April, 2011

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US Senate: DOMA Repeal Has Enough Votes to Advance Out of Committee

Wednesday, April 27th, 2011

Defense of Marriage Act Repeal BillNew support for legislation that would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act assures that the necessary votes are in place for a favorable Senate committee vote on the measure as advocates maintain hearings should take place first before advancing the bill.

Last week, the Respect of Marriage Act, legislation sponsored by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) that would repeal the 1996 anti-gay law that prohibits federal recognition of same-sex marriage, gained two additional co-sponsors: Sens. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and Herb Kohl (D-Wis.).

Kohl’s support for the legislation is critical because he’s a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and would have a vote when the roll is called to move the legislation to the floor. Lynn Becker, a Kohl spokesperson, said the senator had previously considered DOMA a state issue.

Full Story from the Washington Blade

Click here for gay marriage resources.

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EMagazine Looking for 10,000 Gay/Lesbian Couples to Submit Profiles

Wednesday, April 27th, 2011

You’ve fought very hard in a hostile world to be a person who loves himself or herself enough to allow someone else to love you deeply. Celebrate that at your wedding ceremony by creating a ceremony that acknowledges that reality and also enables the community to support you and to celebrate your love.

10,000 Couples, a monthly web-based magazine highlighting committed, healthy same-sex relationships worldwide, invites gay and lesbian couples to participate in this effort. 10,000 Couples seeks 10,000 gay and lesbian couples who consider themselves to be in committed relationships, and who seek to inspire others.

The aim of 10,000 Couples is to show that these couples are inspiring role models through their lives, their commitment to each other, their families and their diverse communities in different societies. 10,000 Couples also seeks to further galvanize marriage equality.

Full Story from The Canadian

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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Taking the DOMA Lawsuit Divided Management, Staff at King and Spalding

Wednesday, April 27th, 2011

The law firm King & Spalding stunned many observers Monday by abruptly withdrawing from representing the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) — barely a week after coming under fire for signing on to defend the law on behalf of House Republicans. But the real shockwaves may have taken place within the firm, where, according to one insider, employees were at each other’s throats over its decision to take on the case.

A source at the firm described the “mayhem” that ensued after employees learned King & Spalding agreed to defend DOMA.

“Management was divided, people were threatening to quit,” the source said. In addition, it was unclear if members of the firm’s Diversity Committee had been consulted ahead of time about taking on the case.

Full Story from The Huffington Post

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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Three Democrats Press Boehner on New DOMA Law Firm

Wednesday, April 27th, 2011

Three Democrats are asking House speaker John Boehner for more information about the new law firm hired by House Republicans to defend the Defense of Marriage Act in federal court.

House Administration Committee ranking member Robert A. Brady and committee members Zoe Lofgren of California and Charles A. Gonzalez of Texas sent a joint letter to Boehner after the law firm of King and Spalding decided to pull out of the case; one of its partners, former solicitor general Paul Clement, had signed on to defend the government.

Soon after King and Spalding withdrew its resources, Clement resigned from the firm and joined Bancroft PLLC.

Full Story from The Advocate

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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MN: GOP Fast-tracking Anti Marriage Equality Amendment While Economy Burns

Wednesday, April 27th, 2011

Senator Warren LimmerDespite an economic crisis in the state and a budget that is still pending, Minnesota Republicans have decided instead to focus on bashing gays, the Minnesota Independent reports:

Republicans in the Minnesota Senate introduced three bills on Tuesday that aim to put a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage before voters in 2012. Minnesota law already outlaws same-sex marriage.

Not only that, the bill will be fast-tracked to meet a committee deadline and will get a hearing this week. Said the bill’s author Sen. Warren Limmer (left): “We believe we owe the public the opportunity to be engaged…Personally I don’t think there’s going to be that much backlash on this. We want to give the public as much time as possible to consider it.”

Full Story from Towleroad.com

Click here for gay marriage resources in Minnesota.

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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Watch: Choreographer Bill T. Jones Adds Voice to Call for NY Marriage Equality

Wednesday, April 27th, 2011

The Tony Award-winning choreographer and Kennedy Center Honors recipient Bill T. Jones lends his voice to the New Yorkers for Marriage Equality campaign.

