Gay Marriage Watch

Slovenia to Allow Gay Marriage?

2009-07-03T07:34:00.000-07:00

The government intends to amend legislation to give same-sex partnership equal rights, Labour, Family and Social Affairs Minister Ivan Svetlik announced after the government session on Thursday.

Full Story from Sta.si

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

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Stand for Marriage in Maine Launches Website to Fight Overturn of Gay Marriage Law

2009-07-03T07:28:00.000-07:00

Stand for Marriage Maine, a broad-based coalition formed to pass a Peoples' Veto to overturn the recent gay marriage law, announced the launch of their Web site today.

The Web site serves as the campaign's online headquarters for supporters of traditional marriage to receive petitions, send in their donations, get the latest information about the campaign, and learn how to volunteer for the People's Veto effort.

"The response of Mainers wanting to help qualify the Peoples' Veto is overwhelming, and this new Web site gives our supporters another opportunity to get involved with this very important issue," said Marc Mutty of Stand for Marriage Maine. "Our coalition will use the Web site to educate people about the importance of restoring traditional marriage."

Full Story from PR Newswire

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

Wisconsin Family Council Plans Legal Challenge to Wisconsin's New Domestic Partner Law

2009-07-03T07:16:00.000-07:00

There could be a legal challenge to the state's domestic partner registry. As part of the recently signed state budget, county clerks will soon have to offer a domestic partner registry to same sex couples around Wisconsin.

Not so fast says Julaine Appling of the Wisconsin Family Council. "Our lawyers have been looking at this domestic partnership registry since the day it was introduced," Appling. "Our lawyers are looking right now at what a legal challenge would look like."

Appling claims the budget language violates the 2006 Constitutional Amendment banning gay marriage and any similar "union" sanctioned by the state. But Scott Ross with One Wisconsin Now says Appling and other proponents claimed the amendment would not ban what the state is now doing.

Full Story from WRN.com

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

Gay Marriage Rally Held in Bloomington, Indiana

2009-07-03T07:10:00.000-07:00

Couples in wedding dresses and suits filed through the Monroe County Courthouse Thursday to protest the denial of marriage licenses to same-sex partners.

The peaceful demonstration took place throughout the day in downtown Bloomington, with protesters holding signs in support of marriage equality, 6News' Ben Morriston reported.

Renee Reed and Stephanie Burks were two of the people applying for a marriage license, but they were told that same-sex marriages are not allowed in Indiana.

Full Story from The Indy Channel

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

PFLAG to March in Temecula, California Fourth of July Parade

2009-07-03T06:59:00.000-07:00

For the first time ever, a group dedicated to supporting gays, lesbians and transgendered people will march in Temecula's Fourth of July parade.

The participation by PFLAG -- Parents, Families, & Friends of Lesbians and Gays -- in the city-organized parade is notable given the region's reputation as a bastion of conservative values.

In 1995, dozens of protesters picketed a Temecula theater showing the NC-17 rated movie "Showgirls." And last November, two-thirds of Temecula voters supported Prop. 8, which banned gay marriage in California.

Full Story from the Press Enterprise

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

More Couples, Mostly Lesbian, Getting Married in Eastern Iowa

2009-07-03T06:46:00.000-07:00

Two months after the Iowa Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage, the number of applications is climbing in parts of eastern Iowa.

County recorders say 100 same-sex marriage applications have been issued in Johnson County and another 71 in Linn County. Recorders say almost 75 percent of the applicants are women.

Recorders say in about 30 percent of applications, both partners are from out of state.

Full Story from WCFCourier.com

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

Gay Louisiana Couple Sues for Marriage License

2009-07-02T07:04:00.000-07:00

A Louisiana couple has filed a lawsuit after being turned away by officials at the Orleans Parish marriage license office on April 2 because they were both men. The couple is saying the New Orleans’ constitutional amendment against gay marriage violates their constitutional rights under the U.S. Constitution.

