Gay Marriage Watch: January 4th-January 10th
This week's main story - a new study of the Prop 8 results, which found that, while African American support of the proposition was higher than 50%, it was nowhere near 70% - instead, Prop 8 supporters tended to be republican, conservative, and religious, and even knowing a gay or lesbian person wasn't enough for 80% of these folks to vote against Prop 8.
And check out this great video satire on gay marriage (hint - it's like an atom bomb).
In addition to the news of the week, you'll find our weekly woody award, links to some great articles and columns from the last seven days, and of course you'll also find our ongoing recap of gay marriage happenings worldwide over the last four months - for a longer history, just click on one of the older Gay Marriage Watch blogs from our archives.
To subscribe to this blog, or if you have any thoughts about how we can make this feature better or easier to use or any updates on the issues covered here, let me know at info@purpleunions.com.
--Scott
TAKE ACTION:
Attend Rallies and Events
--Help Collect 1 Million Signatures to Present to President Obama to Overturn DOMA - by 1/12/09 --Attend the 2009 Marriage Lobby Day in Sacramento --A List of Prop 8 Rallies/Protests --Join One Struggle One Fight's march from San Francisco to Sacramento March 25th-30th
Sign a Petition (or 3):
--Sign this petition to repeal Prop 8 --Send a Postcard to Protest Rick Warren's Selection to Give the Inaugural Invocation --Sign this Petition to President Obama to disinvite Rick Warren to his Inauguration --Sign this Petition to ask Rick Warren to debate Prop 8 and Gay Marriage --Sign this petition to repeal the tax-exempt status of the Mormon Church --Sign EQCA's Petition to Win Back Marriage
Other Actions:
--Tell Your Wedding Story to Cleis Press --Shine a Blue Light for Equality --Join the Equality Action Now Maillist --Support Businesses Who Donated to No on 8 (Palm Springs List) --See Which Businesses Suppported Prop 8 (no direct action - just withhold your $) --Wear a white ribbon to support the cause --Check out the resources at Stop8.org
This week's Woody award honors goes to Marie Jon, a columnist on the Dakota Voice site, for these wonderful paens to conservative nuttiness when it comes to the gay and lesbian community:
"our Creator has plenty to say about their 'chosen lifestyle.'"
Not sure why that's in quotes - maybe enen Miss Jon knows the whole choice thing is is an out and out lie?
"people who are caught up in this sin can change and free themselves with the help of God."
Ok, say we give her this one and say there might be some people who are on the center of the kinsey scale who can swing either way (altho generally we call these folks bisexuals). There are many, many more, who were born this way. Coul;d you swing over to the lesbian side with such ease, Miss Jon?
"Militant homosexual activists want to destroy the meaning of marriage"
I love this one. First of all, these righties just go orgasmic when someone throws the word "militant" in front of anything. Foaming at the mouth, slap-happy orgasmic. And here we go again. By wanting to marry my partner and stay together for the rest of our lives, I'm out to "destroy" marriage. Geez, by this logic, it must have just devastated the country when all those other states joined the original 13. Or not.
"Those who have already fallen into the trap of homosexuality will face a lifetime of trying to remain physically and mentally healthy."
Oh, come on, Miss Jon, this whole thing is so '80's. You know that many straight folks get AIDS, and many gay folks do not, don't you?
There's so much more here to ridicule, but mostly it's just sad that Miss Jon has such a small-minded, narrow, ignorant worldview. This, in a nutshell, is why we;ve grown "intolerant" with religion - because it asks us to understand and tolerate its beliefs and believers, while preaching lies, intolerence, and outright bigotry against the gay and lesbian community.
Enjoy your woody, Miss Jon!
EVENTS OF THE LAST WEEK:
1/3/09
USA, California:
--Vandals spray-painted swastikas on a Catholic church in San Francisco's Castro District Saturday night. Source
--San Diego City Councilman Todd Gloria wants to light up city hall blue on January 9th-10th, in conjunction with other city halls around the country, in support of efforts to overturn Prop 8. Source
1/4/09
USA, California: At Sunday's AHA (American Historical Association) Business Meeting, gay activists won support for a resolution to embarrass Doug Manchester, owner of the Marriott Hotel in San Diego that's the site of the association's 2010 convention, by hosting "a series of panels and special events that will address issues of equity and place questions of marriage and family in historical perspective." The AHA declined a request to boycott the hotel. though. Source
USA, New England: Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders, known as GLAD, has launched a first-of-its-kind regional campaign aimed at winning approval for same-sex marriage in the six-state New England region by 2012. Source
USA, New York: A unanimous four-judge panel of the New York Appellate Division for the 2nd Department issued a brief decision on December 30, rejecting a challenge to the same-sex marriage recognition order that Westchester County Executive Andrew J. Spano, a Democrat, issued in June 2006. Source
1/5/09
USA: A new CNN poll shows opposition to gay marriage increased slightlly between June and Decembe, 2008, rising from 53% to 55%, while support remained the same at 44%. Source
USA, Arizona: Mesa Councilman Dennis Kavanaugh has been exploring the idea and has asked the city attorney to draft an ordinance that would allow people to register their relationships with the city. Source
USA, California: Proponents of a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage filed legal briefs today urging the California Supreme Court to reject the novel legal argument put forth last month by state Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown and to preserve Proposition 8. Source
USA, Washington: State Sen. Ed Murray of Seattle and five other gay members of the Legislature are working on a bill that would expand the rights approved in the 2007 domestic-partnership law. Source
1/6/09
In a 1997 interview with BLACKlines and Outlines newspapers ( which later merged with Windy City Times ), Illinois Senate Nominee Roland Burris said he would not endorse gay marriage, using an argument that was somewhat evangelical in its fervor: “If you take it [ same-sex marriage ] to its ultimate conclusion, it will then be the destruction of the species.” Source
USA, California: Neither African-Americans nor any other ethnicity were disproportionately in support of Proposition 8, which changed California's constitution to ban same-sex marriage, according to a study of election results and post-vote surveys released Tuesday. Source
