RI: Three Gubenatorial Candidates Promise to Sign Gay Marriage Bill

Three candidates running for Rhode Island governor are promising to sign a gay marriage bill should it reach their desk if they are elected. Marriage Equality Rhode Island solicited the promise from Attorney General Patrick Lynch and General Treasurer Frank Caprio, both Democrats, and former Sen. Lincoln Chafee, an independent.

The candidates have been invited to make their promise public at a Statehouse rally on March 3.

Republican John Robitaille hasn’t yet responded to the gay rights group. He has said he opposes gay marriage but might support domestic partnerships.

Full Story from the Boston Herald
Click here for gay marriage resources in Rhode Island.
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DC: Poll - 70% in Black Community Want Gay Marriage Vote, 51% Would Vote Against It

Responses to a Washington Post poll of 1,135 adults in the District of Columbia. (Washington Post):

22. On another subject, do you think it should be legal or illegal for gay and lesbian couples to get married? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?

--------- Legal ---------
NET Strongly Somewhat
1/28/10 56 42 13
White 83 70 14
Black 37 24 13
-------- Illegal -------- No
NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
1/28/10 35 5 30 9
White 12 4 9 4
Black 51 7 44 12

23. As you may have heard, the D.C. Council passed and the mayor signed legislation to permit
same-sex marriages in the District. Do you think this issue should be put on a city-wide ballot, so District voters could vote yes or no on a referendum on same-sex marriage?

Should be on Should not be on No
city-wide ballot city-wide ballot opinion
1/28/10 59 37 4
White 39 58 3
Black 70 25 6

The disturbing results on Question 22 & Question 23 suggest, by a significant margin, that most of Washington, DC's African-American residents would like to vote on the civil rights of the gay and lesbian community. It may seem ridiculous to divide the population on unscientific, fabricated notions of race, but these results (if accurate) infer that those who self-identify as black continue to be opposed to same-sex marriages. Only 1 in 4 said there should be no referendum. Those who identify as white tended to say no vote was necessary, but nearly 2 in 5 still said there should be a referendum. Neighborhoods in Washington, DC, as most residents will agree, are largely self-segregated along ethnic lines as well as economic ones.

Full Story from Metro Weekly
Click here for gay marriage resources in Washington, DC.
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NJ: Garden State Equality Cuts Off Democratic Party, Will Donate to Individual Candidates

Garden State Equality, New Jersey's largest gay rights advocate, announced Monday it would end donating to political parties. The new policy comes just weeks after the New Jersey Legislature overwhelmingly spurned a gay marriage bill. The group is one of the nation's largest to lobby lawmakers for gay rights and lists more than 65,000 active members.

While lawmaker's failure to approve gay nuptials was not listed as a reason for the new policy, the group did mention the loss in its statement.

“The only LGBT civil rights law New Jersey does not have is marriage equality,” the group said after listing several gay rights milestones. “After the state voted down a marriage bill earlier this year, Lambda Legal announced at a Garden State Equality news conference that our side is going back to court.”

Full Story from On Top Magazine
Click here for gay marriage resources in New Jersey.
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NC: Asheville to Consider Health Benefits for Partners of Gay/Lesbian Employees Tonight

A potentially polarizing vote is expected tonight on whether the City Council should extend benefits to same-sex partners of city employees. Councilman Gordon Smith is asking the council to move forward with the idea of giving same-sex domestic partners health insurance, bereavement leave and other benefits.

If a majority votes yes, city staff would come back to the council at a later date with information including estimated costs and who would qualify. A final vote on the measure could then follow. Granting the benefits would “provide equal rights to our employees who are denied the option to marry,” Smith said.

A majority of the seven-member council – whose makeup became more liberal after November's election – have already said they support the idea and would likely vote for the ultimate extension of benefits.

Full Story from the Citizen-Times
Click here for gay marriage resources.
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NH: Panel Votes Today on Gay Marriage Repeal

A House committee will recommend whether New Hampshire's five-week-old gay marriage law should be repealed.

The Judiciary Committee also votes Tuesday whether to support a constitutional amendment banning gay unions. Gay marriage opponents know their chance of success is slim, but they want to keep the issue before voters in hopes Republicans will regain control of the Statehouse from Democrats in November and succeed then in repealing the law.

The House next acts on the recommendations. New Hampshire became the fifth state to legalize gay marriage on Jan. 1.

Full Story from WCAX
Click here for gay marriage resources in New Hampshire .
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Portia De Rossi Wants to Make a Difference in Fight for Marriage Equality

ELLEN DEGENERES' wife PORTIA DE ROSSI is thankful she's one half of a Hollywood power couple - because she wants to use her fame to "make a difference" in the fight for gay rights. The openly gay pair wed in 2008, taking advantage of the Supreme Court ruling which legalised same-sex unions in California.

But their rights were revoked just months later after the passing of the Proposition 8 bill, which reversed the previous ruling permitting the marriages. De Rossi believes she has finally found her real calling as she steps into her new role as a gay rights campaigner - and hopes she can make a real change in the world.

She tells The Advocate magazine, "Ever since Ellen and I got together, I feel like I've been given an opportunity to actually - God, this sounds corny... Well, I feel like my life can actually kind of stand for something. And I don't mean that in a self-aggrandising way, like, 'Look at me, I can make a difference.' But I feel like, maybe I get why I'm here. Maybe by sharing my life, I can make people more aware of how important gay marriage is." And the former Ally MCBeal star is adamant fighting for gay rights is the number one priority in her life - even over-shadowing her acting career.

Full Story from Contact Music
Click here for gay marriage resources.
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NY: New Gay Marriage Play Opens Off Broadway

"When Joey Married Bobby", starring Lady Bunny, two-time S.A.G.Award Nominee Tina McKissick and introducing former Detroit Tiger Pitcher Matthew Pender as Joey, opened on February 6, 2010 for an open-ended run at Off-Broadway house Theatre 80 St. Marks, between 1st & 2nd Avenues. In attendance at the opening night were Fred Schneider (The B-52's), Frank DeCaro (Sirius Radio), Randy Jones (The Village People), singer Athena Reich and Mike Diamond (LOGO).

From the comic mind, of GLAAD Award winning playwright, William Wyatt (Peachtree Battle, A Sunday Afternoon At Loehmans, The Limousine Ride and Veranda) comes a tale about gay marriage in an ultra conservative household. Bright-eyed hunk Joey (Matthew Pender) has finally met the man of his dreams and ready to take a plunge into marriage.

The thought of a gay wedding has Joey's southern socialite mother Sarah Edwards (Tina McKissick) in quite a tizzy. Worried that the news of her son's nuptials might jeopardize her chances of winning "Christian of the Year," Sarah stops at nothing to protect her name, image and reputation. The legendary Lady Bunny co-stars in the play as the power-wielding, Baptist Minister's Wife, Charity Divine.

