April, 2009

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Gay Marriage Watch: April 26th-May 2nd

Tuesday, April 28th, 2009

Here’s the latest news on gay marriage from around the world. Our favorite thing this week? Gay and lesbian couples getting married in Iowa and Sweden. :)

Take Action:

From Equality California:

he thousands of married same-sex couples living in California have a special—and unprecedented—role to play in the movement forward. Never before has there been a group like this. We just have to find them.

As I’ve traveled the state attending town halls, I’ve heard from many married couples who feel a special responsibility to speak out and share their stories with their fellow Californians.

We’re launching a project to identify and organize the married couples across the state, and we need your help.

If you and your spouse, your friends, or family members are one of the thousands of same-sex married couples living in California, please sign up for our Married Couples Project eqca.org/couples.

Woody Award:

Our woody award this week goes to “Doctor” Joseph Nicolosi, a “reparative therapy” practitioner (“I can make you straight”) who claims:

“…that fact remains that if you traumatize a child in a particular way you will create a homosexual condition. If you do not traumatize a child, he will be heterosexual. If you do not traumatize a child in a particular way, he will be heterosexual. The nature of that trauma is an early attachment break during the bonding phase with the father.”

Lovely, huh? All the gay men who experienced traumatizing breaks with their fathers during the bonding phase, raise your hands. Now, everyone who “knew” they were different since they were self-aware?I thought so. These charlatans start from the basic premise that being gay is “wrong”, and then proceed to try to fix it:

“…the unspoken taboo is never to ask why a person is homosexual. A true intellectual inquiry always addresses causation.”

You have to wonder, if causation is so important, has “Doctor” Nicolosi ever asked himself what caused him to become straight? I’m happy, healthy, and gay, “Doctor” Nicolosi, and I don’t need any help from you and your ilk. Enjoy your woody!

Special notice goes to Perez Hilton for his Gavin Newsom moment, footage where he calls Miss California a “dumb b**tch”, which is now being used by the National Organization for Marriage in a new commercial. Perez, we’re with you in wishing more folks were pro-gay-marriage, but the way you handled this showed a total lack of class and a lack of understanding for the consequences of insulting our opponents without thinking. Your words make a more effective argument for the NOM folks than any gathering storm ever could. Fight for the cause, but please, think about what you’re going to say before you say it.

Side note: an online poll at gay.com shows that , as of this writing, 88% of respondents repudiate Perez and his comments about Miss California.

Gay Marriage Watch:

Now on to this week’s Gay Marriage Watch. The blog is now organized almost entirely by area, with news of the week, upcoming marriage equality events, and great recent articles and columns. For a longer history of past news stories, just click on one of the older Gay Marriage Watch blogs from our archives.

To subscribe to this blog, or if you have any thoughts about how we can make this feature better or easier to use or any updates on the issues covered here, let me know at info@purpleunions.com.

You can also now find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF).

We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc

Enjoy the rest of the Watch!

–Scott

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AUSTRALIA:

–news–>

4/28: Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd has rejected a proposal that civil unions should be offered to gay couples. Source

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BURUNDI:

–news–>

4/27: Lawmakers in Burundi have passed, and its president has signed, a bill that makes being gay illegal in the African country. Source

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CANADA:

–upcoming events–>

Day of Decision: Vancouver: Gather at 6pm at Morton Park (corner of Davie Street and Denman Street). More Info

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EL SALVADOR:

–news–>

4/30: After weeks of public debate and protest, El Salvador’s Legislative Assembly approved an amendment to the constitution to ban marriage between same-sex couples and same-sex couples’ ability to adopt a child. Source

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FRANCE:

–articles–>

5/2: The French Government is set to follow several other European countries in recognising civil unions and legal partnerships. Source

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HUNGARY:

–articles–>

Is Hungary ready for same-sex unions? by Chiara Sassoli Source

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ICELAND:

–news–>

4/26: Voters in Iceland have voted in their first gay prime minister, Johanna Sigurdardottir, in general elections Saturday, The New York Times reported Sunday. Source

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ISRAEL:

–news–>

4/26: The 11th annual Tel Aviv Gay Pride parade this summer will feature an event organizers believe to be the first ever for such an event anywhere in the world and certainly in Israel – two weddings, one of a gay couple and one of a lesbian pair. Source

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SOUTH AFRICA:

–news–>

5/2: A Tamil priest who conducted South Africa’s first known gay wedding by Hindu rites has gone underground as upset community leaders slammed the elaborate wedding of two young men, complete with embossed invitations, outfits from India and one tying a necklace with a pendant of Lord Ganesha on his partner. Source

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SWEDEN:

–news–>

5/1:

–A gender-neutral marriage law in Sweden has come into force today, meaning gay couples can now marry in the country in religious or civil ceremonies. Source

–A Swedish couple, Alf Karlsson and Johan Lundqvist, both local politicians for the Greens in the Uppsala region, were the first gay men married in Sweden. Source

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UNITED KINGDOM:

–news–>

4/26: A celebrity, three drag queens and about 100 people of mixed background, ages, race, gender, beliefs, ability and sexual orientation protested a “gay cure” conference in London. Source

–upcoming events–>

–10/4: Cardiff: Gay wedding show. More Info

–10/18: Manchester: Gay wedding show. More Info

–11/15: Brighton: Gay wedding show. More Info

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USA:

–news–>

4/27:

–Miss California, Carrie Prejean said she believes that people are not born gay, and she appealed to President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to support her ?opinion ? that marriage is between a man and a woman. Source

–Gretchen Rossi of Bravo’s Real Housewives of Orange County on gay marriage: “I have a lot of dear friends within the community, and I think they’re wonderful, great people,” Gretchen Rossi told E! on Friday evening.. “They’re the most talented, friendly, outgoing friends to have, so I think everybody should be OK with everybody having the same rights.” Source

-42% of Americans now say same sex couples should be allowed to legally marry, a new CBS News/New York Times poll finds, up 9% from last month, when 33% supported it. 28% say same sex couples should have no legal recognition, down from 35% in March – while 25% support civil unions, but not marriage, for gay couples. Source

4/28: Howard Stern on gay marriage: “I was talking to someone recently and they said, ‘Oh you have so many gay guests lately, the show is getting too gay.’ OK — first of all, we don’t have that many gay guests. And my feeling about gay people is that we have a responsibility not only to make gay marriage acceptable and to make gays feel as accepted as heterosexuals, but that we have to hold gay people above all others.” Source

4/30:

–A new ABC/Washington Post Poll shows 49% support gay marriage versus 46% opposed — the first time in ABC/Post polls that supporters have outnumbered opponents. Source

–The National Organization for Marriage is running a new ad featuring Miss California, Carrie Prajean. Source

–Online poll at gay.com shows 88% think Perez Hilton is a poor representative of the glbt community. Source

–Perez Hilton has asked YouTube to remove the new NOM ad, claiming a copyright violation under the Digital Millenium Copyright Act. Source

5/1: The Victory Fund reports that lesbian Stanford Law School professor Kathleen Sullivan’s name is being mentioned as a potential nominee to fill Souter’s position on the SCOTUS. Source

5/3: United Methodist clergy cannot perform same-sex marriages or gay civil unions, even if their regional church district supports the idea, the denomination’s high court ruled. Source

–upcoming events–>

–6/28: Million Gay March: Annual event on the 40th anniversary of Stonewall in all 50 states. More Info

–Day of Decision: Rallies country-wide on the day of the CA Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. More Info

–articles–>

Gay couples in 4 states have strange dual citizenship, by Ellen Goodman Source

Dems: Opportunity as gay marriage acceptance grows, by Liz Sidoti Source

Same Sex Marriage Holds Peril for GOP, by Adam Nagourey Source

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USA, CALIFORNIA:

–news–>

4/29:

–The passage of Proposition 8 sparked the creation of Prop 8: The Web Series, conceived by Benny & Rafi Fine (they’re brothers, not spouses). Source

–Former Miss USA Shanna Moakler has shot a new advertisement blasting the ban on gay marriage in California. Source

4/30: Leaders of a Coachella Valley gay and lesbian political organization suspended its boycott Wednesday of four auto dealerships whose family member in Utah donated $100,000 to support the Proposition 8 ban on gay marriage. Source

5/3: 2008 Miss California Raquel Beezley joins campaign to overturn Prop 8. Source

–upcoming events: northern california–>

Auburn: Day of Decision: Gather at 5:30pm at the Placer County Courthouse (101 Maple Street). More Info

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Davis: Day of Decision: Gathering at Central Park at the new stage south of the carousel from 6-7:30pm. More Info

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Eureka: Day of Decision: Gather at Arcata plaza and County Courthouse in Eureka.  6PM. More Info

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Palo Alto: Day of Decision: Gather at Corner of El Camino Real and Embarcadero (across from Stanford University entrance at Galvez/El Camino).  11AM. More Info

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Sacramento:

–5/18: EQCA Equality Awards at the Sheraton Grand, VOP Reception 5 PM, General Reception 5:30 PM-7 PM. Source

–5/30: Statewide Rally at Capitol Building to Kick off Pride More Info

–Day of Decision: Gather at 5:30pm at the Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center (1927 L Street, Midtown). More Info

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San Francisco:

–6/27-6/28: San Francisco: Pride More Info

–Day of Decision: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source

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San Jose: Day of Decision: Gathering at 5:30pm at the Billy de Frank LGBT Center at 938 The Alameda. For more information, contact Gloria Nieto at glorianieto@comcast.net or 6 PM, gather at Plaza de César Chávez  at S. Market St. and Park Ave. We will march to SJ City Hall at 200 E. Santa Clara St. for a rally. More Info

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Santa Clara: 5/9: Santa Clara: Equality Team Second Canvassing Event with Courage Campaign, 3:15 PM. More Info

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Santa Rosa: Day of Decision: Gathering on the steps of the Santa Rosa City Hall (100 Santa Rosa Avenue and corner of 1st Street) at 6pm. More Info

–upcoming events: central california–>

Bakersfield:

–5/9: Walking Precincts for Gay Marriage! This is our second canvass, and we are looking forward to it! 9AM. More Info

–Day of Decision: Gathering in three locations at 5pm. Rally location #1 – Mall View & Mt Vernon; Rally location #2 – Outback Steakhouse on Stocdale Hwy; or Rally location #3 at Rosedale and Coffee. More Info

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Delano: Day of Decision: Gather at Delano Cecil Park at 5:30pm. More Info

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Fresno:

–5/3: Equality Team Second Canvassing Event with Courage Campaign, 3:15 PM. More Info

–5/10: Equality Team Second Canvassing Event with Courage Campaign, 3:15 PM. More Info

–5/17: Equality Team Second Canvassing Event with Courage Campaign, 3:15 PM. More Info

–Day of Decision: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source

–Every Monday: Meet in the Middle 4 Equality Planning Meeting, 6 PM, at the Wesley United Methodist Church. More Info

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Modesto: Day of Decision: Community gathering at 5:30 pm at Graceada Park, 401 Needham St. downtown Modesto. More Info

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Monterey: Day of Decision: Gather at 5pm at Colton Hall at 580 Pacific Street.  Event is co-sponsored by the Monterey County Chapter of Marriage Equality and Salinas Valley Equality.  More Info

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Salinas: Day of Decision: Gather at 4:30pm at the Monterey County  Courthouse at the corner of W. Alisal Street & Church Street.  Event is co-sponsored by Salinas Valley Equality and the Monterey County Chapter of Marriage Equality USA. More Info

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Visalia: Day of Decision: Gather at 6pm at the Tulare County Courthouse (221 S. Mooney Blvd). More Info

–upcoming events: southern california–>

Costa Mesa: Day of Decision: Gather at the Fairview Community Church, 2525 Fairveiw Road from 5:30 to 7 p.m. More Info

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Garden Grove: 5/7: Equality California Town Hall Meeting to discuss Prop 8 and the future of the movement, at Pacific Pride Foundation. More Info

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Long Beach:

–5/16-5/17: Long Beach Pride More Info

–Day of Decision: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. More Info

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Los Angeles

–5/11-5/12: Divorce! The Musical will create two special reading presentations to benefit the Courage Campaign. These performances will take place at the Hudson Mainstage Theatre in Los Angeles and showcase a lesbian couple on Monday, May 11 and a gay couple on Tuesday, May 12. 100% of the proceeds will go toward the Courage Campaign’s efforts to restore marriage equality. More Info

–6/12-6/14: Los Angeles Pride More Info

–7/9-7/19: Outfest is the oldest continuous film festival in Southern California. Since its founding in 1982, Outfest has presented more than 4,500 films and videos for audiences of over half a million people. More Info

–8/1: Los Angeles Equality Awards. More Info

–Day of Decision: Two Locations: Gathering in two locations at 6pm: Rally location #1 in Hollywood at 647 N San Vincente Boulevard (Santa Monica and San Vincente); Rally location #2 in Santa Monica Courthouse (1725 Main Street). More Info

–Every Monday: LA Equal Roots Meeting. More Info

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Palm Springs:

–10/17: Palm Springs Equality Awards More Info

–11/7-11/8: Palm Springs Pride More Info

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Rancho Cucamonga: Day of Decision: Gathering at the corner of Day Creek and Foothill Boulevard at 7pm.  More Info

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San Diego:

–7/18-7/19: San Diego Pride More Info

–Day of Decision: Two Locations: Gather at 6pm at the Escondido City Hall (201 North Broadway) in Escondido; Gather at 5pm at Balboa Park (6th Ave & Laurel Street) in San Diego.Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. More Info

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San Luis Obispo: Day of Decision: Gather at 5:30pm at the City Hall Steps (990 Palm). More Info

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Santa Ana: Day of Decision: Gather at 6pm at the Old Orange County Courthouse (211 W. Santa Ana Blvd, Santa Ana). More Info

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San Diego: 5/3: Mama Bear Equality Team Canvass: Founded by progressive moms, the Mama Bear Alliance is a group of activists and parents working together to change the conversation about marriage equality. Meet at Mama Bear Headquarters, 6141 Romany Drive, San Diego, CA, 4-6 PM. More Info

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Ventura: Day of Decision: ather at 5:30pm at the Ventura County Government Center on the corner of Telephone Road and Victoria Avenue.  More Info

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West Hollywood:

–5/9: The Teach-in will be a day-long event where participants will learn about our LGBTQ community’s shared history, and connect with their LGBTQ predecessors through a series of break-out sessions, performances, and speakers, at Plummer Park, 9 AM-5:30 PM. More Info

–Day of Decision: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source

–upcoming events: statewide–>

–5/22: Harvey Milk Day. More Info

–5/31-6/6: AIDS Life Cycle – Team Marriage Equality. Contact Email

–articles–>

Same-sex marriage advocates brace for ‘Day of Decision’, by Scott Sabatini Source

The Likely Effect of Proposition 8 (and it’s not what you think), by Blueprnt Z Source

States’ same-sex marriage laws set precedent, by Rachel Draznin-Nagy Source

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USA, COLORADO:

–news–>

4/28: A bill allowing partners of gay and lesbian state workers to get health insurance coverage is headed to the governor. Source

–upcoming events–>

–Day of Decision: Denver: Gather at the Wellington Webb Building (intersection of Colfax and 15th). More Info

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USA, FLORIDA:

–upcoming events–>

–Day of Decision: Tampa: Gather at 6:30pm at the Joe Chillura Courthouse (corners of Morgan, Kennedy, Pierce & Madison). More Info

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USA, GEORGIA:

–upcoming events–>

–Day of Decision: Atlanta: Gathering is being planned. More Info

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USA, GEORGIA:

–upcoming events–>

5/21-5/24: Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival. More Info

5/29-5/30: Hilo: Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival showings on the Big Island. More Info

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USA, ILLINOIS:

–upcoming events–>

–Day of Decision: Chicago: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. More Info

–Day of Decision: Springfield: Gather at 5:30pm at the Illinois Supreme Court Building (202 E Capitol). More Info

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USA, INDIANA:

–upcoming events–>

–Day of Decision: Indianapolis: Gather at City County Building – Corner of Washington and Delaware St. 2PM until nightfall. If you can’t make it at 2PM, We will be there ALL DAY. Please join us as soon as you are done with Work or School. We need EVERYONE out in FORCE to make this a success!!! More Info

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USA, IOWA:

–news–>

4/26: –Monday morning all 99 counties in Iowa start processing applications for same sex marriages. Iowa normally requires a three day waiting period, but a judge can wave that rule. Last year a survey showed nearly 3,000 same-sex couples in Iowa would get married in the first three years after it became legal. Source

–Melisa Keeton and Shelley Wolfe, the first lesbian couple in Des Moines’s capitol city to marry, exchanged vows outside the Polk County Administration building before a swarm of friends, family and news crews. Source

4/27: –More than 380 same-sex couples ushered in a new chapter of Iowa history Monday when they applied for marriage licenses under a state Supreme Court ruling that gave them marital rights equal to those of heterosexuals. Source

