October, 2009

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Update on the Referendum 71 Fight in Washington State

Monday, October 26th, 2009

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights in Washington state are facing a crucial vote. Voters are choosing whether to approve or reject SB 5688–a domestic partnership expansion bill passed earlier this year by the state legislature and signed into law by the governor in May.

The law would grant the rights of civil marriage in Washington state–like sharing health benefits and death benefits, and hospital visitation rights–to same-sex couples and heterosexual partners where at least one of the two people is over the age of 62, without calling it “marriage.” Everyone registered to vote in Washington state should vote to approve Referendum 71 and protect the rights of LGBT couples and seniors.

This “Everything but Marriage” law–as it is referred to by its supporters–is the culmination of a strategy of working toward marriage equality by first creating the domestic partnership category for same-sex couples, and then adding more and more rights until domestic partners have the same state-granted rights as married couples do, just without the name.

Full Story from SocialistWorker.org: http://socialistworker.org/2009/10/26/fight-for-referendum-71

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources in Washington State.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or 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.

Posted in domestic partnerships, Gay Marriage, r71, referendum 71, wa, washington state | No Responses »

Judge Tells Prop 8 Sponsors: Hand Over Campaign Documents Now

Monday, October 26th, 2009

A federal judge said sponsors of California’s ban on same-sex marriage may not delay in handing over campaign strategy documents to gay-rights groups that are looking for evidence of anti gay bias as they try to overturn the measure.

The sponsors had sought to keep the documents while challenging the order to turn them over in an appeals court.

But in a ruling late Friday, Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker of San Francisco said backers of Proposition 8 had failed to show that disclosing internal memos and e-mails would violate their freedom of speech or subject them to harassment.

Full Story from SFGate: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/10/25/BASI1AABK3.DTL&type=politics

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or 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.

Posted in bias, campaign documents, jusge, prop 8, proposition 8 | No Responses »

"Million Dollar Baby" Director Leaves Scientology Over Group's Anti Gay Marriage Stance

Monday, October 26th, 2009

Oscar-winning director Paul Haggis has had enough of Scientology, and he enumerated his reasons for abandoning the celebrity-riddled religion in a scathing letter to Church of Scientology’s Celebrity Centre leader Tommy Davis. Roger Friedman of The Hollywood Reporter broke the story, pointing to the main cause of Haggis’ angry departure: Scientology’s support of Proposition 8 in California banning gay marriage.

In the letter to Davis – published in full on the blog of former Scientologist Marty Rathbun – Haggis wrote, “I told you I could not, in good conscience, be a member of an organization where gay-bashing was tolerated … In that first conversation, back at the end of October of last year, you told me you were horrified, that you would get to the bottom of it and ‘heads would roll.’ You promised action. Ten months passed. No action was forthcoming.”

The ‘Million Dollar Baby’ director added, “The church’s refusal to denounce the actions of these bigots, hypocrites and homophobes is cowardly. I can think of no other word. Silence is consent, Tommy. I refuse to consent.”

Full Story from Pop Eater: http://www.popeater.com/2009/10/26/paul-haggis-renounces-scientology-in-scathing-letter/

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or 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.

Posted in director, Gay Marriage, million dollar baby, paul haggis, proposition 8, quits, scientology | No Responses »

Proposed Ugandan Law Would Give Lifetime Sentence for Touching Someone With Gay Intent

Monday, October 26th, 2009

The nation of Uganda appears ready to relive the Idi Amin era of brutality. Jim Burroway has the details on this astonishingly vile piece of legislation under consideration, the Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2009:

The proposed bill would:

* Reaffirm the lifetime sentence currently provided upon conviction of homosexuality, and extends the definition from sexual activity to merely “touch[ing] another person with the intention of committing the act of homosexuality.”

* Create a new category of “aggravated homosexuality” which provides for the death penalty for “repeat offenders” and for cases where the individual is HIV-positive.

Full Story from ScienceBlogs: http://scienceblogs.com/dispatches/2009/10/uganda_considers_barbaric_anti.php

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or 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.

