Gay Marriage Watch: April 5th-11th
"In an unintentional but hilarious nod to gay sex chatters everywhere, the National Organization for Marriage has dubbed their campaign "2 Million for Marriage". Or 2M4M. Whoops."
Love the irony. :)
Also, check this out:
"It's time to grab your camera and help change the conversation about marriage for same-sex couples. The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center has launched Project Pushback to tap into the grassroots energy of marriage equality supporters and to inspire development of video messages that will effectively promote support for the freedom to marry."
And finally, here's a handy non-biased site that tracks the status of gay marriage and DOMA acts around the USA.
Hero of the Week:
My hero this week is Mark Morford, a fantastic San Francisco columnist who gleefully skewers the new National Organization for Marriage ad (see the Woody Award below) in his latest column:
"The fake lightning, that is, flashing just off to the side, a cheap 'n' cheesy special effect that momentarily lights up the actors' faces in the most sweetly melodramatic way as they stand there against the dark 'n' stormy backdrop like devout Christian zombies, delivering delightfully weird and wooden lines about being openly terrified of those openly terrifying gay married people."
He goes on to look at their motives:
"What's most striking, what sets these ads apart from most homophobic campaigns of the past, is the palpable tone of desperation. It's a feeling that these groups are, more and more, clutching at straws, scraping bottom, leaning on the most absurd, least tenable arguments imaginable, each one more shrill and desperate than the last in a losing effort to appeal to an ever-shrinking audience of increasingly indifferent, bored homophobes."
It's the best analysis and disection of this sad, homophobic ad I've seen yet, and exposes these so-called Christians for waht they really are:
"Distraught Christians say we cannot possibly disobey the mangled, misinterpreted Bible when it comes to hetero marriage because, well, that's how we've done it for centuries and it's been such a tremendous success, with almost no unhappiness, divorce, abuse, oppression, depression, suicide, hypocrisy, or general misery that it's obvious we shouldn't mess with it."
Go, Mark, go!
Woody Award:
Our woody award this week goes to the ironically named National Organization for Marriage, whose sole purpose is to keep a sizeable percentage of the population from having the right to marriage.
In an LA Times article on Wednesday, NOM's executive director, Brian S. Brown, was quoted as saying "Today is a truly sad day for Vermont and this nation." NOM is spending $1.5 million to run a homophobic ad in Iowa and New England. According to the times article:
"The ad, made available to The Times, presents a multiethnic front. It begins with a worried-looking blond woman declaring, "There is a storm gathering . . . and I am afraid." Another woman steps forward: "I am a parent, helplessly watching public schools teach my son that gay marriage is OK." Then an African American man declares that "there is hope: a rainbow coalition . . . coming together in love to protect marriage. Join us.""
It's disgusting how these folks try to portray our loving, long-term relationships with one-another with the fear-inducing image of "a storm gathering". And I have to think that Jesse Jackson is sick with indignation over their co-opting the whole Rainbow Coalition thing.
And if the African American community gets frustrated with comparisons of gay marriage to civil rights, they have to feel the same way when straight marriage is compared to their struggle, right?
As a bonus - at least some of these people are actors - guess they couldn't find enough "real folks" to tape their ad?
Enjoy your woody, Mister Brown. And see the spoofs here, here, and here. The first is a great dissection of the ad; the second one brilliantly blends the ad with the Weather Girl's song "It's Raining Men.". And the third one mixed the ad with humorous movie clips and bits of Keith Olbermann and Wanda Sykes, among others.
Runner-up goes to Robert Peters, the President of "Morality in Media", for this lovely headlne: "Connecting the Dots: The Link Between Gay Marriage and Mass Murders". He goes on to state that the decline in sexual morality = a secular value system = people seeing nothing wrong with mass murder. Nice, huh?
Then after making this comparison, he tries to back out of it by saying "It most certainly is not my intention to blame the epidemic of mass murders on the gay rights movement!". Nice try, Mister Peters.
How about the link between inflamed, over-the-top rhetoric toward the gay community and gay bashing? After all, if they gays are to blame for mass murder, in his mind, how much of a leap is it to thnk someone will want to punish them for it?
We're gonna make an exception this week and give out a second Woody Award to someone who so clearly deserves it.
Enjoy your woody, Mister Peters.