–Iowa Gov. Chet Culver today instructed county recorders to “follow the law,” by granting marriage licenses to same-sex couples today even if the officials had personal objections to gay marriage. Source

–More than 17,860 Iowans were reported to have signed petitions protesting gay marriage as of late this afternoon ? an unofficial number from county recorders that amounts to less than 1 percent of the state ?s population. Source

–The Board of Supervisors in Jefferson County unanimously passed a resolution demanding a public vote on gay marriage. Source

4/28: There were no reports of county recorders denying marriage applications to gay couples in Iowa Monday. Source

5/1:

–70% of likely Iowa voters surveyed said they preferred a candidate focused on economic and government management issues., not social issues. Only a quarter said they preferred a candifate who stressed gay marriage and abortion. Source

–100 people protested gay marriage in Audubon, in Western Iowa. Source

–Dozens of same-sex couples in neighboring states have sought marriage licenses in Iowa. Source

–17 gay couples traveled from Missouri to Iowa to marry Friday. Source

5/3: The Des Moines Register’s survey of county recorders offices indicates more than 450 same-sex couples sought marriage licenses last week. Source

–articles–>

Gay marriage’s impact on Iowa politics unclear, by Mike Glover Source

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USA, MAINE:

–news–>

4/27: Maine-The Maine Legislature’s Judiciary Committee is holding a work session today on the gay marriage bill. Source

4/28: The joint judiciary committee of the Legislature approved a bill to allow same-sex marriage in the state, setting the stage for the House and Senate to vote on it as soon as next week. Source

4/29: Most Christian denominations prohibit their clergy from officiating at same-sex wedding ceremonies, and no local pastors have said explicitly that they would perform them. Several have said they would not marry a same-sex couple. Source

4/30: The Maine Senate voted 21-14 to support a bill to allow gay marriage. The bill will be debated in the House Tuesday. Source

5/2: Michael Heath of the Maine Family Policy Council announced this week he will work to gather the signatures necessary for a people’s veto of the gay-marriage bill. Source

–upcoming events–>

5/5: The Maine House of Representatives will debate the gay marriage bill. Source

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USA, MASSACHUSETTS:

–upcoming events–>

–Day of Decision: Boston: Gather at 7pm at Copley Plaza. More Info

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USA, MINNESOTA:

–news–>

5/1: A new Star Trubune Poll shows 1/3 of Minnesotans want a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, 1/3 want no change to the current state law and want the Supreme Court to rule on its constitutionality, and 1/4 think it should be legalized. Source

–articles–>

Gay couples wait for chance to get married in Minnesota rather than rush to Iowa, by Jason Hoppin Source

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USA, NEBRASKA:

–articles–>

Gay Marriage in Nebraska? from Nebraska.tv Source

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USA, NEW HAMPSHIRE:

–news–>

4/28: New Hampshire moves to the forefront of America’s debate on gay marriage on Wednesday when the state Senate will decide whether to approve a bill to legalize same-sex marriage and send it to the governor. Source

4/29: New Hampshire’s Senate passed a bill on Wednesday that would legalize same-sex marriage after an amendment was added that prohibits polygamy and marriage of family members, among other measures. Source

–articles–>

Pass gay marriage bill and end discrimination, by the Concord Monitor Staff Source

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USA, NEW YORK:

–news–>

4/28:

–Thousands of people rallied in Albany on Tuesday in a call for gay marriages to be legal in the State of New York. Source

–The Judiciary Committee of the New York State Assembly will vote today on a bill, sponsored by Morningside Heights Democratic assemblyman, Daniel O’Donnell, to legalize same-sex marriage in the state. Source

4/29:

–upcoming events–>

–5/9: New York: 7:30pm, Off Center will present “Are We Tying the Knot Too Tight?: Gains and Losses in the Rush to Normalcy.” This moderated panel will address some of the issues the LGBT community faces when dealing with whether and how to support the movement for same-sex marriage. More Info

–9/9: Brooklyn: Family Law Day, In Conjunction with Lavender Law 2009, Brooklyn, NY, Co-sponsored by the National Lesbian & Gay Law Association and the National Family Law Advisory Council of the National Center for Lesbian Rights. More Info

–Day of Decision: Albany: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source

–Day of Decision: New York: Gathering planned the day of decision. More Info

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USA, NEVADA:

–news–>

4/27: Dawn Gibbons , the estranged wife of Gov. Jim Gibbons, said in an interview last week that she hopes legislators will pass a bill to create domestic partnerships for same-sex couples despite the governor’s threatened veto. Source

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USA, NORTH CAROLINA:

–upcoming events–>

–Day of Decision: Charlottesville: Gathering planned at 6pm. More Info

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USA, PENNSYLVANIA:

–upcoming events–>

–5/3: Philadelphia: National Equality Rally at Independence Hall More Info

–5/15-5/17: New Hope: Pride More Info

–6/14: Philadelphia: Pride More Info

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USA, TEXAS:

–upcoming events–>

–Day of Decision: Dallas: Queer Liberaction, a local direct action group organized in the wake of Prop 8′s passage last November, is already planning to hold a rally at 7 p.m. at the intersection of Cedar Springs Road and Oak Lawn Avenue on the Day of Decision, when the CA Supreme Court announces their decision. More Info

–Day of Decision: Houston: Gathering planned at 5:30pm on the day of decision. For more information, contact Meghan Baker: More Info

–Day of Decision: San Antonio: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. More Info

–Ongoing: Dallas: Queer Liberaction meetings, 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at Buli Cafe, located at 3908 Cedar Springs. Meetings start at 7 pm. More Info

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USA, VERMONT:

–news–>

4/26: A group called America Forever ran a homophbic full page ad in the entire back page of the Times Argis Perspective section of Sunday’s newspaper. Source

4/27: Supporters of Vermont’s new gay marriage law spent more than $228,000 lobbying for it in the three months before the historic April 7 votes to pass it over Gov. Jim Douglas’ veto. Source

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USA, VIRGINIA:

–news–>

4/30: The three leading candidates for the Democratic nomination for governor of Virginia all oppose same-sex marriage, but they also oppose the draconian 2006 constitutional amendment that forbids any government recognition of gay relationships. Source

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USA, WASHINGTON

–upcoming events–>

–Day of Decision: Seattle: Gather at 5pm at Westlake Corner Park, 400 Pine Street. More Info

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USA, WASHINGTON DC

–news–>

4/28: Freedom Plaza was transformed into an intersection of faith and protest yesterday as about 150 people rallied to denounce support for same-sex marriage in the District. Source

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fini

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Gay Marriage Watch: April 19th-25th

Sunday, April 26th, 2009

Here’s the latest news on gay marriage from around the world. My favorite thing of the week? This new Funny or Die parody of the NOM ad. Including Alicia Silverstone, Lance Bass, and many more. Check it out here.

Take Action:

We received this from Tina Reynolds at Equality Action Now:

Join us in taking over statewide newspapers on Sunday, May 3rd! we want to take over statewide classifieds in the CA newspapers for a day. The ads will need to be in the May 3rd paper, so make sure you submit yours with enough time to meet the deadline. Make sure your ad is not printed early! We want to be in all publications in CA that have classifieds.

We need as many people as possible to submit marriage equality classified or personal ads to publications in CA. Be as creative as you can, but make sure it is obvious you are talking about marriage equality. If you can submit multiple ads or hit numerous publications, please do so. We want to make sure no one will miss our ads, so the more that are submitted the better. If you want to submit half page or full page adds, please do that as well. If you can write in a foreign language, please consider submitting ads in newspapers that are published in different languages.

Classifieds are read by numerous people across the state. This is our chance to reach out to people in a humorous, non-confrontational way that will be remembered. While protests are great, they can’t be the only way we fight back. In order to keep our issue in the media, we will need to be more creative.

SAMPLE ADS:

LOST AND FOUND: Lost – my right to marry the person I love. Last seen on November 4th, 2008. If seen, please return to law abiding, taxpaying citizen. It is dearly missed.

FOR SALE: My Rights

FOR SALE: Equal rights for minorities.

WANTED: The right to marry the person I love. If anyone has a right to marry that they are not using, please let me know. This right must be non-revocable and available to all people regardless of their sexual orientation. Please call ASAP if you can help me secure equality for all.

TEMPORARY HOME NEEDED: My right to marry the person I love needs a good home since I am temporarily displaced from my Constitutional Protections. If you know of a place where I can protect my dream to marry him/her until I can get my rights back, please contact me.

PERSONALS: Seeking responsible committed right to visit my spouse in the hospital when I travel out of state, ability to give my social security benefits to my spouse and seeking the 1,138 other federal rights denied my spouse at present . No flakes or substitutes need apply!

So give it a try!

Hero of the Week:

My hero this week is Tony Jones, a straight christian on Beliefnet who talks candidly about how “the ick factor” influenced his past beliefs about homosexuality and gay marriage, and who has learned to move beyond such gut-level reactions to become more supportive of same sex marriage.

It’s great to see this POV from the christian side of thingsl

Go, Tony, go!

Woody Award:

Our woody award this week goes to American River College student council member Viktor Choban, one of the group of Eastern European council members who voted last year to support Prop 8. Up for re-election, Mister Choban showed the mindset of these religious zealots who oppose gay marriage based on their right-wing beliefs:

Christian students feel like they can’t speak their mind in class, said Viktor Choban, a student council member who is running for re-election as part of Popko’s slate. He said he is tired of professors’ support for feminism and science teachers whose tests ask how old the Earth is. “It depends on your religion,” said Choban, 25. “I would say 6,000 years based on my religion. The evolutionists would say 2 million years.”

So there you have it. Just because something is a proven fact doesn’t mean it should be taught in a college science course. Who care if the earth is really 2 million years old? My pastor says it’s just 6,000. Who cares if gay people form meaningful relationships and want to be treated equally? My pastor says they’re a bunch of perverts who only deserve scorn and pity, not marriage.

Mister Choban, students go to college to learn. If you’ve already made up your mind about how the world works based on what some guy told you in church, do us all a favor and drop out. There are many more deserving than you who would love the chance at higher learning that you were given.

Enjoy your woody, Mister Choban.

A little side note – on April 23rd, “Students at American River College in Sacramento voted to oust several conservative council members who sparked controversy on campus.” :)

Special mention to the Alliance Defense Fund, a right-wing group out of Arizona who previously chided Gavin newsom for going against the law to officiate gay marriages in SF in 2004. The group is now advocating that Iowa county marriage recorders go against the law and deny gay and lesbian couples marriage licenses.

Would you like some whipped cream with your slice of hypocrisy? No woody for you guys!

Special mention #2: to “Stand for Life” (gyess they were too coward to post their name on their own blog, for this observation:

“What’s behind most of what the far left fights for is ultimately their goal to silence any Christian. For example, they eventually want it to be a hate crime to say anything negative about gay marriage from the pulpit, in church groups, or just in private conversations.”

Just like it’s illegal to be racist behind closed doors (or even from the pulpit) now? Oh, wait, it’s not. Just like it’s illegal to be sexist now in this country when talking to your friends? Oh, wait, it’s not.

This is another of the paranoid fantasies the religious right uses to make themselves the victims when they oppose equal rights for others, and it’s getting old fast.

Sorry, “Stand for Life” – no woody for you.

Gay Marriage Watch:

Now on to this week’s Gay Marriage Watch. The blog is now organized almost entirely by area, with news of the week, upcoming marriage equality events, and great recent articles and columns. For a longer history of past news stories, just click on one of the older Gay Marriage Watch blogs from our archives.

To subscribe to this blog, or if you have any thoughts about how we can make this feature better or easier to use or any updates on the issues covered here, let me know at info@purpleunions.com n class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana">.

Enjoy the rest of the Watch!

–Scott

———————————————-

AUSTRALIA:

–articles–>

The Legacy of Toonen vs. Australia, by Harley Dennett Source

———————————————-

CANADA:

–upcoming events–>

Day of Decision: Vancouver: Gather at 6pm at Morton Park (corner of Davie Street and Denman Street). More Info

———————————————-

CHILE:

–news–>

4/23: Adults in Chile are opposed to allowing gay and lesbian couples to wed, according to a poll by Ipsos. 65.2% of respondents are not in favour of same-sex marriage. Source

———————————————-

EL SALVADOR:

–news–>

4/22: Members of El Salvador’s gay community hang a rainbow flag bearing the words ‘Priests paedophiles’ in Spanish outside the Legislative Assembly in San Salvador on Monday, April 20, 2009 to protest the Catholic Church’s request to legally prohibit marriages between gays. Source

4/22: The Lawmaking Assembly of El Salvador will once more discuss the controversial theme of homosexual marriages on April 23. The declaration is ready to be approved and all the political parties, except the Farabundo Marti Front for National Liberation (FMLN), are ready to support a Constitutional amendment that establishes that marriage can only exist between a man and a woman. The amendment needs 56 votes for approval. The Catholic Church presented 300,000 signatures against homosexual unions. Source

———————————————-

HUNGARY:

–news–>

4/21: Parliament yesterday passed a bill that allows same-sex couples of over 18 to establish legal registered partnerships with 199 affirmative votes, 159 dissensions and eight abstentions. The bill does not permit gay couples to adopt children, however. Source

———————————————-

IRELAND:

–news–>

4/19: Same sex marriage rights, not civil partnership was the call to the Government by over 600 members of the gay and lesbian community and their supporters at a rally held in Dublin city centre. Source

———————————————-

NEPAL:

–articles–>

Nepal becoming haven for persecuted lesbians, by Sundh Today Source

———————————————-

SENEGAL:

–news–>

4/20: Nine men in Senegal who were sentenced to eight years in prison for “indecent conduct and unnatural acts” have had their convictions overturned. Source

———————————————-

SINGAPORE:

–news–>

4/20: A Singapore lawyer, Thio Su Mien, has orchestrated a coup of a major women’s advocacy group in Singapore because of her concerns that it had become too “pro-lesbian” and “pro-homosexual”. Source

———————————————-

UNITED KINGDOM:

–news–>

4/21: The dispute over gay relationships and clergy threatening schism in the Church of Scotland worsened yesterday with the evangelical wing of the Kirk accusing its house magazine of an ignorant attack which mocked their faith. Source

–upcoming events–>

10/4: Cardiff: Gay wedding show. More Info

10/18: Manchester: Gay wedding show. More Info

11/15: Brighton: Gay wedding show. More Info

———————————————-

USA:

–news–>

4/20:

–The government should have no say about marriage, and the plank in the Republican Party platform that calls for preserving marriage between a man and a woman should be scrapped, former New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman (R) told CNSNews.com. Source

–During question time at the Miss USA pagent, contest judge Perez Hilton asked Miss California, 21 year old Carrie Prejean, about same-sex marriage. Perez says that her answer was “the worst answer in pageant history”, evoking boos from the audience. Source

4/21: Reality TV star Heidi Montag on gay marriage: “I know in my heart that gays and lesbians should have the same government rights that Spencer and I will when we get married.” Source

4/22:

–Miley Cyrus, responding to Perez Hilton about gay marriage: “Jesus loves you AND your partner and wants you to know how much he cares! thats like a daddy not loving his lil boy cuz hes gay and that is WRONG and very sad! like i said everyone deserves to be happy (sic).” Source

–Britney Spears on gay marriage: “Love is love!” the Toxic singer wrote on her Twitter account Tuesday. “People should be able to do whatever makes them happy!” Source

4/23:

–The Rev. Jo Hudson of Dallas’ Cathedral of Hope will be part of a high-profile team of pastors visiting Congress to lobby for gay rights. Source

–San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom told attendees at a gay and lesbian political caucus at the state Democratic Party’s annual convention today that he wants the U.S. Census to count same-sex couples who say they are married. Source

4/25: In August, members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will consider a policy that would allow individual churches and synods to decide whether gay or lesbian couples may have their relationships blessed in church, and whether qualified gay or lesbian candidates may be ordained as pastors. Source

–upcoming events–>

6/28: Million Gay March: Annual event on the 40th anniversary of Stonewall in all 50 states. More Info

Day of Decision: Rallies country-wide on the day of the CA Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. More Info

–articles–>

Will Gay Marriage Pit Church Against Church? by Michael A. Lindberger Source

Pressure Builds for the Administration to Tackle DOMA, by Diane Silver Source

Why the word “marriage” matters, by Mary Pitman Kitch Source

Will gay marriage still work as a Republican wedge issue? by Thomas Schaller Source

Core Values? Some in GOP Call for Gay Marriage Support, by Rachel Martin Source

———————————————-

USA, ALABAMA:

–news–>

4/25: A resolution has been approved in the Alabama House that praises Miss USA contestant Carrie Prejean for speaking out against gay marriage during Sunday night’s televised pageant. Source

———————————————-

USA, ARIZONA:

