tagged w/ Marriage Equality
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Can't Get Queer From Here
"Maine voters want to be tolerant of gays, but unfortunately, they weren't born that way."Can't Get Queer From Here
"Maine voters want to be tolerant of gays, but... more
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SAN FRANCISCO — Same-sex couples who identify as married are similar to straight spouses in terms of age and income, and nearly one-third of them are raising children, according to Census data released Monday that provides a demographic snapshot of gay families in America.
The study released by a think tank based at UCLA also found that Utah and Wyoming were among the states with the highest percentages of gay spouses in 2008, despite being heavily conservative states with no laws providing legal recognition of gay relationships.
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"It's intrinsically interesting that same-sex couples who use the term spouses look like opposite-sex married couples even with a characteristic like children," said Gary Gates, the UCLA demographer who conducted the analysis. "Most proponents of traditional marriage will say that when you allow these couples to marry, you are going to change the fundamental nature of marriage by decoupling it from procreation. Clearly, in the minds of same-sex couples who are marrying or think of themselves as married, you are not decoupling child-rearing from marriage.
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Wow, really? Seriously, don't you think it might be time to let all families get married?SAN FRANCISCO — Same-sex couples who identify as married are similar to straight... more
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The End of Prohibition
"I think this would be a good time for a beer," Franklin D. Roosevelt said upon signing a bill that made 3.2-percent lager legal again, some months ahead of the full repeal of Prohibition. I hope Barack Obama will come up with some comparably witty remarks as he presides over the dismantling of our contemporary forms of prohibition—laws that prevent gay marriage, restrict cannabis as a Schedule I Controlled Substance, and ban travel to Cuba. "You may now kiss the groom," perhaps, or—a version of the comment he once made about smoking pot—"I inhaled—that was the point."
Prohibition now is different from Prohibition then. When the 18th Amendment went into effect in 1920, it was a radical social experiment challenging a custom as old as civilization. Its predictable failure—the gross insult to individual rights, the impossibility of enforcement, the spawning of organized crime—came to an end when Utah, of all places, became the 36th state to ratify the 21st Amendment in 1933. Today prohibition is a byword for futile attempts to legislate morality and remake human nature.
Our forms of prohibition are more sins of omission than commission. Rather than trying to take away longstanding rights, they're instances of conservative laws failing to keep pace with a liberalizing society. But like Prohibition in the '20s, these restrictions have become indefensible as well as impractical, and as a result are fading fast. Within 10 years, it seems a reasonable guess that Americans will travel freely to Cuba, that all states will recognize gay unions, and that few will retain criminal penalties for marijuana use by individuals. Whether or not Democrats retain control of Congress, whether or not Obama is re-elected, and whether they happen sooner or later than expected, these reforms are inevitable—not because politics has changed but because society has.
Source: http://www.slate.com/id/2234017/The End of Prohibition
"I think this would be a good time for a beer," Franklin D.... more
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http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33614332
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asherp
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added this
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10 days ago
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Philip Spooner, an 86 year old veteran and life long republican gives his point of view for Maine's marriage equality bill on April 22, 2009. Nearly 4,000 people attended the hearing, with marriage equality supporters out-numbering the opposition 4 to 1.
Every person is equal and dissevers the same rights.Philip Spooner, an 86 year old veteran and life long republican gives his point of... more
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Philip Spooner is a lifetime Republican, World War II veteran and, to everyone's surprise, a gay marriage supporter. The 86-year-old gave a heartfelt speech in support of gay marriage to Maine's Judiciary Committee back in April, and the video has just now become an internet hit.
Spooner's voice wavers often as he weaves his own life story into the speech, using his experience as a soldier as his main defense for gay marriage. He lists his accomplishments in the war, among them serving in Patton's Third Army and carrying POWs back home, making it clear that he's a true American -- and according to Spooner, there's nothing more American than fighting for equality.
I am here today because of a conversation I had last June when I was voting. A woman at my polling place asked me, "Do you believe in equal, equality for gay and lesbian people?" I was pretty surprised to be asked a question like that. It made no sense to me. Finally I asked her, "What do you think our boys fought for at Omaha Beach?" I haven't seen much, so much blood and guts, so much suffering, much sacrifice. For what? For freedom and equality. These are the values that give America a great nation, one worth dying for.Philip Spooner is a lifetime Republican, World War II veteran and, to everyone's... more
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Video blogger Mike Stark caught up with Louisiana Senator David Vitter as Vitter was entering an elevator. Asked what he had to say about the Keith Bardwell, the Louisiana Justice of the Peace who refused to marry an interracial couple, Stark was met with a closing elevator door.Video blogger Mike Stark caught up with Louisiana Senator David Vitter as Vitter was... more
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Opponents to equality violated all of NPRs terms of use according to a cease and disist order sent by NPR to the Yes on 1 campaign in Maine.