Gay Marriage Watch:
We just reformatted the events section for California - we have so many upcoming events listed, so we've split them up by region and by city to make it easier to find an event near you in California.
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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--news-->
4/7: The Australian Labor Party (ALP) has come under fire on numerous fronts over its stance against same-sex marriage. Source
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GIBRALTAR:
--articles-->
4/7: The Court of Appeal ruled that the Gibraltar Government was legally entitled to protect the ‘traditional family’ by favouring heterosexual married couples in the allocation of state-owned housing. Source
----------------------------------------------
GUAM:
--news-->
4/10: The 27th Guam Youth Congress has passed a bill to legalize same sex civil unions on Guam. Source
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POLAND:
--news-->
4/10: The New York couple whose wedding video footage was used last year by President Lech Kaczynski in an antigay rant has been invited back to visit Warsaw. 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
----------------------------------------------
USA:
--news-->
4/7:
--Now that four states have legalized same-sex marriage, and DC has voted to recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere, pressure is mounting on President Obama and Congress to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Source
--In an appearance with Larry King, Rick Warren reaffirmed his opposition to same-sex marriage, but also stressed that he's not an antigay-marriage activist and that the issue is in fact very far down on his priority list. Source
4/10: Dr. Laura on gat marriage: ”I’m very big on human beings finding love, attachment and commitment and being faithful to it, because there’s more to benefit when there is real, true commitment and faithfulness to it. I still believe, as just every president has, and all the people who ran for office, that marriage is a sacrament between a man and a woman. So not calling it marriage works for me. But that two people would have that sort of commitment to me is a very healthy and very positive thing in their lives and society as a whole." 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-->
Gay Marriage Issue Steering Clear of the Supreme Court, by Adam Liptak Source
Megachurch Pastor Joel Osteen "Not Knocking Gays", But They Shouldn't Get Marriage, from Towleroad.com, Source
Gay Marriage: Four Down, 46 to Go, by David B. Livingstone Source
With Victories, Gay Rights Groups Expand Marriage Push, by Abby Goodnough Source
----------------------------------------------
USA, ARIZONA:
--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-->
4/8: Three weeks after the Napa City Council rejected a gay marriage resolution, the Yountville Town Council Tuesday endorsed a measure opposing “discrimination of any kind,” including the prohibition of same-sex marriage. Source
4/11: Sign-carriers and slogan-shouters who gather at a heavily trafficked street corner in Temecula to protest the cause of the day could find themselves stuck with a bill for fire safety and traffic control. Source
--upcoming events: northern california-->
-----------------------
Oakdale:
4/18: 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
-----------------------
Oakland:
4/15: The Oakland Tea Pary in protest of the federal goverment's tax policies towards same-sex couples. will start Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at the 1675 7th Street post office. That one is sponsored by Marriage Equality USA and contact is alamedameusa@gmail.com. More Info
4/25: What relevance does the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) have in the world today? Hear from California native Ben Jealous, the new NAACP President and CEO, on its 100-year history and its vision for the future. At Oakland Museum of California, 6 PM. More Info
-----------------------
Sacramento:
4/17-4/20: 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
4/19: Equality Team Second Canvassing Event with Courage Campaign, 1 PM. More Info
4/21: Equality California Town Hall Meeting to discuss Prop 8 and the future of the movement, at Curtis Hall, Sierra 2, 6-8 PM. More Info
5/18: EQCA Equality Awards at the Sheraton Grand, VOP Reception 5 PM, General Reception 5:30 PM-7 PM. Source
5/30: Statewide Rally at Capitol Building to Kick off Pride More Info
-----------------------
San Francisco:
4/15: The SF Tea Pary in protest of the federal goverment's tax policies towards same-sex couples. will start Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at 246 Sanchez Street post office near Dolores Park. Contact person is Michael Koehn at kmkoehn@gmail.com. More Info
4/16: 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