–upcoming events–>

6/27-6/29: Driving Equality Arizona, 12 AM 6/27 to 11 AM 6/29. Contact Email

9/19: Sedona: First annual Sedona Pride – details coming soon. More Info

Day of Decision: Phoenix: Gather at 6pm at the southwest corner of Camelback at 7th Avenue for a rally and then march. More Info

———————————————-

USA, CALIFORNIA:

–news–>

4/23:

–A new measure, Assembly Bill 67,would prohibit the use of a minor’s image, name, voice, signature or likeness in an ad for a candidate or ballot measure without the consent of a parent or guardian for children under 12 and the child’s consent for those 12 and older. It’s based on the use of pictures of kids on a field trip to a gay wedding in San Francisco used without consent by the Yes on 8 campaign. Source

–Fed up with the budget crises and partisan battles that have paralyzed California for years, some influential voices believe it’s time to tear open the state constitution and start anew. Source

–A native of the Philippines threatened with deportation who is the mother of twin boys born in the Bay Area won’t have to choose between separation from her sons, or forcing them and her same-sex partner to leave the United States. Source

–upcoming events: northern california–>

Day of Decision: Gather at 5:30pm at the Placer County Courthouse (101 Maple Street).  More Info

———————–

Davis:

Day of Decision: Gathering at Central Park at the new stage south of the carousel from 6-7:30pm. More Info

———————–

Eureka:

Day of Decision: Gather at Arcata plaza and County Courthouse in Eureka.  6PM. More Info

———————–

Palo Alto:

Day of Decision: Gather at Corner of El Camino Real and Embarcadero (across from Stanford University entrance at Galvez/El Camino).  11AM. More Info

———————–

Sacramento:

4/28: Equality Team Canvassing Event with Courage Campaign, 6 PM. More Info

5/18: EQCA Equality Awards at the Sheraton Grand, VOP Reception 5 PM, General Reception 5:30 PM-7 PM. Source

5/30: Statewide Rally at Capitol Building to Kick off Pride More Info

Day of Decision: Gather at 5:30pm at the Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center (1927 L Street, Midtown).  More Info

———————–

San Francisco

6/27-6/28: San Francisco: Pride More Info

Day of Decision: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source

———————–

San Jose:

Day of Decision: Gathering at 5:30pm at the Billy de Frank LGBT Center at 938 The Alameda. For more information, contact Gloria Nieto at glorianieto@comcast.net or 6 PM, gather at Plaza de César Chávez  at S. Market St. and Park Ave. We will march to SJ City Hall at 200 E. Santa Clara St. for a rally. More Info

———————–

Santa Clara

5/9: Santa Clara: Equality Team Second Canvassing Event with Courage Campaign, 3:15 PM. More Info

———————–

Santa Rosa:

Day of Decision: Gathering on the steps of the Santa Rosa City Hall (100 Santa Rosa Avenue and corner of 1st Street) at 6pm. More Info

———————–

–upcoming events: central california–>

Bakersfield:

5/9: Walking Precincts for Gay Marriage! This is our second canvass, and we are looking forward to it! 9AM. More Info

Day of Decision: Gathering in three locations
at 5pm.  Rally location #1 – Mall View & Mt Vernon; Rally location #2 – Outback Steakhouse on Stocdale Hwy; or Rally location #3 at Rosedale and Coffee. More Info

———————–

Delano:

Day of Decision: Gather at Delano Cecil Park at 5:30pm. More Info

———————–

Fresno:

4/26: Equality Team Second Canvassing Event with Courage Campaign, 3:15 PM. More Info

5/3: Equality Team Second Canvassing Event with Courage Campaign, 3:15 PM. More Info

5/10: Equality Team Second Canvassing Event with Courage Campaign, 3:15 PM. More Info

5/17: Equality Team Second Canvassing Event with Courage Campaign, 3:15 PM. More Info

Day of Decision: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source

Every Monday: Meet in the Middle 4 Equality Planning Meeting, 6 PM, at the Wesley United Methodist Church. More Info

———————–

Modesto:

Day of Decision: Community gathering at 5:30 pm at Graceada Park, 401 Needham St. downtown Modesto. More Info

———————–

Monterey:

Day of Decision: Gather at 5pm at Colton Hall at 580 Pacific Street.  Event is co-sponsored by the Monterey County Chapter of Marriage Equality and Salinas Valley Equality.  More Info

———————–

Salinas:

Day of Decision: Gather at 4:30pm at the Monterey County  Courthouse at the corner of W. Alisal Street & Church Street.  Event is co-sponsored by Salinas Valley Equality and the Monterey County Chapter of Marriage Equality USA. More Info

———————–

Visalia:

Day of Decision: Gather at 6pm at the Tulare County Courthouse (221 S. Mooney Blvd). More Info

———————–

–upcoming events: southern california–>

Costa Mesa:

Day of Decision: Gather at the Fairview Community Church, 2525 Fairveiw Road from 5:30 to 7 p.m. More Info

———————–

Garden Grove:

5/7: Equality California Town Hall Meeting to discuss Prop 8 and the future of the movement, at Pacific Pride Foundation. More Info

———————–

Hollywood: Equality Team Second Canvassing Event with Courage Campaign, 3:30 PM. More Info

———————–

Long Beach

5/16-5/17: Long Beach Pride More Info

Day of Decision: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. More Info

———————–

Los Angeles

4/28-4/29: Truth to Power: Peaceful Direct Action Training, 7 PM at Congregation Koi Ami. More Info

4/30: Spring Kick Off Party and Happy Hour for the 2009 Los Angeles Equality Awards, at the Cantina at Ciudad, 6 PM. More Info

5/11-5/12: Divorce! The Musical will create two special reading presentations to benefit the Courage Campaign. These performances will take place at the Hudson Mainstage Theatre in Los Angeles and showcase a lesbian couple on Monday, May 11 and a gay couple on Tuesday, May 12. 100% of the proceeds will go toward the Courage Campaign’s efforts to restore marriage equality. More Info

6/12-6/14: Los Angeles Pride More Info

7/9-7/19: Outfest is the oldest continuous film festival in Southern California. Since its founding in 1982, Outfest has presented more than 4,500 films and videos for audiences of over half a million people. More Info

8/1: Los Angeles Equality Awards. More Info

Day of Decision: Two Locations: Gathering in two locations at 6pm: Rally location #1 in Hollywood at 647 N San Vincente Boulevard (Santa Monica and San Vincente); Rally location #2 in Santa Monica Courthouse (1725 Main Street). More Info

Every Monday: LA Equal Roots Meeting. More Info

———————–

Orange:

4/29: Candlelight Vigil- Celebrate Stonewall: From Prop 8 to Stonewall, United We Stand. Join the Chapman University Queer community and its allies for a candlelight vigil, 8 PM at Chapman University, One University Drive, Orange, CA 92866. More Info

———————–

Palm Springs:

5/2: Kick Off Party 2009 Palm Springs Equality Awards, at a private home in Palm Springs, 5-7 PM More Info

10/17: Palm Springs Equality Awards More Info

11/7-11/8: Palm Springs Pride More Info

———————–

Rancho Cucamonga:

Day of Decision: Gathering at the corner of Day Creek and Foothill Boulevard at 7pm.  More Info

———————–

San Diego:

7/18-7/19: San Diego Pride More Info

Day of Decision: Two Locations: Gather at 6pm at the Escondido City Hall (201 North Broadway) in Escondido; Gather at 5pm at Balboa Park (6th Ave & Laurel Street) in San Diego.Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. More Info

———————–

San Luis Obispo:

Day of Decision: Gather at 5:30pm at the City Hall Steps (990 Palm). More Info

———————–

Santa Ana:

Day of Decision: Gather at 6pm at the Old Orange County Courthouse (211 W. Santa Ana Blvd, Santa Ana). More Info

———————–

Santa Barbara:

4/29: Equality California Town Hall Meeting to discuss Prop 8 and the future of the movement, at Louise Lowry Davis Center, 6-8 PM. More Info

———————–

San Diego:

4/30: Truth to Power: Peaceful Direct Action Training, 7 PM at Mission Hills United Church of Christ. More Info

5/3: Mama Bear Equality Team Canvass: Founded by progressive moms, the Mama Bear Alliance is a group of activists and parents working together to change the conversation about marriage equality. Meet at Mama Bear Headquarters, 6141 Romany Drive, San Diego, CA, 4-6 PM. More Info

———————–

Ventura:

Day of Decision: ather at 5:30pm at the Ventura Co
unty Government Center on the corner of Telephone Road and Victoria Avenue.  More Info

———————–

West Hollywood:

4/28: Talkin’ Q Politics – Hate Crimes Legislation Update on actions to advance bill through the House and Senate, at HRC East/West, 6:30 PM.

5/9: The Teach-in will be a day-long event where participants will learn about our LGBTQ community’s shared history, and connect with their LGBTQ predecessors through a series of break-out sessions, performances, and speakers, at Plummer Park, 9 AM-5:30 PM. More Info

Day of Decision: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source

———————–

–upcoming events: statewide–>

5/22: Harvey Milk Day. More Info

5/31-6/6: AIDS Life Cycle – Team Marriage Equality. Contact Email

–articles–>

States’ same-sex marriage laws set precedent, by Rachel Draznin-Nagy Source

———————————————-

USA, COLORADO:

–upcoming events–>

4/27: Breckenridge: A gay and human rights rally on Monday in Breckenridge is intended to spread awareness of hate crime issues and support for gay marriage. 4:30-6 PM, at the Blue River Plaza by the Riverwalk Center. More Info

Day of Decision: Denver: Gather at the Wellington Webb Building (intersection of Colfax and 15th). More Info

———————————————-

USA, CONNECTICUT:

–news–>

4/22:

–The Roman Catholic Church is heading a coalition in Connecticut arguing for religious exemptions for those who oppose same-sex marriage. Source

–Leading lawmakers Tuesday said they are reluctant to alter same-sex marriage legislation to accommodate conscientious religious objectors. Source

–Connecticut state lawmakers have passed a bill that updates the state’s marriage laws to conform with a state court ruling allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry. The bill includes an exemption for religious organizations, but not for businesses. Source

4/23: Gov. M. Jodi Rell signed the legislation Thursday, one day after the state House and Senate both approved it. Source

–articles–>

Taking Away Their Only Argument, by Andrew Sullivan Source

———————————————-

USA, FLORIDA:

–news–>

4/21: With only weeks to go before the premiere of Director Kirby Dick’s new documentary on the outing of gay and lesbian politicians, rumors have surfaced that the film outs Florida Republican Governor Charlie Crist. Source

–upcoming events–>

Day of Decision: Tampa: Gather at 6:30pm at the Joe Chillura Courthouse (corners of Morgan, Kennedy, Pierce & Madison). More Info

———————————————-

USA, GEORGIA:

–news–>

4/21: With only weeks to go before the premiere of Director Kirby Dick’s new documentary on the outing of gay and lesbian politicians, rumors have surfaced that the film outs Florida Republican Governor Charlie Crist. Source

–upcoming events–>

5/2: Atlanta: Human Rights Campaign’s 2009 Atlanta Gala & Dinner. More Info

Day of Decision: Atlanta: Gathering is being planned. More Info

———————————————

USA, ILLINOIS:

–news–>

4/20: Hoping to piggyback off the landmark Iowa State Supreme Court decision overturning a ban on gay marriage, Illinois gay rights activists are busy organizing in support of State Rep. Greg Harris’ (D-Chicago) civil unions bill (HB 2234). Source

–upcoming events–>

4/26: Chicago: Same Love, Same Rights® LGBT Wedding Expo, hosted by the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza, from 12:30pm-3:30pm on Sunday, April 26, 2009. More Info

Day of Decision: Chicago: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. More Info

Day of Decision: Springfield: Gather at 5:30pm at the Illinois Supreme Court Building (202 E Capitol). More Info

–articles–>

Battle Lines Drawn on Legalizing Civil Unions, by Pamela Jones Source

Illinois gays not betting on marriage, by Rex W. Huppke and Monique Garcia Source

———————————————

USA, INDIANA:

–news–>

4/25: Holding rainbow flags and placards with slogans that begged for equal treatment, about 100 people rallied in support of gay marriage Saturday in Goshen. Source

–upcoming events–>

Day of Decision: Indianapolis: Gather at City County Building – Corner of Washington and Delaware St. 2PM until nightfall.  If you can’t make it at 2PM, We will be there ALL DAY. Please join us as soon as you are done with Work or School. We need EVERYONE out in FORCE to make this a success!!! More Info

———————————————

USA, IOWA:

–news–>

4/20: Iowa’s county recorders have received the new marriage license forms. Source

4/22:

–Eastern Iowa residents have received telephone polls on same-sex marriage from the National Organization for Marriage or from Rep Steve King (R). Source

–Republican State Senator Merlin Bartz is circulating a petition urging country recorders to refuse to issue same-sex marriage licenses. Source

–One Iowa released a television advertisement to support the freedom to marry in Iowa. Source

4/23:

–At least one Iowa judge has stopped performing marriages, in part a reaction to the state supreme court ruling this month giving same-sex couples the right to wed. Source

–The Alliance Defense Fund (ADF), a legal advocacy group founded in 1994 by Focus on the Family’s James Dobson and the late Bill Bright of Campus Crusade for Christ, sent an e-mail to each of Iowa’s county recorders asking them to tell their staff that they “shall not be required to issue or process a marriage license, or to perform, assist or participate in such procedures, against that individual’s religious beliefs or moral convictions.” Source

4/24:

–A former legislator has filed an ethics complaint against a northern Iowa lawmaker, claiming he violated his oath of office by urging county recorders to defy a court ruling legalizing gay marriage. Source

–Caught in an interesting position between State Sen. Merlin Bartz (R-Grafton) on one side and same-sex marriage advocates on the other, the Iowa ACLU determined today that it would represent any same-sex couples who are denied marriage licenses by a county recorder while also offering to defend the man who is asking county recorders to deny them. Source

–Applications for marriage are public records in Iowa, and one county official worries that information on the documents could be used to harass same-sex couples. Source

– A Jefferson County supervisor is requesting that the county leave in effect the Iowa Code, which says that only marriage between a male and female is valid. Source

4/25: An Iowa woman is organizing a statewide prayer service against gay marriage on Monday, the first day of legalized same-sex unions. Source

–articles–>

How gays won a marriage victory, by Keith B. Richburg Source

———————————————

USA, LOUISIANA:

–news–>

4/21: A gay New Orleans couple has filed a lawsuit claiming their constitutional rights were violated when they were denied a marriage license. Source

———————————————

USA, MAINE:

–news–>

4/19: Nine men who said they were with a Pennsylvania-based group were in Bangor over the weekend protesting a gay marriage bill that has been proposed in the Maine Legislature. Source

4/22:

–About 4,000 people packed into the Augusta Civic Center, snarling traffic throughout the capital city, for a daylong public hearing on a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage in Maine. Source

–Maine Attorney General Janet Mills of Farmington received a standing ovation for her remarks in support of the gay marriage bill. Source

–Opinions are almost evenly split when it comes to a bill before Maine lawmakers to allow same-sex marriage, with 49.5% opposed and 47.3% supporting, according to new public polling data. Source

4/23: During a hearing April 22 in Augusta, Maine, a representative of Episcopal Diocese of Maine Bishop Steven Lane told legislators that they ought to “extend the rights and obligations of civil marriage to all Maine citizens.” Source

4/25: Lawmakers are expected to take swift action on a bill that would allow gay marriage in Maine, partly because it’s a sensitive issue and because they need to make way for votes on the budget and bonds. Source

–upcoming events–>

4/28: Augusta: The Legislature’s Judiciary Committee will vote on the bill Tuesday, and from there, it will go to the Senate for consideration. More Info

———————————————

USA, MARYLAND:

–articles–>

Baby steps in Maryland, by Richard S. Madaleno Source

———————————————

USA, MASSACHUSETTS:

–upcoming events–>

Day of Decision: Boston: Gather at 7pm at Copley Plaza. More Info

———————————————

USA, MICHIGAN:

–upcoming events–>

5/2: Detroit: Same Love, Same Rights® LGBT Wedding Expo, hosted by Infinity and Ovation Yacht Charters on May 2, 2009 from 1:00 – 4:00 pm, aboard their two luxurious crafts anchored at the Jefferson Beach Marina in St. Clair Shores, MI. Source

———————————————

USA, MINNESOTA:

–news–>

4/23: Nearly a thousand supporters of gay marriage rallied outside the Capitol Thursday. Source

———————————————

USA, MISSOURI:

–news–>

5/2: Washington University students are fighting on behalf of two bills up for consideration for the state of Missouri: the Safe Schools Bill and the Missouri Non-Discrimination Act (MONA). Source

———————————————

USA, NEW HAMPSHIRE:

–news–>

4/23: The state Senate’s Judiciary Committee has recommended that the Legislature reject legalizing gay marriage in New Hampshire. The full senate will still vote on the bill, possibly next week. Source

