tagged w/ Marriage Equality
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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."
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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?
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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... more
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jubal
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2 years 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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Ben & Jerry’s is temporarily renaming popular “Chubby Hubby” ice cream “Hubby Hubby” beginning today to celebrate the start of legalized gay marriage in its home state of Vermont.
“The legalization of marriage for gay and lesbian couples in Vermont is certainly a step in the right direction, and something worth celebrating with peace, love - and plenty of ice cream,” Ben & Jerry’s CEO Walt Freese said in announcing the sugary switch.
Ben & Jerry’s, which has long backed liberal causes, plans to rebrand “Chubby Hubby” as “Hubby Hubby” for 30 days to show support for Vermont’s new law.
The move is mostly symbolic, as Burlington-based Ben & Jerry’s isn’t changing labels on “Chubby Hubby” pints sold in stores.Ben & Jerry’s is temporarily renaming popular “Chubby Hubby” ice... more
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Gay marriage opponents hoping to derail Maine's new law before it can take effect submitted petitions that they said contain more than enough signatures to force a people's veto referendum.
Leaders of the Stand for Marriage campaign delivered a stack of cartons holding petitions with more than 100,000 signatures to the Secretary of State's office, which has until Sept. 4 to certify at least 55,087 of them. If it does so, voters will be asked on Nov. 3 whether to repeal the law.
Maine became poised to recognize same-sex marriages when Governor John Baldacciback signed the equality law in May. The other New England states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont recognize gay marriages, as does Iowa.
Gay marriage supporters said they weren't surprised by the filing and stressed their own efforts to marshal support for their cause.
Opponents of gay marriage in Maine, Stand for Marriage Maine, have hired public relations firm Schubert Flint, which was instrumental in bringing about Proposition 8, the initiative that banned gay marriage in California.
However, pro-gay marriage group Maine Freedom to Marry has taken on political strategist Jesse Connolly, who ran the Maine Won't Discriminate campaign in 2006, to help fight a people's veto.
Gay rights advocates in Maine, US, have begun airing TV advertisements to encourage voters to protect equality. (seen above)
The ad, sponsored by Gay & Lesbian Advocates and Defenders, the Equality Maine Foundation and the Maine Civil Liberties Union Foundation, features a variety of straight and gay couples with their families talking about fairness and marriage equality.
Maine has a domestic partnership registry, but gay marriage advocates say it doesn't go far enough to ensure marriage equality.Gay marriage opponents hoping to derail Maine's new law before it can take effect... more
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Theodore B. Olson's office is a testament to his iconic status in the conservative legal movement. A framed photograph of Ronald Reagan, the first of two Republican presidents Mr. Olson served, is warmly inscribed with "heartfelt thanks." Fifty-five white quills commemorate each of his appearances before the Supreme Court, where he most famously argued the 2000 election case that put George W. Bush in the White House. On the bookshelf sits a Defense Department medal honoring his legal defense of Mr. Bush's counterterrorism policies after Sept. 11.
But in a war room down the hall, where Mr. Olson is preparing for what he believes could be the most important case of his career, the binders stuffed with briefs, case law and notes offer a different take on a man many liberals love to hate. They are filled with arguments Mr. Olson hopes will lead to a Supreme Court decision with the potential to reshape the legal and social landscape along the lines of cases like Brown v. Board of Education and Roe v. Wade: the legalization of same-sex marriage nationwide.Theodore B. Olson's office is a testament to his iconic status in the... more
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While delivering his Keynote speech at Netroots Nation, former President Clinton was interrupted by a blogger and activist demanding he call for a repeal of the 1993 Don't Ask Don't Tell policy, that banned gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military, and the 1996 Defense of Marriage act.
The president rebuffed the attack passionately detailing the reasons why he felt no other option but to sign the bills, and placing responsibility back on the shoulders of the LGBT community.While delivering his Keynote speech at Netroots Nation, former President Clinton was... more
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Newly minted brides should do more than vow to love their hubbies for a lifetime, say the majority of Americans. Some 70 percent of the respondents in a new study feel they should also take their spouse’s surname - and 50 percent say that it should be a legal requirement for a woman to take her spouse’s last name.
The study, presented Tuesday at the American Sociological Association’s annual meeting, was done by the Center for Survey Research at Indiana University, as reported by USA Today.
Some 815 people were asked multiple choice and open-ended questions about a variety of family and gender issues. On the issue of marital name change, the majority of respondents weighed in with a fairly conservative answer, says Laura Hamilton, Indiana University associate professor and lead study author.
Read more:
http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/2009/08/12/2009-08-12_70_percent_of_americans_.html##ixzz0O0i1EQStNewly minted brides should do more than vow to love their hubbies for a lifetime, say... more
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Couples would be required by law to "reflect" on their marriage and explore the possibility of reconciliationCouples would be required by law to "reflect" on their marriage and explore... more
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Purdey
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2 years ago
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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
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Watch as a puggle and her owner do what they can to support equal rights.
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Big news from Maine. On the plus side, the campaign to save Maine's marriage law has been launched -- and they've got a kick-ass campaign manager leading the effort. In Maine, new laws can be challenged via the referendum process. As I write this, the Catholic Church and its vehemently anti-gay allies are collecting signatures to get a measure on the ballot this November to repeal the new marriage equality law.Big news from Maine. On the plus side, the campaign to save Maine's marriage law... more
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Ah, those pesky details.
As you may have heard, President Obama tomorrow will be signing a presidential directive, not an executive order, providing "some" benefits to gay and lesbian employees. Well, the details, murky that they are, are coming. And they aren't great.Ah, those pesky details.
As you may have heard, President Obama tomorrow will be... more
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A Michigan lawmaker said Saturday she wants to change state law to recognize gay marriages.
The proposal announced by State Rep. Pam Byrnes faces an uphill climb. Michigan voters in 2004 passed a constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman, effectively banning the legal recognition of same-sex marriage.
But Byrnes launched an effort to repeal that provision at the annual gay rights Michigan Pride event at the state Capitol.
The joint resolution by the Democrat from Washtenaw County's Lyndon Township would have to be approved by two-thirds of the Michigan Legislature before it would be put to voters in the 2010 election.
The proposal would be opposed at every step by many of the same groups that successfully supported the 2004 campaign, including the Catholic Church. The 2004 ballot measure passed by a 59 percent to 41 percent margin.
Byrnes said same-sex couples deserve the same rights as opposite-sex couples in state law.
"No doubt, it will be a fight," Byrnes said. "But we're seeing some attitudes change."A Michigan lawmaker said Saturday she wants to change state law to recognize gay... more
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