November, 2009

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NJ: Democrats Ready to Throw Gays Under the Bus, Again?

Monday, November 30th, 2009

Support for gay marriage in Trenton is draining away like water from a tub as nervous legislators scurry towards safer political ground. “I can’t say I’m confident now,” says Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen), a lead sponsor. “I think we still have a pretty good chance. But people are getting nervous and weak-kneed.”

Bad as that sounds, know that Weinberg is spinning this as best she can. Several other senators, supporters and opponents, say the movement is all but dead.

“They’ve lost the momentum,” says Sen. Kip Bateman, a Somerset Republican who considered supporting the measure until last week. “I don’t think it’s going to happen.”

Full Story from NJ.com: http://blog.nj.com/njv_tom_moran/2009/11/a_surprisingly_dark_day_for_ga.html

Click here for gay marriage resources in New Jersey.

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 democrats, Gay Marriage, new jersey, nj | No Responses »

UT: Poll Says 60% Support Anti Discrimination Laws Statewide for Gays

Monday, November 30th, 2009

A new poll shows some 69 percent of Utahns think state lawmakers and Gov. Gary Herbert should push to pass statewide anti-discrimination laws to protect gays. The Deseret News/KSL TV poll of 408 Utahns comes after the Salt Lake City Council passed ordinances banning discrimination against gays in housing and employment.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints backed the measures, which include exemptions for religious organizations.

In the poll, 69 percent of respondents said the Legislature should follow Salt Lake City’s lead. Just 28 percent opposed an anti-discrimination proposal.

Full Story from NewsOK: http://www.newsok.com/poll-most-utahns-back-anti-bias-laws-for-gays/article/feed/111922

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 discrimination bills, gays, lesbians, poll, protection, support, transgender, utah | No Responses »

China: Yunnan Government Opens Gay "Bar" as Community and Sex Education Center

Monday, November 30th, 2009

Local authorities in southwestern Yunnan Province are to convert a bar into a ‘common room for partner education’ for the gay community, as part of the official initiative to break social stigma against gay men, days after the health minister warned that homosexual sex has become a main factor in the spread of AIDS in the nation.

 The bar for gays will open tomorrow, World AIDS Day, financed by public funds to the tune of 120,000 yuan ($17, 576), the Beijing News said, offered by Dali Prefecture government, and is to be run by The Good Friend Center, a non-governmental organization for gay men.  Yunnan has the highest number of HIV/AIDS cases in the country, official data indicates.

 Zhang Jianbo, the bar’s manager, told the Global Times that the bar will not be operated for merely commercial purposes but rather serve as a platform to raise awareness of its gay clients about safe sex practice among them.

Full Story from Xinhuanet: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-11/30/content_12563452.htm

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 AIDS, china, community center, gay bar, HIV, official, sex education, Yunnan Province | No Responses »

DC: Vote on Gay Marriage Bill Tuesday

Monday, November 30th, 2009

Two states are expected to decide on whether to grant gay couples the right to marry before the end of the year, but gay marriage proponents are thoroughly sanguine about the District of Columbia, where passage of Council member David Catania’s gay marriage bill is expected to win approval on December 1.

Enthusiasm for gay marriage appears to be on the wane in New York and New Jersey after Mainers repealed a gay marriage law approved by lawmakers in the spring. Numerous New Jersey Democratic senators have expressed concern that now is not the time, while the New York Senate continues to delay action on a bill.

But the political consensus driving gay marriage in the District endures despite numerous attacks. City leaders have remained united on the bill, which is expected to win approval along a 10 to 2 vote at Tuesday’s meeting.

Full Story from On Top Magazine: http://www.ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=4929&MediaType=1&Category=26

Click here for gay marriage resources in Washington, DC.

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 city council, dc, district of columbia, gay marriage bill, vote, washington | No Responses »

MO: Hundreds Protest Catholic Church Diocese's Contribution to Defeat Gay Marriage in Maine

Monday, November 30th, 2009

Grey skies framed the Neo-Byzantine dome of St. Louis’ Cathedral Basilica on Nov. 29 as hundreds of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender (GLBT) and allied supporters protested the archdiocese’s donation of $10,000 to the successful effort to reverse marriage equality in Maine.

The protest, which took place on the public portion of sidewalk in front of the New Cathedral, was organized by St. Louis based GLBT rights organization, Show Me No Hate. A smaller contngent of protesters was on hand for morning mass and the organization plans to rally outside the iconic edifice each Sunday throughout Advent — the period of preparation and waiting for Christmas.