4/25: Sen. Beth Reynolds, D-Plymouth, sealed the Gay Marriage Bill’s fate with her decision Thursday to come out in favor of killing it. Sen. Betsi DeVries, D-Manchester, has told associates she, too, can’t go along with it right now. Source

———————————————

USA, NEW JERSEY:

–news–>

4/23: A new Quinnipiac University Poll finds 49% in NJ support gay marriage; 43% are opposed. 63% support vcivil unions, with just 30% opposed. Source

–articles–>

Gay marriage opposition prompts only shame, by Cortney Collins Source

———————————————

USA, NEW MEXICO:

–news–>

4/22: Local Democrats are pushing for the legalization of same-sex marriage to be added to the state Democratic Party platform. Source

4/23: A committee appointed by New Mexico’s Catholic archbishop has been charged with seeking out a potential compromise with backers of the domestic partners bill. Source

4/23: A vote Saturday by the Democrat Central Committee approved the marriage equality measure 309 to 35. Source

———————————————

USA, NEW YORK:

–news–>

4/19:

–On Sunday, Giv. Paterson took his message to national audiences, talking about his proposal with John King on CNN’s “State of the Union.” Source

–Most members of the Rochester City Council are out with a statement of support for the Marriage Equality program being pushed by Governor David Paterson. Source

4/20:

–Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith is sticking to his guns on gay marriage, insisting that he won’t heed the governor’s call to bring his program bill to the floor regardless of whether it has sufficient votes to pass. Source

–A new Siena College poll found 53 percent of voters want a gay marriage bill backed by Gov. Paterson passed in the Senate, where it continues to languish. Source

4/21:

–As the marriage-equality debate moves to the New York state legislature, the state’s leading gay rights advocacy organization released an online-only video today that seeks to deflate three of the myths used by religious groups to oppose same-sex marriage. Source

–Rudy Giuliani, the thrice-married former New York City mayor, has come out strongly against Democratic Gov. David Paterson’s proposed gay marriage bill. Source

4/22:

–New York Democratic Gov. David Paterson, who last week called for immediate action on legislation to legalize gay marriage in New York, said Wednesday he will abide by the Senate Democratic leader’s decision on the best approach for trying to win Senate passage. Source

–New York State Senator Antoine Thompson(D) Buffalo, seems to have finally gone on the record in favor of same-sex marriage. Source

–The Rainbow Sash Movement, a National Catholic Organization whose ministry is to Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender Catholics, and their families, is opposing the position of the Catholic bishops of New York and supporting New York Gov. David A. Paterson’s efforts to permit same-sex marriages. Source

–Sponsors of same-sex marriage bills in the state Legislature officially introduced the legislation. Source

4/23:

– The New York State Assembly on Tuesday voted 97-38 to pass the Gender Expression Non-discrimination Act (GENDA A.5710), which would add gender identity and expression as protected categories under the state’s human rights law. Source

–New York Sen. Betty Little spoke out against gay marriage this week, saying she respects same-sex couples, but denies their right to marry. Source

4/24: While all of Brooklyn’s other Democratic State Senators have gone on record in favor of same-sex marriage, Canarsie State Senator John Sampson said he is “undecided” on the issue. Sheepshead Bay-Mill Basin State Senator Carl Kruger did not return repeated calls for comment. Source

–upcoming events–>

4/28:

–Albany: The Assembly’s Judiciary Committee will take up Gov. David Paterson’s same-sex marriage program bill on Tuesday – the same day the Empire State Pride Agenda is holding its Equality & Justice Lobby Day in Albany. 10 AM, Room 832 LOB. More Info

–Albany: Equality & Justice Day, 6 am-8 PM, Albany Legislative Buildings Contact Email

5/9: New York: 7:30pm, Off Center will present “Are We Tying the Knot Too Tight?: Gains and Losses in the Rush to Normalcy.” This moderated panel will address some of the issues the LGBT community faces when dealing with whether and how to support the movement for same-sex marriage. More Info

9/9: Brooklyn: Family Law Day, In Conjunction with Lavender Law 2009, Brooklyn, NY, Co-sponsored by the National Lesbian & Gay Law Association and the National Family Law Advisory Council of the National Center for Lesbian Rights. More Info

Day of Decision: Albany: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source

Day of Decision: New York: Gathering planned the day of decision. More Info

–articles–>

GOP Votes for Gay Rites?: Some Republican Senators Could Break Ranks to Support a Bill for Same-Sex Marriage in New York, by Irene Jay Liu Source

Paterson’s Gay Marriage Gamble, by Chris Rovzar Source

———————————————–

USA, NEVADA:

–news–>

4/22: A domestic partner measure won approval on a 12-9 Nevada Senate vote late Tuesday and moved to the state Assembly where it’s expected to get favorable treatment. Source

———————————————–

USA, NORTH CAROLINA:

–upcoming events–>

Day of Decision: Charlottesville: Gathering planned at 6pm. More Info

———————————————–

USA, PENNSYLVANIA:

–upcoming events–>

4/27-5/3: Philadelphia: Equality Forum celebrates international gay culture and politics with parties and educational events made possible by more than 75 regional, national and international organizations. More Info

5/3: Philadelphia: National Equality Rally at Independence Hall More Info

5/15-5/17: New Hope: Pride More Info

6/14: Philadelphia: Pride More Info

———————————————–

USA, RHODE ISLAND:

–news–>

4/24: Bishop Thomas Tobin of Providence calls gays “unnatural and gravely immoral. It’s offensive to Almighty God. It can never be condoned, under any circumstances. Gay marriage, or civil unions, would mean that our state is in the business of ratifying, approving such immoral activity.” Source

———————————————–

USA, TENNESSEE:

–articles–>

Legalizing gay marriage could solve Tennessee’s unemployment woes, from Gay Socialites.com Source

———————————————–

USA, TEXAS:

–news–>

4/24: Forty-three percent of Harris County residents now favor same-sex marriage, according to the annual Houston Area Survey conducted by Rice University. Source

–upcoming events–>

Day of Decision: Dallas: Queer Liberaction, a local direct action group organized in the wake of Prop 8′s passage last November, is already planning to hold a rally at 7 p.m. at the intersection of Cedar Springs Road and Oak Lawn Avenue on the Day of Decision, when the CA Supreme Court announces their decision. More Info

Day of Decision: Houston: Gathering planned at 5:30pm on the day of decision. For more information, contact Meghan Baker: More Info

Day of Decision: San Antonio: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. More Info

Ongoing: Dallas: Queer Liberaction meetings, 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at Buli Cafe, located at 3908 Cedar Springs. Meetings start at 7 pm. More Info

———————————————–

USA, UTAH:

–news–>

4/23: Republican Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman says the state’s constitutional ban on gay marriage is unclear on the issue of civil unions between gay couples. Source

4/24: Attorney General Mark Shurtleff said Friday that Utah’s constitutional amendment banning gay marriage also prohibits civil unions, and that Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. is wrong when he says it’s open to interpretation from the courts. Source

———————————————–

USA, VERMONT:

–articles–>

Gay Marriage in Vermont: Three Progressive Lessons, by Aaron Zelinsky Source

———————————————–

USA, WASHINGTON

–upcoming events–>

Day of Decision: Seattle: Gather at 5pm at Westlake Corner Park, 400 Pine Street. More Info

–articles–>

SB 5688 is about fairness, not gay marriage, from The Olympian Source

———————————————–

USA, WASHINGTON, DC

–news–>

4/19: The Gertrude Stein Democratic Club voted to endorse same-sex marriage in the District, clearing the way for a broader debate within D.C. Democratic State Committee over the issue in the coming weeks. Source

4/23: D.C.-area clergy who oppose same-sex unions are forming a coalition. Source

———————————————–

fini

Posted in Uncategorized | No Responses »

Gay Marriage Watch: April 12th-18th

Sunday, April 19th, 2009

Here’s the latest news on gay marriage from around the world. My favorite thing of the week? This list of 10 Reasons Against Gay Marriage from a Gay Guy from Queerty.com (satire):

10. Think of the antique dealers. First of all, you must know by now that gays love antiquing. We saw it in a movie once and thus, it must be true. If gays and lesbians get married, chances are they’re going to have more kids and have you ever put a 19th Century Shaker chest in the same room as a toddler with crayons before? With our disposable income being wasted on disposable diapers, gays will have less time to go to cute rural towns and waste their money buying old junk. The economy just can’t handle a blow like that right now.

9. What will become of Laurel Toby?! The Mediabistro founder is a one-woman impersonation of Sex & The City and without a cavalcade of amusing gays at her side to go out to Balthazar, what the hell is she going to do with her time? We can not leave our nation’s fag hags and fruit flies high and dry.

See the rest of the list here.

Also, there’s a great new parody out of the NOM ad – check it out here.

Hero of the Week:

My hero this week is New York Assemblyman Danny O’Donnell, an openly gay politician, for stating this so eloquently and clearly:

“I do not want a pew in your church. I do not want a seat in your synagogue. What I want is a piece of paper that was issued by my government that many of you have, some of you have had it two or three times. I only want it once. I was born in this state, I was raised in this state, I was educated in this state, I’m an elected official in this state, I pay taxes this state, I want a piece of paper from this government just like the rest of you.“

Go, Danny, go!

And special mention to Stephen Colbert, for his parody of the NOM ad.

Woody Award:

Our woody award this week goes to Andrew Cline of the UnionLeader.com, for their recent editorial Defending marriage: It’s not about gays:

“Sure, people who are anti-gay also oppose same-sex marriage. But they aren’t the issue. The issue is not homosexuality. It’s marriage. It wouldn’t matter if homosexuals or polygamists or some other group were pushing to change the definition of marriage. It must be preserved as is because it is the foundation of modern society.”

Ever notice that when someone protests too much, usually the opposite of what they’re saying is true? I wonder if my parents heard the same arguments in the sixties – “Oh, it’s not about blacks – they and the polygamists deserve all the same rights. See, we’re not bigots!”

We heard a lot of this in California before Prop 8 passed: “It’s not about gays, it’s just about the word marriage. They should have all the rights – we just want to keep the word.” It was a blatant attempt to pander to the folks on the fence on this issue, and sadly, it worked. Enough independents were scaredc into joining the Yes on 8 folks by the perceived threat to their own rights, and soothed by the argument that they really weren’t discriminating at all when they cast their yes vote. After all, the yes on 8 folks didn’t even use any gay or lesbian prople or images in their ads.

And yet, when gay rights advocates try to get laws passed to protect couples in long-term relationships and specifically exclude the word “marriage”, which should be ok according to the argument above, we’re told – “Sorry, it’s too much like marriage.”

The “it’s only about the word” claim is an insidious argument because it lets those who actively work to take away the rights of others believe that they are the true victims, and that thewir actions do no real harm. Tell that to the gay and lesbian couples who can’t make health decisions for their partners when they are sick, or who aren’t eligible for pensions when their partner dies and end up losing their homes. Tell it to the international couples torn apart because they don’t have access to marriage in this country.

And it’s amazing how fast it becomes about more than just the word “marriage” when the word “marriage” is dropped from the debate.

So sorry, Mister Cline, but this is about The Gays, no matter how much you try to obfuscate that fact.

Enjoy your woody, Mister Cline.

We’re also noting a new term entering the gay marriage fight lexicon this week. As more and more states offer “gay marriage”, we’re suddenly seeing references not to just “traditional marriage” but to “true marriage“. In some ways, this is encouraging, as it amounts to a tacit acknowledgement that gay marriages (and lesbian ones) do actually exist. That said, it’s a bit snobbish as well – in a “My kind of marriage is the only true kind of marriage” way.

Gay Marriage Watch:

Now on to this week’s Gay Marriage Watch. The blog is now organized almost entirely by area, with news of the week, upcoming marriage equality events, and great recent articles and columns. For a longer history of past news stories, just click on one of the older Gay Marriage Watch blogs from our archives.

To subscribe to this blog, or if you have any thoughts about how we can make this feature better or easier to use or any updates on the issues covered here, let me know at info@purpleunions.com.

Enjoy the rest of the Watch!

–Scott

———————————————-

AUSTRALIA:

–news–>

4/17: Victoria University psychologist Dr Warwick Hoski
ng is conducting research to discover if gay men’s relationships are different from heterosexual ones. Source

———————————————-

CANADA:

–upcoming events–>

Day of Decision: Vancouver: Gather at 6pm at Morton Park (corner of Davie Street and Denman Street). More Info

———————————————-

CHINA:

–news–>

4/16: Gay couples say ‘I do’ in symbolic marriages with “marriage certificates” issued by Beijing LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual) Center. Source

———————————————-

NIGERIA:

–news–>

4/18: A Nigerian man is seeking asylum in Canada after he suffered “two severe beatings, ongoing harassment, forced intercourse with a prostitute, death threats and expulsion from the association”. Okoli was outed by a village priest he had sought to perform a same-sex marriage. He thought the priest “was gay and receptive to the idea,” the court heard. Source

———————————————-

SPAIN:

–articles–>

4/16: The case of a man who killed his ex-partner before committing suicide last week in Almeria, Spain, has revealed that domestic violence legislation in the country does not apply to gay men. Source

———————————————-

UGANDA:

–articles–>

South Africa’s paradox for gays: progressive laws, persistent hate, by Shashank Bengali Source

———————————————-

UNITED KINGDOM:

–upcoming events–>

10/4: Cardiff: Gay wedding show. More Info

10/18: Manchester: Gay wedding show. More Info

11/15: Brighton: Gay wedding show. More Info

———————————————-

USA:

–news–>

4/13:

–Charlize Townsend: “I don’t like living in an elitist world, it bothers me. I don’t want to be part of an elitist sexual preference. It bothers me, maybe it’s because I come from a country where I lived under apartheid but this is a form of apartheid and I don’t want to be a part of that.” Source

–The National Organization for Marriage seems to be ratcheting up its efforts to suppress the audition videos that leaked from its anti-gay-rights “gathering storm” shoot. According to YouTube, the group has gotten a clip from MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow Show pulled from the site. Source

–Meghan McCain says the GOP should get behind gay marriage. Source

4/14: GOProud, the new tax-exempt 527 will offer another home for gay and lesbian conservatives outside of the Log Cabin Republicans, will focus will be elections and federal issues. Source

4/14: The Universal Life Church Monastery today announced its legal defense campaign to take action in states that have enacted unconstitutional restraints against same-sex sacramental marriage. States that deny ministers their religious right to perform the sacrament of marriage, regardless of the couple’s sexual orientation, according to Universal Life Church Monastery, are doing so in violation of the 1st Amendment of the US Constitution. Source

4/15:

–The newest openly gay member of Congress is considering introducing an omnibus LGBT rights bill in the U.S. House. Source

–According to the Detroit News, Obama invited LGBT leaders to recent White House events like the health care and fiscal responsibility summits, the signing of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the executive order creating the White House Council on Women and Girls, and the online town hall. Source

–House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) told the Bay Area Reporter Wednesday, April 15 that repealing the federal Defense of Marriage Act is not a top priority of hers right now. Source

4/17: Student leaders at a Sacramento community college have approved a resolution opposing today’s national Day of Silence. Source

–upcoming events–>

6/28: Million Gay March: Annual event on the 40th anniversary of Stonewall in all 50 states. More Info

Day of Decision: Rallies country-wide on the day of the CA Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. More Info

–articles–>

The Bigots Last Hurrah, by Frank Rich Source

Gay Marriage and Conservatives, by Michael van der Gallen Source

Defense of Marriage Act is becoming indefensible, by Ellen Goodman Source

Is same-sex marriage still a generation away? by David L. Kirp Source

———————————————-

USA, ARIZONA:

–news–>

4/17: In Casa Grande, a small city about 50 miles southeast of Phoenix, a police officer shut down a gay rights rally Wednesday. Source

–upcoming events–>

6/27-6/29: Driving Equality Arizona, 12 AM 6/27 to 11 AM 6/29. Contact Email

9/19: Sedona: First annual Sedona Pride – details coming soon. More Info

Day of Decision: Phoenix: Gather at 6pm at the southwest corner of Camelback at 7th Avenue for a rally and then march. More Info

———————————————-

USA, CALIFORNIA:

–news–>

4/12: The Desert Stonewall Democrats, which has called for a boycott of four auto dealerships because they claim a co-owner contributed to the campaign on behalf of Proposition 8, expect to conduct a public protest this week, the group’s vice chair said. Source

4/14:

–By a 3-1 vote, the St. Helena City Council put itself on record Tuesday in support of gay marriage and in opposition to all forms of discrimination. Source

–Riverside County prosecutors will not seek criminal charges against a Beaumont city councilman accused of pushing a Prop. 8 protestor on the eve of Election Day. Source

–LGBT rights activists, workers, and labor leaders joined forces outside the Andaz Hotel in West Hollywood Tuesday to support the ongoing fight for marriage equality. Source

