Governor Paterson: Gay Marriage Will Pass in New York in Coming Weeks

New York Gov. David Paterson says he expects to sign a same-sex marriage bill into law in the coming weeks. Paterson says he expects the state Senate to give the measure final legislative approval in the coming weeks and then he will sign it. That would make New York the seventh state to legalize same-sex marriage. Paterson can’t force the Senate to take up the bill and admitted to reporters he can’t guarantee its approval, but he says he’s now confident it will pass, as advocates and sponsors of the bill in Albany have been quietly working to build support. Full Story from The Chronicle: http://www.strausnews.com/articles/2009/10/31/the_chronicle/news/15.txt

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Tallahassee Offers Benefits to Domestic Partners of City Employees

Unmarried couples of whatever sexual orientation are now eligible to receive family benefits in Tallahassee, Florida, according to an Oct. 29 article posted at Tallahassee.com. The change in city policy will being benefits to city employees who are in domestic partnerships and commonlaw marriages. Another change extends anti-discrimination and anti-harassment city policies to cover sexual identity and sexual orientation. The article quoted the city’s human relations manager, Travis Parsons, as saying that the change amounted to much the same thing as when employees added to their families by other means. "It’s no different than adding new spouses or new children to their program." Full Story from Edge Boston: http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=&sc2=news&sc3=&id=98413

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Crazies Coming Out of the Woodwork in Maine Gay Marriage Fight

This is gonna be fun. First, everybody get naked. Wow, that was fast. Now, to play the game all you have to do is guess which of these comments about Maine's upcoming ballot Question 1 are real---i.e. from letters and opinion columns published in the Portland Press Herald, Bangor Daily News or Portland Daily Sun---and which are ones I just made up to sound crazy. This is tougher than it looks. Good luck! 1) Gay rights advocates sneer at the common-sense objection that homosexual relations cannot be considered natural or normal. One need merely look at human anatomy and consider the consequences if all sex were homosexual sex to grasp this obvious and intuitive fact. Full Story from Daily Kos: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/10/30/798655/-Cheers-and-Jeers:-Candy-Corn-FRIDAY!

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Obama Administration Argues States Can't Force Federal Govt to Offer Same Sex Benefits

States that allow gay marriage cannot force the federal government to provide benefits to those couples, the Obama administration argued yesterday in court papers in a lawsuit by the State of Massachusetts. The Justice Department is at odds with Massachusetts - the first state to allow gay marriage - over a 1996 federal law defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Massachusetts sued in July, saying that law is discriminatory and deprives gay couples in the state of some federal spousal benefits. The Obama administration agrees the Defense of Marriage Act is discriminatory and wants it repealed, but says it has an obligation to defend laws enacted by Congress while they are on the books and can be reasonably defended. Full Story from Boston.com: http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/10/31/us_says_mass_cant_force_spousal_benefits/

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Gays & Lesbians March in Taiwan for Gay Rights

Thousands of gay rights supporters marched through Taiwan's capital Saturday, calling for increased tolerance and the enactment of anti-discrimination legislation. The seventh annual Taiwan Gay Parade in Taipei featured marchers decked out in costumes ranging from prom queens to sumo wrestlers, loud pulsating music, and bright orange and yellow banners. Taiwan is considered to have one of Asia's most vibrant gay communities, and its gay rights parade is the largest in the Chinese-speaking world. Full Story from GMA News: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/176036/taiwans-gays-march-for-enactment-of-anti-discrimination-measure

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Maine Governor: Gay Marriage is About Equality

Despite his last-minute endorsement of Maine's gay marriage law when he signed it, Governor John Baldacci does not want it repealed, the Bangor Daily News reported. At a Tuesday event in support of gay marriage, the governor said the issue was about equality, and urged Maine voters to reject Question 1. “I think Maine people have recognized … that we are all unique people, we are all different,” he said. “But we are all under the same Constitution and we all want to make sure there is equal protection for all citizens.” Full Story from On Top Magazine: http://www.ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=4782&MediaType=1&Category=26

