tagged w/ Marriage Equality
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Washington State House Passes Same-Sex Marriage Bill By 55-43 Vote
February 8, 2012
By Stephen D. Foster Jr.
Just a day after the Ninth Circuit Court struck down Proposition 8 in California, the Washington state House of Representatives passed a bill to legalize same-sex marriage by a vote of 55-43. The bill, which now heads to Governor Chris Gregoire to be signed, will legalize same-sex marriage but also protects churches, religious groups, and affiliated institutions from being charged with discrimination against same-sex couples.
Nevertheless, this is a huge step for LGBT equality in America. Once signed into law, Washington will become the seventh state to legalize same-sex marriage, joining Massachusetts, Iowa, New Hampshire, Connecticut, New York, Vermont, and Washington DC. California could soon join this group if the Supreme Court upholds the Ninth Circuit’s verdict on Prop 8, and New Jersey could also legalize same-sex marriage soon.
Anti-gay groups and their Republican allies are already vowing to overturn the legislation via two referendum measures, one for repeal, and one that would define marriage as exclusively between one man and one woman (Similar to California’s Prop 8). For now, the LGBT community can celebrate yet another step for freedom and equality before stepping up to defend it against Right Wing attacks. 2012 is shaping up to be a banner year for LGBT rights
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012/02/08/washington-state-house-passes-same-sex-marriage-bill-by-55-43-vote/Washington State House Passes Same-Sex Marriage Bill By 55-43 Vote
February 8, 2012... more
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By David Edwards
Friday, February 3, 2012 9:06 EST
A day after insisting that the media had taken his comments about not being concerned for the poor out of context, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney shifted positions on Thursday, claiming he simply “misspoke.”
On Monday, Romney had told CNN’s Soledad O’Brien that he wasn’t running for president to help the most impoverished Americans.
“I’m not concerned about the very poor, we have a safety net there, if we need to repair, I’ll fix it,” he said. “The challenge right now — we will hear from the Democrat party the plight of the poor. And there’s no question it’s not good being poor. And we have a safety net to help those that are very poor, but my campaign is focused is on middle-income Americans.”
A day later aboard his campaign charter plane, the candidate blamed reporters for not putting his comment in context.
“No, no, no, no,” the former Massachusetts governor said. “You’ve got to take the whole sentence, all right, as opposed to saying, and then change it just a little bit, because then it sounds very different. I’ve said throughout the campaign my focus, my concern, my energy is gonna be devoted to helping middle income people, all right?”
Speaking to KSNV’s John Ralston later that afternoon, Romney finally began to take responsibility for his remarks.
“John, it was a misstatement,” the candidate asserted. “I misspoke.”
“I’ve said something that is similar to that but quite acceptable for a long time. And you know when you do I don’t know how many thousands of interviews, now and then you may get it wrong. And I misspoke, plain and simple.”
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/02/03/romney-i-misspoke-about-the-poor/
Watch this video from KSNV, Face to Face, broadcast Feb. 2, 2012.
"Please Define Middle Income, many folks do not get Married because they have to pay Higher Taxes, and speaking of marriage, why are you against Same Sex Marriage???"By David Edwards
Friday, February 3, 2012 9:06 EST
A day after insisting that the... more
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By David Edwards
Thursday, January 26, 2012 17:01 EST
Outgoing Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank is preparing for his new role as a married man.
NECN reported on Thursday that Frank will tie the knot with his longtime partner, Jim Ready, in a ceremony in Massachusetts. The couple has been together since 2007.
“Look, I have a partner now, Jim Ready,” Frank told PBS’ Charlie Rose earlier this month. “I have an emotional attachment. I’m in love for the first time in my life.”
Even though same sex marriage is legal in Massachusetts, the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) means that gay couples do not have true marriage equality.
“It is, of course, somewhat ironic that because of DOMA and because Barney is a federal employee, Jim won’t be eligible for any of the benefits that any other spouse would be able to get,” Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders executive director Lee Swislow told The Associated Press.
