Gay Marriage Watch: August 17th-23rd
In addition to the news of the week, you'll find our weekly woody award, links to some great articles and columns from the last seven days, and of course you'll also find our ongoing recap of gay marriage happenings worldwide. To subscribe to this blog, or if you have any thoughts about how we can make this feature better or easier to use or any updates on the issues covered here, let me know at info@purpleunions.com.
This Week's Woody Award:
This week's Woody award honors goes to the Family Policy Network, who in a hilarous overreaction is boycotting Hallmark Cards over the company's recent decision to sell greeting cards for gay couples who are getting married. Because, um, letting other cards be gay affects the straight cards in the greeting card rack? Get over it, "family" policy network.
Runner-up goes to Morgan Orlins, a Floridian who makes the following statement: "Would you allow polygamous unions of three to 15 people? If no, please explain the moral path that gives you the right to sanction gay marriage, but not the far more common polygamous union." Hello? Am I missing something here? Are there folks all around us living three-ways that I don't know about? I mean, it's hard enough making a relationship work between two people - I doubt that most of my neighbors are living as Bob, Bill, and Barbara. Get a life, mister Orlins, or at least a clue.
Events of the Last Week:8/17/08:
USA, Kansas: Today was the 1 year anniversary of domestic partnerships in Lawrence, Kansas. Source
8/19/08:
USA: American voters oppose same-sex marriage 55 - 36 percent, but they don't want government to get involved in banning the practice, according to a Quinnipiac University national poll released today. Source
USA, Califormia: The California Supreme Court has ruled unanimously that the constitutional rights of religious freedom and free speech do not exempt doctors from state anti-discrimination laws. Source
USA, New Jersey: By a 50%-42% margin, likely New Jersey voters support allowing same sex couples to marry, according to a new Zogby poll. Source
8/20/08:
Australia: Kogarah Council, in Sydney, has moved to recognise same-sex marriages and unions in deciding benefits for council employees and residents. Source
USA: A new poll shows that among LGBT registered voters Democrat Barack Obama has a clear lead - with 68 percent favoring the Illinois Senator. Source
USA, California: The Knights of Columbus, a Roman Catholic men's group, has donated 1 million dollars to support a November ballot measure that would constitutionally ban same-sex marriage in California. Source
USA, Connecticut: The Connecticut Constitution Convention Campaign has raised only $1,110 to convince voters to approve a constitutional convention in November. The state's largest teachers union, the Connecticut Education Association, has contributed $40,000 to the group "Vote No: Protect Our Constitution." Planned Parenthood of Connecticut has given $5,000 to the same cause. Source
8/21/08:
USA: Hallmark is rolling out same-sex wedding cards — featuring two tuxedos, overlapping hearts or intertwined flowers, with best wishes inside. "Two hearts. One promise," one says. Source
USA: The Employment Non Discrimination Act contains a clause that would allow companies to continue to treat legally married gay couples differently than straight couples when providing benefits. Source
USA, Colorado: 360 openly lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender delegates from the Stonewall Democrats descended on Denver, four days before the Democratic National Convention. Source
USA, Florida: Opponents of Amendment 2, the anti-gay-marriage amendment on the November ballot, have raised more than $2 million, four times what amendment proponents have raised. Source
USA, Oregon: The Coquille Indian Tribe, based on the southern Oregon coast, recently adopted a law recognizing same-sex marriage, and its first such wedding is set for next spring. Source
USA, Pennsylvania: A Presbyterian minister who officiated at a lesbian wedding in 2005 is heading for church court again, two years after charges against her were dismissed on a technicality. Source
8/22/08:
Ellen & Portia's wedding appears on the cover of the latest issue of People Magazine. Source
Germany: In the first five years after the introduction of registered partnerships, about 12,000 (about 20 percent) same-sex couples in Germany have entered into this lifetime bond. Source
