Arts celebrating the wonder of Human Equality in Human Rights!

 Our purpose is to provide common ground on which we will build bridges to a social acceptance of real equality in Human rights for all Humanity. Through these efforts to also open mainstream promotional and exhibit/performance opportunities for artist members and supporters.

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Announcing the 
Common Ground House Concert Series!

SWS / A.F.E.
Common Ground House Concert Series
At Casa StoneWall (Roanoke, Va.)

First Concert in the series: 
Friday October 15, 2010
Concert at 8:00pm eastern time. Arrival starts at 7:45pm eastern time.

Legend Tret Fure and link to Tret's website.
The Legendary Tret Fure

From the Tret Fure Website...
 "Tret Fure’s career spans 4 decades.  She began her professional work at the  age of 16, singing in coffeehouses
 and campuses in the Midwest, moving to  Berkeley where, after performing weekly on the campus of UC
 Berkeley where  she attended college, she discovered that music really was her life.  At 19, she moved to LA to
 pursue a  songwriting and musical career.  Within a year she was performing as guitarist and vocalist for Spencer  
 Davis,  touring with him and penning the single for his album “Mousetrap”.  She went on to record her own album 
 in 1973  on MCA/UNI Records, with the late Lowell George of Little Feat as her producer.  With the success of 
 that  release, she opened for such bands as Yes, Poco, and the J Geils Band.  More

 Artist's suggested donation $20.00. 

 See below to make reservations, general concert information,  or to guarantee a seat at the concert. 

 Complete Common Ground Concert information & includes:...

Future House concerts: 

October: Georgie Jessop

December - Open

January 2011  Steven Gellman

Announcing:
 Dale's page!
Protecting yourself and your loved one when not married.

      The State of Virginia, as in many states, does not recognize same-sex relationships as legal in any way. Especially with regard to estate, burial, and any other rights. If you  live in another State these forms may provide you with a thumbnail of what you need. But check in your local state. Documents like Living Wills and Medical Power Of Attorney are in many cases usable in most states. For verification check with your local State Bar or a local Attorney. 

     As I understand Virginia does not recognize common law marriage. Virginia does recognize common law marriages between men and women, if created and valid from another state. However, for purposes of inheritance or the benefits of pension plans or social security, a valid marriage is required.  
Source for Common Law Marriage information: http://www.vadivorceonline.com/vapages/Alimony/commonlawmarriage.asp
 Additional information from local Attorney
Vicki L. Wiese, Esq. of Roanoke
 " Virginia does recognize common law marriage if the marriage is entered into in a state which recognizes them.   Oklahoma and Texas have them. But you cannot BECOME common law married in Virginia .  Also, we will not recognize a common law marriage that violates Virginia ’s public policy. As an example, if you can have same sex common law marriage in Massach. Virginia will NOT recognize that marriage here."

    Neither of the above means that you have no options on protecting your loved one and yourself and property. I am not an attorney and offer this as information as I understand it or as has been explained to me. However in order for that protection to be held certain legal documents must be properly in place. Thanks to local attorney  Vicki L. Wiese, Esq. of Roanoke for her assistance in finding and compiling the information below. Also thanks to the Virginia State Bar for making certain documents available for free download to assist in these areas. 

    Recently a friend of thirty-three years and his same-sex partner of thirty years moved to Virginia. Unexpectedly and soon after the move my friend died. His partner, Dale was left with no legal standing with regard to his partner's ending healthcare, survivor rights, and or burial rights. This same horror could happen to any persons residing together in Virginia without being officially married. So this could happen to anyone GLBT or straight who reside with a loved one but not officially married. 

     This is an area of common ground concern. That being said it is the goal of AFE and its members to aid in suggesting methods to achieve equality for all in such areas. In that vein I offer the information below free of charge. I know there are places and websites offering this elsewhere. Some also free and some for a fee or donation. Please feel free to use the links below to protect yourself in these cases. No fee and or donation is expected or required. This information is being posted to assist those in need. I have confirmed with the Virginia State bar that these links are available for public and free of cost use.  More....

You have reached the fan/public side of Artists For Equality. If you are an artist and would like information on joining please visit here.

Artists For Equality is a support group for humanity accepting complete equal human rights for all.

   Sugarbeach's "Not Deserted" CD cover and link to the Sugarbeach website.     John Raymond Pollard's "Dreams" CD cover and link to John Raymond's website.    Jeffrey Wilgus' "Signature" CD cover.    
Artist promotion banner.

Featured Artist


John Raymond Pollard 
www.johnpollard.com 
John Raymond Pollard is a singer/songwriter/recording artist with one foot in New York and the other in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.   His songs span a diversity of musical genres including rock, folk, alternative, bossa nova, reggae, and dance.  Most songs are written in English, some in Portuguese, and a few in Spanish. Many of Pollard's poetic lyrics deal with emotional, interpersonal matters. 
Other songs focus on matters of equality and social justice across geographies and time frames.  For example, "Poison" examines the conquest of a native population by Conquistadors and "At Stake" retells the saga of Joan of Arc.  "Tango de los Desaparecidos" is set at the time when military rule in Argentina is ending and people try to put their lives back together.  "Angels Watch Over" is Pollard's response to the events of 9/11/2001. "Guantanamo," "Equality," "The Government's Got You," "Alas Babylon," "Eye for Eye"  "King George," and "Religion" are among songs with more contemporary settings. 
Pollard's songs encourage listeners to focus on matters of equality and social justice in a manner that can encourage positive action.

StoneWall Society Network for Artists For Equality  2010