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Skywest Airlines Denies Gay Employee Equal Treatment for Husband

A worker for SkyWest, a partner of Delta Airlines operating out of Palm Springs International Airport, says he wants the same benefits given to married couples in the company. Gilbert Caldwell married his partner of 34 years last year, and now says he faces different rules when he and his partner want to fly. He says he is forced to pay a fare for his spouse, 72 year-old Rev. David Farrell, under a "companion" program designated for friends. Spouses of heterosexual couples do not have to pay the fare. "SkyWest's denial of equal travel benefits amounts to a reduction in gay and lesbian employees' pay," Lambda Legal has warned the employer. "SkyWest insists that its gay and lesbian employees with a state-registered domestic partner or spouse should not receive the same rate of compensation for their job performance, though Mr. Caldwell is not excused from any of his work hours or job responsibilities." Full Story from KESQ: http://www.kesq.com/Global/story.asp?S=11409572

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Dueling Gay Marriage Ads from Maine via The Daily Dish

The anti-gay forces in Maine are ramping up the "gay conspiracy to get your kids" angle in the latest wave of ads. The pro-gay forces continue on the high road. I hope this ends well. Both ads after the jump. They are, in a way, almost poignant examples of the politics of fear and the politics of hope. Full Story from The Daily Dish: http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2009/10/doubling-down.html

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RI Legislature Sends Gay Funeral Planning Bill to Governor

Gays in Rhode Island would get the right to plan the funerals of their late partners under a bill heading to Gov. Don Carcieri's desk. The legislation approved Thursday by the state Senate would give gay men and women the same right to plan the funerals of their partners as if they were married. Rhode Island is the only New England state that does not recognize gay marriage. It would also allow the medical examiner to release a body to the late person's domestic partner. Full Story from WJTV: http://www2.wjtv.com/jtv/ap_exchange/special_-_medical/article/RiLawmakersBackFuneralPlanningRightsForGaysRi/49888/

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Battle Between Californians Against Hate and NOM Heats Up

Fred Karger’s battle with the National Organization for Marriage has heated up considerably. The anti same-sex marriage organization, which purports to be a 501(c) (4) “social welfare organization” for tax purposes but is actually a high-powered political organization — more on that later — has demanded that Karger appear for a deposition with all of the correspondence and financial records for his group, Californians Against Hate, from January to date. NOM is suing the state of California and many state officials over public disclosure laws, and NOM apparently thinks Karger’s e-mails, faxes, correspondence, financial records and all information pertaining to Californians Against Hate will prove that adhering to state law opened up its donors to retaliation, because Karger launched several successful boycotts of donors’ businesses. Now NOM on its website “calls out” Karger by name: “NOM to Fred Karger: NOM will not be intimidated by politically motivated harassment.” So this is obviously a punitive retaliatory action designed to “intimidate” Karger through legal means. Back at’cha. Full Story from the Coastline Pilot: http://www.coastlinepilot.com/articles/2009/10/30/blogs_and_columns/lumberyard_logs/cpt-canyontocove103009.txt

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NOM Must Identify Anti Gay Marriage Donors in Maine Campaign

A Princeton Borough-based organization that is the leading financial backer of an anti-gay marriage campaign in Maine must identify its contributors, a federal judge ruled this week. The National Organization for Marriage (NOM), a group founded by Princeton University politics professor Robert George in 2007, has given more than $1.5 million to a group that is urging voters to overturn Maine's law allowing gay marriage. Maine Gov. John Baldacci signed the measure into law in May, making Maine the first state to create gay marriage through a governor's signature rather than a court ruling. The referendum takes place Tuesday. Full Story from NJ.com: http://www.nj.com/news/times/regional/index.ssf?/base/news-18/125688180673960.xml&coll=5

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Virginia AG Candidate Says Laws Should Reflect Fact that Being Gay is "Wrong"

