Springfield, IL -
Amid death threats and hateful protests, Carrie and Elisia Ross-Stone, the lesbian grandmas who are riding bicycles on the Rainbow Ride Across America, persevere.
The Ross-Stones are lesbian civil rights activists and grandmothers to Jareth, age 2. They are riding their bicycles from San Francisco to New York City to raise awareness and get support for equal civil marriage rights.
With their journey more than half-way completed, Carrie and Elisia feel they are doing what they set out to do.
After 5 weeks and 2,100 miles on the road, they have met with many supporters of LGBT equality and have faced a few foes. They met with elected officials in several cities, including the Mayor of Salt Lake City Utah who spoke out in support of equal civil marriage rights. They have met and rallied with progressive groups from African American, Latino, Native American, Feminist, and Youth organizations, who are working together with the LGBT community to create positive social change in America.
The pair even paid a visit to the office of Marilyn Musgrave, the sponsor of the mean-spirited Federal Marriage Amendment.
During their travels, Elisia and Carrie took a side trip to Laramie, Wyoming. There they spent a quiet day reflecting upon the extreme consequences of unjust laws that inspire some to act out violently toward members of oppressed groups who are deemed "unworthy" by the government and a few religious organizations.
The Rocky Mountains proved a formidable climb for the 50 year-old women who see the literal ups and downs as symbolic of the struggle for LGBT equality. In addition to their physical aches and pains, Carrie and Elisia have also been the targets of death threats and insults from hate-mongers.
But these women believe they are making a difference in the struggle for equal civil marriage rights.
Because they dare to openly protest inequality, they inspire others to do so. When people meet them face to face, they are often forced to rethink the usual stereotypes about what gay and lesbian families look like, how they act, and what they do. The youthful and athletic grannies also challenge the stereotypical image of a "grandmother."
With five more weeks and over 1,000 miles left to travel, there is still much work to be done. Over the next few weeks Carrie and Elisia will be in the following cities:
SPRINGFIELD, IL on June 11, 12, and 13; Indianapolis, IN June 19 and 20; Columbus, OH on June 26 and 27; Pittsburgh, PA on July 1, and finally in New York City for the end of the Rainbow Ride on July 10.
The Ross-Stones are lesbian civil rights activists and grandmothers to Jareth, age 2. They are riding their bicycles from San Francisco to New York City to raise awareness and get support for equal civil marriage rights.
With their journey more than half-way completed, Carrie and Elisia feel they are doing what they set out to do.
After 5 weeks and 2,100 miles on the road, they have met with many supporters of LGBT equality and have faced a few foes. They met with elected officials in several cities, including the Mayor of Salt Lake City Utah who spoke out in support of equal civil marriage rights. They have met and rallied with progressive groups from African American, Latino, Native American, Feminist, and Youth organizations, who are working together with the LGBT community to create positive social change in America.
The pair even paid a visit to the office of Marilyn Musgrave, the sponsor of the mean-spirited Federal Marriage Amendment.
During their travels, Elisia and Carrie took a side trip to Laramie, Wyoming. There they spent a quiet day reflecting upon the extreme consequences of unjust laws that inspire some to act out violently toward members of oppressed groups who are deemed "unworthy" by the government and a few religious organizations.
The Rocky Mountains proved a formidable climb for the 50 year-old women who see the literal ups and downs as symbolic of the struggle for LGBT equality. In addition to their physical aches and pains, Carrie and Elisia have also been the targets of death threats and insults from hate-mongers.
But these women believe they are making a difference in the struggle for equal civil marriage rights.
Because they dare to openly protest inequality, they inspire others to do so. When people meet them face to face, they are often forced to rethink the usual stereotypes about what gay and lesbian families look like, how they act, and what they do. The youthful and athletic grannies also challenge the stereotypical image of a "grandmother."
With five more weeks and over 1,000 miles left to travel, there is still much work to be done. Over the next few weeks Carrie and Elisia will be in the following cities:
SPRINGFIELD, IL on June 11, 12, and 13; Indianapolis, IN June 19 and 20; Columbus, OH on June 26 and 27; Pittsburgh, PA on July 1, and finally in New York City for the end of the Rainbow Ride on July 10.