Full Story from Broadway World
Click here for gay marriage resources in New York.
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The New Republican Senate Majority Offers a Compelling Agenda (Satire)

As their party now controls the Senate with an insurmountable 41-59 minority, Republican leaders yesterday presented their legislative agenda for 2010 and asked Democrats to join them in crafting non-partisan solutions to nation’s problems.

Jobs, jobs, jobs is the Republicans’ highest priority. Their Shelby stimulus plan would create 125 jobs by funding $40 billion of earmarks for two projects in Alabama. In a conciliatory gesture, Sen. Shelby (R-AL) would also release his blanket hold on Obama nominees, thus putting at least 70 more people to work.

The second part of the Republican jobs plan is tax cuts for America’s wealthiest. “We must change the incentives,” Republican Leader Mitch McConnell argued. “With taxes so high, most of the unemployed see no reason to get a job. Moreover, as we have proven before, tax cuts by themselves create jobs.” McConnell pointed to the Bush tax cuts that resulted in over 800 new jobs in catering bat mitzvahs for daughters of hedge fund operators. Sen. DeMint (R-S.C.) added that that enacting Republican social initiatives — the prohibition of gay marriage, abortion, and reality-based thought — would create millions of jobs.

Full Story from Crosscut.com
Click here for gay marriage resources.
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VA: Delegate Tries to Repeal Gay Marriage Ban

Delegate David Englin, D-Alexandria, wants Virginia to repeal its constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages. He says the amendment, which voters approved four years ago, is unfair to gay and lesbian couples. So he’s trying for the third time to repeal it. “If we are to take our founding values seriously, where we say that every human being deserves equal treatment under the law, then we cannot enshrine in the Constitution a policy that boils down to nothing but bigotry,” Englin said.

In the 2006 general election, 57 percent of voters supported amending the Virginia Constitution to say: Marriage is a union between a man and a woman.

Virginia will not recognize “a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance, or effects of marriage.” Nor will the state recognize “another union, partnership, or other legal status to which is assigned the rights, benefits, obligations, qualities, or effects of marriage.”

Full Story from WTOP
Click here for gay marriage resources in Virginia.
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IA: 62% Say Gay Marriage Not Worthy of Legislators' Time

A majority of Iowans think the issue of gay marriage doesn't deserve lawmakers' limited time. Among six hot-button topics, a new Iowa Poll shows a majority of Iowans consider only a ban on text messaging while driving worth the Legislature's time during a session shortened by 20 days to cut costs. Iowans are not enthusiastic about devoting time to debates on gay marriage, puppy mills, gun control, payday loans or gambling.

The Democrats who control what comes up for a vote say budget issues will dominate the 2010 session as the recession continues to pinch state revenues. But lawmakers have introduced hundreds of bills on other topics.

Friday marks the first so-called funnel, a deadline that winnows the workload by letting some bills move forward and others die.

Full Story from the Des Moines Register
Click here for gay marriage resources in Iowa.
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Gay Marriage Watch: Gay Marriage Events List 2/7/10

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

Australia, QLD, Brisbane: 3/20: Marriage Equality Rally, Queens Park, 1 PM. http://bit.ly/aAQSYv

Australia, VIC, Melbourne: 2/12: Marriage Equality Speakout, Crnr Bourke & Swanson, 5:30 PM. http://bit.ly/cT0LVn

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

Anstralia, WA, Perth: 2/14: Not Invisible on Valentine's, Stirling Gardens, 12 PM. http://bit.ly/9lCUhB

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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, Camarillo: 2/12: Remembering Lawrence King Vigil, CSU Channel Is., 6 PM. http://bit.ly/tJRhx

CA, Culver City: 2/12: Remembering Lawrence King Vigil, CS HS, All Day. http://bit.ly/tJRhx

CA, Fresno: 2/12: Freedom to Marry Rally, County Clerk's Offc, 1-2 PM. http://bit.ly/cqF12V

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, 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: 2/12: Remembering Lawrence King Vigil, LA City Hall, 7 PM. http://bit.ly/tJRhx

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

CA. Los Angeles: 2/18: State of Our Union - Being Black & Gay, Lucy Florence Coffee House, 7-10 PM. http://bit.ly/b59Dcd

CA, Los Banos: 2/12: Remembering Lawrence King Vigil, LB HS, 3:30 PM. http://bit.ly/tJRhx

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, 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, San Francisco: 2/12: Freedom to Marry Rally, City Hall Steps, 11 AM. http://bit.ly/cqF12V

CA, San Francisco: 2/12: Love Everywhere Performance Project, City Hall Rotunda, 12 pM. http://bit.ly/cqF12V

CA, San Francisco: 2/17: Same-Sex Marriage: Fed v. State, Commonwealth Club, $20, 6-7 PM. http://bit.ly/aBnHEB

CA, San Francisco: 2/27: Courage Academy Workshop, Leonard Flynn Elementary School. http://bit.ly/bquTxM

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

CA, San Jose: 2/12: Freedom to Marry Rally, Clerk-Recorder's Offc, 10 AM-12 PM. http://bit.ly/cqF12V

CA, Walnut Creek: 2/11: Marriage Equality Flier Distribution, Pleasant Hill BART, 6-9 AM, 4-7 PM. http://bit.ly/cqF12V

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

CA, West Hollywood: 2/18: EQCA Sponsored Chris Kelly for AG Fundraiser, 11 Restaurant, 6-8 PM. http://bit.ly/aSO5Eh

CA, Woodland: 2/12: Freedom to Marry Rally, County Admin Bldg, 12-1 PM. http://bit.ly/cqF12V

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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, Mattoon: 2/12: Remembering Lawrence King Vigil, Lake Land College, All Day. http://bit.ly/tJRhx

IL, Chicago: 2/14: Picket Holy Name Cathedral, 10:30 AM. http://bit.ly/axWRCu

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: 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, 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, 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 MINNESOTA

MN, Blaine: 2/12: Remembering Lawrence King Vigil, Blaine HS, 11 AM-1 PM. http://bit.ly/tJRhx

MN, Minnesota: 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, 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 NEW JERSEY

NJ, Asbury Park: 2/19: Demolish the Divide Rally, Garden State Equality Offc, 7 PM. http://bit.ly/dBC8mY

NJ, Collingswood: 2/17: Demolish the Divide Rally, Scottish Rite Auditorium, 7 PM. http://bit.ly/dBC8mY

NJ, Montclair: 2/18: Demolish the Divide Rally, Bnai Keshet Reconstructionish Synagogue, 7 PM. http://bit.ly/dBC8mY

NJ, Trenton: 2/22: Demolish the Divide Rally, Hughes Justice Complex, 6 PM. http://bit.ly/dBC8mY