As the campaign season in Virginia enters its final days, one conservative candidate is drawing the ire from LGBT people for recent remarks against “homosexual acts.” State Sen. Ken Cuccinelli (R-Fairfax), the GOP contender seeking to become Virginia’s next attorney general, made the comments to the editorial board of the Virginian-Pilot. The paper published the remarks on Monday in an endorsement of his opponent, Democrat Steve Shannon. The election is set for Tuesday. Cuccinelli, who has often voted against gay issues during his time in the General Assembly, reportedly declined to commit to a non-discrimination policy in his office against gays as attorney general, and went on to criticize gays. “My view is that homosexual acts, not homosexuality, but homosexual acts are wrong,” he was quoted as saying. “They’re intrinsically wrong. And I think in a natural law based country it’s appropriate to have policies that reflect that.” Full Story from Washington Blade: http://www.washblade.com/2009/10-30/news/localnews/15464.cfm

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Update on Kalamazoo Gay Rights Proposition

Sex, religion, politics are often topics avoided in public. But now, Kalamazoo voters are front-and-center in an anti-discrimination debate. For the better part of a year, the Kalamazoo City Commission has debated whether or not to adopt an ordinance making it illegal to discriminate against Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender individuals when it comes to hiring, housing and public accommodation. As the election approaches next Tuesday, emotions on both sides are running high. Full Story from WOOD TV: http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/elections/Kzoo_voters_to_have_say_on_gay_rights

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UK: Two Days Left to Sign petition Allowing Religious Buildings to Be Used for Civil Partnerships

There are only two days remaining to sign a petition to call for civil partnerships to be held in religious buildings. The Civil Partnerships Act, passed in 2004, currently forbids same-sex ceremonies in buildings designed for religious purposes and states that they can only take place in a register office or approved premises. However some faith groups have said they would like to perform civil partnership ceremonies on their premises but are unable to due to the law as it stands. Full Story from Pink News: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/28/two-days-left-to-sign-petition-on-religious-civil-partnerships/

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Senator Schumer: We Must Not Rest Until Gay Marriage Legalized Nationwide

Senator Charles Schumer told gay marriage supporters last week that we "must not rest" until it is legalized in all 50 states. The third ranking member of the Senate made these comments as Maine prepares for Tuesday's vote to decide the future of marriage equality in their state. If Proposition 1 passes it will overturn a new state law that legalized same-sex marriage in Maine. But if it fails it will be the first time that any state approves gay marriage through a state-wide vote. "Ten years ago, many thought that civil unions were about the best we could hope for. But the time for marriage has come," Schumer, speaking at the Empire State Pride Agenda dinner, said. "I call on all of my colleagues -- Democrat and Republican, in the Congress, in the state senate, in the state legislature, to support full marriage equality now.... Equality should know no bounds, and we must not rest until we have [gay] marriage in all 50 of these United States." Full Story from Gay Socialites: http://gaysocialites.com/2009/10/senator_chuck_schumer_says_we_1.html

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Tacoma Endorses R71, Domestic Partnerships

Tacoma City Council has weighed in on a hot-button measure on the state ballot this year, one putting rights for domestic partners up for a public vote. On Oct. 20 eight members voted for a resolution endorsing approval of Referendum 71, with Councilmember Mike Lonergan abstaining. During the 2009 session the legislature passed a bill giving domestic partners many of the rights enjoyed by married couples. It applies to same-sex and senior citizen heterosexual couples. Opponents of the legislation gathered enough signatures to put the matter before voters for the final decision. A vote to approve Referendum 71 keeps the state law; a vote to reject will overturn it. Full Story from Tacoma Weekly: http://www.tacomaweekly.com/article/3690

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DC Gay Marriage Foe: "Once you became a homosexual, you gave up your rights"

As I listened to opponents of same-sex marriage testify at two public hearings Monday in the District, I waited for a persuasive argument about how society would suffer by letting two men or two women say "I do." I didn't hear one. Instead, I heard a lot of flawed appeals saying that a citywide ballot on the issue is necessary to protect people's voting rights, plus some incendiary rhetoric about the purported risks to children and families of "redefining" marriage. The right to vote is not the issue here, because not every measure is automatically eligible to become a ballot initiative. Moreover, the public elected the D.C. Council members and mayor who are preparing to pass the legislation that would allow same-sex marriage in the city. Full Story from the Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/28/AR2009102804622.html

