot on message. Like the way we slink into the night via your shots. Very cool.
Thank you so much Richard, it truly was such a lovely evening. An earlier heavy downpour did so much to freshen and clear the air. I keep meaning to get myself a decent flash, a NY summer night is so rich with possibilities!
Wonderful, Patti. Full of happiness, love, beautiful atmosphere … pure life
Anette, it was such a beautiful evening and I couldn’t think where I would rather be at this time. Thank you so much!
Equality is something to celebrate! Love is Love… : )
A simple enough concept and indeed one worth celebrating, thank you as ever Karen!
Wonderful portraits of people in such triumphant mood! And yes, what a week. (Australian) politics has cycles of absurdity which have reduced me to tears many times over the years. Such a waste of clever minds and talented people when there is so much to do. However, Ms Gillard managed to achieve a lot despite her dependence on cross-benchers and the white-anting of her leadership. Thanks for these uplifting images, Patti.
Thank you Philippa for your kind words and I am so pleased you enjoyed the street party! As for politics, Western democracies seem to ride the same old merry-go-rounds but at least we are not out on the streets fighting for rights and freedoms. Syria and Egypt, let alone Afghanistan, spring to the top of a long list . . . .
Yes, those things underpin everything for us don’t they? We don’t always value them consciously because we expect/assume them.
You capture truth, beauty and happiness! Wonderful. Tweeting this 🙂
LFR, the streets were aglow with it and thank you so much for the tweet. Lovely to see you here and how wonderful to see you here in NYC one day – book signing one day soon perhaps? 🙂
Oh I hope so Patti! the revision process is slow and frustrating. I was in MYC once … went to a club called Nell’s. That was eons ago! 🙂
You went to Nell’s? I want to hear all about it, please! As for the revision process, I know you won’t give up!
Nell’s it was looong ago. Embarrassing really; it involved my having to chase a cab that parked right in front of the club … sort of made a semi-laughing stock of myself. The BONUS we got in without waiting! 🙂 Tons of people at the door.
Great series Patti, you have captured the atmosphere superbly.
David, thank you so much! You take superb photos wherever you go and it has been an added bonus to see your recent great views of the Big Apple!
There was a pride parade in Oslo last week, but I didn’t have time to photograph it.
Hope you had time to enjoy it! NYC Pride was also this week-end and I’m not sure about the numbers but it was a bumper crowd this year what with DOMA being overturned earlier in the week. Not to mention the election soon of a new Mayor, candidates love parades and megaphones!
And Human Love Patti… 🙂 Congratulations to all those prepared to make a stand for equality for another victory along the road. Some great catches among these images. I agree with the guy who says Running Sucks! – I overtake some joggers when I’m out walking 😉 So great to those couples with children too – makes me think of Epi’s friends Justin and John and their little boy 🙂 There is a point at which those politicians who cite the church and bible need to wake up and smell what they shovel – the persecution of minorities has nothing to do with the compassion of Christ! Great photo journalism again Patti 🙂
So many lovely words, thank you Martin. Religion and politics have for too long been places for bigots to beat big sticks, the last closets left?
Here is another couple with a very touching back story courtesy of Micropolis:NYC
Wow, looking at those photos… I wish Sara and I could have been there for that moment. But we’re going to get so many new and wonderful things together some day thanks to all of these incredible fighters. ❤
They fought a valiant fight indeed and my very best wishes to you and Sarah for what you have now and in the future. You were both very much there in spirit!
Awesome happy-people pictures! I first visited New York during gay pride right after they legalized “gay” marriage. It was very festive and everyone was celebrating the legal victory, we had a great time! This year, in California, I’ll get to experience it again with our pride coming up on July 13-14. I’ll be sure to document California’s celebration. Cheers to progress from sea to shining sea! XO
Wow, what a momentous and colourful first visit for you to NYC! Can’t wait to see your California fun, and as you say, cheers to progress!
Hi patti ,spectacular post .The pictures are shedding a bright light how the many celebrate their freedom, their life style and their fate.God gave his children the free will to decide for themselves.Sincerely jalal
Thank you Jalal!
Those smiles! They made me smile, too. Great stuff!
So happy you are smiling, thank you SiverBlack!
