UK: Vicars on Gay Weddings: "Put Them to Death. And Then Perhaps a Lovely Hymn." (Satire)

CHURCH of England vicars will bless gay couples as long as they are allowed to quote Bible passages about them being abominations who must be put to death. As the House of Lords voted to allow same-sex church ceremonies, vicars said they would extend a 'warm Christian welcome to the evil doers and their perverted bedtime acrobatics'.

Rev Denys Hatton, vicar of St Gary's in Folkham, said: "I am more than happy to perform a gay blessing as long as I am allowed to pick the reading. And since you ask, I would kick things off with a spot of Corinthians, where St Paul makes it abundantly clear that homosexuals are 'unrighteous'.

"Then I'd crank it up with a quote from Romans where St Paul describes them as 'degrading', 'depraved' and 'indecent'."

Full Story from The Daily Mash
Click here for gay marriage resources in England.
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Mexico: Gay Marriage Legal Today in Mexico City

A law allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry comes into effect on Thursday in Mexico City. The law, which was passed by the city's local assembly in December, gives gay people full marital rights, including the right to adopt.

Several gay couples are now expected to register to get married as early as next week. Mexico City is one of the first capitals in Latin America to fully recognise gay marriages.

Judith Vazquez and partner Lol-kin Castaneda hope to become one of the first couples to marry under the new law. "It's the end of our fight and the beginning of life in freedom in Mexico City," Ms Vazquez told the BBC. "This is a great, historic moment for the whole of society in Mexico City," added Ms Castaneda.

Full Story from BBC News
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RI: Three Candidates for Governor Publicly Support Gay Marriage

Three major candidates running for governor of Rhode Island have promised to support and sign a bill allowing gay marriage if elected. General Treasurer Frank Caprio and Attorney General Patrick Lynch, both Democrats, and former Sen. Lincoln Chafee, who is running in November as an independent, made the pledge at a Statehouse rally on Wednesday before more than 200 people.

Moderate Party candicate Ken Block said through a spokeswoman that he also supports gay marriage.

Proponents of gay marriage believe the state is closer to approving the measure since Republican Gov. Don Carcieri (kuh-CHEHR'-ee), a social conservative and gay marriage opponent, can't run again because of term limits.

Full Story from CT Now
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Mexico: Mexico City Gay Marriages Begin Tomorrow

The same-sex Mexican wedding will be born tomorrow as a new law puts Mexico City on the front lines of the gay marriage battle raging across Latin America.

But even as gay couples line up to tie the knot, the Catholic Church and President Felipe Calderon's conservative party are gearing up to fight the law, the Washington Post reports.

Same-sex unions are legal in Colombia, Uruguay, Brazil, and Ecuador, as well as Argentina, where two gay men wed in December, but Mexico City is the first place south of the border to formally allow gay marriage. A local cardinal blasted the law as "perverse" and Calderon said it violates the Mexican constitution, which "speaks explicitly of marriage between a man and a woman," but advocates note there has been no popular backlash against gay marriage in the city.

Full Story from Newser
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Canada: Conservative Edits Gay References Out of New Immigration Manual

Tory Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney should be ashamed of himself for editing out references to gay and lesbian rights in a government manual, critics say. Kenney, who represents a riding in Calgary, last June ordered references to historical achievements in gay rights edited from a manual for immigrants applying for citizenship, according to news reports from Ottawa.

A senior bureaucrat made a last-ditch effort to have the references reinserted into the new manual before it went to press in November, but Kenney refused to budge. The news report said Kenney ensured that two paragraphs from an earlier draft were not included in the new 63-page manual, which replaces a 1995 edition of the manual.

According to the Canadian Press, the draft included this paragraph under a section titled Towards a Modern Canada: "Homosexuality was decriminalized in 1969 and more recently, civil marriage rights to same-sex couples was legalized nationwide in 2005." Under the section on citizenship rights, the earlier draft said: "Equality Rights -- Canadians are protected against discrimination based on race, gender, national origin, religion, sexual orientation or age."

