Hello All! Sorry I’ve been MIA for so long. I’ve been a little busy, donating my computer time to a few different things other than tumblr and twitter. I’ve also decided to audit a class in Late 20th Century Art from a local uni and have been spending quite some time in my studio making some pretty/pretty queer things.

Anyway, “What has this fool been donating her spare computer time to?!”, you ask? 

It all has to do with the campaign AGAINST Amendment One.  For those of you who are out-of-staters and are not familiar or anyone in the state of NC who has been living under a rock, Amendment One was first mentioned as a marriage ban for homosexuals in the state of North Carolina and is still known as the anti-gay amendment. That alone caused an uproar for the queer community, but after further investigation, if this amendment passes, it will harm heterosexuals as well. It limits the protection of children, families, unmarried couples, and unmarried women that call North Carolina their home.

That’s right! I chose to donate to Equality NC’s affiliate coalition that is spear-heading the campaign against Amendment One: The Coalition to Protect NC Families. 

I decided to use a simple phrase, much like that of the “FCK H8” shirts that were made to oppose Prop 8 in California from being passed and are still being used to appeal the proposition. My phrase?

QUIT HATIN’ It’s simple, it’s southern, and it’s pretty damn catchy. I’m choosing to use a phrase that says a little, but means a lot. Even though this idea isn’t new by any means, I want to reiterate to the Community At Large that no matter what background you come from or what personal beliefs you may have, it’s not okay to hate others for being something different than what you are. And I feel like that’s an idea that any decent human being can get behind.

So…what can YOU do in order to help?

If you’re a NC resident, an Out-of-Stater, someone who can’t vote, but still want to make an impact, or a person who doesn’t even live in this country and want to still help (which is totally encouraged btw), then buy a shirt! For just a little over 20 bucks you get a shirt that is a great conversation starter, shows your support of a queer community in need, AND you automatically get to donate money to help that community. It’s a win, win, win! We really want this thing to get big, so if you’re in support of these shirts and the idea that it’s not okay to hate, buy one! Spread the word! Pass it on! Because every little bit helps.

So allow me to tell you again how much is being donated from each shirt sold:

75%, yes, SEVENTY-FIVE PERCENT of the profits from each of these organic cotton, American Apparel shirts that get sold goes toward The Coalition to Protect NC Families. That means that even if you bought just one shirt, you would be donating anywhere from $15.75-$17.25 towards the campaigning to help OPPOSE this amendment.

And obviously, if you’re a registered North Carolina voter, you should make it out to the polls in May and vote NO on Amendment One. AND! As if you weren’t sold already….

Here are 10 factual reasons to oppose the amendment:

1. It is not needed. There is already an NC law forbidding gay marriage.
2. It bars recognizing any legal domestic union other than marriage, including unmarried heterosexual partnerships.
3. NC will face substantial legal costs to defend it in court if it passes
4. It would take away legal protections for the children of unmarried people.
5. A child could be taken away from a parent who has taken care of them their entire life if something happens to the other parent.
6. It takes away domestic violence protections for all unmarried people and has led to the convictions of abusers being overturned in other states. 
7. It strips health benefits from unmarried people whose coverage is through their partners, including people with severe pre-existing conditions.
8. It interferes with the medical and financial decisions of unmarried couple and invalidates certain trusts, wills, and end-of-life directives.
9. Seniors wanting to keep these legal protections would have to marry and could lose their pension, health care and Social Security benefits.
10. It would be the first time since 1835 that the NC Constitution has been used to strip people of their rights rather than to grant them.

NOTES: 

• The title image was made by yours truly
• More information about Amendment One can be found on Equality NC’s website 
• If you would like to take the pledge to vote NO on Amendment One in May, click here
• If you would like to get involved in campaigning, Equality NC has printable handouts available on their website and The Coalition to Protect NC Families has an entire page dedicated to you taking action! 
• To buy a shirt supporting the cause, click here
• Bought a shirt and think you look hot in it? OF COURSE YOU DO. Send D.MA a photo of yourself in one of their shirts and they will post it on their Facebook page
• D.MA Clothing ships nationally as well as internationally. If you see that they don’t have your size, ask them about it in their contact form. They will probably be able to work something out for you.