Gay Marriage Watch: July 19th-25th

Here's our Sunday weekly recap of the latest news on gay marriage from around the world. Our favorite thing of the week? This unintentionally hillarious letter by Jane H. Mullin to the Maine Kennebec Journal: Many highly intelligent and scholared people are living the gay lifestyle. Why then have they not taken the time to come up with their own symbols and term for marriage? In doing so, I believe they would quickly convince the naysayers on the subject of gay marriage. For example, two men joined could be "yang-joined" and two women joined could be "yin-joined." When little Johnny says, "Mommy why are those two men holding hands?" Mommy can say, "Because they are 'yang joined.'" Ok, admit it - you got the same picture in your head that I did when she said "they are yang-joined." Yeah, conservatives are funny. :) Hero of the Week: To N. E. Francis, for this: "In June 2009, I decided to do something bold, something I had never seen another heterosexual reporter do. I would write one article a day for the month of June exclusively on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender artists" Why? "I heard the news about the California Supreme Court's decision regarding Proposition 8, in which same-sex marriage was once again illegal in California (although the 18,000 same-sex marriages that had already occurred would still be binding). I immediately thought of my dear friend, Marie Cartier, who was one of the 18,000 same-sex couples who legally married in 2008... Needless to say, my heart was broken. I couldn't understand why there was still such fear over lesbians and gays. And that’s when the idea hit me—I would spend the month of June (which was Gay Pride month) covering the LGBT arts and entertainment community. Maybe I could change at least one person’s mind, open up one individual’s heart or make a difference in one person’s life." Go, N.E., go! Woody Award: Our woody award this week goes to George Shook, a letter writer from Oskaloosa, Iowa, for this lovely screed: Is anybody else upset with the way America is going? "Let me give a few examples of what we are losing while you sit on your chair and hope it goes away! 1. The sanctity of marriage was destroyed by gay-oriented judges and gay-loving politicians. 2. The family is being torn apart by the gays with kids.... 3. Christianity is under attack by gay politicians. Even freedom of speech was taken away while you slept! The Mathew Shepherd hate crime bill has put a muzzle on all churches who are right that homosexuality is a sin to God. 4. We used to teach morals and patriotism in schools. Now it is gays ... in classes to teach our children that being gay is OK." OK, I'll give Mister Shook most of his events here, even though I don't agree with his conclusions about them. But you gotta love the irony of a man using his freedom of speech to claim that his freedom of speech has been taken away. "5. They have taken “In God We Trust” from the Pledge of Allegiance. 6. We used to enforce legal citizenship. Politicians ruined that. 7. The gays want to take do not ask do not tell away from our military. Our military is number one in the world. Gays and politicians will change that." OK, number 5? That never happened. And $7? Used to be, until Bush spread it out too thin in a war we didn't need in a country that never attacked us. "8. We used to have cheap gas and food prices. Politicians changed that, too. Look at the disaster of socialism in other countries. Obama health care will bring America to its knees." OK, how, exactly, do 8 years of ruinous Bush policies that shot the prices of commodities through the roof relate to Obama's health care plan? And there they go, throwing around the S word again... "The gays and politicians have ripped the moral fabric of this state. It is time to stand up and say enough is enough! May God show mercy on Iowa and America. We must get Gov. Culver, Pat Murphy, Mike Gronstal, Eric Palmer, Tom Rielly, Tom Harkin and all other gay supporters out of office!" Hmmm... Gov. Culver is hardly a big gay supporter... in fact, he tried to get gay marriage banned in Iowa last year. I guess because he follows the law and the state constitution that says the Governor can't overturn a Supreme Court decision, that automatically makes him a commie pinko, huh? Mostly, though, it's just sad that Mister Shook rails and rants about things with which he has no personal experience, and mixes up the misdeeds of the Bush administration with the efforts of the curent one when it tries to do something for average Americans like himself. Enjoy youe woody, Mister Shook! 