Full Story from The Province
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Argentina: Gay Couple Celebrates First Gay Wedding in Buenos Aires

After a series of bumps in the road, Damian Ariel Bernath and Jorge Esteban Salazar, a gay couple who had been authorized last week by Judge Elena Liberatori to get married, they finally made history today by celebrating the first gay marriage in the city of Buenos Aires.

Last Friday Judge Maria del Carmen Gioco had appealed Liberatori's ruling by stating that her decision had to be revoked by the Contentious Administrative Court after she considered it had not made part of the process.

"Attorneys are obligated to follow due process in every case, and to make everyone comply with the law. In this case, the judge denied our unconstitutionality request, and for that reason, the attorney's capability is limited. Hence, the judge understood it was not necessary to communicate her decision to Court," said Florencia Kravetz, the couple's lawyer.

Full Story from the Buenos Aires Herald
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DC: Local Methodist Church Defies Church Leaders, Will Perform Gay/Lesbian Weddings

A United Methodist congregation in Washington, D.C. has vowed to celebrate same-sex weddings, putting itself at odds with other Christian churches protesting the District of Columbia's new marriage equality law. The pastor and 12 other ordained clergy who attend Dumbarton United Methodist Church in Georgetown said they would conduct such ceremonies after Congress failed to override D.C.'s new law on March 3. The larger United Methodist Church does not permit same-sex weddings, and no other Methodist congregation in Washington has taken the same step.

"As a pastor, I am called to extend care and grace to all people even as Jesus did," said Rev. Mary Kay Totty, pastor at the 238-year-old church. "We celebrate love and loyalty wherever it is found."

Dumbarton church's stand is poles apart from the protests by other Christian churches that same-sex marriages are against biblical teachings. Catholic Charities has announced that it will close its adoption and foster care programs in the District, rather than provide services to gay and lesbian couples. Some Christian ministers have rallied against the marriage equality law.

Full Story from PR Newswire
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DC: Supreme Court Refuses to Block Gay Marriage Law: Licenses Start Today

In an order issued late Tuesday evening by Chief Justice John Roberts, the US Supreme Court refused to block a gay marriage ordinance passed by the District of Columbia's City Council. In a short opinion, Roberts wrote "Without addressing the merits of petitioners' underlying claim, however, I conclude that a stay is not warranted. First, as "a matter of judicial policy" - if not "judicial power" - "it has been the practice of the Court to defer to the decisions of the courts of the District of Columbia on matters of exclusively local concern."

"Second, the Act at issue was adopted by the Council and placed before Congress for the 30-day period of review required by the D. C. Charter," Roberts continued. "A joint resolution of disapproval by Congress would prevent the Act from going into effect, but Congress has chosen not to act."

A Congressional veto could have overruled the Council, but attempts by conservatives were blocked in the House. Conservative groups then went to the Courts, but failed.

Full Story from Chicago Pride
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Costa Rica: Update on Proposed Gay Unions Bill

In Costa Rica, the issue of same-sex relationships has been an active topic for the past several years, but little progress has been made in terms of establishing an official policy. In a country with Roman Catholicism as the official Constitutional religion and with a large majority conservative population, it has been a controversial topic with supporters and opponents on both sides of the issue.

After several attempts to bring the issue to the legislative level, the most recent proposal called Coexistence Societies, which can be read here in Spanish, does not seek to legalize same-sex marriage, but seeks to offer alternatives for these couples. The text is based on four basic points [es], which include hospital visitation rights, dividing of earned wealth, inheritance rights, and insurance options.

During the presidential campaign, Laura Chinchilla of the National Liberation Party (PLN), who was elected on February 7, 2010 promised to support same-sex unions as an alternative to marriage, as she expressed in this video [es]. However, shortly after she was elected and after meetings with Assembly deputies from the Christian-aligned parties and with Evangelical Christian leaders, she hardened her position towards the proposal of same-sex unions [es].

Full Story from Global Voices
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DC: Gay Marriage Foes Ask Supreme Court for Emergency Injunction

The Associated Press is reporting that foes of a DC gay marriage law set to take effect Wednesday are asking the Supreme Court to halt its start. The challenge was filed with Chief Justice John Roberts on Monday. Opponents say the law should be put up for a vote.