USA, Florida: Leaders in Florida have created a new statewide gay rights group formed from several local lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allied organizations called Organizations United Together (OUT). Source
USA, Minnesota: A man held a sign outside the chamber door while legislators filed inside on Tues. He says he wants people to know about the inequality gay couples face since they cannot legally get married in Minnesota. Source
USA, Oregon: An Oregon church dedicated to equal civil protections for the GLBT community has announced that its clergy will not sign off on marriages for straight couples until gay and lesbian families have the same access to marriage as do straights. Source
1/7/09
Brad Pitt on gay marriage in W Magazine's Feb. issue: "People who are against gay marriage do not understand the very freedoms that they themselves are enjoying." Source
USA: The Alliance for Marriage Foundation today launched a national petition drive to Protect DOMA in response to the People for the American Way's (PFAW) efforts to encourage Congressional Leadership to "Dump DOMA." Source
USA, Colorado: Gay-rights advocates plan protest rallies at 11:30 a.m. Saturday on the steps of the City and County Building in Denver and on the Boulder County Courthouse lawn. The demonstrations are timed to coincide with protests across the country. Source
USA, Maryland: State Delegate Don Dwyer, R-Glen Burnie, plans to reintroduce his bill to put a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage before Maryland voters. Source
USA, New York: The state legislature reconvened today, giving Queens Democrat Malcolm Smith the top job as Senate Majority Leader. Smith is well-known as a supporter of same-sex marriage. Source
USA, Ohio: Anti-gay ministers failed to gather enough signatures by the January 5th deadline to block the new domestic partner registry, byt they plan to use the “ordinance by initiative” option laid out by the city charter, which allows the group to submit legislation directly to council leaders, has no time limit, and requires only 5,000 signatures. Source
USA, Vermont: Senate Leader John Campbell says he will introduce legislation this session to legalize same-sex marriage in Vermont. Source
USA, Virginia: Delegate David Englin (D-45) today filed legislation for the 2009 session of the Virginia General Assembly to begin the process of repealing the 2006 amendment to the Virginia constitution that outlaws same-sex marriage, civil unions, domestic partnerships, and any state recognition of legal status for same-sex relationships. Source
1/8/09
Senegal: The jailing in Senegal of nine gay men for eight years over "indecent conduct and unnatural acts" has been condemned by an international gay rights group. Source
United Kingdom, England: oger Irons, 21, appeared on the controversial ITV daytime show with Matthew Millington, 26, whom he married in a civil ceremony in 2006. But in August last year he was founding hanging from a tree in woods after telling his family he "couldn't take any more" homophobia. Source
USA, California: New laws that took effect in California Jan. 1 protect GLBT seniors and foster youth, and insert “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” language into several civil rights laws that lacked comprehensive lists of protected groups. Source
USA, New York: In responses to inquiries from gay and lesbian couples who have married in locales such as Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Canada, the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance has in recent weeks been sending back a letter informing them that they cannot file jointly on their state income tax forms due April 15. Source
1/9/09
Chris Evans, the hunky actor of The Fantastic Four, on gay marriage: "As for gay marriage, it's mindbloggling and appalling that human beings are denied being civil rights in this country." Source
United Kingdom, Scotland: Church of Scotland leaders today stood by the controversial appointment of a gay Angus minister despite opposition from conservative members of the Aberdeen church to which he is moving. Source
USA, California:
--Because of the passage of Prop 8, The Peace and Justice Center in Chico will no longer host marriages of any kind on its property. Source
--Supporters of the ballot measure that banned gay marriage in California have filed a lawsuit seeking to block their campaign finance records from public view, saying the reports have led to the harassment of donors. Geoff Kors, executive director of Equality California, noted the hypocrisy - Prop 8 supporters used campaign finance records during the campaign to threaten gay rights supporters. Source
1/10/09
China, Hong Kong: The proposal to amend the Domestic Violence Ordinance does not give legal recognition to same-sex relationships or provide legal entitlements to people in such relationships. Source
USA: Events are planned for tonight at state capitols around the country to protest Prop 8. Source
USA, Ohio: Three groups are joining Saturday in Columbus to protest the Defense of Marriage Act. Source
GREAT ARTICLES/COLUMNS LAST WEEK:
^ Tired Old Ideas Die Hard, by J.P. Devine ^ Judge Penny on Gay Marriage, by Angela Bronner ^ The Institution of Marriage, by Andrew Sullivan ^ No Defending the Defense of Marriage Act, by Bob Barr ^ Will the Future of California's Gay Marriage Be Televised?, by Japhy Grant ^ GLAAD issues ‘Worst of ’08? list, GLAAD ^ Will Vermont Allow Same-Sex Marriage?, by Bianca Slot ^ Don't ditch your gay son's wedding, by Dennie Hughes ^ Brown's switch on Prop. 8 reflects times, by Carla Marinucci ^ Satire: Gay marriage is like an atom bomb, 23/6 ^ Gay rights: Sad Progress, by William Collins ^ Get hip; this is life, y'all, by Jeff Weiss ^ Report: Gay marriage campaign lacked diversity, human message, by Roger Brigham ^ Why can't a kiss just be a kiss?, by Hank Stuever ^ It’s the Winter Gay TV Guide!, by Brent Hartinger ^ Pastors hurt Cleveland with battle against domestic partner registry, by David Fitz ^ Prop Hate and My Family, by John Ireland
HISTORY BY REGION (Last Two Months):
ARGENTINA Legal Status: Civil Unions (some areas) The Story So Far: On 12/5, during his first meeting with Argentina's new ambassador to the Vatican, Juan Pablo Cafiero, Pope Benedict XVI urged the Latin American nation to resist attempts to further decriminalize abortion and gay marriage.
AUSTRALIA Legal Status: No Federal Recognition; Some Local Domestic Partner Australia Gay Wedding Vendors The Story So Far: On 12/10, a new poll showed that 87% of respondents from Australia's gay community support same sex marriage.On 12/17, it was reported that And a group held a vigil in Spinks Park in Australia to campaign for same-sex marriage.