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>>GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN NEW YORK

NY, New York City: 2/14: Valentine's Day UnMarriage Rally, Bethesda Fountain, Ctrl Park, 1-2 PM. http://bit.ly/aMBuUt

NY, Albany: 2/23: Marriage Education Day w/Marriage Equality NY. http://bit.ly/bCBKGx

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

TX, Southlake: 2/12: Remembering Lawrence King Vigil, Bicentennial Park, 6 PM. http://bit.ly/tJRhx

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

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>>GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN VIRGINIA

VA, Arlington: 2/12: Remembering Lawrence King Vigil, Wakefield HS, All Day. http://bit.ly/tJRhx

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fini

Senator Gillibrand Introduces Bill to De-Fund Don't Ask Don't Tell

A bill that would withhold the cost of implementing the “don't ask, don't tell” policy is expected to be announced tonight by New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand at a gay fundraiser, the New York Times reported. Gillibrand is the keynote speaker at the Human Rights Campaign's (HRC) ninth annual greater New York fundraiser in Manhattan. HRC, the nation's largest gay rights advocate, recently endorsed Gillibrand's 2010 candidacy.

The bill seeks to deny funding to the military for the costs of implementing the policy that bans gay troops from serving openly in Armed Forces. Gillibrand is expected to introduce her proposal as an amendment to the federal budget.

The policy has come under heavy scrutiny since President Obama called for an end to the law during his first State of the Union address. On Tuesday, the Pentagon's top brass – Admiral Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Defense Secretary Robert Gates – told a key Senate panel considering the issue that the military should end the policy.

Full Story from On Top Magazine
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.

Anne Hathaway & Family Left Catholic Church Over Anti-Gay Bias

Oscar nominee and bird flipper to the paparazzi, Anne Hathaway - and her family - bid a fond adieu to the Catholic church over its prehistoric views on lesbians and gays, she tells GQ - in so many words.

The Rachel Getting Married star broke from with religion of her upbringing when her big brother came out of the closet. "The whole family converted to Episcopalianism after my elder brother came out," she said. "Why should I support an organization that has a limited view of my beloved brother?"

Although, Hathaway who was one of a few celebrities to sport a "White Knot" for marriage equality at last year's Tony Awards and who famously costarred in Hollywood's biggest gay flick to date, Brokeback Mountain, said that the Episcopal church isn't perfect for her either. "So I'm... nothing (no denomination)," she said, "Fuck it, I'm forming. I'm a work in progress."

Full Story from SheWired
Click here for gay marriage resources.
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Why Republicans Are Largely Silent On Don't Ask Don't Tell Repeal

A funny thing happened after Adm. Mike Mullen called for gay men and lesbians to serve openly in the military: A curious silence befell much of the right. If this were a Sherlock Holmes story, it would be the case of the attack dogs that did not bark. John McCain, commandeering the spotlight as usual, did fulminate against the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell.” But the press focus on McCain, the crazy man in Washington’s attic, was misleading. His yapping was an exception, not the rule.

Many of his Republican colleagues said little or nothing. The right’s noise machine was on mute. The Fox News report on Mullen’s testimony was fair and balanced — and brief. The network dropped the subject entirely in the Hannity-O’Reilly hothouse of prime time that night. Only ratings-desperate CNN gave a fleeting platform to the old homophobic clichés. Michael O’Hanlon, an “expert” from the Brookings Institution, speculated that “18-year-old, old-fashioned, testosterone-laden” soldiers who are “tough guys” might object to those practicing “alternative forms of lifestyle,” which he apparently views as weak and testosterone-deficient. His only prominent ally was the Family Research Council, which issued an inevitable “action alert” demanding a stop to “the sexualization of our military.”

The occasional outliers notwithstanding, why did such a hush greet Mullen on Capitol Hill? The answer begins with the simple fact that a large majority of voters — between 61 percent and 75 percent depending on the poll — now share his point of view. Most Americans recognize that being gay is not a “lifestyle” but an immutable identity, and that outlawing discrimination against gay people who want to serve their country is, as the admiral said, “the right thing to do.”

Full Story from the New York Times
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Analysis: Prop 8 Case and the US Supreme Court

The legal struggle in California involving the state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage eventually will make its way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Whether the justices will accept the case -- which would come to them out of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, generally believed to be the most liberal appeals court in the country -- and how they would rule if they accepted the case is highly speculative at this point.

The battle against gay and lesbian marriage in California was engaged in 2000 when alarmed voters enacted the California Defense of Marriage Act, Proposition 22, a law that banned same-sex marriage or the recognition of such a marriage performed in another state. The margin was wide: 61 percent voted for the new law, which said simply, "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."

Since it was a state law, it was vulnerable to court challenge. In about a month, it was struck down by the California Supreme Court 4-3, which said it violated the rights of gays and lesbians. The majority included the Republican-appointed chief justice. Democratic state officials then allowed the law to die.

Full Story from UPI.com
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Malawai: Man Arrested for Putting Up Gay Rights Posters

Malawian police have arrested a man for allegedly putting up posters supporting homosexuality, which is illegal in the southern African nation. Peter Sawali was charged this week with conduct likely to cause breach of peace, said police spokesman Davie Chingwalu.

Sawali, 21, was putting up posters that read, "Gay rights are human rights," on a busy road in the city of Blantyre, the spokesman said.The man had stacks of glossy posters with the same message in his possession, according to the spokesman. An investigation is under way to seek more suspects, because Sawali said he was not acting alone.

"Homosexuality is illegal in Malawi and is punishable by prison time and hard labor," Chingwalu said. "Basically, he was promoting a criminal act. This is what this is all about."

Full Story from CNN
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CA: Prop 8 Trial's Judge Walker is Gay

The biggest open secret in the landmark trial over same-sex marriage being heard in San Francisco is that the federal judge who will decide the case, Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker, is himself gay. Many gay politicians in San Francisco and lawyers who have had dealings with Walker say the 65-year-old jurist, appointed to the bench by President George H.W. Bush in 1989, has never taken pains to disguise - or advertise - his orientation.

They also don't believe it will influence how he rules on the case he's now hearing - whether Proposition 8, the 2008 ballot measure approved by state voters to ban same-sex marriage, unconstitutionally discriminates against gays and lesbians.

"There is nothing about Walker as a judge to indicate that his sexual orientation, other than being an interesting factor, will in any way bias his view," said Kate Kendell, head of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, which is supporting the lawsuit to overturn Prop. 8. As evidence, she cites the judge's conservative - albeit libertarian - reputation, and says, "There wasn't anyone who thought (overturning Prop. 8) was a cakewalk given his sexual orientation."

