Sounds familiar: GA Equality reflects on end of legislative session

Southern Voice has the story.

Georgia Equality’s two highest priorities — moving a hate crimes bill forward and stiffening anti-bullying protections — didn’t garner committee hearings this year, but Jeff Graham, the group’s executive director, is alright [sic] with the final outcome.

“Of course I’m frustrated that it is so difficult to move proactive legislation… but given the attacks on LGBT partner recognition and parental rights in other states, I am pleased that did not happen here,” Graham said.

State Rep. Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates), the state’s only openly gay lawmaker in the General Assembly, said gays have to look for small victories.

“It’s the subtle victories that we have,” Drenner said. “I wouldn’t look for a lot of bills to pass.”

Yes, that sounds familiar. While much of the rest of the country is looking at marriage, civil unions, and even municipal partner registries, those of us in the South feel lucky to keep negative legislation at bay. The attacks make news more often than the "subtle victories." But these small steps forward are exactly how we buy time until either the State's political views change or until federal victories that apply to us can be achieved. Either way, an incredible amount of time, energy, and money are spent on playing defense and it's a worthwhile effort.

Dormition

Tonight is the eve of the Feast of the Dormition. Related to the Feast of the Assumption in the Western Church, the Dormition marks the passing of the Theotokos, the Virgin Mary, from death to everlasting life. One of the twelve great feasts of the Eastern Church, the Dormition includes the beautiful story that as the Virgin was dying, the Apostles were gathered by the clouds from the ends of the earth and brought to Mary's deathbed.

The end of one of the prayers from the morning service is said in St. Peter's voice as he looks with fear and cries to Mary: "Pray, then, fervently to thy Son and God to save thy flock from harm." (Festal Menaion)

People gathering for the feast in Orthodox Churches in Eastern Europe and the Trans-Caucasus will find new depths in the service as they mourn their loved ones and struggle to come to terms with the fratricide of inter-Orthodox conflict. In the midst of debating issues of territory, who was the aggressor first, and natural resources, this profoundly tragic aspect is often lost.

To his credit, Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II called for a cease fire early in the conflict:

"Today blood is shed and people are killed in South Ossetia and my heart deeply laments over it. Orthodox Christians are among those who have raised their hands against each other. Orthodox peoples called by the Lord to live in fraternity and love confront each other," the Church primate stresses.

Referring to the appeal of Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia who urged to peace, Patriarch Alexy also turned his "ardent call" to those "who are blind with enmity": "Stop! Don't let more blood shed! Don't let today's conflict boil over! Show wisdom and courage: come to negotiating table to respect traditions, outlook and hopes of Georgian and Ossetian people."

The Patriarch has stated the Russian Orthodox Church is ready to unite its efforts with the Georgian Church to help peace come. "May Our God, Who is "not a God of disorder but of peace," be our Assistant in it," Alexy II statement says.

See also this statement from Metropolitan Herman of the Orthodox Church in America.

Bordering state update: GA bully bill doesn't make it to the floor

http://www.sovo.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=17524

The Georgia anti-bullying bill didn't make it to the floor of the House for a vote on the final day of the session.

"What we're hearing is they are definitely playing politics with each other and not getting much done," Georgia Equality Political Director Kyle Bailey said. "They’re just not going to let it go the floor, and it's not because of an association with Georgia Equality. It is just because it’s not a priority for them. They're working on tax cuts, education, and other issues, and our issue just isn't a priority for them."

Tennesseans reluctant to become Georgians

The border battle is still going. Check out this story with elaborate maps: http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2008/mar/12/tennesseans-wont-volunteer-georgia-citizenship/ .

Bordering state update: GA Equality gets new E.D.

Hopes high for a $500,000 budget. Good luck, Jeff! http://www.sovo.com/2008/3-28/news/localnews/8312.cfm

Bordering state update: GA bullying bill advances

http://www.sovo.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=17427

A Georgia House committee passes an anti-bullying bill that Georgia Equality has been lobbying for. The Tennessee Legislature is also working on a couple of bullying bills.