Gay Marriage Watch

NAACP Supports Marriage Equality

Written by melnathan on May 19th, 2012

(Miami, Florida) The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People today released a resolution supporting marriage equality. At a meeting of the 103-year old civil rights group’s board of directors, the organization voted to support marriage equality as a continuation of its historic commitment to equal protection under the law.

“The mission of the NAACP has always been to ensure the political, social and economic equality of all people,” said Roslyn M. Brock, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the NAACP. “We have and will oppose efforts to codify discrimination into law.”

“Civil marriage is a civil right and a matter of civil law. The NAACP’s support for marriage equality is deeply rooted in the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution and equal protection of all people” said Benjamin Todd Jealous, President and CEO of the NAACP.

The NAACP has addressed civil rights with regard to marriage since Loving v. Virginia declared anti-miscegenation laws unconstitutional in 1967. In recent years the NAACP has taken public positions against state and federal efforts to ban the rights and privileges for LGBT citizens, including strong opposition to Proposition 8 in California, the Defense of Marriage Act, and most recently, North Carolina’s Amendment 1, which changed the state constitution’s to prohibit same sex marriage.

Below is the text of the resolution passed by the NAACP board of directors:

The NAACP Constitution affirmatively states our objective to ensure the “political, educational, social and economic equality” of all people. Therefore, the NAACP has opposed and will continue to oppose any national, state, local policy or legislative initiative that seeks to codify discrimination or hatred into the law or to remove the Constitutional rights of LGBT citizens. We support marriage equality consistent with equal protection under the law provided under the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution. Further, we strongly affirm the religious freedoms of all people as protected by the First Amendment.

Brian Silva, Marriage Equality USA Executive Director, notes, “The NAACP has been a long-time ally in the fight for marriage equality. Today’s vote cements the bond of our common struggle to insure that all Americans are treated equally. We thank our friends at the NAACP for their action today.”

”The NAACP has an unbroken history of standing up for civil rights for all Americans, right up through their stand against the discriminatory Amendment 1 in North Carolina, and now today’s historic vote affirming marriage equality for all loving and committed couples,” said Stuart Gaffney, Media Director of MEUSA. “Standing together from coast-to-coast with allies such as the NAACP is what is going to make the dream of marriage equality for all loving and committed couples a reality.”

Posted in marriage, marriage equality | No Responses »
Tags: marriage equality, meusa, naacp

Leading Pastor Defends Obama’s Support for Marriage equality

Written by melnathan on May 19th, 2012

Rev. Otis Moss III of Chicago’s Trinity United Church of Christ recently defended President Obama’s support for marriage equality.

“The question I believe we should pose to our congregations is, ‘Should all Americans have the same civil rights?,’” Moss asked his church members this weekend. “There is difference between rights and rites. We should never misconstrue rights designed to protect diverse individuals in a pluralistic society versus religious rites designed by faith communities to communicate a theological or doctrinal perspective.”

Moss replaced the controversial Jeremiah Wright as senior pastor of the Trinity United Church of Christ. His recent words came as a sharp rebuke to other African-American pastors who expressed outrage at Obama’s marriage equality stance.

House Passes Violence Against Women Act Without LGBT Protections

Written by melnathan on May 16th, 2012

The House of Representatives approved reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, but did not approve of the portion that would have explicitly included LGBT victims of violence.

The bill passed 222-205 on Wednesday. According to the Human Rights Campaign, Republican representative Judy Biggert wanted to add an amendment to increase specific protections for LGBT victims of domestic violence, but House leadership blocked her from introducing the amendment.

Earlier this month, the Senate passed VAWA with a bipartisan 68-31 vote. The law organizes federal funding to enhance investigation and prosecution of domestic violence and sexual assault while also supporting victim service programs. The Senate version was the first to have LGBT-inclusive provisions. Senators defeated an amendment 36-63 that would have rewritten the bill and excluded coverage for LGBT violence victims.