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 gay marriage 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 ---------------------------------------------- AUSTRALIA: --australia gay marriage news--> 7/21: Marriage equality has at least one union boss on its side ahead of this month’s ALP national conference. Source 7/26: Federal Labor is under increased pressure to endorse same-sex marriage after the party's Tasmanian state conference passed a motion supporting it, gay rights activists say. Source --upcoming australia gay marriage events--> Sydney: 8/1: The organisers of a huge protest for gay marriage in New South Wales hope over 400 same-sex couples set a world record by sharing vows on Saturday 1 August, as Australia's LGBT community continues to fight for gay marriage. More Info Melbourne: 8/1: Another protest is planned for Melbourne on the same day as the Sydney protest. More Info --australia gay marriage articles--> Gay Aussies Seek Marriage Equality, by Killian Melloy Source ---------------------------------------------- CANADA: --canada gay marriage news--> 7/23: A Saskatchewan Court of Queen’s Bench ruling, publicly released Thursday, upheld a decision by a human rights tribunal that found Regina marriage commissioner Orville Nichols had discriminated against a same-sex couple by declining to marry them. Source ---------------------------------------------- GUAM: --guam gay marriage news--> 7/21: Arguments continue over Guam domestic partnership bill. Source ---------------------------------------------- HONDURAS: --honduras gay marriage news--> 7/23: The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission on July 17 condemned “the recent murder and arbitrary arrests of ... LGBT activists in Honduras.” “IGLHRC has learned that these human rights abuses have occurred as a direct result of the military coup on June 28 ... which ousted that country’s democratically elected government,” the group said. Source ---------------------------------------------- INDIA: --india gay marriage news--> 7/20: The Supreme Court on Monday declined to pass an interim order to stay the Delhi High Court verdict legalising gay sex among consenting adults. Source --articles--> ---------------------------------------------- IRELAND: --ireland gay marriage news--> Ireland's "Harvey Milk" says marriage equality fight must go on, by Carla Marinucci Source Is same-sex marriage just a bridge too far in Ireland? by TP O'Mahony Source ---------------------------------------------- LUXEMBORG: --luxemborg gay marriage news--> 7/22: New discussions on gay marriage as part of the agenda of the coalition delighted associations. Source ---------------------------------------------- LITHUANIA: --lithuania gay marriage news--> 7/23: The Lithuanian Parliament on July 14 overrode a presidential veto of a bill that bans from schools and public places any information that “agitate(s) for homosexual, bisexual and polygamous relations.” The vote was 87-6. Source ---------------------------------------------- NETHERLANDS: --upcoming netherlands gay marriage 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: --poland gay marriage news--> 7/21: A survey by GfK Polonia reveals that Seventy-five percent of Poles oppose legalisation of same-sex marriage and 87% say gay couples shouldn't be allowed to adopt children. Source --poland gay marriage articles--> Polish Law and Justice Party confirms it's still homophobic despite joining forces with the Tories in Europe, by Jessica Geen Source ---------------------------------------------- ROMANIA: --romania gay marriage articles--> 7/22: Arizona's Alliance Defense Fund claims credit for changes to Romanian law to prevent gay marriage. Source ---------------------------------------------- RUSSIA: --russia gay marriage articles--> 7/22: Lesbian couple travelling to Canada to marry, will return home and ask Russia to recognize their marrriage. Source 7/24: Russia’s human rights ombudsman, V.P. Lukin, met with members of the Russian LGBT Network on July 15 and received a “discrimination monitoring report” prepared by the network and the Moscow Helsinki Group. Source ---------------------------------------------- SPAIN: --spain gay marriage articles--> Holding hands in public, by Cristina Mateo-Yanguas Source ---------------------------------------------- SWEDEN: --sweden gay marriage articles--> Lesbians In Sweden More Likely To Tie The Knot, from Lez Get Real Source ---------------------------------------------- UNITED KINGDOM: --united kingdom gay marriage news--> 7/20: THE Isle of Lewis is set to see its first gay wedding today when children's TV presenter Andrew Robertson ties the knot with long-term partner Craig