Straight Talk On Marriage

Iowa becomes a freedom to marry destination

noreply@blogger.com (Megan Kinninger) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:14:00 +0000

USA Today
July 8, 2009
Since the Iowa Supreme Court legalized marriage equality in April, Iowans have been adjusting to their state's new status as a wedding destination for gay and lesbian couples. Some Iowa communities and businesses are eager to attract gay and lesbian visitors. The Iowa City/Coralville Convention and Visitors Bureau is developing an advertising campaign aimed at out-of-state gay couples. [Link]

Gay Catholics discuss marriage equality

noreply@blogger.com (Megan Kinninger) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:13:00 +0000

Bay Area Reporter
July 9, 2009
Reaching out to people of faith is seen as one of the most important aspects of working for marriage equality, and that was one of the topics addressed as Dignity USA, a group for LGBT Catholics, held its biennial convention in San Francisco last weekend. “It's easy to be opposed to an issue, but it's another thing to be opposed to a person,” said Father Geoff Farrow, a former Fresno priest, "so I think the greatest thing that all LGBT people or their families and loved ones can do is simply to make themselves visible, to tell their stories." [Link]

Letter from mother of gay son tells Irish minister civil partnerships are not good enough

noreply@blogger.com (Megan Kinninger) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:12:00 +0000

Pinknews
July 8, 2009
Helen Doody’s letter to Irish justice minister Dermot Ahern on behalf of her son is fast becoming a hit on the internet. “Your Civil Partnership Bill is not good enough for my family, and hundreds, thousands of other families in this country. Revise this bill so everyone can be equal." [Link]

Massachusetts Sues Federal Government Over Definition of Marriage

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Eddins) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:12:00 +0000

The Associated Press
July 8, 2009
Massachusetts, the first state to legalize marriage equality, sued the U.S. government Wednesday over a federal law that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman. The federal Defense of Marriage Act interferes with the right of Massachusetts to define and regulate marriage as it sees fit, Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley said. [Link]

Iowa Entrepreneur Builds A Business to Help Support Freedom to Marry

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Eddins) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:38:00 +0000

SOScares.com
July 8, 2009
A year ago, Ron Choate lived through the meltdown of the economy and the devastating passage of Proposition 8 in California, and then returned to his home in Iowa to help care for his ailing mother. His struggles and the Supreme Court affirmation of marriage equality in February inspired him to start a T-Shirt business, some of the proceeds from which go to Freedom To Marry. Purchases may be made online at: www.soscares.com. [Link]

Vermont Episcopal Bishop pushing to expand marriage rites

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Eddins) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:08:00 +0000

The Associated Press
July 8, 2009
A group of six bishops from the Episcopal church plan to push for more inclusive treatment of marriages performed between same-sex couples at the church's General Convention, which starts Wednesday in Anahem. The Right Rev. Thomas C. Ely, the bishop of the Episcopal Church in Vermont, said the bishops want to adapt a marriage prayer book to include married same-sex couples. [Link]

In the marriage equality movement, D.C. shapes up as next big prize

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Eddins) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:57:00 +0000

The Christian Science Monitor
July 7, 2009
Washington would be a unique prize in the push for the freedom to marry. Not only does it bring the issue to where the nation’s lawmakers live – making it part of the city’s culture – but it also marks marriage equality’s first foray into a predominately black community. [Link]

Obama needs to move on gay rights

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Eddins) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 03:16:00 +0000

The Daily Nebraskan
July 7, 2009
A New York Times/CBS News poll recently showed that 57 percent of people younger than 40 support marriage equality, compared to only 31 percent of the 40-plus crowd. A whopping 75 percent of all age groups support the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and the ban on homosexuals in the armed forces. Six states have already legalized the freedom to marry. It’s time for the federal government to do the same. [Link]

NY Republicans Outflanking Dems on Marriage Equality?