Posted in anti gay bill, Gay Marriage, gay rights, uganda | No Responses »

New York Governor Convening Special Session November 10th to Vote on Budget, Gay Marriage, More

Monday, October 26th, 2009

Governor David Paterson announced Sunday that he is convening the state Legislature on November 10 to address New York’s growing budget deficit.

Before the extraordinary legislative session, Paterson is holding a public leaders meeting in the city this Thursday.

The governor will address the leaders of the State Senate and Assembly on November 9 in Albany to outline what he feels the state needs to do to ensure long-term fiscal stability.

Full Story from NY1: http://ny1.com/7-brooklyn-news-content/news_beats/politics/107896/paterson-to-convene-special-budget-session/

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources in New York.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or 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.

Posted in Gay Marriage, governor david paterson, legislature, new york, ny, special session | No Responses »

Gay Marriage Watch Events List 10/25/09

Sunday, October 25th, 2009

Gay Marriage Watch Events List:

We now publish updates daily, and a weekly recap of upcoming gay marriage events. For the posted stories during the week and our occasional “woody award” for gay marriage homophobia, just scroll down the blog or check the archives on the right.

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

Upcoming Gay Marriage Events (in Country, State, City Order)

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>>GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN AUSTRALIA

Australia, SA, Adelaide: 11/28: Kickoff event/rally for a “Year of Action for Same Sex Marriage.” http://tinyurl.com/yfnto8w

Australia, QLD, Brisbane: 11/28: Kickoff event/rally for a “Year of Action for Same Sex Marriage.” http://tinyurl.com/yfnto8w

Australia, QLD, Canberra: 11/28: Kickoff event/rally for a “Year of Action for Same Sex Marriage.” http://tinyurl.com/yfnto8w

Australia, NSW, Lismore: 11/28: Kickoff event/rally for a “Year of Action for Same Sex Marriage.” http://tinyurl.com/yfnto8w

Australia, VIC, Melbourne: 11/28: Kickoff event/rally for a “Year of Action for Same Sex Marriage.” http://tinyurl.com/yfnto8w

Australia, WA, Perth: 11/28: Kickoff event/rally for a “Year of Action for Same Sex Marriage.” http://tinyurl.com/yfnto8w

Australia, NSW, Sydney: 11/28: Kickoff event/rally for a “Year of Action for Same Sex Marriage.” http://tinyurl.com/yfnto8w

Australia, NSW, Sydney: 3/3: NMG’s Dinner at the Zoo, to raise money for Australian Marriage Equality (AME). http://tinyurl.com/yjcc8ks

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>>GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

UK, England, Brighton: 11/15: Gay wedding show. http://tinyurl.com/yls8g6w

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>>GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN ARIZONA

USA, AZ, Tucson: 11/20: 1st annual Wingspan Classic Golf Tournament benefit. 12:30 PM. http://tinyurl.com/ykuh8ox

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>>GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN CALIFORNIA

CA, Berkeley: 10/25: No on 1 Phonebank for marriage equality, T’s House, 2-5 PM, http://tinyurl.com/yln8yp9

CA, Berkeley: 10/31: No on 1 Phonebank for marriage equality, Eshelmen Hall, UC Berkeley Campus, 12-4 PM. http://tinyurl.com/yg8drap

CA, Berkeley: 11/1: No on 1 Phonebank for marriage equality, T’s House, 2-5 PM, http://tinyurl.com/yhloy4w

CA, Hanford: 10/31: No on 1 Phonebank, Kim & Cammy’s House, 12-3 PM. http://tinyurl.com/yj5ww47

CA, Huntington Beach: 10/30: Halloween Fundraiser Benefiting OC Pride 2010, $10, 8 PM-2 AM. http://tinyurl.com/yzr6u33

CA, Irvine: 10/25: No on 1 Phonebank, Dance Emotion, 2-5 PM. http://tinyurl.com/yhwjwg3

CA, Laguna Niguel: 10/31: Spooky Halloween voter canvassing, 12-3 PM. http://tinyurl.com/ykpkfkv

