While not yet as recognisable as the red ribbon, the White Knot - a symbol for marriage equality - has been given a boost by several celebrities at the 51st annual Grammy Awards held on Sunday night in Los Angeles.
Top: Foo Fighters' frontman Dave Grohl
As of Jan 1, 2009, 30 states have constitutional bans on same-sex marriage and more than 40 states explicitly restrict marriage to two persons of the opposite sex.
"White Knot for Equality strives to educate people on the importance of Marriage Equality, provoke dialogue, and show the wide-spread support Marriage Equality truly has," says whiteknot.org.
According to The New York Times, the knots were created in November last year by Frank Voci in response to Proposition 8, which repealed the right for gay men and lesbians to marry in California. Voci, who runs a consultancy for interactive media companies, said he got the idea after protests died down as he wanted "to keep the conversation going."
"Whether you are gay or straight, please show your support by wearing the Knot and telling people why you are wearing it. Wear your White Knot to work, to school, to your place of worship. Together, we will keep the topic at the top of people's minds and keep the conversation going," say campaigners.
Keep a lookout for "White Knots" on the Oscar Red Carpet on Feb 22, 2009. More details will be posted on www.whiteknot.org.
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Reader's Comments
Makes me smilez lotz n lotz :D
for some reason activists try to promote unified thought and support within the gay community for gay "marriage".
I adhere to conventionial social tradition that defines a marriage as a union betwen one man and one woman.
I support a legal same gender union of some sort, but would not try to alter conventional norms to my needs.
Whinteknot????> NOT !
Don't forget Hollywood is based on fiction and has nothing to do with reality. Look at all the reported marriages of convenience amongst gay actors in the 50s according to various documentaries.
Civil Unions between heterosexual couples and homosexual couples are the social political recognition of societies in this day and age of a union between two people. The religious blessing is up to the individual couple and reflects their cultural believes.
The power of recognising a union should rest with the state/civil law of a nation.
"I may not agree with what you say, but I will fight for your right to say it."
I may not want gay marriage for myself but I would certainly support it because it's something some of my gay friends believe in and want but can't have because some people think marriage can't evolve (although other elements already have eg. arranged vs free love) to include 2 same sex parties...
The very path of our civilisation and awakening as a species is the constant questioning, understanding and improvement of ourselves.
If we never questioned any of our cultural institutions we'd very much still be in the Dark Ages with all of its attendant misery.
In many parts of the world today, there are still many appalling "cultural institutions" like forced circumcision of women, child slavery, honour rapes, and honour killings. Could you as a decent human being actually NOT want to challenge and change these?
I agree with Shitzutonka, but I don't mind having a Civil Partnership that is equal in all respects to civil marriage. I think it's wrong however for Raindeer to dismiss people who are seeking equality as "fanatics". Generally it is the people who blindly oppose equality who are fanatics, of the religious kind.
It's a shame that apparent fundamentalists here only seem to log on for sex, followed no doubt by guilt, and totally miss the calls to address social injustice contained in the Bible. And what's their purpose in putting down others who actually have a social conscience?
BTW, gay marriage isn't new, even some gay Roman saints got married to eachother. That's not important though.
As other posters have pointed out, marriage (and divorce) has been in a continual state of evolution and change, and varies by culture.
Legal rights via civil partnership makes more sense to me. We are not straight and should not ape them with marriage which is in the eyes of God(s) that does not approve according to the bible/koran etc.
guess i will have to make my own though, so classy but wear to buy a nice one?
"This world is not my home I'm just passing through"
= total abdication of responsibility.
"...is the same one that makes gays want marriage as they are indoctrinated in how important it is by their society and feel they need it to be accepted/acceptable."
Nope, it's just a truly beautiful experience, not to mention all the practical issues for people in long term relationships.
What?! Fridae.com is a pro-gay movement forum?! I wouldn't have suspected that in a million years if you hadn't said it!!!
marriage in the tradtional sense doesn't suit me, but it does for others. so be it.
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