Gay Marriage Watch: January 25th-31st

Here's the latest news on gay marriage from around the world. Here's my favorite thing of the week: Dan Savage's new definition of Saddlebacking.

In other news, Equality California just announced the Tell 3 Campaign - asking each of us to tell three straight friends what it's like for you or your loved ones to be LGBT. Check here for more details.

We've slimmed down the Gay Marriage Watch to focus on recent news and upcoming events. But don't worry - all the same info is here, and if you want to delve back into the historical stuff, just check the archives.

The blog is now organized almost entirely by area, with news of the week, upcoming marriage equality events, and great recent articles and columns. For a longer history of past news stories, 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

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AUSTRALIA:

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1/29: The majority of Queenslanders now support same-sex marriage, civil unions and same-sex parents raising children, according to an opinion poll released last week by Galaxy Research. Source

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Break the Silence, by Daniel Walker Source

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BOLIVIA:

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1/25: Bolivians approved sweeping constitutional changes that would bring greater political power to the country's indigenous majority and lets President Evo Morales run for re-election. Some Catholic and evangelical clerics had opposed the referendum, fearing that the new constitution's declaration that the country is "independent" from religion could pave the way for abortion rights and gay marriage. Source

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CANADA:

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1/29: A Saskatchewan judge won't hear gay marriage case without court appeal, which sought to clarify their position on marriage commissioners who refuse to wed same-sex couples. Source

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COLOMBIA:

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1/29: Colombia's Constitutional Court said Wednesday that gay and lesbian couples are entitled to equality. Source

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NIGERIA:

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1/29: Human Rights Watch, yesterday urged the National Assembly to disregard a bill before  it seeking  to ban "same gender marriage" which it said would expand Nigeria's already draconian punishments for homosexual conduct and threaten  Nigerians' rights to privacy, free expression, and association. Source

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SPAIN:

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1/30: Parents in Spain who do not want their children to attend civics classes that include lessons on gay rights do not have the right to conscientiously object, a court has ruled. Source

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USA:

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2/12: On National Freedom to Marry Day, Thursday, February 12, 2009, at local marriage counters in cities all over the country, same-sex couples will request marriage licenses at their local County Clerk's Offices to raise awareness of the harms and impact that the inability to marry causes on their families. More Info

2/13: Every college campus in the USA and beyond leave your classes but show up to school! We will all together express our desire to support equality for all humans. More Info (Facebook Login Required)

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They're organizing to protect DOMA already, by Rebecca Armendariz Source

HRC Releases State by State Legislative Report, OIA Newswire Source

Video: US "family values" group targets Pepsi's British gay advert, by Staff Writer Source

The double discrimination of the anti-gay marriage argument, by Craig Takeuchi Source

Former Porn Star Matt Sanchez Speaks Out Against ’Don’t Ask’ Repeal, by Killian Malloy Source

Congress Members from 15 States Say 'Yes I Do!' to Gay Marriage, by Lily Shavick Source

Gay Activists Map Strategy, by Kristen Wyatt Source

Same-Sex Couples Lose Rights When They Cross State Lines, by Ryan Blitstein Source

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USA, ARIZONA:

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1/27: Gay rights advocates are seeking to change the state Constitution to allow "civil partnerships" among same-sex couples. Source

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USA, CALIFORNIA:

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1/28: A federal judge today denied a request by supporters of Proposition 8 to withhold disclosing anymore names and addresses of donors who gave money to pass the state’s ban on same-sex marriage. Source

1/29: A federal judge denied a request Thursday to keep secret the names of donors to California's anti-gay marriage initiative, saying the public had a right to know who gave money to state ballot measures. Source

1/30: A Turlock city councilwoman has filed a lawsuit to find out who was behind automated calls that impersonated her and urged voters to vote "no" on Proposition 8. Source

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2/7: Yoga for Equality Benefit in Davis More Info

2/14: Help a Sister Out benefit for lesbian Richmond rape victim - Sacramento More Info

2/16: Huge Statewide Rally at State Capitol Building, Sacramento More Info

2/17: 2009 Marriage Lobby Day in Sacramento More Info

2/25-2/29: One Struggle One Fight's march from San Francisco to Sacramento More Info

4/20: Queer Youth Advocacy Day, State Capitol, Sacramento More Info

5/30: Statewide Rally at Capitol Building to Kick off Pride, Sacramento, More Info

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Prop 8 Backers Admit That They Don't Really Believe Their Own Arguments, by Sfist Matt Source

Book plans for a love-H8 relationship, by Kelly Smith Source

Pre-Prop 8 proposals: Couples wed to beat California election, by Courteney Stuart Source

Is It Time For A Gay Marriage Ballot Initiative in California? by Japhy Grant Source

The Subtle Lessions of the Equality Summit, by Patrick Range McDonald Source

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USA, COLORADO:

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1/28: The annual meeting of gay-rights activists, Creating Change, is expected to draw more than 2,000 people. Source

