tagged w/ Marriage Equality
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Benedict XVI says legislation safeguarding rights of same-sex couples violates 'natural law'
Pope Benedict XVI has condemned British equality legislation for running contrary to "natural law" as he confirmed his first visit to the UK later this year.
In a letter addressed to the Catholic bishops of England and Wales, the pope praised Britain's "firm commitment to equality of opportunity for all".
However, he criticised UK legislation for creating "limitations on the freedom of religious communities to act in accordance with their beliefs". It is thought his comments relate to laws that came in last year preventing adoption agencies from discriminating against gay couples and also Harriet Harman's equality bill, currently going through parliament.
The pope, whose visit is expected in September, made the comments after hearing representations from English and Welsh bishops on their concerns about the place of religion in an increasingly secular society.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/feb/01/pope-condemns-british-equality-billBenedict XVI says legislation safeguarding rights of same-sex couples violates... more
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Bil Browning from Bilerico reports:
Good As You blogger Jeremy Hooper and his partner, Andrew Shulman, have become the first gay couple featured in Martha Stewart Weddings. The magazine is on sale now. The happy couple were married in Connecticut earlier this year.Bil Browning from Bilerico reports:
Good As You blogger Jeremy Hooper and his... more
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This may cause same-sex married couples to rethink their stance on gay marriage, after all.This may cause same-sex married couples to rethink their stance on gay marriage, after... more
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puella
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added this
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2 months ago
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Via Lurleen at Pam's House Blend:
After over 8 hours of testimony and a brief debate, the NJ Senate Judiciary Committee passed the Freedom of Religion and Equality in Civil Marriage bill (S1967) on a 7 to 6 vote. The expectation is that the bill will be debated by the full Senate as early as Thursday.
Responses will be posted after the fold.
Here is the breakdown of the vote. The annotations are courtesy of Blue Jersey:
NO - Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen): Chairman, opponent of marriage equality. Doesn't have a law degree.
NO - John Girgenti (D-Passaic): Vice Chairman
YES - Nia Gill (D-Essex): Black Senator from Montclair, a diverse college town with a large gay population. Strong supporter of marriage equality
YES - Ray Lesniak (D-Union): Sharp, articulate lawmaker who led the fight to abolish the death penalty in New Jersey. Strong supporter of marriage equality.
YES - Nick Scutari (D-Union): a supporter of marriage equality.
YES - Bob Smith (D-Middlesex): a supporter of marriage equality. Smith represents a liberal district in Central NJ which includes New Brunswick and Piscataway.
YES - Brian Stack (D-Hudson): a supporter of marriage equality. Stack is also mayor of Union City, and an powerful Hudson County political boss.
YES - Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen): the sponsor of the bill and a progressive stalwart in the legislature.
YES - Bill Baroni (R-Mercer): very smart, well-liked Republican, and a supporter of marriage equality
NO - Christopher Bateman (R-Somerset)
NO - Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth): a wild card, and an up-and-comer in the Republican party.
NO - Gerald Cardinale (R-Bergen): probably the most outspoken opponent on the committee. A dentist by trade; has no law degree.
NO - Joe Kyrillos (R-Monmouth): former R party chair, probably an opponent.
Lurleen :: New Jersey Senate Judiciary Committee APPROVES marriage equality bill
Blue Jersey has posted a quote from New Jersey Governor Corzine
I commend the Senate Judiciary Committee for allowing a thorough, open discussion on the proposed marriage equality law and approving the bill for action by the full Senate. This is an action that is long overdue. For far too long, a large segment of our population has been denied the fundamental rights and protections of a civil liberty that is granted to all Americans.
"Throughout the history of our nation, New Jerseyans have been among the first to champion the fundamental rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness - from the fight for independence to the civil rights movement. By moving forward with marriage equality, today we have taken a significant step toward adding yet another chapter.
"I am confident that through this process, the marriage equality issue will be recognized for what it truly is - a civil rights issue that must be approved to assure that every citizen is treated equally under the law.
Blue Jersey also quotes Sen. Lesniak, a staunch supporter
A recent poll conducted by the Eagleton Institute of Politics determined that only 2% of New Jersey residents believe gay marriage is an important issue. But to those gay couples in a loving and committed civil union, it is an extremely important issue. It means they will be able to visit their loved ones in a hospital or make arrangements for their funerals without painful rejection, without questioning and delays caused by doubting Thomases unfamiliar with the meaning of civil unions.
"It means they will get the health and pension benefits they are entitled to without having to hire a lawyer to convince their employers that civil unions convey the same rights and obligations as marriage. It means they will be treated as human beings should be treated: with love, compassion, understanding and acceptance.
