Cleve Jones, Grand Marshall of the Utah Pride Festival announced a call for a march on Washington, scheduled for October 11, 2009.  Cleve Jones is a long time gay rights activist who had a chance meeting with Harvey Milk on Castro Street and 18th Street that involved him in working along side openly gay political leader Harvey Milk. Jones is the founder of the NAMES project.

In the spirit of Harvey Milk Jones said, “We seek nothing more and nothing less than equal protection in all matters governed by civil law in all 50 states,”   Jones brought a message to Mormon leader and specifically the prophet with regards to theri role in supporting Prop 8, which overturned legal same-sex marriage in California.

“I’ve got a message for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I’ve got two words from California … I’ve got two words for the prophet … Thank you. Thank you for uniting us. Thank you for galvanizing us.”

New Hampshire this week became the 6th state in the country to allow same sex couple to marry. Like Maine, New Hampshire voted through the legislature to allow same sex marriage and the govenor, who is personally opposed to same sex marriage, signed it within hours of passage. No court order needed!

This is exciting. This leaves only Rhode Island in New England without approval of same sex marriage. There is a bill to allow this in the state but it is expected to fail this year.

New York is currently debating the subject and Log cabin is in the middle of this debate encouraging Republicans to provide the final crucial votes for equal marriage rights.

Maine will allow a citizen referendum on the new law for same sex marriage. We must work to ensure this fundamental right is not taken away from our friends and “family” in Maine.