November, 2011

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Marriage Equality Events Today/Tomorrow: Brisbane; Dublin; SF; Houston; Seattle

Wednesday, November 30th, 2011

Gay Marriage EventsHere’s our list of events today and tomorrow around the world relating to marriage equality 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!

–Australia, QLD, Brisbane: 12/01/11-12/02/11, Equal or Bust! (Brisbane to Sydney Convoy for Marriage Rights Rally). http://on.fb.me/nOS987
–Ireland, Dublin: 12/01/11, Tablequiz Fundraiser for LGBT Noise, 33 Parliament St., 7-10 PM. http://on.fb.me/uCcvzH
–USA, CA, San Francisco: 12/01/11, One Struggle One Fight Meeting, 209 Golden Gate Ave, 7 PM. http://bit.ly/7HQ8D4
–USA, TX, Houston: 12/01/11-12/04/11, 2011 International Gay/Lesbian leadership Conference, Hilton Americas. http://bit.ly/qmLyUz
–USA, WA, Seattle: 11/30/11, Equal Rights WA Volunteer Night, Equal Rights WA Office, 5:30-9 PM. http://bit.ly/gTxzXN

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

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Denying Marriage Equality Blinds Us to Our Common Humanity

Wednesday, November 30th, 2011

Marriage EqualityADVOCATES of gay marriage usually argue that, in its present form, the Marriage Act denies gays justice conceived as equal access to goods and opportunities. This can obscure the deepest reasons why the act should be revised.

Seen as a demand for equal access to goods and opportunities, gay marriage is not a high priority for most politicians, especially as Julia Gillard has promised to increase their availability to gay couples. From that perspective on justice, graver wrongs cry out for our attention. It is therefore understandable that many politicians would not risk alienating parts of the electorate where gay marriage is strongly opposed. Perhaps that is why Kristina Keneally, who spoke eloquently in support of gay marriage on Q&A a couple of months ago, and who, as a Catholic, presumably believes marriage is a great spiritual good, believes it is not a “core issue”.

People have different reasons for opposing gay marriage. Some find gay sex disgusting. Others do not, but believe it is immoral. Whatever else marriage is, it is a celebration of a union to which sexuality is intrinsic. Anyone who is a classical liberal can support laws that permit something they find immoral and even disgusting. But they cannot support laws that celebrate it.

Full Story from The Brisbane Times

Click here for gay wedding resources.

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Scotland: Catholics Rally Against Marriage Equality

Wednesday, November 30th, 2011

Catholics to Protest Marriage Equality in ScotlandSCOTLAND’s most powerful Catholic will speak today at the launch of a new alliance forged in opposition to proposals that could allow homosexual couples to be married in a place of worship.

Cardinal Keith O’Brien will address a rally organised by the Scotland for Marriage campaign, which has been set up as consultation continues on gay marriage and religious ceremonies.

The Catholic Church in Scotland has joined the Church of Scotland, the Christian Institute, which promotes the Bible as “the supreme authority” of all life, and other evangelical groups to oppose moves to give homosexual couples the same rights in marriage as heterosexuals.

Full Story from The Herald

Click here for gay wedding resources in the United Kingdom.

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Australia: Gillard Attacked From Both Sides of Labor Party on Marriage Equality

Wednesday, November 30th, 2011

Julia Gillard and Marriage EqualityTHE Labor Party’s two most prominent gay politicians – one from the Right and one from the Left – will spearhead the push for marriage equality, as Julia Gillard struggles to maintain her authority on the issue.

ACT Deputy Chief Minister Andrew Barr, from the Right, will move and federal Finance Minister Penny Wong, from the Left, will second a ”Rainbow Labor” motion at this weekend’s ALP conference declaring that Labor ”will amend the Marriage Act to ensure equal access to marriage under statute for all couples irrespective of sex”.

A platform change to endorse gay marriage would be embarrassing for the Prime Minister, who has repeatedly said that marriage should be between a man and a woman.

Full Story from The Age

Click here for gay wedding resources in Australia.

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Australia: Queensland Civil Unions Bill Passes 47-40

Wednesday, November 30th, 2011

Queensland Civil UnionsSame sex couples in Queensland now have the right to enter into legally recognised civil unions. The Civil Partnerships Bill was passed in state parliament at 11.10pm (AEST) on Wednesday, with 47 MPs voting yes and 40 no.

