April, 2010

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Gay Marriage Events Today/Tomorrow

Friday, April 30th, 2010

(Full Events List: http://www.purpleunions.com/mn/gay-marriage-events-list.html):

–Australia, NSW, Sydney: 05/01, Filming: Share Your Story About Homophobia, 405 Crown St, Surry Hills, 1-4 PM. maurice@camp.org.au
–Australia, NSW, Sydney: 05/01, Filming: Share Your Story About Homophobia, 8-10 Brown St., Newton, 1-4 PM. maurice@camp.org.au
–Australia, NSW, Sydney: 05/01, Filming: Share Your Story About Homophobia, 6 Napier St., Paddington, 12-2 PM. maurice@camp.org.au
–Philippines, Cebu City: 05/01, Ang Ladlad Motorcade, Fuente Osmena Circle, 8 AM. http://bit.ly/a0ls2Y
–USA, CA, Palm Springs: 05/01, Equality Happy Hour, Hamburger Mary’s, 4-7 PM. http://bit.ly/bKvO8V
–USA, CA, San Diego: 05/01, 2010 San Diego Equality Awards, Culy Warehouse, 6 PM. http://bit.ly/7VQgM
–USA, CA, Santa Barbara: 04/30, Queer Wedding Ceremony, Storke Plaza, 12-2 PM. http://bit.ly/9ppzNn
–USA, CA, Stockton: 04/30, Mardi Gras Party, Valley Ministries MCC, 6-7 PM. http://bit.ly/c8UqiC
–USA, NY, New York: 05/01, Marriage Equality 101 Presentation, LGBT Center, 5:30-6:30 PM. http://bit.ly/8WWD1F

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European Commission Criticized for Omission of Gay Couples in New Policies

Friday, April 30th, 2010

The European Parliament’s Intergroup on LGBT Rights criticized the European Commission on April 21 for failing “to mention the mutual recognition of same-sex unions across (European Union) borders as a priority for its 2010-2014 Stockholm Programme.”

The Stockholm Programme lays out the commission’s policies for EU citizens in the areas of justice, freedom and security until the year 2014.

In a resolution last November, the European Parliament declared that the Stockholm Programme must “ensure freedom of movement for EU citizens and their families, including both registered partnerships and marriages, (and) avoid all kinds of discrimination on any ground, including sexual orientation.”

Full Story from PrideSource

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.

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Iceland: Church Delays Decision to Support or Oppose Gay Marriage Bill

Friday, April 30th, 2010

The National Church of Iceland yesterday took no formal position on a current parliamentary bill which would amend marriage laws to include gay couples. The national synod instead voted to refer the matter to the church’s doctrine and rites committee.

The new unified marriage bill being proposed by Iceland’s Minister of Justice and Human Rights could become law as early as 27th June this year and would allow religious groups, including the national church, to legally marry same sex couples. Religious groups are already able to bless registered partnerships which are almost identical to marriage, legally speaking.

The issue was discussed yesterday in a heated debate at the ongoing annual national synod and the bill was supported by 91 priests and theologians. Despite 91 being a large majority of the 125 attendees eligible to vote, those opposed to the parliamentary bill were able to force a vote on sending the decision to the church’s committee on rites and dogma. That vote was won 56 against 53, RUV reports.
Whether or not the law is officially welcomed by the church is yet to be revealed; but the bill seems increasingly likely to pass parliament either way.

[end of article]

Full Story from IceNews

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.

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US: Senate Immigration Bill Would Allow Gay/Lesbian Americans to Sponsor Foreign Partners

Friday, April 30th, 2010

An immigration reform “framework” proposed Thursday by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and fellow Democrats includes gay families. The inclusion is likely to anger social conservatives and major immigration allies.

Included in the “framework” are key provisions of the Uniting American Families Act. The legislation was previously offered as a standalone bill by Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont in the Senate and Representative Jerrold Nadler in the House. The measure would allow gay Americans to sponsor an immigrant partner for citizenship.

“Today’s inclusive framework is an historic step forward for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender binational families,” Rachel B. Tiven, executive director of Immigration Equality, a group that lobbies on behalf of binational gay and lesbian couples, said in a statement.

Full Story from On Top Magazine

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.

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HI: House Passes Civil Unions Bill, 31-20 – Will Gov Lingle Sign It?

Friday, April 30th, 2010

Lawmakers in the Hawaii state House of Representatives gave a highly controversial civil unions bill (H.B. 444) that had seemed dead in the water their final legislative approval on Thursday, voting 31-20 in favor of the measure.

