Ebay’s VeRO Program really does work. Less than 24 hours and “Traja Enterprises” auctions featuring our Cora were removed from eBay’s server. The ebay seller claims to be from Canada but auctions ship from Hong Kong. They lifted the below lifted this image from: http://richiemadden.com/2012/01/varhegy-icipici-corazon-cora/
I first posted about this on Facebook, and then was advised to report it to eBay to get it removed.
Each year we have many anniversaries, but we want the one day, our wedding day, to be the one legally recognized in our state. Our original ceremony was held in Philadelphia. December 6, 1997. We had a minister, witnesses, ring bearers, cake, (ice sculpture too!) and 100+ of our closest friends– everything a normal wedding has, less one thing: a signed marriage license.
After moving to New Jersey, July 12, 2004 brought to the state “New Jersey Domestic Partnerships”. We were now “domesticated”! We received a “certificate”, not a “license”. Channel 10 was there for the occasion. Nobody understood this status so they were “fixed” a few years later.
On February 23, 2007 our union was “upgraded” to the always-has-been second-class legal status of “Civil Union”. We were now “civilized”! Our friends even got us a “civilized” license plate for the occasion. The courts ordered the legislature to grant equality to same-sex couples, but did not have to be called marriage. Civil Unions have never been equal to Civil Marriage. Separate is not now, nor has ever been equal.
On December 6, 2009, the twelve year anniversary of our commitment ceremony, we were legally married in Branford, Connecticut. We only told a handful of people we were doing this, so it was like eloping – exciting, romantic. It was a beautiful ceremony. We fell in love with that small town, and the state of Connecticut for having equality in marriage for all couples. However, when we returned home, our marriage was downgraded by the State of New Jersey, by Governor Christie, to a second class “Civil Union” status. We know in our hearts we are married, but still sad, angry, and frustrated with our home state for refusing to recognize it for what it is = a legal marriage.
So, this is where we are, fighting for marriage equality with Garden State Equality. We need the support our friends and family, financially, to help us reach this goal. Please read over the following suggested amounts and do what you can. We Thank You!
$214 for marriage equality becoming the 214th LGBT law enacted in NJ
$101 to honor Garden State Equality’s 101,000 members
$81 for the 81 votes needed in the state legislature to override
$54 for the 54 votes in the Assembly needed to override
$27 for the 27 votes in the Senate needed to override!
I did my part this morning in supporting Cheerios. It’s been a while since I have bought breakfast cereal, and remembered why when I went to make myself a bowl this morning – interruptions. But I am glad to support a company that embraces diversity. Who knew that a interracial couple was still so taboo?
I love this commercial and am saddened by the story it has created. If you watch this video on YouTube you may notice you can not comment on it, on just how cute it is. Why? Because of racism. The racists doubled-down on Cheerios for including this family, you know, like the one of our president, in one of their commercials. Below the video on YouTube it reads, “Comments are disabled for this video.” Sad. But watch here, enjoy this adorable commercial. And Kudos to Cheerios for not backing down to the bigots. Click here to send your own note of thanks for not backing down to hate.
Cheerios was unfazed by the racist Internet backlash. “Consumers have responded positively to our new Cheerios ad. At Cheerios, we know there are many kinds of families and we celebrate them all,” Camille Gibson, Cheerios vice president of marketing, told Gawker.
And, the haters don’t like Cheerios either. But not for the reasons of these racists, for some other non-sense. I can’t help but feel that if they could get away with being publicly racist, they would.
![526467_10152725053785261_1255640197_n[1]](http://richiemadden.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/526467_10152725053785261_1255640197_n1.jpg)
