December, 2011

...now browsing by month

 

Matt Baume’s 2011 Marriage Equality Year in Review

Wednesday, December 28th, 2011

OMG, 2011 — what a year for marriage equality. We’re still not ready to get married yet, but wow we are so close. Think about where we were a year ago — so much has happened. Let’s do a quick year-in-review to look at all the amazing stuff of 2011, and look ahead to where we’re going to win in 2012.

Full Story from

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.

Featured Gay Friendly Wedding Vendor: Holly’s Place, South Lake Tahoe

Wednesday, December 28th, 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 the Sierra Nevadas and the Central Valley

Holly's Place, Lake TahoeWelcome to Holly’s Place, a private compound centrally located just two blocks from Lake Tahoe. Our grounds are fully enclosed on three acres, and can accommodate any type of function or small intimate gathering.

Our property is pet friendly, too!

We’re just a short drive from stateline and the casinos, and we’re also close to Heavenly Ski Resort.

If you’re looking for the perfect place to have your wedding, consider Holly’s Place in the heart of South Lake Tahoe.

See the Holly’s Place Expanded Listing on Purple Unions Here

Marriage Equality Events Today/Tomorrow: SF, Minneapolis, Concord & Keene NH, Seattle

Wednesday, December 28th, 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!

–USA, CA, San Francisco: 2011-12-29, One Struggle One Fight Meeting, 209 Golden Gate Ave, 7 PM. http://bit.ly/7HQ8D4
–USA, MN, Minneapolis: 2011-12-28, Skills Training for LGBT & Allies , Twin Cities Men’s Center , 7-9 PM. http://bit.ly/sgWuqM
–USA, NH, Concord: 2011-12-28, Phone Bank to Defend Marriage Equality, America Votes, 6 PM. http://bit.ly/vGMhv6
–USA, NH, Keene: 2011-12-29, Phone Bank to Defend Marriage Equality, Working Family Wins, 6 PM. http://bit.ly/vGMhv6
–USA, NH, Keene: 2011-12-29, Phone Bank to Defend Marriage Equality, Amoskeag Small Bus Incubator, 6 PM. http://bit.ly/vGMhv6
–USA, WA, Seattle: 2011-12-28, Phonebanking for Marriage Equality with Equal Rights Washington, Equal Rights WA Office, 5:30 PM. http://bit.ly/t6TxA5
–USA, WA, Seattle: 2011-12-29, Drop in Data Entry with Equal Rights Washington, Equal Rights WA Office, 10 AM. http://bit.ly/t6TxA5
–USA, WA, Seattle: 2011-12-29, Phonebanking for Marriage Equality with Equal Rights Washington, Equal Rights WA Office, 5:30 PM. http://bit.ly/t6TxA5

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

Lithuania: Only 4% Support Civil Unions for Gays

Wednesday, December 28th, 2011

New York Gay Marriage PollA poll by Lithuanian market research company RIAT claims only 4% of the country supports the introduction of civil partnerships for gay couples.

The Baltic News Agency-commissioned poll says 70% of the population is in favour of some form of legal recognition for relationships outside marriage, but not for gays.

Same-sex marriages are currently banned under the Constitution and the Civil Code, and while civil partnerships are permitted to be introduced by the legislature, the Code states they may only be between a man and a woman.

Full Story from Pink News

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.

CA: Domestic Partnership Equality Act Addresses Issues With Domestic Partnership Law

Wednesday, December 28th, 2011

California Domestic PartnershipsWhile California’s domestic partnership laws grant certain rights to same-sex couples, they do not provide all of the rights of marriage. On October 9, 2011, the legislature and Governor Brown corrected some of that inequity by passing the Domestic Partnership Equality Act. Effective in January, the law will provide for several rights already existing in marriage. Erik Newton, a partner at the San Francisco family law firm Heath-Newton, outlines some of the key provisions of the act.

First, and arguably most importantly, the law will allow same-sex couples married in California but living in states that do not recognize their marriage, to get divorced in California. Previously, these couples were stuck in limbo-unable to get divorced, and having a marriage only recognized in certain states. This provision of the law corrects a serious conundrum for same-sex couples. The Federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) allows states to not recognize same-sex marriages consummated in another state.

“Many people hoping to marry their same-sex partner go to one of the few places allowing it, but then are shocked to see that they cannot get divorced in their home state when the marriage dissolves. Same-sex marriage then becomes a prison instead of a liberating institution,” explains Newton. Only six states, Washington D.C. and two tribal nations have marriage equality. 30 states ban same-sex marriage by constitutional amendment and 11 states ban it by statute alone.

Full Story from SFGate

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.

Is Gay the New Black?

Wednesday, December 28th, 2011

Gay RightsThe civil rights issue of our time is gay marriage, and the key players in our country’s most significant civil rights movement are on the wrong side of it. The black church has taken on a new role: oppressor.

As a black person born in the late ’60s, I missed the actual Civil Rights Movement, but the remnants of oppression and stories of segregation were always fresh on my grandmother’s mind. It was her lessons in black history, literature, and Christianity that inspired me to be proud of my heritage. She did her best to teach me the value of diversity, and so I learned to love all people regardless of their race, sexual orientation, religion, or socioeconomic background.