Wonderful pictures, very evocative. It always strikes me how evident and demonstrative the love is in openly gay couples–so unlike the repressed hetero pairings I grew up observing in the Midwest. No touching, rare hugs, maybe a peck on the cheek. Yawn. I only hope the rest of us can drop the fear and learn from the gays. Thanks for the post.
You mean the days when very young boys were taught to “man-up” and shake hands, none of this hugging and kissing business? Your comment has brought back so many memories, The Midwest is far more universal than any of us knew at the time! Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful words and yes, there is so much we can all learn from each other.
And thank YOU for your beautiful photos. It reminded me how much I miss my gay friends from my former city and has renewed my resolve to form new friends in my new one. Shouldn’t be too hard in Portland, Oregon: half the rainbows around here aren’t meteorological! 😉
Our recent parade: http://photos.oregonlive.com/photo-essay/2013/06/the_43rd_annual_portland_pride.html
And video: http://www.kgw.com/news/Portland-Pride-Parade-set-to-kickoff-downtown–211740801.html
Wow, what a fabulous set of brilliant photos – the quality is outstanding!
The comments were certainly interesting although some people wouldn’t know a rainbow if they tripped over one. Pride is such a great day for everyone everywhere don’t you think? Looking fwd to hearing of the fun in Portland!
That’s a lot of happy people! 🙂
So many happy people, thank you David! 🙂
bravo! to the spirit oh humanity and freedom of will! nice shots..congratulations on being freshly pressed
Thank you for your most welcome and appreciated bravo! It would have taken such a cold and hard heart not to have been moved by the overwhelming sense of “humanity and freedom” down there that night. As celebratory as the evening was there was also a huge dose of serenity to it.
(and thank you for the congrats!)
I can imagine as I was there when the state of NY passed the rainbow law. It was overwhelming and exciting to see the relief in people. Being a part was an honour of sorts.
Great pictures, so many happy faces. I can almost feel the wonderful vibe on the streets 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
Rohan.
It doesn’t take much to start a part down there but this blew the candle off the cake and into the stratosphere! Thank you Rohan and always a pleasure to share the streets!
It does not matter that I agree with your cause or not. You have the right to have an your point of view. Since this is America I must support that right. If we are all equal then why should there be inequity. Why should the laws of the land be affected by a marriage certificate when so many people are moving await from that form of documentation? Your pictures are of excellent quality and are well made.
Thank you awax1217 – it will be interesting to follow further developments on the concept of marriage when, as you say, so many people are moving away from that form of documentation. At least now we are all in this together!
so many happy faces and cool mood 🙂
One of those bonus summer nights Joshi!
LOVE is Love! Embrace it when you find it!!!!!
And never ignore the signs! 🙂
You captures these magical moments in a transcendent way.
It was all the euphoria in the air! Thank you so much!
Your photos brought tears to my eyes! What joy! Thank you for sharing, and congrats on FP!
Sorry/happy to make you cry BC and thank you very much for your kind words!
It’s a beautiful kind of cry.
Absolutely wonderful photos! I love that you took such intimate photos at a hectic event. I attended Chicago’s Pride Parade on Sunday and it was a great celebration.
Pride marches are always good fun and great to hear it all went so well in Chicago, thank you Kitchen!
Great images Patti! Such lovely expressions there! ‘Love is love’ Perfect!
Thank you Uday, it was a lovely evening!
Great photos! You did an awesome job of capturing the atmosphere and excitement. I wish I could have been there, but these photos are the second best thing!
I’m a high school student with a passion for photography and I would love it if you could check out my blog and give me some feedback! http://maireadkahn.wordpress.com/
It was such a treat to check out your photos and I am so excited for you that you are so young and studying your passion with so much in front of you! Don’t stop shooting! So lovely to meet you Mairead and thank you!
Thank you! I really appreciate your kind words 🙂
Freedom and joy and happiness and love! It’s a privilege to be a witness through your photos, every single one of which is superb. As you say, a very mixed week, joy succeeding sorrow succeeding outrage. But here, and in this one arena, the joy is what overwhelms.
Magnificent photo journalism, Patti. (As always.)
The joy just jumps out of these photos. Well done!
Reblogged this on coralposts.
I just read the NY Times article. Quite the fight.