CA, Los Angeles: Every Monday: LA Equal Roots Meeting. http://tinyurl.com/ntkal4

CA, Los Angeles: Every Tuesday: Love Honor Cherish Meeting. 7:30 PM. http://tinyurl.com/r2kruq

CA, Los Angeles: 10/25: Field Trip/Activist Retreat for Equality Network. 9 AM-6 PM. http://tinyurl.com/ykdlm83

CA, Los Angeles: 10/25: Counter Protest The Tea Party Express This Sunday In Griffith Park, 4-5 PM. http://tinyurl.com/yzp7lq2

CA, Los Angeles: 11/1: No on 1 Phonebank, Private Home, 9:30-12:30 PM. http://tinyurl.com/yko35ye

CA, Los Angeles: 11/4: Marriage Equality Day – Mourning the loss of Rights stripped away by Prop 8, 7-10 PM. http://tinyurl.com/ygz2gpm

CA, Los Angeles: 11/5: Toast to Equality EQCA benefit, 6-9:30 PM. http://tinyurl.com/yzfvkrk

CA, Los Angeles: 11/6: 13 Love Stories Opening Night w/ Reverend Eric of SCLC, 7-9 PM. http://tinyurl.com/yzm8l3r

CA, Los Angeles: 11/7-11/20: “Lavender Los Angeles: The Making of our pre-Stonewall LGBT Movement”. http://tinyurl.com/yhc5e8b

CA, Los Angeles: 11/12: Tabling at Art Walk with Equality Network, 7-9:30 PM. http://tinyurl.com/yf3dyob

CA, Mar Vista: 10/31: No on 1 Phonebank,, Private Home, 9:30-12:30 AM. http://tinyurl.com/yhw7623

CA, Mountainview: Every Sunday Thru Nov Election: Phonebanking for Maine Marriage Equality. 2-7 PM. http://tinyurl.com/m2ccut

CA, Oakland: 10/30: Fright Movie Night Potluck Social! Norm’s Condo, 6:30-11:30 PM. http://tinyurl.com/ygl8ndz

CA, Palm Springs: 11/7-11/8: Palm Springs Pride http://tinyurl.com/yhsfscv

CA, Sacramento: 11/4: A Day of Smiles, Tears and Action: rally at the State Capitol. 5-7 PM. http://tinyurl.com/akwh6f

CA, Sacramento: 11/6: Honoring John Chiang, John A. Perez, and Kathy Kneer for their fight for LGBT rights, 6-8 PM. http://tinyurl.com/yhv3fv2

CA, Sacramento: 11/7: Camp Courage Sacramento 2-day training program on community organizing. http://tinyurl.com/yj8azmm

CA, Salinas: 10/25: No on 1 Phonebank, Dance Emotion, 3-6 PM. http://tinyurl.com/yf67wx7

CA, San Diego: 10/31: Family trick or treat, 3-6 PM. http://tinyurl.com/ylokspd

CA, San Diego: 11/5: 2nd Annual “I DO” Party, 25% to EQCA, $10, 9 PM. http://tinyurl.com/ykca4to

CA, San Diego: 11/14: 2009 San Diego Equality Awards. http://tinyurl.com/yk595tj

CA, San Francisco: 10/25: No on 1 Phonebank for marriage equality, EQCA HQ, 11 AM, http://tinyurl.com/yke2rv5

CA, San Francisco: 10/26: Defying Inequality Concert, Palace of Fine Arts, Patty Duke, Cast of Wicked, $100. 7:30 PM. http://tinyurl.com/yf4btue

CA, San Francisco: 10/26: Capitol Club Year-End Reception: 2009 review, 2010 preview. Transamerica Pyramid, 5:30-7 PM. http://tinyurl.com/yjharxq

CA, San Francisco: 10/29: Beyond Marriage: Recognizing Alternative Family Relationships, SFLGBT Comm Center, 6-7:30 PM. http://tinyurl.com/yklp3eg

