-
-
Wisconsin gays face jail if they marry in California
If same-sex couples from Wisconsin go to California to get married, they may face a $10,000 fine, 9 months in jail, or both.
"Wisconsin law makes it a criminal offense to enter into a marriage outside the state if that marriage were illegal in Wisconsin. The law was passed decades ago to prevent underage couples from crossing state lines to marry, but it could be used against same-sex couples, Glenn Carlson of Fair Wisconsin told The Capital Times newspaper in Madison."
Wisconsin voters approved a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage in 2006.
While no one has been prosecuted under the law, Lambda Legal (the gay and lesbian legal association that fights for equal rights) posted a warning to Wisconsin residents on their website http://www.lambdalegal.org/publications/factsheets/fs_m...
Other states, including Delaware have laws prohibiting residents from circumventing state law by traveling to another state, but Wisconsin's punishment is the harshest. If same-sex couples from Wisconsin go to California to get married, they may face a $10,000 fine, 9 months in jail, or both. ... more -
Lesbiatopia: Breaking News.... "Pregnant Man Gives Birth"
This just in……
Lesbiatopia has just learned THOMAS BEATIE, also know as the 'PREGNANT MAN,' gave birth this morning to a healthy baby girl.
Thomas, who was born Tracy, is the first legally male person ever to do so.
Further Details as they arrived here in our Lebiatopia News Center...so stay tuned This just in…… ... more -
Photos of the 2008 San Francisco Gay Pride Parade
The annual Gay Pride Parade was held in San Francisco, CA on Sunday, June 29, 2008. Check out the photos of this colorful event.
-
McDonald’s supports economic opportunities for gays and attracts the wrath of the...
Seems those wonderful folks over at the American Family Association of Tupelo, MS, are at it again and this time they are all upset with Ronald McDonald and McDonald's Restaurants for their having become members National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC).
The NGLCC is a national not-for-profit advocacy organization specifically dedicated to expanding the economic opportunities and advancements of the LGBT business community.
McDonalds now has its vice president of communications for McDonalds USA, Richard Ellis, sitting on the NGLCC Board of Directors.
But AFA Founder and Chairman Donald E. Wildmon is asking everyone to send an e-mail to McDonald's because they “have signed on to a nationwide effort to promote "gay" and "lesbian" business ventures.”
The AFA defines itself as "a Christian organization promoting the biblical ethic of decency in American society”, by promoting socially conservative values and causes in the United States. Primary among these causes is opposition to what the AFA expresses refers to as the "homosexual agenda” and claims a membership of over 2 million people.
Homophobia is not the AFA's only agenda though.
It has in the past been accused of Antisemitism for it's views on the so-called "theocidal curse", citing the role of Jewish people in the media, saying that they have an anti-family agenda. In the past has also said that these Jews have intentionally placed anti-Christian messages and activities into their programming to undermine Christianity.
Click theabove link to read more on this Seems those wonderful folks over at the American Family Association of Tupelo, MS, are at it again and this time they are all upset wi... more -
Virginia groom passes as bride, could face charges
RICHMOND, Virginia (AP) -- The couple walked into a Norfolk, Virginia courthouse on a spring day, exchanged a few words, and within 10 minutes, were seemingly husband and wife.
It was an unremarkable ceremony -- except that several weeks later, officials realized the shapely bride might not have been a woman.
Now authorities in Virginia, where same-sex marriages are illegal, are weighing whether to file misdemeanor charges against the couple, Antonio E. Blount, 31, and Justin L. McCain, 18. An announcement is expected this week.
A prosecutor says the decision to press charges could turn on whether the pair knowingly misled officials when they applied for a license and later, traveled to a courthouse for a ceremony. If the bride was transgender, and identified as a woman, it is unclear whether the marriage would be considered illegal.