4/19: Signature Gathering Kick-Off to GET OUR RIGHTS BACK! rally, by One Struggle One Fight. At Dolores Park, 10:30 AM-4 PM. More Info
4/24: Trigger is thrilled to host the supporters of Equality California at an exclusive preview party, 2344 Market Street, 7-9 PM. More Info
6/27-6/28: San Francisco: Pride More Info
Day of Decision: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source
-----------------------
San Jose:
4/19: Talking Marriage Equality seminar. Co-hosted with Peninsula Marriage Equality Coalition! It is the intent of this training to help empower all people who believe in marriage equality to answer the questions posed by people who oppose marriage equality. More Info
4/19: Cleve Jones, labor organizer, community activist, creator of the Names Project Quilt, protege of Harvey Milk will be joining us in San Jose on Thursday, April 30th at 8 PM at the DeFrank Center. Donations will gladly be accepted. More Info-----------------------
Santa Clara
5/9: Santa Clara: Equality Team Second Canvassing Event with Courage Campaign, 3:15 PM. More Info
-----------------------
St. Helena:
4/14: 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
-----------------------
--upcoming events: central california-->
-----------------------
Bakersfield:
4/18: Equality Team Second Canvassing Event with Courage Campaign, 10AM-2 PM. More Info
-----------------------
Fresno:
4/16: Equality California Town Hall Meeting to discuss Prop 8 and the future of the movement, at the Fresno City College Diversity Club. More Info
4/19: Equality Team Second Canvassing Event with Courage Campaign, 3:15 PM. More Info
4/26: Equality Team Second Canvassing Event with Courage Campaign, 3:15 PM. More Info
5/3: Equality Team Second Canvassing Event with Courage Campaign, 3:15 PM. More Info
5/10: Equality Team Second Canvassing Event with Courage Campaign, 3:15 PM. More Info
5/17: Equality Team Second Canvassing Event with Courage Campaign, 3:15 PM. More Info
Day of Decision: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source
Every Monday: Meet in the Middle 4 Equality Planning Meeting, 6 PM, at the Wesley United Methodist Church. More Info
-----------------------
--upcoming events: southern california-->
-----------------------
Dana Point
4/18: Equality Team Second Canvassing Event with Courage Campaign, 10AM-2 PM. More Info
-----------------------
Garden Grove:
5/7: Equality California Town Hall Meeting to discuss Prop 8 and the future of the movement, at Pacific Pride Foundation. More Info
-----------------------
Hollywood:
4/19: Equality Team Second Canvassing Event with Courage Campaign, 3:30 PM. More Info
-----------------------
Huntington Beach:
4/25: Equality Team Second Canvassing Event with Courage Campaign, 10 AM. More Info
-----------------------
4/14: OCEC Outreach/Activism Quarterly Meeting, at Irvine United Congregational Church, 6:30-7:30 PM. More Info
-----------------------
Long Beach
4/23: Equality California Town Hall Meeting to discuss Prop 8 and the future of the movement, at The Art Theater, 7 PM. More Info
5/16-5/17: Long Beach Pride More Info
Day of Decision: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source
-----------------------
Los Angeles
4/19: Talking Across the Table: Elder Voices: Their Voices Then to Now (Special Presentation): We will listen to our sisters speak about their life experiences and see what we have learned and we will need to learn. Discussion of Prop 8 in the Black community will be one of our topics, Jewel's Catch One, 3-5 PM. More Info
4/25: West Adams/South LA Equality Team Presents: The Country Club Park Friendship Walk (Canvass) (Equality Team Event), at Jewel's Catch One, 1-3 PM. More Info
4/30: Spring Kick Off Party and Happy Hour for the 2009 Los Angeles Equality Awards, at the Cantina at Ciudad, 6 PM. More Info
6/12-6/14: Los Angeles Pride More Info
7/9-7/19: 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
8/1: Los Angeles Equality Awards. More Info
Every Monday: LA Equal Roots Meeting. More Info
-----------------------
Palm Springs:
5/2: Kick Off Party 2009 Palm Springs Equality Awards, at a private home in Palm Springs, 5-7 PM More Info
10/17: Palm Springs Equality Awards More Info
11/7-11/8: Palm Springs Pride More Info
-----------------------
Rancho Cucamonga:
Day of Decision: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source
-----------------------
San Diego:
4/18-4/19: 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
7/18-7/19: San Diego Pride More Info
Day of Decision: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source
-----------------------
Santa Barbara:
4/29: Equality California Town Hall Meeting to discuss Prop 8 and the future of the movement, at Louise Lowry Davis Center, 6-8 PM. More Info
-----------------------
West Hollywood:
4/28: Talkin' Q Politics - Hate Crimes Legislation Update on actions to advance bill through the House and Senate, at HRC East/West, 6:30 PM.
