on the issue of same sex marriage most religous constitutions and most books koran,bible, and torah all state marriage is between a man and a woman so basically same sex marriage
are just civil unions and the lgbt community can call it whatever it wants typically it still isnt marriage personally i think anyone whos in love is allowed to get married i think the human race kinda needs to start looking out of the box instead of inon the issue of same sex marriage most religous constitutions and most books... more
After 17 years together, Bill Slimback and Bob Sullivan couldn't wait another minute to get married. So they didn't.
With Vermont's new law allowing same-sex marriage only a minute old, they tied the knot in a midnight ceremony at a rustic lodge, becoming one of the first couples to legally wed under a law that took effect at midnight Monday.
Dressed in suits, saying their vows under a large wall-mounted moose head, the two Whitehall, N.Y., men promised their love, exchanged rings and held hands during a modest 17-minute ceremony. Moose Meadow Lodge co-owner Greg Trulson, who's also a Justice of the Peace, presided.
"It feels wonderful," said Slimback, 38, an out-of-work Teamster who is taking Sullivan's last name as his own. "It's a day I've been long waiting for, and a day I truly honestly thought would never come."
Slimback said he and Sullivan, 41, have long wanted to cement their relationship with a wedding, but since they couldn't legally marry in New York they chose to wed even before Vermont's gay marriage era officially dawned.
Vermont is one of five states that now allow same-sex couples to marry. Massachusetts, Connecticut and Iowa are the others. New Hampshire's law takes effect Jan. 1, 2010.
Vermont, which invented civil unions in 2000 after a same-sex couple challenged the inequality of state marriage statutes, was a mecca for gay couples who to that point had no way to officially recognize their relationships.
Since then, other states have allowed gay marriage, as did Vermont, which in April became the first state to legalize gay marriage through a legislative decree and not a court case.
Some couples - including many who obtained civil unions in Vermont - plan to return to the state to get married. But most are in no rush. City and town officials say only a handful of licenses had been issued to same-sex couples in anticipation of Tuesday's start.
"We've waited a long time to do this - basically, our whole lives," Slimback said Monday. "We've been waiting for a chance to actually solidify it," he said. He and Sullivan said they never wanted to obtain a civil union because they believe that's a kind of second-class recognition.After 17 years together, Bill Slimback and Bob Sullivan couldn't wait another minute... more
On Sunday (06-28-09) was the 36th Annual San Francisco LGBT Pride Parade.
The gay community gathered on a joyful march along Market Street in the spirit of its celebration theme: "In order to form a more perfect union…"
Mayor Gavin Newson e other local authorities participated on this event to show their support and commitment to preserve everyone's civil rights.
This event that usually attracts a joyful crowd this year seemed to have motivated everyone to come out. It felt like the rainbow was attracting everyone to show their support to marriage and family equality.
Prop. 8 gave the gay community a sense of union that is beyond the aspect of civil union. It made us realize that denying lawful recognition to longtime commitment among same gender couples affects the lives of their children as well.
The thought that children of same sex gender grew up by under the social stigma of their illegitimacy status, it's enough reason to recognize that Prop. 8 is extremely unfair!
Meanwhile, gays everywhere shall stand up and keep on shouting out loud: "homophobia got to go!"On Sunday (06-28-09) was the 36th Annual San Francisco LGBT Pride Parade.
The gay... more
CORDELE — Crisp County Board of Education has been asked to ban the presence of scholarship applications designated for gay students at the high school.
Superintendent Dr. Judy Bean received a complaint this week from a local minister regarding scholarships offered by an organization openly supportive of homosexuality. The applications are reportedly available in the guidance office of Crisp County High School.
Rev. Tony Register of Wenona Baptist Church went directly to Dr. Bean as soon as he received a copy of the flyer which he said was displayed on a table among other scholarship materials.
“It is nothing more than a solicitation for homosexuality,” said Register. “To me it openly offers the opportunity to be ‘paid’ by voluntarily coming forth and admitting homosexuality or your support of the homosexual agenda.
“I think it is an outrage and should not be allowed in our schools.”
The scholarship is offered by Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG). According to the flyer, applications for scholarships for $5,000, $2,500, or $1,000 are available.
Before completing the form to apply for one of the scholarships, applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
• Be a graduating senior entering higher education for the first time in 2009 (2008 graduates who take a year off are still eligible).
• Self identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) or as a straight ally.
• Demonstrate an interest in service to the LGBT community.
• Apply to an accredited higher education institution.