Full Story from SFGate
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Imagining 2011: What Democratic Inaction Could Mean for the LGBT Community

Welcome to America. It is Jan. 4, 2011. John Boehner is now Speaker of the House of Representatives. Mitch McConnell is now Senate Majority Leader. The first piece of legislation introduced in each house in the new Congress is the following proposal for a constitutional amendment:

Section 1. No governmental or private entity in the United States shall, in any form, recognize as a marriage any union other than one consisting of one man and one woman.

Section. 2. No governmental or private entity in the United States shall, in any form, afford any legal recognition to any union of any two or more individuals which in any way equals or approximates marriage.

Full Story from Pam's House Blend
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Africa: A Hotbed of Homophobia

The announcement by the U.S. Department of Defense that it will consider lifting a military policy that discriminates against gays and lesbians is a laudable move. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said this week that it was time to repeal the military’s 17-year-old “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.

Yet in most countries of Africa, homosexuals have become even more endangered after several governments recently created laws to criminalize their sexual orientation. Political leaders in many African countries have made a deliberate attempt to ostracize people who engaged in same-sex relationships.

In West Africa, the Gambian dictator Yahya Jammeh has threatened to behead any gay person found in his country. A report published in the BBC’s Focus on Africa Web site quotes Jammeh issuing a 24-hour ultimatum to all gays to get out of the Gambia or he would cut off their heads. The Gambia had become a safe haven for gay refugees fleeing persecution from the country’s neighbor, Senegal. Jammeh embarked on a countrywide anti-gay campaign, and the BBC reported that he told a political rally, “The Gambia is a country of believers where sinful and immoral practices such as homosexuality will not be tolerated.”

Full Story from KansasCity.com
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New Report: Independents Not Listening to Marriage Equality Argument

They believe that gay and lesbian relationships deserve legal recognition but fear that calling such unions “marriage” would tarnish the institution. They have close friends or family members who are gay, yet they are concerned about how same-sex marriage would affect their children.

And changing the way they think about marriage equality is crucial to future state initiative battles.

In a new study released Friday by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research for the moderate-progressive think tank Third Way, researchers polled the elusive “middle” voter base — one that gay rights groups have failed to persuade at the ballot box with messages of fairness and equality. Greenberg Quinlan polled voters from two ballot initiatives with opposing outcomes in November: Question 1 in Maine, which stripped marriage rights from same-sex couples; and Referendum 71 in Washington, which expanded rights for domestic partners.

Full Story from the Advocate
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Israel: Serving Proudly in the Military

I began my mandatory service in the Israel Defense Forces in the summer of 1994, just a year after the government decided that gays could serve openly in the military. At the time, I had not yet solidified my sexual orientation, having had encounters with both men and women. I was generally confused.

One thing I did know was that I wanted to join an infantry unit and also serve as a paratrooper—like a "real man." Basic training was grueling, with sleepless nights, agonizing exercises, and long runs in full battle gear. Those hardships taught me the value of friendship: men struggling together, bleeding together, and supporting one another while pushing themselves to the limits of their abilities. They also taught me that there's a flip side to military machismo: a helping hand when times are tough or a brotherly hug when missions are accomplished successfully. These friendships enabled me to open up to the other men and talk about my sexual identity. The reactions were always supportive; regardless of whom you share your bed with, these friends would say, we know you are a good fighter and a member of the team.

And so, oddly enough, it was my military service that helped me make sense of my sexual orientation. By the time I became a young officer, I'd come out of the closet to my family and friends and had a steady partner. I did not pin a gay-pride flag on my duffel bag or hang one at my base; I don't think that would have been appropriate in the military, given the diversity of opinions and beliefs. But I never lied about my preferences, and by the time I became a senior officer in an elite unit, most of my fellow officers knew my story. Yes, I was a gay officer in a special-forces unit—and a damn good one, at that.

Full Story from Newsweek
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USA: 2009 Saw 50 Positive LGBT Bills Passed, and Only 4 Negative Bills

The number of pro-LGBT bills passed at state levels in 2009 totaled more than those passed in 2007 and 2008 combined. That, according to a report from the Human Rights Campaign, marks great progress despite a year wherein community members felt stinging defeats. At the same time HRC was releasing its annual rankings of LGBT-friendly companies, the national organization also unveiled its “Equality State by State,” a report of legislative actions across the country written by HRC State Legislative Director Sara Warbelow.

Overall, the LGBT community saw success on state-level legislation. A total of 332 pro-LGBT bills were introduced and 50 were passed. Only 69 negative pieces of legislation were introduced. Of those, only four passed.

Despite a setback in Maine, when voters chose to overturn their state legislature’s decision to offer marriage to all couples, other states and jurisdictions moved forward on marriage. On April 7, 2009, Vermont passed legislation opening marriage to all couples. New Hampshire decided to join Vermont on June 3, 2009. Their law went into effect on Jan. 1, 2010. And, on Dec. 18, 2009, the Washington, D.C. City Council passed legislation extending marriage rights there. In April, Iowa’s Supreme Court ruled in favor of a gay couple seeking a marriage license there.

Full Story from QNotes
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Profile of One of the Prop 8 Trial Couples

Paul Katami and Jeff Zarrillo had hoped for years to get married, but as they watched anti-same-sex marriage campaign material proliferate in their Burbank community, the obstacles facing them became clear. More than a dozen “Yes on 8” signs — supporting the 2008 initiative that would define marriage as a union between a man and a woman — cropped up in one neighbor’s yard as the election approached.

“It was a slap in the face every time you left for work, and it was a slap in the face every time you came home,” Katami said. But when the campaigning was over, and the state’s law prohibiting their union was passed, the couple decided to challenge it.

Together with a lesbian couple from Berkeley, the men are part of a federal lawsuit in San Francisco claiming that the same-sex marriage ban is unconstitutional because it discriminates against a minority group. Proposition 8, the couple said, was too troubling of an affront on their rights to allow it to stand, particularly after they had built a relationship together and fallen in love like any other couple.

Full Story from the Burbank Leader
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CA: Join the Largest Signature Gathering Event of the Prop 8 Repeal Campaign Tomorrow

Feb. 6th is the Day of Action for the repeal of Prop 8! Equality supporters from all over the state will be out collecting signatures to reverse 2008's divisive ballot measure. RE2010's goal is to collect 100,000 signatures in just one day. The bigger the number of volunteers, and the bigger the number of volunteers those volunteers invite to the event, the more easily that goal will be met! This is a crucial day for marriage equality, and one that all supporters of equality should have a chance to be a part of.

