August, 2011

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Marriage Equality Events Today/Tomorrow: Beverly Hills, Lawrence KS, Rochester NY, Memphis

Sunday, August 28th, 2011

Gay Marriage EventsHere’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, Beverly Hills: 08/29, LA Equal Roots Meeting, 8106 Santa Monica Blvd, 7:30-9:30 PM.
–USA, KS, Lawrence: 08/26-08/28, HRC “On the Road to Equality” Bus Tour, TBA, TBA.
–USA, NY, Rochester: 08/28, Same Love Same Rights Wedding Expo, Carey Lake Victorian Banquet Facility & Garden, 1-4 PM.
–USA, TN, Memphis: 08/28, Summer Equality Tour 2011, TBA, TBA.

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

Matt Baume’s Marriage News Watch 8/28/11

Sunday, August 28th, 2011

Just what are the Prop 8 proponents trying to hide, and why are they afraid to let the public see their witnesses being cross-examined? We may find out after a hearing on Monday. John Boehner’s defense of DOMA is found to be full of junk science, a semi-reprieve for LGBTs fearing deportation, and there’s lots of work still to do in Maine.

By the time you watch this, a judge in San Francisco has probably already heard arguments over releasing the tapes of the Prop 8 trial. The Proponents of Prop 8 have been fighting tooth-and-nail to keep that footage out of public view.

So, what are they trying to hide? They claim that their witnesses are afraid of intimidation, or of losing their privacy. But that doesn’t make any sense. Both of their witnesses, Kenneth Miller and David Blankenhorn, have spent years pursuing publicity and a public persona. They’ve never shied away from the spotlight before — it’s only now, under oath and penalty of perjury, that they don’t want the public to see what they’re saying.

Full Story from MNW

Click here for gay wedding resources.

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CA: Shannon Minter on the Prop 8 Trial Tapes

Sunday, August 28th, 2011

Prop 8 Trial Video TapesSpeaking to the weakness of the Prop 8 Proponent’s case, and the moving stories of witnesses for the right to marry a same-sex partner in California, Shannon Minter, Esq., Legal Director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, NCLR and their lead attorney for the Prop 8 case – has set out his point of view, in a letter to supporters as follows:

On August 29, 2011, U.S. District Court Judge James Ware will hear arguments about whether to unseal the video recordings of the historic trial in Perry v. Brown, the federal court challenge to Proposition 8, the 2008 ballot measure that stripped the freedom to marry from same-sex couples in California.

After a three-week trial in January 2010, now-retired Chief District Judge Vaughan Walker issued a decision in August 2010, holding that Prop 8 was based on anti-gay animus and blatantly violated the equality guarantees of the federal Constitution. That ruling has been on hold while the proponents of Prop 8 appeal Judge Walker’s ruling.

Full Story from Gay USA

Click here for gay wedding 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. We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

WA: Are Votes There for Marriage Equality?

Sunday, August 28th, 2011

Washington Gay MarriageTwo key Democratic state lawmakers are considering a major push to try and pass a gay-marriage law in Washington next year.

Sen. Ed Murray and Rep. Jamie Pedersen, gay lawmakers from the 43rd District in Seattle, said they’re in early discussions and have to run the idea by community and legislative leaders. The Legislature convenes in January.

Murray was the prime sponsor of landmark gay-rights legislation approved by the Legislature in 2006 and a domestic-partnership law that passed in 2007. Washington’s domestic-partnership law provides same-sex couples legal benefits similar to those of marriage. Pedersen has played a leading role in expanding the law over the past several years, but gay-marriage advocates say that law does not go far enough.

Full Story from The Seattle Times

Click here for gay wedding resources in Washington State.

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NC: Battle Lines Drawn Over Anti Gay Marriage Amendment

Sunday, August 28th, 2011

North Carolina Gay Marriage BanAnyone visiting Bob Page’s office on the second floor of Replacements Ltd.’s sprawling Knox Road complex will likely focus on one of two features: pictures of his adopted 12-year-old twin boys perched on the edge of his desk or a large window looking down on the china-laden showroom.

Truth be told, Page probably would be happier talking about the company he founded or his boys’ achievements rather than a proposed amendment to add a ban on gay marriage to North Carolina’s constitution.

But the Rockingham County native, a PAC formed by his company’s employees and some members of his staff are working against the measure, which lawmakers may consider during a session that begins Sept. 12.

Full Story from the News-Record

Click here for gay wedding resources in North Carolina.

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PA: Scranton Temple Marries Lesbian Couple

Sunday, August 28th, 2011

The Simmonses have a relationship many people would envy. The couple has known each other since kindergarten in Dingmans Ferry, Pike County. They became best friends as students at Delaware Valley High School.