USA: More Americans now believe that religious institutions should stay out of politics, after a decade of support for church involvement in social and political issues, according to a new national study. Source
USA, California: A Yes on 8 rally drew several hundred people in Fresno, California. Source
USA, California: Some Mormons are voicing opposition to the proposed ban on the Internet — saying in cyberspace what they might not be able to express in church buildings. Source
USA, California: The Manchester Grand Hyatt has lost its second major conference in a week in large part because of owner Doug Manchester's stance against same-sex marriage. Source
USA, California: After trailing in fundraising by $3 million, supporters of a proposed California marriage amendment have taken the lead over opponents, thanks in part to a series of gifts totaling nearly $2 million. Source
USA, New York: Christians claiming their First Amendment rights were violated at a gay Pride event in June have brought suit against a New York city. Source
USA, Washington DC: A decision by House Democrats to allow a vote next month on a proposal to gut the city’s handgun law has stunned local home rule advocates and could foretell a congressional overturn of a future same-sex marriage bill. Source
8/23/08:
USA, Arizona: Secretary of State Jan Brewer has gone to court to avoid having to tell Arizona voters that state law already bars same-sex marriage, because that might cause voters to vote against the measure. Source
USA, Arizona: Eight gay, lesbian and bisexual young people aged 19 to 28 walked 96 miles through the metro area to the state Capitol to raise awareness about gay rights and the fall referendum that would add a gay-marriage ban to the state constitution. Source
USA: It's reported that 1,049 US newspapers now accept same sex wedding announcements. Source
Great Articles/Columns Last Week:
^ Use common sense when planning gay wedding -- or any wedding, by Miss Manners
^ Editorial: Initiative against gay marriage must be defeated, by Mercury News
^ My Big Fat Straight Wedding, by Mercury News
^ Reader op-ed: 'It would be unconscionable for any gay individual or organization to support John McCain's bid to lead our nation', by Marc Paige
^ Join the fight, Jerry, by San Diego City Beat
^ The Wedding Issue, by Randy Hope
^ Gay Marriage on the Way in Ireland, The Corkman
^ We’ll Marry Each Other as Often as Needed, by Bob Morris
^ From Public Enemy No. 1 to gay rights advocate?, by Dyana Bagby
^ Doom for Marriage & the Family, by Leslie Robinson
^ McCain, Obama and the evangelicals, by Lisa Keen
^ Yes2Marriage, No2Reason, by Molly Hodges
^ Damn Right it's Appalling, by Tim Fernholz
History by Region:
ANDORRA:
Legal Status: Civil Unions
ARGENTINA
Legal Status: Civil Unions (some areas)
The Story So Far: On 5/22, a bill legalizing same-sex marriage was informally presented to Argentina's Congress by the head of the National Institute Against Discrimination, Xenophobia and Racism.
AUSTRALIA
Legal Status: No Federal Recognition; Some Local Domestic Partner
Australia Gay Wedding Vendors The Story So Far:
April: 4/30: The federal government announced they would make changes in close to 100 laws that discriminate against gay couples, but would not change marriage law.
May: On 5/7, The Federal Government backed away from Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's promise not to interfere with local action to enact civil unions legislation, and forced the ACT to back down and offer a watered down version of civil unions, specifically banning legal recognition of any ceremony held by same sex couples. On 5/9, The ACT passed watered-down civil unions legislation that will not allow same sex couples to have official ceremonies.
June: On 6/4, The ironically-named Liberal party was trying to slow down legislation to give gay and lesbian couples more rights, afraid it would lead to a repeal of the country's same sex marriage ban. On 6/19, The Australian Democrats accused opposition parties of homophobia after they used their Senate majority to delay legislation to remove same-sex discrimination. On 6/21, Tasmania picked up the baton of same sex marriage, with the Greens to introduce an enabling bill into the Senate's parliament.
July: On 7/1, The Tasmanian Greens called for a conscience vote on a bill to allow gay marriage in Tasmania. On 7/4, Matthew Mitcham, a gay 20-year-old diver set to represent Australia at the 2008 Olympic Games in August has said that the country's Prime Minister is "narrow-a Victorian country town was been divided over a lesbian "wedding" carried out in a public square dedicated to fallen Diggers.