“NPR did not license use of this story or its content, and would certainly not have licensed or permitted it if we had been asked,” Rehm said in a statement. “NPR is a highly respected news organization and does not allow its content to be used by political or advocacy groups. Such use is harmful to the integrity and independence of NPR. NPR does allow – even encourage -- personal, non-commercial use of our content, so long as it is not modified, and not used in a manner that suggests NPR promotes or endorses a cause, idea, Web site, product or service. The use made by Stand for Marriage Maine violated all of these terms.”
Content was used in Stand for Marriage Maine's latest television commercial which began airing October 16. The ad is no longer available online or on television.Opponents to equality violated all of NPRs terms of use according to a cease and... more
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A blogger with a grudge against Republicans in Congress made a fake ad this week spoofing the iPhone app commercials. "If you want to refute scientific research by quoting Biblical prophecy...There's a rep for that," it says. In the accompanying blog post the video's auteur explains his claims and sums it up by saying, "The Republican party today has little interest in developing constructive policy. Its reps would rather spend their energy offering up ridiculous claims to see if they can ride a wave of deceit back into power. Hopefully, they'll just catch a riptide and get pulled further out to sea."
There's A Rep For That: Fake Apple Commercial Mocks Republicans In Congress (VIDEO)A blogger with a grudge against Republicans in Congress made a fake ad this week... more
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"I'm not a racist. I just don't believe in mixing the races that way," Bardwell told the Associated Press on Thursday. "I have piles and piles of black friends. They come to my home, I marry them, they use my bathroom. I treat them just like everyone else."
« Miley Cyrus "Party... | Main
More at Zennie62.com | Follow me on Twitter! | Get my widget! | Visit YouTube | Visit UShow.com As I read the unbelievable story of how Louisiana Judge Keith Bardwell showed that racism is indeed a mental...
Interracial couple denied marriage? What about Obama?
Interracial couple denied marriage? What about Obama?
More at Zennie62.com | Follow me on Twitter! | Get my widget! | Visit YouTube | Visit UShow.com
As I read the unbelievable story of how Louisiana Judge Keith Bardwell showed that racism is indeed a mental illness by denying an interracial couple a marriage license because they were, well, of different skin colors, I thought about President Obama.
As Americans know, perhaps even Judge Keith Bardwell, Barack Obama is the product of an interracial marriage between a black man and a white woman. Terence McKay and his girlfriend Beth Humphrey, the victims of Judge Bardwell's racism are black male and white female.
What was the reason Judge Bardwell gave for his mindless actions? "I do it to protect the children, he reportedly said. The kids are innocent and I worry about their futures."
Ok, so Judge Bardwell's trying to prevent the creation of future Presidents of the United States, right? Because if you think about it, if laws against interracial marriage were still on the books and enforced, we would never have a President Obama.
But my concern is that folks like Judge Bardwell are allowed to practice as a judge anywhere in America. That he's active says as much for Louisiana as it does for him. Governor Bobby Jindal should be very concerned about the message of racial hostility Louisiana sends out to the World with Judge Bardwell's obvious violation of the civil rights of Americans.
What's even more frightening is Judge Bardwell doesn't think he's racist. According to the Associated Press, Bardwell said this:
"I'm not a racist. I just don't believe in mixing the races that way," Bardwell told the Associated Press on Thursday. "I have piles and piles of black friends. They come to my home, I marry them, they use my bathroom. I treat them just like everyone else."
That, folks, is the statement of one who in my view is irrational.
I totally agree with my SFGate.com CityBrights friend Yobie Benjamin, who writes:
This case is important as it shows the deep seated ignorance of some people in power. In the deep south, the justice of the peace is an important position of power and influence and is an elected position. From another point-of-view, the case is clearly no different from the discrimination gay couples suffer when government refuses to grant them right to marry.
Bardwell says he isn't telling inter-racial coupes they can't get married..only that he doesn't want to perform the ceremony.
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Do you think he should be able to get away with this? Should he be thrown off the bench?"I'm not a racist. I just don't believe in mixing the races that way," Bardwell told... more
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jubal
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25 days ago
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Maine activists have been working hard for five years to pass gay marriage, but events in the last few days now point to what should be an historic victory on November 3rd. With only 19 days left, what I'm seeing from the "Yes on 1" campaign reminds me of where "No on 8" was at this point last year - outgunned by the opposition, unable to control the message and at a loss about what to do. If Question 1 passes, it will be our fault for not having done more. But if Question 1 fails, those of us who get involved will have made historyMaine activists have been working hard for five years to pass gay marriage, but events... more
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HAMMOND, La. - A Louisiana justice of the peace said he refused to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple out of concern for any children the couple might have.