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Recap of Gay Marriage Debate in Portland, Maine

Maine's referendum on same-sex marriage, which has generated a wave of television commercials and fierce public debate, took center stage Wednesday night in a debate between representatives from both campaigns. Brian Souchet, of Brunswick, representing opponents of same-sex marriage, said marriage is a unique arrangement between a man and a woman that should be protected. Mary Bonauto, of Portland, representing supporters of the new law allowing same-sex marriage, said the issue is about fairness and equality. Full Story from the Morning Sentinel: http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/news/local/7034479.html

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Gay Marriage Opponents Rachet Up the Crazy in Maine

Opponents of same-sex marriage on Wednesday warned that “radical homosexual” groups concealing their true agendas were behind efforts to keep Maine’s gay marriage law on the books. ... In a wide-ranging media event in the State House, three representatives from the Maine Grassroots Coalition, Americans for Truth About Homosexuality and Mass Resistance charged that “extreme groups” with agendas far outside the mainstream were supporting the No on 1 campaign. A small group of supporters also attended the event. Speakers suggested that enactment of Maine’s gay marriage law will lead to “homosexual indoctrination” in schools as part of a bigger agenda that threatens families and society. Full Story from the Bangor Daily News: http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/127222.html

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Argentina: Gay Marriage Bills Being Considered in Congress

Amid a maelstrom of opinions on the subject, the House of Representatives will begin to discuss two bills that enable same-sex marriages on Friday. The legislative bills were driven by the deputies Silvia Augsburger (MSZP) and Vilma Ibarra (Popular and Social Encounter) and they aim to “give people the freedom to choose with whom to meet the commitments of cohabitation, regardless of whether they are from the same or different sex.” The projects, which will be discussed at a joint plenary of the General Law Committee, and the Family, Women, Children and Adolescents Lower House of Argentina, seek an amendment to Article 172 of the Civil Code to replace the term “man and woman” by “spouses” without reference to the sex of the people who consumate a marriage. Full Story from Momento 24: http://momento24.com/en/2009/10/28/congress-begins-to-debate-gay-marriage/

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New Study: Same Sex Couples Face Significant Disadvantages in Retirement

As same-sex couples are increasingly being granted rights similar to those of traditional marriages, many will be at a comparative disadvantage as they enter retirement. The study by the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law says gays and lesbians will have less retirement income and fewer ways to pass savings on to their families after their death. Merrill Lynch, a unit of Bank of America(BAC Quote), helped fund the report. A large share of same-sex couples will be entering retirement in the next two decades, just as states open marriage and civil-union laws. There are about 1.2 million gay people living with a same-sex partner in America, according to the most recent U.S. Census. Full Story from The Street: http://www.thestreet.com/story/10618376/1/same-sex-couples-not-so-golden-years.html?cm_ven=GOOGLEFI

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Saskatchewan Debating Bill to Exempt Religious Officiants from Gay Weddings

The Saskatchewan Court of Appeals is seeking interveners in a case that will rule on proposed legislation that would let religious marriage commissioners refuse to marry gay couples. In June the Saskatchewan Party government asked the court to rule on the constitutionality of two proposed changes to the province's Marriage Act. The amendments would exempt marriage commissioners from performing a same-sex marriage "if to do so would be contrary to the marriage commissioner’s religious beliefs." One amendment would exempt those marriage commissioners appointed before gay marriage was legalized in the province in 2004. The other would exempt any marriage commissioner, no matter when they received their appointment from the province. Full Story from Xtra.ca: http://www.xtra.ca/public/National/Saskatchewan_samesex_marriage_case_heats_up-7744.aspx

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India's Gay Prince Shines Light on Gay Rights in India