The bill, which garnered some of the biggest protests Hawaii has ever seen, would grant gay and lesbian couples essentially the same rights, benefits and obligations that the state provides for married couples. The bill also recognizes same-sex unions that have been entered into in other states. As such, marriages from Massachusetts and Connecticut and all states that have approved equal marriage rights, will be recognized as civil unions in Hawaii should the bill be signed into law.

The Senate passed the bill in January, but with a few amendments meaning that it would have to return to the House. Fearing reprisals from the voting public come the November elections and knowing that Governor Linda Lingle, a Republican, was likely to veto the measure, House lawmakers chose not to take up the bill. Yet, on the final day of the legislative session on Thursday, Democratic House Majority Leader Blake Oshiro moved to reconsider the legislation.

Full Story from Care2

Click here for gay marriage resources in Hawaii.

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.

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Gay Marriage Events Today/Tomorrow

Thursday, April 29th, 2010

Full Events List: http://www.purpleunions.com/mn/gay-marriage-events-list.html

–USA, CA, Los Angeles: 04/29, Voter Canvass Training, The Village, 6:30-9:30 PM. http://bit.ly/cqeLcp
–USA, CA, San Francisco: 04/29, One Struggle One Fight Meeting, 209 Golden Gate Ave, 7 PM. http://bit.ly/7HQ8D4
–USA, CA, Stockton: 04/30, Mardi Gras Party, Valley Ministries MCC, 6-7 PM. http://bit.ly/c8UqiC

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Religious Right Tries to Cloud DADT Repeal With Claims of Religious Infringement

Thursday, April 29th, 2010

A group of social conservatives and retired military chaplains held a press conference in Washington today to argue that the repeal of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy would have an adverse impact on the religious freedom and careers of military chaplains.

Allowing gay men and women to serve openly in the armed forces “steals from the chaplain their religious freedom,” according to retired military chaplain Col. Rich Young. He argued that chaplains will be “muzzled” if the policy passes and that “soldiers and families [will] no longer have the benefit of the full council of God.”

Participants at the press conference suggested that chaplains who oppose gay marriage and believe homosexuality is immoral might see their careers hurt and lose the ability to honestly counsel service members.

Full Story from CBS News

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.

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NY: New Activist Groups Push for Gay Marriage, Gay Rights

Thursday, April 29th, 2010

Hours after the State Senate voted down same-sex marriage bill last year, hundreds of angry supporters of the bill gathered for a rally in Times Square. A list was circulated to gather names of people who wanted to brainstorm new strategies for lobbying. Dozens signed their email addresses.

And dozens showed up a few weeks later at the first brainstorming session in New York City. The 20 or so people who have become the core members of the group, now called Queer Rising, are mostly new to the lobbying scene and want to do things differently from the Empire State Pride Agenda and other long-established groups, according to coordinator Natasha Dillon. They want civil disobedience and street-level activism.

“I would say our group is younger,” said Dillon, 25. “People are just fed up, that’s basically it. It’s people who are just fed up with the old lobbying and just sitting back and hoping that our rights will eventually come to us.”

Full Story from City Hall

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.

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Chile: Activists Hold Forum on Gay Rights and Education

Thursday, April 29th, 2010

Students of all sexual orientation need to know they are not alone, say activists who came together for Chile’s first forum on education and sexual diversity.

The forum was held Wednesday afternoon at the National Library in Santiago for teachers, secondary school and university students, and was sponsored by Chile’s gay rights group, MOVILH.

The event was designed to open the discussion on topics relating to schooling (of all levels) and sexual orientation in Chile. The date of the forum was strategic, in order to talk to students in the beginning of the first semester.

Full Story from the Santiago Times

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.

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CA: June 16th Set for Prop 8 Trial Closing Arguments

Thursday, April 29th, 2010

Paul Hogarth, reporting for the Prop 8 Trial Tracker, reported today that closing arguments for the controversial Prop 8 trial, which decides the fate of gay marriage in California, have finally been set for June 16th.

Justice Vaughn Walker set the June court date on Wednesday, along with a supplemental date of May 9 as the deadline for the defendants, the Prop 8 supporters, to “suppress testimony” by one of the few witnesses they called to the stand, San Francisco extreme-right leaning minister, Dr. Tam.

Dr. Tam famously admitted to the court his belief that if gay marriage were legalized, it would result in an escalation of kids becoming gay, an unsubstantiated notion. His testimony is a definitive example the prosecution could reference to tie the proposition to social prejudice against a minority group.

Full Story from Examiner.com

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.

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