According to Dr. Bean, she and members of the board were unaware of the flyer’s presence in the school. In a phone interview, Dr. Bean revealed she had learned that this was not the first year the PFLAG scholarship flyer had been on display in the school.CORDELE — Crisp County Board of Education has been asked to ban the presence of... more
HONOLULU - An effort to force a vote on same-sex civil unions failed in the Hawaii Senate on Wednesday, essentially killing the measure.
Only six senators supported the legislative maneuver, short of the nine votes required for a full Senate vote.
Even though about 18 senators have indicated they support civil unions, they lacked the political willpower to go against Senate President Colleen Hanabusa, who opposed the effort.
Hanabusa has supported civil unions but said she didn't want to override the normal lawmaking process by lifting the bill from its committee, where it had stalled following a 3-3 vote.
Senate Judiciary Chairman Brian Taniguchi says there's still hope that the bill could be amended and revived, but that probably wouldn't happen until next year.HONOLULU - An effort to force a vote on same-sex civil unions failed in the Hawaii... more
Illinois legislators took the first step this week toward legalizing civil unions for same-sex couples.
The bill squeaked through a legislative committee in Springfield Wednesday.
The measure would not legalize same-sex marriages, but it would grant gay couples many of the benefits of marriage. They would have the right to visit their partners in hospitals, make medical decisions and more.
HB2234 creates the Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act.
Rep. Deb Mell, who is gay, said 648 state laws -- on topics from inheritance to health care -- help married couples.
"I find it very strange that I can be elected to the General Assembly and vote on rules and laws, but these don't apply to me and my family," said Mell, D-Chicago. "We're not protected." (Good Point)
State Rep. Greg Harris, the chairperson of the committee and the sponsor of the measure, said in a statement published on the Windy City Media Web site that “this is legislation about fairness and establishing equal rights for everyone in our great state. At the heart of the debate over this bill is a fundamental question: Do the people that this bill applies to deserve the same rights as evreyone else? The answer is ‘absolutely.'”
Opponents argue that civil unions amount to gay marriage by another name.
The House Youth and Family Committee approved the bill by a 5-4 vote, according to the Associated Press. The Chicago Tribune reported the vote was 4-3.
It now heads to the House floor.Illinois legislators took the first step this week toward legalizing civil unions for... more
BOSTON (AP) - Mary Ritchie, a Massachusetts State Police trooper, has been married for almost five years and has two children. But when she files her federal income tax return, she's not allowed to check the "married filing jointly" box.
That's because Ritchie and her spouse, Kathleen Bush, are a gay couple, and the federal Defense of Marriage Act makes them ineligible to file joint tax returns.
Now Ritchie, Bush and more than a dozen others are suing the federal government, claiming the act discriminates against gay couples and is unconstitutional because it denies them access to federal benefits that other married couples receive, such as pensions and health insurance. Plaintiffs also include Dean Hara, the widower of former U.S. Rep. Gerry Studds, the first openly gay member of the House of Representatives.
In Ritchie's case, she and her spouse say they have paid nearly $15,000 more in taxes than they would have if they had been able to file joint returns.
"It saddens us because we love our country," Ritchie said. "We are taxpayers. We live just like anyone else in our community. We do everything just like every other family, like every other married couple, and we are treated like less than that."
The lawsuit was being filed Tuesday in federal court in Boston by Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, the anti-discrimination group that brought a successful legal challenge leading to Massachusetts becoming the first state in the nation to legalize gay marriage in 2004.BOSTON (AP) - Mary Ritchie, a Massachusetts State Police trooper, has been married for... more
DENVER (AP) - The Associated Press has learned that James Dobson has resigned as chairman of the conservative Christian group Focus on the Family.
Jim Daly, president and chief executive officer of the Colorado Springs, Colo.-based ministry, said Friday that Dobson will continue to host the organization's flagship radio program and speak out on moral issues.
The departure of the 72-year-old Dobson as board chairman is part of a succession plan. He founded the group in 1977.Even hate gets tired!
DENVER (AP) - The Associated Press has learned that James... more
HONOLULU (AP) - Hawaii, the state that adopted the nation's first "defense of marriage" constitutional amendment a decade ago, has now become the latest battleground in the fight for same-sex civil unions.
It would become the fifth state to legalize the alternative to gay marriage if the Democrat-dominated Legislature and Republican governor approve a civil union law. The measure was passed by the state House this month but it now faces the Senate, where a divided committee is to vote Tuesday.
Republican Gov. Linda Lingle has declined to comment on the issue and it's unclear whether she would veto the bill.
Gay rights organizations argue that civil unions would promote basic equality in the nation's most ethnically diverse state, but opponents fear the erosion of an island culture that values conventional family ties.
"Society in general is becoming more accepting," said Suzanne King, a real estate office manager who is raising her 9-year-old daughter, Shylar Young, with her partner of nearly 28 years, Tambry Young. "It's not unusual to come upon a gay family. There isn't this fear that by giving us rights, it's going to reduce the traditional family."
