The answer to this question varies. Many of us participate in CSTS events and other Browncoat related activities for a number of reasons. We join together to make a difference in the world because we’ve been rallied by Joss’s words to do something, anything. We meet up so that we can share our love of the Serenity/Firefly/Whedonverse, and because we are like-minded folk who want to share other aspects of our lives with our fellow Fireflyians. These are just a few of the reasons we come together in this fellowship

And they are all, very good reasons.

The main focus of Can’t Stop the Serenity has always been to help Equality Now keep the signal going. EN seeks to let the voices of abused women the world over, cry out and be heard. Humanity can listen and come together, seeking to end all suffering and abuse – one voice at a time.

Sadly, there are many cases we never hear about. Some make the news but with so many stories, only a few actually “make the puppet theater.” Meanwhile, how many never reach the ears of the media? We can’t do much about those for now, but we can help spread the word on others.

We can put a face on the cause.

Because it’s not about words on a page, it’s about our sisters in need. The cause is about fellow human beings – mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts and godmothers to name but a few.

So every week for as long as I can, I am going to share with you these very important stories. I would ask that you make time each week to read them, and then to pass them along to your friends and family. In fact, pass them on to anyone you know – it’s just that important.

Honor killings. They seem like old nightmarish concepts from ancient history. After all, in the modern world we’ve evolved, haven’t we? But for 18-year-old Elif from Batman, Turkey, honor killings are all too real. Her sin? Elif wants to continue her education instead of marrying the older man her parents have picked out for her. Her sentence? Death with a caveat.

Imagine being told by your father “You have dishonored your family, please kill yourself.” ??? It’s hard to comprehend that Elif’s very own father tells her to commit suicide – so HE doesn’t have to go to jail for her murder… Horrific isn’t it? And yet this happens to hundreds of women just like Elif every day.

This is why we are here.

Click here for Elif’s full story.

We can’t let the signal stop, nor will we.

Warm Regards,

Anne Barringer
Global Organizer
Can’t Stop the Serenity 2009