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USA, FLORIDA:

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1/28: The University of Tampa agreed Wednesday to begin offering domestic partner benefits for gay/lesbian couples. Source

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3/16: Rally in Tally: 11 am-2 pm, Tallahassee More Info

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Gay Marriage? Government Let Religion Set Laws, by Paul Christian Source

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USA, GEORGIA:

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1/27: A Georgia father has been forbidden by a divorce court from having any "homosexual partners or friends" around when his children are present. Source

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USA, HAWAII:

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1/27: A new law that would allow gay and lesbian couples in Hawaii to form a civil union has the backing of a majority of state House members. Source

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USA, INDIANA:

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1/26: The Legislature is not likely to address a constitutional amendment against gay marriage this year. Source

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USA, IOWA:

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1/26: Members of the Sioux City council are set to discuss a proposed resolution supporting the limiting of the definition of marriage to a man and a woman. Source

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USA, LOUISIANA:

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1/29: The city of New Orleans had the right to offer health benefits to unmarried domestic partners of city employees, a state appeals panel has ruled. Source

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USA, MAINE:

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1/29: The Maine Republican Project, a political action committee said it’s organizing a grassroots effort to defeat a same-sex marriage bill. Source

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The Marriage Debate, Editorial, Bangor Daily News Source

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USA, MARYLAND:

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1/26: Equality Maryland, a group with thousands of members, was one of several non-violent groups deemed a security threat by the Homeland Security and Intelligence Division of Maryland State Police, who kept dossiers on activists and protests. Source

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USA, MASSACHUSETTS:

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1/31: The LGBT community lost one of its most powerful allies on Beacon Hill this week, as House Speaker Sal DiMasi bid farewell to his colleagues after a 30-year career in the legislature on Jan. 27. Source

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USA, MICHIGAN

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1/25: A majority of state House members now support legislation that would legalize civil unions between same-sex couples. Source

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USA, NEBRASKA

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World-Herald's stance smells like bigotry, by Tom McCauley Source

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USA, NEW HAMPSHIRE

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1/29: Hearings on two bills, one to institute gay marriage in New Hampshire and one to limit marriage to one man and woman are scheduled for February. Source

1/29: A New Hampshire lawmaker is holding off on a bill to add civil union partners to all state insurance laws. Source

1/31: The Rev. V. Gene Robinson will testify Thursday before the New Hampshire House Judiciary Committee on a bill to allow gay marriage in the Granite State. Source

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2/5: The Judiciary Committee of the New Hampshire legislature will hold a hearing on a marriage equality bill at 1 PM. More Info

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USA, NEW JERSEY

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Marriage on the March, by Chris Johnson Source

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USA, NEW MEXICO:

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1/28: Lawmakers in the New Mexico county of Doña Ana are backing legislation to create a gay domestic partner law in the state. Source

1/28: A measure (SB 12) that would recognize and grant rights to domestic partnerships passed its first milestone when the Senate Public Affairs Committee voted 5-4 to give it a favorable recommendation. Source

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USA, NEW YORK:

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Advocates Offer Married Gay New Yorkers Guidelines, by Paul Schindler Source

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USA, OHIO:

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1/30: Clergy at Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ in Cleveland no longer will sign state marriage licenses until gay unions are legal in Ohio. Source

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USA, TENNESSEE:

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1/29: For the second year in a row, a bill has been filed in the Tennessee Senate that bans adoptions by gay and unmarried straight couples. Source

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USA, UTAH:

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1/27: Two conservative Utah groups, the Constitutional Defense of Marriage Alliance and The Sutherland Institute, are trying to crush efforts to find common ground on gay rights in the state. Source

1/29: The first 2009 "gay rights" bill, SB32, was defeated in the Utah Senate judiciary committee after a passionate appeal from both sides of the debate. Source

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Did Boycott Hurt Sundance? by Padraic Maroney Source

Hold church to its word in equality issues, by M'Leah Woddard Source

A Hornet's Nest That Gays & Lesbians Call 'Home', By Japhy Grant Source

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USA, VIRGINIA:

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1/30: A legislative attempt to repeal the constitutional ban on same-sex marriage and civil unions in Virginia was defeated Monday when lawmakers voted to kill the measure. Source

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USA, WASHINGTON:

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1/27: Gay marriage proponents in Washington state are backing the expansion of a domestic partnership law to give gay and lesbian couples all the benefits of marriage except the name. Source

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Same-Sex Partners: A Question of Fairness, Seattle Times Editorial Source

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USA, WASHINGTON, DC:

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1/27: A new bill being considered by the DC Council would "provide that a child born to parents in a domestic partnership is born in wedlock." Source

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USA, WYOMING:

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1/26: A bill that would let Wyoming voters decide whether to amend the state constitution to deny state recognition of same-sex marriages performed elsewhere has been introduced in the House. Source

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