Gay Marriage Watch: June 7th-13th

Here's our Sunday weekly recap of the latest news on gay marriage from around the world. Our favorite thing of the week? From Gaywired: The HRC and Kenneth Cole present the “AWEARNESS” unisex t-shirt to support same-sex marriage. 100% of net proceeds will go directly to the HRC, the largest LGBT advocacy organization in the US. The cotton t-shirt reads, "Those Against Gay Marriage Aren't Thinking Straight. (Or Are They?)"?? To purchase the limited edition tee online, Click here. Hero of the Week: Tricia L. Edge, a writer who came to my attention thru twitter, for her great blog this week on why gay marriage is different from civil unions, and why we should care: "I read somewhere that civil unions are about death, while marriage is about life; I cannot remember where I read this so unfortunately cannot cite the source. The essence of this observation strikes a chord inside me: there is a certain connotation applied to the word marriage and to the institution itself; it cannot be approximated with a different set of circumstances applied to a minority of citizens." Go, Tricia, go! Follow her on Twitter @theedge13. Woody Award: Our woody award this week goes to Pedro Espada Jr. of the Bronx and Hiram Monserrate of Queens, the two democrats in New York who flipped to join the republican caucus in the state Semate, apparently to get out from under investigations (Espada for not living in his district, Monserrate for slashing his girlfriend with a broken bottle), and for revenge (Espada was passed up for Majority Leader after the last election) and for personal gain (Espada is now the Senate President Pro Tem, second in command if anything happens to Governor Paterson). In the process, they singlehandedly handed the Senate to the Republicans, and dashed any hope of a vote on the gay marriage bill this year. If we have a democratically controlled Senate, Assembly, and a Governor who is pushing for gay marriage, and we still can't get it done in New York, what hope do we have there???? And while gay marriage doesn't appear to be the reason for the defections, at least for the Democrats, it may as well have been, as Republican control (and specifically Majority Leadership by a man opposed to gay marriage) appears to have sealed the bill's fate for the session. Sickening. Enjoy your woody, Misters Espada and Monserrate. Runner-up goes to The Observer, an online newspaper in Uganda, for sensationalizing what turns out to be a fairly balanced article about gay content in new textbooks by titling the article "Sodomy books invade schools", when in fact the books apparently address the need to treat gay and lesbian students with respect, and do not advocate gay sex, as even the article itself says. And bonus points for the title of the section on whether people are born gay, titled "Born homo?" 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. We now publish updates daily, and a weekly recap on Sundays. 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 ---------------------------------------------- CHINA: --news--> 6/8: Shanghai Pride to celebrate gay weddings on 6/13. Source ---------------------------------------------- GUAM: --articles--> Hills gives answers to questions on Bill 138, by Derick Baza Hills Source ---------------------------------------------- IRELAND: --news--> 6/9: An estimated 1,200 Irish-born men and women – roughly a third of all Ireland’s gay couples — are living with a same-sex partner in the United States, according to a new study based on U.S. Census data. Source ---------------------------------------------- ISRAEL: --news--> 6/12: Five gay couples were symbolically married at Tel Aviv Pride. Source ---------------------------------------------- ITALY: --news--> 6/13: Tens of thousands of gay rights activists demanding rights for same-sex couples marched through the streets of Rome on Saturday in a gay pride parade. Source ---------------------------------------------- NETHERLANDS: --news--> 6/10: The government is considering a plan to allow state funded schools to ban gay teachers. Source --upcoming events--> Amsterdam: 7/31-8/2: Organizers of Amsterdam Gay Pride have announced that during the celebration in August, Mayor Marius Job Cohen will marry five same-sex couples compromised of one American and one Dutch national. The action commemorates the 400 years of links between the Dutch and the American city they called New Amsterdam, with the hope it will inspire progress toward full marriage equality in the United States. More Info ---------------------------------------------- POLAND: --news--> 6/13: A parade calling for tolerance of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender persons marched through the capital on Saturday. Some one thousand demonstrators called for tolerance and protested against homophobia. Source ---------------------------------------------- PORTUGAL: --news--> 6/9: The ruling Socialist party plans to propose new laws allowing same-sex marriage if they return to power after September elections. Source ---------------------------------------------- RUSSIA: --news--> 6/9: Gay activists in Moscow say