Editorial: Honoring our love

This is a romantic time of year. It's when Valentine's proclaim their love and affection for those they hold near and dear to their hearts. For the LGBT community, we celebrate with our lovers, with our extended chosen families, and some of us reach out to those among us who need someone to offer some kindness and support.
The Lesbian A-Sisters project is sponsoring a fundraiser next weekend to raise money for a program that helps women who are differently abled. These women are helping the weakest among us to feel connected, as part of our community, and yes – they are loved by us. What a wonderful way to celebrate Valentine's Day by supporting these women who help so many others.
Last week the American Friends Service Committee took a group of religious leaders to our Michigan State Capitol to deliver a message of love and compassion. They encouraged our legislators to reject an amendment to the Michigan Constitution that would bar same-sex marriage. The clergy members said that such a measure would not help heterosexual marriages. It would defend no one's marriage, and could damage the loving relationships of Michigan's same-sex couples. The clergy members who joined AFSC explained that they cannot support such a harsh measure because they have borne witness to the love shared by same-sex couples in their own congregations.
Ben Sedilos, profiled in this issue, does outreach education on HIV/AIDS to the burgeoning Latino population in greater Detroit. It's hard work that requires patience, cultural sensitivity and dedication. Sedilos, a gay man, reaches out to other Latino gay men, and women and straight people in the Latino community.
At a time in our nation's history when our most precious relationships are being used by the radical right wing of the Republican Party as political cannon fodder, it is important to look around and see the incredible amounts of dedication, commitment and love that is expressed every day by LGBT people. We take care of our loved ones, we reach out to help people within our community and to others outside the LGBT community. We worship and our pastors know us to be strong, loving people that should not be singled out for persecution just because we are an easy political target.
So for this Valentine's Day we celebrate our community in all its varied glory. We remember those who are no longer with us due to the ravages of AIDS, and we reach out to the weaker ones among us and say, "Happy Valentines' Day – we love you, too." And of course, we wish all the lovers a beautiful, romantic weekend.
On Friday, Feb. 13, MCC Detroit and Soulforce Detroit will participate in the Freedom to Marry direct action that calls for same-sex couples to go to our County Courthouses and request a marriage license. This year we will meet at the County Courthouse at 3:00 p.m. Those couples who cannot come at that time are encouraged to go at any point in the day. Both partners need not be present but valid ID is needed for each party (i.e. a pass port or drivers license). The point of contact for the Oakland County action is Jennifer or Erin Adriel at Soulforce Detroit 248-345-7872. The point of contact for the Wayne County action is Bryan Parker at MCC Detroit 313-737-8650.