AUSTRIA Legal Status: Limited Civil Union Rights The Story So Far: As of 12/9, the UK Government has withdrawn its opposition to a case in European Court brought by a gay couple who argued that argued that Austria has violated their right to a private and family life and their right to marry.
BELIZE Legal Status: n/a Belize Gay Wedding Vendors
BRAZIL Legal Status: n/a Brazil Gay Wedding Vendors
BURUNDI Legal Status: Homosexuality is Illegal
CANADA Legal Status: Gay Marriage Canada Gay Wedding Vendors
CHILE Legal Status: n/a The Story So Far: As of 12/15. an organization called Muevete Chile has launched a campaign to stop the Senate committee from approving a measure that would open the door to gay unions under of the banner of "non-discrimination."
COSTA RICA Legal Status: n/a Costa Rica Gay Wedding Vendors
CZECH REPUBLIC Legal Status: n/a The Story So Far: On 12/18, it was reported that Czech President Václav Klaus wants Europe to remain pretty much the way it is -- without gay marriage.
CYPRUS Legal Status: n/a The Story So Far: On 12/19, the Migration Department has had its knuckles rapped for preventing the gay partner of a Cypriot man from working in Cyprus. The department was accused by the Ombudswoman of taking "hypocritical" and "paradoxical" decisions while discriminating against homosexual couples.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Legal Status: n/a Dominican Republic Gay Wedding Vendors
EUROPE The Story So Far: On 12/3, it was reported that the Vatican came out against a United Nations resolution that calls on all governments to decriminalize homosexuality. On 12/9, it was reported that the European Union (EU) wants this week's 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to also mark the expansion of the document to condemn the criminalization of same-sex relations.
FRANCE Legal Status: Civil Unions France Gay Wedding Vendors
GREECE Legal Status: N/A Greece Gay Wedding Vendors The Story So Far: On 12/5, a Greek court was considering a prosecutor's request to overturn the country's first gay weddings, celebrated this year despite official warnings they were illegal.
HUNGARY Legal Status: n/a The Story So Far: On 12/15, Hungary's Constitutional Court struck down Parliament's Domestic Partnership Act, which gave legal recognition to unmarried and same-sex partnerships, because the court said the Act diminished the importance of "true" marriage. On 12/22, it was reported that the government's new bill on registered partnership - to replace a new law recently vetoed by the Constitutional Court - could be submitted to parliament as early as mid-February next year, Justice Minister Tibor Draskovics said.
INDONESIA Legal Status: n/a Indonesia Gay Wedding Vendors
IRELAND Legal Status: n/a The Story So Far: On 12/2, it was reported that one of RTE's digital radio channels will broadcast Ireland's first ever programme specifically for the gay community. On 12/8, LGBT Noise, a group that advocates full civil marriage for same-sex couples in Ireland demonstrated in Dublin.
ITALY Legal Status: n/a Italy Gay Wedding Vendors The Story So Far: On 12/6, Hundreds of people protested outside the Vatican City on Saturday in support of a declaration calling for the universal decriminalisation of homosexuality to be presented at the UN the next week. On 12/19, the Vatican governments around the world to decriminalize homosexuality but said a proposed U.N. resolution on the issue went too far. On 12/23, it was reported that gay groups and activists reacted angrily after Pope Benedict XVI said that mankind needed to be saved from a destructive blurring of gender. On 12/24, it was reported that Catholic publications have rushed to the defense of Pope Benedict XVI's comments that the human race is as imperiled by gay and lesbian families as by the wanton destruction of the rain forests.
LITHUANIA Legal Status: n/a The Story So Far: As of 12/18, Lithuanian legislators were considering an amendment to their protection-of-minors statute that affirms "public information that agitates for homosexual relations" produces "a detrimental effect on the development of minors" and "defies family values." Lithuania already has regulations against Gay Pride parades and rainbow-flag displays.
MEXICO Legal Status: Civil Unions (some areas) The Story So Far: Mexico Gay Wedding Vendors As of 12/26, social activists and members of "unusual couples," as the Catholic Church calls gay, lesbian and transsexual unions, were discussing possible actions to be taken on Jan. 13-18, 2009 when Mexico hosts the Sixth World Meeting of Families organised by the Vatican.
MOROCCO Legal Status: Being Gay Illegal
NETHERLAND ANTILLES Legal Status: n/a Netherlands Antilles Gay Wedding Vendors
NETHERLANDS Legal Status: Gay Marriage
NEW ZEALAND Legal Status: Civil Unions New Zealand Gay Wedding Vendors
NORWAY Legal Status: Gay Marriage
PHILIPPINES Legal Status: n/a The Story So Far: On 12/4, it was reported that various groups of lesbians, gays, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) in the Philippines have closed ranks to fight what they consider as the pervasive evil that has stalked them for decades: discrimination.
SOUTH AFRICA Legal Status: Gay Marriage The Story So Far: As of 12/10, 82% of the adult population of South Africa think that sex between two men or two women could be considered 'always wrong,' according to the latest South African Social Attitudes Survey.
SPAIN Legal Status: Gay Marriage Spain Gay Wedding Vendors The Story So Far: On 12/4, a Spanish judge who held up a lesbian couples' adoption request for two years because she doesn't believe in gay marriage and gay adoption faced a tribunal. On 12/28, tens of thousands of people attended a Mass in central Madrid on Sunday designed to promote traditional family values and protest gay marriage in a predominantly Roman Catholic country that has legalized gay marriage and made it easier for people to divorce. On 1/1/09, the controversial Dénia judge, Laura Alabau, who refused to carry out gay and lesbian weddings in the town has been transferred. She is being moved to another court which has no responsibilities for marriage.
SWEDEN Legal Status: Civil Unions The Story So Far: On 12/17, a Swedish court ruled that a gay couple who got married in Canada should not be regarded as a married couple under Swedish law.
UGANDA Legal Status: n/a The Story So Far: On 12/30, a court in Uganda handed down a landmark ruling which is being hailed by gay rights activists around the world. The case involves the arrest and torture of two women, Yvonne Oyoo and Victor Juliet Mukasa, who were suspected of being lesbians.