The Anti-Violence Project reports that LGBT domestic violence victims have fewer supportive services, and they often face discrimination when seeking help. The Senate bill would ensure that all people are able to access services regardless of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

Colorado Republican’s Gay Son Disappointed Dad Killed Civil Unions Bill

Written by melnathan on May 16th, 2012

When Montrose Republican Don Coram cast a deciding vote Monday night to kill Colorado’s civil unions bill, he “let down” a gay community that includes his only child, his son told The Denver Post.

Dee Coram the openly gay son of Republican representative from the 58th district Don Coram, in Colorado, pitched his father for a yes vote, but to no avail. “Yesterday was the first and only time I ever called him and said, “Can you do this?” said 44-year-old Dee Coram. “He said, ‘I love you, but absolutely not.’ ”

The Denver Post reports that “Civil unions for same-sex couples seemed destined for success toward the end of the Colorado legislative session, which closed last week. It had cleared three Republican-controlled House committees and appeared to have a majority of votes on the House floor.”

But House Speaker Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch, refused to let lawmakers cast their votes. Gov. John Hickenlooper countered by calling a special session. The reincarnated civil unions bill on Monday landed in McNulty’s so-called “kill committee,” where he expected the bill to die.

According to the Denver Post piece : “One by one the votes came down. In the end, Don Coram — noting how proud he was of his gay son — lined up with his fellow Republican party members. The hard-fought legislation died 5-4.

Dee Coram expressed disappointment and said the two haven’t spoken since Monday.

“I was told by my grandfather, there’s always a time to lead and there’s always a time to follow,” Dee Coram said. “He was given a time to lead, and he didn’t do it. He could have and should have been the deciding vote.”

This is not even same-sex marriage we are talking about here – the denial of the purported alternative to marriage, Civil Unions, designed to impart basic partnership rights to same-sex couples, is a certain kick below the belt by father to son.
Read more: Gay son “let down” by father’s vote against Colorado civil unions bill – The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_20629843/gay-son-let-down-by-fathers-vote-against#ixzz1v3HWO5nz

Posted in civil union, civil unions, civil unions bill, representative, republican | No Responses »
Tags: civil unions, colorado, Dee Coram, Denver Post, Don Coram, gay son, republican

President Obama The View | Seeks to Repeal DOMA in Second Term

Written by melnathan on May 14th, 2012

Somewhat buried in CNN’s story on Barack Obama’s fundraiser in New York is this little tidbit about his administration’s plans for marriage equality—

He also outlined goals he hopes to accomplish under a second term, including the repeal of the Defense Of Marriage Act, which the administration has already stopped defending.

This is the first time Obama has said that he will actively work to repeal the law.

At the fundraiser, hosted by openly gay pop star Ricky Martin, Obama called same-sex marriage the “right thing to do.” He also said that contrary to what many right wing pundits have alleged, marriage equality will help families.

I want everyone treated fairly in this country. We have never gone wrong when we’ve extended rights and responsibilities to everybody. That doesn’t weaken families, that strengthens families.

The President also touched on his freshly out same-sex marriage stance on The View. The segment, which he taped today, will air on ABC tomorrow.

According to some White House officials, Obama had intended to speak out in favor of marriage equality on the talk show, but he was spurred forward by Joe Biden’s early endorsement.

Rev. Dyson Challenges Black Pastors who do not support Obama on Equality

Written by melnathan on May 14th, 2012

On Friday, May 11, Rev. Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, guest host of MSNBC’s The Ed Show, challenged Black pastors who are critical of President Obama’s historic endorsement of marriage equality.

“Black leaders of faith should not use the Bible to suppress the rights of LGBT community just like the Bible was used to suppress the rights of Black Americans,” said Dyson.
If Black pastors tried to “take all the [gay people] out of the Black church, there wouldn’t be a Black church,” he added. “And I never heard of any pastors refusing tithes from gay people.”

Dyson joins numerous of Black pastors who have spoken out in support of the President’s freedom to marry stance.

Tony Perkins Marriage Equality Foe Knocked Out

Written by melnathan on May 14th, 2012

The Last Word
By Melanie Nathan, May 14,2012.