Here are the current locations and dates:

San Diego Central:
Place - The Bamboo Lounge
Address - 1475 University Ave
Time - 10 AM

San Diego North County - Oceanside:
Place - The Hill Street Cafe
Address - 524 South Coast Highway
Time - 10 AM

San Diego South:
Place - Chicano Park
Address - National Ave & Dewey St
Time - 10 AM

San Francisco:
Place - Justin Herman Plaza, San Francisco
Address - 1 Market St. Embarcadero Plaza
Time - 11 AM
Bay Area:
Place - Justin Herman Plaza, San Francisco
Address - 1 Market St. Embarcadero Plaza
Time - 11 AM

Chico:
Place - Congregational Church of Chico
Address -1190 E. First Avenue
Time - 10 AM

Bakersfield:
Place - Casablanca Club
Address - 1825 N Street, Bakersfield
Time - 10:00 PM - 2:00 AM

Fresno:
Place -just outside the Chicken Pie Shop
Address - 835 E. Olive (Tower District)
Time - 10:00am

Sanger / South Fresno County:
Place - Sanger Wal-Mart Parking lot (South-East Parking lot area near Jamba Juice)
Address: 2761 Jensen Ave., Sanger, CA
Time - 2:00PM - 4:30PM

Inland Empire - Riverside:
Place - Riverside Plaza (in front of Borders)
Address - 3615 Riverside Plaza Dr, Riverside, CA 92506
Time - 11-3pm
Orange County:
Location: Metro Q Bar & Grill
Street: 19092 Beach Blvd Ste J Huntington Beach, CA
Time: 11:15am - 4:00pm
See more information on Facebook

Los Angeles:
Place - Echo Park United Methodist Church
Address - 1226 North Alvarado Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026
Time - 1:00pm to 4:30pm

Place - Hollywood Lutheran Church
Address - 1733 North New Hampshire Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Time - TBA
Latino Unity @ Olvera Street
Community Education, Outreach & Signature Gathering for Marriage Equality
Place - Iglesia Nuestra Señora Reina de los Angeles
Address - 535 N Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Time - Check-In 11:30 am in front of La Placita Church

Place - Michael & Nowlin's Home
Address - 15426 Lull Street, Van Nuys, CA 91406
Time - TBA

Long Beach:
Place - East Village Long Beach Certified Farmers Market
Address - 1st Street between Elm and Linden
Time - 9:15 AM to 11:30 PM

Oxnard:
Place -Oxnard Flea Market. Oxnard Community College.
Address - 4000 South Rose Ave.
Time - 9AM to 1 PM

Ventura:
Place -Ventura Flea Market and Swap Meet. County Fairgrounds.
Address - 10 Harbor Boulevard
Time - 9am-3pm

North San Fernando Valley:
Place - TBA
Address -
Time -

Oakland:
Place - Rockridge BART Station Parking Lot
Address - 5660 College Avenue, Oakland
Time - 10:30 AM

For updates, visit the Restore Equality 2010 Website at http://restoreequality2010.com/pressroom.htm

IA: GOP To Try to Force Gay Marriage Ban Out of Committee

A legislative push to overturn the Iowa Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage is likely to begin Monday, according to the state’s largest gay-rights organization. After numerous meetings at the Capitol Thursday, Brad Clark, campaign director for One Iowa, told The Iowa Independent that he expects Republican lawmakers in the Iowa House to attempt to bring about a vote on a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage by invoking Rule 60, which allows a majority vote on the floor of the House to pull a bill out of a committee even if the committee has not approved it.

Democratic leadership has repeatedly promised that the legislature would not discuss gay marriage this session. Gay-rights advocates have long believed conservative lawmakers would attempt some procedural move to force a vote on the issue in spite of Democratic opposition.

In the closing days of the 2009 legislative session, Republicans in both the House and Senate made numerous attempts to force a vote on a constitutional ban on gay marriage, including attaching it to a tax proposal and the state’s Health and Human Services budget. Democrats successfully blocked the efforts.

Full Story from the Iowa Independent
Click here for gay marriage resources in Iowa.
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DC: Elections Board Rejects Gay Marriage Opponents for a Third Time

Third time was not the charm for opponents of gay marriage in the District of Columbia. On Thursday, their latest effort to delay the expected March 3 start of a gay marriage law also ran aground. In its third ruling on the issue, the Board of Elections and Ethics rejected opponents' latest attempt to place on the ballot an initiative that would ban gay marriage in the District. The board has consistently ruled that such a measure would violate the city's Human Rights Act (HRA) that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation.

“The Referendum seeks to frustrate this effort, and would, if successful, have the effect of authorizing discrimination in contravention of the HRA,” the board said in its 18-page ruling. “Accordingly, it does not present a proper subject for referendum, and may not be accepted by the Board.”

Opponents have appealed the board's previous rulings to the D.C. Superior Court, and are likely to appeal its latest decision. In both cases, however, the court agreed with the board.

Full Story from On Top Magazine
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UK: Update on Gay Rights Legislation

THE LAW covering church employment will stay as it is, the Minister for Women and Equality, Harriet Harman, said on Tuesday. She was speaking after the defeat in the Lords of an amendment to the Equality Bill (News, 29 January), which sought to clarify the exemption for religious bodies from the existing legislation, to ensure that it applied only to church ministers.

In a statement, Ms Harman said: “Employment and non-discrimination law applies to religious organisations when they employ people in non-religious jobs in the same way that it does to all other employers. We have never insisted on non-discrimination legislation applying to religious jobs such as being a vicar, a bishop, an imam, or a rabbi.”

She continued: “We thought that it would be helpful for everyone involved to clarify the law, and that is what the amendment that we brought forward aimed to do. That amend ment was rejected. So the law remains as it was.”

Full Story from the Church Times
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Sarah Silverman on Gay Marriage Bans: "It's Embarrassing."

Sarah Silverman may have a new beau in her life, but that doesn't mean she plans to march down the aisle and make him her husband anytime soon. Silverman has made a name for herself with her quirky and dirty sense of humor, but she is quite serious when it comes to the subject of equal rights - she has made it known that she will not marry and doesn't believe anyone else should marry until gay people have the right to as well.

The outspoken comedienne and star of "The Sarah Silverman Program," which premieres tonight at 10:30 p.m. on Comedy Central, clearly stated that the only way she will ever marry is if gays and lesbians are granted the right to do the same.

When she stopped by the MTV News offices to talk about the show, her passion for the subject was obvious. "Not only would I not get married, it actually actively bums me out that anyone who is for equal rights would get married right now," she said.

Full Story from MTV
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NY: NoH8 Holds Photoshoot in New York City

You’ve certainly seen the photos — white backdrop with white t-shirts, mouths taped shut, glossy bright eyes and the standard “NOH8″ logo on the cheek. Since November 4, 2008 (the night Prop 8 passed in California), Adam Bouska (the photographer) and his partner, Jeff Parshley (the visionary), have been photographing thousands of individuals in California for the photo project and silent protest known as the NOH8 Campaign. The project has grown exponentially over the last year to include notable celebrities and politicians: Jane Lynch, Kathy Griffin, Cindy McCain, Meghan McCain, Ashlee Simpson, Pete Wentz, Marlee Matlin, and Isaiah Washington have all posed for the campaign.

