« January 2009 | February 2009 | March 2009 »

Gay-rights group planning '09 drives Friday, 02/27/09
Deseret News

Monthly phone banks could begin as early as April. The group also plans to host town hall meetings in those districts to educate people about the initiative.

On a more basic level, Equality Utah officials urged supporters to make connections with people in the community and talk to their friends and colleagues about gay rights.

[Read the article or read more articles from Deseret News.]

Prop 8: Let's Not Make the Same Mistake Next Time Friday, 02/27/09
Huffington Post

Research has shownthat the single most effective way to change people's minds on LGBT issues is through one-to-one conversations, between either gay people or solid allies and their friends and family. Knowing someone gay, it turns out, is not enough. People have to talk with someone they trust about what it is like to be gay--ways in which it poses special challenges, ways in which it is quite ordinary.

[Read the article or read more articles from Huffington Post.]

R.I.'s dueling same-sex marriage bills elicit personal stories Friday, 02/27/09
The Providence Journal

In a pained voice in a packed hearing room, he talked about his months-long battle last fall to convince state authorities to release to him the body of his partner of 17 years, Ron Hanby, so he could grant his wish for cremation -- only to have that request rejected too because "we were not legally married or blood relatives."

[Read the article or read more articles from The Providence Journal.]

California court to hear Prop 8 case next week Friday, 02/27/09
Washington Blade

Despite the hype surrounding the oral arguments, Kendell said by the time the court hears them, "much of its main deliberation and thinking has already occurred."

"The conventional wisdom is that oral argument rarely wins you a case, but it can hurt you if you're not well-prepared and ready to answer the court's questions," she said.

A number of activists are taking steps to encourage the Supreme Court to strike down Prop 8. In the California Legislature, State Sen. Mark Leno and State Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, who are gay, introduced resolutions late last year urging justices to invalidate the amendment.

[Read the article or read more articles from Washington Blade.]

Vigils set for eve of Prop 8 arguments Thursday, 02/26/09
365Gay

Same-sex couples and their supporters will hold candlelight vigils in at least 15 cities across California the night before the state Supreme Court hears oral arguments challenging the constitutionality of Proposition 8.

[Read the article or read more articles from 365Gay.]

Maine innkeepers urge support for gay marriage Thursday, 02/26/09
WBZ

Barbara Whitten from the Greater Portland Convention and Visitors Bureau says local merchants and restaurant owners got an economic boost after the launch of a program targeted at lesbian and gay tourists.

[Read the article or read more articles from WBZ.]

The Eve of Justice: Prop 8 Vigils Planned for Prop. 8 Supreme Court Ruling Thursday, 02/26/09
SFist

Next Wednesday, March 4, vigils all over the country will take place the day before the California Supreme Court hears oral arguments on the validity of Prop 8, the same-sex marriage ban that passed in November.

[Read the article or read more articles from SFist.]

How the Committee Voted on HB444 Thursday, 02/26/09
Equality Hawaii

Please urge your senator to support HB444.

To find out how to contact your representatives read a post from Capsun.org, "Be An Informed Citizen" which can be found here: http://capsun.org/2009/01/21/be-an-informed-citizen-this-session/. This post is filled with great resources not just for this bill but for any bill you want more information about.

[Read the article or read more articles from Equality Hawaii.]

Prop 8 proponent ascends to leadership role in state Senate Wednesday, 02/25/09
Bay Area Reporter

Pamela Brown, policy director for Marriage Equality USA, said Hollingsworth could use his new role to promote anti-LGBT views.

"I don't know that it'll change anything that we'll be doing," said Brown.

But Brown warned that Hollingsworth and other Prop 8 leaders continue to use their visibility to promote intolerance toward LGBT youth.

"We've been hearing back from our survey and the stories from children of same-sex couples have been particularly frightening. We're hearing kids were running up and down the hallways of schools yelling 'Yes on 8' as a different way now of saying 'faggot,'" said Brown, who said she believes Hollingsworth shares the responsibility for that.

[Read the article or read more articles from Bay Area Reporter.]

Stop the North Carolina Marriage Amendment! Wednesday, 02/25/09
Queers United

With right wing legislators filing a constitutional amendment denying same-sex couples access to marriage and any other kind of relationship recognition this week, we need you to ask your elected officials not to sign on as a sponsor.

[Read the article or read more articles from Queers United.]

Committee deadlocks on Hawaii same-sex unions bill Wednesday, 02/25/09
AP

Democratic Senate leaders have said that if the panel became deadlocked, they would yank the measure from its committee and force a vote before the full Senate. That is allowed under a rarely used provision of the Hawaii Constitution if more than one-third of senators approve.

At least 18 of the 25 senators have said they favor civil unions. The measure already has passed the Hawaii House, but with one vote less than would be needed to override a veto.

Republican Gov. Linda Lingle has not stated her position on the bill, which would make Hawaii the fifth state to allow same-sex civil unions. Under the state constitution, the earliest the bill can be pulled to the Senate floor is March 10.

[Read the article or read more articles from AP.]