For years the anti- same-sex marriage lobby has taken the form of extreme right wing fundamentalists such as Tony Perkins and others who I am loathe to name. At every turn and opportunity LGBT bloggers have fought their rhetoric and we have never considered them as ‘the experts’ worthy of the title of legitimate opposition to equality. Yet they have been given a voice on mainstream TV as the opposing experts and have barely been challenged. Let us hope that with recent discredits we have seen the final round.

Now since President Obama has come out openly in support of same-sex marriage, main stream media has had the opportunity to call its ‘experts’ on the other side of the debate and unfortunately all they can find, by virtue of years of an insidious overt presence on the issue, are the likes of Tony Perkins, who, together with his cronies, have yet to put forth a legitimate argument against marriage equality.

This time the deconstruction of their warped views are being elucidated with realistic force and vigor. It is akin to a boxing match. If a fighter keeps kicking below the belt he must be disqualified. While Tony Perkins was recently caught doing just that, he was allowed to fight on – but was knocked out cold, in the ring!

Their views are just that – mere views – with no truth -neither based in science nor reality. They have re-written history and spewed their lies.

Perkins was on CNN with Piers Morgan, stating that his own kids are not likely to be gay, because “we are teaching them the right ways that they are to interact as human beings,” and “we are not allowing them to be indoctrinated by the education system.”

Chris Matthews invited Tony Perkins on to his CNN show Hardball, with Congressman Barney Frank and took Perkins to task on this statement.

To my wild eye it played out like a boxing match with the referee Mathews so incensed by the below the belt tactics of Perkins, he could all but take sides. Perkins did not get away with a single old rhetorical trick. When caught, Perkins tried to sidetrack, but Referee Mathews was not having any of that.

Mathews replayed what Perkins had said and Frank went in for the kill. The discussion was a round one knock out for Frank. Perkins lay unconscious on the ground as referee Mathews instead of blowing the whistle and calling it a win, went for a stomp in the stomach. Perkins lay writhing on the ground. Now that should end Perkins’ career once and for all!

Well after the knock out Lawrence O’Donnell last night on the Last Word, had his go at it; notable Perkins and his lies not there – perhaps relegated to a different league now,no longer worthy of another main stream match, as O’Donnell recalled five thousand years of history on traditional marriage and finally someone on mainstream sets the record straight (ahem amen!) Not quite the right wing version fed to Americans by so called experts given voice by our mainstream Television media.

While I am one who usually prefers to not lend voice to these fringe lunatics, I came to realize I could applaud this one last round – a final knock out – rendering them unconscious in the hope that Chris Mathews Piers Morgan and others will now realize that Perkins and his type, with lies and misinformation, fully discredited. They have lost and are banished to the lower leagues never to be seen or heard of in the center ring again!

So I suggest next time Chris Mathews, Piers Morgan or any mainstream and cable TV show wants an expert – find an expert who makes sense, who can truly put forth a counter argument, one based not on lies made up by divisive hate and hurtful rhetoric. I know that you will have to go a long way to find such – because there is no logical or fact based argument against equality – the only opposition, albeit illegitimate, is hate! I also suggest Barney Frank, Joe Solmonese, Andrew Sullivan et al, all refuse invitations to enter the ring with those unworthy of center ring.

Let this be the last we hear of these types as having any legitimacy forged by mainstream’s fever for ratings; they have been discredited loudly and clearly and any further voice by the likes of Mathews and Morgan will render these show nothing g more than Jerry Springer version 2.

Here is the Match : Barney Franks v. Tony Perkins Round 1- Knock out, Ref, Chris Mathews

SEE VIDEO on GAY U.S.A.

Lawrence O’Donnell has the Last Word

SEE VIDEO on GAY U.S.A.

By MELANIE NATHAN
nathan@privatecourts.com
twitter, melanienathan1

Posted in gay marrage, Gay Marriage, marriage, marriage equality | No Responses »
Tags: Chris Mathews, cnn, gay usa, Lawrence O'Donnell, marriage equality, Pierce Morgan, same sex marriage, tony perkins

Romney Denounces Marriage Equality at Anti-Gay University’s Commencement

Written by melnathan on May 13th, 2012

WASHINGTON — Mitt Romney reiterated his opposition to marriage equality for same-sex couples again Saturday morning while delivering commencement remarks at Liberty University, an anti-gay school that bans openly LGBT students from attending.