Kristoffer Bonilla and John Thomas want a federal judge to rule that they have a right to marry under the U.S. Constitution and international law, despite a 2004 amendment defining marriage in the state as between “one man and one woman.” That amendment was overwhelmingly approved by voters.

“We just want a marriage license,” said Bonilla, a law school graduate who is not yet a practicing lawyer. “The people at the office were extremely nice. The cab driver who took us asked to be invited to the wedding.”

Full Story from 365 Gay

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

Jackass's Steve-O Joins NoH8, Puckers Up for Gay Marriage

2009-07-02T06:55:00.000-07:00

Too bad Gilles Marini wasn't around when Steve-O had his portrait taken for the NO H8 organization. We're sure the former Jackass stuntman would have tried to lock lips with his fellow Dancing With the Stars alum.

"If I could walk down the aisle with any male, it would be Gilles," the Steve-O tells us. "He's gorgeous in every sense of the word. He's an absolute cockthrob, and he's a really great guy."

So, who is Steve-O kinda puckering up to in the pic?

Full Story from E! Online

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

Republican Resolution in Oklahoma Blames The Gays for The Recession

2009-07-02T06:52:00.000-07:00

A resolution introduced in the Oklahoma legislature by GOP State Rep. Sally Kern blames the nation's economic woes on gay pride celebrations, lack of public prayer, abortion and "debauchery."

Dr. Ed Buckner, president of American Atheists, said that the bizarre claim "betrays not only intellectual bankruptcy, but insults the intelligence of voters in Oklahoma and the rest of the country who want real solutions to the serious economic difficulties that face our nation. The resolution offered is not only counter-productive, it severely misquotes key founding fathers. Jefferson, Franklin, Madison, and probably Washington as well would be appalled at being falsely claimed by these anti-American yahoos."

The "Oklahoma Citizen's Proclamation for Morality" singles out President Obama for recognizing June as LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Transgendered) Pride Month, and charges that America is economic peril because of "abortion, pornography, same-sex marriage, sex trafficking, divorce, illegitimate births, child abuse and many other forms of debauchery."

Full Story from The American Chronicle

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

First Federal Hearing on Prop 8 Gay Marriage Lawsuit is Today

2009-07-02T06:39:00.000-07:00

The first hearing on the federal case brought by The American Foundation for Equal Rights, lead by powerhouse attorneys Ted Olson and David Boies, is tomorrow, July 2nd, and the two attorneys have requested an injunction which would immediately allow same-sex marriages to resume in California until the Prop 8 issue is settled.

The two attorneys argue that Prop 8 violates the U.S. Constitution's guarantees of equal protection and due process because it relegates same-sex partners to domestic partners instead of granting them full equal rights. The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court in Northen California on behalf of two same-sex couples.

The American Foundation for Equal Rights has some high-profile board members, including director Rob Reiner, Chad Griffin, Oscar-winner Dustin Lance Black, Bruce Cohen, Kristina Schake, and Michele Singer Reiner.

Full Story from Examiner.com

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

India Decriminalizes Being Gay

2009-07-02T06:24:00.000-07:00

A protracted legal battle has finally come to an end. In a landmark ruling, the Delhi high court scrapped parts of Section 377, a colonial law that criminalised gay sex – and indeed anything other than heterosexual vaginal intercourse – in India. Hence, consensual sex involving two adults of the same sex can no longer be a criminal offence.

The importance of this verdict cannot be understated. This is the first time that an Indian court has gone on record to say that sexual minorities are not second-class citizens, and that they cannot be discriminated against. Granted, the anti-gay law was seldom used to secure convictions. However, for decades, the police and sometimes society at large used the law as an excuse to persecute gay men and women, who were harassed, blackmailed, detained or raped, unable to seek any protection or justice from the law. In addition, the law was also a significant impediment to fighting HIV/Aids among sexual minorities.

No longer. More importantly, the ruling may finally pave the way for sexual minorities to lead open lives, and ultimately to provide them with legal equality. At least, that's the hope.