They realized they felt something more than friendship and dated for more than 5 1/2 years. The couple planned for a baby and welcomed daughter, Taliah, into their South Carolina home in June. They were married Aug. 14, surrounded by family and friends in the tradition of reform Judaism.

But there was something that made their union slightly different, a first for the Jewish congregation in Scranton – Jen and Naomi Simmons are a same-sex couple.

Full Story from The Times Tribune

Click here for gay wedding resources in New Jersey.

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Marriage Equality is About Civil Rights

Sunday, August 28th, 2011

Gay Marriage and Civil RightsI was recently mailed an article from an old friend in Canadaigua. The article, “Marriage Equality: Where’s the humanity?” by Allison Cooper really touched me and I want to applaud her and the paper, and pass along a huge WELL SAID! The argument is simple and yes, we should have been beyond this debate over basic civil rights years ago.

About seven years ago, I met a wonderful guy at a coffee hour after mass at Spiritus Christi Church in Rochester. He was visiting from overseas. Love at first sight? Maybe, let’s just say we both immediately knew there was something happening from the first conversation. We spent quite a bit of time together that visit, and remained in constant contact. We started visiting back and forth across the Atlantic as often as work and finances would allow.

After two years, we just couldn’t stand the separation of 3,000 miles any more. I had a nice home in Rochester and a thriving business, a huge circle of friends and family; so we looked into my partner moving to the United States. After months of research, we found there was no legal way for my partner to be resident in the states.

Full Story from the Greece Post

Click here for gay wedding 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. We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

IA: Gronstal Promises to Block Marriage Equality Repeal Vote in 2012

Sunday, August 28th, 2011

Iowa Gay Marriage

Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal says he’ll once again use the power of his position to block any debate over gay marriage when lawmakers convene next year.

Unless the Council Bluffs Democrat changes his mind or is removed from his position, his stand will prevent a statewide vote to ban gay marriage for at least several years. Most Republican legislators want to refer a proposed constitutional amendment to voters, but Gronstal says he thinks public sentiment on gay marriage is shifting.

Some Republicans say Gronstal’s stand will hurt him in his re-election bid, but the Senate president says he’s not worried.

Full Story from Chron.com

Click here for gay wedding resources in Iowa.

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. We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Featured Gay Friendly Wedding Vendor: Common Ground Ceremonies, New York

Saturday, August 27th, 2011

Periodically we’ll feature one of our vendors here to let our readers know about some great people who can help you plan the perfect wedding.

Gay Friendly New York City Wedding Vendors

Common Ground Ceremonies, New York CityI’m Reverend Samora and I’m an Interfaith Minister/Wedding Celebrant/Singer/Musician in New York City.

I would love to celebrating your special day with you and your partner! The Wedding Ceremony is your chance to highlight your unique qualities as individuals and as a couple in a customized ceremony that represents what makes you unique as a couple. I can help you plan a traditional, non-traditional, religious or non-denominational ceremony.

My job is to help guide the two of you toward creating the ceremony “of your dreams”.

I’m committed to helping the two of you create a service that reflects you, your beliefs and traditions.

See the Common Ground Ceremonies Expanded Listing on Purple Unions Here

Marriage Equality Events Today/Tomorrow: Palm Springs, Rancho Santa Fe, Lawrence KS, Provincetown, La Crosse MN, Kansas City, Saint Louis, Rochester NY, Memphis, Norfolk

Saturday, August 27th, 2011

Gay Marriage EventsHere’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: 08/27, Equality Happy Hour, Hamburger Mary’s, 4-7 PM.
–USA, CA, Rancho Santa Fe: 08/27, 2011 Garden Party for Equality – $150, Private Home, 2:30-5:30 PM.
–USA, KS, Lawrence: 08/26-08/28, HRC “On the Road to Equality” Bus Tour, TBA, TBA.
–USA, MA, Provincetown: 08/27, The Taste of Provincetown, Town Hall, 6-9 PM.
–USA, MN, La Crosse: 08/27, La Crosse Pride with MN United for All Families, Pride, 12-6 PM.
–USA, MO, Kansas City: 08/26-08/28, HRC “On the Road to Equality” Bus Tour, TBA, TBA.
–USA, MO, Saint Louis: 08/27, Summer Equality Tour 2011, TBA, TBA.
–USA, NY, Rochester: 08/28, Same Love Same Rights Wedding Expo, Carey Lake Victorian Banquet Facility & Garden, 1-4 PM.
–USA, TN, Memphis: 08/28, Summer Equality Tour 2011, TBA, TBA.
–USA, VA, Norfolk: 08/27, Ocean View Pier Party – Benefit for Equality VA, Ocean View Fishing Pier, 5-10 PM.

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