The government of DC approved the law in December, but has been defending gay marriage since it approved a law last spring that recognizes the marriages of gay and lesbian couples from other states.

A last-minute appeal to the District of Columbia Appeals Court, which was rejected Friday, left opponents with few legal options to head off the law from going into effect.

Full Story from On Top Magazine
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Washington DC Expecting Long Lines, Protesters When Gay Marriage Licenses Released Tomorrow

D.C. Superior Court, where couples go to get marriage licenses, is preparing for big crowds as soon as same-sex marriage becomes legal Wednesday. "The one thing that we want people to keep in mind because they want to be part of the initial rush to get a license is that you bring with you your ability to be patient," says D.C. Superior Court Chief Judge Lee F. Satterfield.

Expect long lines and lots of protesters.

On a typical day, the court gets about a dozen applications for marriage licenses. In addition to your patience, Satterfield asks that if you are coming down to be one of the first to apply for a license that you bring your identification and cash or a money order.

Full Story from WTOP.com
Click here for gay marriage resources in Washington, DC.
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Australia: 5,000 Gather in Sydney for Naked Photo Shoot in Equality Protest

More than 5000 people have gathered in front of the Sydney Opera House to be photographed nude in the name of art and diversity today. A pregnant woman was among the first group of Australians to take their place on the steps of the Opera House just after dawn in photographer Spencer Tunick's latest installation, Mardi Gras: The Base.

Mardi Gras festival executive producer Danielle Harvey said 5200 people, including sportspeople, doctors, teachers and retirees, had lined up to take part. "We were expecting 2000 or so ... we're absolutely thrilled," Ms Harvey said.

Tan lines were the most prominent feature of the Australian line up, which whooped and cheered its way onto the Opera House forecourt in lines in cool, cloudy conditions.

Full Story from the Sydney Morning Herald
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Portugal: Gay Marriage Bill Gets Final Approval

The final wording of a gay marriage bill approved by Portugal's Parliament received approval on Wednesday, Portugal's IOL Diario reported. The government's Committee for Constitutional Affairs unanimously agreed on the bill's final language.

The measure now heads to the desk of President Anibal Cavaco Silva. Cavaco Silva is a Roman Catholic and a member of the PSD party, groups which oppose the legalization of gay marriage, and he has publicly stated his opposition to gay marriage.

Opposition to gay marriage in the mostly Roman Catholic country has been nominal, but last Sunday opponents staged a huge rally attended by thousands. A crowd estimated at 5,000 marched down Lisbon's main downtown artery Av. da Liberdade (Liberty Avenue) calling on the president to reject the gay marriage bill and demanding a referendum on gay marriage, although Parliamentarians have already rejected such a measure.

Full Story from On Top Magazine
Click here for gay marriage resources.
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Gay Marriage Watch: Gay Marriage Events List 2/28/10

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: 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
Australia, QLD, Brisbane: 3/20: Marriage Equality Rally, Queens Park, 1 PM. http://bit.ly/aAQSYv
Australia, VIC, Melbourne: 3/5: Marriage Equality Speakout, Crnr Bourke & Swanson, 5:30 PM. http://bit.ly/cT0LVn
Australia, VIC, Melbourne: 3/13: Marriage Equality Rally, State Libarary, 1 PM. http://bit.ly/cT0LVn
Australia, VIC, Melbourne: 5/15: National Day of Action, State Libarary, 1 PM. http://bit.ly/cT0LVn

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>>GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN ITALY

Italy, Rome: 3/23: Constitutional Court Gay Marriage Ruling Due. http://bit.ly/bm2MSE

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>>GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN MEXICO

Mexico, Merida: 2/28: Gay Kiss In, Plaza Grande, 2 PM. http://bit.ly/b1OC6B

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

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>>GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN CALIFORNIA

