Gay Marriage Watch: Gay Marriage Events List 1/31/10

Gay Marriage Watch Events List:

We now publish a weekly recap of all the upcoming gay marriage events we can find. Know about something that's not on this list? Email us the information 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

Upcoming Gay Marriage Events (in Country, State, City Order)

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GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN AUSTRALIA

Australia, NSW, Sydney: 2/14: No More Forbidden Love Rally, Taylor Sq, Darlinghurst, 12-2 PM. http://bit.ly/9biD8P

Australia, NSW, Sydney: 3/3: NMG’s Dinner at the Zoo, to raise money for Australian Marriage Equality (AME). http://tinyurl.com/yjcc8ks

Australia, NSW, Sydney: 3/20: National Year of Action Launch, Town Hall, 1 PM. http://bit.ly/mnINL

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GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN MUMBAI

India, Mumbai: 4/22-4/25: Queer Film Festival. http://bit.ly/6kcDhP

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GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

UK, England, Brighton: 11/14: Gay wedding show, The Corn Exchange, 12-4:30 PM. http://bit.ly/rMWTT

UK, England, London: 3/7: Gay wedding show, St. James Hotel, 12-4:30 PM. http://bit.ly/rMWTT

UK, England, Manchester: 10/10: Gay wedding show, Ramada Piccadilly, 12-4:30 PM. http://bit.ly/rMWTT

UK, Wales, Cardiff: 10/3: Gay wedding show, Cardiff City Hall, 12-4:30 PM. http://bit.ly/rMWTT

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GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN ALABAMA

AL, Huntsvulle: 3/15: Soulforce 2010 Equality Ride Stop, Oakwood University. http://bit.ly/chHIjx

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GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN CALIFORNIA

CA, Statewide: 2/6: Prop 8 Repeal Day of Action. http://bit.ly/d2d4pt

CA, Bakersfield: 2/6: Prop 8 Repeal Day of Action, TBA. http://bit.ly/d2d4pt

CA, Chico: 2/6: Prop 8 Repeal Day of Action, TBA. http://bit.ly/d2d4pt

CA, Fresno: 2/6: Prop 8 Repeal Day of Action, TBA. http://bit.ly/d2d4pt

CA, Garden Grove: 2/12-14: Courage Campaign/EQCA Booth (C29) at Tet Festival 2010, Garden Grove Park, 10 AM. http://bit.ly/4Jx3De

CA, Hollywood: 1/31: Prop 8 Sign. Gather, Farm Mkt, 8 AM-1 PM. http://bit.ly/ct4FYg

CA, Los Angeles: Every Monday: LA Equal Roots Meeting. http://tinyurl.com/ntkal4

CA, Los Angeles: Every Thursday: Voter canvass training, at The Village, 6:30-9:30 PM. http://tinyurl.com/yzl5bh3

CA, Los Angeles: 1/31: Prop 8 Sign. Gather, Grammys, Staples Ctr, 2-5 PM. http://bit.ly/ct4FYg

CA, Los Angeles: 2/6: Prop 8 Repeal Day of Action, Echo Pk Methodist Church, 1-4 PM. http://bit.ly/d2d4pt

CA, Los Angeles: 2/6: Prop 8 Repeal Day of Action, Hollywood Lutheran Church, TBD. http://bit.ly/d2d4pt

CA, Oakland: 2/6: Dance for Equality w/MEQUSA, Uptown Body & Fender, 8 PM-12 AM, $30. http://bit.ly/b23FWd

CA, Palm Springs: Every Saturday: Equality Happy Hour, Hamburger Mary's, 4-7 PM. http://bit.ly/bKvO8V

CA, Palm Springs: 2/20: PS Equality Awards Kickoff Party, Riviera Resort, 4-6 PM. http://bit.ly/9zGaIQ

CA, Riverside: 2/6: Prop 8 Repeal Day of Action, Borders at Riverside Plaza, 11-3 PM. http://bit.ly/d2d4pt

CA, Sacramento: 5/22: Harvey Milk Day Rally, State Capitol, 11-3 PM. http://bit.ly/aon6jX