5/9: The Teach-in will be a day-long event where participants will learn about our LGBTQ community’s shared history, and connect with their LGBTQ predecessors through a series of break-out sessions, performances, and speakers, at Plummer Park, 9 AM-5:30 PM. More Info
Day of Decision: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source
-----------------------
--upcoming events: statewide-->
-----------------------
5/22: Harvey Milk Day. More Info
5/31-6/6: AIDS Life Cycle - Team Marriage Equality. Contact Email
-----------------------
--articles-->
Napa feeling the heat on gay marriage, by Kevin Courtney Source
Meg Whitman Was for Gay Rights Before She Was Against Them, by Owen Thomas Source
----------------------------------------------
USA, COLORADO:
--news-->
4/8: Proponents of a 2010 Colorado ballot initiative that would establish civil unions for same-sex couples met with state attorneys on Tuesday for a required “review and comments” session. Source
4/9: Today, Governor Ritter signed House Bill 1260 which will provide an avenue for gay and lesbian couples to pass along property after death and make funeral arrangements for a deceased partner. Source
--articles-->
Is Fort Collins the next gay-marriage focal point? by Steve Graham Source
----------------------------------------------
USA, CONNECTICUT:
--news-->
4/7: Opponents of gay marriage in Connecticut are lobbying lawmakers to limit changes being considered to update related state laws. Source
----------------------------------------------
USA, FLORIDA:--articles-->
Time for bigoted Florida to recognize gay marriage, by Gary Stein Source
----------------------------------------------
USA, GEORGIA:--upcoming events-->
5/2: Atlanta: Human Rights Campaign's 2009 Atlanta Gala & Dinner. More Info
----------------------------------------------
USA, HAWAII:--articles-->
4/5: Focus On the Family Action, the lobbying wing of an influential Colorado-based Christian ministry, helped finance radio and newspaper advertisements against a civil-unions bill at the state Legislature, giving $20,000 toward the ads. Source
4/7: Gay rights advocates have suggested a new draft of a civil-unions bill that would give both same-sex and heterosexual couples the option of entering into civil unions. Source
4/8: State senators on Wednesday said they have run out of time to consider two new compromise proposals offered this week to revive civil unions. Source
---------------------------------------------
USA, ILLINOIS:--news-->
4/5: Several bars in the Chicago area have banned together to refuse women to have bachelorette parties in their clubs until gay marriage is legalized. Source
4/7: A pro-gay Democrat handily won a special election held Tuesday to fill the Illinois congressional seat that Rahm Emanuel gave up to be President Barack Obama's chief of staff. Source
--upcoming events-->
Day of Decision: Chicago: Rally on the day of the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8. Source
---------------------------------------------
USA, INDIANA:--upcoming events-->
4/14: Terre Haute: Terre Haute-area residents can participate in the eighth annual Human Rights Day programs and discussions Tuesday at Indiana State University, including an 11 am discussion of gay marriage and a march against hate on campus at 4 PM. Source
---------------------------------------------
USA, IOWA:--news-->
4/7:
--Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, Monday ruled out any move to overturn an Iowa Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriage, even as backers of that effort promised to step up pressure on the Legislature. Source
--The Iowa Supreme Court is delaying the date when same-sex couples can begin filing for marriage licenses because of budget cuts. Court spokesman Steve Davis announced Tuesday that people can file for licenses beginning Monday, April 27. That's three days after the previously announced date of April 24. Source
--Iowa tourism officials don’t have immediate plans to market the state as a gay-friendly destination despite its new status as the Midwest’s only state with legalized same-sex marriage. Source
--Former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich said Tuesday that a recent Iowa Supreme Court decision to legalize gay marriage was "outrageously wrong," but called a legislative override that made it legal in Vermont "healthier." Source
4/8:
--Iowa Governor Chet Culver released a statement today confirming that he will not support a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage in Iowa. Source
--State Rep. Christopher Rants said he's more likely to consider a run for governor after the Iowa Supreme Court struck down the state's gay marriage ban. Source
--The National Organization for Marriage plans to release a homophobic ad declaring, "There is a storm gathering . . . and I am afraid" in Iowa and the Northeast to try to counter gay marriage successes in both places. Source
