Gay Marriage Watch: March 29th-April 4th
Here's the latest news on gay marriage from around the world. My favorite thing of the week? This model of the progression of gay marriage from Nate Silver, the polling whiz from 538 Politics, which shows an increase of support of about 2% a year, and which finds that the three major factors in any given state that decide whether a ban is likely to pass are the year, the percentage of adults who say religion is an important part of their daily lives, and the percentage of white evangelicals in a state. By his analysis, by 2012 more than half of the states would vote against a marriage ban. It's fascinating stuff.
And of course, the shocking news that the Iowa Supreme Court legalized gay marriage - and by a unanimous vote, no less. Iowa is much less likely to see a devastating overturn of the decision like California did last year - it takes two consecutive yearly votes by the legislature followed by a vote of the people to change the state constitution, and Democratic leaders of the legislature have already said they will pass no such bill.
Hero of the Week:
My hero this week is Beth LaPlante, who writes in the Kennebec Journal (Maine):
"In Maine, and many other states, it is perfectly legal to marry your first cousin, but yet, our country of change currently denies the right for homosexual couples to marry. Why?"
Go, Beth, go! :)
Woody Award:
Our woody award this week goes to Dan Charland, who gleefully compares giving gays and lesbians the right to marry in Vermont to facism, and who says it will give legislators license to "change the legal definitions of any other concepts their flights of fancy may give them. As with the above examples, where will it stop?" In so doing, he intentionally trivializes the fight for our rights. We're not asking for this right on w whim. We didn't just wake up one morning saying, hey, today lets take marriage away from the Christians.
Then he compares gay marriage advocates to hitler and the third reich, and then dares to call anyone who might call him on it "simple-minded."
And finally, this tired old hard-right axiom: "Marriage is the sacred union of a man and a woman. There are physical, moral, historical and legal precedents for this since time began." Yes, and women are still chattel who are traded by families to seal business relationships, and harems are still commonplace, and, lordy, don't let the blacks marry the whites. Oh heavens no.
Mister Charland would do well to get to know some gay and lesbian copules, to see what struggles we go through as we fight homophobia in every aspect of our daily lives. This isn't some abstract debate over definitions of a word, and it's not a lifestyle, Mister Charland - it's my life.
Enjoy your woody!
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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--news-->
3/31: Westpac, Australia’s second-largest bank and one of the largest employers in the nation, has agreed to recognise same-sex marriage. Source
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--articles-->
3/27: Alberta Culture Minister Lindsay Blackett wants to include sexual orientation in the province's human rights laws, possibly as early as this spring. Source
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EUROPE:
--news-->
3/31: Discrimination and bullying against gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transsexuals and transgendered people remains a problem in Europe, a survey indicates. The majority of the population in the Netherlands, some 82 per cent, Sweden 71 per cent and Denmark 69 per cent, was in favour of same-sex marriage, but only a small minority was in favour in Romania with 11 per cent, Latvia with 12 per cent and Cyprus with 14 per cent was in favour. Source 1 Source 2
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FRANCE:
--news-->
France's Internal Debate on Gay Marriage, by Lyndon Barnett Source
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INDIA:
--articles-->
New Sexual Awakening, Is India Ready? by Ash Gee Source
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LEBANON:
--news-->
4/1: Beirut-based LGBTI support group Helem has been awarded the 2009 Felipa de Souza Award by the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) for its work to improve the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersexed (LGBTI). Source
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RUSSIA:
--news-->
4/2: Twenty-two members of the European Parliament have sent a letter to the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers complaining about Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov’s permanent ban on public gay events and similar bans elsewhere in Russia. Source
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SWEDEN:
--news-->
4/1: Parliament on Wednesday adopted a new law that gives same-sex couples the same marriage rights as heterosexuals. Source
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--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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VENEZUELA:
--news-->
4/3: Venezuela's National Assembly is set to legalize same-sex unions with a new "associations of coexistence" law. Source
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USA:
--news-->
3/31: The White House has invited recently retired NFL Coach Tony Dungy, whose outspoken Christian faith fueled his 2007 support for a gay marriage ban and has won accolades from evangelical leaders, to join its Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Source
4/3: 55% of Americans questioned in a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll conducted in December said that same sex marriages should not be recognized by law as valid. 44% said gay marriages should be legal. But it represents an increase in support from 40% in an October 2007 CNN poll. 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-->
Case could go all the way to Supreme Court, by Rebecca Hyman Source
Federal Employee Benefits and Domestic Partners, by Ralph Smith Source
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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-->
