December, 2009

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China: A Year of Gay

Monday, December 28th, 2009

As the year 2009 comes to a close, it does so having been a monumental year for China’s LGBT community. Beijing and numerous cities across China experienced the successful completion of 12 anniversaries and public events that expose LGBT culture and related issues like never before. China’s LGBT community, which is an acronym that refers to lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people, has adapted the terms tongzhi to refer to gays, lala for lesbians, ku’er for queer – an umbrella term for those who do not identify as heterosexual with regard to sexuality, sexual anatomy or gender identity.

The community is young. Most are in their 20s and 30s, are educated, working professionals with experience abroad who are now highly active and public organizers, authors, editors, designers, film directors, curators, activists and artists.

One catalyst was the Olympic Games in 2008, a landmark event that many in the LGBT community have interpreted as a “coming out” event. LGBT websites have allowed for communities to build, to advertise events, and to allow contact and information to be exchanged between LGBT members from big cities and small towns in China with those from around the world.

Full Story from China Daily: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/life/2009-12/28/content_9236644.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 2009, china, gay, Gay Marriage, lesbian, lgbt | No Responses »

Mexico: Catholic Cardinal Calls Pro Gay Legislators "Dangerous"

Monday, December 28th, 2009

The Catholic Church has lashed out at Mexico City lawmakers who approved a gay marriage bill widely expected to become law. City legislators led by the leftist Democratic Revolution Party (Partido de la Revolution Democratica, PRD) overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 39 to 20 vote that included five abstentions. Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebrard is expected to sign the bill into law. The bill only effects Mexico’s capital, one of the world’s largest cities with nearly 9 million residents.

After the December 21 vote, members of the conservative National Action Party (Partido Accion Nacional, PAN) decried the action, saying giving gay couples the right to adopt was going too far and vowed to appeal to the country’s Supreme Court.

Through a spokesman, Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera, the archbishop of Mexico, called the PRD politicians who approved the bill “dangerous.”

Full Story from On Top Magazine: http://www.ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=5048&MediaType=1&Category=24

Click here for gay marriage resources in Mexico.

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 cardinal, catholic church, Gay Marriage, marriage equality, mexico | No Responses »

Spain: Thousands of Catholics Rally Against Gay Marriage, Abortion

Monday, December 28th, 2009

At a huge rally in the capital, Cardinal Antonio Rouco, the leader of Spain’s Roman Catholics, told protesters the birth rate in Europe will be depleted unless Christian values are maintained. Catholics attended a huge open air mass beside Real Madrid’s Bernabeu stadium.

The mass marked the Feast of the Holy Family. But Catholic leaders from across Europe joined their local counterparts and members of the Spanish centre-Right opposition to castigate the socialist government’s policies.

“Europe will be practically without children,” warned Cardinal Rouco, 73, the conservative Archbishop of Madrid. “Who denies to defend a human being so innocent and weak, already conceived but not born, commits a grave violation of moral order.”

Full Story from The Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/6896330/Thousands-of-Spanish-Catholics-march-against-abortion-and-gay-marriage.html

Click here for gay marriage resources in Spain.

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 abortion, catholics, Gay Marriage, pope, rally, spain | No Responses »

Malawi: Gay Couple Risks Imprisonment to Get Married

Monday, December 28th, 2009

Two Malawian men became the first gay couple to publicly tie the knot, the Nation newspaper reported on Monday, risking arrest in the conservative southern African state where homosexuality is illegal. Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza were married in a traditional but symbolic ceremony in southern Malawi on Saturday, attracting hundreds of curious onlookers.

“We met at church where we both pray and we have been together for the last five months … I have never been interested in a woman,” Monjeza told The Nation newspaper.

Homosexuality is banned in Malawi and carries a maximum sentence of 14 years.

Full Story from Reuters: http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE5BR09520091228

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 couple, Gay Marriage, illegal, imprisonment, malawi, risk arrest | No Responses »

CA: Federal Proposition 8 Trial Begins on January 11th

Monday, December 28th, 2009

The trial in the federal lawsuit seeking to overturn California’s Proposition 8 starts Jan. 11 in U.S. District Court in San Francisco. It could last a month. Representing the gay side are famed attorneys Ted Olson and David Boies, who, in 2000, argued opposite sides of the Bush/Gore “hanging chad” election mess before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Intervening for the gay side are lawyers from Lambda Legal, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the National Center for Lesbian Rights. Their request to join the case on the same level as Olson and Boies was denied after they angered Olson and Boies by speaking ill of the case, saying it was poorly timed and unwise. The city of San Francisco also has intervened on behalf of the gays.

The defendants in the case — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Attorney General Jerry Brown (who very likely is running for governor) and the counties of Alameda and Los Angeles — will not actually defend Prop. 8 because they agree with Olson and Boies that it violates the U.S. Constitution. It is highly unusual for a state attorney general to refuse to defend his state’s constitution. Prop. 8 amended the California Constitution to re-ban same-sex marriage.