–upcoming events: northern california–>

Day of Decision: Gather at 5:30pm at the Placer County Courthouse (101 Maple Street).  More Info

———————–

Davis:

Day of Decision: Gathering at Central Park at the new stage south of the carousel from 6-7:30pm. More Info

———————–

Eureka:

Day of Decision: Gather at Arcata plaza and County Courthouse in Eureka.  6PM. More Info

———————–

Oakland:

4/25: What relevance does the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) have in the world today? Hear from California native Ben Jealous, the new NAACP President and CEO, on its 100-year history and its vision for the future. At Oakland Museum of California, 6 PM. More Info

———————–

Day of Decision: Gather at Corner of El Camino Real and Embarcadero (across from Stanford University entrance at Galvez/El Camino).  11AM. More Info

———————–

Sacramento:

4/17-4/20: GAYLA (GSA Advocacy & Youth Leadership Academy) will take place in Sacramento from April 17th to April 19th, culminating in QYAD (Queer Youth Advocacy Day) on April 20th. More Info

4/19: Equality Team Canvassing Event with Cou
rage Campaign, 1 PM. More Info

4/21: Equality California Town Hall Meeting to discuss Prop 8 and the future of the movement, at Curtis Hall, Sierra 2, 6-8 PM. More Info

4/28: Equality Team Canvassing Event with Courage Campaign, 6 PM. More Info

5/18: EQCA Equality Awards at the Sheraton Grand, VOP Reception 5 PM, General Reception 5:30 PM-7 PM. Source

5/30: Statewide Rally at Capitol Building to Kick off Pride More Info

Day of Decision: Gather at 5:30pm at the Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center (1927 L Street, Midtown).  More Info

———————–

San Francisco

4/19: Signature Gathering Kick-Off to GET OUR RIGHTS BACK! rally, by One Struggle One Fight. At Dolores Park, 10:30 AM-4 PM. More Info

4/24: Trigger is thrilled to host the supporters of Equality California at an exclusive preview party, 2344 Market Street, 7-9 PM. More Info

6/27-6/28: San Francisco: Pride More Info

Day of Decision: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source

———————–

San Jose:

4/19: Talking Marriage Equality seminar. Co-hosted with Peninsula Marriage Equality Coalition! It is the intent of this training to help empower all people who believe in marriage equality to answer the questions posed by people who oppose marriage equality. More Info

4/19: Cleve Jones, labor organizer, community activist, creator of the Names Project Quilt, protege of Harvey Milk will be joining us in San Jose on Thursday, April 30th at 8 PM at the DeFrank Center. Donations will gladly be accepted. More Info

Day of Decision: Gathering at 5:30pm at the Billy de Frank LGBT Center at 938 The Alameda. For more information, contact Gloria Nieto at glorianieto@comcast.net or 6 PM, gather at Plaza de César Chávez  at S. Market St. and Park Ave. We will march to SJ City Hall at 200 E. Santa Clara St. for a rally. More Info

———————–

Santa Clara

5/9: Santa Clara: Equality Team Second Canvassing Event with Courage Campaign, 3:15 PM. More Info

———————–

Santa Rosa:

Day of Decision: Gathering on the steps of the Santa Rosa City Hall (100 Santa Rosa Avenue and corner of 1st Street) at 6pm. More Info

———————–

–upcoming events: central california–>

———————–

Bakersfield:

5/9: Walking Precincts for Gay Marriage! This is our second canvass, and we are looking forward to it! 9AM. More Info

Day of Decision: Gathering in three locations at 5pm.  Rally location #1 – Mall View & Mt Vernon; Rally location #2 – Outback Steakhouse on Stocdale Hwy; or Rally location #3 at Rosedale and Coffee. More Info

———————–

Delano:

Day of Decision: Gather at Delano Cecil Park at 5:30pm. More Info

———————–

Fresno:

4/19: Equality Team Second Canvassing Event with Courage Campaign, 3:15 PM. More Info

4/26: Equality Team Second Canvassing Event with Courage Campaign, 3:15 PM. More Info

5/3: Equality Team Second Canvassing Event with Courage Campaign, 3:15 PM. More Info

5/10: Equality Team Second Canvassing Event with Courage Campaign, 3:15 PM. More Info

5/17: Equality Team Second Canvassing Event with Courage Campaign, 3:15 PM. More Info

Day of Decision: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source

Every Monday: Meet in the Middle 4 Equality Planning Meeting, 6 PM, at the Wesley United Methodist Church. More Info

———————–

Modesto:

Day of Decision: Community gathering at 5:30 pm at Graceada Park, 401 Needham St. downtown Modesto. More Info

———————–

Monterey:

Day of Decision: Gather at 5pm at Colton Hall at 580 Pacific Street.  Event is co-sponsored by the Monterey County Chapter of Marriage Equality and Salinas Valley Equality.  More Info

———————–

Salinas:

Day of Decision: Gather at 4:30pm at the Monterey County  Courthouse at the corner of W. Alisal Street & Church Street.  Event is co-sponsored by Salinas Valley Equality and the Monterey County Chapter of Marriage Equality USA. More Info

———————–

Day of Decision: Gather at 6pm at the Tulare County Courthouse (221 S. Mooney Blvd). More Info

———————–

–upcoming events: southern california–>

———————–

Costa Mesa:

Day of Decision: Gather at the Fairview Community Church, 2525 Fairveiw Road from 5:30 to 7 p.m. More Info

———————–

Garden Grove:

5/7: Equality California Town Hall Meeting to discuss Prop 8 and the future of the movement, at Pacific Pride Foundation. More Info

———————–

Hollywood:

4/19: Equality Team Second Canvassing Event with Courage Campaign, 3:30 PM. More Info

———————–

Huntington Beach:

4/25: Equality Team Second Canvassing Event with Courage Campaign, 10 AM. More Info

———————–

Long Beach

4/23: Equality California Town Hall Meeting to discuss Prop 8 and the future of the movement, at The Art Theater, 7 PM. More Info

5/16-5/17: Long Beach Pride More Info

Day of Decision: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source

———————–

Los Angeles

4/19: Talking Across the Table: Elder Voices: Their Voices Then to Now (Special Presentation): We will listen to our sisters speak about their life experiences and see what we have learned and we will need to learn. Discussion of Prop 8 in the Black community will be one of our topics, Jewel’s Catch One, 3-5 PM. More Info

4/25: West Adams/South LA Equality Team Presents: The Country Club Park Friendship Walk (Canvass) (Equality Team Event), at Jewel’s Catch One, 1-3 PM. More Info

4/30: Spring Kick Off Party and Happy Hour for the 2009 Los Angeles Equality Awards, at the Cantina at Ciudad, 6 PM. More Info

5/11-5/12: Divorce! The Musical will create two special reading presentations to benefit the Courage Campaign. These performances will take place at the Hudson Mainstage Theatre in Los Angeles and showcase a lesbian couple on Monday, May 11 and a gay couple on Tuesday, May 12. 100% of the proceeds will go toward the Courage Campaign’s efforts to restore marriage equality. More Info

6/12-6/14: Los Angeles Pride More Info

7/9-7/19: Outfest is the oldest continuous film festival in Southern California. Since its founding in 1982, Outfest has presented more than 4,500 films and videos for audiences of over half a million people. More Info

8/1: Los Angeles Equality Awards. More Info

Day of Decision: Two Locations: Gathering in two locations at 6pm: Rally location #1 in Hollywood at 647 N San Vincente Boulevard (Santa Monica and San Vincente); Rally location #2 in Santa Monica Courthouse (1725 Main Street). More Info

Every Monday: LA Equal Roots Meeting. More Info

———————–

Palm Springs:

5/2: Kick Off Party 2009 Palm Springs Equality Awards, at a private home in Palm Springs, 5-7 PM More Info

10/17: Palm Springs Equality Awards More Info

11/7-11/8: Palm Springs Pride More Info

———————–

Rancho Cucamonga:

Day of Decision: Gathering at the corner of Day Creek and Foothill Boulevard at 7pm.  More Info

———————–

San Diego:

4/18-4/19: The Human Rights Campaign is sponsoring a two-day training to provide grassroots activists hands-on skills to organize their communities on marriage equality for same-sex couples. More Info

7/18-7/19: San Diego Pride More Info

Day of Decision: Two Locations: Gather at 6pm at the Escondido City Hall (201 North Broadway) in Escondido; Gather at 5pm at Balboa Park (6th Ave & Laurel Street) in San Diego.Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. More Info

———————–

San Luis Obispo:

Day of Decision: Gather at 5:30pm at the City Hall Steps (990 Palm). More Info

———————–

Santa Ana:

Day of Decision: Gather at 6pm at the Old Orange County Courthouse (211 W. Santa Ana Blvd, Santa Ana). More Info

———————–

Santa Barbara:

4/29: Equality California Town Hall Meeting to discuss Prop 8 and the future of the movement, at Louise Lowry Davis Center, 6-8 PM. More Info

———————–

Ventura:

Day of Decision: ather at 5:30pm at the Ventura County Government Center on the corner of Telephone Road and Victoria Avenue.  More Info

———————–

West Hollywood:

4/28: Talkin’ Q Politics – Hate Crimes Legislation Update on actions to advance bill through the House and Senate, at HRC East/West, 6:30 PM.

5/9: The Teach-in will be a day-long event where participants will learn about our LGBTQ community’s shared history, and connect with their LGBTQ predecessors through a series of break-out sessions, performances, and speakers, at Plummer Park, 9 AM-5:30 PM. More Info

Day of Decision: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source

———————–

–upcoming events: statewide–>

———————–

5/22: Harvey Milk Day. More Info

5/31-6/6: AIDS Life Cycle – Team Marriage Equality. Contact Email

———————————————-

USA, COLORADO:

–upcoming events–>

Day of Decision: Denver: Gather at the Wellington Webb Building (intersection of Colfax and 15th). More Info

———————————————-

USA, CONNECTICUT:

–news–>

4/16: Anti gay groups ran a two page ad in the Hartford Courant claiming that “Church groups who won’t comply will be punished by the government.” Source

———————————————-

USA, FLORIDA:

–upcoming events–>

Day of Decision: Tampa: Gather at 6:30pm at the Joe Chillura Courthouse (corners of Morgan, Kennedy, Pierce & Madison). More Info

———————————————-

USA, GEORGIA:

–upcoming events–>

5/2: Atlanta: Human Rights Campaign’s 2009 Atlanta Gala & Dinner. More Info

Day of Decision: Atlanta: Gathering is being planned. More Info

———————————————

USA, ILLINOIS:

–news–>

4/14:

–Illinois advocates are backing a new gay-rights bill sponsored by a state representative from Chicago. Source

–Gov. Pat Quinn said he thinks Springfield lawmakers will eventually allow for civil unions, which would give homosexual couples rights comparable to those of married couples. Source

4/14: In bright yellow capital letters, the sign on the karaoke bar in downtown Peoria was clear: “WE ARE NOT A GAY BAR!!” Source

–upcoming events–>

4/26: Chicago: Same Love, Same Rights® LGBT Wedding Expo, hosted by the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza, from 12:30pm-3:30pm on Sunday, April 26, 2009. More Info

Day of Decision: Chicago: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. More Info

Day of Decision: Springfield: Gather at 5:30pm at the Illinois Supreme Court Building (202 E Capitol). More Info

–articles–>

Battle Lines Drawn on Legalizing Civil Unions, by Pamela Jones Source

Illinois gays not betting on marriage, by Rex W. Huppke and Monique Garcia Source

———————————————

USA, INDIANA:

–upcoming events–>

Day of Decision: Indianapolis: Gather at City County Building – Corner of Washington and Delaware St. 2PM until nightfall.  If you can’t make it at 2PM, We will be there ALL DAY. Please join us as soon as you are done with Work or School. We need EVERYONE out in FORCE to make this a success!!! More Info

———————————————

USA, IOWA:

–news–>

4/13:

–Republicans “want this governor to issue an executive order that says there will be a stay on all same-sex marriages until the people of Iowa have the right to vote,” said Republican Bob Vander Plaats. Source

–An openly gay state lawmaker received a death threat Monday, according to public safety officials. Source

–Iowa officials are working to change marriage licenses, birth certificates and other documents following a state Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage. Source

–Anti-gay marriage activists protested today at the Iowa state capitol in Des Moines, 11 days before gay marriage will become legal in Iowa. Source

–Republican State Senator Randy Feenstra of Hull, Iowa took to the floor and asked gay marriage to be brought to a public vote. Source

4/14: The Legislature has again blocked debate over issues linked to gay marriage, which was legalized earlier this month by the Iowa Supreme Court, turning back an amendment that would have allowed county recorders to deny licenses to same sex couples if they object to gay marriage. Source

4/16: Opponents of gay marriage in Iowa wear clothing that’s red, to symbolize the blood of Christ, when they protest and lobby at the Iowa Capitol. Source

–articles–>

On gay rights, Iowa plows asunder California’s claims of coolness, by Maureen Dowd Source

How Gays Won a Marriage Victory, by Keith B. Richburg Source

Here’s a Little Challenge for Iowa’s Homophobic Republican Legislators, by Andy Ostroy Source

———————————————

USA, MAINE:

–news–>

4/15: More than 300 clergy members signed a letter sent to legislators and Gov. John Baldacci last week urging lawmakers to vote against LD 1020, the bill — sponsored by Dennis Damon, D-Trenton — that would allow same-sex couples to marry in Maine. Source

4/18: Nine men who identified themselves as members of a Pennsylvania-based group that supports “traditional family values” demonstrated Saturday afternoon near the Bangor Mall against a gay marriage bill currently being considered by the Maine Legislature. Source

–upcoming events–>

4/22: Because so many people are expected to turn out, Maine’s Legislature has moved a public hearing on a gay marriage proposal to the Augusta Civic Center. The Judiciary Committee also has changed the date of its daylong public hearing from April 24 to April 22. Doors will open at 8 a.m. More Info

———————————————

USA, MASSACHUSETTS:

–news–>

4/15: Tricorn hats and colonial garb graced Boston Harbor once again as activists staged a reinterpretation of the Boston Tea Party Wednesday. The protesters threw boxes of tea, labeled “1040EZ” and “Tax Forms,” to protest what they say is unfair taxation of same-sex couples. The protest, organized by gay-rights group Join the Impact Massachusetts, was one of 75 across the nation coinciding with the federal deadline to file income tax returns. More than 40 people attended and joined the rally calling, “Equal taxes, equal rights.” Source

–upcoming events–>

Day of Decision: Boston: Gather at 7pm at Copley Plaza. More Info

———————————————

USA, MICHIGAN:

–news–>

5/2: Detroit: Same Love, Same Rights® LGBT Wedding Expo, hosted by Infinity and Ovation Yacht Charters on May 2, 2009 from 1:00 – 4:00 pm, aboard their two luxurious crafts anchored at the Jefferson Beach Marina in St. Clair Shores, MI. Source

———————————————

USA, NEW HAMPSHIRE:

–news–>

4/12: The Senate will hold a hearing Wednesday on whether to make New Hampshire the fourth state to allow gay couples to marry. Source

4/14: About 10 volunteer members of the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property planted themselves on Library Hill, chanting and holding signs supporting “traditional” marriage. Source

4/15: At least 500 people crowded into New Hampshire’s Statehouse on Wednesday for an emotional and sometimes boisterous Senate committee hearing over whether allowing gay marriage would weaken or strengthen the institution. Source

———————————————

USA, NEW YORK:

–news–>

4/14: New York’s new archbishop is anti-gay marriage. Source

4/15:

–Gov. David A. Paterson plans to introduce legislation on Thursday to make marriage between same-sex couples legal in New York. Source

–New York Archbishop-designate Timothy Dolan says he’ll challenge any effort to legalize gay marriage in New York. Source

–Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr. has called an emergency summit of the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization tomorrow to strategize on the “next steps to take” in response to Gov. David Paterson’s expected introduction of a bill to legalize same-sex marriage. Source

4/17:

–Gov. David A. Paterson introduced a bill on Thursday to legalize same-sex marriage, vowing to personally involve himself in the legislative debate at a level that is rare for a chief executive in New York. Source

–New York state senator Ruben Diaz Sr., a Pentecostal minister and ardent foe of same-sex marriage, said that he plans to hold a rally in May where he will call for the ouster of Gov. David Paterson. Source

–A New York Assemblywoman who previously voted against legalizing same-sex marriage has had a change of heart. Source

–Seventeen people, some wearing T-shirts and sporting tape over their mouths, walked from Binghamton University’s Downtown Center to Binghamton High School and back to Binghamton City Hall to take a stand against anti-gay and lesbian bullying and to show support for the social advancement of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. Source

–upcoming events–>

4/24-26: Utica: 2009 Pride and Joy Families Weekend Conference to be held April 24-26. More Info