August: 8/3 marked the 4th annual National Day of Action for same-sex marriage in Australia - hundreds of people took to the streets in Sydney and Melbourne calling on the federal government to repeal its ban on same-sex marriage. On 8/14, the ACT Government has done a U-turn on the issue of same-sex unions and says it will not support a Greens push to reinstate its original legislation.
AUSTRIA
Legal Status: Limited Civil Union Rights
The Story So Far: On 7/12, About 120,000 people in colourful and often scanty dress took part in Vienna's annual Rainbow Parade on Saturday to call for equal rights for gays and lesbians
BELGIUM
Legal Status: Gay Marriage
BRAZIL
Legal Status: Civil Unions (some areas)
Brazil Gay Wedding Vendors
The Story So Far: 4/10: 39% of Brazillians currently favor civil unions for same sex couples, while 45% are opposed, according to a recent poll. On 6/19, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silv, the president of Brazil who was the first head of state to ever hold a national conference to promote LGBT rights this month, called homophobia a "peverse disease" and plans to "do all that is possible so that the criminalization of homophobia and [the legalization of] the civil union may be approved."
CANADA
Legal Status: Gay Marriage
Canada Gay Wedding Vendors
The Story So Far: On 5/16, A Canadian Lutheran church proceeded with plans to ordain a gay pastor who is married to another man, despite warnings it would be violating church teachings and would be disciplined. On 5/21, Prince Edward Island became the last province in Canada to change its laws to officially allow same sex marriage. On 5/29, The Federal Court of Appeal rejected the legal challenge of a longtime public servant who wanted her $800 annual union dues diverted to her church to protest the union's support for gay marriage and its zero tolerance against "homophobia" and "heterosexism." On 6/1, Saskatchewan's civil marriage commissioners were directed to abide by the law and perform same-sex marriage ceremonies after a human rights tribunal fined a Regina commissioner $2,500 for discriminating against a gay couple. 7/9 was the 5 year anniversary of legal gay marriage in British Columbia. On 7/17, it was reported that same-sex unions are growing at five times the rate of opposite-sex ones according to census numbers.
CAYMAN ISLANDS
Legal Status: n/a
The Story So Far: 5/15: The Cayman Islands will not accept gay partnerships, government says. On 6/12, Leader of the Opposition McKeeva Bush filed a Private Members Motion proposing an amendment to the Marriage Law that would define marriage in the Cayman Islands as being between a man and woman. As of 7/10, an amendment to legislation in the Cayman Islands defining marriage as between a man and a woman was expected to get support from the government and opposition.
CHINA
Legal Status: n/a
COLUMBIA
Legal Status: Civil Unions
COSTA RICA
Legal Status: N/A The Story So Far: On 7/14, bishops of Costa Rica warn that rights for gay unions undermine family. On 7/26, some 20,000 people from around Costa Rica dressed in white t-shirts paraded down a main street in San José to express their opposition to a legislative proposal to make gay marriage legal. On 8/9, the nation's highest court ruled that gay inmates in Costa Rica do not have the right to conjugal visits. The decision may be revisited if Costa Rica allows gay marriage.
CROATIA
Legal Status: Civil Unions
CUBA
Legal Status: n/a
The Story So Far: On 3/28, Cuban lawmakers announce their intention to vote on legislation that would grant domestic partnerships and other rights to same sex couples.
CZECH REPUBLIC
Legal Status: Domestic Partnerships
The Story So Far: Nearly 500 couples register their partnerships in the first year.
DENMARK
Legal Status: Civil Unions
ECUADOR
Legal Status: n/a
The Story So Far: On 4/10, President Rafael Correa promised to enact legislation to protect same sex couples, but will not go as far as marriage. On 6/13, The government proposed constitutional changes that would remove the word God from the nation s constitution and legalise abortion and gay marriage.
EGYPT
Legal Status: n/a
The Story So Far: 4/9: Five men were sentenced to 3 years each in prison for "debauchery", the legal euphemism in Egypt for homosexuality. They joined four other men sentenced to a year each in February. Source
ESTONIA Legal Status: n/a
The Story So Far: As of 7/30, the Ministry of Justice in Estonia is preparing a draft law which would allow same-sex partners to register their cohabitation.