Full Story from The Guardian

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

Wisconsin Governor Signs Domestic Partner Bill - Takes Effect August 1st

2009-07-01T07:53:00.000-07:00

If Dane County Clerk Bob Ohlsen's hunch is correct, the first Monday in August is going to be a hectic day at his office.

That's the day same-sex couples across the state, including an estimated 1,400 to 2,400 couples living in Dane County, will be able to take advantage of a historic piece of legislation signed Monday by Gov. Jim Doyle that for the first time recognizes domestic partnerships across the state. Along with the recognition come dozens of legal protections that previously were only granted to married couples, including the right to take family leave to care for a sick or dying partner, the ability to access a partner's medical records and the right to inherit a partner's property. In addition, Doyle approved granting health care benefits to the same-sex partners of state employees.

"My sense is we are going to be swamped," Ohlsen says. "Even for those who already get benefits for their partner through their employer, there is a huge advantage to applying to the registry."

Full Story from the Capital Times

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

Rhode Island Unlikely to Pass Gay Marriage This Year

2009-07-01T07:47:00.000-07:00

Rhode Island seems almost certain to remain the only New England state that does not recognize gay marriage after measures legalizing same-sex unions stalled just before the part-time General Assembly ended the bulk of its annual work.

None of the bills legalizing same-sex marriage in Rhode Island advanced to a floor vote this session, continuing a trend begun in 1997.

The lack of Statehouse action on gay unions means that Rhode Island is unlikely to allow gay marriage anytime soon, despite decisions this year by lawmakers in New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont joined Connecticut and Massachusetts in legalizing gay marriage.

Full Story from the Boston Herald

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

DC Judge Turns Down Lawsuit to Stop Gay Marriage Law

2009-07-01T07:36:00.000-07:00

A D.C. Superior Court judge Tuesday dismissed a lawsuit seeking to delay the implementation of a law recognizing same-sex marriages performed in jurisdictions outside the District and rejected efforts to bring the issue before voters.

The lawsuit was an attempt to salvage a referendum drive that would have put the question of same-sex marriage on the ballot.

Judge Judith E. Retchin said the Board of Elections and Ethics correctly concluded that the proposed referendum would violate the District's Human Rights Act. The judge also said the plaintiffs failed to meet the standards required for an injunction to delay the law's effective date.

Full Story from the Washington Times

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

Federal Judge Will Not Stay Prop 8 While Gay Marriage Lawsuit Proceeds

2009-07-01T07:25:00.000-07:00

A federal judge in San Francisco said Tuesday that he is disinclined to suspend California's voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage while a lawsuit challenging it as a violation of the U.S. Constitution proceeds in his court.

In a tentative order, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Vaughn Walker said he would rather move directly to a speedy trial on the case's merits than grant a preliminary injunction that would temporarily allow gay nuptials.

"Because entering a preliminary injunction may raise novel concerns that could be avoided through a prompt decision on the merits, the court's tentative plan is instead to proceed expeditiously to trial," Walker wrote.

Full Story from The Herald

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

Christian and Muslim Groups in India Oppose Decriminalisation of Being Gay

2009-07-01T07:21:00.001-07:00

Christians and Muslims are opposing a government review of a 149-year-old law that treats homosexual behavior as a crime.

In a statement on June 28, federal Law Minister Verapppa Moily said the government was prepared to re-consider the 1860 British colonial law, which it views as outdated. The government has asked ministries dealing with law, health and home affairs to review it, he said.

"But we are not going to rush to any conclusion. We will take into account concerns of all sections, including religious groups such as the Christian Church," the Press Trust of India quoted Moily as saying.

Full Story from IndianCatholic.in

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

Obama to Gay Community: "Judge Me by the Promises I Keep"

2009-07-01T07:16:00.000-07:00

US president Barack Obama has addressed accusations he has been slow to keep his promises on gay rights.

Speaking to 300 LGBT activists at a White House reception on Monday, he said: "I want you to know that I expect and hope to be judged not by words, not by promises I've made, but by the promises that my administration keeps."

The president promised in his election campaign to repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell', which bans openly gay people from serving in the military, and the Defence of Marriage Act.