4/25: Goshen: Rally for Marriage Equality, 2-4 PM at Church Park, Contact Email

4/28: Albany: Equality & Justice Day, 6 am-8 PM, Albany Legislative Buildings Contact Email

5/9: New York: 7:30pm, Off Center will present “Are We Tying the Knot Too Tight?: Gains and Losses in the Rush to Normalcy.” This moderated panel will address some of the issues the LGBT community faces when dealing with whether and how to support the movement for same-sex marriage. More Info

9/9: Brooklyn: Family Law Day, In Conjunction with Lavender Law 2009, Brooklyn, NY, Co-sponsored by the National Lesbian & Gay Law Association and the National Family Law Advisory Council of the National Center for Lesbian Rights. More Info

Day of Decision: Albany: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source

Day of Decision: New York: Gathering planned the day of decision. More Info

–articles–>

GOP Votes for Gay Rites?: Some Republican Senators Could Break Ranks to Support a Bill for Same-Sex Marriage in New York, by Irene Jay Liu Source

Paterson’s Gay Marriage Gamble, by Chris Rovzar Source

———————————————–

USA, NEVADA:

–news–>

4/14: Gov. Jim Gibbons (R) said Tuesday that he will veto SB283, the domestic partner measure now under consideration in the state Senate, if it reaches his desk because “I just don’t believe in it.” Source

4/15: A gay and lesbian group wants to meet with Gov. Jim Gibbons to discuss “the daily realities of same-sex relationships.” Source

–articles–>

Activists keep close eye on Nevada, by Zamna Avila Source

———————————————–

USA, NORTH CAROLINA:

–upcoming events–>

Day of Decision: Charlottesville: Gathering planned at 6pm. More Info

———————————————–

USA, OREGON:

–upcoming events–>

4/19: Portland: The Clark County Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State is cosponsoring a program on same-sex marriage at 2pm Sunday, April 19th, to be held at Portland State University’s Hoffman Hall (1825 SW Broadway). Source

———————————————–

USA, PENNSYLVANIA:

–upcoming events–>

4/27-5/3: Philadelphia: Equality Forum celebrates international gay culture and politics with parties and educational events made possible by more than 75 regional, national and international organizations. More Info

5/3: Philadelphia: National Equality Rally at Independence Hall More Info

5/15-5/17: New Hope: Pride More Info

6/14: Philadelphia: Pride More Info

———————————————–

USA, TEXAS:

–upcoming events–>

Day of Decision: Dallas: Queer Liberaction, a local direct action group organized in the wake of Prop 8′s passage last November, is already planning to hold a rally at 7 p.m. at the intersection of Cedar Springs Road and Oak Lawn Avenue on the Day of Decision, when the CA Supreme Court announces their decision. More Info

Day of Decision: San Antonio: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source

Ongoing: Dallas: Queer Liberaction meetings, 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at Buli Cafe, located at 3908 Cedar Springs. Meetings start at 7 pm. More Info

———————————————–

USA, TENNESSEE:

–news–>

4/17: Public High Schools in Tennessee are filtering out access to LGBT websites like the Human Rights Campaign, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), and many more. Source

———————————————–

USA, UTAH:

–news–>

4/15: On 4/17, the Salt Lake City domestic partner registry will be one year old. Source

———————————————–

USA, VIRGINIA:

–news–>

4/16: Several hundred people gathered at UVA’s amphitheater in Charlottesville for the Stand Against Hatred. Source

———————————————–

USA, WASHINGTON

–news–>

4/15:

–Washington’s House debated a domestic partnership expansion bill,. Source

–The state senate voted 62-35 to send the bill to Gov. Chris Gregoire for signing the bill, which provides “all the rights of marriage” allowed for couples under state law. Source

–upcoming events–>

Day of Decision: Charlottesville: Gather at 5pm at Westlake Corner Park, 400 Pine Street. More Info

———————————————–

USA, WASHINGTON, DC

–news–>

4/16: Steve Schmidt, a key architect of John McCain’s presidential campaign, will use a speech Friday to Log Cabin Republicans, to urge conservative Republicans to drop their opposition to same-sex marriage. Source

4/17: Congressional opponents of same-sex marriage most likely will attempt to overturn or block a D.C. marriage recognition law through an amendment to the city’s annual appropriations bill, according to political activists. Source

———————————————–

USA, WISCONSIN

–articles–>

WisPolitics: Same-sex marriage advocates focus on domestic partner benefits ahead of overturning ban, by Greg Bump Source

———————————————–

fini

Posted in Uncategorized | No Responses »

Gay Marriage Watch: April 5th-11th

Sunday, April 12th, 2009

Here’s the latest news on gay marriage from around the world. My favorite thing of the week? This little tidbit from Talking Points Memo:

“In an unintentional but hilarious nod to gay sex chatters everywhere, the National Organization for Marriage has dubbed their campaign “2 Million for Marriage”. Or 2M4M. Whoops.”

Love the irony. :)

Also, check this out:

“It’s time to grab your camera and help change the conversation about marriage for same-sex couples. The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center has launched Project Pushback to tap into the grassroots energy of marriage equality supporters and to inspire development of video messages that will effectively promote support for the freedom to marry.”

And finally, here’s a handy non-biased site that tracks the status of gay marriage and DOMA acts around the USA.

Hero of the Week:

My hero this week is Mark Morford, a fantastic San Francisco columnist who gleefully skewers the new National Organization for Marriage ad (see the Woody Award below) in his latest column:

“The fake lightning, that is, flashing just off to the side, a cheap ‘n’ cheesy special effect that momentarily lights up the actors’ faces in the most sweetly melodramatic way as they stand there against the dark ‘n’ stormy backdrop like devout Christian zombies, delivering delightfully weird and wooden lines about being openly terrified of those openly terrifying gay married people.”

He goes on to look at their motives:

“What’s most striking, what sets these ads apart from most homophobic campaigns of the past, is the palpable tone of desperation. It’s a feeling that these groups are, more and more, clutching at straws, scraping bottom, leaning on the most absurd, least tenable arguments imaginable, each one more shrill and desperate than the last in a losing effort to appeal to an ever-shrinking audience of increasingly indifferent, bored homophobes.”

It’s the best analysis and disection of this sad, homophobic ad I’ve seen yet, and exposes these so-called Christians for waht they really are:

“Distraught Christians say we cannot possibly disobey the mangled, misinterpreted Bible when it comes to hetero marriage because, well, that’s how we’ve done it for centuries and it’s been such a tremendous success, with almost no unhappiness, divorce, abuse, oppression, depression, suicide, hypocrisy, or general misery that it’s obvious we shouldn’t mess with it.”

Go, Mark, go!

Woody Award:

Our woody award this week goes to the ironically named National Organization for Marriage, whose sole purpose is to keep a sizeable percentage of the population from having the right to marriage.

In an LA Times article on Wednesday, NOM’s executive director, Brian S. Brown, was quoted as saying “Today is a truly sad day for Vermont and this nation.” NOM is spending $1.5 million to run a homophobic ad in Iowa and New England. According to the times article:

“The ad, made available to The Times, presents a multiethnic front. It begins with a worried-looking blond woman declaring, “There is a storm gathering . . . and I am afraid.” Another woman steps forward: “I am a parent, helplessly watching public schools teach my son that gay marriage is OK.” Then an African American man declares that “there is hope: a rainbow coalition . . . coming together in love to protect marriage. Join us.”“

It’s disgusting how these folks try to portray our loving, long-term relationships with one-another with the fear-inducing image of “a storm gathering”. And I have to think that Jesse Jackson is sick with indignation over their co-opting the whole Rainbow Coalition thing.

And if the African American community gets frustrated with comparisons of gay marriage to civil rights, they have to feel the same way when straight marriage is compared to their struggle, right?

As a bonus – at least some of these people are actors – guess they couldn’t find enough “real folks” to tape their ad?

Enjoy your woody, Mister Brown. And see the spoofs here, here, and here. The first is a great dissection of the ad; the second one brilliantly blends the ad with the Weather Girl’s song “It’s Raining Men.”. And the third one mixed the ad with humorous movie clips and bits of Keith Olbermann and Wanda Sykes, among others.

Runner-up goes to Robert Peters, the President of “Morality in Media”, for this lovely headlne: “Connecting the Dots: The Link Between Gay Marriage and Mass Murders”. He goes on to state that the decline in sexual morality = a secular value system = people seeing nothing wrong with mass murder. Nice, huh?

Then after making this comparison, he tries to back out of it by saying “It most certainly is not my intention to blame the epidemic of mass murders on the gay rights movement!”. Nice try, Mister Peters.

How about the link between inflamed, over-the-top rhetoric toward the gay community and gay bashing? After all, if they gays are to blame for mass murder, in his mind, how much of a leap is it to thnk someone will want to punish them for it?

We’re gonna make an exception this week and give out a second Woody Award to someone who so clearly deserves it.

Enjoy your woody, Mister Peters.

Gay Marriage Watch:

We just reformatted the events section for California – we have so many upcoming events listed, so we’ve split them up by region and by city to make it easier to find an event near you in California.

Now o
n to this week’s Gay Marriage Watch. The blog is now organized almost entirely by area, with news of the week, upcoming marriage equality events, and great recent articles and columns. For a longer history of past news stories, just click on one of the older Gay Marriage Watch blogs from our archives.

To subscribe to this blog, or if you have any thoughts about how we can make this feature better or easier to use or any updates on the issues covered here, let me know at info@purpleunions.com.

Enjoy the rest of the Watch!

–Scott

———————————————-

AUSTRALIA:

–news–>

4/7: The Australian Labor Party (ALP) has come under fire on numerous fronts over its stance against same-sex marriage. Source

———————————————-

GIBRALTAR:

–articles–>

4/7: The Court of Appeal ruled that the Gibraltar Government was legally entitled to protect the ‘traditional family’ by favouring heterosexual married couples in the allocation of state-owned housing. Source

———————————————-

GUAM:

–news–>

4/10: The 27th Guam Youth Congress has passed a bill to legalize same sex civil unions on Guam. Source

———————————————-

POLAND:

–news–>

4/10: The New York couple whose wedding video footage was used last year by President Lech Kaczynski in an antigay rant has been invited back to visit Warsaw. Source

———————————————-

UNITED KINGDOM:

–upcoming events–>

10/4: Cardiff: Gay wedding show. More Info

10/18: Manchester: Gay wedding show. More Info

11/15: Brighton: Gay wedding show. More Info

———————————————-

USA:

–news–>

4/7:

–Now that four states have legalized same-sex marriage, and DC has voted to recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere, pressure is mounting on President Obama and Congress to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Source

–In an appearance with Larry King, Rick Warren reaffirmed his opposition to same-sex marriage, but also stressed that he’s not an antigay-marriage activist and that the issue is in fact very far down on his priority list. Source

4/10: Dr. Laura on gat marriage: ”I’m very big on human beings finding love, attachment and commitment and being faithful to it, because there’s more to benefit when there is real, true commitment and faithfulness to it. I still believe, as just every president has, and all the people who ran for office, that marriage is a sacrament between a man and a woman. So not calling it marriage works for me. But that two people would have that sort of commitment to me is a very healthy and very positive thing in their lives and society as a whole.” Source

–upcoming events–>

4/15: Same Sex Kiss Day: Show up at a Starbucks on Tax Day at 7:15 AM, 12:15 PM, 5:15 PM, or 8:15 PM , buy a cuppa joe, then share a kiss with your sweetie, or a friend, or even a long-time crush! More Info

6/28: Million Gay March: Annual event on the 40th anniversary of Stonewall in all 50 states. More Info

Day of Decision: Rallies country-wide on the day of the CA Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. More Info

–articles–>

Gay Marriage Issue Steering Clear of the Supreme Court, by Adam Liptak Source

Megachurch Pastor Joel Osteen “Not Knocking Gays”, But They Shouldn’t Get Marriage, from Towleroad.com, Source

Gay Marriage: Four Down, 46 to Go, by David B. Livingstone Source

With Victories, Gay Rights Groups Expand Marriage Push, by Abby Goodnough Source

———————————————-

USA, ARIZONA:

–upcoming events–>

6/27-6/29: Driving Equality Arizona, 12 AM 6/27 to 11 AM 6/29. Contact Email

———————————————-

USA, CALIFORNIA:

–news–>

4/8: Three weeks after the Napa City Council rejected a gay marriage resolution, the Yountville Town Council Tuesday endorsed a measure opposing “discrimination of any kind,” including the prohibition of same-sex marriage. Source

4/11: Sign-carriers and slogan-shouters who gather at a heavily trafficked street corner in Temecula to protest the cause of the day could find themselves stuck with a bill for fire safety and traffic control. Source

–upcoming events: northern california–>

———————–

Oakdale:

4/18: Wine Tasting Fundraiser for Marriage Equality USA: Savor a hand-picked selection of wines from Gnekow Family Winery, and enjoy the picturesque estate of vintner Sean Gnekow. Come prepared for a delectable menu and a generous silent auction. 2-5 PM. More Info

———————–

Oakland:

4/15: The Oakland Tea Pary in protest of the federal goverment’s tax policies towards same-sex couples. will start Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at the 1675 7th Street post office. That one is sponsored by Marriage Equality USA and contact is alamedameusa@gmail.com. More Info

4/25: What relevance does the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) have in the world today? Hear from California native Ben Jealous, the new NAACP President and CEO, on its 100-year history and its vision for the future. At Oakland Museum of California, 6 PM. More Info

———————–

Sacramento:

4/17-4/20: GAYLA (GSA Advocacy & Youth Leadership Academy) will take place in Sacramento from April 17th to April 19th, culminating in QYAD (Queer Youth Advocacy Day) on April 20th. More Info

4/19: Equality Team Second Canvassing Event with Courage Campaign, 1 PM. More Info

4/21: Equality California Town Hall Meeting to discuss Prop 8 and the future of the movement, at Curtis Hall, Sierra 2, 6-8 PM. More Info

5/18: EQCA Equality Awards at the Sheraton Grand, VOP Reception 5 PM, General Reception 5:30 PM-7 PM. Source

5/30: Statewide Rally at Capitol Building to Kick off Pride More Info

———————–

San Francisco:

4/15: The SF Tea Pary in protest of the federal goverment’s tax policies towards same-sex couples. will start Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at 246 Sanchez Street post office near Dolores Park. Contact person is Michael Koehn at kmkoehn@gmail.com. More Info

4/16: A Necessary Evil (Special Presentation), A new play by John Fisher, a mother and son in a battle of wills, a lover caught in between. a play about how Proposition 8 threatens to destroy one family, at Theater Rhinoceros, 8-10 PM. More Info

4/19: Signature Gathering Kick-Off to GET OUR RIGHTS BACK! rally, by One Struggle One Fight. At Dolores Park, 10:30 AM-4 PM. More Info

4/24: Trigger is thrilled to host the supporters of Equality California at an exclusive preview party, 2344 Market Street, 7-9 PM. More Info

6/27-6/28: San Francisco: Pride More Info

Day of Decision: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source

———————–

San Jose:

4/19: Talking Marriage Equality seminar. Co-hosted with Peninsula Marriage Equality Coalition! It is the intent of this training to help empower all people who believe in marriage equality to answer the questions posed by people who oppose marriage equality. More Info

4/19: Cleve Jones, labor organizer, community activist, creator of the Names Project Quilt, protege of Harvey Milk will be joining us in San Jose on Thursday, April 30th at 8 PM at the DeFrank Center. Donations will gladly be accepted. More Info

———————–

Santa Clara

5/9: Santa Clara: Equality Team Second Canvassing Event with Courage Campaign, 3:15 PM. More Info

———————–

St. Helena:

4/14: On April 14, the city council will discuss a resolution stating that the City does not support discrimination and finds that all people regardless of gender should be able to enter into the legal contract of marriage and receive the same social and legal benefits and recognition as conferred by the State of California. More Info

———————–

–upcoming events: central california–>

———————–

Bakersfield:

4/18: Equality Team Second Canvassing Event with Courage Campaign, 10AM-2 PM. More Info

———————–

Fresno:

4/16: Equality California Town Hall Meeting to discuss Prop 8 and the future of the movement, at the Fresno City College Diversity Club. More Info

4/19: Equality Team Second Canvassing Event with Courage Campaign, 3:15 PM. More Info

4/26: Equality Team Second Canvassing Event with Courage Campaign, 3:15 PM. More Info

5/3: Equality Team Second Canvassing Event with Courage Campaign, 3:15 PM. More Info

5/10: Equality Team Second Canvassing Event with Courage Campaign, 3:15 PM. More Info

5/17: Equality Team Second Canvassing Event with Courage Campaign, 3:15 PM. More Info

Day of Decision: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source

Every Monday: Meet in the Middle 4 Equality Planning Meeting, 6 PM, at the Wesley United Methodist Church. More Info