[...] RICHMOND, Virginia (AP) -- The couple walked into a Norfolk, Virginia courthouse on a spring day, exchanged a few words, and within 10... more -
Our Stories: When Everything Isn’t Sunshine & Roses
Jillian Doe and Jessie Smith have been together for nearly 20 years. They’ve hit a bumpy patch. As the final chapter to this week’s series, we get a glimpse into both sides of the story. And, it’s told with stunning honesty and a desire to get back on track that is deeply etched in every word. Jillian Doe and Jessie Smith have been together for nearly 20 years. They’ve hit a bumpy patch. As the final chapter to this week’s se... more
-
How a homophobic idiot was suddenly changed
I'm ashamed to admit this now, but when I was in high school, this was a joke I told a classmate about gay rights: "I'll give them rights - the right to die."
Did I really believe that? No. Back then, I was an 18-year-old insecure student trying to be macho by putting down gay people.
I thought that was the way I was supposed to act, and, sadly, at my school in Mississauga, a lot of people were like me.
While some teenagers today feel comfortable enough to come out of the closet, it was pretty much unheard of almost 20 years ago. You wouldn't want to be called gay after seeing the way homosexuals were portrayed on TV and in movies in the 1980s. Gay men were usually the limp-wristed, secondary characters with high-pitched voices who were the punch-line of a joke, never the leading man.
Take one of my favourite films growing up: 1984's Revenge of the Nerds. It featured a gay man named Lamar Latrell. In one scene, the nerds make a special javelin designed specifically for Lamar's limp wrist in order to beat the jocks in a contest.
And it was common for actors to put down other people by calling them "queers" or "homos."
Hollywood taught me being gay was an insult. And degrading gay people was something I'd watched on TV hundreds of times. So I did it too.
I'm ashamed to admit this now, but when I was in high school, this was a joke I told a classmate about gay rights: "I'll give them rig... more -
Gay couples across California trade weekend vows
Same-sex couples across California exchanged vows and wedding bands on the first weekend since the state began allowing gays and lesbians to legally marry.
ADVERTISEMENT
The city of West Hollywood, a staunch advocate of marriage rights for gays and lesbians, hosted a daylong marriage marathon Saturday, when about 100 same-sex couples planned to wed in ceremonies officiated by council members and administrators.
Accompanied by camera-toting clusters of relatives and friends, couples traded vows under white trellises trimmed with red roses inside curtained cabanas in West Hollywood Park.
Among them were Nancy Vasquez and Sandy Perron, partners of 16 years, who got their marriage license at West Hollywood City Hall on Tuesday and returned Saturday for the ceremony.
"This is just the icing on the cake," said Perron, a 45 year-old human resources assistant from Gardena. "It's something we've been waiting for."
California became the only U.S. state besides Massachusetts to allow gay couples to marry on Monday, one month after the state Supreme Court overturned a voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage.
But the wedding spree could be short-lived if voters approve a November ballot initiative that would reverse the May 15 court ruling and amend the state Constitution to bar gay marriage.
For Susan and River Mika Coyote of Incline Village, Nev., getting married at the Sacramento gay pride festival was a statement about human rights, as well as their personal commitment. The couple held a ceremony five years ago, legally combined their names and bank accounts, and bought a home together.
River, 38, said she hopes hundreds of gay marriages in coming months will help dissuade voters from supporting a constitutional ban on the November ballot.
"It's easy when people think of gay people as 'those people,'" she said. "If you check that box you're taking away the marriage of River and Susie — it's not 'those people.' We're normal people who want to take care of each other."
The gay wedding boom has been good for business. Tom Rosa, owner of the Cake And Art bakery in West Hollywood, said business has tripled in the past week, and on one day he did as many consultations as he usually does in a month.
Rainbow-colored cakes are popular, but some couples are wild for a silver-studded all black cake, said Rosa, who baked four cakes for same-sex couples marrying at West Hollywood Park.
Many couples waited until Saturday to get married so they could share the day with family and friends and not be part of the media hoopla and protests that surrounded ceremonies earlier in the week.
"We didn't want that to take away from our occasion. It means a lot to us," said Pat Melchor of Downey, who married her partner of 11 years, the new Mrs. Cheryl Melchor, who was clutching a bouquet of white roses as they posed for photos.
