Wow, this ‘true’ story is blowing me away:

Bill Moyers just interviewed the two straight attorneys representing the gay couple and lesbian couple who are suing the State of California for denying them the right to marry.  PBS calls this suit a ‘well financed challenge to California’s Proposition 8′.

Stories such as this sure makes me hope (and think) there has to be a ‘greater plan’ in the universe.  The two attorneys I am referring to are Ted Olson, a conservative and David Boies, a liberal.

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As we approach Valentine’s Day, I am reminded that it’s not all ‘wine and roses’.

Particularly if you are a gay or lesbian couple who doesn’t have the benefit of legal marriage, or, if you live in an area where you have domestic partnership protections, but you haven’t registered as a domestic partner, you will especially want to learn more about what it means to protect yourself and your relationship.

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It’s been quite busy around here, necessitating my decision to change the time and day of Coach Sappho’s podcast.   I’ve moved Coach Sappho’s podcast to the first and third Thursdays of each month at 4p ET.  Please make note of it.  If you’re already a podcast subscriber, you’ll get a show reminder by Wednesday.

We hope you can join us during the live shows, but, if you can’t, be sure to pick up your free copy of Coach Sappho’s Podcast for listening when it’s right for you.  All podcast subscribers get free copies of all of our podcasts.

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I’m sure you’ve heard, but, in case you didn’t:

Cindy McCain has joined her daughter Meghan McCain (who has been outspoken in her support of same sex marriage) in speaking up against hate (and possibly gay marriage) by posing for one of those Adam Brouska No H8 photo shoots.  Meghan also posed for No H8 late last year.

Way to go Cindy!  Of course republicans are up in arms, including her husband John McCain’s office, which has put out a statement supporting Cindy’s ‘right’ to think differently and reiterating John’s support of marriage between a man and a woman only!  And, I hear that another, more conservative republican who is planning to run against McCain during the next election is already using this event to drum up support against the re-election of McCain.

Well, leave it to the ladies to evolve us forward…AGAIN!  

Sorry guys,  I may be a lesbian but I’m not a man hater.  I just state what I observe…

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Wow – Donna and I were blown away on our radio show last night while interviewing Janice Langbehn.  If you aren’t yet a subscriber to Coach Sappho’s podcast, I would highly encourage you to become one, just so you can hear Janice’s heartfelt story.

All subscribers are invited to the live shows and can receive free downloads of all shows.  Once you become a subscriber, you can pick up your free recording of last night’s show.

If you don’t know about the ‘Janice Langbehn/Lisa Pond’  story, now is time for you to find out.  Janice’s story has been in the national spotlight recently as well as much of the last few years since her life took a dramatic turn.

In 2007 Janice’s partner of 18 years, Lisa Pond, died suddenly and unexpectedly due to a brain aneurysm, while they were getting ready to enjoy a family vacation together.

As if Lisa’s death wasn’t tragic enough, (more…)

Happy, happy Thursday to you.  What’s new with you?  I want to say:

Congratulations to Maine for legalizing same sex marriage and putting the issue behind them, hopefully once and for all.

I’m sure Maine ‘gets it’ that there are some very pressing domestic issues facing them, locally and nationally, such as the environment and the economy and those are the types of issues all of us, regardless of our differences, need to gather around and work together to improve.

Allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry can only help both Maine’s and the U.S.’s economy as well as help Maine’s communities in many other small, ‘quality of life’ ways.  The ‘doom and gloom’ scenarios the right have been putting out there are just that – scenarios, born of fear-based thinking that just doesn’t exist.  Worse yet, what a waste of human energy fighting against love.  Perhaps eventually these ‘anti-equality’ folks will get it.

The news today keeps getting better as I’ve got some of my own excitement to share…

I’ve been invited to write for a very interesting, visible, and popular GLBT web site – called Queercents.

Have you checked out Queercents?  This is a site that hit the ground running a few years ago and hasn’t stopped since.  Queercents has experienced rapid growth in content and readership.  It was founded by Nina Smith, who really understands the variety of financial issues facing GLBT’s.  I just love their tag line,

“We’re here, we’re queer and we’re not going shopping without coupons”.

I want to thank Nina for featuring me and my Queercents blog on their home page today, which I’ve titled:

Talkin’ About Lesbian Love: Secrets to Surviving the Lesbian Love Jungle

Nina notes in the feature – “It’s even rumored recently ‘out’ actress Kelly McGillis may be calling Coach Sappho for tips on surviving the lesbian love jungle”!

Well – we’d be glad to invite Kelly to join us here at Coach Sappho.  Kelly, you’d fit in here perfectly.  Kelly, check out Lez Rendezvous!

Queercents has a bevy of authors and topical discussions, all related in some way to GLBT’s and finances.  Be sure to check them out, it’s high quality stuff.

Savor each moment today!

Barb Elgin

I don’t know about you but I am constantly reminded how important it is for all fair-minded US citizens to press forward in the battle for marriage equality.  Today was no different.  In one day, I saw three stories highlighting the obvious unfairness and inequality gay and lesbian singles and couples (and ‘widows’ of a gay or lesbian partner) face financially, because they can’t marry.

These real life reports reinforce perfectly my Suze Orman post from the other day, when she spoke out on the unfairness of denying anyone the financial benefits marriage provides…

• A fight may be brewing on the provision of benefits to the same sex partners of federal employees – In the news today is evidence of the ‘brewing’ focus on the issue of same sex partner benefits for federal goverment employees.  (more…)

A friend passed on to me a great video clip of Suze Orman talking about her Valentine’s Day wish:

Suze’s wish is that gay and lesbians achieve the ‘birth’ right of marriage, and the financial benefits of doing so!

Wow, inspiring words from Suze Orman, you mustn’t miss this video!  I was touched as how she said it was ’strong, short and sweet’, just like Suze herself…

Thanks to Louise who sent on the video AND, thank you Suze Orman, for using your tremendous influence and doing what YOU can to change hearts, minds and oppressive laws here in America!