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Eddins) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:29:00 +0000

The American Spectator
July 7, 2009
The GOP is using freedom to marry as a political football against the Democrats – by coming out in favor it. The solution to the New York State senate deadlock is likely to involve one or two Democrats breaking ranks and supporting the Republican slate for majority leader and Senate president pro tem. The issue most likely to push Democratic senators into the GOP bloc: marriage equality. [Link]

Life partnerships for same-sex couples begin today in Hungary, but gap in rights persists

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Eddins) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:51:00 +0000

Hungary Around the Clock
July 7, 2009
Same-sex couples can forge life partnerships before public notaries starting this Wednesday. These life partnerships will be guaranteed the same tax, employment, social and immigration benefits as heterosexual marriages. Gay couples will be barred from adopting children and taking their spouse's name, however. [Link]

Minneapolis to host Lutheran debate on gay clergy and marriage equality

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Eddins) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:45:00 +0000

The Minnesota Independent
July 6, 2009
After years of study and debate, thousands of leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will gather in Minneapolis this August for a vote on whether to become more welcoming to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Lutherans. LGBT Lutherans are anxiously awaiting the outcome, which could pave the way for gay and lesbian pastors, bring same-sex commitment ceremonies to local congregations and impact policy in a state with a large number of Lutheran elected officials. [Link]

West Virginia lawmakers to study marriage equality ban

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Eddins) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:31:00 +0000

The Associated Press
July 7, 2009
A proposal to constitutionally ban marriage equality in West Virginia went nowhere in the Legislature this year, but that isn't stopping lawmakers from studying it. Instead, legislators voted to study it during interim meetings. [Link]

The Stars and Stripes of Marriage Equality

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Eddins) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:40:00 +0000

change.org

July 6, 2009

How's this for a patriotic twist on an old-American classic? A revised version of the American flag, with a star added each time a state enacts marriage equality. We're at 6...and counting! The flag is based in the custom of 19th century suffragettes. At their annual convention they would add a star to the flag for each state that had adopted a women's right to vote. [Link]

Marriage Equality and the 2010 United States Census

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Eddins) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:54:00 +0000

Leonard Link
July 6, 2009
Republicans in the Senate have been holding up confirmation of President Obama's highly-qualified appointee to head the agency, Professor Robert M. Groves. In addition, the Bush Administration starved the Census Bureau in its appropriations. State legislatures need to get down to work in time to assure that the next federal elections can be conducted in a timely manner, and that the allocation of electoral votes for the 2012 presidential election properly reflects the country's population. Let's get moving, guys!! [Link]

D.C. law honoring marriages of same-sex couples takes effect

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Eddins) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:42:00 +0000

Washington Blade
July 7, 2009
Marriages of same-sex couples performed in other states and countries became legal in the District of Columbia at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, when Congress completed its 30 legislative day review of a marriage law passed by the D.C. City Council in May. “I think there’s tremendous significance and opportunity in Americans seeing legally married gay couples treated with respect in our nation’s capital,” said Evan Wolfson, executive director of Freedom To Marry, a national same-sex marriage advocacy group. [Link]

TOMORROW: Wolfson and Raab on Marriage

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Eddins) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:36:00 +0000

Out Professionals
You've seen him on the news. Now, you can ask Evan Wolfson your own question about the future of marriage rights at this exclusive Out Professionals forum. One of the true civil-rights leaders of our era, Wolfson is founder and executive director of the marriage-rights advocacy group Freedom to Marry. In a thought-provoking conversation with NBC News senior newswriter Barbara Raab, Wolfson will talk about our victories, losses - and what the future holds for marriage equality.

The interview will take place Wednesday, July 8th from 7:30PM - 9:00PM at CUNY's new Graduate School of Journalism. The School is just one block from Times Square and next door to The New York Times. And that's not all. The School of Journalism will also videostream the event live. So if you can't be there in person, you can watch from home... or wherever. Just go to either of the addresses below - viewers will be able to ask questions as well.

www.mogulus.com/cunyjournalism
www.ustream.tv/channel/cunyjournalism

Presented at:
CUNY Graduate School of Journalism
219 West 40th Street (bet Seventh & Eighth Avenues)
Wednesday July 8th, 7:30PM - 9:00PM
Admission: $5 OP members; $10 non-members [Link]

NEA Takes Strong Stand on Equality

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Eddins) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:24:00 +0000

Tips-Q
July 6, 2009
The National Education Association (NEA), is the nation's largest professional employee organization with over 3.2 million members. At their national conference this weekend, they adopted a strongly worded resolution on sexual equality. Resolutions B-13 (Racism, Sexism, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Identification Discrimination) and I-13 (Civil Rights) set forth NEA's opposition to the discriminatory treatment of same-sex couples and its belief that such couples should have the same legal rights and benefits as similarly-situated heterosexual couples. [Link]

'Kansas City Star' Publishes Its First Marriage Announcement for a Same-Sex Couple

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Eddins) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:31:00 +0000

