Why Does Marriage Matter?

Aug6 by D Gregory Smith

Marriage in Washington has the direct effect of influencing marriage rights in all nearby states- including Idaho, Montana and Oregon.

Check out the latest tv ad from Washington United For Marriage and Pride Foundation:

Pride Foundation, the nonprofit LGBTQ community foundation serving the U.S. Northwest, has led an ongoing public education campaign on why marriage matters to all loving and committed couples. Today, Pride Foundation announced the second of two new statewide TV ads focused on the importance of the freedom to marry for all Washingtonians. The first of the ads debuted during the opening ceremony of the Olympics on July 27.

The ad released August 6 features United Church of Christ minister Reverend Gib Rossing and his wife, Beth Rossing, talking about their son Jonathan and their hopes for him to be able to marry his long-term partner Ryan. It emphasizes that all loving and committed couples, whether gay or straight, hope to marry for similar reasons: to make a lifetime promise to another person and to share the joys and challenges that life brings.

“Here in Washington, we treat all families with respect and fairness, because we believe in the Golden Rule of treating others as we want to be treated,” said Kris Hermanns, Executive Director of Pride Foundation. “This advertisement reflects our fundamental values, and will supplement the conversations we’ve had across the state about the important of marriage for all loving and committed couples. No one should be denied the freedom to marry the person that they love.”

This statewide ad follows another that debuted at the Olympics opening ceremony and features former Republican state Senator Cheryl Pflug.

For more information and to check out Senator Pflug’s video visit www.WhyMarriageMattersWashington.org.

To learn more about Pride Foundation visit www.pridefoundation.org.

Update (from the comments): Just wanted to let you know my dad (Gib Rossing) is actually a retired Lutheran pastor. He and Mom are part of a UCC church in Olympia, WA, but he’s not a minister of the UCC. Thanks for posting the video and sharing!

Pro-Marriage-Equality Ad Will Run Tonight During Olympics Opening Ceremony (slog.thestranger.com)
Turman Larison Gallery to Host Pride Foundation Benefit (dgsmith.org)

Author Bobbie Zenker talks about “TransMontana” on KBZK

Jun15 by D Gregory Smith

Very proud. You can see it here.

Another Congressional Candidate For Marriage Equality

May22 by D Gregory Smith

Could you imagine this even two years ago? We have two very public videos about marriage equality by Montana Congressional candidates. You’ve probably seen Dave Strohmaier’s video- but here’s another one from Rob Stutz:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jH4Os4KW80

Cool.

Montana Congressional Candidate Runs Marriage Equality Ad (thinkprogress.org)
NAACP Endorses Marriage Equality [Marriage Equality] (gawker.com)

Dave Strohmaier’s Ad- Equality At The Forefront

May17 by D Gregory Smith

If you haven’t seen the ad yet, you’ll see what I mean:

Send this to everyone you know.

HIV Is In Montana- It’s No Bull

May8 by D Gregory Smith

The second video in the Montana social marketing campaign for HIV Awareness:

This HIV prevention animation targeting the MSM population is a playful look at a young bull elk that is looking for a relationship in Montana. As the party music plays he searches the herd for another bull who has been “Checked” (tested) for HIV. This is a creative project that was created by Laura Dybdal and Amber Bushnell as a part of Montana’s HIV Prevention Social Marketing Campaign. It also directs viewers to getcheckedmt.org, a resource to find the nearest HIV testing location in Montana.

The first one was posted yesterday….

HIV In Montana: It’s Not Classified (dgsmith.org)
Some Startling HIV Facts (dgsmith.org)
HIV+ and Partners Retreat (dgsmith.org)
AIDS Outreach Names New Executive Director (dgsmith.org)
Missoula County Sees Spike In HIV Infection (dgsmith.org)

Forward

Apr30 by D Gregory Smith

I’m an unabashed Obama supporter. Here’s why:

Montana Pride 2012 Preview Video

Mar29 by D Gregory Smith

If you’re getting excited about Montana Pride in Bozeman this June 15th-17th, then here’s something to whet your appetite:

Montana Pride 2012 Trailer from Wet Paint Studios on Vimeo.

Rehberg: The Anti-Hunter?

Mar6 by D Gregory Smith

For the second time in as many weeks, Congressman Dennis Rehberg’s support for endangering the Montana world-famous hunting and fishing heritage is under fire.

Montana hunters have been clear in their opposition to Rehberg’s Roadless Area Release Act (H.R. 1581), cosponsored by Rehberg. The Montana Wildlife Federation and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation are among 26 Montana hunting and fishing organizations that oppose Rehberg’s bill.

The bill would open up millions of roadless acres putting some of Montana’s richest big game country at risk. The legislation has been called “short-sighted, top-down legislation” by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation who pulled their support for the legislation at the request of Montana hunters in August. [RMEF, Website]

The Montana Wildlife Federation is running an independent TV ad expressing the need to protect Montana’s outdoor legacy by opposing the legislation:

“It’s amazing that Dennis Rehberg is ignoring the voices of Montana hunters saying that legislation threatening Montana’s big game is ‘common sense,’” said Montana Democratic Party Executive Director Ted Dick. “Montana hunters have been loud and clear, standing with Jon Tester against Dennis Rehberg’s out-of-touch, anti-hunting agenda—no matter what Montanans say.”

This is the second ad from the Montana Wildlife Federation which began running an ad last Sunday criticizing Rehberg’s legislation.

“Aspirin” Billionaire To Bankroll Rehberg (dgsma.wordpress.com)
Tester Meets with Constituents, Rehberg Continues Invisibility Plan (dgsma.wordpress.com)

A Closer Look At Pro-Gay Republicans In An Anti-Gay Party

Feb29 by D Gregory Smith

Video on msnbc.com: Frank Rich, writer-at-large for New York Magazine, talks with Rachel Maddow about the wild disconnect between Republican power players (both politicians and donors) who support gay rights and the Republican presidential field who are competing to pander to the most extreme right wing of the party.

Vodpod videos no longer available.

A closer look at pro-gay Republicans in an anti…, posted with vodpod