In response to the protest, St. Louis Archbishop Robert Carlson issued a statement saying that the donation came from a “special needs fund” endowed from “private gifts.” According to Carlson, the fund is not used for formal church operations and can be used at the archbishop’s discretion.

Full Story from VitalVoice: http://thevitalvoice.com/node/5916

Click here for gay marriage resources in Missouri.

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 cahtolic church, Gay Marriage, maine, missouri, mo, protest, st. louis diocese | No Responses »

Uganda: Canadian PM Tells Uganda to Nix Anti Gay Bill

Monday, November 30th, 2009

Uganda’s president got an earful from Prime Minister Stephen Harper over the African nation’s proposed law targeting gays. The Ugandan “anti-homosexuality bill” would imprison and even execute homosexuals.

But the proposed law barely drew a mention at this weekend’s Commonwealth summit in Trinidad and Tobago — despite calls before the conference for the country’s suspension from the organization.

Harper said leaders generally don’t talk about specific laws during the Commonwealth meetings.

Full Story from The Winnipeg Sun: http://www.winnipegsun.com/news/world/2009/11/30/11976801-sun.html

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, canadian prime minister, gay rights, proposed law, stephen harper, uganda | No Responses »

Portugal: Likely to Pass Gay Marriage Early in 2010 – Video

Monday, November 30th, 2009

The gay community in Portugal is confident that, after much pressure, same-sex marriages will be allowed within a matter of months.

While neighbouring Spain permitted gay marriage almost five years ago, so far much of Portuguese society has staunchly opposed the concept.

However, it is thought the Socialist government may pass gay marriage or civil partnership into law as soon as early in the New Year.

Full Story from BBC News: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8385935.stm

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 2010, catholic church, gay couples, Gay Marriage, lesbian couples, portugal | No Responses »

Should the Catholic Church Lose its Tax Exemption?

Monday, November 30th, 2009

Just more ammunition for the movement to tax churches that engage in political activities: Bishop Richard J. Malone of Maine contributed $553,608.27 to overturn a gay marriage law in his state, money he got from some 50 dioceses and archdioceses, not to mention individual bishops, throughout the country. That law went down on November 3, 53 to 47%.

According to a report in the National Catholic Reporter, Malone’s diocese donated $286,000 to Stand For Marriage Maine, the right-wing group that led the campaign to repeal gay marriage. He also raised an additional $86,000 from special collections at Masses during a weekend in September. Just how legal is passing the donation plate for a political cause at a religious service?

The rest of the half million dollars came from outside the state, every penny of which Malone personally solicited. The highest diocesan and archdiocesan donors include the following: Philadelphia and Phoenix to the tune of $50,000 each; Newark, New Jersey, St. Louis, Missouri and Youngstown, Ohio, $10,000 apiece; and Arlington, Virginia, Rockford, Illinois, Crookston, Minnesota and Pittsburgh, Pennslvania $5,000 each.

Full Story from Beyond Chron: http://www.beyondchron.org/news/index.php?itemid=7596

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 Bishop Richard J. Malone, catholic church, maine archdiocese, political, tax exemption | No Responses »

MA: Episcopal Bishop to Let Priests Officiate at Gay Weddings

Monday, November 30th, 2009

The Episcopal bishop of Massachusetts has given priests in his diocese permission to officiate at same-sex weddings.

Bishop M. Thomas Shaw III told The Boston Globe on Sunday that gay and lesbian couples deserve the “same sacrament of fidelity” as heterosexual couples.

Shaw has been a long-term supporter of gay marriage, but previously cited the Episcopal Church’s canons and prayer book in barring local priests from officiating at same-sex marriages, even after they became legal in Massachusetts in 2004.

Full Story from the Boston Herald: http://news.bostonherald.com/news/politics/view/20091130mass_episcopal_bishop_oks_same-sex_marriages/srvc=home&position=recent

Click here for gay marriage resources in Massachusetts.

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 bishop M. Thomas Shaw III, episcopal church, Gay Marriage, gay weddings, lesbian, officiate, ok, priests | No Responses »

Slovakia: Gay Marriage Bill Appears Headed for Approval

Monday, November 30th, 2009

The public debate on the family law bill, which equalises same-sex unions with other family unions and bans corporal punishment of children, has concluded and the motion will be sent to the government this week, the Labour, Family and Social Affairs Ministry said on Monday.

Full Story from STA: http://www.sta.si/en/vest.php?s=a&id=1454321

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 adoption, bill, Gay Marriage, slovakia | No Responses »

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