Full Story from Pink News

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

Focus on the Family Attacks Gay Protections in Colorado

2009-07-01T07:09:00.000-07:00

James Dobson's February decision to step down as chairman of Focus on the Family doesn't mean the organization is abandoning its ideological agenda. Indeed, his minions are as busy as ever attacking governmental actions that don't represent Focus on the Family values, including pretty much anything having to do with homosexual rights.

Today's implementation of designated beneficiary agreements in Colorado, which grant unmarried couples -- including those whose partners are the same sex -- with many of the rights associated with marriage drew fiery condemnation from Bruce Hausknecht, judicial analyst for Focus on the Family Action, the outfit's political wing. Speaking in the Denver Post, he declared, "This is a backdoor incremental step towards legalizing same-sex marriage in this state." Egad!

Full Story from Westword.com

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

Episcopal Bishops Want to Adapt Prayer Book for Gay Marriage

2009-07-01T07:03:00.000-07:00

Episcopal bishops from the six states that have legalized same-sex marriage are requesting permission to adapt their church’s venerable prayer book for use at same-sex weddings. The proposal presents a new challenge to the Episcopal Church as it seeks to balance respect for gay rights with fellow Anglicans’ widespread condemnation of homosexuality. The request from bishops in Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont will be debated at the Episcopal Church’s upcoming (July 8-17) General Convention in Anaheim, Calif.

Even though the Episcopal Church has taken a liberal stand on gay issues, including installing an openly gay bishop of New Hampshire in 2003, its rules and liturgy continue to define marriage as between a man and a woman.

The bishops’ proposed resolution asks for permission to offer a “generous and flexible response” to same-sex couples seeking to be wed in the six states that have legalized same-sex civil marriage.

Full Story from Oregon Faith Report

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

Green Party in Australia Introduces Gay Marriage Bill in Senate

2009-06-30T08:09:00.000-07:00

The Greens have made good on a promise to introduce a private member’s bill to allow same-sex marriage in Australia.

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young introduced the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2009, which would grant Australian same-sex couples equal marriage rights and recognise unions entered into abroad, in the Senate. The bill seeks to remove all discrimination based on sexuality and gender identity from the Marriage Act 1961.

In an accompanying speech, Hanson-Young said the Greens believe discrimination espoused by the current Marriage Act must be overturned to ensure freedom of sexuality and gender identity are recognised as fundamental human rights.

Full Story from Sydney Star Observer

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

Gay Activist in UK Says Labour's Promises to Gay Community "Hollow"

2009-06-30T07:19:00.000-07:00

Peter Tatchell this morning hit out at Gordon Brown, saying that the Prime Minister’s claims in a message of support to the gay, lesbian bisexual and transgender community ahead of Saturday’s Pride London were ‘hollow’

The message includes the claim that: “We [the Labour government] won’t ever give up on the fight for equality – we are marching with you every step of the way.”

But Mr. Tatchell disagreed. “He claims to support gay equality but his government actually endorses some aspects of homophobic discrimination.

Full Story from UK Gay News

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

Gay Marriage Watch: June 21st-27th

2009-06-29T08:51:00.000-07:00

Here's our Sunday weekly recap of the latest news on gay marriage from around the world.

Woody Award:

Our woody award this week goes to "name and address supplied" - the only moniker we could find on this lovely letter to the Derry Journal:

"Congratulations to the Derry Journal for printing the letter from Pastor Bradfeild on the issue of gays. While I may not necessarily agree with him I would defend his right to express his views in an open forum. I like to think that I am fairly liberal person but the truth is I do find the homosexual act disgusting. I'd be a hypocrite if I said that it doesn't offend me. Why can't gay people accept the fact that there are people like me with this view and be sensitive to my feelings on the issue? If they are comfortable with their sexuality then please let them not confront my sensitivities.

In good conscience I cannot say that I support parity between gays and heterosexuals just because it is fashionable and trendy. Legislation on gay marriage and adoption is ridiculous and is happening because gays want to make the point that they are equal.

