Community Corner

What's That Red Logo on My Friends' Facebook Pages?

Here along the Peninsula, many have followed suit, going red for marriage equality, by sharing the Human Rights Campaign's logo, showing their support for LGBT equality in California against Proposition 8.

 

You may have wondered at the logo showing up all over Facebook — a red square with two pink horizontal lines and folks changing their profile photos to this symbol that stands for marriage equality.

It's an effort by the Human Rights Campaign that coincides with oral Supreme Court hearings this week in Washington, D.C. on the issue.

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The equality symbol signifies that marriage equality really is all about love, the HRC post says, adding that in addition to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender supporters, heterosexuals are especially encouraged to do so as "straight allies."

"Together we will show the nation that we believe all Americans deserve to be treated fairly and equally under the law — no matter who they love," according to the HRC.

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Many residents along the Peninsula have changed their profile picture to the red square with an equal sign in support of marriage equality. 

On Pacifica Patch FacebookJessica Arsenault-Armstrong changed her profile picture, "Because love is love and equality is equality. No one should live by a different set of laws."

On Redwood City-Woodside's Facebook, fans Tami Strack Wall, Ellen M. Fitzpatrick and Denise Franco all had variations of the red square with equal sign, one in the shape of a heart and one with Bert and Ernie from Sesame Street. They explained why they changed their profile photos: 

On Half Moon Bay Patch's Facebook, Julie Kline explained why she didn't, "A lot of my friends have. They all know how vehemently I support marriage equality so I feel no need to do it.

On Pacifica Patch's Facebook, Jennifer Weyant emphatically wrote "No!!!" that she didn't change her profile picture and Aimee Weyant also wrote "No."

Rep. Jackie Speier (D-San Mateo) is among those who have followed suit on her Facebook page. She says she's doing it to stand united for marriage. 

"I am using this profile image as a symbol of my commitment to marriage equality," the profile image says. 

The HRC is the largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans with more than 1.5 million members and supporters nationwide.

Founded in 1980, HRC advocates on behalf of LGBT Americans, mobilizes grassroots actions in diverse communities, invests strategically to elect fair-minded individuals to office and educates the public about LGBT issues, according to its website.

On the Huffington Post, LGBT activist, writer and blogger John Becker writes in "The Weight of History: Marriage Equality at the Supreme Court,"

No one knows for certain how the arguments today or tomorrow will go, nor do we know how the Supreme Court will rule in June. But we do know that the day will soon come when LGBT individuals, couples, and families are equally protected under the law. We know it won't be long until we are fully and wholly included in the lofty American ideals of liberty and justice for all. And we know that we will win this fight.

The full weight of our history has come to bear today, and I know it will ultimately tip the scales toward justice, toward love.

Click here to see the hearings streaming live.

Tell us in the comments: Did you change your Facebook profile picture? Why or why not?

 

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