From the outside, Crown Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil led a privileged life. Born into the royal family of the former princely state of Rajpipla in India, he was married to a princess, Yuvrani Chandrika Kumari, and held court from a lavish palace. But Gohil had a secret – one that only came to light after a 15 month-long sexless marriage, subsequent divorce, and nervous breakdown, for which he was hospitalised in 2002. It was then that Gohil’s doctors, with his consent, told his family that he was gay – a rather complicated development in a country where section 377 of the penal code criminalised homosexuality. India’s homophobia seems, at the very least, hypocritical. After all, it’s the birthplace of the Kama Sutra, and many of its famed temples feature graphic murals and sculptures depicting same-sex interactions. Indian mythology also includes homosexual gods and goddesses. But religion, as always, was the watershed. With the advent of Muslim rule, and then Christianity, came an open and harsh rejection of homosexuality, a mindset that pervades the country to this day. Full Story from SX News: http://sxnews.e-p.net.au/feature/the-rebel-prince-6350.html

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Guam Catholic Bishop Says Radical Islam & Suicide Bombers Better Than Gay Marriage

From a 3 page statement distributed by the local Catholic Archdiocese on the island of Guam in opposition to Bill 185, which would would allow same-sex couples to enter into legal domestic partnerships: The culture of homosexuality is a culture of self-absorption because it does not value self-sacrifice. It is a glaring example of what John Paul II has called the culture of death. Islamic fundamentalists clearly understand the damage that homosexual behavior inflicts on a culture. That is why they repress such behavior by death. Their culture is anything but one of self-absorption. It may be brutal at times, but any culture that is able to produce wave after wave of suicide bombers (women as well as men) is a culture that at least knows how to value self-sacrifice. Terrorism as a way to oppose the degeneration of the culture is to be rejected completely since such violence is itself another form of degeneracy. One, however, does not have to agree with the gruesome ways that the fundamentalists use to curb the forces that undermine their culture to admit that the Islamic fundamentalist charge that Western Civilization in general and the U.S.A, in particular is the “Great Satan” is not without an element of truth. Full Story from the Moderate Voice: http://themoderatevoice.com/51019/suicide-bombers-are-better-than-gay-marriage/

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NOM vs. HRC Fight Plays Out in NY Race

By now, you probably know about the special election in New York's 23rd congressional district. Republican John M. McHugh has held this seat since 2003. He resigned on September 21, 2009 to become United States Secretary of the Army. This seat represents about 650,000 hard working, mostly blue collar, solidly Republican folks on New York's Canadian border. The median income is about $35,000. The local Republican Party nominated Dede Scozzafava who is a socially liberal fiscal conservative. That is a creature well known in New York politics. Well, that didn't sit well with the Christian Conservatives so they came up with an anti-choice, anti-gay marriage candidate, Doug Hoffman, to run as a Conservative. This has brought a wide assortment of wingnuts to this rural area. These include Sarah Palin, The Susan B. Anthony People, Catholics for America, Phyllis Schlafly's Eagle Forum, Phyllis' embalmer, Fred Thompson, Dick Armey, Marilyn Musgrave and the Club for Growth. Actually, the Club for Growth is among the largest donors to Hoffman's campaign. Given that they are a group of very rich people trying to prevent very rich people from paying their fair share of taxes, they have the challenge of getting these good folk to vote against their own economic interests. National Organization for Marriage was among the earliest detractors of Scozzafava and one of the earliest supporters of Hoffman. In an email last week they claimed to have spent $150,000 on this campaign. Either Brian Brown is lying – again – or they haven't reported the expenditure. On the other hand, the Human Rights Campaign PAC has donated $4,000 to Scozzafava. Full Story from Tips-Q: http://www.tips-q.com/1531178-ny-23rd-cd-saga-nom-v-hrc

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources in New York.