4/9:
--Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, told an enthusiastic crowd this morning that he is pushing the Iowa Legislature to act rapidly to pass a residency requirement so Iowa doesn't become a mecca for gay marriages. Source
--Hundreds of gay-marriage opponents at the state Capitol chanted “Let us vote” as lawmakers left the House chambers. Source
4/10:
-- Senator Chuck Grassley saud he needs a month to think aboutwhether he supports amending Iowa's constitution to ban same-sex marriage. Source
--The Iowa House of Representatives rejected an attempt to have a debate about a constitutional ban on gay marriage by 54 to 44, largely along party lines. Source
--Despite two setbacks in the Iowa House this week, opponents of same-sex marriage plan another rally at the Capitol Monday. Source
--articles-->
Interview: He Brought Same-Sex Marriage To Iowa, by Marc Ambinder Source
Sioux City couple says new marriage law will help their children, from KTIV.com Source
Hot Topic: A Gay Marriage Tipping Point?, by Brian Montopoli Source
But Gay Marriage Will Destroy the Fabric of Society, by Josh Wimmer Source
Iowa Gay Marriage Ruling: How it Strengthens Heterosexual Marriages, by Mike Alvear Source
---------------------------------------------
USA, MAINE:--news-->
4/7: Teachers and principals spoke out today in support of the pending gay marriage bill at events in Bangor, Lewiston and Portland. Source
4/8: Maine Gov. John Baldacci said Wednesday he was "keeping an open mind" on the gay marriage issue he has opposed in the past and the State House will consider this month. Source
--upcoming events-->
4/22: Because so many people are expected to turn out, Maine's Legislature has moved a public hearing on a gay marriage proposal to the Augusta Civic Center. The Judiciary Committee also has changed the date of its daylong public hearing from April 24 to April 22. Doors will open at 8 a.m. More Info
---------------------------------------------
USA, MARYLAND:--news-->
4/7: If the Maryland Senate has its way gay domestic partners will be exempted from state inheritance taxes. Source
4/7: The Maryland Senate voted Tuesday to exempt domestic partners who jointly own homes from inheritance taxes after one of them dies. Source
---------------------------------------------
USA, MASSACHUSETTS:--upcoming events-->
4/15: Boston: The Boston Tea Pary in protest of the federal goverment's tax policies towards same-sex couples. will be Wednesday at 5:30 on Long Wharf. Attendies are encouraged to wear colonial period costume if so inclined to make a statement against antiquated social policy. More Info
---------------------------------------------
USA, MINNESOTA:
--news-->
4/9: State Sen. John Marty, author of a bill in the Minnesota Legislature that would give equal rights to same-sex couples, said the recent Iowa court ruling in favor of gay marriage will be a boost to efforts here. Source
---------------------------------------------
USA, MISSOURI:
--news-->
4/6: Domestic partnership registry unanimously passed by Columbia City Council. Source
---------------------------------------------
USA, NEW HAMPSHIRE:
--news-->
4/10: The N.H. House narrowly voted in favor of a bill that will allow partners of the same sex to tie the knot. Source
---------------------------------------------
USA, NEW JERSEY:
--news-->
4/4: 100 people attended a rally organized b y the gay-straight alliances of Drew University and Montclair State University. Source
---------------------------------------------
USA, NEW MEXICO:
--news-->
4/8: A domestic partners bill may be back in the spotlight during a special session to possibly be held this fall. Source
---------------------------------------------
USA, NEW YORK:
--news-->
4/7: 41% of New Yorkers favor gay marriage, while a third support civil unions, and 19% want no legal recognition for gay couples, according to a new Quinnipac Poll. Source
4/9:
--The Albany Common Council has called on the federal government to recognize legally married same-sex couples in the 2010 census. Source
--Governor David Paterson says he'll introduce legislation that would legalize gay marriage in New York, and has called for public debates on it in the legislature. Source
4/10: Senate leaders are urging Gov. Patterson to wait until they can be sure they have enough votes to pass a gay marriage bill. 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
--articles-->
NY, NJ Marriage Advocates "Embarrassed", by Paul Schindler Source
-----------------------------------------------
USA, NEVADA:
--news-->
4/8: A bill aimed at giving same-sex domestic partners the rights and benefits that Nevada offers to married couples won approval Wednesday in the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee.
