Vote of a Lifetime

In a week's time, Washington will be voting on Referendum 74, a bill that if passed will legalize same-sex marriage. I'm not sure where your vote lies, but in case you are still on the fence about it or wonder if your decision is best for Washington, I would like to share some thoughts and stories that may make a difference.

Marriage for same-sex couples is first off an emotional issue that is close to the heart.  Most of us grow up with role models who are married and then typically hold the institution of marriage in high esteem.  It is a legalized bond that makes things "official", a bond that we as a society see as the highest level of commitment.  Most of us hold marriage as the "industry standard" of relationship definitions.  And some of us go our whole lives dreaming of that special someone who we will find, choose to spend the rest of our lives with, and then make that special commitment to.  I believe everyone should be able to proclaim their love, regardless of sexual orientation, in this way.

Marriage also offers certain rights that many married couples take for granted.  I would like to share some stories with you from some of my friends.  The first is from my friend Barb who is in the Seattle Women's Chorus with me.  Listen to her story about how she lost her daughter...

The second story is from a friend of mine named Erin who also sings with the Seattle Women's Chorus.  Listen to her story and how the laws have affected her ability to get life-saving treatment for her leukemia...

And last but certainly not least is my friend Amber.  She and her partner decided to expand their family earlier this year.  Their bundle of joy was originally due on November 10th but decided to make an early appearance on August 14th... just 27 weeks gestation.  The sad truth is that because her partner is not the biological mom, she currently has no legal right to the child if anything were to happen to Amber.  And as their baby Cedar has remained in the NICU since birth (and is projected to stay there through the holidays), this means Amber has to stay by her baby as she is the only one who can make decisions for her and can legally claim her.  You can read about her journey on her blog.  Here's her post summing up the issues and how marriage equality affects her family.

http://ourlittlecedarsapling.wordpress.com/2012/10/23/vote-for-love/

There are so many reasons why marriage equality is so necessary.  Similar to the civil rights struggle of African Americans, it is time we fight for basic human rights for all within our society.  Same-sex couples should have the same rights and responsibilities that come with marriage and also the protections that are provided under marriage.  And just as Barb said, even if this story doesn't directly affect you right now, it may affect a friend or possibly in the future one of your children.  We have the opportunity to positively change lives for the good.  Feel free to post this blog or any of my friends' stories on social networking sites.  Let's all share our stories.  Please join me in support of Referendum 74 as we vote next week.  Let's support marriage equality and end the discrimination.

An Education for Ms. Hendricks

Christina Hendricks

This beauty is Ms. Christina Hendricks, an actress primarily known for her work on the television series Mad Men.  She obviously has a fuller figure that many women and men would kill for.  Although she hasn't said what her exact clothing size is, it has been speculated she's anywhere between a size 10 and 14.  According to the fashion industry, the term "full figured" is considered to be anywhere between a size 10-14, depending on the year.  So this seemingly healthy and beautiful woman would be considered full-figured by the fashion industry's standards.  With such beauty, why is it that she is not positively identifying with the term "full-figured"?

Hendricks Interview - Don't Call Me "Full-Figured"

I am offended, I must admit, and am still speechless about her comment.  Amid my shock at her comment, I searched around for solidarity in the shock at her comment and couldn't find any.  Being of a fuller figure is nothing to be ashamed about.  In fact, for some people it is actually more healthy. For years, we have grown up being bombarded by imagery and a society that glorifies being thin.  They slam celebrities who have recently gained weight, put pressure and media coverage on celebrities who are needing to or are actively losing weight and then show us pictures of frail women who are deified as society's ideal.  Is there ever a question about each person's health?  Do we question what it takes for extra-thin models to maintain that frame?  No, we just assume that thin people are healthy and fat people are not.  And from there we associate thin with good and fat with bad.  This is unacceptable.

Let's take a moment to look at some full-figure action...

This is Ragen Chastain.  She is a self-described dancer, choreographer, writer, speaker and fat person.  Her blog is eye-opening... check it out... Blog - Dances With Fat 

In her blog, she continually discusses issues that relate to fat people and helps to dispel myths that are fed to us by not only the media but also the healthcare system.  She regularly exercises, is a competitive dancer and leads a very active life.  Be honest, would you assume all that by just looking at her?  Probably not... because you have been taught to believe that because she is fat, she is sitting at home eating potato chips non-stop and watching television.  Thus begins the realization that breaks down our stereotypes...


Meet my personal friend, CJ Legare, the model, actress and genius behind the phenomenon Functional Girl.  She is another full-figured beauty who is happy, healthy and proud of her body.  She has experienced the modeling world and been through terrible ordeals to, at one time, make her body more acceptable to the industry.  She has now come full circle and realizes there is beauty in every size as long as it's healthy.  And now, when she's not acting and modeling, she is a successful businesswoman who makes it her mission in life to inspire women of all types to be the best they can be.

Artemisia Gentileschi, Danaë

Goodness, look at that pose!  Remember seeing paintings like this?  This is from the Baroque era.  This body type was revered and painted over and over again as it was the ideal of the time.  How did we get away from this?  While this woman is clearly enjoying her break from work, most women back in this time worked hard for a living and were not on the couch doing nothing. And this was a real depiction of their body types.  Good, happy, healthy and revered goddesses of their time.  And by golly, they were full-figured!

So, to recap and review, Ms. Hendricks (and all those who share her opinion), I have a few things to say to you.

(Take a moment to picture me sitting across from Christina... as we're so familiar now we're on a first-name basis... holding her hands and getting real.)

My dear, you are what is considered full-figured by industry standards.  Now while I didn't make those standards, I think we can both agree that being "regular"-sized isn't all it's cracked up to be.  I am hoping that when you look in the mirror at your nude body, you think you're stunning because you are and I know I'm not the only woman who is a bit jealous.  Body aside, you are also famous and an amazing actress.  Let's get real... you are in a fairly unique position to be an inspiration to so many.  Not only to the actresses just starting their careers but also to full-figured women of any size.  Your story says, "hey, I may not be up to the industry's standard but I have made a success out of myself!"  Another way to say it is, "I am full-figured woman, hear me roar!".

Christina, what the less-than-tactful-interviewer actually mentioned was that you're an inspiration.  Did you hear that?  I have a feeling you are more of an inspiration that someone like Angeline Jolie.  Who else do full-figured women have to look to?  There are not many role models who have fuller figures so you have that market cornered.  What we ladies see in you is someone who is comfortable in her body and continues to wear beautiful clothing that enhances her figure.  We get that you would rather be seen as an actress instead of a body the reality our exposure to celebrities is often more visual which lends itself to being more often judged on looks.  Don't be offended by that, instead listen to the throngs of women who are jealous of your figure and men who long for it as well.  Take that as a compliment, own it and be proud.  God gave you a full figure and that's okay; it's not rude to state the obvious.  However, it IS rude to deny who you are in front of millions of women who look up to you and are just like you.  We believe in you.  I hope you become more aware of this and choose to begin using your figure to help inspire others instead of hiding behind it.