Gay Marriage Watch: March 2009

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Gay Marriage Watch: March 22nd-March 28th

Here's the latest news on gay marriage from around the world. My favorite thing of the week? One Struggle One March's march from San Francisco to Sacramento to fight Prop 8 - see their blog here. Congrats to these great folks taking so much time to fight for our marriage equality rights.

Hero of the Week:

My hero this week - 17 year old James Neiley, who testified on behalf of a gay marriage bill working its way through the Vermont legislature:

“Without marriage equality, the boys in the locker room during gym class who harassed me are encouraged to believe that my sexuality means there is something different, wrong, and lesser about me,” he said. “They know I don’t have the same rights as they do, and they know I can’t have a big, tacky, expensive wedding filled with family and friends no matter how much I may want to.”

Way to go, James!

Woody Award:

Our woody award this week goes to David R. Usher, a sad closet case who claims "having been invited to a few gay parties", and bases his knowledge of all gay people on these experiences. Because straight folks never have sex parties. And if they did, they should surely never be judged as a group based on the behavior of a few. Right?

Mister Usher's article is titled "Being Queer is a Sexual Disorder", and he apparently knows better than the American Psychological Association of what he speaks. He compares being gay to "crack, heroine, and other mood-altering addictive substances", and says we don't teach “crack studies” and “smoker’s rights” in schools.

This article is a real gold mine. Check out this little quote: "The (AIDS) epidemic is spreading into the heterosexual community at an alarming pace, most likely enhanced by swinging lesbians." Swinging lesbians? Really?

Mister Usher wraps up his little hate fest by demanding that "States should quickly enact health laws making homosexuality illegal and sending those who insist on practicing it into sexual addiction recovery programs until they get well."

Enjoy your woody, Mister Usher - it sounds like you really need one.

Runner-up goes to Timothy Kane, a middle school teacher who sent a rather hateful email to two gay CT legislators over proposed legislation that would affect Catholic Parishes:

“Hey McDonald and Lawlor, your bill has NO shot of passing tomorrow, and you’re cowards for canceling a public hearing. Gay marriage is a farce, as are your careers and your support of the twisted, despicable act that is homosexuality. The first admenment (sic) outlaws this bill, and if needed, the U.S. Supreme Court would overwhelmingly outlaw S.B. 1098. You better hope that myself and other Catholics don’t find out where you live, cause there’s hell to pay for your attack on the church. F*** off. God hates gay sex.”

Lovely Christian attitude, huh? For his troubles, Mister Kane has been ordered into mental health evaluation, and a restraining order has been placed against him. No woody for you!

Gay Marriage Watch:

Now on to this week's Gay Marriage Watch. 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.

Enjoy the rest of the Watch!

--Scott

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AUSTRALIA:

--news-->

3/24: Same-sex couples claiming benefits and welfare payments have three months to voluntarily register their relationships with Centrelink. Source

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JAPAN:

--articles-->

3/27: Japan has given the green light for its nationals to marry same-sex foreign partners in countries where gay marriage is legal, a justice ministry official said Friday. Source

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UNITED KINGDOM:

--news-->

3/24: Britain's Queen Mother's former home has refused to allow gay couples to marry on its premises. Source

--upcoming events-->

10/4: Cardiff: Gay wedding show. More Info

10/18: Manchester: Gay wedding show. More Info

11/15: Brighton: Gay wedding show. More Info

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USA:

--news-->

3/24:

--World Net Daily "broke" the story that the online version of the Game of Life allows two women (or two men) to marry. Source

--John McCain's daughter Meghan McCain says she supports gay marriage. Source

3/25:

--Sen. John Kerry has sent a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder asking him to grant asylum to a Brazilian gay man who’s married to an American man still living in Massachusetts where they wed. Source

--The American Family Association and PFOX (an "ex-gay" group) are calling for a boycott of PepsiCo over a donation given to PFLAG. Source

3/27: Steve Schmidt, who was John McCain’s chief political strategist during the campaign, came out in favor of marriage rights for same-sex couples and called for the Republican Party to be more inclusive of gays and lesbians. Source

3/28: More than 12 years after voting in favor of the Defense of Marriage Act while a member of the US House of Representatives, New York Senator Charles Schumer has concluded that law must go and that same-sex couples should be given the right to marry. Source