King and Young said they want a civil union law so gay couples can more easily adopt children, share health benefits and gain hospital visitation rights. They plan to enter into a civil union if the measure becomes law.
Religious groups have been taking out newspaper ads, setting up Web sites and holding rallies urging lawmakers to preserve traditional marriage.
One anti-gay Web site includes photos of two men kissing each other and others apparently in gay pride parades. It warns of a bad influence on Hawaii "keiki," the Hawaiian word for children.
The Mormon church, which campaigned in California last year for a gay marriage ban, has not openly rallied opposition to civil unions in Hawaii this year. But some members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been sharing e-mails urging people to calls their legislators opposing the bill.
"In Hawaii, people still believe in traditional marriage and the sanctity of marriage," said Dennis Arakaki, executive director of the Hawaii Family Forum, which also represents the Hawaii Catholic Conference. "There's no indication that values or perspectives have changed."
Only Massachusetts and Connecticut allow gay marriage, while Vermont, Connecticut, New Jersey and New Hampshire allow civil unions. Californians voted in November to overturn a court ruling that allowed gay marriage, but the state still offers domestic partnerships that guarantee the same rights as marriage.
That means Hawaii could become the only Western state to give governmental blessing to same-sex unions.
"Our wedding industry would have a huge potential increase in business purely because there are people who would rather come to the islands rather than go to the East Coast to have a civil union performed," said the Rev. Mike John Hough of Kauai Island Weddings. "Some people say it's just marriage by another name, and that may be true. It's a perfect compromise."HONOLULU (AP) - Hawaii, the state that adopted the nation's first "defense of... more
My favorite quote from this article: "If anyone lives in a fantasy world, it is you, not us. ... It is not an illusion that people who are gay or transgender get fired from their jobs because they are gay or transgender," McCoy said. "The rest of us who live in the real world understand that these are real problems ... that affect real people, real families."
This debate is an important debate, but for someone who has been engaged in it for quite some time now, it is getting old dancing around with the religious right on these issues. How can we ever win their hearts and minds when they live in a fantasy land where they get to make up the rules? They debate form a place of mythology instead of reality. It's pure insanity! It's like trying to convince the schizophrenic that their toaster really isn't talking to them... And yet, we are forced to have these conversations if we will ever win the real battle, the battle for equal rights in this country. I just hope it happens sooner than later because this conversation is so damn old.My favorite quote from this article: "If anyone lives in a fantasy world, it is you,... more
In Utah, a debate is raging over civil unions. One group, America Forever, took out a full page add in Sunday's Salt Lake Tribune to show their feelings towards the matter.
The blog offers comment and provides links to pictures of the add.In Utah, a debate is raging over civil unions. One group, America Forever, took out a... more
Three of four parties of the governing coalition have tabled a motion that is expected to lead to gay marriage in Sweden from May 1st this year. "Regardless of sexual orientation, people in stable couple relationships have a need to manifest their feelings and their desire to live together," the motion reads. Civil unions for homosexual couples have been legal since 1995,Three of four parties of the governing coalition have tabled a motion that is expected... more
Maybe director Gus Van Sant, screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, actor Sean Penn, and everyone involved with Milk thought they were making a nice little tribute to gay activist Harvey Milk, something to remind us that the dark days of Dade County and the "Twinkie defense" are no more. Come Proposition 8 and Newt "Gay and Secular Fascism" Gingrich, and suddenly it looks like, more than ever, we need the film and its lesson of what it takes to defend one's liberties.
I was able to sit down with activist Cleve Jones, who was a friend of Milk and a consultant on the film, for this Air America interview.Maybe director Gus Van Sant, screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, actor Sean Penn, and... more
The Right Reverend Gene Robinson was elected as the first openly gay, non-celibate Episcopal bishop in 2003. While supported by his congregation in New Hampshire the election has caused controversy and struggle in the Anglican Church worldwide. Robinson visited the Center and discussed his recent book, In the Eye of the Storm. He talked about his civil union with his partner for 21 years, Mark Andrew, and his ongoing effort to encourage LGBT inclusion in the church. A full audio podcast of the evening is available through this link: http://www.gaycenter.org/out/The Right Reverend Gene Robinson was elected as the first openly gay, non-celibate... more
"We cannot accept the view that Amendment 2's prohibition on specific legal protections does no more than deprive homosexuals of special rights. To the contrary, the amendment imposes a special disability on those persons alone. Homosexuals are forbidden the safeguards that others enjoy or may seek without constraint"
-Justice Anthony Kennedy,
writing for the majority of the U.S. Supreme Court in the decision overturning Colorado's Amendment 2 referendum "We cannot accept the view that Amendment 2's prohibition on specific legal... more
A Los Angeles man has won the right to use his wife's last name following a lawsuit against the State California that lasted two and a half years.