“I think it’s always positive when public figures are role models in these critical societal institutions.”
Frank, 71, announced in November that he would retire at the end of his current term. He has served as one of the most prominent gay members of Congress since 1981.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/01/26/barney-frank-to-marry-partner-jim-ready/
Watch this video from NECN, broadcast Jan. 26, 2012.
"Congrats Barney, Best Wishes!!!" =)By David Edwards
Thursday, January 26, 2012 17:01 EST
Outgoing Massachusetts... more
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Yesterday, after the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced marriage equality legislation, New Jersey Democrats tore into Gov. Chris Christie (R) for calling on gay and lesbian marriage rights to be put on the ballot. “We vote on issues here, we don’t put civil rights on the ballot,” Senate President Steve Sweeney (D) said, before criticizing a reporter who suggested that lawmakers were wasting time by holding hearings on a bill that Christie has pledged to veto. “The point of going through a fight for civil rights, are you kidding me? For standing up for people to give them the same rights? I’m offended by that,” he exclaimed. “[I]f the Governor wants to stifle and silence his colleagues that’s one thing, but he’s not going to stifle or silence us. Someone has to stand up for equality and fairness.” Watch it:
http://tinyurl.com/7jm29g9Yesterday, after the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced marriage equality... more
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LOrion
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16 days ago
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OLYMPIA, WASH. – Washington's Legislature has enough votes to legalize gay marriage with a statement from Democratic Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen Monday who said she will support the measure, becoming the 25th vote needed to pass the bill out of the Senate. The House already has enough support, and Gov. Chris Gregoire has endorsed the plan.
Haugen's announcement came has hundreds of people filled the capitol to advocate for and against gay marriage. State senators began considering the bill during a morning committee hearing.
"I know this announcement makes me the so-called 25th vote, the vote that ensures passage," Haugen said in a statement.
She said she took her time making up her mind to "to reconcile my religious beliefs with my beliefs as an American, as a legislator, and as a wife and mother who cannot deny to others the joys and benefits I enjoy. This is the right vote and it is the vote I will cast when this measure comes to the floor."
http://tinyurl.com/6pmzkj6OLYMPIA, WASH. – Washington's Legislature has enough votes to legalize gay... more
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The CWA opposes gay rights, comprehensive sex education, drug and alcohol education, and feminism. It touts “pro-life” and “pro-family” values. A few days ago, Concerned Women for America posted a video (below0 with Crouse rattling off a litany of statistics about the gay community's threat to traditional marriage. Janice's God only knows where she got the statistics she presented in the video. I've tried to find them prior to writing this rebuttal without much luck.
http://veracitystew.com/2011/12/16/hateful-janice-crouse-bashes-gays-in-defense-of-marriage-video/The CWA opposes gay rights, comprehensive sex education, drug and alcohol education,... more
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Conan officiates the wedding of costume designer Scott Cronick & his partner David Gorshein in NYC. News stations everywhere put their own unique spin on Conan's same-sex wedding news. Congratulations Scott & David! You are awesome Mr. Conan O'Brien!Conan officiates the wedding of costume designer Scott Cronick & his partner David... more
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The ongoing struggle to ensure that Gay Americans have the same rights as everyone else has a new warrior. Academy Award-winning actress Monica Imes Hicks, a Baltimore-area native better known as Mo'nique, star of the movie "Precious," has come out with a brief video that supports the concept of no longer treating GLBT Americans like second class citizens with some sort of contagious infection the immediately spreads to children.
http://www.examiner.com/liberal-in-baltimore/marylanders-for-marriage-equality-exercises-star-power-mo-nique-lends-a-handThe ongoing struggle to ensure that Gay Americans have the same rights as everyone... more
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http://goo.gl/k28i9 -- I wish there was a modern professor Henry Higgins who could work his courtly English magic on the Republican Party. Only he wouldn’t be focusing on their diction, posture, wardrobe, and manners… well, maybe their manners. If I had my druthers, he’d zero in on their homophobia.http://goo.gl/k28i9 -- I wish there was a modern professor Henry Higgins who could... more
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In a new interview with Parade magazine, Brad Pitt opens up about faith, family, fame… and same-sex marriage.
