January, 2011

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WY: House Committee Defeats Civil Unions Bill

Saturday, January 29th, 2011

A bill that would have recognized civil unions in Wyoming and given same-sex couples the same basic rights as their fellow citizens, was defeated in that states House Judiciary Committee by a 5-4 vote, yesterday.

According to wyomingnews.com, the defeat of House Bill 150 came after hours of impassioned testimony from supporters of civil unions, who said same-sex couples needed to be given the same basic rights heterosexual couples enjoy, and opponents who said civil unions were a springboard toward legalizing gay marriage, which would be, of course, the end of society as we know it.

The approval of the civil union bill “seems like a political compromise” when it’s really a stepping stone toward redefining marriage, said Brian Raum, senior legal counsel with the Alliance Defense Fund.

Full Story from Lez Get Real

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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Marriage Equality USA Calls for Nationwide Valentines Day Actions

Friday, January 28th, 2011

Marriage Equality USAMarriage Equality U.S.A. and Get Equal want to shake things up on Valentine’s Day this year in the name of full marriage equality. The two gay rights groups are calling for a national “counter action,” in which gay folks go to a local county or city clerk’s office in states where same-sex marriage is still illegal — that includes California, by the way — and ask for a marriage license.

Marriage Equality U.S.A. chapters have been doing this kind of grassroots activism since 2001, but this year Get Equal is joining the fray.

“It is an affront to our basic dignity as fellow human beings when same-sex couples are turned away from the marriage counter,” says Molly McKay, media director for Marriage Equality U.S.A., “but it gives us the opportunity to tell our stories and show that we live in every community and want to honor and protect our families like everyone else.”

Full Story from LA Weekly

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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France: What Comes Next After High Court Verdict?

Friday, January 28th, 2011

Paris’ mayor is openly gay. Personalities like the longtime lover of late fashion guru Yves Saint Laurent play high-profile roles in French society. Gay rights groups are as vocal as they come in France.

But the country whose motto is “Liberte, Egalite and Fraternite” and whose name rhymes with romance hasn’t given the love and commitment of same-sex couples an equal legal standing to that of heterosexuals.

An ongoing debate over the issue is now gathering steam. A trigger point came on Friday when the Constitutional Court — an esteemed body that counts former Presidents Jacques Chirac and Valery Giscard d’Estaing as members — ruled that laws banning gay marriage don’t violate the constitution. They said any change is for parliament to decide.

Full Story from Fox News

Click here for gay marriage resources in France.

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: Senate Passes Civil Unions Bill

Friday, January 28th, 2011

The state Senate on Friday approved Senate Bill 232, relating to Civil Unions, at its regular daily session. The bill says unmarried, unrelated couples may have a judge or clergy solemnize their civil union, which will provide the same responsibilities and benefits of marriage under state law.

The bill passed the full Senate 19-6. The six no votes were Sens. Donna Kim, Will Espero, Ron Kouchi, Mike Gabbard, Sam Slom and Donovan Delacruz.

The bill is nearly identical to HB 444, which passed last year in the last moments of the legislature, only to be vetoed by Gov. Linda Lingle. New Gov. Neil Abercrombie has promised to sign whatever civil unions legislation is approved. Abercrombie has said he it is a simple issue of civil rights.

Full Story from KITV

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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Marriage Equality Events Today/Tomorrow: Palm Springs, Schenectady

Friday, January 28th, 2011

Gay Marriage Events January 28th-29th, 2011Marriage Equality Events Today/Tomorrow:

Here’s our list of events today and tomorrow around the world relating to marriage equality, Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, and other LGBT equality issues. If you know of any other events – rallies, meetings, phonebanking, etc – please use the link below to add your event to our list!

–USA, CA, Palm Springs: 01/29, Equality Happy Hour, Hamburger Mary’s, 4-7 PM.
–USA, NY, Schenectady: 01/28, “MARCH ON!” showing at Proctors’ “QFEST”, Proctors’ Theater, 7:30-9:30 PM.

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

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Being Gay in Korea

Friday, January 28th, 2011

Upon arrival there’s one subject about Korea that has most straight women and gay men (maybe straight men too but I have never discussed it with them) confused for a few weeks. It’s not the enormous silver penis, just outside Incheon Airport, welcoming us into the country. That baffles any seeing eye pervert. It’s young Korean men.