CA, San Francisco: 10/31: No on 1 Phonebank, EQCA HQ, 11 AM, http://tinyurl.com/yjhkymk

CA, San Francisco: 11/1: No on 1 Phonebank, EQCA HQ, 11 AM, http://tinyurl.com/yharluq

CA, San Francisco: 11/4: Full Federal Equality Now! Rally and Action for LGBT Rights, Harvey Milk Plaza, 6-9 PM. http://tinyurl.com/yl38wap

CA, San Jose: 10/25: No on 1 Phonebank, EQCA Silicon Valley Office, 1-5 PM. http://tinyurl.com/yfzdzpa

CA, San Jose: 11/2: Interfaith Candlelight Rally for Marriage Equality, First Christian Church, 6-7 PM. http://tinyurl.com/yknva69

CA, Santa Clara: 11/2: Interfaith Candlelight Rally to Support Marriage Equality, First Christian Church, 6-7 PM. http://tinyurl.com/yjhsg52

CA, Seaside: 10/25: No on 1 Phonebank, CSUMB Bldg 208, 12-3 PM. http://tinyurl.com/yf8g9b8

CA, Sherman Oaks: 10/31: No on 1 Phonebank, Location TBA, 11 AM-2 PM. http://tinyurl.com/yfjkh2q

CA, Union City: 10/25: No on 1 Phonebank, L+M’s House, 12-1 PM. http://tinyurl.com/ylau4ca

CA, West Hollywood: Every Wednesday: Equality Network meeting, at Fubar. 7-9PM. http://tinyurl.com/nlt3la

CA, West Hollywood: 10/31: Equality at West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval: 6-9 PM. http://tinyurl.com/yg52552

CA, West Hollywood: 11/7: An Action / Rally to officially kick-off a new campaign to enact marriage equality in California, thereby overturning Prop 8. 5-8 PM. More Info

CA, West Hollywood: 11/12: Launch of The Love Unites Shepard Fairey Equality Project benefiting marriage equality. $30-125. 8-11 PM. http://tinyurl.com/ykwt3lq

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>>GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN MAINE

ME, Camden: 10/30: A fundraising event at the Camden Opera House benefiting No on 1/Protect Maine Equality. http://tinyurl.com/ygqgwqj

ME, Hallowell: 10/25: Slates Restaurant and Bakery fundraiser for No on 1, $15, 5-7 PM. http://tinyurl.com/yhr6eg7

ME, Portland: Every Tuesday: El Rayo Taqueria at 101 York St, fundraiser after 4pm, 10% of all sales to NO ON 1. http://tinyurl.com/ygqgwqj

ME, Portland: Every Tuesday: Portland Equal Rights Coalition Meeting, Check Site for Location. http://tinyurl.com/yfqd2pz

ME, Portland: 10/28: “Same-Sex Marriage: The Maine Debate”, Hannaford Lecture Hall, 5-6 PM. http://tinyurl.com/yfoxa33

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>>GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN OREGON

OR, Pendleton: 10/31: “You Have Always Been Welcome Here” play about transgender people, Pendleton Ctr for the Arts, 7:30 PM. http://tinyurl.com/yfeqjxp

OR, Bend: 11/3: Winning the Freedom to Marry with Evan Wolfson, Old Stone Church, 7 PM. http://tinyurl.com/yfkmkz4

OR, Eugene: 11/4: Winning the Freedom to Marry with Evan Wolfson, Old Stone Church, 6 PM. http://tinyurl.com/yfkmkz4

OR, Portland: 11/2: Winning the Freedom to Marry with Evan Wolfson, Old Stone Church. SEIU Local 49, 6 PM. http://tinyurl.com/yfkmkz4

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>>GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN TEXAS

TX, Dallas: 2/3-2/7: The 22nd National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change: The 22nd National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change will be held at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel in beautiful downtown Dallas, Texas, Feb. 3 – 7, 2010. http://tinyurl.com/ykppv5p

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fini

Posted in civil unions, events, Gay Marriage, maine, phonebanking, protests, rallies, rally, washington | No Responses »

One Iowa Working to Defend Gay Marriage

Sunday, October 25th, 2009

To most Iowans, same-sex marriage, now legal in the state, is not a burning issue that political candidates and legislators should spend precious time and resources on, according to the state’s largest gay and lesbian advocacy group.