--upcoming events-->

4/15: Same Sex Kiss Day: Show up at a Starbucks on Tax Day at 7:15 AM, 12:15 PM, 5:15 PM, or 8:15 PM , buy a cuppa joe, then share a kiss with your sweetie, or a friend, or even a long-time crush! More Info

6/28: Million Gay March: Annual event on the 40th anniversary of Stonewall in all 50 states. More Info

Day of Decision: Rallies country-wide on the day of the CA Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. More Info

--articles-->

At tax time, gays are second-class citizens, by Drew Wilson Source

A Ban On Mormon Marriage And Their "Religious Fascism"!, by Michael Musto Source

Congress Prepares To Tackle Gay Rights, by Carlos Santoscoy Source

Gay marriage effort shifts back to New England, by John Curran Source

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USA, ARIZONA:

--news-->

3/28: The first annual March for Equality was held in Casa Grande, AZ. Source

--upcoming events-->

6/27-6/29: Driving Equality Arizona, 12 AM 6/27 to 11 AM 6/29. Contact Email

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USA, ARKANSAS:

--news-->

3/26: An Arkansas judge says a lawsuit can go forward challenging the state’s ban on unmarried couples adopting children. Source

3/27: A bill banning cities and counties from creating domestic partner registries has failed before a House Committee. Source

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USA, CALIFORNIA:

--news-->

3/23: Yes on 8 proponentshave officially filed suit, challenging the state’s campaign-finance reporting rules, claiming widespread harassment and intimidation. Source

3/24: A journey of 100 miles by foot, from Berkeley to the state capitol, began Wednesday morning by supporters of same sex marriage. Marchers say they're prepared for a backlash from voters who helped push through Proposition 8. Source

3/25: Several organizations and churches have banded together to form Equality Inland Empire, which members say is the first broad-based gay political coalition in the Inland area. Source

3/26: Newly elected San Diego Assemblyman Marty Block, who has a long history of support for gay rights issues, is facing the ire of gays and lesbians over his failure to vote on a legislative resolution condemning Proposition 8, the voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage. Source

3/28: On April 14, the St. Helena city council will discuss a resolution stating that “the City does not support discrimination and finds that all people regardless of gender should be able to enter into the legal contract of marriage and receive the same social and legal benefits and recognition as conferred by the State of California.” Source

--upcoming events-->

3/29: Sacramento: Courage Campaign voter canvassing, 2 PM. More Info

3/29: San Francisco: Courage Campaign voter canvassing, 2:30 PM. More Info

3/29: Fresno: Courage Campaign voter canvassing, 3:15 PM. More Info

3/29: Hollywood: Courage Campaign voter canvassing, 4:30 PM. More Info

3/29: San Francisco: The hear+art proposition will close this historic month with an afternoon of art, story, and performance given by folks who are engaged in either honoring or questioning traditional notions of love, union, sexuality and intimacy, 4-9 PM, 111 Minna Gallery. More Info

3/30: Sacramento: One Struggle One Fight rally at the California Capitor Building, 2-5 PM. Source

3/30: Cameron Park: First meeting of Marriage Equality USA - El Dorado County Chapter, at the Cameron Park library at 6:30 PM. Contact Email

4/1: Los Angeles: Equality California Town Hall Meeting to discuss Prop 8 and the future of the movement, at the LA Gay & Lesbian Center. More Info

4/2: San Diego: Equality California Town Hall Meeting to discuss Prop 8 and the future of the movement, at the San Diego LGBT Community Center. More Info

4/3: Palm Springs: At this special reception, contact elected officials about LGBT supportive legislation while having fun before Margaret Cho's show opens at the Dinah! 5:30 to 7:30 p.m, Sidebar and Patio Lounge. Contact Email

4/3: Placerville: An Evening with Blame Sally, A Concert to Benefit Equality California, Come Celebrate & Support Marriage Equality. 8 PM, Placerville Shakespeare Club. More Info

4/4: Alameda: Courage Campaign voter canvassing, 1 PM. More Info

4/4: Palm Springs: EQCA/NCLR Dinah Brunch, Join Kate Kendell and Geoff Kors at Dinah Shore for our annual brunch, 11 am-1 pm. $100. RSVP Email

4/4: Berkeley: Case Study: Marriage Equality, UC Berkeley, 3 PM. More Info

4/4: Mountain View: Courage Campaign voter canvassing, 1-5 PM. More Info

4/4: Irvine: Courage campaign voter canvassing, 10 AM-2 PM. More Info

4/4: Venice: 'Marriage Equality' Voter ID Walk, 9:30 AM. More Info

4/5: Delano: Courage Campaign march for immigrant rights - bridge building with the immigrant community. 10 AM at Cesar Chavez Park. More Info