UNITED KINGDOM Legal Status: Civil Unions England Gay Wedding Vendors Wales Gay Wedding Vendors The Story So Far: On 12/14, a tribunal ruling in favour of Christian registrar Lillian Ladele who refused to marry gays was criticised by an eminent employment law judge because it was based on a "fundamental error". On 12/18, the Green Party slammed the government's decision to lend its support to EU countries that do not offer gay civil partnerships, and questioned its commitment to LGBT rights. On 12/19, London's Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) has overturned a ruling that granted compensation to Miss Ladele because she claimed she was subjected to harassment and the potential loss of her job after refusing to conduct civil unions between same-sex couples. As of 1/1, it is no longer legal for agencies to discriminate against gay and lesbian couples from adopting children in England, Wales and Scotland.
URUGUAY Legal Status: Civil Unions The Story So Far: On 12/18, The Senate passed a bill allowing people aged 12 and older to legally change their name and gender on their identity papers, a move that opens the doors to gay marriage.
UNITED STATES (see individual states below) Legal Status: Defense of Marriage Act The Story So Far:
December:
As of 12/3, a new survey showed that 47% of Americans favor same-sex marriage, and 49% oppose it. 22% percent say gays and lesbians should have no legal recognition. And 75% favor marriage, domestic partnerships or civil unions for same-sex couples.
On 12/6, delegates to a national Episcopal Church meeting voted overwhelmingly to support lifting a moratorium on consecrating bishops who are in same-sex relationships.
As of 12/8, Former Ohio Secretary of State and U.N. ambassador Ken Blackwell was in the running to chair the RNC, according to the Washington Times. Blackwell played a huge part in both "winning" Ohio for Republicans in 2004 and putting the anti gay marriage amendment on the ballot there. And the U.S. Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that if same-sex marriages were legalized in all 50 states and recognized by the federal government, the federal budget would gain almost $1 billion a year in new revenue.
On 12/10, the trendy clothing retailer Urban Outfitters pulled a T-shirt with a pro-marriage equality message within days of the item first appearing in stores and at the company's Web site. And the Rev. Richard Cizik resigned effective Thursday from the National Association of Evangelicals after a radio interview in which he voiced support for same-sex civil unions and said he is "shifting" on gay marriage.
On 12/11, an Urban Outfitters spokesman told New York Magazine on Wednesday that gay marriage shirts were pulled because they weren't selling well and that "the head merchant is open to finding other products that support gay marriage and carry the same message but will be more popular with our customers," not because the company CEO, Richard Hayne, is a right-wing Republican.
As of 12/14, it was reported that Disney is now allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry at all of its parks. And a rash of attacks against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people across the country - including the severe beating of a New York man whose attackers believed he was gay - suggests the number of reported assaults could rise in 2008, an advocacy group said.
On 12/17, nearly 60 leaders of an evangelical faction wrote the National Association of Evangelicals president in support of the NEA vice president for governmental affairs who resigned after saying he supports same-sex unions - and they want a replacement like him. The Alliance for Marriage Foundation (AMF), the organization that drafted the Marriage Protection Amendment (MPA) in Congress, was working against any attempt to repeal the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
As 12/18, alone among major Western nations, the United States has refused to sign a declaration presented Thursday at the United Nations calling for worldwide decriminalization of homosexuality.
On 12/20, "Light Up the Night" candlelit vigils to protest Prop 8 were held around the country.
On 12/23, it was reported that a series of new Campbell Soup Company ads published in gay monthly The Advocate are being protested by the American Family Association (AFA). And it was reported that In June, 44% of those surveyed said that gay marriages should be recognized by law as valid, and a slim majority, 53% said they should not. Six months later, public opinion seems frozen in place, at least for the moment: support for gay marriage remains at 44 percent. So does the opposition - at 55%, it's statistically unchanged from the summer result, given the survey's margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
As of 12/24, Campbell Soup was not backing down in the face of pressure from right-wing groups over an ad that recently appeared in The Advocate. And it was reported that Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery, President-elect Obama's choice to deliver the benediction at the upcoming Inauguration, said on Tuesday that he hesitates to support civil marriage for same-sex couples. He does, however, support civil unions.
ALASKA Legal Status: Constitutional Amendment Alaska Gay Wedding Vendors The Story So Far: On 12/16, With the ashes barely cool from what seems to have been an arson attack against the Wasilla church attended by Republican Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin, conservatives were hurling incendiary accusations, without any evidence to back up the charges, at gays and lesbians.
ALABAMA Legal Status: Defense of Marriage Act; Constitutional Amendment Alabama Gay Wedding Vendors
ARIZONA Legal Status: Defense of Marriage Act; Constitutional Amendment Arizona Gay Wedding Vendors The Story So Far: On 12/10, it was reported that a man who champions equality for gays in the United Kingdom has traveled to Arizona to begin a drive for a ballot initiative that would establish civil partnerships, which since 2005 have allowed same-sex couples to legally register their relationships. On 12/17, the Phoenix City Council approved a resolution to create a gay domestic partner registry. On 1/2, it was reported that Arizona's new Governor, Jan Brewer, is opposed to giving health benefits to unmarried domestic partners and to adding sexual orientation to protected classes in antidiscrimination laws.
ARKANSAS Legal Status: Defense of Marriage Act Arkansas Gay Wedding Vendors The Story So Far: On 12/30, at a Little Rock, Arkansas press conference, more than a dozen families announced they would ask a court to strike down a new law that bans unmarried couples from adopting or fostering children.
CALIFORNIA Legal Status: Constitutional Amendment California Gay Wedding Vendors The Story So Far:
December:
On 12/4, a new poll found that that 85% of Evangelical Christians voted for Prop 8, along with 69% who did not attend college, and 63% who make less than $40,000 a year. And lawmakers began the 2009-2010 legislative session by introducing resolutions in support of invalidation of Proposition 8.
On 12/5, 10 years after the Berkeley City Council became the first city government in the United States to support same-sex marriage, it was reported that council members planned to vote Monday to participate in a lawsuit that seeks to invalidate Proposition 8. And it was reported that supporters of Prop 8 personally visited 70% of California households before the election, and fielded 100,000 volunteers, 5 per precinct, on election day, vs. just 11,000 for the No on 8 side.