CA, Hollywood: 2/28: Prop 8 Signature Gathering, Farm Mkt, 8 AM-1 PM. http://bit.ly/9jhBO0
CA, Hollywood: 3/3-3/7: ManifestEquality Art & Music Supporting Equality, 1341 Vine St. http://bit.ly/765A20
CA, Santa Monica: 2/28: Prop 8 Signature Gathering, Farm Mkt, 9:30 AM-1:30 PM. http://bit.ly/9jhBO0
CA, Studio City: 2/28: Prop 8 Signature Gathering, Farm Mkt, 10 AM-2 PM. http://bit.ly/9jhBO0
CA, Long Beach: 2/28: Courage Academy Workshop, TBD. http://bit.ly/aEAXJp
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: 3/3: Proposition 8 & Marriage Equality, USC Law Scl, Rm 3, 4-6:30 PM. http://bit.ly/9gihNI
CA, Los Angeles: 3/4: Celebration of Marriage Equality in Mexico City, El Paseo Inn, 5-7 PM. http://bit.ly/dpmUB5
CA, Los Angeles: 3/3-3/7: Manifest Equality Art Show, 1341 Vine St. http://bit.ly/8XAZ7E
CA, Los Angeles: 3/24: Los Angeles Awards Kickoff, East West Lounge, 6:30-8 PM. http://bit.ly/aPa1EY
CA, Los Feliz: 3/14: EQCA Fundraiser at Sowden House, 5-7 PM. http://bit.ly/94zZhB
CA, Palm Springs: Every Saturday: Equality Happy Hour, Hamburger Mary's, 4-7 PM. http://bit.ly/bKvO8V
CA, Rancho Mirage: 2/28: Faith & Marriage Forum, Tolerance Ctr, 3-5 PM. jorge@eqca.org
CA, Rancho Mirage: 3/29-4/4: Buy tkts to Kraft Nabisco Golf Championship Thru EQCA, Fundraiser. http://bit.ly/dbl9Sx
CA, Sacramento: 4/26: Queer Youth Advocacy Day. http://bit.ly/9sleYK
CA, Sacramento: 5/11: Harvey Milk Day Org Meeting, Hamburger Patties, 6 PM. http://bit.ly/aon6jX
CA, Sacramento: 5/22: Harvey Milk Day Rally, State Capitol, 11-3 PM. http://bit.ly/aon6jX
CA, San Francisco: Every Thursday: One Struggle One Fight Meeting, 7 PM. http://bit.ly/7HQ8D4
CA, West Hollywood: Every Tuesday: Love Honor Cherish Meeting. 7:30 PM. http://tinyurl.com/r2kruq
CA, West Hollywood: Every Wednesday: Equal Network Meet, Plummer Pk Comm Ctr Bldg. 7-9:30 PM. http://tinyurl.com/nlt3la

CA, West Hollywood: 3/7-3/8: CPK Fundraiser - 20% Goes to Equal Roots (bring flier), CPK Beverly Ctr. http://bit.ly/b0Ktxr
CA, West Hollywood: 3/24: LA Awards Kickoff, East West, 6:30-8 PM. http://bit.ly/aPa1EY

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>>GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN DC

Washington DC: 3/20: 400 Couples to Marry, Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium. http://bit.ly/dv99LH
Washington DC: 4/28: Supreme Court Hearing in WA State Petition Signer Case. http://bit.ly/ccJGKW
Washington, DC: 5/2: Same Love Same Rights Wedding Expo, Dupont Circle Hotel. http://bit.ly/8XR7Rm

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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
FL, Gainesville: 5/22: Harvey Milk Day Equality Protest, Bo Diddley Plaza, 12-5 PM. http://bit.ly/iHHwf

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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
GA, Atlanta: 5/17: Int'l Day Against Homophobia, VA Highlands Church, 6-11 PM. http://bit.ly/iHHwf

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>>GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN ILLINOIS

