Next Stop Iowa

Next Stop Iowa


Hello All Helpful Hank Here,

I would like to talk about a subject that I feel personally connected to. That is the decision just handed down in Iowa and Vermont to allow same gender marriage. The decision to allow same gender marriage in Iowa and Vermont is a victory for all. For me personally it is validating.

I have to say I was a bit surprised at the out come. No offense to Iowa but I have never really thought of it as a progressive state. If Americas heartland can come to terms with the separation of church and state creating equality for all then there is hope. Iowa and Vermont clearly see that discrimination is not acceptable on any level.

Marriage Equality transcends just the right to marry whom you want, it legitimized our very being, our families that we have, and our community. Once we have marriage equality across the United States, bans on adoption to Same Gender couples like the one in Arkansas won’t matter. Same gender couple will be able to marry and adopt. Laws like Arkansas’ prop 11 will go by the way side, as they were specifically put into place to stop adoption by same gender couples with the guise of making it seem that they are not discriminating.

Studies show that there are markedly no real differences in the development of children who are raised in a household with same gender parent verses opposite gender parents. The only real difference that was discovered was that children of same gendered parents do not feel as confined to typical gender specific roles when it comes to life and careers. This vastly opens up options for these children, as they become adults. I also think that another benefit is that this children go up to not just tolerate different types of people but rather accept the differences in people and celebrate those difference as well as to see that our differences are one of the things take make us the same.

What was particularly profound for me in the Iowa decision was the passage near the end.

The court said: "that while many oppose marriage for religious reasons, religion cannot justify a law excluding gay people from marriage. State government can have no religious views, the opinion says, either directly or indirectly expressed through its legislation. This proposition, the Court goes on to say, is the essence of the separation of church and state."




Finally two more states that get it. Sure, we have had to push and shove to get equality and we will continue to have to do so. However, we should let this strengthen our resolve; we all need to do what we can to move forward towards total equality. Whether we are stuffing envelopes, participating in local really and marches for marriage equality and adoption rights, or we are able to participate nationally. We all need to be a part of it. We must never forget that when one American looses their rights because of who they are, or who they love, all American’s are at risk of loosing their rights. One final thought. Marriage can only be de-valued by the two people in it.

Note as I was writing this blog post Maine ended up enacting laws granting same Gender couple the right to marry. Another victory for equality. Another state that gets it

Site to find out more about the recent court decisions in Iowa, Vermont and Maine

Vermont: http://www.vermont.gov/portal/search.php?q=Same+Sex+Marriage

Iowa; http://iowa.google.cdc.nicusa.com/search?q=Same+Sex+Marriage&btnG=Search&output=xml_no_dtd&sort=date%3AD%3AL%3Ad1&ie=UTF-8&client=iowa&oe=UTF-8&proxystylesheet=iowa&site=iowa

Maine at the writing of this had no official information on Same Gender Marriage

Travel Time

We are coming up on that time of year for many, travel time. Summer comes around kids get out of school and as it was with my family growing up; it is time for a vacation. Travel restrictions for the airlines have relaxed a bit but, the alert level seems to stay around Orange. Recently it seem that more and more people are planning vacations and flights through on-line sites such as Travelocity, Price Line and other discount sites. One of my friends used Price line to plan her trip home to Canada with her daughter. She was able to secure her flight and a car through Price Line. Her total cost for airfare and car rental was less $800.00 for the two of them. Now they didn’t have to take a hotel as they are staying with family. Right now, they airlines are trying to get our business so it is the ideal time to plan a getaway. Price Line has a feature that allows you to negotiate your price for everything from flight to car and hotel stays. Travelocity has a site dedicated to gay travel

There are many different sites that you can use for planning a vacation some charge a fee some don’t but overall it they are a good way to book travel. Just remember discount travel will give you more bang for your buck while on vacation as the money you save you can use to make your vacation even better then you thought it could be.

Where ever go on vacation Travel safely and remember to check with the airlines to make sure that your flight is not delayed. You can also go to the Transportation Security Administration site (TSA) at http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/index.shtm to find out the latest travel restrictions.

Sites to Check Out for travel
Gay Travelocity http://leisure.travelocity.com/Promotions/0,,TRAVELOCITY%7C935%7Cgaytravel,00.html you can also book travel through Travelocity on my site PS Community Networking at http://www.pscnetworking.com/

Price Line http://www.priceline.com/ you can also click on the Price Line link at my site PS Community Networking at http://www.pscnetworking.com/

Fun Maps http://www.funmaps.com/

Gay.com http://www.gay.com/

As always thanks for reading what I have to say. I welcome your letters and questions

Regards and safe travel,

Helpful Hank

Helpful Hanks Tips:
Make a list of what you are taking on your trip so you don’t forget anything

When using Price Lines Negotiator feature give yourself enough time to use it effectively and get your best deal.

Keep your bags with in the weight restrictions going over can cost you over a hundred dollars as it did my younger brother on his recent trip.

If you plan to get married in any of the five states that allow Same Gender marriage find out what if any restrictions or requirements there may be for out of state couples wishing to get married.


Helpful Hank is written by Russell E. Bertlow © 2009 All rights reserved. No portion of this blog may be reprinted in part or whole without the express written permission from Russell E. Bertlow