A lesbian couple walking from LA to SF to protest Prop 8 arrived in Salinas, CA on 12/14.
On 12/8, about 200 faculty, staff and students gathered at the American River College for "Eight Minutes of Silence" to show support for the gay and lesbian members of our campus community. Opponents of the Proposition 8 gay marriage ban are taking their fight to Signal Hill City Hall on Wednesday, where they plan to rally in support of a possible recall petition of city Treasurer Emerson Fersch. And 57% of voters with a college degree opposed Prop 8, while 69% of voters whose education had stopped after gradating high school cast their vote in favor of rescinding marriage equality.
On 12/10, Bishop J. Jon Bruno of Los Angeles authorized the use of a rite for the "Sacramental Blessing of a Life-long Covenant" for both same-gender and heterosexual couples. And a Day Without a Gay the day's events drew only scattered support in the Bay Area, the heart of the gay rights movement.
On 12/11, the San Francisco city attorney filed an amended petition (note: PDF file) challenging the constitutionality of Prop. 8 in the state Supreme Court Wednesday, adding seven same-sex married couples and 11 more cities and counties as parties. The amended filing also argues that Prop. 8 (if the high court would uphold it as constitutional) wouldn't affect the marriage status of couples who tied the knot before it passed. And it was reported that voters economic status and religious convictions played a greater role than race and age in determining whether they supported the Nov. 4 ballot measure outlawing same-sex marriage in California, a new poll shows.
On 12/14, although more than 55 percent of Contra Costa County voters opposed the gay marriage ban on the November ballot, county supervisors voted against joining the lawsuit against the measure, making Contra Costa the first Bay Area county to stay on the sideline, angering the area's gays. And at a forum held in West Hollywood over the weekend, speakers discussed problems with the campaign against the measure, which banned gay marriage in California. And like previous discussions, this one ended up coming down hard on the tactics used by the No on 8 campaign.
On 12/15, a lesbian couple from Los Angeles marching across the state in their fight for equal rights made a stop in Palo Alto. And attorneys for the ACLU sent a letter to Big Bear High School saying that school officials cannot prohibit students from wearing anti-Proposition 8 T-shirts.
On 12/16, it was reported that the ongoing boycott of the Manchester Grand Hyatt by gay activists and labor groups has cost the hotel $2.4 million in canceled meetings and conventions. A Bristol-Myers Squibb employee's $1,500 donation to Yes on 8 caused controversy within the company. Final election results show that 599,602 more California voters cast ballots in favor of outlawing same-sex marriage than voted to keep such unions legal.
On 12/18, it was reported that Andrew Knox and Doug Reid awoke on the morning of December 12 to see the word fag scrawled across the front window of their Clearview Road home in Santa Barbara. And Equality California Executive Director Geoffrey Kors said he will skip Barack Obama's inauguration ceremony to protest the participation of the Rev. Rick Warren, who supported Prop 8.
On 12/19, the lesbian couple from Pasadena who walke d 450 miles through California to support a continuing movement to overturn Proposition 8 arrived at the end of their journey, leading a group of marriage rights advocates from San Francisco City Hall to the steps of the state Supreme Court. And the first briefs in the lawsuit over Prop 8 were due before the CA Supreme Court. Kenneth W. Starr, the former U.S. Solicitor General who led the inquiry into President Bill Clinton's affair with Monica L. Lewinsky, was named as the leader of the case in favor of upholding a ban on gay marriage before the California Supreme Court. State Attorney General Jerry Brown, in a surprise turnabout, asked the California Supreme Court to overturn Proposition 8, saying the voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage violates basic rights guaranteed in the state Constitution. And sponsors of Proposition 8 asked the California Supreme Court on Friday to nullify the marriages of the estimated 18,000 same-sex couples who exchanged vows before voters approved the ballot initiative that outlawed gay unions.
--On 12/22, a woman in the San Francisco Bay area was jumped by four men, taunted for being a lesbian, repeatedly raped and left naked outside an abandoned apartment building. --On 12/23, Saddleback Church, home to Pastor Rick Warren, removed a section of their website saying the church does not welcome "unrepentant" gays. --On 12/25, ity was reported tgat a progressive San Diego Church has bought a billboard in the Hillcrest District that says: "Missiongathering Christian Church is sorry for the narrow-minded, judgmental, deceptive, manipulative actions of those who took away the rights and equality of so many in the name of God. Our hearts are with you. Christianity for all." As of 12/30, it was reported that a new California campaign has started to try to change the anti-same-sex marriage mentality present across the states: GetToKnowMeFirst.org. The idea behind this campaign is to introduce Internet users and California TV viewers to non-traditional families.
CONNECTICUT Legal Status: Gay Marriage Connecticut Gay Wedding Vendors The Story So Far: On 12/17, a new Quinnipiac University poll showed that a slim majority of Connecticut voters support a recent state Supreme Court ruling to allow same-sex couples to marry.
DELAWARE: Legal Status: Defense of Marriage Act Delaware Gay Wedding Vendors
FLORIDA Legal Status: Defense of Marriage Act; Constitutional Amendment Florida Gay Wedding Vendors The Story So Far:
December:
On 12/1, a group called Impact-Florida announced it was organizing a demonstration at the wedding of Gov. Charlie Crist on December 12th.
On 12/12, about 200 people showed up in Williams Park to protest outside of the nuptials of Gov. Charlie Crist and Carole Rome.
On 12/14, hundreds of protestors convened on the church where Florida Governor Charlie Crist has been married yesterday to express their anger at the state's decision to outlaw same-sex marriage.
GEORGIA Legal Status: Defense of Marriage Act & Constitutional Ban Georgia Gay Wedding Vendors The Story So Far: On 12/11, it was reported that the same Atlanta organizers who put on the Nov. 15 gay rights rally at the State Capitol hope hundreds turn out again Saturday for their next visibility action, "All I Want for Christmas is Equal Rights."