West Hollywood Councilman John Heilman, who was deputized by the county deputy commissioner of civil marriages to officiate weddings in June, said the day was proving emotional, especially for couples who had been together for many years.
"Everyone's crying," he said. "People are bringing their family and friends. That's what been nicer about today." Same-sex couples across California exchanged vows and wedding bands on the first weekend since the state began allowing gays and lesbi... more -
Internet grows up! Reddit welcomes LGBT and feminist websites
Social bookmarking site Reddit has finally jumped ahead of its rivals and outgrown puberty.
While Digg is infamously homophobic and Fark deeply misogynistic, it’s a breath of fresh air to see a mainstream social bookmarking site that not only tolerates but actually welcomes LGBT and feminist content.
Reddit underwent a redesign this week, and has emerged with a triumphant new feature: users can now tick which types of content they want to read. So no more trawling through endless Ron Paul and 9/11 conspiracy stories to get to what you actually want to read. Unless Ron Paul and 9/11 are what you actually want to read, of course.
There are many many types of content to subscribe to in the new Reddit, including, to our surprise and delight, ‘LGBT‘ and ‘feminisms‘. (We’re not sure why there’s a plural there, one feminism would’ve been sufficient, but let’s not complain.)
These categories are currently pretty underused - at time of writing there were 580 Reddit users signed up for the LGBT news, and 441 for feminisms, compared to 10,380 in the ‘WTF’ category and 3,020 just for ‘lolcats’ . But hopefully as word gets out, more LGBT and feminist bloggers/website pubishers/readers will use the categories and build their success. Social bookmarking site Reddit has finally jumped ahead of its rivals and outgrown puberty. ... more -
Beating Of Gay Man Appears To Be Hate Crime
A bruised head and swollen eye didn't stop 20-year-old Marquis from speaking publicly about the attack. He's admittedly afraid after what happened, but said he is not afraid of who he is.
"I've been called names while I was out, but never like this," said Bryant.
Bryant says the attackers started by yelling offensive remarks.
"I was being called a 'fag', a 'faggott.' The next thing I know I'm hitting the ground," said Bryant.
He says as he was nearing the corner of 20th St. and J St. when he put some head phones on a starting listening to music. All of a sudden, the suspects allegedly jumped on him and knocked him to he ground.
"We don't tolerate crimes like this," said Sgt. Matt Young, Sacramento Police Department.
Sacrament Police believe the 20-year-old may have been targeted because the bag he was carrying may have looked to his alleged attackers like a woman's purse. A bruised head and swollen eye didn't stop 20-year-old Marquis from speaking publicly about the attack. He's admittedly afraid after w... more -
Five of Australia’s Ex-gay Leaders Change Perspective – Why so long?
Ex-gay ministries credibility around the world is being substantially challenged as an increasing number of people come out with their stories saying - it just doesn’t work. In fact, reparative/conversion therapy causes harm that can take years to overcome. Ex-gay ministries credibility around the world is being substantially challenged as an increasing number of people come out with their... more
-
Homosexuals' money is no good here
Some businesses still don't cater to homosexuals, ignoring a potentially lucrative source of revenue, says University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee economist Keith A. Bender.
One of the most well-known examples is eHarmony.com, even as California, the country's most populated state, began performing same-sex marriages this week. The online dating Web site bills itself as a provider of what it calls unique measurements for compatibility that, according to a representative, do not cater to same-sex partnering.
"The research is based on six Ph.D. psychologists and 29 variables for compatibility called the compatibility matching system," said David D., an eHarmony representative who refused to give his full name. Some businesses still don't cater to homosexuals, ignoring a potentially lucrative source of revenue, says University of Wisconsin-Mil... more -
MC Frontalot- I Heart Fags
Nerdcore godfather MC Frontalot's old song about gays.