CA, San Fernando Valley: 2/6: Prop 8 Repeal Day of Action, TBA. http://bit.ly/d2d4pt

CA, San Francisco: Every Thursday: One Struggle One Fight Meeting, 7 PM. http://bit.ly/7HQ8D4

CA, Los Angeles: 2/12: Singles for Marriage Event, Rudolph's, 6-9 PM. http://bit.ly/5IObNd

CA, Oceanside: 2/6: Prop 8 Repeal Day of Action, Hill Street Cafe, 10 AM. http://bit.ly/d2d4pt

CA, San Diego: 2/6: Prop 8 Repeal Day of Action, Bamboo Lounge, 10 AM. http://bit.ly/d2d4pt

CA, San Diego: 2/6: Prop 8 Repeal Day of Action, Chicano Park, 11:30 AM. http://bit.ly/d2d4pt

CA, San Francisco: 2/6: Prop 8 Repeal Day of Action, Justin Herman Plaza, 11 AM. http://bit.ly/d2d4pt

CA, San Francisco: 2/13: 2010 San Francisco Equality Awards, City Hall. http://bit.ly/5dVRbH

CA, Santa Barbara: 1/30-1/31: Camp Courage Central Coast, Santa Barbara City College. http://tinyurl.com/yzl5bh3

CA, Santa Monica: 1/31: Prop 8 Sign. Gather, Ocean Pk Farm Mkt, 9:30 AM-1:30 PM. http://bit.ly/ct4FYg

CA, Studio City: 1/31: Prop 8 Sign. Gather, Farm Mkt, 10 AM-2 PM. http://bit.ly/ct4FYg

CA, West Hollywood: Every Tuesday: Love Honor Cherish Meeting. 7:30 PM. http://tinyurl.com/r2kruq

CA, West Hollywood: Every Wednesday: Equality Network Meeting, at Crescent Hts UMC. 7-9PM. http://tinyurl.com/nlt3la

CA, West Hollywood: 1/31: Direct Action for Equality - Workshop / Conference, Fiesta Hall, Plummer Park, 10-5. http://bit.ly/4DDk06

CA, West Hollywood: 2/15: Equality Network Valentines Benefit, Sassy, 8 PM-2 AM. http://bit.ly/d7IXAC

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GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN FLORIDA

FL, Daytona Beach: 3/22: Soulforce 2010 Equality Ride Stop, Bethune Cookman University. http://bit.ly/chHIjx

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GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN GEORGIA

GA, Atlanta: 3/25: Soulforce 2010 Equality Ride Stop, Morehouse College. http://bit.ly/chHIjx

GA, Atlanta: 4/11: Same Love Same Rights Wedding Expo, Hotel Palomar. http://tinyurl.com/ybpxxy6

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GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN ILLINOIS

IL, Chicago: 4/18: Same Love Same Rights Wedding Expo, Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza, 1-4 PM. http://tinyurl.com/ybwrvjj

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GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN INDIANA

IN, Mishawaka: 4/16: Soulforce 2010 Equality Ride Stop, Bethel College. http://bit.ly/chHIjx

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GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN IOWA

IA, Cedar Rapids: 2/1: Charity Bingo for One Iowa, Hamburger Mary's, 8-10 PM. http://bit.ly/4qRStd

IA, Cedar Rapids: 3/29: Charity Bingo for One Iowa, Hamburger Mary's, 8-10 PM PM. http://bit.ly/4qRStd

IA, Des Moines: 2/4: Day on the Hill 2010, IA Capitol, 9 AM-4 PM. http://bit.ly/aH4tck

IA, Des Moines: 2/6: Standing on the Side of Love Valentine Party, 1st Unitarian Church, 5:30-8:30 PM. http://bit.ly/4BZDYd

IA, Des Moines: 2/10: Unitarian Universalists Meet B4 Lobby Day, Judicial Bldg, 8 AM. http://bit.ly/doGtnH

IA, Des Moines: 2/10: Marriage Equality Lobby Day, Capitol Room, 9 AM-4 PM. http://bit.ly/5kEWAv

