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Sunday, December 20th, 2009
Robin Sutliff’s flower shop is redolent with the ingredients of a perfect wedding place setting: tall stands of white amaryllis, cala lilies imported from South America, summery clusters of yellow-orange orchids. When she imagines the many same-sex couples likely to tie the knot in the District this spring, though, her mind settles on the humble hyacinth. “It’s a pretty flower,” said Sutliff, owner of Ultra Violet florist in Georgetown. “It smells good, and it’s strong. It represents spring and new birth.”
On Friday, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D) signed legislation to legalize same-sex marriage in the District, a move that is expected to be a financial boon for the city and for vendors such as Sutliff, who make much of their money on weddings but who have struggled during the recession. District officials surmise that the regional economy could reap up to $22 million over the next three years as couples from Washington and elsewhere take advantage of the new law, and the Williams Institute, a think tank at the University of California at Los Angeles, estimates that the infusion could be $52 million.
But the betrothed are not lining up quite yet. The law is subject to a 30-day review period by Congress, and opponents have taken their objections to court. Although many expect the bill to pass unhindered this spring, couples say the memory of California’s Proposition 8 remains fresh in their minds. The 2008 voter-approved initiative banned same-sex marriage in the state after it had been legalized, a setback to many hopeful couples and a stunning reversal to those who thought gay marriage was on the path to mainstream acceptance.
Full Story from the Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/19/AR2009121902234.html?wprss=rss_metro
Click here for gay marriage resources in Washington, DC.
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.
Posted in dc, district of columbia, economic windfall, Gay Marriage, marriage equality, same sex marriage, vendors, washington dc | No Responses »
Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009
The D.C. City Council voted 11-2 in favor of same-sex marriage Tuesday morning. It was the first of two votes on the issue allowing same-sex marriage in the nation’s capital.
The bill sponsored by openly gay Councilman David Catania had been expected to pass for some time, as 10 of the 13 council members supported its introduction. Only Councilman Marion Barry and Councilwoman Yvette Alexander voted against it Tuesday.
The final vote is expected later this month, and Mayor Adrian Fenty has said he will sign the bill.
Full Story from NBC Washington: http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/politics/DC-Council-Votes-11-2-in-Favor-of-Same-Sex-Marriage-78231227.html
Click here for gay marriage resources in Washington, DC.
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.
Posted in bill, dc, district of columbia, gay marroage, passes, washington | No Responses »
Monday, November 30th, 2009
Two states are expected to decide on whether to grant gay couples the right to marry before the end of the year, but gay marriage proponents are thoroughly sanguine about the District of Columbia, where passage of Council member David Catania’s gay marriage bill is expected to win approval on December 1.
Enthusiasm for gay marriage appears to be on the wane in New York and New Jersey after Mainers repealed a gay marriage law approved by lawmakers in the spring. Numerous New Jersey Democratic senators have expressed concern that now is not the time, while the New York Senate continues to delay action on a bill.
But the political consensus driving gay marriage in the District endures despite numerous attacks. City leaders have remained united on the bill, which is expected to win approval along a 10 to 2 vote at Tuesday’s meeting.
Full Story from On Top Magazine: http://www.ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=4929&MediaType=1&Category=26
Click here for gay marriage resources in Washington, DC.
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.
Posted in city council, dc, district of columbia, gay marriage bill, vote, washington | No Responses »
Saturday, November 28th, 2009
The District of Columbia Council is expected to vote next week to legalize same-sex marriage in the nation’s capital. While Congress could use its power to overturn the law, local and national factors appeared to be aligned against any effort to do so.
Ten of the council’s 13 members have co-sponsored the bill, and Mayor Adrian Fenty, a Democrat, has said he would sign it after it gains council approval with a second vote. The district could start issuing marriage licenses to same-sex partners early next year.
Under the district’s limited home rule, Congress has 30 legislative days to undo any law the council passes. In the past, Congress has used legislation to overrule the city on issues such as gun rights and medical marijuana.
Full Story from the Wall Street Journal: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125935985712267119.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
Click here for gay marriage resources in Washington, DC.
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.
Posted in bill, dc, district of columbia, Gay Marriage, vote, wahsington | No Responses »
Wednesday, November 25th, 2009
Two Catholic governors are talking same-sex marriage and Catholicism, and calling out the Catholic Church for threatening to suspend or eliminate social service programs for the poor in Washington, D.C. if the District’s City Council moves to recognize marriage equality for gays and lesbians.
The governors — Maryland’s Gov. Martin O’Malley and Virginia’s outgoing Gov. Tim Kaine — said on WTOP radio that the Church’s nuclear threat, which would end social services to upwards of 68,000 needy residents in D.C., is not in line with the theological history of the Church.