———————–

–upcoming events: southern california–>

———————–

Dana Point

4/18: Equality Team Second Canvassing Event with Courage Campaign, 10AM-2 PM. More Info

———————–

Garden Grove:

5/7: Equality California Town Hall Meeting to discuss Prop 8 and the future of the movement, at Pacific Pride Foundation. More Info

———————–

Hollywood:

4/19: Equality Team Second Canvassing Event with Courage Campaign, 3:30 PM. More Info

———————–

Huntington Beach:

4/25: Equality Team Second Canvassing Event with Courage Campaign, 10 AM. More Info

———————–

4/14: OCEC Outreach/Activism Quarterly Meeting, at Irvine United Congregational Church, 6:30-7:30 PM. More Info

———————–

Long Beach

4/23: Equality California Town Hall Meeting to discuss Prop 8 and the future of the movement, at The Art Theater, 7 PM. More Info

5/16-5/17: Long Beach Pride More Info

Day of Decision: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source

———————–

Los Angeles

4/19: Talking Across the Table: Elder Voices: Their Voices Then to Now (Special Presentation): We will listen to our sisters speak about their life experiences and see what we have learned and we will need to learn. Discussion of Prop 8 in the Black community will be one of our topics, Jewel’s Catch One, 3-5 PM. More Info

4/25: West Adams/South LA Equality Team Presents: The Country Club Park Friendship Walk (Canvass) (Equality Team Event), at Jewel’s Catch One, 1-3 PM. More Info

4/30: Spring Kick Off Party and Happy Hour for the 2009 Los Angeles Equality Awards, at the Cantina at Ciudad, 6 PM. More Info

6/12-6/14: Los Angeles Pride More Info

7/9-7/19: Outfest is the oldest continuous film festival in Southern California. Since its founding in 1982, Outfest has presented more than 4,500 films and videos for audiences of over half a million people. More Info

8/1: Los Angeles Equality Awards. More Info

Every Monday: LA Equal Roots Meeting. More Info

———————–

Palm Springs:

5/2: Kick Off Party 2009 Palm Springs Equality Awards, at a private home in Palm Springs, 5-7 PM More Info

10/17: Palm Springs Equality Awards More Info

11/7-11/8: Palm Springs Pride More Info

———————–

Rancho Cucamonga:

Day of Decision: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source

———————–

San Diego:

4/18-4/19: The Human Rights Campaign is sponsoring a two-day training to provide grassroots activists hands-on skills to organize their communities on marriage equality for same-sex couples. More Info

7/18-7/19: San Diego Pride More Info

Day of Decision: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source

———————–

Santa Barbara:

4/29: Equality California Town Hall Meeting to discuss Prop 8 and the future of the movement, at Louise Lowry Davis Center, 6-8 PM. More Info

———————–

West Hollywood:

4/28: Talkin’ Q Politics – Hate Crimes Legislation Update on actions to advance bill through the House and Senate, at HRC East/West, 6:30 PM.

5/9: The Teach-in will be a day-long event where participants will learn about our LGBTQ community’s shared history, and connect with their LGBTQ predecessors through a series of break-out sessions, performances, and speakers, at Plummer Park, 9 AM-5:30 PM. More Info

Day of Decision: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source

———————–

–upcoming events: statewide–>

———————–

5/22: Harvey Milk Day. More Info

5/31-6/6: AIDS Life Cycle – Team Marriage Equality. Contact Email

———————–

–articles–>

Napa feeling the heat on gay marriage, by Kevin Courtney Source

Meg Whitman Was for Gay Rights Before She Was Against Them, by Owen Thomas Source

———————————————-

USA, COLORADO:

–news–>

4/8: Proponents of a 2010 Colorado ballot initiative that would establish civil unions for same-sex couples met with state attorneys on Tuesday for a required “review and comments” session. Source

4/9: Today, Governor Ritter signed House Bill 1260 which will provide an avenue for gay and lesbian couples to pass along property after death and make funeral arrangements for a deceased partner. Source

–articles–>

Is Fort Collins the next gay-marriage focal point? by Steve Graham Source

———————————————-

USA, CONNECTICUT:

–news–>

4/7: Opponents of gay marriage in Connecticut are lobbying lawmakers to limit changes being considered to update related state laws. Source

———————————————-

USA, FLORIDA:

–articles–>

Time for bigoted Florida to recognize gay marriage, by Gary Stein Source

———————————————-

USA, GEORGIA:

–upcoming events–>

5/2: Atlanta: Human Rights Campaign’s 2009 Atlanta Gala & Dinner. More Info

———————————————-

USA, HAWAII:

–articles–>

4/5: Focus On the Family Action, the lobbying wing of an influential Colorado-based Christian ministry, helped finance radio and newspaper advertisements against a civil-unions bill at the state Legislature, giving $20,000 toward the ads. Source

4/7: Gay rights advocates have suggested a new draft of a civil-unions bill that would give both same-sex and heterosexual couples the option of entering into civil unions. Source

4/8: State senators on Wednesday said they have run out of time to consider two new compromise proposals offered this week to revive civil unions. Source

———————————————

USA, ILLINOIS:

–news–>

4/5: Several bars in the Chicago area have banned together to refuse women to have bachelorette parties in their clubs until gay marriage is legalized. Source

4/7: A pro-gay Democrat handily won a special election held Tuesday to fill the Illinois congressional seat that Rahm Emanuel gave up to be President Barack Obama’s chief of staff. Source

–upcoming events–>

Day of Decision: Chicago: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source

———————————————

USA, INDIANA:

–upcoming events–>

4/14: Terre Haute: Terre Haute-area residents can participate in the eighth annual Human Rights Day programs and discussions Tuesday at Indiana State University, including an 11 am discussion of gay marriage and a march against hate on campus at 4 PM. Source

———————————————

USA, IOWA:

–news–>

4/7:

–Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, Monday ruled out any move to overturn an Iowa Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriage, even as backers of that effort promised to step up pressure on the Legislature. Source

–The Iowa Supreme Court is delaying the date when same-sex couples can begin filing for marriage licenses because of budget cuts. Court spokesman Steve Davis announced Tuesday that people can file for licenses beginning Monday, April 27. That’s three days after the previously announced date of April 24. Source

–Iowa tourism officials don’t have immediate plans to market the state as a gay-friendly destination despite its new status as the Midwest’s only state with legalized same-sex marriage. Source

–Former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich said Tuesday that a recent Iowa Supreme Court decision to legalize gay marriage was “outrageously wrong,” but called a legislative override that made it legal in Vermont “healthier.” Source

4/8:

–Iowa Governor Chet Culver released a statement today confirming that he will not support a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage in Iowa. Source

–State Rep. Christopher Rants said he’s more likely to consider a run for governor after the Iowa Supreme Court struck down the state’s gay marriage ban. Source

–The National Organization for Marriage plans to release a homophobic ad declaring, “There is a storm gathering . . . and I am afraid” in Iowa and the Northeast to try to counter gay marriage successes in both places. Source

4/9:

–Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, told an enthusiastic crowd this morning that he is pushing the Iowa Legislature to act rapidly to pass a residency requirement so Iowa doesn’t become a mecca for gay marriages. Source

–Hundreds of gay-marriage opponents at the state Capitol chanted “Let us vote” as lawmakers left the House chambers. Source

4/10:

– Senator Chuck Grassley saud he needs a month to think aboutwhether he supports amending Iowa’s constitution to ban same-sex marriage. Source

–The Iowa House of Representatives rejected an attempt to have a debate about a constitutional ban on gay marriage by 54 to 44, largely along party lines. Source

–Despite two setbacks in the Iowa House this week, opponents of same-sex marriage plan another rally at the Capitol Monday. Source

–articles–>

Interview: He Brought Same-Sex Marriage To Iowa, by Marc Ambinder Source

Sioux City couple says new marriage law will help their children, from KTIV.com Source

Hot Topic: A Gay Marriage Tipping Point?, by Brian Montopoli Source

But Gay Marriage Will Destroy the Fabric of Society, by Josh Wimmer Source

Iowa Gay Marriage Ruling: How it Strengthens Heterosexual Marriages, by Mike Alvear Source

———————————————

USA, MAINE:

–news–>

4/7: Teachers and principals spoke out today in support of the pending gay marriage bill at events in Bangor, Lewiston and Portland. Source

4/8: Maine Gov. John Baldacci said Wednesday he was “keeping an open mind” on the gay marriage issue he has opposed in the past and the State House will consider this month. Source

–upcoming events–>

4/22: Because so many people are expected to turn out, Maine’s Legislature has moved a public hearing on a gay marriage proposal to the Augusta Civic Center. The Judiciary Committee also has changed the date of its daylong public hearing from April 24 to April 22. Doors will open at 8 a.m. More Info

———————————————

USA, MARYLAND:

–news–>

4/7: If the Maryland Senate has its way gay domestic partners will be exempted from state inheritance taxes. Source

4/7: The Maryland Senate voted Tuesday to exempt domestic partners who jointly own homes from inheritance taxes after one of them dies. Source

———————————————

USA, MASSACHUSETTS:

–upcoming events–>

4/15: Boston: The Boston Tea Pary in protest of the federal goverment’s tax policies towards same-sex couples. will be Wednesday at 5:30 on Long Wharf. Attendies are encouraged to wear colonial period costume if so inclined to make a statement against antiquated social policy. More Info

———————————————

USA, MINNESOTA:

–news–>

4/9: State Sen. John Marty, author of a bill in the Minnesota Legislature that would give equal rights to same-sex couples, said the recent Iowa court ruling in favor of gay marriage will be a boost to efforts here. Source

———————————————

USA, MISSOURI:

–news–>

4/6: Domestic partnership registry unanimously passed by Columbia City Council. Source

———————————————

USA, NEW HAMPSHIRE:

–news–>

4/10: The N.H. House narrowly voted in favor of a bill that will allow partners of the same sex to tie the knot. Source

———————————————

USA, NEW JERSEY:

–news–>

4/4: 100 people attended a rally organized b y the gay-straight alliances of Drew University and Montclair State University. Source

———————————————

USA, NEW MEXICO:

–news–>

4/8: A domestic partners bill may be back in the spotlight during a special session to possibly be held this fall. Source

———————————————

USA, NEW YORK:

–news–>

4/7: 41% of New Yorkers favor gay marriage, while a third support civil unions, and 19% want no legal recognition for gay couples, according to a new Quinnipac Poll. Source

4/9:

–The Albany Common Council has called on the federal government to recognize legally married same-sex couples in the 2010 census. Source

–Governor David Paterson says he’ll introduce legislation that would legalize gay marriage in New York, and has called for public debates on it in the legislature. Source

4/10: Senate leaders are urging Gov. Patterson to wait until they can be sure they have enough votes to pass a gay marriage bill. Source

–upcoming events–>

4/24-26: Utica: 2009 Pride and Joy Families Weekend Conference to be held April 24-26. More Info

4/25: Goshen: Rally for Marriage Equality, 2-4 PM at Church Park, Contact Email

4/28: Albany: Equality & Justice Day, 6 am-8 PM, Albany Legislative Buildings Contact Email

5/9: New York: 7:30pm, Off Center will present “Are We Tying the Knot Too Tight?: Gains and Losses in the Rush to Normalcy.” This moderated panel will address some of the issues the LGBT community faces when dealing with whether and how to support the movement for same-sex marriage. More Info

9/9: Brooklyn: Family Law Day, In Conjunction with Lavender Law 2009, Brooklyn, NY, Co-sponsored by the National Lesbian & Gay Law Association and the National Family Law Advisory Council of the Natio
nal Center for Lesbian Rights. More Info

Day of Decision: Albany: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source

–articles–>

NY, NJ Marriage Advocates “Embarrassed”, by Paul Schindler Source

———————————————–

USA, NEVADA:

–news–>

4/8: A bill aimed at giving same-sex domestic partners the rights and benefits that Nevada offers to married couples won approval Wednesday in the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee.

———————————————–

USA, NORTH CAROLINA:

–news–>

4/7: Davie County Commissioners voted Monday to seek a North Carolina referendum to define marriage in the state constitution as betwee one man and one woman. Source

–articles–>

Pols now tight-lipped on gays, by Pam Spaulding Source

———————————————–

USA, NORTH DAKOTA:

–news–>

4/3: The North Dakota House of Representatives voted down Senate Bill 2278 54-34, thus stopping the addition of sexual orientation and transgendered persons to the groups protected by the state’s Human Rights Act from discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations. Source

———————————————–

USA, OREGON:

–news–>

4/10: Basic Rights Oregon said Thursday it will wait until 2012 or later to try to take the issue back to Oregon voters. Source

–upcoming events–>

4/19: Portland: The Clark County Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State is cosponsoring a program on same-sex marriage at 2pm Sunday, April 19th, to be held at Portland State University’s Hoffman Hall (1825 SW Broadway). Source

———————————————–

USA, PENNSYLVANIA:

–upcoming events–>

4/27-5/3: Philadelphia: Equality Forum celebrates international gay culture and politics with parties and educational events made possible by more than 75 regional, national and international organizations. More Info

5/3: Philadelphia: National Equality Rally at Independence Hall More Info

5/15-5/17: New Hope: Pride More Info

6/14: Philadelphia: Pride More Info

———————————————–

USA, RHODE ISLAND:

–news–>

4/7: The Senate Judiciary Committee has scheduled a hearing for Tuesday night on a “reciprocal beneficiary agreements” bill, which would allow any two people “who are excluded from entering into a valid marriage” to enter into a legally-recognized agreement that covered emergency health care, organ donation and burial decisions, hospital visitation and the same beneficiary rights that would extend to a wife or husband if a spouse died without a will. Source

4/9: Governor Don Carcieri, and his wife, joined a news conference to make it clear they believe marriage should be between one man and one woman. Source

———————————————–

USA, SOUTH CAROLINA:

–news–>

4/7: Local gay rights advocates at the Alliance for Full Acceptance have two new billboards up on I-26 with a message that should spur conversations about how today’s movement for gays relates to the long fight for racial equality. Source

———————————————–

USA, TEXAS:

–upcoming events–>

Day of Decision: Dallas: Queer Liberaction, a local direct action group organized in the wake of Prop 8′s passage last November, is already planning to hold a rally at 7 p.m. at the intersection of Cedar Springs Road and Oak Lawn Avenue on the Day of Decision. , when the CA Supreme Court announces their decision. More Info

Day of Decision: San Antonio: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source

Ongoing: Dallas: Queer Liberaction meetings, 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at Buli Cafe, located at 3908 Cedar Springs. Meetings start at 7 pm. More Info

———————————————–

USA, VERMONT:

–news–>

4/5: The state senate is expected to concur with a few changes in the bill approved by the House on Friday, granting marriage rights to gay couples. Next, it comes down a vote by the legislature to override the governor’s veto. Source

4/6:

–Gov. Jim Douglas, R-Vermont, has vetoed a bill that would allow same-sex couples to marry in Vermont. Wednesday morning, the Vt. Senate will convene at 9 a.m. to attempt to override the governor’s veto. Source

–Gay activists in Vermont may be as close as one vote to passing a gay marriage bill. Source

4/7:

–The Vermont Legislature voted Tuesday to permit same-sex couples to marry — making it the first state in the union to legalize gay marriage through a vote of lawmakers rather than a court action. Source

–The National Organization for Marriage plans to release a homophobic ad declaring, “There is a storm gathering . . . and I am afraid” in Iowa and the Northeast to try to counter gay marriage successes in both places. Source

–articles–>

Editorial: Make final push for marriage equality, Burlington Free Press Source

———————————————–

USA, WASHINGTON

–news–>

4/6: A straight couple has filed a lawsuit against the husband’s employer, alleging reverse discrimination because the unmarried couple is not covered by the company’s health-care plan because they do not qualitfy as “domestic partners”. Source

———————————————–

USA, WASHINGTON, DC

–news–>

4/7: The D.C. Council has voted to recognize gay marriages performed in other states. Source

4/8: The White House is allocating tickets for the upcoming Easter Egg Roll to gay and lesbian parents as part of the Obama administration’s outreach to diverse communities. Source

4/10: DC Mayor Adrian Fenty on the gay marriage recognirtion bill: “I have always said I will sign the bill, whether I was on the council or mayor, I would either vote for legislation or sign legislation.” Source

———————————————–

USA, WEST VIRGINIA

–news–>

4/7: Local and national politics doomed a bill that would have protected gays and lesbians against discrimination at work and in housing, supporters of the measure say. Source

———————————————–

USA, WISCONSIN

–news–>

4/10: Following a wave of states legalizing same-sex marriage this week, the Wisconsin Supreme Court will now have the opportunity to review the state’s ban on gay marriage, an appeals court ruled Thursday. Source

–articles–>

Constitutionality of Doyle’s domestic partner registry in question, by Mark Pitsch Source

———————————————–

fini

Posted in Uncategorized | No Responses »

Gay Marriage Watch: March 29th-April 4th

Sunday, April 5th, 2009

Here’s the latest news on gay marriage from around the world. My favorite thing of the week? This model of the progression of gay marriage from Nate Silver, the polling whiz from 538 Politics, which shows an increase of support of about 2% a year, and which finds that the three major factors in any given state that decide whether a ban is likely to pass are the year, the percentage of adults who say religion is an important part of their daily lives, and the percentage of white evangelicals in a state. By his analysis, by 2012 more than half of the states would vote against a marriage ban. It’s fascinating stuff.