IA, Iowa City: 2/25-2/26: Race, Gender, and Class Symposium, U of I. http://bit.ly/5bYy1J

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GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN MAINE

ME, Portland: 2/9: Toolkit for Courageous Conversations, Equality Maine Office, 7 PM. http://bit.ly/cmQ4pA

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GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN MARYLAND

MD, Annapolis: 2/8: Equality Maryland Lobby Day & Rally, Lawyer's Mall, 5-8 PM. http://bit.ly/bv8Zqj

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GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN MISSISSIPPI

MS, Clinton: 3/31: Soulforce 2010 Equality Ride Stop, Mississippi College. http://bit.ly/chHIjx

MS, Jackson: 3/29: Soulforce 2010 Equality Ride Stop, Belhaven University. http://bit.ly/chHIjx

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GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN MISSOURI

MO, Bolivar: 4/14: Soulforce 2010 Equality Ride Stop, SW Baptist University. http://bit.ly/chHIjx

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GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN NEBRASKA

NE, Lincoln: 4/21: Soulforce 2010 Equality Ride Stop, Union College. http://bit.ly/chHIjx

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GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN NEW MEXICO

NM, Santa Fe: 2/1: Domestic Partnership Bill Meeting, 1st Christian Church, 8 AM. http://bit.ly/9stVle

NM, Santa Fe: 2/1: Domestic Partnership Bill Rally, State Capitol, 12 PM. http://bit.ly/9stVle

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GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN NEW YORK

NY, Houghton: 3/9: Soulforce 2010 Equality Ride Stop, Houghton College. http://bit.ly/chHIjx

NY, New York: 3/20-3/21: Same Love Same Rights Wedding Expo, Javits Center. http://tinyurl.com/ybpxxy6

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GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN NORTH CAROLINA

NC, Lillington: 3/18: Soulforce 2010 Equality Ride Stop, Campbell University. http://bit.ly/chHIjx

NC, Wake Forest: 3/17: Soulforce 2010 Equality Ride Stop, SE Baptist Theological Seminary. http://bit.ly/chHIjx

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GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN OHIO

OH, Canton: 4/23: Soulforce 2010 Equality Ride Stop, Malone University. http://bit.ly/chHIjx

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GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN OREGON

OR, Statewide: 6/24: Bites for Rights Benefit for Basic Rights OR. http://bit.ly/4rN6UC

OR, Portland: Every Tuesday: Portland Equal Rights Coalition Meeting, Catholic Workers House. http://tinyurl.com/yfqd2pz

OR, Portland: 4/21: Oregonians Against Discrimination Business Leaders Luncheon, OR Conv Ctr. http://bit.ly/4XUsp6

OR, Portland: 10/2: Basic Rights OR Annual Dinner/Auction, OR Conv Ctr. http://bit.ly/4rN6UC

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GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN PENNSYLVANIA

PA, Langhorne: 3/7: Same Love Same Rights Wedding Expo, Sheraton Bucks Co. Hotel. http://tinyurl.com/ybpxxy6

PA, Phoenixville: 3/5: Soulforce 2010 Equality Ride Stop, Valley Forge Christian College. http://bit.ly/chHIjx

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GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN TENNESSEE

TN, Ooltewah: 2/11: Find the Courage Networking Meeting, Jill & Lorie's, 7-9 PM. http://bit.ly/8xb0YJ

TN, Knoxville: 3/11: Soulforce 2010 Equality Ride Stop. http://bit.ly/chHIjx

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GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN TEXAS

TX, Abilene: 4/7-8: Soulforce 2010 Equality Ride Stop, Hardin Simmons University. http://bit.ly/chHIjx

TX, Abilene: 4/9: Soulforce 2010 Equality Ride Stop, Abilene Christian University. http://bit.ly/chHIjx

TX, Austin: 3/4: Soulforce 2010 Equality Ride Begins. http://bit.ly/chHIjx

TX, Dallas: 2/3-2/7: The 22nd National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change: The 22nd National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change will be held at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel in beautiful downtown Dallas, Texas, Feb. 3 - 7, 2010. http://tinyurl.com/ykppv5p

TX, Dallas: 2/12: Freedom to Marry Day Protest, Historical Plaza, 12 PM. http://bit.ly/9qKucM

TX, Waco: 4/6: Soulforce 2010 Equality Ride Stop, Baylor University. http://bit.ly/chHIjx

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fini

Marriage Equality USA Dance for Equality in Oakland, CA on February 6th!