Although my grandmother taught me to love, she was not immune to her community’s mores. And so she also — unconsciously — taught me to deny the humanity of another human. My uncle (one of her five sons) is gay. For his entire childhood and young adult life he was teased and beaten by his brothers for being gay. Our family never spoke aloud about my uncle’s homosexuality, and for decades we called his life partner, who was a kind and loving man, his “friend.” It was against the rules to openly accept, acknowledge, or appreciate my uncle for all that he really was. This was being a good Christian in my family’s eyes, but for me it was telling a lie and an act of oppression.

Full Story from the Huffington 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.

NH: Why is the GOP Pushing Ahead With Marriage Equality Repeal?

Wednesday, December 28th, 2011

New Hampshire Marriage Equality RepealOne of the more contentious battles confronting the New Hampshire Legislature when it returns to work in January will be the misguided effort to repeal the 2009 law legalizing same-sex marriages. Put on hold earlier this year so lawmakers could concentrate on more serious issues, such as the state budget, taxes and creating jobs, this pointless distraction is back on the legislative agenda for reasons that escape rational explanation.

New Hampshire is one of six states, along with the District of Columbia, that allow same-sex marriages. Another 13 states permit civil unions. Elsewhere in the country, same-sex marriages and/or civil unions are prohibited by either statute or constitutional amendment. The same-sex marriage repeal legislation up for review next month seeks to bring back civil unions, which were legalized in New Hampshire in 2007, and grandfather existing same-sex marriages. The state estimates 1,800 gay couples have been married here in the past two years.

Make no mistake, the only reason the anti-same-sex marriage legislation exists at all is because conservative Republicans were emboldened by their landslide victory in 2010. Huge majorities in the House and Senate created an irresistible opportunity to push mischievous, oppressive, veto-proof forays into statutory social engineering.

Full Story from the Nashua Telegraph

Click here for gay wedding resources in New Hampshire.

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.

CA: New Poll Shows Independents Strongly Favor Marriage Equality

Wednesday, December 28th, 2011

New York Gay Marriage PollFrom Love Honor Cherish:

Love Honor Cherish (LHC) applauds the strong support for marriage equality among California’s decline-to-state voters demonstrated in an independent poll conducted by the leading polling firm Tulchin Research on behalf of the California League of Conservation Voters Education Fund.

According to Tulchin Research, decline-to-state voters, comprising “20 percent of the electorate,” “show strong support for the LGBT community and marriage equality.”

“By a 2-to-1 margin, three out of five (60 percent)” decline-to-state “voters support allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry legally, with a resounding 44 percent who strongly support legal avenues to marriage. In contrast, less than a third (30 percent total oppose) oppose legalizing marriage for gay and lesbian couples and less than one out of ten is undecided.”

Eric Harrison, LHC’s Interim Executive Director stated, “To be at 60% with decline-to-state voters in California rocks. This poll shows significant movement in support for marriage equality and demonstrates that the hard work done to educate Californians about the freedom to marry has paid off.”

In a July 2009 poll commissioned by Love Honor Cherish, Equality California, Courage Campaign and more than 30 other organizations to determine when to seek repeal of Prop 8, decline-to-state voters favored marriage by 49% with 18% undecided and 33% opposed.

“The California League of Conservation Voters Education Fund poll confirms what we all know,” said Harrison. “The voters are now ready. Prop 8 can and should be relegated to the dustbin of history on November 6, 2012. We call on all California elected officials, Equality California, Courage Campaign and major funders to unite with Love Honor Cherish in our unwavering pursuit of marriage equality.”

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.

DE: FAQ Sheet Released for Civil Unions

Wednesday, December 28th, 2011

Delaware Civil UnionsLambda Legal and Equality Delaware today released a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) guide for same-sex couples in Delaware who are considering getting a civil union.

“We congratulate Delaware on the advent of civil unions. We know that a new civil union law can be confusing, so it is likely many families will have questions about what it all means. This FAQ will provide some clarification for Delaware residents who are wondering how civil unions can help protect their families,” said Susan Sommer, director of constitutional litigation at Lambda Legal.

“Because Delaware still excludes same-sex couples from marriage and federal law and many states still do not recognize civil unions of same-sex couples, it is critically important that Delaware residents know the extent of the rights and responsibilities that come along with a civil union.”

Full Story from SDGLN

Click here for gay wedding resources in Delaware.

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.

NC: Psychologists List Reasons to Vote Against Marriage Equality Ban

Wednesday, December 28th, 2011

Psychologists on the North Carolina Gay Marriage BanFaced with an upcoming statewide vote to either allow or outright ban same-sex marriage, the North Carolina Psychological Association has published a rather straightforward takedown of the argument against gay marriage.

It’s all about science, you see!

1. There is no empirical evidence that supports the denial of marriage rights to people in same-sex relationships.

2. There is empirical evidence that denial of marriage rights to people in same-sex relationships is damaging to their psychological health.

Full Story from Unicorn Booty

Click here for gay wedding resources in North Carolina.

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.