IL, Chicago: 3/12-3/14: Unite+Fight LGBT Equality Conference, Columbia College. http://bit.ly/9lhmeS
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: 3/29: Charity Bingo for One Iowa, Hamburger Mary's, 8-10 PM PM. http://bit.ly/4qRStd
IA, Des Moines: 4/3: Marriage Equality Anniversary Party, Temple for Performing Arts, 6:30-11 PM. http://bit.ly/bTTCkV
IA, Iowa City: 2/25-2/26: Race, Gender, and Class Symposium, U of I. http://bit.ly/5bYy1J
IA, Iowa City: 3/26: Sweet Equality, Hotel Vetro, 5:30-8 PM. http://bit.ly/bbDKLH

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>>GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN MAINE

ME, Augusta: 5/28-5/30: LGBT Civil Rights March, Ends at Capitol Park. http://bit.ly/iHHwf

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>>GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN MARYLAND

MD, Annapolis: 3/3: Senate Hearing on Marriage Equality Bill, 1 PM. http://bit.ly/blCzeq
MD, Annapolis: 3/4: House Hearing on Marriage Equality Bill, 1 PM. http://bit.ly/blCzeq

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>>GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN MINNESOTA

MN, Minneapolis: 3/26: Beyond the Boxes Therapist Convention, Univ of MN. http://bit.ly/duvWTg

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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, Saint Louis: 2/28: Rally at St. Francis Xavier "College" Church, 9 PM. http://bit.ly/9xnACB
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
NE, Omaha: 3/12-14: Building Bridges to the Future Pride Conference, Magnolia Hotel. http://bit.ly/9qtuXz

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>>GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN NEVADA

NV, Summerlin: 11/14: Same Love Same Rights Wedding Expo, JW Marriott, 12:30-3:30 PM. http://bit.ly/9cB2Us

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>>GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

NH, Portsmouth: 10/17: Same Love Same Rights Wedding Expo, Sheraton Harborside, 12:30-3:30 PM. http://bit.ly/9XPmfR

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>>GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN NEW MEXICO

NM, Albuquerque: 5/22: Harvey Milk Day Equality Protest, TBD. http://bit.ly/iHHwf

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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 OKLAHOMA

OH, Oklahoma City: 3/31: LGBT Lobby Day, State Capitol, 9 AM-2 PM. http://bit.ly/9YPxB7

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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 RHODE ISLAND

RI, Providence: 3/2: Love Across Borders: Queer Immigrant Rights Forum, 669 Elmwood Av, 6 PM. http://bit.ly/aUW3vQ
RI, Providence: 3/3: Marriage Equality Rally, State House, 4 PM. http://bit.ly/cSrjHh

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>>GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN TENNESSEE

TN, Ooltewah: 3/6: Find the Courage Meeting, Jill & Lorie's House, 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, Waco: 4/6: Soulforce 2010 Equality Ride Stop, Baylor University. http://bit.ly/chHIjx

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fini

CA: Both Sides File Written Arguments in Prop 8 Trial

Opposing sides in the legal battle over same-sex marriage in California have laid out their cases in writing to a federal judge, disputing the status of gays and lesbians in society, the nature of marriage, and the motives behind the ballot measure that defined marriage as the union of a man and a woman. "Californians voted for Proposition 8 because they thought it would strengthen the institution of marriage (and) ... because they thought it would benefit children," sponsors of Prop. 8 said Friday night in papers filed in federal court in San Francisco.

Their opponents, representing two same-sex couples and the city of San Francisco, said those purported goals of Prop. 8 were contradicted by overwhelming evidence at a 12-day trial in January that allowing same-sex couples to wed would benefit their children and the institution of marriage. Regardless of the intentions of individual voters, they argued, the Prop. 8 campaign was designed to appeal to fear and deep-seated prejudice.

"The evidence demonstrates that Proposition 8's actual motivation was moral disapproval of gay and lesbian individuals," said the measure's opponents, plaintiffs in the federal court case. They said the ballot measure "sends a message to gay and lesbian individuals that they are not welcome in California."