Uptown Dance for Equality in Downtown Oakland!
Saturday, February 6, 2010 8pm - midnight
Tickets are $30/online $35/door

* Emcee Molly McKay, National Media Director of Marriage Equality USA, and the Fairy Butch aka Karlyn Lotney, will keep the party going while we revel in our shared intention of marriage equality.

* Swing lesson led by Bay Area Dance Teacher Extraordinaire Laurie Ann Lepoff!

* Fabulous spotlight dance performances by:
- Vernon Newton and the Bollywood Babes: Hip-hop
- Lynne Jassem: Tap
- Zoe Balfour and Citabria Phillips: Foxtrot
- Calvin Hamilton and Partner: Salsa
- Jean Ma and Bromley Palamountain: Lindy Hop
- and more!

* Food and beverages provided!

Location: Uptown Body & Fender
401 26th Street (between Broadway/Telegraph)
Oakland, CA 94612

Purchase Tickets in advance and SAVE!
www.dance4equal.com
http://www.facebook.com/l/e1416;www.dance4equal.com
- $30 per ticket in advance
- Buy five or more tickets in advance online and receive a $25 discount (applied during the transaction)
- $35 at the door
Includes food and beverages!
Bring your friends: partnered and single, straight and gay - let's all have a good time together for the cause!

UT: Lawmakers Put Off Anti Discrimination Legislation for a Year

Utah lawmakers will not consider a law that would ban discrimination against gay men and lesbians in the workplace and in housing, and will instead spend the next year studying the issue, key lawmakers said Friday. In exchange, opponents of gay-rights legislation will drop any effort to prevent local governments from passing their own nondiscrimination laws this legislative session.

Gay-rights advocates had hoped to build on recent momentum created by the Salt Lake City Council, which passed nondiscrimination ordinances last year. Those ordinances passed after The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said it would support the measures.

In Utah, few law changes occur if the church disapproves. More than 80 percent of state lawmakers are Mormon, including Gov. Gary Herbert, a Republican.

Full Story from the NY Times
Click here for gay marriage resources.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or 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.

Australia: Group Calculates Cost of Gay Marriage Ban to Country: $700 Million

Australia's ban on same-sex marriage costs the Australian economy over $700 million according to figures released today by Australian Marriage Equality (AME). Using a simple formula developed by economists in the United States, AME has multiplied the average cost of weddings in Australia with the percentage of Australia's same-sex couples who would marry if they had the choice.

The last Census indicated that there are at least 50,000 same-sex couples, however the Bureau of Statistics admits that the actual figure would higher than that due to the way information is recorded. "Not so Private Lives", a recent national study conducted at the University of Queensland, showed that at least 53% of these couples would marry if they could. The ABS in 2007 calculated the average cost of a wedding at $28,000 (although recent studies have the figure as high as $49,000). When you pull these figures together you get an amount of $742,000,000.

AME's figures are in line with recent US studies that have shown allowing same-sex marriage would generate US$200 million for the New Jersey economy over 3 years and US$21 million for the city of San Francisco in 1 year alone.

Full Story from Seeking Media
Click here for gay marriage resources in Australia.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or 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.

NH: Town Votes to Gut Gay Marriage Ban Petition

...

Another petitioned article on the warrant was also substantially changed. The article proposed the town send a resolution to legislators that: “The citizens of New Hampshire should be allowed to vote on an amendment; to the New Hampshire Constitution that defines ‘marriage.’”

A motion by Frederick Martin to amend the resolution to read, “The citizens of New Hampshire should be,” was approved 43-25 by voters.

“I don’t want to see the government taking away rights and liberties, and I think that’s where (the article) leads,” he said before proposing the amendment.