EUROPE
The Story So Far: On 7/3, the International Gay and Lesbian Association broadly welcomed the new discrimination directive announced by the European Commission yesterday, but said that gay and lesbian people who want to get married will still face discrimination.
FINLAND
Legal Status: Civil Unions
FRANCE
Legal Status: Civil Unions
France Gay Wedding Vendors
The Story So Far: On 5/28, one of Europe's most high-profile gay politicians has indicated he is ready to run for leader of France's Parti Socialiste and possibly the Presidency. On 7/25, Fashion designer Marc Jacobs reportedly will wed his Brazilian boyfriend Lorenzo Martone in Paris, France, this weekend.
GAMBIA
Legal Status: n/a
The Story So Far: On 4/4/08, President Jammeh said his country has zero tolerance for gay marriage. On 5/20, Jammeh gave gay men and lesbians 24 hours to leave the country, threatening them with beheading.
GERMANY
Legal Status: Civil Unions
GREECE
Legal Status: n/a
The Story So Far: On 4/2, the Greek government announced it was considering a civil unions law for later in 2008. On 4/4, the Greek Orthodox Church came out against it, calling civil marriages "fornication". On 5/30, Greece's top public prosecutor on Friday moved to block a gay marriage ceremony after a mayor on a tiny Greek island said he was willing to perform one. On 6/4, The mayor faced possible prosecution after conducting Greece's first same-sex weddings.
HUNGARY
Legal Status: Civil Unions
On 7/5, Forty-five people were taken into custody and 10 others were injured in clashes between police and homophobes during a gay rights march in the Hungarian capital Saturday, reports said.
ICELAND
Legal Status: Civil Unions
INDIA
Legal Status: n/a
On 6/29, Gays and lesbians found their voice in three major cities - New Delhi, Kolkata and Bangalore - in the first large public display of gay pride India has ever seen.
IRELAND
Legal Status: n/a
The Story So Far:
April: A new poll on 4/1 showed 58% of Ireland's citizens support gay marriage, while 84% support civil unions. On 4/3, Ireland's cabinet announced plans to consider the new civil partnership bill the next week.
May: On 5/27, a disagreement between coalition partners was holding up government recognition of same sex relationships - the main governing party Fianna Fail wants civil unions, while the Greens, the junior coalition partner, want full marriage.
June: On 6/16, Ireland's Catholic bishops have restated their opposition to gay marriage today, claiming that sexual differentiation is intrinsic to our understanding of the sacrament of marriage. On 6/29, Advocates of same-sex civil marriage in Ireland made their voices heard at rallies in the capital Dublin and in Cork, Galway and Waterford on Saturday.
July: On 7/5, Church of Ireland Primate Alan Harper reignited the controversy after suggesting that scientific breakthroughs may mean homosexual relationships are sanctioned by the Church. On 7/9, An Anglican Archbishop who made a speech that appeared to give the go-ahead for same-sex marriage has clarified his position today, basically saying he only meant to call for a dialoge, not to change church policy on same sex marriage. On 7/10, A gay couple living on the Northside called on the Government to treat them as fully equal citizens by extending full marriage rights to them. On 7/28, A forum that advises the Irish government on equality and social inclusion said that there has been progress on gay rights in the past five years.
ISRAEL
Legal Status: Civil Unions (recognizes marriages performed elsewhere)
The Story So Far: On 6/20, The Union of Students (USI) urged for a push for equal marriage rights for gay and lesbian citizens ahead of today s Dublin Pride Parade.
ITALY
Legal Status: n/a
The Story So Far: Italy's new minister for equal opportunities has angered rights groups by refusing to back a "gay pride" march because, she said, gays no longer suffer discrimination in Italy. Source
LUXEMBORG
Legal Status: Civil Unions
MEXICO
Legal Status: Civil Unions (some areas)
Mexico Gay Wedding Vendors
The Story So Far: On 5/17/08, in Mexico, a transgender couple got married, hoping to shine light on pending legal protections for transgender couples under consideration by the Mexican government. Source
MOROCCO
Legal Status: n/a
The Story So Far: On 3/17, The Moroccan Association for Human Rights petitioned to repeal Article 489, which provides prison terms for people who commit "lewd or unnatural acts with an individual of the same sex", and to quash the verdicts against the six men. On 3/25, a Moroccan paper that was the first to report the "gay marriage" was fined for mistakenly saying a Judge had been in attendance.