Brad Pitt
“Can you believe that we’re still fighting for equality in America?” Pitt wonders, in the expanded web interview.
“To be against marriage for everyone is utter discrimination,” Pitt said. “I feel strongly about that because if equality of marriage doesn’t happen now, the next generation will have to deal with it.”
“It is an amazing thing that New York has finally gotten same-sex marriage. But the real problem is that the federal government hides behind states on this issue. It is blatant, ugly bigotry, and the federal government shouldn’t be doing that. You’re denying some Americans the right that all Americans have, to live their lives as they choose.
“What are you so afraid of? That’s my question. Gay people getting married? What is so scary about that? It’s complicated. You grow up in a religion like that and you try to pray the gay away. I feel sadness for people like that. This is where people start short-circuiting — instead of being brave and questioning their beliefs, they are afraid and feel that they have to defend them.”
On faith, Pitt said he doesn’t mind a world with religion, but gets “hot” when people use religion to “start dictating how other people must live.”
“People suffer because of it,” he said. “They are spreading misery.”
The full interview is at Parade.com.
http://tinyurl.com/3du4gj6In a new interview with Parade magazine, Brad Pitt opens up about faith, family,... more
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LOrion
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5 months ago
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A surprisingly good Irish advert for marriage equality
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The policymaking body of the American Psychological Association unanimously approved the resolution 157-0 on the eve of the group's annual convention, which opens here today.
The group, with more than 154,000 members, has long supported full equal rights for gays, based on social science research on sexual orientation. Now the nation's psychologists — citing an increasing body of research about same-sex marriage, as well as increased discussion at the state and federal levels — took the support to a new level.
http://tinyurl.com/3t6ozzjThe policymaking body of the American Psychological Association unanimously approved... more
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LOrion
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6 months ago
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The first marriages were scheduled to take place just after midnight in Niagara Falls, where officials planned to illuminate the famous cascade in the colors of a rainbow, and in Albany, where an eager mayor planned to marry eight gay couples.
In New York City, 823 couples signed up in advance to get marriage licenses today, and many of those couples were expected to marry minutes later in city clerk’s offices across the five boroughs.
Click here for slideshow:
http://t.co/Cp9ZldAThe first marriages were scheduled to take place just after midnight in Niagara Falls,... more
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TDK729
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7 months ago
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It is an understatement to say that these last fews days in New York have been something to be proud of. Hundreds of thousands of people flocked to New York City on Sunday - hitting a record attendance for the gay pride parade and swelling the city with enough pride to light the Empire State Building in a rainbow of colors.
The celebration of the New York State marriage equality bill was the center of pride we all felt, particularly those native New Yorkers. I stated on my facebook page that "This has always been my residence. Now it really is my home" and it was reiterated in DiversityInc Magazine on Monday as the topic of gay marriage is remaining high in the media. Though, I had never felt out of place in the state I have spent 30+ years in, it wasn't until the bill passed, that I realized the recognition and respect I had been deprived.
The Friday prior to the parade my fiancee, Chely Wright, and I sat on the edge of our couch waiting anxiously for the senate to come back from break - it was time to tackle the marriage bill. ....
We have very educated people still "struggling" to make a decision that is "the right thing to do". And it all is based on prior religious teachings. We heard statements of being raised by parents who were Catholic or Christian, BUT the Republicans who voted YES also said, I was raised by parents who were compassionate and taught me that everyone should be treated and respected equally, and that fairness wins. That concept of human morality and kindness was a bigger influence than their teachings from the church. The biggest problem is the teachings from their religion and their moral pull are NOT matching up. When "the right thing to do" in regards to LGBT equality, is battling the "religious" thing to do, our problem is loud and clear and our work is more necessary than ever.
Read rest of letter here.
http://tinyurl.com/3ubn4cuIt is an understatement to say that these last fews days in New York have been... more
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LOrion
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7 months ago
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