they will seek permission from the city authorities to stage a picket supporting same sex marriage, in both the United States and Russia, in front of the US Embassy in Moscow on July 7 during the State visit of President Obama in the Russian capital. Source ---------------------------------------------- UGANDA: --news--> 6/8: Gay positive textbooks to be withdrawn from schools by government. Source 6/9: A bizarre trio of American anti-gay leaders arrived in the Ugandan capital of Kampala Thursday to stage a three-day seminar, "Exposing the Truth Behind Homosexuality and the Homosexual Agenda," in a country where homosexuality is a crime punishable by death. Source ---------------------------------------------- UNITED KINGDOM: --news--> 6/10: A petition has been launched to amend the Civil Partnership Act to allow ceremonies to take place in religious buildings. Source --upcoming events--> Cardiff: 10/4: Gay wedding show. More Info Manchester: 10/18: Gay wedding show. More Info Brighton: 11/15: Gay wedding show. More Info ---------------------------------------------- USA: --news--> 6/10: Mike Huckabee calls passage of Prop 8 in California "a miracle". Source 6/12: --The U.S. Justice Department has moved to dismiss the first gay marriage case filed in federal court. Source --An omnibus immigration reform bill has been introduced in the U.S. House containing language that would allow gays to sponsor their foreign partners for residency. Source --Candace Gingrich speaks out about Newt's comments on gay marriage. Source --Wentz and his wife Ashlee Simpson have joined up with NOH8, an organization to abolish Proposition 8 (gay marriage ban) in the State of California. Source --Bette Middler now supports gay marriage, calling it "fabulous." Source --Organisers of a celebrity campaign against California's gay marriage ban have denied reports singer Aubrey O'Day ruined a recent photoshoot with her demanding behaviour. Source --articles--> Sex with Ducks: Pat Robertson mocked on youtube, by Chris W. Source Both black and gay: Internal rights fight, by Graham Wood Source What the President is Missing on Gay Rights, by Joan Garry Source The Dangers of Gay Marriage in America, by Gad Source ---------------------------------------------- USA, ALASKA: --news--> 6/12: A proposed Anchorage law banning discrimination against gays, lesbians and bisexuals has been rewritten to specify it wouldn’t apply to small, home-operated businesses or to owner-occupied four-plexes or duplexes. Source ---------------------------------------------- USA, CALIFORNIA: --news--> 6/11: Gay groups working on wording for Prop 8 repeal attempt. Source 6/12: --Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Attorney General Jerry Brown on Thursday urged a federal judge to keep Proposition 8 in force for now, arguing that it would create too much uncertainty across the state to put the voter-approved ban on gay marriage on hold while the latest legal challenge unfolds in the federal courts. Source --The new Miss California, Tami Farrell, is also against gay marriage. Source 6/14: A leader in the campaign to block gay marriages says he plans to run next year for a Sacramento-area seat in the state Assembly. Source --upcoming events--> Fresno: --6/14: Phone banking for Equality, 3 PM. More Info --6/15: Monday Night Canvass (Equality Team Event), 6-9 PM. More Info --6/27: Gala at the Galleria (Fundraiser): Get refreshed, body and spirit! Come join us at Teazer’s in Downtown Fresno’s Galleria from 2-4pm, Saturday, June 27, as we work to help the Courage Campaign fund more Camp Courage trainings! 2-4 PM. More Info --6/29: Phone banking For Equality, 5:30 PM. More Info Fullerton: Canvassing for Marriage Equality with Team Courage OC- Fullerton, 12 PM. More Info Greenbrae: 6/20: Marin Count Equality Team Kickoff Meeting, 1:30-3:30 PM. More Info Hollywood: Hollywood Equality Team Kickoff! (Equality Team Kickoff Meeting), 5-7 PM. More Info Laguna Niguel: 7/25: canvassing for marriage equality, 12 PM. More Info Los Angeles: --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 Los Banos: 6/14: Kickoff meeting for Merced County for Equality, 5-8 PM. More Info Mountain View/Sunnyvale: 8/22: Canvassing event, 11 AM. More Info Palm Springs: --10/17: Palm Springs Equality Awards More Info --11/7-11/8: Palm Springs Pride More Info Roseville: 6/17: Marriage Equality rally on the 1 year anniversary of gay marriage in California at the Roseville Galleria, corner of Roseville Parkway and Galleria Blvd., 5:30-8:30 PM. More Info Sacramento: 6/20: Sacramento Pride More Info San Diego: --6/20: Canvass in Pacific Beach!, 9:30 AM. More Info --7/18-7/19: San Diego Pride More Info San Francisco: --6/25: One Struggle One Fight general meeting, 7-9 PM. More Info --6/27-6/28: San Francisco: Pride More Info --7/3: Panel: Prop 8 is Going Down! Winning Gay Marriage in California, 7-9 PM at the Women's Building on 18th St. More Info --7/15: Torie Osborn: The Fierce Urgency of Now: Toward a New American Movement in the Obama Era (Special Presentation), at The Commenwealth Club, 5:30-7:30. More Info San Jose: --6/18: Meet John Laird, a real pioneer in the LGBT