Editor & Publisher
July 6, 2009
The 'Kansas City Star' ended almost two months of controversy by publishing the marriage announcement of a same-sex couple this past weekend. In Sunday's "Celebrations" section, the Star ran the wedding announcement of Michael and Charles Hewitt, a gay couple from Missouri who were married in Iowa on May 17. The Star's reader representative, Derek Donovan, said, "Newspapers reflect the world around them, and there’s no reason for them to refuse an ad that simply states an objective fact. My experience tells me most readers agree." [Link]

Maryland Governor Open to Recognizing Out-of-State Marriages of Same-Sex Couples

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Eddins) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:22:00 +0000

The Washington Post
July 6, 2009
During a radio show this morning, Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) suggested he was open to honoring marriages of same-sex couples performed in other states -- something he hasn't said publicly before -- with several caveats. "If a person has those rights under another state. ... I think we probably should respect those rights," O'Malley said during an appearance on WTOP radio's "Ask the Governor." O'Malley, however, also made clear that his preference remains legalizing civil unions -- and not freedom to marry -- in Maryland, and his aides labored to describe the evolving legal, legislative and political contexts in which his remarks were made. [Link]

Q&A: D.C. Marriage Equality Law Set to Go Into Effect

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Eddins) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:18:00 +0000

The Washington Post
July 6, 2009
At 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, the District will begin recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions under a new law approved in May. Here's a Q&A to help couples navigate the changes. [Link]

Obama, Lincoln, and Gay Rights

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Eddins) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:02:00 +0000

The Atlantic
July 2, 2009
Sean Wilentz's criticism of several books on Lincoln--and his general objection to the "two Lincolns" narrative that rejects the fact that Lincoln was anti-slavery to begin with, may offer some insight into President Obama's perplexing stances on gay rights. Lincoln made a number of statements, that, viewed out of context, would cause us to question his commitment to ending slavery. It's possible, indeed probable, that Obama's slow progress on gay rights may be the kind of political maneuvering Lincoln displayed prior to the Emancipation Proclaimation or the recruitment of black soldiers. [Link]

Obama said the right thing in calling for repeal of DOMA

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Eddins) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:56:00 +0000

The Philadelphia Inquirer
July 2, 2009
President Obama extended an olive branch to gay-rights activists last week who are upset that he hadn't moved fast enough on issues important to them. Obama campaigned on a promise to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, the federal law that allows states to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states, and to overturn the military's "don't ask, don't tell" rule, which bars gay men and lesbians from serving openly in the military. Obama told the gay and lesbian audience he invited to the White House to mark the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion to judge him not by the "promises I've made, but by the promises that my administration keeps." [Link]

EDITORIAL: Wedding Bells

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Eddins) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:08:00 +0000

The Washington Post
July 4, 2009
Same-sex couples in the District are getting closer to marriage equality. Same-sex marriages performed elsewhere will be recognized in the District beginning Monday. This joyous occasion will be complete when the rights and responsibilities afforded those couples are extended to same-sex couples who want to marry in the city. Council member David A. Catania (I-At Large) plans to introduce a bill to make that so. It can't happen soon enough. [Link]

OPINION: The New Republic: Obama—Ask For Gay Rights

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Eddins) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:43:00 +0000

NPR.org
July 6, 2009
During the campaign, Obama said all the right things (well, almost all—like most national politicians, he wouldn't endorse marriage equality). He invoked the importance of winning "equality" and "dignity" and "respect" for gays and lesbians. Now he is president, and one of the perks of being president is that you get to lead. But, when it comes to gay issues, leading does not seem to interest this White House. [Link]

Path To Marriage Equality In D.C. Begins Tuesday

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Eddins) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:28:00 +0000

On Top Magazine
July 6, 2009
The path to legalizing the freedom to marry in the District of Columbia begins Tuesday as the city's new same-sex marriage recognition law takes effect. The law recognizes the marriages of gay and lesbian couples performed elsewhere. City Council members approved the new ordinance in a 12 to 1 vote in May, with former Mayor Marion Barry the lone dissenter, and Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, a Democrat, signed the bill. Council leaders openly acknowledge their next move is to legalize marriage equality in the District. Because laws passed by the District are subject to a 30-day review period by Congress, before committing to marriage equality, the marriage recognition law was set afloat as a trial balloon. Several Republican congressmen, led by Ohio Representative Jim Jordan, objected to the law, but Democrats refused to join the chorus. Tuesday's start of the law then is a symbolic nod from Congress, a freedom to marry approval, no matter how tenuous. [Link]