In our travels from coast to coast for the past 16 years we have met literally hundreds of people. Some naturally stand out more than others. We especially enjoy meeting people who are doing things, not to win an Academy Award, an Emmy,a Tony, a Nobel Prize or a Pulitzer Prize, but just doing things simply because it is the RIGHT THING TO DO.
The Governor of Indiana is one of the most homophobic Governors in the nation. He was narrowly elected 4 years ago in a very close race. In 2000, Governor Mike Pence stated “Congress should oppose any effort to recognize homosexuals as a discreet and insular minority entitled to the protection of anti-discrimination laws similar to those extended to women and ethnic minorities”. He has commented that homosexuals should not serve in the military stating “Homosexuality is incompatible with military service because the presence of homosexuals in the ranks weakens unit cohesion”. He opposed the 2009 Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act. He opposed both same-sex marriage and civil unions.
The Governor of Indiana is now running for a second term and there are thousands and thousands of voters in Indiana who are doing anything that they can so that he will not win in November. No one is doing more to stop his re-election than Kevin Warren and his husband Neil. Together they have raised over $60,000.00 in their PENCE MUST GO project. They literally work 7 days a week on this project. PENCE MUST GO signs are in thousands of yards all around the state.
Go to their website, www.pencemustgo.org to find more details about what they are doing and upcoming events. This is what Kevin says on his home page:
My name is Kevin Warren, and I’ve lived in Indiana most of my life. I’m a real estate agent and my husband of 14 years has his doctorate degree. We live a normal life, own our home, volunteer in our neighborhood, spoil our dog, go to church and pay our taxes. Two years ago we were able to help defeat an attempt at putting a constitutional ban on gay marriage in Indiana law. The authors of the bill HJR-3 are the same authors of the new Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) or Senate Bill 101 (SB101). This bill was completely vindictive on the part of the authors, supports (religious think tanks) and Mike Pence. We have a governor who does understand the definition of “Separation of Church and State”, or what a governor’s role is. When a super majority inflicts potential harm on a minority, I have concern. I’m tired of the political bullies and want to send a message that this behavior is NOT tolerated. This Political Action Committee (PAC) is a 100% volunteer organization and the profits from the generous donations will be used entirely for the LGBT organizations, a teacher organization and Planned Parenthood. We need a Governor who will represent ALL the people and not just a select few who share his religious ideologies. Thank you for your support.” –Kevin Warren
Go to their website, www.pencemustgo.org to order banners, T Shirts, yard signs, buttons, caps, bumper stickers, cups, and other items PLUS if you really care about our fight for justice for the LGBT community, send them a donation! Every State in the country should be honored to have such tremendous and caring people like Kevin Warren and his husband Neil. They work GENTLEMEN! and hopefully it will all pay off for Indiana in November. We were very fortunate to meet these two gentlemen when we were in Indianapolis earlier this year. Kevin and Neil are extremely hospitable and really two of the nicest guys that we have met.
Always remember to have fun when traveling, meet new people and talk to everyone!
TRAVELING IN OUR FABULOUS GAY WORLD is written by Donald Pile and Ray Williams, Award-winning, Celebrity travel columnists who write for gay publications from coast to coast (And now legally married).
Proud members of the IGLTA. You can email them at gaytravelers@aol.com and visit their website at http://gaytravelersataol.blogspot.com/