I have always had a liberal policy of allowing guests to blog on QueerCincinnati.com, and I usually offer up space here on my blog at GayCincinnati.com as a way of giving their post some more permanence. Jason Boeckman has guest blogged here before and has recently started his own bloggie project, Out With it Already! Naturally, I invited him back if he ever wanted the space.

Celebrate the New Hampshire victory for marriage equality because it’s a victory worth celebrating!

No doubt in these next few days we will see plenty media coverage and commentary detailing the marriage happenings in NH and elsewhere as the effort to pass legislation granting civil marriage for same-sex couples continues across the nation.

Progress is made by changing hearts and changing minds. Now is a prime opportunity to discuss gay rights issues with your friends, family members and co-workers. These conversations are necessary for the success of the LGBT movement.

Prepare for these conversations. And here is one very important message to deliver: Regarding New Hampshire’s legalization of marriage f or same-sex couples, emphasize that this right is civil. Much of the coverage leading up to yesterday’s ruling has focused on Governor John Lynch’s demand that explicit language be included in this legislation to protect the freedoms of churches and religious groups opposed to same-sex marriage. Explain that this legislation has always been a matter in the civil sphere and in no way intended to require religions to recognize same-sex marriage. It would be easy for someone only somewhat informed about same-sex marriage to gather from the governor’s protest that same-sex marriage advocates are seeking to force the issue into the religious sphere. It is your task to stop this misconception dead in its tracks. If misconceptions such as this continue to spread, it will certainly delay the exciting progress we’ve seen in these past months.

Congratulations also go out to Impact Cincinnati and all community members who have joined in the response to the incident of violence aimed at one of our own last week at Tabby’s restaurant and bar.

I have read Cincinnati’s local coverage of the incident and response and it’s wonderful to see LGBT issues recognized by mainstream media in our city. I have watched closely the online user responses to some of these articles and it’s clear that there are some in Cincinnati who just-don’t-get-it.

When explaining the reason for the Flash Action event, be sure to emphasize that our presence at Tabby’s was meant to hammer home the message that violence against any person for any reason—including prejudice—is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in our community. When speaking with those who criticize events like these and say LGBT people are just looking for trouble, explain that some confrontation of the issue is necessary because prejudice and violence must be addressed head-on. If not, how will we ever make progress in resolving these problems and cultivating a more peaceful environment?

If we don’t advocate for ourselves, who will?

Barry is the editor of Cincinnati's most prolific LGBT-focus blog, QueerCincinnati.com, and Tweets even more regularly. Check out our guest blogger's project, Out With it Already!