Letter from Clarity
Dear Friends
As I promised, I'm going to update you on the status of Gaea. But first a relatively short editorial. (well, short for me)
I have the privilege of being on e-mail bouncers and/or lists that represent all of the major groups that call Gaea "home." Right now it looks like the pagan community is convinced this is about religion, the gay and lesbian community is sure it's about sexuality and the naturists are certain it's about nudity. [What's a poor naked pantheist faerie to do?????] Interestingly, when I talked to some of the people (the "thems") before the hearing last week, many expressed that it was about the road.
I guess it depends on your perspective. You see everyone is right. But most of all what this is about for me is protecting my sanctuary, my home, my "safe space" against the ignorance that surrounds it. OK, ignorance might not be the best word, but to me most of the people who are against "us" are people whose fear, based in lack of knowledge (ignorance), has caused them to lash out against what they don't understand or in other cases what they fundamentally (another bad word) believe is bad, frightening, sinful, or whatever.
Right now, I want to ask each of you to recognize that we have an opportunity here to work on something much bigger than our own personal "minority" groups. We can band together and strike a blow for the rights of all individuals to express themselves without censure. Gaea is sooooooo fine. She is so big and has so much to give to each of us who is willing to be open to Her gifts. Let's stand shoulder to shoulder, no matter what color, gender, age, religion, sexuality or preference of clothing or not and fight for her. I see a big line of robes and drag and naked flesh (ok maybe not in court) all ready to support not only their own rights but those of each and every human being to be who they are.
Kinda cool, eh?
OK - now for the business:
Earth Rising's Board of Directors and officers met with Robin Martinez, our legal counsel, to do some preliminary strategizing. Robin explained that there are really a couple of (legal) fronts to work on, therefore varying legal "skill sets" are required. While Robin will continue to orchestrate and manage the legal aspects, he does not consider himself to be a litigation attorney and is seeking others to serve in that capacity.
The areas are first amendment rights, land use and regulatory taking. Robin is continuing to work with the ACLU to bring them into the arena. That looks promising. He has also begun to list and to contact attorneys specializing in the other two areas. (land use, etc.)
We will file for an an injunction and hopefully will know whether or not we get it in time to plan events for 2002. It may be a tight squeeze though as two to three months is not unusual for this type of request. We will attempt to get the injunction to not only allow us to operate until a court decision is made (a year or so) but to also allow us to continue to to have clothing optional areas.
We will be filing at the Federal level rather than beginning with the State. The abridgement of first amendment rights makes this the correct decision and will also take it out of the jurisdiction of those who have already been pressured into making decisions.
As many of you have pointed out, this is going to take money. Possibly lots of it. So, we are opening a separate account which will be known as the Gaea Legal Defense Fund. We are hoping to set it up so that credit card donations can be taken to facilitate gifts from those of us who are always without funds but never without plastic. Since this account will be opened within the next two days, we are officially accepting support. Checks may be sent to
Earth Rising
Post Office Box 696
Tonganoxie, KS 66086-0696
We may later also have a direct deposit address at Commerce Bank and will keep you posted.
|