Romney, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, made his remarks at the private Christian university located in Lynchburg, Va., just days after President Barack Obama announced his historic support for marriage equality.

“The American culture promotes personal responsibility, the dignity of work, the value of education, the merit of service, devotion to a purpose greater than self, and, at the foundation, the pre-eminence of the family.

[...]

“As fundamental as these principles are, they may become topics of democratic debate. So it is today with the enduring institution of marriage. Marriage is a relationship between one man and one woman. The protection of religious freedom has also become a matter of debate.

“It strikes me as odd that the free exercise of religious faith is sometimes treated as a problem, something America is stuck with instead of blessed with. Perhaps religious conscience upsets the designs of those who feel that the highest wisdom and authority comes from government.”

Among those honored at Liberty’s commencement this morning was S. Truett Cathy, founder of the fast-food chain Chick-fil-A, which has made significant financial contributions to anti-LGBT organizations.

Romney made his remarks hours after Rick Santorum called on the GOP nominee to use marriage equality as a “potent weapon” in his campaign.

READ the Article at LGBTQ Nation

Posted in marriage, marriage equality, national equality | No Responses »
Tags: campaign, gay, lgbt, LGBTQ Nation, Liberty University, marruage equality, mitt romney, presidential, same sex marriage

Senator Feinstein Defends Obama’s Support of Gay Marriage

Written by melnathan on May 13th, 2012

What is wrong with people being happy?’”

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) defended President Barack Obama on Sunday from Republican charges that he has “flip-flopped” by speaking out in favor of marriage equality rights for same-sex couples.

When asked whether Obama had made a political calculation in endorsing gay marriage, Feinstein rejected the idea.

“I don’t think it is a flip flop and there is no political calculus in this, because it is not smart from a political point of view. It doesn’t make sense,” Feinstein said.

“From a personal point of view, I can tell you what happened because it happened to me,” she continued. “You get to know more and more gay couples and you see the happiness. You see the economic security that marriage brings. And even more fundamentally, you can see children who otherwise would not have an adopted home being able to have that home. And so same-sex couples raise children, they do a fine job. And I think when you see this — and it has happened in California — more and more people say, ‘What is wrong with people being happy?’”

Posted in family, gay mariage, gay marrage, same sex laws, same sex marriage | No Responses »
Tags: obama, Same-sexmarriage, Senator Dianne Feinstein

North Carolina Lesbian Arrested trying to get Marriage License

Written by melnathan on May 12th, 2012

Around the U.S.A. May 12, 2012,

A lesbian who sought a North Carolina marriage license with her partner and was rejected under a state law banning same-sex marriage was arrested with another person Thursday after they refused to leave a government office where several gay and lesbian couples were turned away.

The civil disobedience followed a day after President Barack Obama publicly endorsed same-sex marriage, and two days after North Carolina voters overwhelmingly passed a constitutional amendment that defines marriage as solely between a man and a woman.

Mary Jamis, 52, of Mocksville, and a heterosexual friend who joined the protest, Mary Lea Bradford of Winston-Salem, were arrested after they blocked the entrance to the marriage license office and refused to leave more than 30 minutes after closing time.

The protest came amid attempts by a gay rights group, Campaign for Southern Equality, to broaden public support to allow same-sex marriage and more protests are planned in coming days at other county offices in North Carolina that issue marriage licenses.

Nine gay and lesbian couples each presented completed forms and identification to a clerk at the local Register of Deeds office in Winston-Salem, but were refused because state law recognizes only heterosexual couples.

On Tuesday, North Carolina became the 30th state to pass a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. The state already has laws that prohibit gay marriage, but adding the prohibition to the state constitution will make that much harder to change.

All the News We Can Find on Gay Marriage & Marriage Equality