-----------------------------------------------
USA, NORTH CAROLINA:
--news-->
4/7: Davie County Commissioners voted Monday to seek a North Carolina referendum to define marriage in the state constitution as betwee one man and one woman. Source
--articles-->
Pols now tight-lipped on gays, by Pam Spaulding Source
-----------------------------------------------
USA, NORTH DAKOTA:
--news-->
4/3: The North Dakota House of Representatives voted down Senate Bill 2278 54-34, thus stopping the addition of sexual orientation and transgendered persons to the groups protected by the state's Human Rights Act from discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations. Source
-----------------------------------------------
USA, OREGON:
--news-->
4/10: Basic Rights Oregon said Thursday it will wait until 2012 or later to try to take the issue back to Oregon voters. Source
--upcoming events-->
4/19: Portland: The Clark County Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State is cosponsoring a program on same-sex marriage at 2pm Sunday, April 19th, to be held at Portland State University’s Hoffman Hall (1825 SW Broadway). Source
-----------------------------------------------
USA, PENNSYLVANIA:--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
-----------------------------------------------
USA, RHODE ISLAND:
--news-->
4/7: The Senate Judiciary Committee has scheduled a hearing for Tuesday night on a "reciprocal beneficiary agreements" bill, which would allow any two people "who are excluded from entering into a valid marriage'' to enter into a legally-recognized agreement that covered emergency health care, organ donation and burial decisions, hospital visitation and the same beneficiary rights that would extend to a wife or husband if a spouse died without a will. Source
4/9: Governor Don Carcieri, and his wife, joined a news conference to make it clear they believe marriage should be between one man and one woman. Source
-----------------------------------------------
USA, SOUTH CAROLINA:
--news-->
4/7: Local gay rights advocates at the Alliance for Full Acceptance have two new billboards up on I-26 with a message that should spur conversations about how today’s movement for gays relates to the long fight for racial equality. Source
-----------------------------------------------
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
-----------------------------------------------
USA, VERMONT:
--news-->
4/5: The state senate is expected to concur with a few changes in the bill approved by the House on Friday, granting marriage rights to gay couples. Next, it comes down a vote by the legislature to override the governor's veto. Source
4/6:
--Gov. Jim Douglas, R-Vermont, has vetoed a bill that would allow same-sex couples to marry in Vermont. Wednesday morning, the Vt. Senate will convene at 9 a.m. to attempt to override the governor's veto. Source
--Gay activists in Vermont may be as close as one vote to passing a gay marriage bill. Source
4/7:
--The Vermont Legislature voted Tuesday to permit same-sex couples to marry -- making it the first state in the union to legalize gay marriage through a vote of lawmakers rather than a court action. Source
--The National Organization for Marriage plans to release a homophobic ad declaring, "There is a storm gathering . . . and I am afraid" in Iowa and the Northeast to try to counter gay marriage successes in both places. Source
--articles-->
Editorial: Make final push for marriage equality, Burlington Free Press Source
-----------------------------------------------
--news-->
4/6: A straight couple has filed a lawsuit against the husband's employer, alleging reverse discrimination because the unmarried couple is not covered by the company's health-care plan because they do not qualitfy as "domestic partners". Source
-----------------------------------------------
USA, WASHINGTON, DC
--news-->
4/7: The D.C. Council has voted to recognize gay marriages performed in other states. Source
4/8: The White House is allocating tickets for the upcoming Easter Egg Roll to gay and lesbian parents as part of the Obama administration's outreach to diverse communities. Source
4/10: DC Mayor Adrian Fenty on the gay marriage recognirtion bill: "I have always said I will sign the bill, whether I was on the council or mayor, I would either vote for legislation or sign legislation." Source
-----------------------------------------------
USA, WEST VIRGINIA
--news-->
4/7: Local and national politics doomed a bill that would have protected gays and lesbians against discrimination at work and in housing, supporters of the measure say. Source
-----------------------------------------------
--news-->
4/10: Following a wave of states legalizing same-sex marriage this week, the Wisconsin Supreme Court will now have the opportunity to review the state’s ban on gay marriage, an appeals court ruled Thursday. Source
--articles-->
Constitutionality of Doyle's domestic partner registry in question, by Mark Pitsch Source
-----------------------------------------------
fini
posted by Mark & Scott at
4/12/2009 11:32:00 AM
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