Full Story from the Sentinel Source
Click here for gay marriage resources in New Hampshire.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or 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.

Northern Ireland: Gay Bishop to Marry Partner Next Month

Outspoken bishop Pat Buckley is set to have a civil partnership in Larne - where he blesses gay and lesbian unions in his private independent chapel. The maverick cleric (57) will tie the knot on February 8.

While the intention was posted at Larne Borough Council offices, it is thought that a follow-up service will take place at the chapel in The Oratory - his residence which was owned by the Diocese of Down and Connor and which he refused to vacate when he was suspended as a priest.

The chapel, where the bishop celebrates Mass twice a week, has also been used as a wedding venue for the past 22 years. PR guru Max Clifford’s agency is now handling the publicity surrounding the nuptials. It is believed that Bishop Buckley and his partner have been together for almost three years and decided to enter a civil partnership several months ago.

Full Story from the Belfast Telegraph
Click here for gay marriage resources.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or 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.

CBS Turns Down Gay Dating Ad for Superbowl

In a public display of open homophobia rarely seen by large corporations today, CBS rejected an ad featuring two men kissing from the Super Bowl lineup. The ad was for the gay dating site, ManCrunch.com. CBS stated that the ad "is not within the Network’s broadcast standards for Super Bowl Sunday."

However, in the past Super Bowl ads have featured half naked women violently fighting with each other while being sprayed with water. These are the values that CBS feels are more appropriate to align themselves with.

CBS is known for running the most entertaining and cutting edge commercials during the Super Bowl, as advertisers go all out in terms of both expenditure and creativity to catch the eye of the large viewing audience. Even news websites, such as Slate, run reviews of Super Bowl commercials, making the commercials more of a part of the viewing experience of the game than an afterthought. Excluding representation of gay men from the airwaves during the event, is effectively exiling them from sharing in this Nationwide event.

Full Story from Lez Get Real
Click here for gay marriage resources.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or 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.

MO: Gay Trooper's Partner May Not Receive Benefits After His Death

When Highway Patrol Cpl. Dennis Engelhard was killed in a Christmas Day traffic accident near Eureka, the agency described him as single with no children. Gov. Jay Nixon called on Missourians to pray for Engelhard's family, who "lost a beloved son and brother." Neither statement tells the whole story.

Engelhard, hit by a car that lost control in the snow, was gay. He left behind a partner of nearly 15 years who was not mentioned in his obituary or official information released by the Highway Patrol, although members of the agency knew about his sexual orientation.

If Engelhard had been married, his spouse would be entitled to lifetime survivor's benefits from the state pension system — more than $28,000 a year.

Full Story from STL Today
Click here for gay marriage resources in Missouri.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or 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.

Rosie O'Donnell's New HBO Special Shows All Kinds of Families

You won't find a cuter bunch of kids anywhere on television than you'll see tomorrow night in Rosie O'Donnell's "A Family Is a Family Is a Family" special for HBO. They come onto the screen in waves, talking about friends and love and brothers and sisters and Mommy and Daddy, all in that serious way young children have of addressing things they have learned and now want to share and explain.

Many viewers, however, will not see the greater mission of the show as scoring a blue ribbon for "cute." They will focus instead on the show's almost casual assertion that gay marriage is just like every other marriage - a covenant that creates a family unit. That part of the message is subtle, all things being relative.

Most of the special, which HBO is showing early enough so young children can watch, isn't about gay marriage, and the hot-button phrase itself is never heard. Families of same-sex couples, including O'Donnell's, get maybe five minutes, tucked in the middle of discussions and songs about the importance of families in general. But for many viewers, gay marriage will be the takeaway.

Full Story from the NY Daily News
Click here for gay marriage resources.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or 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.

HI: House Leaders Kill Civil Unions Bill After Overwhelming Senate Passage

Hawaii lawmakers declined to vote today on a bill that would have allowed same-sex civil unions, effectively killing the measure. The state House of Representatives decided to indefinitely postpone a decision on whether to grant gay and lesbian couples the same rights and benefits the state provides to married couples.