Full Story from Towleroad.com

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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NV: State Senate Passes Two Out of Three Anti Discrimination Bills

Wednesday, April 27th, 2011

Nevada Anti Discrimination BillsThe Nevada Senate Monday approved two bills designed to stop discrimination against gays and transgender individuals.

But the third piece in the package was defeated when Democrat John Lee of North Las Vegas joined Republicans in opposing SB180, which would have added crimes against gays and transsexuals to Nevada’s list of hate crimes.

Lee said afterward he had no problem with the bills banning discrimination in public accommodation and in housing or other transactions involving real property. He voted for both SB331 and SB368 saying it’s fair to prohibit gender identity from discriminating against people in housing and access to public businesses including restaurants.

Full Story from the Nevada Appeal

Click here for gay marriage resources in Nevada.

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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NYC Council Member Quinn: New York on Verge of Marriage Equality

Wednesday, April 27th, 2011

Christine Quinn, New York City CouncilNew York city council speaker Christine Quinn said that she believes New York is on the verge of an “amazing, amazing victory” for marriage equality, and she suggested that her recent lobbying has been able to change at least one state senator’s vote from no to yes.

Quinn, among the most prominent gay elected officials in the country, addressed the annual Night at the Pier event hosted Monday in Manhattan by the Family Equality Council, which works to secure the rights of LGBT parents and families nationwide. The lawmaker made the marriage equality campaign in New York a focus of her remarks.

“If it wasn’t for all of you, we wouldn’t be on the verge of what I believe is going to be an amazing, amazing victory for New York,” she told the crowd of 600 attendees at Pier 60.

Full Story from The Advocate

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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Marriage Equality Events Today/Tomorrow: SF, W. Hollywood, DC, Atlanta, Lafayette IN, Boston, Philadelphia, Cumberland RI, Newport RI, Providence, Seattle

Tuesday, April 26th, 2011

Gay Marriage Events April 26th-27th, 2011Here’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, San Francisco: 04/27, Protest Against King & Spalding – DOMA Defense Law Firm, 101 Second St., 11:30 AM-1 PM.
–USA, CA, West Hollywood: 04/26, Love Honor Cherish Meeting, Nat’l Council Of Jewish Women, 7:30 PM.
–USA, DC, Washington: 04/26, Gay & Lesbian Activists Alliance Meeting, Sumner School Museum, 7 PM.
–USA, GA, Atlanta: 04/26, Protest Against King & Spalding – DOMA Defense Law Firm, Corner Park, 11 AM.
–USA, IN, Lafayette: 04/26, Nix Six Town Hall Meeting, Pride Lafayette, 7-8 PM.
–USA, MA, Boston: 04/26, Phone Bank for RI Marriage Equality, Mass Equality Offices, 5-9 PM.
–USA, MA, Boston: 04/27, Got LGBTQ Rights? A legal workshop for students, South Congregational Church, 5 PM.
–USA, PA, Philadelphia: 04/25-05/01, Equality Forum 2011.
–USA, RI, Cumberland: 04/26, Cumberland Calling For Equality, Dandurand Real Estate, 6 PM.
–USA, RI, Newport: 04/26, Newport Calling For Equality, Performance Research, 6 PM.
–USA, RI, Providence: 04/27, Wednesday Night Waterman Street Phone Bank, 102 Waterman St., 6 PM.
–USA, WA, Seattle: 04/27, Equal Rights WA Volunteer Night, Equal Rights WA Office, 6-9 PM.

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

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NY: Wanted, A Few Good Senators

Tuesday, April 26th, 2011

New York Gay MarriageIt’s not every day – or every year, or every decade – that Albany lawmakers get a chance to do something really big, something that just might inscribe their names in the history books.

The fight for gay marriage is one of those bona fide legacy moments. And for pols who want to make their descendants proud, it’s time to stand up and be counted.

The issue will come to a head over the next two months as gay rights groups mount what promises to be very well-organized and effective campaign for marriage equality in New York.

Full Story from The NY Daily News

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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