HAWAII Legal Status: Civil Unions; Defense of Marriage Act Hawaii Gay Wedding Vendors
IDAHO Legal Status: Defense of Marriage Act
ILLINOIS Legal Status: Defense of Marriage Act Illinois Gay Wedding Vendors
INDIANA Legal Status: Defense of Marriage Act Indiana Gay Wedding Vendors The Story So Far: On 12/1, backers of a constitutional ban on gay marriage said they plan to reintroduce the proposal in next year's legislature, but in a slightly revised form. But the odds appear slim that Indiana lawmakers will give serious consideration to an anti-gay marriage constitutional amendment next year.
IOWA Legal Status: Defense of Marriage Act The Story So Far:
In 2009, the Iowa Supreme Court is expected to rule on the issue of same sex marriage when deliberations begin in Varnum v. Brien.
December:
On 12/9, the Iowa Supreme Court pressed lawyers for both sides with sharp questions on topics like the 4,000-year-old history of marriage and whether a ruling favoring gay couples would open the door to polygamy.
On 12/12, a city councilman in Sioux City was pushing his colleagues to adopt a resolution the next Monday that opposes gay marriage.
On 12/14, elected leaders in Sioux City, in a split vote, delayed action on a controversial proposal to publicly oppose gay marriage.
On 12/16, supporters of the gay marriage ban, aware the court might overturn the Defense of Marriage Act, were redoubling their efforts to win approval for a constitutional amendment to prevent same-sex couples from marrying. Such a change would likely take at least 3 years.
KANSAS Legal Status: Defense of Marriage Act
KENTUCKY Legal Status: Defense of Marriage Act; Constitutional Amendment Kentucky Gay Wedding Vendors
LOUISIANA Legal Status: Defense of Marriage Act; Constitutional Amendment Louisiana Gay Wedding Vendors The Story So Far: On 12/23, in a major victory for same-sex parents nationwide, a U.S. District Court judge in Louisiana has ordered the state registrar to honor the New York adoption of a baby boy by a same-sex couple, saying her continued failure to do so violated the U.S. Constitution. On 12/30, it was reported that gay rights advocates fear the state may try to ban gay adoption.
MAINE Legal Status: Domestic Partnership; Defense of Marriage Act Maine Gay Wedding Vendors The Story So Far: Nearly 100 ministers and lay leaders representing churches from Fort Fairfield to Richmond met on 12/2 at Calvary Chapel in Orrington to launch a biblically based opposition to same-sex marriages or civil unions in Maine. As of 12/14, Maine religious leaders and activists were mobilizing for a legislative battle over the politically charged issue of gay marriage.
MARYLAND Legal Status: Defense of Marriage Act Maryland Gay Wedding Vendors The Story So Far: On 12/11, the University of MD's SGA passed a resolution in support of same-sex marriage without a single dissenting vote yesterday during its final legislative meeting of the semester.
MASSACHUSETTS Legal Status: Gay Marriage Massachusetts Gay Wedding Vendors The Story So Far: On 12/2, about 40 people held a vigil in Cambridge before the opening-night screening of the new movie Milk in support of the newly resurgent movement for gay rights. On 12/10, it was reported that the Massachusetts Family Institute's influence has greatly waned over the last two years. On 12/11, a group of about 20 people gathered in a drizzling rain outside the South End's Cathedral of the Holy Cross to protest the Vatican's opposition to a gay rights declaration currently pending before the United Nations. On 12/23, The Coalition for Marriage announced that it plans to hold a fundraiser in Quincy Jan. 10 to give local anti-gay Bay Staters the chance to toast the passage of California's Prop 8.
MICHIGAN Legal Status: Defense of Marriage Act; Constitutional Amendment Michigan Gay Wedding Vendors The Story So Far: On 12/31, petitions seeking the repeal of a newly adopted city ordinance that extends discrimination protections to gays and lesbians in Kalamazoo were filed.
MINNESOTA Legal Status: Defense of Marriage Act Minnesota Gay Wedding Vendors The Story So Far: On 12/18, it was reported that Sen. John Marty, DFL-Roseville, plans to introduce a bill to legalize same sex marriage in 2009.
MISSISSIPPI Legal Status: Constitutional Amendment
MONTANA Legal Status: Defense of Marriage Act; Constitutional Amendment
NEBRASKA Legal Status: Defense of Marriage Act; Constitutional Amendment Nebraska Gay Wedding Vendors
NEVADA Legal Status: Defense of Marriage Act; Constitutional Amendment Nevada Gay Wedding Vendors The Story So Far: On 12/26, it was reported that GayVegasblacklist.com has been set up for gay marriage supporters to find out which Vegas businesses and locals worked against gay marriage by specifically supporting Proposition 8 in California.
NEW HAMPSHIRE Legal Status: Civil Unions New Hampshire Gay Wedding Vendors The Story So Far: On 12/11, New Hampshire state Rep. Jim Splaine announced plans to introduce a bill next year to legalize same-sex marriage. As of 12/16, a state commission that studied all aspects of the Civil Union Act concluded that civil unions are unequal. On 12/31, State Rep. David Hess (Republican) said he will introduce legislation that would repeal the part of the civil unions bill that recognizes legal gay marriages performed elsewhere. And it was reported that a bill to legalize gay marriage will likely be scheduled for a public hearing or sent to a committee after its introduction in the new legislative session on January 7.
NEW JERSEY Legal Status: Civil Unions New Jersey Gay Wedding Vendors The Story So Far: On 12/8, Princeton undergraduates voted against petitioning the University to sign an amicus brief opposing California Proposition 8, but did support the first clause of the Equality Action Network (EAN)'s referendum, stating that the U.S. government should, without delay, begin to afford same-sex partners the same rights and privileges they do to partners of a different sex vis-a-vis those that flow from the recognition of a marriage. On 12/10, a state commission recommended that New Jersey should follow two other U.S. states and allow same-sex couples to marry rather than just enter into civil unions, as the law currently permits. On 12/29, a New Jersey department ruled that a church group that owns beachfront property discriminated against a lesbian couple by not allowing them to rent the locale for their civil union ceremony.