The state Senate had approved a civil unions bill last week. But House leadership wavered on pushing the controversial issue. Last year, 33 of 51 House members voted in favor of civil unions. Civil union supporters in the crowded House gallery on Friday shouted, "Shame on you!" while opponents cheered.

"It's an election year, and they're more concerned about keeping their seats than doing what's right," said Stephen Nagle of Kaaawa, wearing a rainbow lei in support of civil unions.

Full Story from the Mercury News
Click here for gay marriage resources in Hawaii .
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or 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.

Repeal Prop 8 Signature Gathering This Weekend

From Love Honor Cherish:

Help Us Get to 1 Million Signatures!
Go to SignForEquality.com, where you can download a petition form and learn how to get signatures. If you're in the Los Angeles area, join us for signature gathering on these dates:

Saturday, Jan. 30
8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Santa Monica Farmers Market (S.M. Promenade)
Meet at corner of 3rd St. and Arizona Ave. (park on street)

Sunday, Jan. 31
8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Hollywood Farmers Market
Meet at NE corner of Ivar and Sunset (park on street or at lot at Ivar & Delongpre - $2 for first 2 hrs w/validation at market). Call Mike at (310) 433-5915 for more info.

Sunday, Jan. 31
9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Santa Monica Farmers Market (Ocean Park)
Meet at corner of Main St. and Ocean Park (park on street)

Sunday, Jan. 31
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Studio City Farmers Market
Meet at main gate of CBS Studios, 4024 Radford (free parking at CBS)

Sunday, Jan. 31
2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Grammy Awards (Staples Center)
Meet at SW corner of Chick Hearn (11th) and Figueroa. Park in private lots east of Figueroa on Olympic Blvd. & 11th streets (cheaper the further east you go)

THINGS TO REMEMBER:

Please come on time, but if you're late, look for the volunteers in the yellow SignForEquality T-shirts. And, be sure to bring:

1. A couple of clipboards and a few pens (if you can).
2. Plenty of quarters for parking meters
3. $10 donation for our Sign For Equality volunteer t-shirt

We need 1 million signatures in the next 13 weeks. Let's get thousands this weekend!

P.S. Join us for our next weekly meeting Tuesday, February 2 at 7:30 p.m. at Crescent Heights United Methodist Church, 1296 N Fairfax Ave.

For more on this effort, go to SignForEquality.com, where you can:

- download a petition form
- Get trained using online videos.
- Join or create a signature gathering team and set goals for yourself and your team.
- Share tips and learn about events where signature gathering is taking place.

FL: Legislature to Consider Domestic Partner Registry

Florida legislators were urged this afternoon to enact pro-family legislation creating a statewide domestic partnership registry. Once enacted, the legislation would provide unmarried couples many of the benefits provided by the state to married couples.

Palm Beach County Human Rights Council President Rand Hoch addressed legislators at the final public hearing prior to the opening of the Florida legislature in March.

"Many couples choose not to marry so that they may preserve their social security, pension, and veterans benefits," said Rand Hoch, President of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council.
"However marriage is not an option for gay and lesbian Floridians in committed relationships."

Full Story from Out in America
Click here for gay marriage resources in Florida.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or 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.

Obama Responds to Gay Rights Question at Town Hall

At a town hall in Tampa, Obama is asked what he's doing to provide equality for gays and lesbians with regard to same-sex marriage and other rights. The President completely dodged any talk of marriage but talked about the bill to provide federal benefits to same-sex partners.

Here's my transcript.

"As I said last night my belief is that a basic principle in our Constitution is that if you're obeying the law, if you're following the rules, that you should be treated the same regardless of who you are.

"I think that principle applies to gay and lesbian couples, so at the federal level one of the things that we're trying to do is to make sure that partnerships are recognized for purposes of benefits, so that hospital visitation for example is something that is permitted, so that social security or pension benefits or others, that same-sex couples are recognized in all those circumstances.

Full Story from Towleroad.com
Click here for gay marriage resources.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or 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.

New Poll: 52% Think Supreme Court Will Rule Against Gay Marriage

Most Americans predict the U.S. Supreme Court will eventually define marriage as a union between a man and a woman, a national poll indicated Thursday. And most Americans would prefer the court to rule that way, the Angus Reid Public Opinion poll found.