After he married, 31-year old Michael Bijon wanted to use his wife's last name, but found that though it was a relatively simple process for a married woman to adopt her husband's last name, with the roles reversed, he would be subject to an entirely different process involving a $350 fee, a court appearance, a public announcement, and a whole pile of paperwork.
After getting stuck in a mountain of red tape, Michael and his wife Diana Bijon called on the California chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union for a little help with their problem. Following their successful lawsuit, California changed its laws, making it possible for married couples and domestic partners to put their preferred name on marriage and DMV paperwork, irrespective of sex.
This is certainly a change that's long overdue. To quote the ACLU's SoCal legal director, Mark Rosenbaum, "This disposes of the rule in California that the male surname is the marital name to the same trash bin where dowries were once tossed out."
As a writer, I'd used a pen name for almost a decade, so changing my name after marriage just didn't make sense. Being a feminist, it also rankled that it was the woman who was asked to sacrifice part of her identity, unnecessarily, and by default.
I've been married now for the better part of a decade, and find the seemingly old-fashioned attitudes and expectations of people and institutions with regards to surname choice quite bemusing. Much of my family still insists on calling me Mrs. X on correspondence. They know full well that I never changed my name, in part to make a point. I also use Ms. rather Mrs., since I think that the change in courtesy title according to marital status, which is another women only thing, is also anachronistic. I figure that those who persistently call me Mrs. X are making a point of their own about the traditional values to which I refuse to subscribe.
Personally, I've always liked the double-barreled option, which literally brings both sides together with a new family name. Michael and Diana Bijan could have gone this route without a change in the law, but in their case, Michael felt far closer to his wife's father, which is why he wanted to use her last name only. For me, the double-barreled choice didn’t make sense, since my name was also my trade mark (and our names joined with a hyphen sounded a little convoluted).
The current humorous Hollywood fashion for combining names (as in TomKat and Brangelina) actually seems rather sensible to me. If John Mayer marries Jennifer Aniston, they could go by the name Mayerston or Anistayer. Similarly, if George Clooney ever decides to get hitched to Sarah Larson, they have an option of adopting Larsooney or Cloonson as their new mutual family name. At least it'd make for a plethora of interesting new hybrid names (though probably some unfortunate ones too, what if Helen Hunt marries Cameron Crowe?).
Then again, I like that other Hollywood tradition of getting married and keeping the name people actually know you by. That option certainly made the most sense to me. What do you think?A Los Angeles man has won the right to use his wife's last name following a lawsuit... more
If you're an out-of stater, now you'll know what we're concerned about. And if you're a New Jerseyan, you'll sympathize :-)If you're an out-of stater, now you'll know what we're concerned about. And if you're... more
For the first time in two decades, gay voters find themselves in an unusual, if happy, predicament. The three leading Democrats have staked out similar positions on issues that resonate with gay men and lesbians. Although none of the three candidates back gay marriage, they all support same-sex civil unions and say they would fight to repeal the militaryâ??s â??donâ??t ask, donâ??t tellâ?? policy. And each of them says he or she would champion a federal anti-discrimination law that would protect lesbians and gay men.For the first time in two decades, gay voters find themselves in an unusual, if happy,... more
Spain legalized gay marriage and annoyed the pope. During a recent visit to Spain the pope announced, "[family is] based on the unbreakable union of man and woman and represents the privileged environment where human life is welcomed and protected from the beginning to its natural end." Under this definition, the millions of gay and lesbian couples and their children are not considered family. Can anyone think of other families that do not fit that definition? Maybe your own? Spain legalized gay marriage and annoyed the pope. During a recent visit to Spain the... more
New Hampshire will formally legalize gay and lesbian civil unions at midnight tonight. The first 100 + citizens will have ceremonies tonight outside the state house. Couples expressed mixed feelings. On the one hand they are happy any rights will be formally recognized by a state institution. However, they are still disappointed by the inequality of the law. Over 1000 federal rights are still denied to gays and lesbians who can not marry.
New Hampshire's new law represents progress though. Their democratically led legislators legalized civil unions without a court mandate. Only Vermont and Rhode Island are counted gave rights to gay and lesbian couples without judicial involvement.
[The linked article mistakenly reported that Oregon will legalize civil unions at midnight tonight. A Bush appointed federal judge delayed Oregon civil unions until sometime in Feb. 2008]New Hampshire will formally legalize gay and lesbian civil unions at midnight tonight.... more
