The Importance of Marriage Equality
Blogger Shane May was turned away from a nearby city's recreation facility because it didn't recognize a married gay couple as a family. Here he stresses the importance of equality.
Shane May
Browse By
Friday, May 3, 2013
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
This Inspiring Story Brought to You by Grape-Nuts
Gym Membership Battle Lost, Shane May Lobbies for Same Sex Marriage
Shane May's biggest challenge wasn’t taking on the family membership policy at the Cuyahoga Falls Natatorium. It wasn’t becoming an equal rights and marriage equality activist. It was the decision to be Shane May. Sponsored by Grape-Nuts.
About this sponsorship: In honor of the 60th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary's historic ascent of Mount Everest, Patch and Grape-Nuts are teaming up to highlight those who inspire people around them to climb their own mountains. The Cuyahoga Falls native said he pretended to be straight for years and prayed that “God would make me like everyone else,” so the decision to come out as gay after high school graduation was a difficult one. “When you grow up in such a closed-minded community, it’s a struggle coming to terms with who you are,” May said. “Looking back, I wish I would have just been myself … I have this one life to live, and I am going to be myself.” May and his husband, Coty (who were married in Washington, DC), made headlines …
In this Article:
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Local Activist Appointed President of Stonewall Democrats
Cuyahoga Falls native Shane May was recently appointed president after a year of participating in gay rights protests.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Gay Rights Activist Deplores Bigotry on National Coming Out Day: Letter to the Editor
Cuyahoga Falls native Shane May shares his stuggles of growing up as a homosexual, rails against "homophobic" behavior and offers a message of hope during National Coming Out Day.
In case anybody missed the memo... I am gay. Sorry for the shocker; I know this may be devastating news to most of you, but know that I am okay with it and have been okay with it for many years. I would personally like to thank every single one of you from Price Elementary, Sill Middle School and Cuyahoga Falls High School who called me names and made fun of me while growing up. Your name calling and bullying gave me the strength and courage to come to terms with who I am today and only made me stronger. While you live in your hate-filled worlds of homophobic bigotry, know that I am making a difference in this community and doing something with my life that I am passionate about. Never again will you be able to tear me down like you did in…
In this Article:
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Gay Rights Protestors to Picket Against Romney, Christie and Mayor Robart
Due, in part, to Christie's veto of same-sex marriage legislation, local gay activists will protest outside Gov. Mitt Romney's "Victory Rally" at the Natatorium on Tuesday evening.
Thousands will flood Cuyahoga Falls on Tuesday evening to cheer on the Republican presidential candidate, but there's some who plan to protest against Romney, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Mayor Don Robart. Shane May, of Akron, organized the protest via social media and said he's expecting protestors from local gay rights groups, like GetEqual of Ohio, to join him on the picket line for various reasons. In a Patch email interview on Oct. 8, May wrote: "It was an extreme disappointment when Gov. Christie vetoed the same-sex marriage bill within the state of New Jersey (in February)...Both of the men visiting my hometown tomorrow have made their points pretty clear where they stand with the LGBT community, and it was no shock that …
In this Article:
Steve Stallard
7:20 pm on Friday, October 12, 2012
They are just trying to make it an issue. Gay marriage is NOT recognized in Ohio. What is so difficult to understand.And Melissa, people are awake and will never change what they believe in. more ›
Monday, May 21, 2012
Letter to the Editor: Parks Board Made Right Choice on Natatorium Rates
The following was submitted by Pastor Chris McCombs of Broadman Baptist Church.
Natatorium Rate Structure Debate proves Cuyahoga Falls is a Great City with Great People despite differing opinions: For months Cuyahoga Falls discussed the sacred, constitutional, historic, and financial aspects of marriage pertaining to the Natatorium rate structure. The media coverage, overall, was slanted toward the “gay” marriage position, so please consider another perspective. The citizens who were involved in this process represented our community well. Those supporting traditional marriage argued for the sacred and Constitutional definition of marriage, between one man and one woman, while remaining compassionate and considerate toward differing views. Proponents of “gay” marriage attempted to suppress the value of …
In this Article:
John McMillan
1:02 am on Sunday, August 5, 2012
LOL hear hear Miss Wanda!!! Loved your post...very entertaining, as well as right on the money!!!! more ›
Friday, May 11, 2012
Parks Board Makes Final Ruling on Natatorium Rates
The Cuyahoga Falls Parks and Recreation Board voted down two motions, 3-2, that were aimed at making the "w/spouse" rate more inclusive.