The online survey of a representative national sampling of 1,000 U.S. adults indicated 52 percent believe the justices will define marriage as a heterosexual union, while 28 percent think the court will define marriage federally as a union between two people, regardless of gender.

Fifty-eight percent want the court to define marriage as heterosexual only, while 34 percent would like no gender limitations, the survey found. Slightly more than a third, or 34 percent, say couples of the same sex should be allowed to marry, while 26 percent say they should only be allowed to form civil unions.

Full Story from UPI
Click here for gay marriage resources.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or 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.

USA: Defense Department to Release DADT Repeal Plan Next Week

The Defense Department next week will propose for the first time a ''way forward'' on lifting the military's ban on gays from serving openly, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said Thursday. President Barack Obama has vowed to work with Congress this year to repeal the 1993 law, but Democrats have been waiting to hear from the military on how it could be done.

In special hourlong testimony next Tuesday, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen were expected to outline steps the military will take to lessen the impact on a force fighting two wars. ''The secretary and the chairman have and will continue to work on an implementation plan, and we'll be able to share (details) with you early next week,'' Morrell said.

Between 1997 and 2008, the Defense Department fired more than 10,500 service members for violating the policy. The number of dismissals dropped sharply after the 2001 terrorist attacks as forces were heavily deployed around the world, with half as many troops fired in 2008 as in 2001.

Full Story from the NY Times
Click here for gay marriage resources.
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FL: County Preparing to Vote on Anti Discrimination Measure for Gays, Lesbians

A proposal to change Leon County's charter to add anti-discrimination protection for gays and lesbians moved forward Thursday. The county's charter-review committee, which voted 10-3 in favor of the proposal, is expected to vote Feb. 11 on whether to move it on to public hearings and a vote by county commissioners. If approved, it would go to voters later this year.

Members of the committee debated whether the protections should take the form of a charter amendment or an ordinance. Some people in the gay community are concerned that if the measure goes to voters, it might not pass.

Ralph Mason, a member of the charter-review committee, proposed the amendment during a previous meeting. But he asked Thursday that it be taken up instead by the county's human-relations advisory committee, which has been studying the issue.

Full Story from Tallahassee.com
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IN: Senate Approves Constitutional Ban on Gay Marriage

The GOP-led Senate voted again Thursday to approve a constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage in Indiana. Senate Joint Resolution 13 passed 38-10 with all local senators in support. The resolution must be approved again in 2011 before voters could make the final decision in a 2012 statewide referendum.

“Marriage is one of the foundations of our society and one I firmly believe needs to be protected,” said Sen. Carlin Yoder, R-Middlebury.

Sen. Tim Lanane, D-Anderson, expressed concern that the second sentence in the amendment could affect domestic violence protections afforded to unmarried Hoosiers. That provision says a “legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized.” “This certainly will not say welcome to many people in our society,” Lanane said.

Full Story from the Journal Gazette
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MD: Republicans Accuse AG of Delay in Gay Marriage Recognition Decision

Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee took aim at the state's attorney general Thursday, accusing him at a hearing of playing politics with a highly anticipated opinion on whether Maryland law will honor same-sex marriage certificates issued by other states.

The opinion was requested in May, and Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler has not yet ruled, prompting Del. Don H. Dwyer of Anne Arundel County to say the lengthy deliberation process has "become political in nature."

Del. Michael D. Smigiel Sr. of Southern Maryland accused Gansler of "bastardizing" the process by "coming in the back door" to settle an issue that the delegate believes the General Assembly ought to debate. Smigiel predicted that Gansler would rule after the session ends in April.

Full Story from the Baltimore Sun
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HI: House to Decide Today Whether to Vote on Civil Unions Bill

State House Democrats will meet in private caucus this morning to decide whether to bring a civil-unions bill to a vote or whether to indefinitely postpone action this session. Private vote counts in the House last night found that barely a majority of lawmakers now support the bill, well short of the two-thirds state House Speaker Calvin Say said he wanted to show that the House could override a potential veto.

