Human Rights and #LoveWins for LGBT Pride Month

I am so ecstatic about the marriage equality ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States. This is a wonderful advancement for equal rights, especially during LGBT Pride Month.  In celebration, I wanted to share some thoughts on liberty and equality in America.

Freedom of expression and equal rights are two of the most important protections I enjoy as an American. I believe only you can determine who to love and what makes you happy.  I hope we can create a standard of equality that will allow people to express themselves without a climate of prejudice. Being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender should not disqualify you from equal human rights. By speaking out for these human rights we can create a community and government that truly supports freedom and not discrimination. - Celeste Thorson

I was reminded of my #LGBT #activism 10 years ago with my #grassroots #family at Human Rights Campaign. We were the boots on the ground that met hate face to face, as we strove to build support for equal #humanrights #legislation. Some people politely declined to support #justice, others were kicking and screaming. Some people greeted us with open arms, some with gentle whispers. Today we can #celebrate this #equality, because #LoveWins when #activists #FightTheGoodFight for #justice. No matter how ugly the #hate, #standup #speakout and remember we are all born #free and #equal!

Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.

-Thomas Jefferson

Here are the values that I stand for: honesty, equality, kindness, compassion, treating people the way you want to be treated and helping those in need. To me, those are traditional values.

-Ellen DeGeneres

While in San Francisco, Cory Goldberg Images captured this series with my dear friend and fashion librarian, Shaye McKenney.  We admired some intricate Japanese Kimono's from a private collection, rich with artistic details. More images from this series coming this summer. 

The artist is a receptacle for emotions that come from all over the place: from the sky, from the earth, from a scrap of paper, from a passing shape, from a spider's web.

-Pablo Picasso

Art is the most intense mode of individualism that the world has known.

-Oscar Wilde

Some people may be offended by this artwork and respond with hatred. Which is more offensive, a photograph that represents love or the hatred it may trigger?

Do you believe love is boundless?

Do you believe love should be confined?