MOZAMBIQUE
Legal Status: n/a
NETHERLANDS
Legal Status: Gay Marriage
The Story So Far: On 4/15, The Equal Treatment Commission said that civil servants who object to performing gay marriages should be banned from performing any marriages, but should not lose their jobs. As of 7/18, The Dutch civil service has developed a new name for "maiden name" so married gay men won't feel awkward. "Geboortenaam" translates to "birth name". It will replace maiden name on official forms. On 8/12, the Justice Ministry proposed a new Dutch law would make it easier for the partner of a lesbian mother to become the legal parent of a child born into the relationship.
NETHERLANDS ANTILLES
Legal Status: Gay Marriage
The Story So Far: On 7/24, the Court of First Instance in Willemstad ruled that married gay couples in the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba have the same rights as in the Netherlands, and the colony plans to appeal the ruling. On 8/4, the Dutch Minister of Education, Culture and Science Ronald Plasterk said the Netherlands Antilles wil ultimately have to recognize gay marriages performed in the Netherlands, even if they do not allow such weddings to be peformed in the islands.
NEW ZEALAND
Legal Status: Civil Unions
New Zealand Gay Wedding Vendors
The Story So Far: As of 5/6, 316 couples registered for Civil Unions in New Zealand in 2007 - 103 male couples, 150 female couples, and 63 opposite sex couples. In addition, 77 overseas residents registered, bringing the total to 393. On 6/20, it was reported that the marriage of two gay priests in the UK last month is not actually the first of its kind, according to a Wellington pastor who says he married his male lover in a London Anglican church over twenty years ago. As of 7/2, Green MP Metiria Turei's private member's bill aiming to legalise adoption by same-sex couples has been taken out of the parliamentary ballot.
NIGERIA
Legal Status: n/a
The Story So Far: 5/9 - There's legislation pending, which church groups support banning "same-sex unions, all homosexual acts and the formation of any gay groups."
NORWAY
Legal Status: Gay Marriage
The Story So Far: On 4/25, a poll showed 58% of Norwegians support the proposed Marriage Act, with 31% against. The act is scheduled for a parliamentary hearing on 6/11. On 5/28, two political parties which normally avoid each other teamed up in an unusual alliance to protest Norway's looming same-sex marriage law. On 6/11, Parliament adopted a new marriage law that allows homosexuals to marry and adopt children and permits lesbians to be artificially inseminated. On 6/17, Parliament gave final approval to gay marriage in Norway.
PANAMA Legal Status: n/a
The Story So Far: On 7/29, Panamanian President Martín Torrijos Espino signed a decree repealing a 1949 law that criminalized sodomy under penalty of a $500 fine or jail time.
POLAND
Legal Status: n/a
The Story So Far: On 4/2, Poland passed the new EU Charter, tied to a provision to ignore gay guarantees. On 4/9, it was reported that Poland's anti-gay organizations have ties to anti-semetic groups.
PORTUGAL
Legal Status: Civil Unions
ROMANIA
Legal Status: n/a
The Story So Far: In early February, the Senate voted 38 to 10 on an amendment to the Family Code to define marriage as between a man and a woman. The Chamber of Deputies will decide the issue in June.
RUSSIA
Legal Status: n/a
SAUDI ARABIA Legal Status: n/a
The Story So Far: On 7/30, 50 men were arrested for allegedly participating in a "homosexual wedding."
SERBIA
Legal Status: n/a
SENEGAL
Legal Status: n/a
SINGAPORE
Legal Status: n/a
The Story So Far: 5/4: A Singapore TV station was fined $11,000 for "promoting a gay lifestyle" for showing an episode of a design show featuring a gay couple. Abolishing laws against gay sex could "send the wrong signal" and push gay activists to ask for gay marriage, according to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Source
SLOVENIA
Legal Status: Civil Unions
SOUTH AFRICA
Legal Status: Gay Marriage
The Story So Far: On 7/8, A lesbian couple was turned away from an East London resort where they had planned to marry, because the owner disapproved on religious grounds.