"At this point, the vote looks razor-thin close," said state House Majority Leader Blake Oshiro, D-33rd ('Aiea, Hālawa Valley, 'Aiea Heights).

The state Senate approved a civil-unions bill last Friday that would give same-sex and heterosexual couples the ability to enter into civil unions and receive the same rights, benefits and responsibilities as marriage under state law.

Full Story from the Honolulu Advertiser
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IN: Senate May Vote Today on Gay Marriage Ban

Supporters of gay rights are moving to head off the latest attempt to put a gay-marriage ban in the Indiana Constitution. The Senate could vote as early as Thursday on a constitutional amendment. Opponents of the proposal concede it's almost certain to pass, and likely to die in the House.

Attorney Don Sherfick with Indiana Equality Action says the group is taking no chances. He says the IEA is lobbying for neither gay marriage nor civil unions at the moment, but argues a constitutional amendment would short-circuit public dialogue.

The National Association of Social Workers is joining in opposing the ban. Indianapolis social worker Josephine Hughes says the group considers it discriminatory.

Full Story from WIBC
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NM: Bishops Get Requested Domestic Partnership Bill Changes, Then Stab Bill Supporters in the Back

The battle in the Legislature over a bill to establish domestic-partner rights pits social advocates and lobbyists who normally are allied on a variety of issues against each other. Sen. Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, introduced Senate Bill 183 on Tuesday. As has been the case with previous domestic-partnership bills, it is backed by Gov. Bill Richardson.

Also working for the bill are various left-leaning activists, civic organizations and churches. But opposing it are New Mexico's Roman Catholic bishops, who have stood alongside many of the domestic-partnership proponents in past Legislative fights to end the death penalty and cockfighting, increase minimum wage and to preserve funding for poverty programs.

...

The chief objection the bishops had to the previous bill was that it referred to that marriage law. In February, Sanchez told a reporter, “If they just spelled out all the rights you'd get under a domestic partnership and not refer to the marriage law, the bishops probably would drop their opposition.”

Full Story from the Rio Rancho Observer
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CA: Defense May Need Imperial County Involvement to Appeal Possible Prop 8 Court Loss

Last December 15, local marriage equality activist Fernando Lopez found himself involved in the marriage equality issue in an unexpected way when the Board of Supervisors in Imperial County voted 3-2 to intervene in Perry v. Schwarzenegger, the federal court challenge to California’s Proposition 8.

According to Lopez, the Alliance Defense Fund, one of the organizations involved first in passing Proposition 8 and then defending it in court, sought out Imperial County Board of Supervisors chair Wally Leimgruber and asked him to get the county involved in the case. Lopez said that the Alliance Defense Fund offered to pay all costs for the county if it agreed to intervene in the case on the side of upholding Proposition 8. Leimgruber told the ivpressonline.com Web site that the Board was acting in the interest of the more than 69% of country voters who supported Proposition 8, to “uphold what they voted on.”

“Wally’s up for re-election, and so with the conservative base there he took it up and brought it to the board,” Lopez recalled. “It actually wouldn’t have passed, but one of the seats there was just vacated by a progressive Democrat, and Governor Schwarzenegger appointed a Republican to fill his seat. So it passed on a 3-2 vote.”

Full Story from Indybay.org
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DC: Utah Republican Introduces Bill to Overturn DC Gay Marriage

Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, introduced a bill Wednesday that seeks to overturn a new District of Columbia ordinance allowing gay marriage, but he predicts Democratic leaders will not allow it to come to a vote. "I think they are afraid they will lose," he told the Deseret News.

"I wish it would come up for a vote, because I think traditional marriage would win. But with the Democrats controlling the House, the Senate and the presidency, I can't imagine that this would make it through the process." So, he said, the bill is "more symbolic than it is realistic."

The district council last month passed, and its mayor signed, an ordinance to allow gay marriage. But because the nation's capital is a federal district and not a state, all district ordinances must go through a waiting period of 30 days in session by Congress, during which Congress may vote to reject that ordinance.

Full Story from Deseret News
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