-
Norway Approves Gay Marriage
OSLO, Norway - Gay couples in Norway will be granted the same rights as heterosexuals to marry, adopt and undergo artificial insemination under a new equality law passed Tuesday.
Norway's upper house of parliament voted 23-17 in favor of the gender-neutral marriage law on the same day that gay couples were marrying in California.
The law replaces 1993 legislation that gave gays the right to enter civil unions similar to marriage but did not allow church weddings or adoption. It takes effect Jan. 1.
"We are so overjoyed. We have worked for this for so long," said Jon Reidar Oeyan, leader of the Norwegian National Association of Lesbian and Gay Liberation.
OSLO, Norway - Gay couples in Norway will be granted the same rights as heterosexuals to marry, adopt and undergo artificial inseminat... more -
Support Marriage Equality for ALL!
When the California Supreme Court ruled that denying same-sex couples the right to marry is unconstitutional, we came one step closer to achieving true marriage equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Americans. But we need your help to defend this progress—anti-GLBT groups, emboldened by the decision, are now working to deny benefits to GLBT couples on both state and federal levels.
Please, sign the Million For Marriage petition below, and be a part of this historic civil rights battle. Gay, straight, married, single...we need everyone who believes in marriage equality to stand up NOW—before it's too late! When the California Supreme Court ruled that denying same-sex couples the right to marry is unconstitutional, we came one step closer ... more -
Let My Partner Stay
Because same-sex marriages are not recognized in the United States, certain marital benefits, like the advantage of permanent residency for a foreign born partner, are denied to bi-national spouses. This commonly results in the foreign partner being forced to leave the United States, and their loved ones, behind. Brittany and Joanna's story is one of thousands. Because same-sex marriages are not recognized in the United States, certain marital benefits, like the advantage of permanent residenc... more
-
Anti Gay Marriage arguements do not hold up to the light of reason!
"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 protections does no more than deprive homosexuals of speci... more -
Warsaw Pride 2008, Equality Parade - impressions
"Yesterday’s Equality Parade was the final point of last week’s Equality Days (with the slogan Live, Love, Be!) in Warsaw." (...)
-
Opposition for gay marriages in NY
Opposition arises after governor's directive to recognize unions.
Religious and social conservatives vowed Thursday to fight Gov. David Paterson's directive requiring state agencies to recognize gay marriages performed legally elsewhere, saying it flouts traditional values and is a big step toward legalizing same-sex unions in New York.
"The definition of marriage predates recorded history," said New York State Catholic Conference Executive Director Richard E. Barnes. "No single politician or court or legislature should attempt to redefine the very building block of our society in a way that alters its entire meaning and purpose."
Gov. Paterson issued a memo earlier this month saying that gay New Yorkers who marry where it is legal will have the right to share family health care plans, receive tax breaks by filing jointly, enjoy stronger adoption rights and inherit property.
He cited a February ruling in a New York Appellate Division court in which the judges determined that there is no legal impediment in New York to the recognition of a same-sex marriage.
Meanwhile in California, there's good news for gay marriages
http://current.com/items/89000306_calif_court_won_t_del... Opposition arises after governor's directive to recognize unions. ... more -
Calif. Court Won't Delay Gay Marriage
California's highest court on Tuesday refused to stay until after the November election its decision legalizing same-sex marriage in the state.
Conservative religious and legal groups had asked the California Supreme Court to stop its order from becoming effective until voters have the chance to weigh in on the issue.
An initiative that would amend the state constitution to ban gay marriage has qualified for the ballot. Its passage would overrule the court's decision.
The Supreme Court says its ruling will be final at 5 p.m. on June 16.
If the marriages proceed during the next five months, it is unclear whether they would be nullified if the amendment passes. Some legal scholars have said the state Supreme Court might get called on again to settle that question.
Meanwhile gay marriages in New York face opposition
http://current.com/items/89000345_problems_for_gay_marr... California's highest court on Tuesday refused to stay until after the November election its decision legalizing same-sex marriage in t... more
-
related topics
Gays
Contributors (226)
Gays