4/5: South Los Angeles: West Adams/South Los Angeles Equality Team Kickoff, 2:00 PM. More Info

4/9: Santa Barbara: Equality California Town Hall Meeting to discuss Prop 8 and the future of the movement, at Pacific Pride Foundation. More Info

4/14: St. Helena: On April 14, the city council will discuss a resolution stating that “the City does not support discrimination and finds that all people regardless of gender should be able to enter into the legal contract of marriage and receive the same social and legal benefits and recognition as conferred by the State of California.” More Info

4/16: Fresno: Equality California Town Hall Meeting to discuss Prop 8 and the future of the movement, at the Fresno City College Diversity Club. More Info

4/16: San Francisco: A Necessary Evil (Special Presentation), A new play by John Fisher, a mother and son in a battle of wills, a lover caught in between. a play about how Proposition 8 threatens to destroy one family, at Theater Rhinoceros, 8-10 PM. More Info

4/17-4/20: Sacramento: GAYLA (GSA Advocacy & Youth Leadership Academy) will take place in Sacramento from April 17th to April 19th, culminating in QYAD (Queer Youth Advocacy Day) on April 20th. More Info

4/8: Dana Point: OC Equality Team Canvass, 10 AM. More Info

4/18: Oakdale: Wine Tasting Fundraiser for Marriage Equality USA: Savor a hand-picked selection of wines from Gnekow Family Winery, and enjoy the picturesque estate of vintner Sean Gnekow. Come prepared for a delectable menu and a generous silent auction. 2-5 PM. More Info

4/18-4/19: San Diego: The Human Rights Campaign is sponsoring a two-day training to provide grassroots activists hands-on skills to organize their communities on marriage equality for same-sex couples. More Info

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

4/21: Sacramento: Equality California Town Hall Meeting to discuss Prop 8 and the future of the movement, at The Center OC. More Info

5/7: Orange County: Equality California Town Hall Meeting to discuss Prop 8 and the future of the movement, at Pacific Pride Foundation. More Info

5/16-5/17: Long Beach: Pride More Info

5/18: Sacramento: EQCA Equality Awards at the Sheraton Grand, VOP Reception 5 PM, General Reception 5:30 PM-7 PM. Source

5/22: Statewide: Harvey Milk Day. More Info

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

5/31-6/6: Across California: AIDS Life Cycle - Team Marriage Equality. Contact Email

6/12-6/14: Los Angeles: Pride More Info

6/27-6/28: San Francisco: Pride More Info

7/9-7/19: Los Angeles: Outfest is the oldest continuous film festival in Southern California. Since its founding in 1982, Outfest has presented more than 4,500 films and videos for audiences of over half a million people. More Info

7/18-7/19: San Diego: Pride More Info

8/1: Los Angeles: Equality Awards. More Info

10/17: Palm Springs: Equality Awards More Info

11/7-11/8: Palm Springs: Pride More Info

Day of Decision: Fresno: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source

Day of Decision: Long Beach: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source

Day of Decision: Los Angeles/West Hollywood: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source

Day of Decision: Rancho Cucamonga: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source

Day of Decision: San Diego: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source

Day of Decision: San Francisco: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source

Every Monday: Fresno: Meet in the Middle 4 Equality Planning Meeting, 6 PM, at the Wesley United Methodist Church. More Info

Every Monday: Los Angeles: LA Equal Roots Meeting. More Info

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USA, CONNECTICUT:

--news-->

3/27: A restraining order has been placed against a local teacher who sent a hate-filled email to two gay CT legislators. Source

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USA, DELAWARE:

--news-->

3/26: Senate Bill 27, which would have reinforced Delaware's ban on gay marriage, failed in the Senate Thursday. Source

3/27: The Delaware House, for the fourth time, approved a measure that would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation in housing, employment, public works, contracting, public accommodations and insurance. Source

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USA, FLORIDA:

--news-->

3/25: An initiative in Gainesville, Florida that would have repealed the city's decade-old gay protections ordinance has failed, 58% to 42%. Source

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USA, GEORGIA:

--upcoming events-->

5/2: Atlanta: Human Rights Campaign's 2009 Atlanta Gala & Dinner. More Info

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USA, HAWAII:

--news-->

3/26: A procedural motion in the Hawaii Senate fell three votes short of the number required to bring a civil union bill to the floor, killing it. Source

--articles-->

Who won and who lost in battle over civil unions, by Richard Borreca Source

Christians in Hawaii credited for gay civil unions defeat, by Michael Foust Source

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USA, ILLINOIS:

--upcoming events-->

Day of Decision: Chicago: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source

--articles-->

Same-sex marriage: At Loyola University, advocates of same-sex marriage find a voice, by Mary Schmich Source

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USA, LOUISIANA:

--news-->

3/25: A federal judge gives Louisiana 15 days to add the names of both fathers to the birth certificate of a boy born in Shreveport and adopted by a same-sex couple from out-of-state. Source

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USA, NEVADA

--news-->

3/27: Nevada lawmakers debated bills dealing with same-sex domestic partners and discrimination based on sexual orientation and "gender identity or expression." Source

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USA, NEW HAMPSHIRE

--news-->

3/26:

--Colin Manning, a spokesman for New Hampshire Governor John Lynch, hedged on Lynch's plans regarding a gay marriage bill close to passage in NH. Source

--The New Hampshire House voted on Thursday to send a same-sex marriage bill to the Senate. Source

--articles-->

Same-sex marriage bill would provide equal rights to all, by Rep. Jim Splaine Source

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USA, NEW YORK:

3/26: NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg says that he's prepared to ask the State Legislature to allow gay marriage in New York State when the time is right. Source

--upcoming events-->

4/24-26: Utica: 2009 Pride and Joy Families Weekend Conference to be held April 24-26. More Info

4/25: Goshen: Rally for Marriage Equality, 2-4 PM at Church Park, Contact Email

4/28: Albany: Equality & Justice Day, 6 am-8 PM, Albany Legislative Buildings Contact Email

5/9: New York: 7:30pm, Off Center will present "Are We Tying the Knot Too Tight?: Gains and Losses in the Rush to Normalcy." This moderated panel will address some of the issues the LGBT community faces when dealing with whether and how to support the movement for same-sex marriage. More Info

9/9: Brooklyn: Family Law Day, In Conjunction with Lavender Law 2009, Brooklyn, NY, Co-sponsored by the National Lesbian & Gay Law Association and the National Family Law Advisory Council of the National Center for Lesbian Rights. More Info

Day of Decision: Albany: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source

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USA, NORTH CAROLINA:

--news-->

3/23: Half of the respondents to the latest Elon University public opinion poll would oppose an amendment to the state constitution banning same-sex marriages, while 43% support a constitutional ban. Source

3/26: The Boone Town Council voiced their opposition to Senate Bill 272 March 19, which would legally define marriage between a man and a woman in North Carolina. The resolution to oppose the bilal passed unanimously. Source

--upcoming events-->

4/9: Durham: city attorney Patrick Baker will present a recommendation on the gay marriage resolution to the council April 9. More Info

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USA, PENNSYLVANIA:

--news-->

3/27: House members are sharply divided over a bill that would outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation, and a legislative battle over the bill could come to a head soon. Source

--upcoming events-->

4/27-5/3: Philadelphia: Equality Forum celebrates international gay culture and politics with parties and educational events made possible by more than 75 regional, national and international organizations. More Info

5/3: Philadelphia: National Equality Rally at Independence Hall More Info

5/15-5/17: New Hope: Pride More Info

6/14: Philadelphia: Pride More Info

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USA, TEXAS:

--upcoming events-->

Day of Decision: Dallas: Queer Liberaction, a local direct action group organized in the wake of Prop 8's passage last November, is already planning to hold a rally at 7 p.m. at the intersection of Cedar Springs Road and Oak Lawn Avenue on the Day of Decision. , when the CA Supreme Court announces their decision. More Info

Day of Decision: San Antonio: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source

Ongoing: Dallas: Queer Liberaction meetings, 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at Buli Cafe, located at 3908 Cedar Springs. Meetings start at 7 pm. More Info

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USA, UTAH:

--news-->

3/27: Utahns are split on the Legislature's rejection of arguably the most comprehensive push for gay rights in the state's history, a new Deseret News/KSL-TV poll shows, with 48% opposed to the decisions to strike down each of the bills and 45% in favor. Source

LDS elders showed seasoned political savvy on California's Prop. 8, by Rebecca Walsh Source