Full Story from Bay Windows: http://www.baywindows.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=news&sc3=&id=100447

Click here for gay marriage resources in California.

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 ca, california, federal trial, Gay Marriage, january 11th, marriage equality, prop 8, proposition 8, same sex marriage | No Responses »

Colin Farrell Attends Gay Brother's Wedding Party

Monday, December 28th, 2009

The wedding celebrations of Colin Farrell’s gay brother were a family affair last night at Krystle nightclub on Harcourt Street in Dublin. Farrell’s brother Eamon was marking his marriage to long-term partner, the Irish artist Steven Mannion. Colin Farrell was in Dublin for the party, bringing his five-year-old son James with him.

Colin’s father Eamon Sr., his mother Rita, and his sisters Claudine and Catherine were also at bash, along with other high profile Dublin socialites, according to the Irish Independent.

James is Colin Farrell’s first son, whom he had with former girlfriend, American model Kim Bordenave. At an early age the boy was diagnosed with a rare form of cerebral palsy called Angelman Syndrome. The illness causes seizures and problems with balance, and delays a child’s development. But one of its other symptoms is happiness and frequent laughter, caused by changes in the brain’s pathways brought about by the condition.

Full Story from Irish Central: http://www.irishcentral.com/ent/Colin-Farrell-bring-son-James-to-brothers-wedding-bash-in-Dublin-80200742.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 colin farrell, dublin, eamon farrell, gay brother, gay wedding, ireland, party | No Responses »

US: Proposed Immigration Reform Leaves Out Same Sex Couples

Monday, December 28th, 2009

Some gay rights advocates are upset with a Chicago congressman who’s trying to spearhead an overhaul of the nation’s immigration laws. Congressman Luis Gutierrez says he supports a proposal to allow lawful U.S. residents to sponsor the immigration of a same-sex partner.

GUTIERREZ: If you’re gay and you’re married, if you’re a man and man or a woman and a woman, I think the government should recognize that marriage.

But a sweeping immigration bill that Gutiérrez unveiled this month leaves same-sex families out. A statement from the congressman’s office says he does remain committed to ending discrimination against gay immigrants.

Full Story from Chicago Public Radio: http://www.wbez.org/Content.aspx?audioID=39071

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 bill, Congressman Luis Gutierrez, Gay Marriage, immigration, marriage equality, reform, same sex couples | No Responses »

Gay Marriage Watch: Gay Marriage Events List 12/27/09

Sunday, December 27th, 2009

Gay Marriage Watch Events List:

We now publish a weekly recap of all the upcoming gay marriage events we can find. Know about something that’s not on this list? Email us the information 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

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

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>>GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN AUSTRALIA

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: 11/14: Gay wedding show, The Corn Exchange, 12-4:30 PM. http://bit.ly/rMWTT

UK, England, London: 3/7: Gay wedding show, St. James Hotel, 12-4:30 PM. http://bit.ly/rMWTT

UK, England, Manchester: 10/10: Gay wedding show, Ramada Piccadilly, 12-4:30 PM. http://bit.ly/rMWTT

UK, Wales, Cardiff: 10/3: Gay wedding show, Cardiff City Hall, 12-4:30 PM. http://bit.ly/rMWTT

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>>GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN THE UNITED STATES

USA: 1/3-1/9: Love Takes Over: write your local newspaper about marriage equality. http://bit.ly/5VwxEs

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>>GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN CALIFORNIA

CA, Fresno: 1/23: Orgullo y Poder Conference, New Generation of LGBT Activists, 1st Congressional Church, 9 AM. http://bit.ly/5L1Ph3

CA, Garden Grove: 2/12-14: Courage Campaign/EQCA Booth (C29) at Tet Festival 2010, Garden Grove Park, 10 AM. http://bit.ly/4Jx3De

CA, Hollywood: 12/31: New Year’s Eve bingo fundraiser, Hamburger Mary’s, 8 PM-1 AM. http://bit.ly/8qRCxe

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: Every Thursday: Voter canvass training, at The Village, 6:30-9:30 PM. http://tinyurl.com/yzl5bh3

CA, Oakland: 12/30: Friends of Equality End of the Year Mix it Up! Shashamane Bar, 7-9 PM. http://bit.ly/7gfnv0

CA, San Diego: 1/23: 2nd Annual Flawles Tie Party, Wonderhaus Bakery, 6 PM. http://bit.ly/7oGQoW

CA, San Francisco: Every Thursday: One Struggle One Fight Meeting, 7 PM. http://bit.ly/7HQ8D4

CA, San Francisco: 2/13: 2010 San Francisco Equality Awards, City Hall. http://bit.ly/5dVRbH

CA, Santa Barbara: 1/30-1/31: Camp Courage Central Coast, Santa Barbara City College. http://tinyurl.com/yzl5bh3

CA, Silverlake: Every Tues, Wed, Thurs & Fri: Help EQCA Enter LA Marriage Equal Data, 10-6. http://bit.ly/7uNSzA