SPAIN
Legal Status: Gay Marriage
Spain Gay Wedding Vendors
The Story So Far: On 6/5, the Government once again forced the Dénia judge, Laura Alabau to carry out the wedding for two gay British men which she refused to do last March. As of 6/18, The Partido Popular managers were trying to get agreement in the party on the subject of gay marriage, to avoid any debate or vote on the matter at the party's congress which is about to get underway in Valencia on 6/20. On 7/3, a National Court judge said gay marriage should not be declared unconstitutional. On 7/22, with strong support from the Spanish government led by Socialist Prime Minister José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, the nation's federation of queer activist groups, La Federación Estatal de Lesbianas, Gays, Transexuales y Bisexuales (FELGTB), on July 22 won official consultative status to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). On 7/29, a "pro-family" activist group in Spain filed charges against the organisers of the 2008 Madrid Gay Pride march, accusing them of hate speech. On 8/14, Laura Alabau, who has persistently refused to marry gay couples, stood down from her post.
SWEDEN
Legal Status: Civil Unions
The Story So Far: On 5/12, a gay couple who married in Canada filed suit against the Swedish government for refusing to recognize the marriage.
SWITZERLAND
Legal Status: Civil Unions
UGANDA Legal Status: n/a
The Story So Far: On 7/28, a leading gay rights organisation said that a Ugandan human rights activist was tortured by police.
UNITED KINGDOM
Legal Status: Civil Unions
England Gay Wedding Vendors
Wales Gay Wedding Vendors
The Story So Far:
April: On 4/8, two British schools banned the book King & King, a children's picture book about a prince who wants to marry another boy, at the request of Muslim parents.
May: On 5/30, after the Earl of Devon refused to allow a gay wedding at his Powderham Castle home, the Devon County Council moved to revoke his wedding license.
June: On 6/14, Two male priests exchanged vows in a traditional ceremony at St Bartholomew the Great in London. On 6/16, The New Zealand priest whose gay wedding ceremony has fuelled a row that threatens to split the Anglican Church in Britain surrendered his own licence to officiate. On 6/23, The Bishop of London issued a stern rebuke to the vicar who conducted a "wedding service" for two homosexual priests.
July: On 7/5, London Mayor Boris Johnson, once a foe of gay rights, marched in the gay pride parade here wearing a pink cowboy hat. And the two gay vicars whose church marriage blessing plunged the Anglican communion into fresh turmoil over homosexuality have triggered a new controversy which threatens to embroil the Queen. On 7/12, the Christian registrar won her case against the Islington city council, and will not have to officiate for gay/lesbian couples. On 7/15, it was reported that the registrar in Islington who claimed her Christian belief wass so fundamental that she could not conduct civil partnerships is an unmarried single mother. On 7/22, The British Soap Coronation Street is planning on introducing its first lesbian character. On 7/26, Top Tory Alan Duncan and his partner James Dunseath were married.
August: On 8/4, it was reported that the Reverend Canon Rodney Bomford, 65, and gardener Paddy O'Neil were given approval by a Bishop to enter into a civil union because their relationship is not sexual. On 8/7, it was revealed that the Archbishop of Canterbury wrote letters in 2000 & 2001 disclosing his personal position supporting a sort of moral equivalency between homosexual paramours sexual activity and marital love. As of 8/8, it was reported that only about one percent of marriages between same-sex couples in the UK have so far ended in divorce.
URUGUAY
Legal Status: Civil Unions
The Story So Far: On 4/16, After the nation's "cohabitation union law" went into effect on 1/1/08, the country's first known gay marriage took place in Montevideo. Source
UNITED STATES (see individual states below)
Legal Status: Defense of Marriage Act
The Story So Far:
May: On 5/21, U.S. Rep. Paul Broun (R-Ga.) said he plans to introduce an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to ban same-sex marriage.