However, until this week only those in LA LA land had the opportunity to participate (shoots have also been held in San Diego and Palm Springs). On February 1, an open shoot was held at the Empire Hotel in New York City, inviting everyone and anyone to throw on their best white t-shirt and strike a pose. Over 500 New Yorkers lined up from 2 – 8pm (despite the cold) to have their photo taken by Bouska and during the time I was there, I saw a healthy mix of ages, races and gender.

While in line among strangers, I chatted with two adorable men living in Brooklyn, Steven and Abdul, ages 31 and 26, who had been following the campaign since the beginning: “I had been following them online and just waiting for them to come to New York, just stalking them til they got here. We stand and get photographed for tons of other things that aren’t important at all, so why not be photographed for something and make a statement? We support the idea of marriage quality.”

Full Story from Autostraddle
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Uganda: Obama Issues Condemnation of Anti Gay Bill

U.S President Barack Obama has criticized the controversial anti-gay law which has been proposed to Uganda's legislature. Speaking at a national prayer breakfast in Washington, DC, on Thursday, Obama described the proposed law as "odious," according to a text posted to the White House website.

"We may disagree about gay marriage," he said, "but surely we can agree that it is unconscionable to target gays and lesbians for who they are."

A bill before the Ugandan parliament proposes that penalties for homosexuality should be increased, raising the sentence for "same gender sexual activity" to life imprisonment.

Full Story from AllAfrica.com
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Albania: Parliament Passes Gay Rights Bill, But Not Gay Marriage

ALBANIA'S new anti-discrimination law defends gays and minorities and meets European standards, its sponsors said on Friday, but warned that homophobia is rife and winning over the public will be slow. Albanian rights groups and the Alliance against the Discrimination of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) welcomed the law as a powerful legal tool to protect against any kind of discrimination.

Approved by the ruling Democratic Party and its allies in parliament late on Thursday, the law does not allow same-sex marriage as promised by Prime Minister Sali Berisha. Muslim, Orthodox and Catholic communities condemned the idea.

'This law is not simply a fulfilment of requirements that Albania has undertaken for European Union integration and visa liberalisation. Above all, it is a victory for democracy and for human rights for all Albanians,' the LGBT community said. The group hoped that Berisha would eventually keep his promise to legalise same-sex marriage.

Full Story from The Straits Times
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NH: Third Town Rejects Anti Gay Marriage Petition

It was a tricky balancing act Alstead residents engaged in Tuesday night. At the town’s official-ballot first session, some articles were trimmed while others withstood editing — all to balance the bottom-line budget (and the cost to Alstead residents) with the needs of the town.

...

The other hot topic of the night was an article to send a nonbinding resolution to legislators that reads: “The citizens of New Hampshire should be allowed to vote on an amendment to the New Hampshire Constitution that defines ‘marriage.’ ” The petition article has cropped up in multiple Monadnock Region towns. In Alstead, it was eventually amended to read merely “The citizens of New Hampshire should be.” Eleanor Elbers introduced the amendment to change the article. New Hampshire is a small state that stood up for civil rights by legalizing gay marriage, she said. The petition article contradicts that — as worded, it stands for discrimination, Elbers said.

Some residents supported the article, saying they merely want a chance to have their say on such an important issue. Others argued the article is attempting to put civil rights — something afforded to every person by the constitution — up for a vote. “The article clearly has an agenda behind it,” said Saxton, who gave a brief, but passionate, speech about how, as a gay man, he doesn’t know why anyone feels threatened by the legalization of same-sex marriage. The article will “diminish rights for human beings,” he said. “And that’s wrong and I don’t think it’s anybody else’s business.”

Full Story from the Sentinel Source
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France: British Civil Partnerships to be Recognized Under French Law

Graham Watson, the Lib Dem MEP who represents the UK’s South West and Gibraltar Euro-constituency, is celebrating a hard-won victory in the battle to secure equal rights for UK same-sex couples living in France.

Since August 2007, French couples in a Pacte Civil de Solidarité (PAC) have enjoyed the same rights in relation to tax and inheritance laws which had previously only applied to married couples. A year ago, the French National Assembly approved a measure to have foreign legal same-sex marriages/unions/partnerships recognised in France as PACs.

However, due to a legal anomaly, British civil partnerships were not recognised under French law, meaning that same-sex couples, who had registered a civil partnership in the UK, living in France were liable for a 60% inheritance tax and were treated like any other unmarried couple.

Full Story from UK Gay News
Click here for gay marriage resources in France.
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Colin Powell Now Supports Repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell

The last we heard from Colin Powell, on CNN's State of the Union in July of last year, was that he supported "review" of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Following yesterday's hearings by the Joint Chief Chair Mullen and Defense Secretary Gates, Powell now says he supports it.

General Powell released a statement to the NYT: “In the almost 17 years since the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ legislation was passed, attitudes and circumstances have changed. I fully support the new approach presented to the Senate Armed Services Committee this week by Secretary of Defense Gates and Admiral Mullen.”

The paper notes: "When Mr. Clinton tried to end the ban on gay soldiers, General Powell was the Joint Chiefs chairman and opposed the move on the grounds that it would undermine discipline and order in the military but he supported the 'don’t ask' compromise. In his statement on Wednesday, General Powell said 'the principal issue has always been the effectiveness of the Armed Forces and order and discipline in the ranks.'

Full Story from Towleroad.com
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NFL Linebacker Speaks Out for Gay Marriage

New Orleans Saints linebacker Scott Fujita no doubt has a lot on his mind in the final days leading up to the Super Bowl this Sunday in Miami. His team is entering the big game with the weight of expectation from the Louisiana faithful, who only four years ago were struck by the unflinching eye of Hurricane Katrina.

But Fujita is also taking this opportunity in the spotlight to follow in the footsteps of Baltimore Ravens linebacker Brendan Ayanbadejo, who last year came out in favor of gay marriage in a highly publicized Huffington Post blog that saw an about-face for professional athletes in the realm of global civil rights. Fujita talked with The Advocate about his position on gay rights in an interview posted today, outlining his hope to separate the “shut up and play football” aesthetic of most pro athlete fans.

Here’s an excerpt:

Advocate.com: The city of New Orleans must obviously be thrilled by the Saints making it to the Super Bowl — what fan reactions have resonated most with you?

Scott Fujita: To say the city is thrilled would be an understatement. No one deserves this more than the people of New Orleans, especially considering everything they’ve been through. All week long people have been coming up to congratulate me — and my family lives downtown, so we run into a lot of people — and I feel the need to congratulate them. This is good for all of us. I said after the game that Brett Favre is a great story, but the city of New Orleans and the Saints are an even better story.