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John Kerry Supports New DOMA Lawsuit

Massachusetts Senator John Kerry says he supports a new lawsuit against the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Tim Coco and Genesio “Junior” Oliveira, a binational gay couple, announced Monday they would challenge the 13-year-old law that bans the federal government from recognizing the marriages of gay and lesbian couples. Oliveira, 30, returned to his native Brazil in 2007 after an immigration judged denied his request for asylum. He sought asylum in the U.S. in 2002 because he said he was raped as a teenager. In March, Senator Kerry sent a letter asking for intervention in the matter to Attorney General Eric Holder. On Friday, Coco told the AP that the deadline for Holder to act had passed without action from the administration, effectively supporting Oliveira's denial of asylum and keeping the men apart. Full Story from On Top Magazine: http://ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=4773&MediaType=1&Category=26

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Referendum 71 Ahead 57% to 38% Among Washington's Likely Voters

The yearly Washington Poll shows the statewide Referendum 71 for gay couples’ rights passing one week before the Nov. 3 election, while Tim Eyman's tax-limiting Initiative 1033 is trailing. The poll was conducted by a social research school at the University of Washington that has a track record of correctly forecasting election results. Its poll shows: R-71 is winning by a 56 percent to 39 percent margin among registered voters. The edge was 57-38 among likely voters; likely voters were those who have sent in ballots already or said they voted in November 2007. Full Story from the Olympian: http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/1016921.html

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources in Washington State .

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Senator Arlen Spector Changes His Mind on Gay Marriage

Arlen Specter, the Democrat senator for Pennsylvania, has changed his mind on the issue of gay marriage. In 1996, he voted for the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which prohibits the federal government from recognising gay marriage. In 2006, he voted for a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage in his state. But writing in the Huffington Post this week, Specter said it was time to repeal DOMA and allow states to decide for themselves.  He wrote: “Enacted 13 years ago when the idea of same sex marriage was struggling for acceptance, the Act is a relic of a more tradition-bound time and culture. Full Story from : http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/28/pennsylvania-senator-changes-mind-on-gay-marriage/

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources.

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Judge Refuses to Allow Referendum 71 Foes to Ignore Contribution Caps, Flood the Race With Money Last-Minute

R-71 is the ballot measure that asks Washington voters to approve or reject the state's everything but marriage law. Washington Family PAC opposes the gay rights measure and last week sued in federal court to challenge two key Washington campaign finance laws. One requires campaigns to report the names, addresses and employers of donors. The other restricts contributions to 5-thousand dollars in the 21-days preceding the election. Washington Family argues those rules discourage participation in the political process. But that ship has sailed says Nancy Krier, attorney for Washington's Public Disclosure Commission. Nancy Krier: "To attempt to change all the rules of the game while these campaigns are ongoing and this close to the election is inappropriate." The judge agreed with the PDC and refused to issue a temporary restraining order. A trial on the merits of the case could still go forward after the election. Full Story from KPLU: http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kplu/news.newsmain/article/1/0/1571215/KPLU.Local.News/Federal.Judge.Keeps.WA.Contribution.Caps

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources in Washington State.

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Michigan Law Professors Suggest Gays/Lesbians Use "Proxy Marriage"

A pair of law professors at Michigan State University have launched an effort to legitimize the use of long-distance “proxy marriage” as a way for same-sex couples in states which prohibit gay marriage to legally wed. The professors, Mae Kuykendall and Adam Candeub, said in an announcement released this morning that the ceremonies, in which an official in a state which permits same-sex unions performs a ceremony for residents of another state using remote connection technology, builds on a tradition of proxy marriage long used to wed overseas service members with a homebound spouse. Although such a marriage would not be recognized in a state like Michigan, which sanctions marriage only between one man and one woman, Kuykendall and Candeub said such ceremonies “could… help committed couples retain their spousal rights.” Full Story from Freep.com: http://www.freep.com/article/20091028/NEWS15/91028026/1008/NEWS06/MSU-profs-offer-same-sex-marriage-solution

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources.