The bill, introduced by deputy premier Andrew Fraser, allows same sex couples to register their union with the Queensland Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

“Queensland’s parliament has voted to lift the shackles of discrimination,” Mr Fraser said.

Full Story from the Sydney Morning Herald

Click here for gay wedding resources in Australia.

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NY: Judge Allows Lawsuit Against Marriage Equality Law to Proceed

Wednesday, November 30th, 2011

New York Marriage Equality LawsuitA lawsuit seeking to overturn New York’s landmark marriage equality law can proceed given claims that private meetings between Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Senate Republicans may have violated state laws, according to reports.

As the New York Daily News is reporting, Livingston County state Supreme Court Judge Robert Wiggins, a Republican, stressed he was not voicing his opinion on same-sex marriage, but simply ruling on the procedures followed by the Legislature in passing the bill.

“It is ironic that much of the state’s brief passionately spews sanctimonious verbiage on the separation of powers in the governmental branches, and clear arm-twisting by the Executive on the Legislative permeates this entire process,” Wiggins wrote. “There are not sufficient facts before the court to determine the matter; thus, the case shall proceed on this issue.”

Full Story from the Huffington Post

Click here for gay wedding resources in New York.

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Featured Gay Friendly Wedding Vendor: Interfaith Ministry, Plainfield, NJ

Tuesday, November 29th, 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 Wedding Vendors in Northern New Jersey

David Beverly offers interfaith ministry and wedding services to gay and lesbian couples in the Plainfield, New Jersey area. His services include commitment ceremonies, spiritual counseling, and life coaching, and Interfaith Ministry focuses on the LGBT community.

If you’re looking for a gay friendly, affirming wedding officiant in Plainfield, NJ, give us a call.

See the Interfaith Ministry Expanded Listing on Purple Unions Here

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Australia: Time to Raise Your Voice for Marriage Equality

Tuesday, November 29th, 2011

Australia Marriage EqualityThis coming weekend sees the ALP National Conference. This year Julia Gillard has committed to a conscience vote on marriage equality, and has commented she anticipates and looks forward to a robust debate.

The GLRL has been lobbying for a platform change for the ALP’s policy on the Marriage Act, as we believe equality should not be a matter of conscience — it should be a matter of law.

As I sit here, writing my column and pondering the conscience vote, it is difficult for me to comprehend Gillard’s motivation to consistently come out (as it were) against marriage equality. She has been open with her atheism. She is unmarried and living with her long-term partner.

Full Story from the Star Observer

Click here for gay wedding resources in Australia.

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Anti Gay Groups Ramped Up Spending in 2009

Tuesday, November 29th, 2011

According to a November 23, 2011 Article by Carlos Maza & Equality Matters staff: A recent report from the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life found that, despite a tough economy, groups like the National Organization for Marriage significantly increased their spending on anti-LGBT advocacy in 2009.

According to Roll Call: The number of religious lobbies inside the Beltway has grown steadily in recent years, jumping from 158 in 2000 to 211 in 2010, according to the report “Lobbying for the Faithful: Religious Advocacy Groups in Washington, D.C.” While the economic downturn has depressed spending by such groups overall, religious lobbying has spiked in some areas while tapering off in others.

The National Organization for Marriage, for example, more than doubled its advocacy expenditures from $3.3 million in 2008 to $8.6 million in 2009, the most recent data available, the group found. Four other groups also doubled their advocacy expenditures: the World Organization for Resource Development & Education; Christians’ Israel Public Action Campaign; the PICO National Network, an alliance of groups doing community organizing; and the International Uyghur Human Rights & Democracy Foundation, which promotes freedom for Muslims in China’s Uyghur region.

Full Story from Gay USA

Click here for gay wedding resources.

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Nigerian Senate Passes Anti Marriage Equality Bill

Tuesday, November 29th, 2011

Nigeria’s Senate voted Tuesday to criminalize gay marriage, gay advocacy groups and same-sex public displays of affection, the latest legislation targeting a minority already facing discrimination in Africa’s most populous nation.

The bill, now much more wide-ranging than its initial draft, must be passed by Nigeria’s House of Representatives and signed by President Goodluck Jonathan before becoming law. However, public opinion and lawmakers’ calls Tuesday for even harsher penalties show the widespread support for the measure in the deeply religious nation.

“Such elements in society should be killed,” said Sen. Baba-Ahmed Yusuf Datti of the opposition party Congress for Progressive Change, drawing some murmurs of support from the gallery.

Full Story from ABC

Click here for gay wedding resources.

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