But One Iowa is not taking the situation for granted. The group is criss-crossing the state, urging voters to contact lawmakers to ensure that same-sex marriage remains legal as a result of an Iowa Supreme Court ruling on April 3.

“The vast majority of Iowans are concerned about bread-and-butter issues. They don’t want to see lawmakers tied up in a contentious two- or three-year fight to amend our constitution,” to ban same-sex marriage, said Justin Uebelhor, director of communications for One Iowa, who made a stop in Dubuque on Tuesday.

Full Story from TH Online: http://www.thonline.com/article.cfm?id=261091

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or 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.

Posted in Gay Marriage, ia, iowa, national organization for marriage, nom, one iowa, reclaim iowa | No Responses »

Details from Stand for Marriage Maine's Campaign Finance Report

Sunday, October 25th, 2009

Stand for Marriage Maine, the group attempting to strip gay Mainers of the right to marry, has filed a report of their contributions and expenditures since September 30.

–They have taken in an additional $1.4 million for a total of $2.5 million
–Expenditures were $1.1 million for a total of $2.2 million.
–The National Organization for Marriage has donated an additional $1.1 million bring their total donations to $1.6 million.
–The Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland provided SFMM with an additonal $196,000.
–One individual, Rita Sukeworth of China, ME, donated $25,000. A Doug Sukeworth donated $5,000 to the Maine Grassroots Coalition which has received considerable support from the Christian Action League and has run some print ads in support of Question 1.
–Focus on the “Family” kicked in another $18,000
–The Smith Living Trust, of Newport Beach, CA donated $10,000.

Full Story from Tips-Q: http://www.tips-q.com/1518133-stand-marriage-maine-updates-campaign-finance-reports

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources in Maine.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or 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.

Posted in fundraising, Gay Marriage, maine, me, stand for marriage | No Responses »

Anti Gay March in Taiwan Met With Counter Protest

Sunday, October 25th, 2009

Religious conservatives in Taipei City yesterday beat gay activists to the punch, leading an anti-gay march ahead of next week’s scheduled gay liberation parade, local media reported.

The event saw attendance by over 2,000 members of various Christian denominations including Presbyterian, Baptist, and Methodist groups, said a report by the Central News Agency (CNA).

Gay rights supporters did not shy away from a counter-protest, with many of them carrying crosses, a symbol of burden, on their backs, said the report.

Full Story from the China Post: http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/local/taipei/2009/10/25/230046/Anti-gay-march.htm

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or 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.

Posted in anti gay, china, gay pride, gay rights, rally, taipei, taiwan | No Responses »

Irish Soccer Player Donal og Cusack Comes Out

Sunday, October 25th, 2009

Today’s column will be about homosexuality so I must issue a warning that some readers will find some of its contents immoral, unnatural and downright disgusting. I know I do.

What, for example, could be more immoral, unnatural and downright disgusting than this statement? “Sexual relations outside marriage constituted a violation of bodily integrity, and homosexuality did so in a particularly grave manner as being against the order of nature and a perversion of the biological function of the sexual organs . . . it was important that the state should do all in its power to discourage the spread of homosexuality and in particular should not appear by the laws to condone sexual practices calculated to undermine the institutions of marriage and the family.”

That choice piece of hate speech was issued from one Rory O’Hanlon SC in 1980. At the time Mr O’Hanlon was representing the State as it defended the legal ban on homosexuality being challenged in the High Court by David Norris. He was not giving his own personal opinion, he was giving that of the State. Or, in other words, us. This was being said in the name of the people of Ireland.

Full Story from Independent.ie: http://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/cusacks-giant-leap-forward-1923991.html

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or 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.

Posted in comes out, donal og cusack, football, gay man, Gay Marriage, goalie, ireland, player, soccer | No Responses »

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