And of course, the shocking news that the Iowa Supreme Court legalized gay marriage – and by a unanimous vote, no less. Iowa is much less likely to see a devastating overturn of the decision like California did last year – it takes two consecutive yearly votes by the legislature followed by a vote of the people to change the state constitution, and Democratic leaders of the legislature have already said they will pass no such bill.

Hero of the Week:

My hero this week is Beth LaPlante, who writes in the Kennebec Journal (Maine):

“In Maine, and many other states, it is perfectly legal to marry your first cousin, but yet, our country of change currently denies the right for homosexual couples to marry. Why?”

Go, Beth, go! :)

Woody Award:

Our woody award this week goes to Dan Charland, who gleefully compares giving gays and lesbians the right to marry in Vermont to facism, and who says it will give legislators license to “change the legal definitions of any other concepts their flights of fancy may give them. As with the above examples, where will it stop?” In so doing, he intentionally trivializes the fight for our rights. We’re not asking for this right on w whim. We didn’t just wake up one morning saying, hey, today lets take marriage away from the Christians.

Then he compares gay marriage advocates to hitler and the third reich, and then dares to call anyone who might call him on it “simple-minded.”

And finally, this tired old hard-right axiom: “Marriage is the sacred union of a man and a woman. There are physical, moral, historical and legal precedents for this since time began.” Yes, and women are still chattel who are traded by families to seal business relationships, and harems are still commonplace, and, lordy, don’t let the blacks marry the whites. Oh heavens no.

Mister Charland would do well to get to know some gay and lesbian copules, to see what struggles we go through as we fight homophobia in every aspect of our daily lives. This isn’t some abstract debate over definitions of a word, and it’s not a lifestyle, Mister Charland – it’s my life.

Enjoy your woody!

Gay Marriage Watch:

Now on to this week’s Gay Marriage Watch. The blog is now organized almost entirely by area, with news of the week, upcoming marriage equality events, and great recent articles and columns. For a longer history of past news stories, just click on one of the older Gay Marriage Watch blogs from our archives.

To subscribe to this blog, or if you have any thoughts about how we can make this feature better or easier to use or any updates on the issues covered here, let me know at info@purpleunions.com.

Enjoy the rest of the Watch!

–Scott

———————————————-

AUSTRALIA:

–news–>

3/31: Westpac, Australia’s second-largest bank and one of the largest employers in the nation, has agreed to recognise same-sex marriage. Source

———————————————-

CANADA:

–articles–>

3/27: Alberta Culture Minister Lindsay Blackett wants to include sexual orientation in the province’s human rights laws, possibly as early as this spring. Source

———————————————-

EUROPE:

–news–>

3/31: Discrimination and bullying against gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transsexuals and transgendered people remains a problem in Europe, a survey indicates. The majority of the population in the Netherlands, some 82 per cent, Sweden 71 per cent and Denmark 69 per cent, was in favour of same-sex marriage, but only a small minority was in favour in Romania with 11 per cent, Latvia with 12 per cent and Cyprus with 14 per cent was in favour. Source 1 Source 2

———————————————-

FRANCE:

–news–>

France’s Internal Debate on Gay Marriage, by Lyndon Barnett Source

———————————————-

INDIA:

–articles–>

New Sexual Awakening, Is India Ready? by Ash Gee Source

———————————————-

LEBANON:

–news–>

4/1: Beirut-based LGBTI support group Helem has been awarded the 2009 Felipa de Souza Award by the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) for its work to improve the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersexed (LGBTI). Source

———————————————-

RUSSIA:

–news–>

4/2: Twenty-two members of the European Parliament have sent a letter to the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers complaining about Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov’s permanent ban on public gay events and similar bans elsewhere in Russia. Source

———————————————-

SWEDEN:

–news–>

4/1: Parliament on Wednesday adopted a new law that gives same-sex couples the same marriage rights as heterosexuals. Source

———————————————-

UNITED KINGDOM:

–upcoming events–>

10/4: Cardiff: Gay wedding show. More Info

10/18: Manchester: Gay wedding show. More Info

11/15: Brighton: Gay wedding show. More Info

———————————————-

VENEZUELA:

–news–>

4/3: Venezuela’s National Assembly is set to legalize same-sex unions with a new “associations of coexistence” law. Source

———————————————-

USA:

–news–>

3/31: The White House has invited recently retired NFL Coach Tony Dungy, whose outspoken Christian faith fueled his 2007 support for a gay marriage ban and has won accolades from evangelical leaders, to join its Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Source

4/3: 55% of Americans questioned in a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll conducted in December said that same sex marriages should not be recognized by law as valid. 44% said gay marriages should be legal. But it represents an increase in support from 40% in an October 2007 CNN poll. Source

–upcoming events–>

4/15: Same Sex Kiss Day: Show up at a Starbucks on Tax Day at 7:15 AM, 12:15 PM, 5:15 PM, or 8:15 PM , buy a cuppa joe, then share a kiss with your sweetie, or a friend, or even a long-time crush! More Info

6/28: Million Gay March: Annual event on the 40th anniversary of Stonewall in all 50 states. More Info

Day of Decision: Rallies country-wide on the day of the CA Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. More Info

–articles–>

Case could go all the way to Supreme Court, by Rebecca Hyman Source

Federal Employee Benefits and Domestic Partners, by Ralph Smith Source

———————————————-

USA, ARIZONA:

–upcoming events–>

6/27-6/29: Driving Equality Arizona, 12 AM 6/27 to 11 AM 6/29. Contact Email

———————————————-

USA, CALIFORNIA:

–news–>

3/31: A Proposition 8 protest march which began Wednesday in Berkeley and began with 30-40 marchers finished up at the California State Capitol in Sacramento yesterday. Source

4/2:

–A native of the Philippines and the mother of twin boys born in the Bay Area who had been threatened with deportation today has won a temporary stay to remain in the United States and appeal her case. Source

–Incidents of anti-gay hate crimes doubled in at least one Bay Area county last year and one prosecutor is attributing the increase to Proposition 8 and the ensuing same-sex marriage debate. Source

–upcoming events–>

4/5: Delano: Courage Campaign march for immigrant rights – bridge building with the immigrant community. 10 AM at Cesar Chavez Park. More Info

4/5: South Los Angeles: West Adams/South Los Angeles Equality Team Kickoff, 2:00 PM. More Info

4/9: Santa Barbara: Equality California Town Hall Meeting to discuss Prop 8 and the future of the movement, at Pacific Pride Foundation. More Info

4/14: St. Helena: On April 14, the city council will discuss a resolution stating that the City does not support discrimination and finds that all people regardless of gender should be able to enter into the legal contract of marriage and receive the same social and legal benefits and recognition as conferred by the State of California. More Info

4/16: Fresno: Equality California Town Hall Meeting to discuss Prop 8 and the future of the movement, at the Fresno City College Diversity Club. More Info

4/16: San Francisco: A Necessary Evil (Special Presentation), A new play by John Fisher, a mother and son in a battle of wills, a lover caught in between. a play about how Proposition 8 threatens to destroy one family, at Theater Rhinoceros, 8-10 PM. More Info

4/17-4/20: Sacramento: GAYLA (GSA Advocacy & Youth Leadership Academy) will take place in Sacramento from April 17th to April 19th, culminating in QYAD (Queer Youth Advocacy Day) on April 20th. More Info

4/8: Dana Point: OC Equality Team Canvass, 10 AM. More Info

4/18: Oakdale: Wine Tasting Fundraiser for Marriage Equality USA: Savor a hand-picked selection of wines from Gnekow Family Winery, and enjoy the picturesque estate of vintner Sean Gnekow. Come prepared for a delectable menu and a generous silent auction. 2-5 PM. More Info

4/18-4/19: San Diego: The Human Rights Campaign is sponsoring a two-day training to provide grassroots activists hands-on skills to organize their communities on marriage equality for same-sex couples. More Info

4/20: Sacramento: Queer Youth Advocacy Day, State Capitol More Info

4/21: Sacramento: Equality California Town Hall Meeting to discuss Prop 8 and the future of the movement, at The Center OC. More Info

5/7: Orange County: Equality California Town Hall Meeting to discuss Prop 8 and the future of the movement, at Pacific Pride Foundation. More Info

5/16-5/17: Long Beach: Pride More Info

5/18: Sacramento: EQCA Equality Awards at the Sheraton Grand, VOP Reception 5 PM, General Reception 5:30 PM-7 PM. Source

5/22: Statewide: Harvey Milk Day. More Info

5/30: Sacramento: Statewide Rally at Capitol Building to Kick off Pride More Info

5/31-6/6: Across California: AIDS Life Cycle – Team Marriage Equality. Contact Email

6/12-6/14: Los Angeles: Pride More Info

6/27-6/28: San Francisco: Pride More Info

7/9-7/19: Los Angeles: Outfest is the oldest continuous film festival in Southern California. Since its founding in 1982, Outfest has presented more than 4,500 films and videos for audiences of over half a million people. More Info

7/18-7/19: San Diego: Pride More Info

8/1: Los Angeles: Equality Awards. More Info

10/17: Palm Springs: Equality Awards More Info

11/7-11/8: Palm Springs: Pride More Info

Day of Decision: Fresno: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source

Day of Decision: Long Beach: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source

Day of Decision: Los Angeles/West Hollywood: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source

Day of Decision: Rancho Cucamonga: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source

Day of Decision: San Diego: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source

Day of Decision: San Francisco: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source

Every Monday: Fresno: Meet in the Middle 4 Equality Planning Meeting, 6 PM, at the Wesley United Methodist Church. More Info

Every Monday: Los Angeles: LA Equal Roots Meeting. More Info

–articles–>

Napa feeling the heat on gay marriage, by Kevin Courtney Source

Meg Whitman Was for Gay Rights Before She Was Against Them, by Owen Thomas Source

———————————————-

USA, CONNECTICUT:

–news–>

3/30: The General Assembly’s Judiciary Committee on Monday afternoon voted 30-10 to codify last October’s landmark state Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage. Source

———————————————-

USA, GEORGIA:

–upcoming events–>

5/2: Atlanta: Human Rights Campaign’s 2009 Atlanta Gala & Dinner. More Info

———————————————-

USA, HAWAII:

–articles–>

Analysis: Cast of characters downs civil unions, from Southern Voice Source

———————————————

USA, ILLINOIS:

–upcoming events–>

Day of Decision: Chicago: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source

———————————————

USA, IOWA:

–news–>

4/3: United Church of Christ leaders are hailing a unanimous decision by the Iowa Supreme Court to reject the state’s ban on same-gender marriage as unconstitutional. Source

–Conservative activists said Friday that they would push the Legislature to take up a constitutional amendment defining marriage as being between a man and a woman. Source

–The Iowa Supreme Court legalized gay marriage. Source

–articles–>

Lesbian Couple Tries To Marry, by Mark Tauscheck Source

Sioux City Council Members React To Gay Marriage, from KCAUTV.COM Source

California ruling helped Iowa OK gay marriage, by Bob Egelko Source

———————————————

USA, MAINE:

–upcoming events–>

4/24: Gay Marriage hearing before the Maine legislature. More Info

———————————————

USA, MARYLAND:

–news–>

4/3: Gay marriage activists are asking for legislation to exempt domestic partners who own a home together from the hefty state taxes assessed on property when one partner dies. Source

–articles–>

Md. Gay Rights Advocates Seek Spousal Benefits, from WBOC16 Source

———————————————

USA, MICHIGAN:

–news–>

3/30: Michigan appeals court made a ruling that not only protects all the children of the state’s gay parents but also stands as an important legal guidepost for courts elsewhere. Source

———————————————

USA, MINNESOTA:

–news–>

3/30: Faced with a massive budget balancing headache, state lawmakers appear to be sidestepping the gay marriage debate this year. Source

3/31: An unprecedented number of bills has been introduced this legislative session that would grant same-sex couples legal status similar to that of married couples. But the five bills have died quiet deaths, as leaders say they don’t have the votes to pass them, even out of DFL-dominated committees. Source

———————————————

USA, NEW YORK:

–news–>

3/31:

–The state’s highest court agreed on Tuesday to hear arguments in two cases that challenge New York’s recognition of same-sex marriages legally performed elsewhere. Source

–A state Supreme Court judge in Broome County has allowed a same-sex Binghamton couple to divorce. Source

4/2: The New York City Board of Health, without fanfare, started listing “domestic partnership” under the category of “marital status at the time of death” on city death certificates on January 1. Source

–upcoming events–>

4/24-26: Utica: 2009 Pride and Joy Families Weekend Conference to be held April 24-26. More Info

4/25: Goshen: Rally for Marriage Equality, 2-4 PM at Church Park, Contact Email

4/28: Albany: Equality & Justice Day, 6 am-8 PM, Albany Legislative Buildings Contact Email

5/9: New York: 7:30pm, Off Center will present “Are We Tying the Knot Too Tight?: Gains and Losses in the Rush to Normalcy.” This moderated panel will address some of the issues the LGBT community faces when dealing with whether and how to support the movement for same-sex marriage. More Info

9/9: Brooklyn: Family Law Day, In Conjunction with Lavender Law 2009, Brooklyn, NY, Co-sponsored by the National Lesbian & Gay Law Association and the National Family Law Advisory Council of the National Center for Lesbian Rights. More Info

Day of Decision: Albany: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source

–articles–>

A taxing fight: LGBT couples still pay more for benefits, by Abram Brown Source

———————————————–

USA, NORTH CAROLINA:

–news–>

3/31: A new poll by the Family Policy Council contradicts an earlier poll showing North Carolinians evenly split on an anti-gay-marriage constitutional amendment. The new poll shows 73% in favor, 17% against, and 10% unsure. Source

–upcoming events–>

4/9: Durham: city attorney Patrick Baker will present a recommendation on the gay marriage resolution to the council April 9. More Info

———————————————–

USA, PENNSYLVANIA:

–upcoming events–>

4/27-5/3: Philadelphia: Equality Forum celebrates international gay culture and politics with parties and educational events made possible by more than 75 regional, national and international organizations. More Info

5/3: Philadelphia: National Equality Rally at Independence Hall More Info

5/15-5/17: New Hope: Pride More Info

6/14: Philadelphia: Pride More Info

———————————————–

USA, TEXAS:

–upcoming events–>

Day of Decision: Dallas: Queer Liberaction, a local direct action group organized in the wake of Prop 8′s passage last November, is already planning to hold a rally at 7 p.m. at the intersection of Cedar Springs Road and Oak Lawn Avenue on the Day of Decision. , when the CA Supreme Court announces their decision. More Info

Day of Decision: San Antonio: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source

Ongoing: Dallas: Queer Liberaction meetings, 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at Buli Cafe, located at 3908 Cedar Springs. Meetings start at 7 pm. More Info

———————————————-

USA, UTAH:

–news–>

3/31: 63% of Utahns support Sen. Chris Buttars being stripped of key legislative assignments over anti-gay statements he made to a documentary filmmaker, according to a new poll. Source

———————————————–

USA, VERMONT:

–news–>

3/29: Former Governor Howard Dean urged Vermont party members to press forward in this year’s legislative drive to grant marriage rights to all Vermonters, regardless of gender. Source

3/30:

–An unscientific survey taken by state. Sen. William Doyle shows that 55% of Vermonters support gay marriage, 38% oppose it and 7% are undecided. Source

–In the first two days after Governor Douglas pledged to veto a same-sex marriage bill, Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas’ mailbag and e-mail inbox runneth over, with about 1,500 letters and messages pouring in, with 60% in favor of the bill. Source

3/31: A House committee easily passed a bill, 8-2, that would recognize such relationships, sending it to the full chamber. Source

4/2: The Vermont House of Representatives approved a bill legalizing gay marriage. Source

4/3: Gay marriage supporters are counting votes to see if they have enough votes to override the Governor’s threatened veto of the recently passed gay marriage bill. Source

———————————————–

USA, WASHINGTON, DC

–news–>

3/28: About 25 volunteers with D.C. for Marriage collected nearly 600 signatures Saturday from people who support enacting same-sex marriage in the nation’s capital. Source

———————————————–

USA, WEST VIRGINIA

–news–>

3/30: West Virginia’s House of Delegates has voted along party lines against advancing a proposed constitutional amendment on marriage. Source

———————————————–

fini

Posted in Uncategorized | No Responses »