Atkins. Source --upcoming united kingdom gay marriage 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: --usa gay marriage news--> 7/22: Gay rights activist, author and artist Charles Merrill was denied joint filing status by the United States Tax Court. The court's holding requires Merrill pay the federal government nearly a million dollars for not paying taxes in 2004 and 2005, a time during which he and his partner were publicly committed and residing in North Carolina. Source 7/23: The annual meeting of Quakers is to consider whether to request legal authority to register civil partnerships in the same way as marriages. Source 7/25: New Marc Jacobs T-Shirts: "I pay my taxes, I want my RIGHTS!" Source --upcoming usa gay marriage events--> 8/15: The Great Nationwide Kiss-In, on Saturday, August 15, 2009, at 2 p.m., EDT (or 11 a.m., PDT). More Info --usa gay marriage articles--> Obama & the New Gay Civility, by Susie Day Source That darn gay thing, by Max Lindenman Source Olson & Boies Scare the Hell Out of NOM, by David Hart Source ---------------------------------------------- USA, CALIFORNIA: --california gay marriage news--> 7/22: --Ten billboard advertisements against what activist Terry Kemple called the separation "lie" are being put up across Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. Source --Some of California's top political consultants are advising the gay community to wait until 2012 before trying to overturn Prop 8. Source 7/23: --Rev. Eric Lee and supporters in the L.A. chapter are fighting back against the Southern Christian Leadership Conference's attempts to fire him over his support for gay marriage, essentially arguing that the national board does not have the authority to remove him. Lee is also thought to be seeking support from other SCLC chapters around the country. Source --Porterville city council votes by slim margin to allow drafting of resolution against bill to recognize marriages performed outside the state. Source 7/24: --The city of San Francisco asked a federal judge today for the right to become an official party in a lawsuit challenging California's ban on same-sex marriage. Source --Kathy Griffin canvasses for gay marriage on The D List. Source 7/25: A straw poll of same sex marraige leaders gathered in San Bernardino Saturday just came in: The majority want to return to the ballot in 2010 to try to overturn Proposition 8. Final count of the nonbinding measure: 93 people voted to go in 2010, 49 in 2012 and 20 undecided. Source --upcoming california gay marriage events--> Fullerton: 8/9: Canvassing for Marriage Equality with Team Courage OC- Fullerton, 12 PM. More Info Hayward: --8/20: Tabling in Hayward for Marriage Equality! Alameda County. 5:30-8:30 PM. More Info --9/17: Tabling in Hayward for Marriage Equality! Alameda County. :530-8:30 PM. More Info Los Angeles: --8/1: Los Angeles Equality Awards. More Info --Every Monday: LA Equal Roots Meeting. More Info Merced: --7/30: Merced Equality Team get acquainted (Social). 6-7 PM. More Info --8/22: Merced County Equality Team introduction, 6 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 Riverside: 7/22: Get engaged tour event. 7-9 PM. More Info Sacramento: --7/26: Neighborhood Walk/Canvass in the Pocket Area with the Sacramento Equality Team. 5-8 PM. More Info --7/31: Volunteer Potluck For the Sacramento Equality Team! (Houseparty). 7-9 PM. More Info Santa Clara, CA: 7/26: A coalition of local grass-roots organizations, including Marriage Equality Silicon Valley and the Santa Clara County Equality Team of the Courage Campaign, are coming together to support the efforts of EqualityMaine to ensure that the No on 1: Protect Maine Equality Campaign wins in the fall.  The first phonebanking event is Sunday, July 26th, 1pm-5pm. Please RSVP directly to greg@belaus.com. Sunnyvale: 8/22: Canvassing in Mountain View/Sunnyvale with the Santa Clara Equality Team (Equality Team Event), 11 AM-4 PM. More Info Tarzana: 8/20: SFV Equality Team Kickoff Meeting, 7-9 PM. More Info Victorville: 8/8: High Desert Courage Team Mixer (Houseparty). 