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

CA, West Hollywood: 12/27: Planning Meeting for National Equality Caravan, Java Detour, 1-3 PM. http://bit.ly/7aP3aD

CA, West Hollywood: 12/31: Equality Network Fundraiser, Hamburger Mary’s, 8 PM-1 AM. http://bit.ly/8qRCxe

CA, West Hollywood: 1/31: Direct Action for Equality – Workshop / Conference, Fiesta Hall, Plummer Park, 10-5. http://bit.ly/4DDk06

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>>GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN FLORIDA

FL, Ft. Lauderdale: 1/10: Same Love Same Rights Wedding Expo, Hyatt Regency, 12:30-3:30 PM. http://tinyurl.com/yaqplbe

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>>GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN ILLINOIS

IL, Chicago: 4/18: Same Love Same Rights Wedding Expo, Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza, 1-4 PM. http://tinyurl.com/ybwrvjj

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>>GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN IOWA

IA, Dubuque: 1/5: One Iowa Public Forum, Mindframe Theater, 6:30-8:30 PM. http://bit.ly/4qRStd

IA, Cedar Rapids: 2/1: Charity Bingo for One Iowa, Hamburger Mary’s, 8-10 PM PM. http://bit.ly/4qRStd

IA, Cedar Rapids: 3/29: Charity Bingo for One Iowa, Hamburger Mary’s, 8-10 PM PM. http://bit.ly/4qRStd

IA, Des Moines: 1/10: Red Blue Purple for Equality Campaign Launch, Des Moines Social Club, 3-4 PM. http://bit.ly/4QpTsM

IA, Mason City: 1/7: One Iowa Public Forum, N. Iowa Comm College, 7-9 PM. http://bit.ly/4qRStd

IA, Webster City: 1/4: Public Forum, All Cultures Equal Center, 6:30-8 PM. http://bit.ly/4qRStd

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>>GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN MISSOURI

MO, St. Louis: 1/7: Counter protest Fred Phelps, Parkway North HS, 2:15-3:15 PM. http://bit.ly/8jyQ01

MO, St. Louis: 1/7: Counter protest Fred Phelps, Lady Gaga Concert, Fox Theater, 6 PM. http://bit.ly/7XZ5LN

MO, St. Louis: 1/8: Counter protest Fred Phelps, Parkway South HS, 7-8 AM. http://bit.ly/7l6nmj

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>>GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN NEW YORK

NY, New York: 3/20-3/21: Same Love Same Rights Wedding Expo, Javits Center. http://tinyurl.com/ybpxxy6

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>>GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN OREGON

OR, Portland: Every Tuesday: Portland Equal Rights Coalition Meeting, Catholic Workers House. http://tinyurl.com/yfqd2pz

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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 Uncategorized | No Responses »

Mexico: Analyzing the Effect of Gay Marriage in Mexico City

Sunday, December 27th, 2009

Gay and lesbians couples can now legally marry and adopt children in Mexico City, after a historic but not necessarily surprising vote in the legislative assembly. The Distrito Federal’s governing representative body is dominated by the leftist PRD, or Democratic Revolutionary Party, and for weeks word had spread on online networks that the Monday vote was coming.

It came down beautifully, 39-20, to change the Federal District’s legal code to define a marriage as a union between two willing adults, in effect fortifying a 2006 law already allowing same-sex unions. A separate vote also gave same-sex marriages the right to adopt children.

What does this mean for you? If you’re not in a committed same-sex relationship within the borders of the Mexican capital, you’re probably thinking, ‘Not a whole lot.’ But as Time points out, gay-rights advocates across Catholic-heavy Latin America are hoping that the Mexico City vote could create a ripple-effect in other regions:

Full Story from The Faster Times: http://thefastertimes.com/mexico/2009/12/27/the-meaning-of-the-gay-marriage-vote-in-mexico-city/

Click here for gay marriage resources in Mexico.

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 argentina, chile, Gay Marriage, latin america, marriage equality, mexico, mexico city, same sex marriage, vote | No Responses »

Gay Marriage in 2009: A Transitional Year

Sunday, December 27th, 2009

For the gay marriage debate, 2009 was transitional instead of transformative, but the year was historic nonetheless. To mangle Churchill, it was not the end, nor even the beginning of the end, but it was at least the beginning of the middle.

This is an issue on which the fundamentals of public opinion change glacially. Support for same-sex marriage is rising, but only by about a percentage point or soa a year. Essentially, a third of the public supports gay marriage, another third or so supports civil unions instead, and the remaining third opposes any kind of legal status for same-sex couples.

Although public-opinion fundamentals didn’t change in 2009; the politics of gay marriage did. Here are the ways the year marked a shift to what a storyteller might call the “long middle.”

Full Story from the LA Times: http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-rauch27-2009dec27,0,4488760.story

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 2009, Gay Marriage, marriage equality, same sex marriage | No Responses »

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