NEW MEXICO Legal Status: no legislation New Mexico Gay Wedding Vendors The Story So Far: On 1/2, it was reported that when New Mexico's state legislature convenes on Jan. 20, one of the first bills to be considered will be domestic partnership legislation.
NEW YORK Legal Status: Does not Recognize Same Sex Marriage New York Gay Wedding Vendors The Story So Far:
December:
On 12/5, it was reported that legislation to legalize gay marriage was being put on indefinite hold in the Senate as the result of the deal brokered by Senate Majority Leader-in-waiting Malcolm Smith and the Gang of Three.
On 12/10, Following an outcry from gay activists, New York Democratic leaders vowed they would not sacrifice any civil rights initiatives as they worked to unify the party.
On 12/12, state officials said they will now let married same-sex couples list both their names on their children's birth certificates. And a Brooklyn man who was attacked with a baseball bat Dec. 7 as he walked arm in arm with his brother died.
On 12/20, Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr., who infuriated gay advocates for tying his state Senate leadership vote to the issue of same-sex marriage, released a statement praising Barack Obama for picking Rick Warren to deliver his inaugural invocation.
On 12/29, it was reported that openly gay Assemblyman Danny O'Donnell was being considered for Hillary Clinton's Senate seat.
NORTH CAROLINA Legal Status: Defense of Marriage Act North Carolina Gay Wedding Vendors The Story So Far: On 12/4, the Carrboro (near Chapel Hill) Board of Aldermen voted 5-0 on Tuesday to support civil marriage for same-sex couples.
NORTH DAKOTA Legal Status: Defense of Marriage Act; Constitutional Amendment
OHIO Legal Status: Defense of Marriage Act; Constitutional Amendment Ohio Gay Wedding Vendors The Story So Far: On 12/1, The Cleveland City Council's legislative committee passed ordinances to include transgender people in the city's non-discrimination code and to create Ohio's third domestic partner registry - both will likely be passed by the full council at their December 8 meeting. On 12/8, the Cleveland City Council approved a domestic partner registry for gay and straight couples. On 12/12, retired Temple Israel Rabbi David Horowitz was named the national vice president of the advocacy group PFLAG. As of 12/15, the Columbus city council was considering legislation to give transgender residents of Columbus legal protection. As of 12/21, one year after Toledo created a new domestic partners registry, 89 couples have registered with the city. On 12/31, it was reported that several local pastors have banded together in an effort to repeal Cleveland's recently passed domestic-partner registry.
OKLAHOMA Legal Status: Defense of Marriage Act
OREGON Legal Status: Domestic Partnership; Defense of Marriage Act; Constitutional Amendment Oregon Gay Wedding Vendors The Story So Far: On 1/1, it was reported that, with the election of Sam Adams, Portland just became the largest city in the US with an openly gay mayor.
PENNSYLVANIA Legal Status: Defense of Marriage Act Pennsylvania Gay Wedding Vendors
PUERTO RICO Legal Status: n/a Puerto Rico Gay Wedding Vendors
RHODE ISLAND Legal Status: Does not recognize same sex marriage Rhode Island Gay Wedding Vendors
SOUTH CAROLINA Legal Status: Defense of Marriage Act South Carolina Gay Wedding Vendors The Story So Far: On 12/18, it was reported that a South Carolina high school student newspaper was not distributed last month after students published an editorial advocating same-sex marriage without consulting administrators. On 12/29, gay rights activists were urging Columbia Mayor Darwin Hindman and City Council members to back a domestic partnership ordinance.
TENNESSEE Tennessee Gay Wedding Vendors Legal Status: Defense of Marriage Act; Constitutional Ban The Story So Far: On 12/22, it was reported that gay marriage supporter and State Sen. John Marty, who was the DFL candidate for governor in 1994, may join a growing list of Democrats seeking the office in 2010. As of 12/24, a same-sex couple is asking the Tennessee Court of Appeals to remove an overnight "paramour" clause in a child custody agreement, which prevents the divorced mother's partner of nine years from staying overnight.
TEXAS Legal Status: Defense of Marriage Act; Constitutional Ban Texas Gay Wedding Vendors The Story So Far: A group calling for broader gay and lesbian civil rights met to make its case public on the Texas Tech campus on 12/1. On 12/16, Queer Liberaction, the newly formed LGBT direct action group, held its first public organizing meeting Wednesday at the Resource Center of Dallas.
US VIRGIN ISLANDS Legal Status: n/a US Virgin Islands Gay Wedding Vendors
UTAH Legal Status: Defense of Marriage Act; Constitutional Ban; Domestic Partner Registry in Salt Lake City Utah Gay Wedding Vendors The Story So Far:
December:
On 12/4, a proposal that would allow financially dependent same-sex couples to sue in the event of a wrongful death won support from a legislative committee.
On 12/9, an openly gay entertainer was calling on the music industry to refuse to license certain material to LDS musical groups.
On 12/12, a pro gay-rights organization in Brooklyn, N.Y., has placed a full-page advertisement in today's Salt Lake Tribune, decrying the arguments made by religious leaders in an earlier full-page ad defending Mormon involvement in passing Prop 8.
On 12/15, it was reported that Stephen Schwartz finds Mormon organizational zeal on behalf of California's Proposition 8 to be "reprehensible," but the award-winning composer of hits such as "Wicked" has no plans to withhold his works from Utah or LDS-related singing groups.
On 12/19, a national gay rights group said it will deliver about 27,000 letters to Mormon church leaders next week, urging their public support of equality legislation in Utah.
On 12/25, it was reported that a group called Equality Utah has developed the "Common Ground" initiative, which includes legislation that would find acceptable solutions to solve the many problems LGBT people in Utah face everyday, including the creation of a domestic partner registry.
On 12/26, it was reported that State Rep. Rebecca Chavez-Houck is sponsoring a bill called the "Forever Homes for Every Child" that would make explicit the state's right to choose heterosexual married couples over gay, lesbian, or single prospective adoptive parents, but would also deliberately and specifically allow for adoption by single parents or unmarried couples.