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Analysis of the Prop 8 Gay Marriage Case

A federal court case in San Francisco may offer a window into the arguments in favor of marriage equality that could eventually find their way before the U.S. Supreme Court. An Oct. 26 New York Times article reported that the lawyer in the anti-marriage side of the case, which challenges Proposition 8 on the claim that the voter referendum that yanked marriage rights away from Californai’s gay and lesbian families last year violated federal Constitutional protections, was unable to articulate why gays marrying is a threat to stable unions between heterosexuals. Attorney Charles J. Cooper made the claim that there was a state interest in denying gay and lesbian families marriage parity in order to encourage straight couples to marry and have children. But when the judge in the case, Vaughn R. Walker, asked exactly how the domestic affairs of a gay couple could disrupt the martial course of a straight couple’s life, Cooper admitted that he was stumped. Full Story from Edge Boston: http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=&sc2=news&sc3=&id=98269

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources in California.

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Prop 8 Gay Marriage Trial May Be Televised

The challenge to California's Prop 8 could be coming to a television near you. Ted Olson and David Boies, who represented Bush and Gore, respectively, in that little known Suprme Court battle, have teamed up to challenge the constituionality of Prop 8, California's amendment prohibiting gay marriage.  Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker refused to dismiss the case, called Perry v. Schwarzenegger. ... Liptak also notes the judge has "hinted" that he may allow cameras in the courtroom for the trial, which would be an extremely rare move, especially in federal court. Full Story from Business Insider: http://www.businessinsider.com/gay-marriage-trial-could-be-televised-2009-10

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Starbucks Endorses R71, Domestic Partnerships in Washington State

Starbucks added its name to the list of major Northwest employers who support referendum 71, which would uphold Washington law that extends marriage-like benefits to gay, lesbian and some senior couples. Last month, Boeing, Nike, Microsoft, Puget Sound Energy, RealNetworks and Vulcan issued a joint statement in favor of the measure. Last Tuesday, Starbucks said it endorses and supports the approval of Referendum 71 because "it is aligned with our business practices, providing domestic partner benefits, and one of our core values of treating people with respect and dignity." Full Story from the Seattle Times: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/coffeecity/2010140831_starbucks_endorses_referendum.html

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources in Washington State.

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Obama Denies Man's Partner Assylum Despite Couple's Gay Marriage in Massachusetts

A gay Brazilian man has been denied asylum by the Obama administration and won't be reunited with his Massachusetts husband in the U.S., the husband said Monday. Tim Coco said Attorney General Eric Holder did not act on a Friday deadline in the case of Genesio "Junior" Oliveira, effectively denying the 30-year-old Brazilian man's request for asylum in the U.S. on humanitarian grounds. "We needed the Attorney General to make a decision on whether Junior could come home," said Coco, 48, of Haverhill. "He didn't take this request seriously." Full Story from the AP: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gw-g_7TpOunvri-o-SIwk4cBOsaAD9BJ39S80

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources.

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More Than 75 People Testify For and Against DC Gay Marriage Bill

The two sides of the same-sex marriage fight took their battle to the D.C. Council on Monday, with gay marriage supporters making their case for civil rights and equality and opponents raising the specter of tradition and God's law. At issue is openly gay Councilman David Catania's proposal to legalize same-sex marriage in the District, as five states have done. The bill provides that members of the clergy would not be required to perform gay marriages against their beliefs. "This issue for me is whether or not the public space in the District of Columbia is big enough to accommodate civil equality and religious freedoms," Catania said. Full Story from The Washington Examiner: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/D_C_-Council-hears-from-both-sides-in-gay-marriage-debate-8442433-66188647.html

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources in Washington, DC.

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Judge to Rule Wednesday on NOM Privacy Claim for Anti Gay Marriage Donors

A federal judge will rule Wednesday on whether the state may require two national organizations that are working to repeal Maine's gay-marriage law to disclose their contributors. The National Organization for Marriage and American Principles in Action have challenged the state campaign finance laws that apply to ballot question committees, arguing that requiring them to disclose their contributors violates the free speech protections in the First Amendment to the Constitution. "The requirements here ... are sufficient to chill parties from supporting the plaintiff and others," the lawyer for the national groups, Josiah Neeley, told Justice D. Brock Hornby during Monday's hearing in U.S. District Court. Full Story from the Kennebec Journal: http://kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com/news/local/7025090.html

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources in Maine.

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