--upcoming events-->

4/4-4/5: Ogden: Leaders in the LGBT community plan an event they are calling "General Service Weekend" during the upcoming general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint - meet at the Utah Pride Center, 361 S. 300 West, or at the Unitarian Church, 705 23rd St. in Ogden, at 10 a.m. both mornings. More Info

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USA, VERMONT:

--news-->

3/26: Gov. Jim Douglas-R has promised to veto a gay marriage bill being considered by the Vermont legislature. Source

3/27: Supporters of the same sex marriage bill are planning a highly visible public campaign over the next two weeks to try to persuade Governor Jim Douglas not to veto their legislation. Source

3/28: Jon Stewart, the iconic media critic and political satirist from television’s “The Daily Show,” had a sold-out crowd howling Saturday night at the University of Vermont’s Patrick Gymnasium — and mined Vermont’s marriage-rights debate for material. Source

--articles-->

The time for marriage equality is now, by Deb Markowitz Source

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USA, W ASHINGTON

--news-->

3/26: Senate Bill 5688 will be considered in an Executive Committee meeting in the House, afterwhich it can move to the floor for a full vote. Source

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USA, W ASHINGTON, DC

--news-->

3/27: An e-mail circulating among the city’s gay-supportive religious leaders says D.C. Council member David Catania (I-At Large) plans to introduce a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in early April. Source

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fini

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Gay Marriage Watch : March 15th-21st

Here's the latest news on gay marriage from around the world. My favorite thing of the week? This moving essay by Rene Franco, s straight high school student from Providence High School in Burbank, California. I got a lump in my throat reading this, and thinking how far we've come since I was in High School in the 80's.

Mister Franco, you are my hero.

Take Action:

Organize a Day of Decision protest for your city - everyone needs to come out and celebrate (or protest) after the California Supreme Court rules on Prop 8. Find all the info here.

Woody Award:

Our woody award this week goes to Joan Johnson, a letter writer in Hawaii who shares these wonderful sentiments:

"Since they can't procreate, all kinds of false ways have to be found, including taking other folks' children by indoctrination to fill their minority ranks."

Lovely - the old "coming for your children" argument.

"The homosexual lifestyle is miserable, shortens life, and invites disease, loneliness and weirdness."

I love the last one. Weirdness. As if Disease, sadness and a short lifespan weren't enough, I gotta worry about weirdness? Why was I never told???

And finally:

"Yes, homosexuals want what the rest of us have, but they have chosen to try to destroy what we have since they have convinced themselves they can't ever have it rather than admit they need help and change."

Oh yes, we want what you have... quickie divorces, a 50% failure rate, and hatred of anything new and different. Don't kid yourself, Miss Johnson - and enjoy your woody.

Gay Marriage Watch:

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.

Enjoy the rest of the Watch!

--Scott

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AUSTRALIA:

--articles-->

--Debate over gay marriage heats up, by Rachel Cook Source

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CHINA:

--articles-->

--Expert: Chinese society's demand for marriage may be helping the spread of AIDS, by Xiong Tong Source

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DENMARK:

--articles-->

3/20: Denmark’s Parliament has passed legislation allowing same-sex couples to adopt children. The bill puts gay and lesbian couples on the same footing as opposite-sex couples. Source

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NIGERIA:

--news-->

3/16: A group of gay activists stormed the National Assembly complex in Abuja to demand legislation to protect their interests. Source

3/18: The chief Imam of Damaturu Central Mosque, Ustaz Hudu Muhammad, has chided members of the House of Representatives Joint Committee on Human Rights, Women Affairs and Justice for giving an opportunity to the openly gay people last Wednesday to justify their "gory act" of seeking for a law that would allow same-sex marriage. Source

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UNITED KINGDOM:

--news-->

3/18: The Scottish Parliament was asked yesterday to review the Marriage Act with regard to gay marriage. A request from the Public Petitions committee has asked MSPs to reexamine the act and detail any reasons for refusing to amend it. Source

--upcoming events-->

10/4: Cardiff: Gay wedding show. More Info

10/18: Manchester: Gay wedding show. More Info

11/15: Brighton: Gay wedding show. More Info

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USA:

--news-->

3/16: The recently passed $676-billion omnibus spending bill includes language urging the federal government’s Office of Personnel Management to "consider" federal health benefits for same-sex domestic partners of federal employees. Source

3/16: Even if all of the states in the U.S. legalize same-sex marriage, legal experts and religious leaders at a March 13 forum agreed religions will not be forced to perform gay wedding ceremonies. Source