3/31: A Proposition 8 protest march which began Wednesday in Berkeley and began with 30-40 marchers finished up at the California State Capitol in Sacramento yesterday. Source
4/2:
--A native of the Philippines and the mother of twin boys born in the Bay Area who had been threatened with deportation today has won a temporary stay to remain in the United States and appeal her case. Source
--Incidents of anti-gay hate crimes doubled in at least one Bay Area county last year and one prosecutor is attributing the increase to Proposition 8 and the ensuing same-sex marriage debate. Source
--upcoming events-->
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
--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
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USA, CONNECTICUT:
--news-->
3/30: The General Assembly's Judiciary Committee on Monday afternoon voted 30-10 to codify last October's landmark state Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage. 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:--articles-->
Analysis: Cast of characters downs civil unions, from Southern Voice 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
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USA, IOWA:--news-->
4/3: United Church of Christ leaders are hailing a unanimous decision by the Iowa Supreme Court to reject the state's ban on same-gender marriage as unconstitutional. Source
--Conservative activists said Friday that they would push the Legislature to take up a constitutional amendment defining marriage as being between a man and a woman. Source
--The Iowa Supreme Court legalized gay marriage. Source
--articles-->
Lesbian Couple Tries To Marry, by Mark Tauscheck Source
Sioux City Council Members React To Gay Marriage, from KCAUTV.COM Source
California ruling helped Iowa OK gay marriage, by Bob Egelko Source
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USA, MAINE:--upcoming events-->
4/24: Gay Marriage hearing before the Maine legislature. More Info
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USA, MARYLAND:--news-->
4/3: Gay marriage activists are asking for legislation to exempt domestic partners who own a home together from the hefty state taxes assessed on property when one partner dies. Source
--articles-->
Md. Gay Rights Advocates Seek Spousal Benefits, from WBOC16 Source
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USA, MICHIGAN:
--news-->
3/30: Michigan appeals court made a ruling that not only protects all the children of the state's gay parents but also stands as an important legal guidepost for courts elsewhere. Source
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USA, MINNESOTA:
--news-->
3/30: Faced with a massive budget balancing headache, state lawmakers appear to be sidestepping the gay marriage debate this year. Source
3/31: An unprecedented number of bills has been introduced this legislative session that would grant same-sex couples legal status similar to that of married couples. But the five bills have died quiet deaths, as leaders say they don’t have the votes to pass them, even out of DFL-dominated committees. Source
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USA, NEW YORK:
--news-->
3/31:
--The state’s highest court agreed on Tuesday to hear arguments in two cases that challenge New York’s recognition of same-sex marriages legally performed elsewhere. Source
--A state Supreme Court judge in Broome County has allowed a same-sex Binghamton couple to divorce. Source
4/2: The New York City Board of Health, without fanfare, started listing "domestic partnership" under the category of "marital status at the time of death" on city death certificates on January 1. 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-->
A taxing fight: LGBT couples still pay more for benefits, by Abram Brown Source
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USA, NORTH CAROLINA:
--news-->
3/31: A new poll by the Family Policy Council contradicts an earlier poll showing North Carolinians evenly split on an anti-gay-marriage constitutional amendment. The new poll shows 73% in favor, 17% against, and 10% unsure. 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:--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-->
3/31: 63% of Utahns support Sen. Chris Buttars being stripped of key legislative assignments over anti-gay statements he made to a documentary filmmaker, according to a new poll. Source
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USA, VERMONT:
--news-->
3/29: Former Governor Howard Dean urged Vermont party members to press forward in this year's legislative drive to grant marriage rights to all Vermonters, regardless of gender. Source
3/30:
--An unscientific survey taken by state. Sen. William Doyle shows that 55% of Vermonters support gay marriage, 38% oppose it and 7% are undecided. Source
--In the first two days after Governor Douglas pledged to veto a same-sex marriage bill, Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas' mailbag and e-mail inbox runneth over, with about 1,500 letters and messages pouring in, with 60% in favor of the bill. Source
3/31: A House committee easily passed a bill, 8-2, that would recognize such relationships, sending it to the full chamber. Source
4/2: The Vermont House of Representatives approved a bill legalizing gay marriage. Source
4/3: Gay marriage supporters are counting votes to see if they have enough votes to override the Governor's threatened veto of the recently passed gay marriage bill. Source
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USA, WASHINGTON, DC
--news-->
3/28: About 25 volunteers with D.C. for Marriage collected nearly 600 signatures Saturday from people who support enacting same-sex marriage in the nation’s capital. Source
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USA, WEST VIRGINIA
--news-->
3/30: West Virginia's House of Delegates has voted along party lines against advancing a proposed constitutional amendment on marriage. Source
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fini
posted by Mark & Scott at
4/05/2009 07:02:00 AM
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