“It’s really not who the church has been. If you look at the church through history, the church will stand in tough situations and continue to do good,” said Gov. Kaine, who himself served as a Catholic missionary in Honduras several decades ago. “I would be very, very disappointed here or anywhere else if the Catholic Church decides ‘Gosh, we don’t like something that’s happening in civil society, so we’re going to retreat into our shell.’”
Full Story from Change.org: http://gayrights.change.org/blog/view/catholic_governors_scold_church_on_gay_marriage_position_in_dc
Planning to marry your partner? 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.
Posted in catholic cgurch, catholic governors, dc, district of columbia, Gay Marriage, social services, washington dc | No Responses »
Thursday, November 12th, 2009
In a surprisingly bold and seemingly unbiblical move, the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington is threatening to discontinue its social support for nearly 70,000 people — including a third of Washington’s homeless — because of its opposition to a proposed same-sex marriage bill.
Under the proposed bill, according to a story by Post reporters Tim Craig and Michelle Boorstein, religious organizations would not be required to perform same-sex weddings, “but they would have to obey city laws prohibiting discrimination against gay men and lesbians.”
Apparently, the archdiocese is concerned that it could be forced, for example, to extend employee benefits to same-sex married couples, open adoptions to same-sex couples, or rent a church hall to gay and lesbian groups. “If the city requires this, we can’t do it,” Susan Gibbs, spokeswoman for the archdiocese, said Wednesday. “The city is saying in order to provide social services, you need to be secular. For us, that’s really a problem.”
Full Story from the Washington Post: http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/undergod/2009/11/the_archdioceses_ultimatum.html
Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources in Washington, DC.
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.
Posted in catholic archdiocese, dc, district of columbia, gay marriage bill, social services, washington dc | No Responses »
Tuesday, November 10th, 2009
A D.C. Council committee is expected to approve major changes Tuesday to the bill to legalize same-sex marriage in the District, including adopting a provision that will make it easier for church officials to avoid participation in gay weddings and receptions.
As currently drafted, the legislation states that religious officials would have to offer wedding-related services to same-sex couples if those services are available to the public. But the Archdiocese of Washington and other religious organizations oppose that language, arguing that it would force them to restrict charitable and other services.
Bowing to that pressure, a council committee is expected to revise the bill to state that a church or religious official can deny services related to the “solemnization, celebration, or promotion” of a same-sex wedding without fear of running afoul of the city’s anti-discrimination laws.
Full Story from the Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/09/AR2009110903246.html?hpid=sec-religion
Planning to marry your partner? 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.
Posted in bill, churches, dc, district of columbia, Gay Marriage, religious exemption, wahsington | No Responses »
Friday, October 23rd, 2009
At least three prominent LGBT activists are planning to ask a D.C. City Council committee to remove from gay Council member David Catania’s same-sex marriage bill a provision that would end city recognition of new domestic partnerships after January 2011.
The local activists, who are strong supporters of same-sex marriage, believe the city’s domestic partnership law should remain in place at least until it becomes certain that Catania’s same-sex marriage bill will survive any attempts by members of Congress to block or overturn it.
Some activists additionally believe that domestic partnerships should continue as an option for same-sex couples even if marriage emerges as a permanent part of D.C. law.
Full Story from the Washington Blade: http://www.washblade.com/2009/10-23/news/localnews/15416.cfm
Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources in Washington, DC.
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.
Posted in dc, district of columbia, domestic partnerships, Gay Marriage, washington | No Responses »
Thursday, October 8th, 2009
Lady Gaga initially found a niche in gay clubs and she hasn’t forgotten about her earliest supporters from that community. Gaga has often spoken out about gay rights in interviews, and is now calling on her fans to join the National Equality March in Washington D.C. on October 10 and 11.”
“This march is a call to action for all people from all over the country to gather to march to be visible as one and to speak out and demand full equal rights for all lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-gendered citizens in all 50 states,” she said. “If we see ourselves as free and equal people, then we need to act as free and equal people. Now is the time to act so get your ass to D.C. and lend your support. Lend your voice and demand to be heard. I hope to see you there.”
Full Story from Prefix: http://www.prefixmag.com/news/lady-gaga-encourages-fans-to-join-national-equalit/33306/
Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources in Washington, DC.
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.
Posted in dc, district of columbia, Gay Marriage, Lady Gaga, national equality march, washington | No Responses »
Tuesday, October 6th, 2009
President Obama plans to speak at the annual dinner of the Human Rights Campaign on Saturday, the White House announced today.
The Human Rights Campaign bills itself as “America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality.” President Clinton addressed the group in 1997, making him the only president to do so thus far.
The speech will come one day before the National Equality March on Washington, where participants will call for equal rights for gays, lesbians and transgendered people.
Full Story from CBS: http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/10/05/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry5364439.shtml
Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources in Washington, DC.
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.
Posted in dc, district of columbia, hrc dinner, national equality march, president obama, speech, washington | No Responses »