3/19: The United States, in a reversal of Bush administration policy, has decided to sign on to a U.N. declaration that calls for the decriminalization of homosexuality, the State Department said on Wednesday. Source

3/19: The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, today launched a website to confront right-wing lies and distortions repeatedly used to defeat LGBT equality measures. EndtheLies.org will counteract these mistruths with respectful dialogue and grassroots action. Source

3/19: The Uniting American Families Act would allow gay and lesbian Americans and permanent residents to sponsor their foreign-born partners for legal residency in the United States. Source

3/20: M. John Berry, President Barack Obama’s choice to head the Office of Personnel Management, supports benefits for same-sex partners of federal workers and a repeal of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act. While his nomination has roused special interest groups, it hasn’t drawn public criticism on Capitol Hill. Berry is openly gay. Source

3/20: Sen. John Kerry has asked Attorney General Eric Holder to grant asylum to a gay man married in Massachusetts who was deported despite his rape in Brazil. Source

3/20: On Tuesday, the conservative site World Net Daily News took Merriam-Webster to task for redefining marriage to include same-sex couples, even though publishers made the change in 2003. Source

--upcoming events-->

6/28: Million Gay March: Annual event on the 40th anniversary of Stonewall in all 50 states. More Info

Day of Decision: Rallies country-wide on the day of the CA Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. More Info

--articles-->

--Catholic bishops revealed as key in marriage battle, by Dan Aiello Source --Same sex marriage a civil right, by Kevin Welsh Source --A Push to Count Same-Sex Couples in Census, by Sewell Chan Source --Courts must act regarding gay marriage, by Estrich Source

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USA, ARIZONA:

--news-->

3/18: A 14-year-old Peoria student says he was ordered by a principal to turn his rainbow wristband inside-out or stop wearing it to school. Source

--upcoming events-->

6/27-6/29: Driving Equality Arizona, 12 AM 6/27 to 11 AM 6/29. Contact Email

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USA, CALIFORNIA:

--news-->

3/16: Copies of an online petition electronically signed by 46,000 people has been hand-delivered to the Washington, DC offices of Kirkland & Ellis where Ken Starr is counsel. Source

3/18: Members of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists are urging the state organization to come out against Proposition 8. Source

3/20: Jam DeMaio, an out gay Republican San Diego City Council member, refuses to answer press questions about whether or not he supports Proposition 8. Source

3/20: Equality California, one of the lead groups in the failed campaign to fight off Prop 8 last year, is trying to remake itself by bringing in Marc Solomon, the executive director of MassEquality, the Massachusetts group that preserved a court decision opening marriage to gay couples from facing a referendum. Source

3/20: Sponsors of a ballot measure to repeal the ban on same sex marriage got the go ahead to start collecting signatures. A group called "Yes on Equality" needs 700,000 signatures by August 17th to get the initiative on the ballot in 2010. The initiative would not only repeal the amendment that defines marriage as only occurring between a man and a woman. It also states that same sex marriage will not affect any school curriculum or force anyone to perform a service that is against their religious beliefs. Source

--upcoming events-->

3/22: Los Angeles: Youth Today: Walking For Equality: This Event is for High School LGBT Youth and Supporters. For Youth by Youth. March Against homophobia, discrimination, abuse, forced homelessness of queer youth and for marriage equality. 12-3 PM, meet at Gold Line Train Station, ent at LA City Hall. More Info

3/23: Courage Campaign hosts a conference call with CA Attorney General Jerry Brown at 7PM. More Info

3/26: San Jose: Courage campaign voter canvassing, 1-5 PM. More Info

3/24: San Francisco: One Struggle, One Fight march from San Francisco to Sacramento kicks off with a rally at San Francisco City Hall, 12:30 PM-1 PM. More Info

3/25-3/29: One Struggle One Fight's March from San Francisco-Sacramento. Itinerary More Info

3/27-3/29: San Diego: 2009 Transgender Leadership Summit. More Info

3/28: Citrus Heights (Sacramento): Bowling Team to raise money for youth in foster care - building bridges for the glbt community, 1-4:30. Contact Email

3/30: Sacramento: One Struggle One Fight rally at the California Capitor Building, 2-5 PM. Source

3/30: Cameron Park: First meeting of Marriage Equality USA-El Dorado County Chapter, at the Cameron Park library at 6:30 PM. Contact Email