I am bombarded with gay propaganda in the media all the time and people who disagree with the gay agenda are labelled fascist. Political correctness is the biggest danger in modern society because if you prevent free speech then people will be drawn into the arms of extremists."

OK, first off, your right to free speech is a) not being violated, and b) does not come with a guarantee that your own sensibilities will never be offended. The other side has their right to free speech as well. I love this plea to preserve the freedom of speech, while simultaneously calling for the gay community to shut up.

Second, the idea that we're fighting for gay mariage because it's trendy? What, we got tired of Prada one day and decided to try Matrimony instead? Um, Mister NAAS, I don't want to make the point that my partner and I are equal - we just want to be equal. And, believe it or not, that has nothing to do with what you choose to think or feel. I could care less if you respect me, or if you believe I should have equal rights - those are your opinions, and you are entitled to them. Heck, I'd even defend your right to express those views. But I do want my government, to whom I and my partner pay taxes, just like you, to respect me under the law.

Finally, on the issue of sensitivity, we live in a heterosexual culture - 99% of everything on TV, in film, in the papers, and in magazines has nothing to do with being gay. Do I like the Real Housewives of Orange County? No. Do I like watching the Batchelor make a mockery of straight marriage? No. Do I enjoy the soft-core (straight) porn that passes for entertainment on a lot of shows? No.

But guess what? I can change the channel.

Enjou your woody, Mister NAAS.

Runner-up goes to letter writer Mary Dunckel, for this statement:

"All people who believe that same-sex marriage is not acceptable for the common good including Jews, evangelical Protestants, Catholics, Muslims, all people of faith must not allow the name-calling to silence us."

Um, two things here, Miss Dunckel. One, on the whole silencing you thing, see the paragraphs above. We don't want to silence you - but we also don't want you to block us from our legal rights, either. You have the right to believe whatever you want, and to say whatever you feel. I'm hearing this line over and over and over again from opponents of gay marriage - that this all a massive campaign to silence the true believers. Nothing could be further from the truth. I'll say it one more time. We don't want to silence you. We don't want to force you to change your minds. We just want equal rights.

But what really caught my eye here was this: "including Jews, evangelical Protestants, Catholics, Muslims, all people of faith". Guess what, Miss Dunckel? All people who believe gay marriage is a matter of equal rights include Protestants, Catholics, Muslims, all people of faith, too. In fact, a recent study found that many gay and lesbian folks are just as religious as their straight counterparts, and if you ever did go to a gay marriage rally, you'd see a coalition of faith leaders, some gay, many straight, are standing on our side of the aisle too.

So enough, really, with the religion card. And I'm sorry, Miss Dunckel - no woody for you.

Special Mention to David Klinghoffer, who quotes "An American Scholar" who tells us that gay marriage will lead to most men having sex with other men and neglecting their women, because "once they've experienced sex with other men, Catullus tells us, men are unsatisfied with what their new wives provide them."

There are no words for this one.

Gay Marriage Watch:

Now on to this week's Gay Marriage Watch. The blog is now organized almost entirely by area, with news of the week, upcoming marriage equality events, and great recent articles and columns. For a longer history of past news stories, just click on one of the older Gay Marriage Watch blogs from our archives.

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.

We now publish updates daily, and a weekly recap on Sundays.

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

Enjoy the rest of the Watch!

--Scott

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ASIA:

--news-->

6/23: Nearly a dozen gay leaders and minority rights activists will be meeting in New York Friday for the first South Asian Queer Leaders’ Summit to discuss future strategies and strengthen the trans-national network of the sexual minorities. Source

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AUSTRALIA:

--news-->

6/22:

--Disadvantages to government recognition of same sex couples include drops in government allowances and being ‘outed’ on Government databases. Source

--A survey company dedicated to market research recently found that most teens are quite supportive of gay rights, with 75% supporting gay marriage. Source

6/23: Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young introduced her private member's Bill, proposing to grant gay couples equal marriage rights, into the Upper House on Wednesday. Source