On 12/30, Bruce Palenske, a Park City gay-rights activist, accused Salt Lake City newspapers of blocking him from running a political ad in both The Salt Lake Tribune and the Deseret News, criticizing the LDS Church's efforts to ban gay marriage in California. And the full-page advertisement did run in Park City's The Park Record, in which he said he was "appalled and dismayed" with what he sees as the role of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the dispute about Prop 8.
VERMONT Legal Status: Civil Unions; Defense of Marriage Act Vermont Gay Wedding Vendors
VIRGINIA Legal Status: Defense of Marriage Act Virginia Gay Wedding Vendors
WASHINGTON DC Legal Status: Domestic Partnership Washington DC Gay Wedding Vendors The Story So Far: On 12/5, it was reported that anyone seeking to place a same sex marriage ban on the ballot here would face a number of hurdles, including time constraints and a requirement that the signatures gathered come from 5 of the 8 city districts. On 12/11, More than 200 people debated Thursday during a community forum in Washington whether and when the city should pass legislation to legalize same-sex marriage in the District of Columbia. On 1/1, it was reported that several gay rights groups are looking into promoting a March on Washington for gay marriage.
WASHINGTON STATE Legal Status: Domestic Partnership; Defense of Marriage Act Washington State Gay Wedding Vendors The Story So Far: On 12/5, about 200 people attended a rally at the University of Washington to protest an anti-gay marriage column that ran in the student newspaper, The Daily.
WEST VIRGINIA Legal Status: Defense of Marriage Act West Virginia Gay Wedding Vendors
WISCONSIN Legal Status: Constitutional Ban Wisconsin Gay Wedding Vendors
PEOPLE (Last Two Months)
1/2/09: Prince on his anti-gay marriage comments in November: ""I have friends that are gay and we study the Bible together." Source
1/1/09: Mickey Rourke on Sean Penn in Milk (in a text message): "Look seans an old friend of mine and I didnt buy his performance at all. Thought he did an average pretend acting like he was gay besides he's one of the most homophobic people I kno." Source
12/31/08: USA: U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., wrote to U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Dec. 23 strongly objecting to the refusal by the U.S. Mission to the United Nations to join 66 other nations Dec. 18 in signing a statement affirming that international human rights protections include sexual orientation and gender identity. Source
12/23/08:
--Pastor Rick Warren, chosen by President-elect Barack Obama to pray at his inauguration, said in a video message to his church that he doesn't equate gay relationships with incest or pedophilia, but opposes redefining marriage just as any conservative Christian would. Source
--Lifetime will air Prayers for Bobby on 1/24/09, a movie about Mary Griffith and her son Bobby, who killed himself when his parents wouldn't accept that he was gay. Sigourney Weaver will play Mary Griffith. Source
12/22/08: Christian singer Ray Boltz has released a new song, "Don't Tell Me Who To Love", about gay marriage. Source
12/20/08:
--Asked if he is homophobic, Rick Warren replied: "Of course not. I've always treated them with respect when they come and want to talk to me. I talk to them. When the protesters came, we served them water and doughnuts." One gay rights advocate is encouraging supporters of gay marriage to "return the favor" by sending Mr. Warren gift cards to Dunkin' Donuts. Source
--Caroline Kennedy on gay marriage: She "supports full equality and marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples," her spokesman wrote. Obama supports civil unions for gay couples, but not marriage rights. Source
12/19/08: The advanced fan film website Star Trek: Phase II is resurrecting a homosexual story line deemed too risky for The Next Generation's TV run. Source12/18/08:
--Paul Weyrich, conservative leader and co-founder of the anti-gay Heritage Foundation, has died. He was 66. Source
--At a news conference in Chicago, Obama defended his personal record of support for gay rights issues and said he believed his choice of Warren would help unite the country after a politically divisive election. "I think that it is no secret that I am a fierce advocate for equality for gay and lesbian Americans. It is something that I have been consistent on, and I intend to continue to be consistent on during my presidency," Obama said. Source
--Out jazz artist Dave Koz: "I know in my heart and I believe it with every fiber of my being that same-sex marriage will be legal in the United States in a matter of years. I just believe that. It's coming. It may take a few minutes for certain states, but it's coming. That train has left the station. Now it's just a matter of time." Source
12/17/08:
--Kenny from Survivor on gay marriage: "I voted 'no' on [California's Proposition 8 gay marriage ballot question]. I was hoping to be really good friends with Charlie out there, but I wasn't on the same side with him. When we merged we had very little time to talk and I feel like he kinda did distance himself from me [as] if he thought I was like a homophobe or something like that." Source
--Controversial Evangelical pastor and marriage equality opponent, Rev. Rick Warren of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, will be delivering the invocation at President-elect Obama's inauguration in January. Source
12/15/08: Out lesbian rocker Melissa Etheridge gently faced off with conservative The View co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck over gay marriage rights and Proposition 8 on Tuesday's show. And in a rare move, Hasselbeck backed down and made nice and then Etheridge and Hasselbeck said "I love you," to each other. Source
12/11/08:
--The Golden Globe nominations were announced this morning and the Harvey Milk biopic "Milk" only received one nomination; Sean Penn was nominated as Dramatic Actor for his performance as Harvey Milk. Source
--After Leno announced Wanda Sykes, she took her sweet time coming to the stage. Once there, she explained that she was "calling in gay" and giving Leno and the audience "a little taste of what it would be like if I didn't show up." Source
12/10/08: Brad Pitt on Prop 8 and gay marriage: I just found it so stifling, my religion. I know it's very comforting for other people. [Church] was too much of what you shouldn't be doing instead of what you could be doing. I get enraged when people start telling other people how to live their lives. It drives me mental. This Prop. 8 thing just drives me mental. Source
12/8/08: Hairspray star Aubrey O'Day came out to help support the fight against Prop 8. Source
12/7/08: Pat Boone compared proponents of gay marriage protesting Prop 8 to the terrorists in Mumbai in a recent blog posting. Source
posted by Mark & Scott at
1/11/2009 07:14:00 AM
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