Full Story from Just Out
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NM: Governor Richardson Asks for Swift Action on Domestic Partner Bill

Governor Richardson wants swift action on his domestic partners bill urging the state senate not to tie it up in committees. Tuesday night, both senate opponents and some supporters of the bill talked about pulling the bill out of committee for a vote on the senate floor, as early as Thursday. Veteran lawmakers say if that happens, the bill won't pass.

The senate defeated the bill last year by eight votes and vote counters don't expect much change, if any. Senate Judiciary Chairman Cisco McSorley, a strong supporter of the bill, delayed Wednesday’s hearing until Friday. Insiders say a committee majority would vote to kill the bill, which led the governor’s push to introduce the bill for a full senate vote.

"It's going to be a close vote,” predicts Gov. Richardson. “I remain positive and optimistic, but I just think it shouldn't get bogged down in a committee…the full senate should get a chance to vote on it."

Full Story from KOB.com
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MD: Anti Gay Marriage Bill Killed

A key Maryland House committee killed a bill Wednesday that would have prohibited the state from recognizing legal gay marriage performed in other states, according to the Maryland Reporter. Delegate Emmett C. Burns Jr.'s bill died in the House of Delegates Judiciary Committee on a 12 to 8 vote. Burns, a Democrat, is also a Baltimore County Baptist minister.

Two conservative Democrats, Gerron Levi and Kevin Kelly, joined six Republicans in voting in favor of the measure.

Maryland currently restricts marriage to heterosexual unions by law.
Last year, a gay marriage bill never made it out of committee, despite wide support from committee members.

Full Story from On Top Magazine
Click here for gay marriage resources in Maryland.
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US Tax Board: Transgender Surgery, Hormone Therapy Deductible as Medical Expenses

The U.S. Tax Court today issued a long-awaited decision in O'Donnabhain v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, ruling that treatment for gender identity disorder (GID) qualifies as medical care under the Internal Revenue Code, and is therefore deductible.

"This decision treats Rhiannon O'Donnabhain the way she deserves to be treated -- like any hard-working American taxpayer with medical expenses," said Karen Loewy, senior staff attorney with Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), which represented Ms. O'Donnabhain.

"From the start, this has been a no-brainer. Every mainstream medical authority from the American Psychiatric Association to the National Institutes of Health recognizes the legitimacy of providing medical care for transgender people. Dismissing these medical expenses as illegitimate and not deductible was discrimination, pure and simple."

Full Story from Pam's House Blend
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DC: No Local Donors for Anti Gay Marriage Funding

On Dec. 19, Washington, D.C. officially legalized same-sex marriage. Mayor Adrian Fenty supported the legislation from the beginning, and it received the overwhelming support of the D.C. Council in an 11-2 vote. Congressional Republicans, however, immediately began calling for a referendum on the issue, suggesting that the majority of D.C. residents were actually against same-sex marriage. However, D.C. LGBT blog GLAA Forum reports that all the money funding Rev. Harry Jackson, who led the anti-marriage equality efforts, came from outside of Washington, D.C.:

It turns out that the $199,530.00 funding for his efforts come from only four main sources, all from outside of D.C. according reports filed with the D.C. Office of Campaign Finance. … Jackson’s largest contributor is his own Maryland church based non-profit group, High Impact Leadership Coalition. [...]

The next largest contributor is the Colorado headquartered national group, Focus on the Family. … [T]hey were able to contribute $40,000 to harming gay families in D.C. … National Organization for Marriage (NOM), the national group dedicated to keeping gay people from marrying contributed $32,138.00. … Family Research Council, the D.C. based national gay bashing group, donated $25,000 through it’s 501(c)(4) lobbying organization, Family Research Council –Action.

Full Story from Think Progress
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Australia: Artist Plans Nude Instalation for Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras

Some artists sculpt with hardwood, others with marble or bronze. Internationally acclaimed photographer Spencer Tunick sculpts with thousands of naked people and will transform the forecourt of Sydney Opera House with his unique medium next month to celebrate the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

Running from police through the streets of New York with 20 volunteers who were wearing nothing but panicked smiles, Tunick said he could never have imagined that a few short years later he would summon 18,000 to undress in the shadow of Mexico’s national palace and the largest cathedral in the Americas.

“I was being threatened with arrest and imprisonment in 2000 by Rudolf Giuliani, so having thousands pose for me the next year was really the furthest thing from my mind,” Tunick said. “I think conservatives want to control people, control your freedom, control your body and control your mind. My work goes against control freaks.”

Full Story from the Wentworth Courier
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NM: Update On Domestic Partnership Bill

The outcome of Tuesday’s hearing for domestic partnerships at the State Capitol could mean more hurdles for supporters of the bill. The bill passed through Tuesday’s committees but also got assigned another hearing in front of the senate finance committee. A third committee assignment generally means a bill is on its way to die, especially during a 30 day session.

But that didn’t stop New Mexicans from attending Tuesday’s hearing; supporters and opponents packed the senate gallery.

For hours the senate committee heard testimony from both sides; those in favor defended their civil rights while opponents argued the bill was a gateway to gay marriage. Lawmakers also took turns dissecting parts of the 800 page bill that would offer most of the same rights of marriage to people in domestic partnerships.

Full Story from KOB.com
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Family Research Council Calls for Criminalization of Being Gay

Is this Barry Goldwater’s party? On the heels of a bizarre poll that shows that Republicans almost unanimously want to bar openly gay men and women from teaching in government schools, we get a strange and scary outburst from Peter Sprigg of the Family Research Council.

Peter S. Sprigg is Senior Fellow for Policy Studies at the Family Research Council in Washington, D.C. Mr. Sprigg joined FRC in 2001, and his research and writing have addressed issues of marriage and family, human sexuality, the arts and entertainment, and religion in public life. And tonight, in the year 2010, Mr. Sprigg called for the criminalization of homosexuality:

Matthews: Do you think we should outlaw gay behavior?

Sprigg: Well, I think certainly..

Matthews: I’m just asking, should we outlaw gay behavior?

Sprigg: I think the Supreme Court decision in Lawrence v. Texas which overturned the sodomy laws in this country was wrongly decided. I think there would be a place in this country for criminal sanctions against homosexual behavior.

Matthews: So we should outlaw gay behavior?

Sprigg: Yes!

Full Story from Race 4 2012
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Creating Change Conference Opens in Dallas This Week

From the possible end of the "don't ask, don't tell" law that bans gays from serving openly in the armed forces to the expansion of gay marriage, there will be plenty of chatter among the 2,000 gay and lesbian activists gathering in Dallas this week. The National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change, organized by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, kicks off today, with events planned through the weekend.

