Gay Marriage Watch: May 14th, 2009

Here's the latest news on gay marriage from around the world on Thursday, May 14th. 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. We now publish a daily news blog, and a weekly recap on Sundays. 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. You can also now find us on Facebook - just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you'll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We're also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc Take Action: From AfterEllen.com: "Remember the National Organization for Marriage and their ridiculous "Gathering Storm" ad? Remember how there were a gazillion parodies made and put on youtube? One of the ads, made by members of the social networking site reddit, was taken off on terms of a "fair use" violation. Which it actually isn't. Anyway, the Lesbian and Gay Foundation is making a petition open until May 27th which will be sent to youtube. Sign it! :)" Enjoy the rest of the Watch! --Scott ---------------------------------------------- CANADA: ---------------------------------------------- COSTA RICA: --news-- 5/13: Last Sunday at various parishes in the capital of Costa Rica, volunteers began collecting signatures demanding that a referendum be held in the country on the issue of gay unions. Source ---------------------------------------------- RUSSIA: --news-- 5/13: Russian gay rights activists are planning a major demonstration in Moscow on Saturday. Source 5/14: Gay rights activists have warned there could be violence on the streets of the Russian capital Moscow on Saturday as the city stages the Eurovision Song Contest final. Source ---------------------------------------------- SWEDEN: --articles-- Same-Sex Marriages Begin In Sweden, by Rex Wockner Source ---------------------------------------------- USA: --news-- 5/13: Former beauty queen-turned-reality TV star Shanna Moakler has resigned as a director of the Miss USA California pageant a day after Carrie Prajean reclaimed her crown as Miss CA. Source --upcoming events-- --5/17: International Day Against Homophobia. More Info ---------------------------------------------- USA, CALIFORNIA: --news-- 5/14: Recent moves by both Equality California and the progressive Courage Campaign point to the increasing likelihood that some sort of ballot measure to repeal Proposition 8 will go before voters in 2010 if the state Supreme Court upholds the measure. Source --upcoming events: northern california-- Sacramento: --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: --5/16: West SF Team Goes Door to Door in the Sunset: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM. This is the very first canvassing event for West San Francisco. We will be canvassing the Sunset district in teams of two in an effort to create discussions around marriage equality and recruit new volunteers. More Info --upcoming events: central california--> Fresno: --5/17: Equality Team Second Canvassing Event with Courage Campaign, 3:15 PM. More Info --5/18: Meet in the Middle Planning Meeting, 6 PM, Westley UMC. More Info --5/25: Meet in the Middle Planning Meeting, 6 PM, Westley UMC. More Info --upcoming events: southern california--> Long Beach: --5/16-5/17: Long Beach Pride More Info Los Angeles: Orange: 5/23: Team Courage OC Canvass for Equality in Orange/Santa Ana, 12:00 PM. More Info San Diego: --5/17: Canvass! Mama Bear Alliance Equality Team in San Diego. 2 PM. --upcoming events: statewide--> --5/22: Harvey Milk Day. More Info --5/31-6/6: AIDS Life Cycle - Team Marriage Equality. Contact Email ---------------------------------------------- USA, GEORGIA: --upcoming events--> Atlanta: --5/14: National Black Justice Coalition hosts an evening of conversation, food, drinks, music and a very special guest speaker at NBJC's first fundraising event in Atlanta. At Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, 3081 Peachtree Rd. More Info ---------------------------------------------- USA, HAWAII: --upcoming events--> Honolulu: 5/21-5/24: Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival. More Info Hilo: 5/29-5/30: Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival showings on the Big Island. More Info --------------------------------------------- USA, IOWA: --upcoming events--> --5/28: Gay-rights group One Iowa will host a fundraiser to "protect the freedom to marry in Iowa," the invitation says. Howard Dean will be the lead guest at "History in the Heartland" on May 28. Tickets for the event, to be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the home of One Iowa Executive Director Carolyn Jenison, cost $100 for individuals, $250 for "friends," $500 for "supporters," $1,000 for "sponsors" and $2,500 for "hosts." More Info --------------------------------------------- USA, NEW YORK: --news-- 5/13: Half of Latinos in New York State are for gay marriage or civil unions, according to a newly established poll by the University at Albany’s New York Latino Research and Resources Network (NYLARNet) consortium, while only 18 percent of the state’s Latino’s self-identify as "liberal." Source 5/14: New Quinnipac poll finds 46% of New Yorkers for gay marriage and 46% against. 65% support civil unions. Source More Poll Details --upcoming events-- New York: --5/17: Broadway Impact, a rally in support of love, peace, and marriage equality for all people, will be held from 5 pm-7 pm on Sunday, May 17 at Sixth Avenue and 44th Street. More Info ----------------------------------------------- USA, NEVADA: --news--> 5/13: Domestic partner bill approved by Judiciary Committee, now goes to the Assembly floor where a vote will likely occur later this week. Source ----------------------------------------------- USA, PENNSYLVANIA: --upcoming events--> New Hope: 5/15-5/17: New Hope: Pride More Info ----------------------------------------------- USA, RHODE ISLAND: --news-- 5/13: Lawmakers held a heated debate, but no vote, on gay marriage. Source ----------------------------------------------- USA, WASHINGTON DC --articles-- Blacks and gays in D.C.: It’s complicated, by Jonetta Rose Barras Source ----------------------------------------------- fini