6 PM-2 AM. More Info --california gay marriage articles--> Gay marriage and the Constitution: Attorney David Boies previews argument for Prop 8 SCOTUS case, by Sarah Estrella Source Why I wrote 30-plus days of articles on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender artists, by NE Francis Source History Is on My Side, Says Calif. Justice Who Voted Against Gay-Marriage Ban, by Mike McKee Source ---------------------------------------------- USA, ILLINOIS: --illinois gay marriage articles--> Gay Rights Equal Civil Rights: Illinois Needs To Say So, by Carol Martin Source ---------------------------------------------- USA, IOWA: --iowa gay marriage news--> 7/22: State Rep. Rod Roberts said he is exploring a possible run for Iowa governor and that if elected he will push for a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage in Iowa. Source ---------------------------------------------- USA, MAINE: --maine gay marriage news--> 7/20: A group of men from Pennsylvania is in Maine this week supporting the concept that marriage is between a man and woman. Source 7/25: The campaign finance report for the effort to overturn gay marriage in Maine shows a total of $340,000 donated to date, including $100k from the Catholic Church, $50KKnights of Columbus, $31K from Focus on the Family, and $160K from NOM. Of the $340,000 raised, Maine residents (4 people) donated a total of $400. Source --upcoming gay marriage events--> Santa Clara, CA: 7/26: A coalition of local grass-roots organizations, including Marriage Equality Silicon Valley and the Santa Clara County Equality Team of the Courage Campaign, are coming together to support the efforts of EqualityMaine to ensure that the No on 1: Protect Maine Equality Campaign wins in the fall.  The first phonebanking event is Sunday, July 26th, 1pm-5pm. Please RSVP directly to greg@belaus.com. --------------------------------------------- USA, MASSACHUSETTS: --massachusetts gay marriage news--> 7/20: Google is accused of pulling MassResistance.org, the Massachusetts straight-marriage only advocacy site, from its search engine. Source --------------------------------------------- USA, MINNESOTA: --minnesota gay marriage news--> 7/22: The St. Paul City Council is set to pass an ordinance today that will create a registry for domestic partners in the city. Source --------------------------------------------- USA, NEW HAMPSHIRE: --new hampshire gay marriage news--> 7/22: A new poll shows that by a margin of 49-41 percent, New Hampshire likely voters disapprove of the law that made the state the sixth nationwide to legalize "marriage" for gay couples. Source --------------------------------------------- USA, NEW JERSEY: --upcoming new jersey gay marriage events--> Maple Shade: 8/4: Fight for rights (Social), a time for all gays/bisexuals to express their problems and differances without judgement. 4-6 PM. More Info ----------------------------------------------- USA, NEW YORK: --new york gay marriage news--> 7/21: Anti gay marriage professor chosen to teach human rights course at NYU. Source --upcoming new york gay marriage 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 ----------------------------------------------- USA, TEXAS: --texas gay marriage news--> 7/23: Texas town sign: "Gay Rights Are Not Civil Rights." Source ----------------------------------------------- USA, WASHINGTON: --washington gay marriage articles--> 7/21: A political fight over the rights of same-sex couples is drawing nearer in Washington. Source 7/24: As part of an effort to broaden its political identity, the Vancouver-based YWCA of Clark County has become the most prominent local voice against Referendum 71, a proposed ballot issue whose backers are still rushing to gather more than 120,577 signatures by Saturday afternoon. Source 7/25: --Gay man in Washington State tapes domestic partner signature collection fraud. Source --If the campaign to overturn Washington State's new domestic partner law has enough valid signatures, the law would not take effect unless approved by voters in the November election. It was scheduled to begin today. Source --Sponsors of a campaign to overturn Washington state's domestic partnership law turned in 138,000 petition signatures Saturday and said they believe they have enough to force a public vote. 120,577 valid signatures are needed. Source ----------------------------------------------- USA, WEST VIRGINIA: --west virginia gay marriage articles--> Little middle ground in W.Va. gay marriage debate, by Lawrence Messina Source ----------------------------------------------- USA, WISCONSIN: --wisconsin gay marriage articles--> 7/23: Members of a social conservative group asked the Wisconsin Supreme Court on Thursday to invalidate the state’s new domestic partnership law. Source --wisconsin gay marriage articles--> Wisconsin group: Domestic partnership rhymes with marriage, by Madison Conservative Source Courts unlikely to strike down new domestic partner registry until after it begins, from the Hudson Star Observer Source Area same-sex couples prepare to file for domestic partnership, from the AP Source Our View: Leave domestic partner registry alone, from the Wasau Daily Herald Source ----------------------------------------------- fini