June: On 6/5, A new USA Today Poll showed 63% of Americans believe that gay marriage should be a private matter, and should not be regulated by the government. On 6/13, a new Pew Research Center Study showed mixed opinions on same sex marriage, and its importance in the fall elections. As of 6/19, The plight of a Vermont couple has led to the federal government ruling that the Social Security Administration must extend benefits to the nonbiological children of partners in same-sex unions. On 6/25, Sen. Roger Wicker introduced an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would define marriage as a union between one man and one woman. In lighter news, it's being cosponsored by Larry "toe-tapping" Craig and David "sorry-about-the-prostitute-thing" Vitter.
July: On 7/1, Feit Publishing Ventures has announced plans to move ahead with a magazine devoted to marriages of every sort: interracial, inter-denominational, so-called destination weddings... and same-sex weddings, too. As of 7/4, a group that opposes same-sex marriage has called for a boycott of McDonald's, saying the fast-food giant has refused "to stay neutral in the cultural war over homosexuality." On 7/11, McDonald's returned fire, saying family advocates opposed to their affiliation with pro-homosexual organizations are guilty of "hate." On 7/12, it's reported that same-sex couples won't be counted as married in the 2010 census, despite what their California marriage license says because the Bureau is playing strictly by the federal rule book on this one. On 6/16, a new study showed that 65% of African Americans are against gay marriage in the US, as opposed to 53% of Whites. As of 7/17, 52% of respondents to a new Pew poll oppose allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry legally, while 40% are in favor. In 2006, it was 56% against and 35% in favor. On 7/29, it was reported that Monica M. Goodling, an aide in the Justice Department, exercised what amounted to veto power over a wide range of critical jobs, asking candidates for their views on abortion and same-sex marriage. As of 7/30, a new study showed that fay and lesbian couples with children and strong religious beliefs were more likely than their peers to hold commitment ceremonies. On 7/31, a new study by UCLA's Williams Institute found that more than 85,000 couples have already signed up for legal recognition in eleven states - 40% of all same-sex couples in these states. On
August: 8/4, a new study was published by UCLA's Williams Institute that found that same-sex couples eagerly take advantage of the ability to marry or form civil unions when presented with the opportunity.. On 8/7, gay activists pushed the U.S. Census Bureau to reconsider its decision to ignore same-sex marriages. On 8/14, an all-but-final draft of the 2008 Democratic Party platform, approved by the full 186-member Platform Committee at an August 9 meeting in Pittsburgh, put the party on record in opposition to the federal Defense of Marriage Act, in support of a "comprehensive" Employment Non-Discrimination Act, and more generally in favor of the fight to end discrimination against numerous categories of Americans, including those who are gay, lesbian, and transgendered.
ALABAMA Legal Status: Defense of Marriage Act & Constitutional Amendment
Alabama Gay Wedding Vendors
The Story So Far: On 7/21, the DNC funded an anti-gay "Faith & Voters Guide" here in 2006 that included a plan to "defeat any efforts to redefine marriage or provide the benefits of marriage to a same-sex union".
ARIZONA
Legal Status: Defense of Marriage Act
Arizona Gay Wedding Vendors
The Story So Far:
April: On 4/3, opponents of a proposed constitutional ban on same sex marriage attached domestic partner rights to the bill, causing Republicans to reject it. In a separate action, the state approved benefits for the same sex partners of state employees. On 4/11, the House Judiciary Committee revived the anti-gay bill, gutting a resolution on Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Day and replacing it with the anti-gay-marriage language, and sending it to the full house on a vote of 6-4. A recent poll showed 49% in favor, 40% opposed, and 11% undecided. On 4/22, the AZ House approved the bill.
May: As of 5/17, Senate President Tim Bee, R-Tucson, prime sponsor of one version of the amendment, had so far refused to schedule a date to vote on the ballot measure.
June: On 6/17, KAET pollster Bruce Merrill said "About two-thirds of the people in Arizona support partners of gay rights getting the same rights as married couples, but it probably runs 55-45 against gay marriage itself." On 6/27, The AZ Legislature's Repugnicans got the votes together to put the anti-gay-marriage amendment on the November ballot.