“They’re all gay,” said a recently arrived friend. “Have you seen their hair?” Yes, but that’s superficial. “No dude, my gaydar is spot on. Most of these guys are gay. It’s not just the hair, they just are. I can tell. They’re gay, gay gay… you’re so lucky.”

Not quite. Yes, when I first moved here, even now sometimes, I was convinced every man I met was hitting on me. The first time it happened was at work with a male teacher only a few years older than me. He touched me in a way that suggested I was owed dinner or at least a drink. He didn’t have a girlfriend and talked about the lack on a daily basis.

Full Story from News 24

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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AR: Supreme Court to Hear Arguments on Gay Adoption Ban March 17th

Friday, January 28th, 2011

The Arkansas Supreme Court has set a date to hear arguments challenging an adoption ban on unmarried couples.

In 2008, voters approved the law after a high court overturned a state child welfare policy barring gay couples from being foster parents.

A lower court ruled this law unconstitutional, but the attorney general’s office is appealing that.

Full Story from Ozarks First

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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Summary of Marriage Equality Status Worldwide

Friday, January 28th, 2011

Marriage EqualityHere is a breakdown of legislation on gay marriages around the world, after the French constitutional court on Friday upheld the country’s gay marriage ban.

Ten countries have so far authorised marriages between people of the same sex.

  • NETHERLANDS: in April 2001 became the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage. Includes the right to adoption.
  • BELGIUM: Homosexual couples in Belgium won the right to marry in June 2003 and in April 2006 parliament voted into law a bill allowing homosexual couples to adopt children.
  • SPAIN: In July 2005 became the third member of the European Union to pass a law to allow same-sex marriages. Gay couples can adopt children.
  • CANADA: The law allowing gay couples to marry and adopt children came into force in July 2005.
  • SOUTH AFRICA: In November 2006 became the first African country to legalise same-sex marriage.
  • NORWAY: A January 2009 law allows homosexuals to marry and adopt children and permits lesbians to be artificially inseminated.
  • SWEDEN: Sweden’s homosexuals have been allowed to wed in religious or civil ceremonies since May 2009.
  • PORTUGAL: Under a June 1, 2010 law Portugal legalised gay marriage, while excluding the right to adoption.
  • ICELAND: Prime Minister Johanna Sigurdardottir married her long-time partner in June 2010 as a new law legalising homosexual marriages came into force.
  • ARGENTINA: On July 15, 2010 a bill that legalizes same-sex marriage came into force — a Latin American first. Homosexual couples can adopt children.

Two countries allow gay marriage on part of their territory: the United States — the states of Iowa, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and the capital Washington DC, and Mexico in the federal capital.

Other countries have adopted legislation on civil partnerships, notably Denmark, France, Germany, Finland, New Zealand, Britain, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Uruguay and Colombia.

Full Story from ABSCBN

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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France: Top Court Upholds Gay Marriage Ban

Friday, January 28th, 2011

France Gay Marriage DecisionFrance’s constitutional authority on Friday upheld the country’s ban on gay marriage, the AP reported. The law had been challenged by a lesbian couple who have been living in a PACS, or civil partnership, for 10 years. Corrine Cestino and Sophie Hasslauer have been together 15 years and are raising four children.

The Constitutional Council said the ban did not violate the country’s constitution, but added that it is up to the country’s parliament to make laws.

France, the UK and Germany are among Europe’s most powerful – and in many ways liberal – nations yet to adopt gay marriage. All three countries offer gay couples civil partnerships. But France’s 1999 law confers fewer rights than marriage.

Full Story from On Top Magazine

Click here for gay marriage resources in France.

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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MD: Marriage Equality Bill in House Has 58 Co-Sponsors

Thursday, January 27th, 2011

Maryland is the next battleground over marriage equality. Right now, the bill which would grant same-sex couples equality. Currently, the House has a bill that they are working on that has 58 sponsors- 71 are needed to pass the bill. Still, it is not a done deal.

According to the Baltimore Sun:

Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, a Prince George’s County Democrat, opposes same-sex marriage and civil unions, saying that he believes the traditional definition of marriage “is blessed by God” and meant to further procreation.

Which is why he is planning on introducing legislation to make it illegal for anyone to remain married if they do not have children, and to deny the right to marriage to anyone who does not plan to have children or cannot have children. He is also planning on getting rid of divorce- well not really. This line is constantly used about procreation, but no one ever wants to actually ban childless marriages.

Full Story from Lez Get Real

Click here for gay marriage resources in Maryland.

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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