--upcoming events-->

Sydney: 8/1: The organisers of a huge protest for gay marriage in New South Wales hope over 400 same-sex couples set a world record by sharing vows on Saturday 1 August, as Australia's LGBT community continues to fight for gay marriage. Source

--articles-->

SA Senators Say Unions Aren't Good Enough, from Same Same Source

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BULGARIA:

--news-->

6/26: An open letter signed by four of the Christian communities in Bulgaria called upon Sofia mayor Boiko Borissov and Sofia city hall to not allow the Gay Pride Parade due to take place in Sofia on June 27 2009. Source

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CANADA:

--news-->

6/24: Colin Farrell’s big brother Eamon is officially married – at least in Canada. Eamon and his long-term partner, Dublin artist Stephen Mannion, journeyed to Vancouver earlier this month and became Mr. and Mr., according to the Sunday World. Source

--articles-->

Could Proposition 8 happen in Canada? by Christina Perry Source

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GERMANY:

--news-->

6/26: Forty years after the landmark "Stonewall uprising," German politicians and gay rights activists are demanding changes to the constitution to include equal rights for gay people. Source

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GUAM:

--news-->

6/23: Discussions on whether same-sex civil unions should be allowed on Guam continued last night during a town hall meeting on Bill 138 at the Mangilao Community Center. Source

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ICELAND:

--news-->

6/23: Gay marriage may be only months way for Iceland. Source

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IRELAND:

--news-->

6/22: Irish minister for justice Dermot Ahern has said he will soon seek cabinet approval for a civil partnerships bill which could be enacted by the end of the year. Source

6/26: Ireland recognized the legal rights of same-sex couples for the first time Friday in a civil partnership bill that gave people in long-term relationships many of the statutory rights of married couples. Source

6/28: The Director of Amnesty in Ireland has said the Government's Civil Partnership Bill further enshrines discrimination against gay people into Irish law. Source

--articles-->

Step in the right direction, from Independent.ie More Info

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NETHERLANDS:

--upcoming events-->

Amsterdam: 7/31-8/2: Organizers of Amsterdam Gay Pride have announced that during the celebration in August, Mayor Marius Job Cohen will marry five same-sex couples compromised of one American and one Dutch national. The action commemorates the 400 years of links between the Dutch and the American city they called New Amsterdam, with the hope it will inspire progress toward full marriage equality in the United States. More Info

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UNITED KINGDOM:

--news-->

6/22: A Christian registrar demoted to receptionist after refusing to marry gay couples in civil ceremonies was due to take her case to the House of Lords today. Source

6/27: 61% of the public want gay couples to be able to marry just like the rest of the population, not just have civil partnerships. And 51% of the public want children to be taught in school that gay relationships are of equal value to marriage. Source

--upcoming events-->

Cardiff: 10/4: Gay wedding show. More Info

Manchester: 10/18: Gay wedding show. More Info

Brighton: 11/15: Gay wedding show. More Info

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USA:

--news-->

6/23: President Obama invites gay leaders to the White House for Stonewall Anniversary observation. Source

6/26: In court briefs filed Thursday night, the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Center for Lesbian Rights formally endorsed the arguments of a high-powered legal team trying to block Prop 8 in federal court in San Francisco. Source

--articles-->

New England's Gay Marriage Compromise, by David Gauvey Herbert Source

Obama's two pressing problems, by Robert M. Shrum Source

US support for gay marriage falls, but not by much, by Kelvin Lynch Source

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USA, ARKANSAS:

--news-->

6/28: The University of Arkansas System's three largest campuses have resurrected an effort to extend employee health insurance benefits to domestic partners and other nontraditional families. Source

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USA, CALIFORNIA:

--news-->

6/22: A national organization headed by an Ossining woman that has pledged to spend more than $1 million to defeat a gay marriage bill in New York is defending itself in California against allegations that it was organized by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to defeat similar bills nationwide. Source

--upcoming events-->

Aliso Viejo: 7/25: Team Courage OC Canvass for Equality, 12 PM. More Info

Fresno:

--6/29: Phone banking For Equality, 5:30 PM. More Info

Fullerton: 8/9: Canvassing for Marriage Equality with Team Courage OC- Fullerton, 12 PM. More Info

Hayward:

--7/18: Come Canvass in Hayward! Alameda County Equality Team, 1 PM. More Info

Laguna Niguel: 7/25: canvassing for marriage equality, 12 PM. More Info

Los Angeles:

--7/9-7/19: Outfest is the oldest continuous film festival in Southern California. Since its founding in 1982, Outfest has presented more than 4,500 films and videos for audiences of over half a million people. More Info

--8/1: Los Angeles Equality Awards. More Info

--Every Monday: LA Equal Roots Meeting. More Info

Mendocino: 6/30: Get engaged tour event, 7:30-9:30 PM. More Info

Merced: 8/22: Merced County Equality Team introduction, 6 PM. More Info

Mountain View/Sunnyvale: 8/22: Canvassing event, 11 AM. More Info

Pacifica: 7/14: Get engaged tour event, 7-9 PM. More Info

Palm Springs:

--10/17: Palm Springs Equality Awards More Info

--11/7-11/8: Palm Springs Pride More Info

--7/8: Get engaged tour event, 7-9 PM. More Info

Palo Alto: 6/29: Get engaged tour event, 7-9 PM. More Info

San Diego:

--7/18-7/19: San Diego Pride More Info

--7/1: Get engaged tour event, 6-8 PM. More Info

San Francisco:

--7/3: Panel: Prop 8 is Going Down! Winning Gay Marriage in California, 7-9 PM at the Women's Building on 18th St. More Info

--7/15: Torie Osborn: The Fierce Urgency of Now: Toward a New American Movement in the Obama Era (Special Presentation), at The Commenwealth Club, 5:30-7:30. More Info

San Jose: 6/30: Get engaged tour event, 7-9 PM. More Info

Santa Rosa: 7/1: Get engaged tour event, 7-9 PM. More Info

Sunnyvale: 8/22: Canvassing in Mountain View/Sunnyvale with the Santa Clara Equality Team (Equality Team Event), 11 AM-4 PM. More Info

Tustin: 7/12: Canvassing for Marriage Equality with Team Courage OC- Tustin, 12 PM. More Info

Walnut Creek: 7/12: Get engaged tour event, 2-4 PM. More Info

--articles-->

California’s Next Gay Marriage Vote, by Josh Goodman Source

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USA, DELAWARE:

--news-->

6/23: Senate set to vote on anti-discrimination bill. Source

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USA, CONNECTICUT:

--news-->

6/22: Senator Christopher J. Dodd, Democrat of Connecticut, has changed his position on gay marriage, announcing over the weekend that he now supports it. Source

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USA, FLORIDA:

--news-->

6/22: The Temple Sholom synagogue in Pompano Beach, Florida, has placed adverts in a local Jewish newspaper offering 'Jewish Covenant of Love” ceremonies to gay couples. Source

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USA, ILLINOIS:

--upcoming events-->

Westmont: 6/30: Green Party Forum “Civil Unions, Equal Marriage and Straights: How marriage equality in Illinois benefits everyone.” The forum will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30, at the Westmont Public Library, 428 N. Cass, Westmont, IL. More Info

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USA, INDIANA:

--articles-->

Gays honor marriage, even if state won’t, by Emma Downs Source

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USA, IOWA:

--articles-->

Same-sex weddings, heartland style, by Jessica Ravitz Source

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USA, MASSACHUSETTS:

--news-->

6/23: Vice President Joe Biden got an earful from furious protesters camped outside Fenway Park [map] yesterday who hurled insults at him over a recently filed anti-gay legal brief. Source

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USA, MINNESOTA:

--news-->

6/23: It may soon be possible for same sex couples to register as domestic partners in the city of Saint Paul. Source

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USA, NEW HAMPSHIRE:

--news-->

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USA, NEW JERSEY:

--news-->

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USA, NEW YORK:

--news-->

6/22: New York Gov. David Paterson pledged in an interview with The New York Times on Sunday to make sure the state senate votes on marriage equality before it breaks for the summer, after his commitment sounded tentative during an earlier news conference. Source

6/23:

--Governor Paterson calls the Senate into a special session Tuesday to complete unfinished business, possibly including gay marriage bill. Source

--New York State voters have shifted their support for the first time to a slim majority backing a law to allow same-sex couples to marry, Quinnipiac University said in a poll released on Tuesday. Source

6/24: After bizarre Senate day Tuesday where both parties held competing sessions at the same time in the same room, the leadership struggle continues today, with the gay marriage bill hanging in the balance. Source

6/26: As the State Senate continues the fight for power, paralyzing the chamber, the movement for same-sex marriage is getting sidelined indefinitely. Source

--upcoming events-->

Brooklyn: 9/9: Family Law Day, In Conjunction with Lavender Law 2009, Brooklyn, NY, Co-sponsored by the National Lesbian & Gay Law Association and the National Family Law Advisory Council of the National Center for Lesbian Rights. More Info

--articles-->

A closer look at the New York marriage poll numbers, by James Withers Source

Nothing succeeds like secession, by Erik Engquist Source

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USA, TEXAS:

--news-->

6/24: Texas Lyceum's third annual poll reveals that Texans support legalizing gay unions by a whopping 57%. But when asked specifically about gay marriage, only a quarter of respondents agreed. Source

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USA, UTAH:

--news-->

6/23: Current and former Mormons opposed to the church’s stance on same-sex marriage and its efforts to ban it have launched a Web site asking the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to soften its views. Source

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USA, WASHINGTON DC:

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6/26:

--At LGBT fundraiser, Biden promises repeal of DADT, DOMA. Source

--Despite protests over Obama's Department of Justice DOMA brief and lack of movement on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and other LGBT issues, last night's LGBT DNC Fundraiser brought in $1 milllion for the Democratic party, up from $750,000 last year, according to The Advocate. Source

--articles-->

When Gay Marriage Turns Black, by Ta-Nehisi Coates Source

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University of Arkansas May Offer Domestic Partner Benefits

2009-06-28T06:16:00.000-07:00

The University of Arkansas System's three largest campuses have resurrected an effort to extend employee health insurance benefits to domestic partners and other nontraditional families.

At least as far back as 1999, employee advocates at the system's flagship Fayetteville campus have been trying to get a broader definition of "family" in the system's self-insured health plan, but have been unsuccessful.

Advocates at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville more recently have enlisted employees from the medical school and the Little Rock campus.

Full Story from NWA News

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

Religious Groups in Bulgaria Want Gay pride March Banned

2009-06-27T10:45:00.000-07:00

An open letter signed by four of the Christian communities in Bulgaria called upon Sofia mayor Boiko Borissov and Sofia city hall to not allow the Gay Pride Parade due to take place in Sofia on June 27 2009.

The letter was sent to Bulgarian media on June 26 2009 and was signed by leaders of the United Evangelical Churches, the United Church of God, National Alliance, the Reformed Apostolic Church and the Roman Catholic Church in Bulgaria.

"As representatives of Christian religion in Bulgaria we want to express our deepest concern about the organising of gay parade in Sofia for a second year in a row" the letter said.

Full Story from the Sofia Echo

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

UK Poll: 61% Support Gay Marriage

2009-06-26T08:55:00.000-07:00

A revolution in attitudes towards gay men and lesbians is indicated in a poll which shows that a majority of the public want homosexuals to share identical rights to everyone else.

Just 40 years after homosexual acts were legalised, and only nine years since the age of consent was equalised, 61 per cent of the public want gay couples to be able to marry just like the rest of the population, not just have civil partnerships.

Half (49 per cent) believe that gay couples should have equal adoption rights, eight years after it became legal for them to adopt in a highly controversial move by Tony Blair. But perhaps the most surprising discovery is that 51 per cent of the public want children to be taught in school that gay relationships are of equal value to marriage.

Full Story from the Times Online

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