"There's buzz about everything," said Sue Hyde, the conference director. "People are going to be buzzing about 'don't ask, don't tell.' ... We have some really tough issues on the agenda, and we're making some progress on the local level and the state level and even the federal level on a whole range of issues."

Task Force officials welcomed President Barack Obama's remarks on overturning "don't ask, don't tell" last month in his State of the Union address. But they're disappointed he didn't offer a detailed plan, which allows for "foot-dragging," Hyde said.

Full Story from Dallas News
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USA: Joint Chiefs Call for Don't Ask Don't Tell Repeal - After 11 Month Study

The nation's top two defense officials called Tuesday for an end to the 16-year-old "don't ask, don't tell" policy, a major step toward allowing openly gay men and women to serve in the U.S. military for the first time. "No matter how I look at the issue, I cannot escape being troubled by the fact that we have in place a policy which forces young men and women to lie about who they are in order to defend their fellow citizens," Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee. He said it was his personal belief that "allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly would be the right thing to do."

Mullen is the first sitting Joint Chiefs chairman to support a repeal of the policy, and the forceful expression of his views seemed to catch not only gay-rights leaders but Sen. Carl Levin, the Michigan Democrat who is the committee's chairman, by surprise. Levin, a longtime proponent of ending the law, told Mullen his testimony was "eloquent."

In 1993, Gen. Colin Powell, then chairman of the Joint Chiefs, opposed allowing gay men and lesbians to serve openly but supported "don't ask, don't tell" as the compromise was passed by Congress. Under the policy, officers aren't supposed to inquire about sexual orientation or seek to know it, while service members are to keep quiet about it.

Full Story from the Seattle Times
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NM: 2011 Governor Likely to Veto Domestic Partnerships if Not Passed This Year

As a measure to give domestic partners many of the rights and privileges as married couples inches through the Legislature, supporters hope it becomes law this year - when Gov. Bill Richardson has said he will sign it. That's because New Mexico next year could have a governor who would veto it.

According to a survey of the six gubernatorial candidates, only Lt. Gov. Diane Denish would sign the measure should lawmakers approve. "I have fought to eliminate discrimination of any kind throughout my career and I support the domestic-partnership bill," said Denish, the only Democrat in the race. "This bill is about treating New Mexicans equally under the law. That means having the ability to take family medical leave when someone is sick, extending health insurance to your family, and making sure children are protected when a parent dies."

All five Republican candidates said they would oppose the measure, and several of them on Tuesday criticized the idea that Richardson would ask lawmakers to consider the measure in a year with such a budget crunch. Several also said they see the measure as a stepping stone to gay marriage.

Full Story from the Las Cruces Sun-News
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USA: Democrats to Exclude Gays, Lesbians from Immigration Reform?

Binationals and activists have been waiting patiently for Senator Chuck Schumer to introduce the enigmatic Immigration reform bill, and the LGBT binational community, whether in exile, living apart or hiding in fear, has been desperate for the answer. Will immigration reform be truly comprehensive; will it include (UAFA) a provision that will allow for LGBT Americans (citizens or lawful residents) to sponsor their spouses (Permanent Partners) for immigration to the USA?

Have you ever wondered why a long silence actually starts to sound like a deafening noise? It is now that the silence from Senator Schumer is deafening, with the shocking revelation from a reliable source informing us at Lezgetreal that Senator Schumer will not be including UAFA or LGBT rights in his immigration reform bill to be introduced in the weeks ahead.

Coincidentally in New York tonight, the NYCLU Advocacy Director, Udi Ofer, lead the continuing Civil Liberties Discussion Series where he provided an overview of the civil rights and civil liberties priorities within comprehensive immigration reform and the prospects for reform in Congress this year. The audience was asked to do everything possible to alert Senator Schumer to the binational plight and that anything short of 100 % inclusion in comprehensive immigration reform, would be completely unacceptable. The discussion predicted that the Senator would choose the easiest path to reform legislation, and I imagine that excluding the LGBT community is perceived as the path of least resistance.

Full Story from Lez Get Real
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SC: Conservative AG Kills Same Sex Partner Health Benefits Plan

On the advice of Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, a proposed state regulatory change to allow government employees to add same-sex partners to their state health benefits has been withdrawn from consideration. The suggested policy change from Democratic former Gov. Timothy M. Kaine became public in December in the waning days of his term, eliciting support from gay groups and condemnation from social conservatives.

If adopted, it would have permitted insured state workers to include "other qualified adults" living in their households - such as domestic partners, adult children and other relatives - to the state's health coverage system.

Kaine administration officials claimed that wouldn't increase state expenses because employees adding a person would pick up all the extra costs. But a state fiscal analysis dated Jan. 12 indicates that "insufficient data" and certain unknown variables make cost calculations problematic.

Full Story from the Pilot Online
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IA: Candidate for Governor Promises to Block All Legislation Until Gay Marriage Repeal Passed

As governor, Rep. Chris Rants would be willing to veto any bill, including the budget, until lawmakers vote on giving Iowans the opportunity to amend the constitution to define marriage. "I would not let the legislature adjourn until they had a straight up or down vote on that issue," said Rants, a Sioux City Republican seeking the party's nomination for governor.

Giving Iowans the opportunity to vote on a constitutional amendment specifying marriage between one man and one woman as the only legal union that is valid or recognized in the state is a key fighting point in the four-way battle for the GOP nomination to take on first-term Democrat Gov. Chet Culver.

He would make it clear during the campaign and in meetings with legislative leaders he would hold the Legislature in session until lawmakers voted on whether the issue should be placed on the ballot, Rants said.

Full Story from the Sioux City Journal
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Australia: Celebrities Join Marriage Equality Fight

Some famous Australian faces have launched an awareness campaign about same-sex law reforms, but they say there is still plenty of work to be done. Celebrities both gay and straight today gathered on the steps of the Sydney Opera House to launch the Wear it with Pride campaign.

Singer Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Professor Kerryn Phelps were among the personalities in support of the changes and spoke about how the reforms had affected them personally.

The 85 reforms to Commonwealth Laws came into effect over the first half of last year, covering areas such as superannuation, employee entitlements and child support. Graeme Innes was the Australian human rights commissioner at the time the reforms were being negotiated and says they are meaningless unless people are aware of them.

Full Story from ABC News
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UK: Pope Attacks Equality Bill

Pope Benedict XVI says he'll visit England this year, even though he doesn't approve of the British government's plans to introduce stronger equality laws for gays and lesbians.

"Your country is well known for its firm commitment to equality of opportunity for all members of society," the Pope wrote to the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales. "Yet as you have rightly pointed out, the effect of some of the legislation designed to achieve this goal has been to impose unjust limitations on the freedom of religious communities to act in accordance with their beliefs."

"In some respects it actually violates the natural law upon which the equality of all human beings is grounded and by which it is guaranteed," he added.

Full Story from GayNZ.com
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