Full Story from SFGate
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Cyprus: Government to Consider Legalizing Gay Marriage

THE GOVERNMENT will soon examine the issue of making same-sex marriages legal in Cyprus, Interior Ministry Permanent Secretary Lazaros Savvides has told the Sunday Mail. Savvides said that the intention is to hold a meeting next month involving the Attorney-general's office, Law Commissioner Leda Koursoumba, Ombudswoman Eliana Nicolaou - who also heads the Authority against Racism and Discrimination - as well as senior representatives of the relevant government ministries.

The move was prompted by a letter sent to the Interior Ministry by a man who lives permanently in Cyprus, asking for the law governing civil marriages to be amended to allow same-sex marriages. Savvides said that the Ministry did not think it should take a decision on such a matter on its own, and so decided to convene the meeting.

According to one press report, the Interior Ministry simply turned down the request, prompting the man to complain in writing to the House of Representatives. The complaint is said to have then been passed on by the House administrative services to members of the House committees for legal affairs and human rights.

Full Story from the Cyprus Mail
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CA: Court Proposes Televising Prop 8 Closing Arguments

The U.S. district court in San Francisco has proposed that closing arguments in the trial over the anti-gay-marriage measure Proposition 8 be televised, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. An attempt to televise the entire trial failed after the U.S. Supreme Court intervened, saying the pro-Prop. 8 side feared its witnesses would be subject to intimidation. The anti-Prop. 8 side had supported televising the proceedings.

The proposal to televise the closing arguments was posted on the court's website, and the court has taken public comments on it. The plan to televise the full trial had received overwhelmingly positive comments from the public before the Supreme Court quashed it.

No date has been set for closing arguments; Judge Vaughn Walker had postponed them until after he received a final round of briefs, due Friday.

Full Story from the Advocate
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WV: NOM Leads Small Rally Demanding Gay Marriage Vote

Frustrated by what they see as legislative indifference, about 150 people rallied at the state Capitol Thursday to a demand a statewide referendum aimed at reserving marriage for heterosexual couples. The Family Policy Council of West Virginia, which organized the rally, has set its hopes on a measure in the Senate that would allow a referendum to amend the state constitution defining marriage as between a man and a woman.

A similar measure has been bottled up in a House of Delegates committee, and Republicans there failed this week in an attempt to use a parliamentary procedure to force a vote on it. Jeremy Dys, executive director of the council, opposed the Republicans' effort, saying the maneuvering makes a partisan issue of something that has broad support among West Virginians.

Such wrangling was far from the minds of many who turned up to hear speakers from national groups warn of the dangers to traditional marriage, as snow fell and temperatures hovered in the 20s.

Full Story from the Charleston Daily Mail
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MD: Comptroller Trying to Square AG Gay Marriage Opinion, Federal Law

Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot and his staff are trying to work same-sex couples into the state's tax equation without violating federal law. The comptroller's office began crunching numbers Thursday after Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler said state agencies must begin recognizing same-sex unions performed outside the state.

"We're looking at how [Gansler's opinion] could change how same-sex couples file their tax returns," said Franchot spokesman Joseph Shapiro. Eligibility and rates for more than 1,000 federal benefits depend on marital status, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

Shapiro said he does not know what economic effect recognizing same-sex marriages would have on Maryland. He expects the office to provide that answer within the next month, with a report on whether same-sex couples can file jointly benefits without violating federal law. If Franchot's office finds the federal Defense of Marriage Act prevents the state from giving those benefits, lawmakers or the Court of Appeals would have to change state law.

Full Story from the Washington Examiner
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MD: Democrats Afraid Gay Marriage Decision Will Make Their Reelections Harder

A long-awaited attorney general's opinion on same-sex marriage thrust the polarizing issue into an election year spotlight that had Democrats cringing as they braced for an expected onslaught of Republican campaign rhetoric.

"In my opinion, it couldn't have been worse timing," Del. Galen R. Clagett said of the opinion, released Wednesday, in which Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler (D) found that Maryland courts could recognize same-sex marriages performed out-of-state. "You know they say in politics, timing is everything."

Clagett said he does not expect issues raised by Gansler to come up for a floor vote in the House of Delegates, but that the opinion could complicate re-election chances for Democrats in more conservative parts of the state.

Full Story from Gazette.net
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