Gay Marriage Watch: May 15th, 2009

Here's the latest news on gay marriage from around the world on Friday, May 15th. 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 Enjoy the rest of the Watch! --Scott ---------------------------------------------- USA: --upcoming events--> --5/17: International Day Against Homophobia. More Info --articles--> Not the values I learned in church, from the Independent Source ---------------------------------------------- USA, CALIFORNIA: --news--> 5/14: Web site thedirty.com--which posted a photo of a topless Carrie Prejean, "Miss California"--has followed up that bombshell with a claim that they have in their possession a "sex tape" featuring Ms. Prejean. 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, FLORIDA: --news--> 5/14: A small, radical Midwestern church that has made headlines for picketing Iraq War veterans' funerals plans to protest an America it believes has gone pro-gay and anti-God with demonstrations in South Florida beginning this weekend. Source ---------------------------------------------- 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 HAMPSHIRE: --news--> 5/14: --Gov. John Lynch says he will sign a bill to make his state the sixth to legalize gay marriage, but only if it strengthens protections for churches opposed to gay marriage. Source --Legislative leaders agrees to make changes to the gay marriage bill as requested by Gov Lynch. Source --------------------------------------------- USA, NEW JERSEY: --news--> 5/14: Waving umbrellas and posters, around 30 Princeton students danced and cheered in front of the National Organization for Marriage’s (NOM) Nassau Street offices Wednesday to voice disapproval of the group’s opposition to same-sex marriage. Source --------------------------------------------- USA, NEW YORK: --news--> 5/14: Sen. Tom Duane claims one of his Republican colleagues is on the cusp of publicly announcing his or her support for same-sex marriage, the DN's Frank Lombardi reports. Source --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 --articles--> Being Malcolm Smith, by Nathan Riley Source ----------------------------------------------- USA, NORTH CAROLINA: --news--> 5/14: An attempt in the state legislature to get a gay marriage ban on the North Carolina ballot was derailed. 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, WISCONSIN --news--> 5/14: The State Supreme Court has agreed to review a challenge to a constitutional amendment that bans gay marriage. Source ----------------------------------------------- fini