In a controversial move, the Cuyahoga Falls Parks and Recreation Board voted down two motions, 3-2, at its meeting on Thursday night to uphold the Natatorium's "w/spouse" membership rate. The motions were based on a “Memorandum of Understanding” drawn up by Cuyahoga Falls Council members Diana Colavecchio and Terry Mader and Broadman Baptist Pastors Chris McCombs and Rick Mangrum. The memo was viewed as a compromise measure since Mader, Mangrum and McCombs had previously opposed any change to the spousal rate. The motions aimed to reword w/spouse to "w/spouse or second adult," said board chairman Tim Gorbach. The amended language would have allowed for any two adults living in the same local household to receive a discount, he said. …
In this Article:
Mike Penta
1:29 pm on Thursday, May 17, 2012
Chris, I actually disagree with the statement "the process...is something everyone in our community should applaud." Certainly you, Diana, and others worked very hard to find common ground and propose a workable solution. The problem is the Park Board didn't accept it. more ›
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Parks Board Rejects Change to Natatorium Rates
The Cuyahoga Falls Parks and Recreation Board rejected two motions by chairman Tim Gorbach to open up the gym's "w/spouse" membership.
In a controversial move, the Cuyahoga Falls Parks and Recreation Board voted down two motions at its meeting on Thursday night to uphold the Natatorium's "w/spouse" membership rate. Under the Nat's existing rate structure, the w/spouse rate applies only to heterosexual couples who hold marriage licenses recognized by the Ohio Constitution. Such couples are afforded a yearly membership discount of $260 versus those who hold individual memberships. The motions called for changing w/spouse to "w/spouse or second adult," said board chairman Tim Gorbach. The amended language would have allowed for any two adults living in the same local household to receive the discount. Board members Lorrie Shannon, Dick Sebastian and Debbie Ritzinger voted …
In this Article:
John McMillan
10:19 am on Saturday, June 23, 2012
Did you not read this part of the article? "Cuyahoga Falls Law Director Paul Janis and Parks and Recreation Superintendent Bill Lohan each described the current rate as "discriminatory" since other gym memberships don't carry the same kind of restrictions." They wanted to change the wording from "spouse" to "spouse or second adult." There was NO suggestion of debate on the oh-so-holy "definition … more ›
Monday, May 7, 2012
Will It Stay or Will It Go? Parks Board Making Final Call on Future of Nat Rate Structure
Over the last several months, the Nat's rates have come under fire by those who say its "w/spouse" memberships are overly restrictive.
It's time. This Thursday, all eyes will be on the Cuyahoga Falls Parks and Recreation Board when it makes a final ruling on whether or not to change the Natatorium's controversial rate structure. Chairman Tim Gorbach arrived at the next and final step following a report by Parks and Recreation Superintendent Bill Lohan and an address by Falls City Councilwoman Diana Colavecchio that were each delivered publicly at April’s parks board meeting. Lohan based his report on a late-March, closed-door work session he had with Colavecchio, council members Terry Mader and Carrie Snyder, Cuyahoga Falls Law Director Paul Janis and others. Lohan concluded the board could: To absorb the losses, Colavecchio proposed the city reallocate a portion of the …
In this Article:
Monday, April 16, 2012
GetEqual Protests Against Family Research Council at Tea Party Event
The gay advocacy group contends the "Your Money, Your Values, Your Vote" bus tour works to discriminate against minorities, women and the gay community.
GetEqual of Ohio, a gay rights advocacy group, gathered at Falls River Square to protest the “Your Money, Your Values, Your Vote” bus tour, which rolled in with the Akron Tea Party Rally on Sunday. The nationwide tour, which is funded, in part, by the Washington D.C.-based Family Research Council, is traveling from city to city to register voters, promote prolife ideals, vie for a stronger economy and work toward ensuring religious liberty, said FRC member Connie Mackey. Where the two groups differ is on their interpretations of what marriage should be. GetEqual lead organizer Tom Morgan criticized the group for their "discriminatory stances," and said the FRC's acceptance of known bigots has led to it being placed on the Southern Poverty …
In this Article:
Mitch Weaver
2:34 pm on Thursday, May 16, 2013
Riveting news! more ›