Keith Bardwell, justice of the peace in Tangipahoa Parish, says it is his experience that most interracial marriages do not last long.
Neither Bardwell nor the couple immediately returned phone calls from The Associated Press. But Bardwell told the Daily Star of Hammond that he was not a racist. "I do ceremonies for black couples right here in my house," Bardwell said. "My main concern is for the children."
Bardwell said he has discussed the topic with blacks and whites, along with witnessing some interracial marriages. He came to the conclusion that most of black society does not readily accept offspring of such relationships, and neither does white society, he said. "I don't do interracial marriages because I don't want to put children in a situation they didn't bring on themselves," Bardwell said. "In my heart, I feel the children will later suffer." If he does an interracial marriage for one couple, he must do the same for all, he said. "I try to treat everyone equally," he said.
Thirty-year-old Beth Humphrey and 32-year-old Terence McKay, both of Hammond, say they will consult the U.S. Justice Department about filing a discrimination complaint.
Humphrey told the newspaper she called Bardwell on Oct. 6 to inquire about getting a marriage license signed. She says Bardwell's wife told her that Bardwell will not sign marriage licenses for interracial couples.
"It is really astonishing and disappointing to see this come up in 2009," said American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana attorney Katie Schwartzman. "The Supreme Court ruled as far back as 1963 that the government cannot tell people who they can and cannot marry."
end of excerpt
Source: MSNBC
For the children my ass.HAMMOND, La. - A Louisiana justice of the peace said he refused to issue a marriage... more
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As dawn was breaking in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Sunday morning, three very sleepy friends and I crammed ourselves into a small, banged-up Honda, cranked on the acoustic lesbian folk music and began the lengthy drive to Washington, D.C., to be gay. The National Equality March, meant to draw attention to marriage equality and "don't ask, don't tell" -- and demand changes from the Obama administration -- was going to be the first gay march on the Capitol since 2000. While none of my trip companions (or I) are particularly energized by the gay marriage cause -- given our long-standing, uh, skepticism of the institution -- we still wanted to seize what might be our last chance ever to attend a large-scale gay rally in D.As dawn was breaking in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Sunday morning, three very sleepy friends... more
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Yes on 1 anti equality activists in Maine recycled the same $2 Million add they used during the prop 8 election in California. Why? Because fear and lies worked in California. Don't let fear win in Maine. Vote no on 1 to protect all Maine families. http://www.protectmaineequality.orgYes on 1 anti equality activists in Maine recycled the same $2 Million add they used... more
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Volunteers are needed in Maine. Do you want to be part of history?
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What's the next move in the struggle for marriage equality in California? What lessons can be learned from the election which saw the passage of Prop 8?
LGBT political activists and their straight allies gathered at the USC campus over the weekend of September 12-13, 2009 to learn campaign skills and strategies for success.
Keynote speaker was CHRISTINE PELOSI, who's book "Campaign Boot Camp" was used to structure the weekend's events. REVEREND ERIC LEE of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference addressed the difference between the LGBT civil rights struggle and that of African-Americans in the previous century.
The weekend was put on by OUT West Coalition - OUTWestCoalition.org
Reporting, video and podcast by Mike Skiff for ThirdRailMedia.comWhat's the next move in the struggle for marriage equality in California? What... more
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What happens when a gay guy asks people who gave time and money to support anti-gay Referendum 71 the most basic question?
* We have no idea what these people actually look like. We talked to them over the phone.
On August 31, the Washington Secretary of State's office announced that Christian extremists had gathered enough signatures to put Referendum 71 on the November ballot. Assuming a lawsuit doesn't stop it, R-71 allows the voting public to decide if the legislature was right in recently granting same-sex partners in this state the same rights as married couples. (An "approve" vote on the referendum will put the law into effect; a "reject" vote will nullify it.) Conservatives have long held that they don't have a problem with gay people—they just want to protect "marriage." But R-71 only applies to domestic partnerships. So why are those challenging this law fighting so hard to deny gay people equal rights? Since the state public disclosure commission recently ruled that the names of contributors to Referendum 71 must remain public, we called up four contributors to ask them. These were the first four people we called.What happens when a gay guy asks people who gave time and money to support anti-gay... more
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