movement so join us for this free event at the DeFrank Center on Thursday June 18 at 7 PM. At the Billy DeFrank LGBT Center. More Info --6/20: San Jose Canvassing. More Info Santa Rosa: 6/14: At this meeting we will be discussing how Meet in the Middle went, current public relation strategies, our photo project fundraiser, and how we as a group can work with Marriage Equality to strengthen the local movement. At the Santa Rosa Dem Clubhouse, 4-5 PM. More Info Seal Beach: 6/20: Team Courage OC canvassing, 12-4 PM. More Info Sunnyvale: 8/22: Canvassing in Mountain View/Sunnyvale with the Santa Clara Equality Team (Equality Team Event), 11 AM-4 PM. More Info Tustin: 7/12: Canvassing for Marriage Equality with Team Courage OC- Tustin, 12 PM. More Info Vallejo: 6/20: Courage Campaign Kickoff Meeting, 3-4 PM at the First Christian Church of Vallejo. More Info Visalia: 6/18: Come out and join the newest force to hit the central valley! The Tulare County Equality Team is gearing up for action! Join us and learn about the ways you can make a difference and get involved! 5:30-7:30 PM. More Info ---------------------------------------------- USA, CONNECTICUT: --articles--> Greenwich, Conn. lures NY gay couples for marriage, from Newsday Source --------------------------------------------- USA, ILLINOIS: --upcoming events--> Westmont: 6/30: Green Party Forum “Civil Unions, Equal Marriage and Straights: How marriage equality in Illinois benefits everyone.” The forum will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30, at the Westmont Public Library, 428 N. Cass, Westmont, IL. More Info --------------------------------------------- USA, KANSAS: --news--> 6/14: A swimming pool facility in eastern Idaho's Lava Hot Springs recently denied same-sex couple Jeri Underwood and Amber Koger, who have three foster children, from receiving a discounted rate that are offered to families. Source --------------------------------------------- USA, IOWA: --articles--> Newly acquired rights are great, but marriage is no hasty decision, by the Daily Iowan Editorial Board Source Area businesses try to capitalize on gay marriage, by Emily Melvold Source Gay marriage law's impact on Iowans subtle, yet powerful, by Jennifer Jacobs Source --------------------------------------------- USA, KENTUCKY: --upcoming events--> Cincinnatti: 6/20: Equality - Don't Stop Believin', Kentucky Equality Federation's first major fundraiser will take place at Adonis in Cincinnati, with after party events taking place at Yadda Club in Covington, KY. More Info --------------------------------------------- USA, MICHIGAN: --news--> 6/12: Michigan lawmaker launching bill to revise state constitution to allow gay marriage. Source --------------------------------------------- USA, NEW YORK: --news--> 6/7: New Paltz Pride focuses on gay marriage. Source 6/8: --Governor Paterson reaching out to former Senate Leader Joe Bruno-R for help on gay marriage bill. Source --Fight for gay marriage over in NY as 2 democrats switch parties, give republicans control of the Senate. Source 6/10: --Republicans in NY Senate reportedly offering Sen. Tom Duane a floor vote on gay marriage in exchange for his support. Source --One result of the power struggle in New York's Senate may be a vote on a bill to legalize same-sex marriage. Source --NY couple, one trans, marry in New York. --upcoming events--> Brooklyn: 9/9: 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 --articles--> Apply rights to all equally, by Scott Kahn, Source NY to be Niagara Falls of same-sex weddings? Pol thinks so, by Frank Lombardi & Kenny Porpora Source Why I Now Support Gay Marriage, by Tom Suozzi Source ----------------------------------------------- USA, OHIO: --news--> 6/11: Both candidates for the 2010 US Senate Seat now favor gay marriage, after Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher changed his mind on the subject. Source ----------------------------------------------- USA, PENNSYLVANIA: --upcoming events--> Philadelphia: 6/14: Philadelphia Pride More Info ----------------------------------------------- USA, TENNESSEE: --news--> 6/8: Tennessee Equality Project uses social networking to mobilize hundreds for gay rigths. Source ----------------------------------------------- USA, TEXAS: --news--> 6/12: Mexico City newspaper El Mundo reports that the mayor of San Angelo, a small town in the shepherding region of Texas, has resigned from his post and moved to Mexico with his gay partner, who also happens to be an illegal immigrant. Source ----------------------------------------------- USA, WASHINGTON --news--> 6/14: Opponents of the new domestic partnership bill printed 60,000 jumbo-sized petitions and distributed them to churches around the state this week. Source ----------------------------------------------- USA, WASHINGTON DC --news--> 6/10: Elections Board heard 4 hours of testimony on whether to allow gay marriage law to be put to a public vote. Source 6/12: Elections Board may release ruling as early as today. Source --articles--> 10 reasons why a LGBT march on Washington is a bad idea, by Bill Browning Source ----------------------------------------------- fini