[more at link]Via Lurleen at Pam's House Blend:
After over 8 hours of testimony and a brief... more
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Senator Savino speaks on Marriage Equality Albany, NY December 2, 2009
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New York lawmakers have rejected a bill to legalize gay marriage.
The Senate decision Wednesday comes after months of delays and arm twisting of lawmakers sympathetic to the bill but representing conservative districts. It follows a referendum in Maine earlier this month that struck down a gay marriage law before it took effect.
Advocates say they aren't surprised by the decision. Most, including Gov. David Paterson, say they at least wanted a floor debate and vote.
Gay marriage is legal in Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts and Vermont. A New Hampshire law takes effect Jan. 1.
"This is an enormous victory," said Maggie Gallagher, the leader of the anti-gay marriage group, National Organization for Marriage. "What you saw was the will of the people. ... The culture really hasn't shifted on gay marriage."
New York is one of the most politically liberal states in the country. Recent polls showed a majority of New York voters favor allowing same-sex couples to marry, but one poll showed the public evenly split.
"The depth of sadness that I and many New Yorkers feel today is difficult to express," said New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who is gay. "We will not accept defeat and we will not stop fighting until all New Yorkers are treated equally."
More @ linkNew York lawmakers have rejected a bill to legalize gay marriage.
The Senate... more
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If you are a same-sex couple who would like to legally marry... or someone who wants to support equal rights and marriage equality... join us in New Hampshire for two days of events including legal wedding ceremonies and a group reception on January 1st. Start the new year off on a note of equality, courage and unity. Join us December 31st in Manchester, NH, for a party at a New Year's Eve party at a local nightspot, The Element Lounge. Then on January 1st, join us at the Radisson Hotel, for an Expo open to gay friendly businesses and organizations from 4-7pm. A reception follows from 7-11pm with full dinner buffet, a champagne toast, cake, dancing and entertainment. It will be a beautiful celebration of unity and equality. Start 2010 off on equal footing with the rest of the world. Demand your rights. Show your love. Get legal. AND HAVE FUN!If you are a same-sex couple who would like to legally marry... or someone who wants... more
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The D.C. Council gave tentative approval Tuesday to a bill that would allow same-sex marriages to be performed in the District of Columbia.
The bill passed 11-2 and faces a final vote that is scheduled tentatively for Dec. 15.
Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, a Democrat, has said he will sign the bill, which would go into effect after a mandatory 30-day congressional review period
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"I don't think it's a giant step, it's a final step," said council member Phil Mendelson, at-large Democrat. "This is a civil right."
The District's bill redefines marriage as "the legally recognized union of two people" who meet the eligibility requirements "regardless of gender."
Under the bill, religious officials may choose whether to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies but are not required to if doing so would contradict their faith.
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Read more here: http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/dec/01/dc-gay-marriage-bill-passes-vote/?feat=home_headlinesThe D.C. Council gave tentative approval Tuesday to a bill that would allow same-sex... more
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Crowd chanting "Gay Straight Black White, Marriage is a Civil Right" and "What do we want? Marriage Equality. When do we want it? Now." Recorded during the NYC Lighting the Way to Equality candle light vigil organized by the Marriage Equality New York, a non-profit all-inclusive organization whose mission is to educate the public by raising awareness of the important right of all persons to enter into legally recognized gender neutral civil marriage with all the benefits and responsibilities that entails.
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Still photography by SML Photography
Soundtrack by SML Music
Video production by SML Universe
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CC-BY-SA 2009 See-ming Lee 李思明 SMLCrowd chanting "Gay Straight Black White, Marriage is a Civil Right" and... more
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Dan Savage discusses the definition of marriage, and the erroneous claim that same-sex couples seek to re-define this institution.
Marriage was originally a sale of property. In the west, Marriage was re-defined BY THE HETEROSEXUAL COMMUNITY, and evolved into an equal legal partnership - slash - life partnership many years ago.
Yet, when the concept of same-sex marriage is introduced, detractors attempt to define marriage in it's original archaic terms, in the subconscious hope of deflecting from their own (often religiously-inspired) homophobia. They claim to be making reason-based arguments against same sex marriage, but when their reasoning is invalidated, it becomes clear that their arguments are emotion-based -- stemming from prejudice and nothing more...Dan Savage discusses the definition of marriage, and the erroneous claim that same-sex... more
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~y2009m11d17-An-Arkansas-10yearold-says-he-wont-pledge-to-the-flag-until-gays-and-lesbians-have-equal-rights
An incredibly bright ten year old is making a statement by refusing to take the Pledge of Allegience to the flag. He said he will continue his protest until every American, including gays and lesbians, are alowed to marry.~y2009m11d17-An-Arkansas-10yearold-says-he-wont-pledge-to-the-flag-until-gays-and-lesbi... more
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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,"... more
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asherp
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3 months 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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