Prop 8 could unravel minority rights, opponents say Wednesday, 02/25/09
Desert Sun

The NAACP, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund and the Asian Pacific American Legal Center are among the more than 1,000 churches, civil rights organizations, businesses, labor unions and elected officials represented in friend-of-the-court briefs filed in the case.

[Read the article or read more articles from Desert Sun.]

Prop. 8 vigil planned for eve of oral arguments Wednesday, 02/25/09
Desert Sun

The "March Forth on March 4" vigil will be held in cities across the state such as Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego and San Francisco.

[Read the article or read more articles from Desert Sun.]

Gay Bloggers' Voices Rise in Chorus of Growing Political Influence Tuesday, 02/24/09
Washington Post

"What happened after Proposition 8 caught the national gay groups completely off guard. I think it surprised them. I think it really showed them that when it comes to harnessing grass-roots energy, they need to get online," says Kevin Naff, editor of the Washington Blade, a gay newspaper. "What happened online came together overnight for little or no money, and the protests were covered by the mainstream press. If national groups wanted to coordinate the kind of mass protests we saw, they would spend $1 million and take six months to do it."

[Read the article or read more articles from Washington Post.]

Gay Marriage Needs a Vote Tuesday, 02/24/09
NY Times

Same-sex couples deserve full equality under the law, and that includes the right to marry. For the last decade or so, members of the Rhode Island State Legislature have regularly proposed bills to allow same-sex couples to marry only to see the issue die in committee without coming to a vote.

[Read the article or read more articles from NY Times.]

Idaho LGBT rights bill dies in committee Tuesday, 02/24/09
365Gay

In presenting the bill, LeFavour, the the state's only gay lawmaker, told the committee that gays and lesbians in Idaho "live in fear" that they can be fired. "This is a way of prohibiting the most egregious forms of discrimination," she said.

[Read the article or read more articles from 365Gay.]

When Asked Whether He Would 'Consider' Gay Civil Unions, Steele Replies, 'What Are You, Crazy?' Tuesday, 02/24/09
Think Progress

Indeed, Steele has talked a big game about reaching new constituencies -- saying recently, "We need to uptick our image with everyone, including one-armed midgets" -- yet he advocates bigotry that the vast majority of Americans rejects. A poll from December showed that a full 75 percent of Americans support gay marriage or civil unions, with only about 2 in 10 saying gay couples should have no legal rights.

[Read the article or read more articles from Think Progress.]

Calif. Senate committee sides with Prop. 8 foes Tuesday, 02/24/09
SF Gate

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 3-2 Tuesday to approve a resolution that says the proposition's ban on same-sex marriages was a constitutional revision. As such, it would have needed approval from the Legislature to reach last November's ballot.

The vote sends the resolution by Democratic Sen. Mark Leno of San Francisco to the full Senate.

[Read the article or read more articles from SF Gate.]

Prop 8: Our Children's Perspective Monday, 02/23/09
Bilerico Project

If you're like me, you've read an awful lot about Prop 8. While you still want to spread the word to those who need education about it, you're probably getting a bit tired yourself of reading yet another article pro or con.

Read this one, though. It's by Amanda Young of Verde, a magazine produced by and for students at Palo Alto High School, and features the perspectives of several teen children of lesbian and gay parents.

[Read the article or read more articles from Bilerico Project.]

Financial impact of gay vows studied Monday, 02/23/09
Kennebec Journal

The Maine economy would see a $60 million boost over three years if same-sex couples are allowed to marry here, according to a California-based think tank that works to advance the rights of gays and lesbians.

[Read the article or read more articles from Kennebec Journal.]

NAACP Calls for Overturning of Proposition 8 Monday, 02/23/09
Advocate

"Our mission statement calls for the 'quality of rights of all persons.' Prop. 8 strips same-sex couples of a fundamental freedom, as defined by the California state supreme court. In so doing, it poses a serious threat to all Americans. Prop. 8 is a discriminatory, unprecedented change to the California constitution that, if allowed to stand, would undermine the very purpose of a constitution and courts -- assuring equal protection and opportunity for all and safeguarding minorities from the tyranny of the majority."

[Read the article or read more articles from Advocate.]

Israeli Parliament to consider gay marriage Sunday, 02/22/09
365Gay

Currently only a rabbi can perform a marriage in Israel. A bill already before the Knesset would allow civil marriage, but only for opposite-sex couples.

Horovitz said his measure would allow opposite-sex and same-sex couples to marry.

[Read the article or read more articles from 365Gay.]

NYT op-ed on same-sex marriage presents a compromise Sunday, 02/22/09
Pam's House Blend

In making compromises to tamp down the conflict that make Blankenhorn and Rauch so uncomfortable, we all must go in with our eyes open that the impact of compromise may have unintended consequences that may take years to extract ourselves from by creating a separate and unequal system. Is it worth the price? In Blankenhorn's and Rauch's compromise, it brings a host of rights to couples unable to obtain them because of the laws in their states. By rejecting compromise and working incrementally, those in states with few or no rights remain second-class citizens at any level for who knows how long (before the U.S. Supreme Court ultimately decides the matter).

[Read the article or read more articles from Pam's House Blend.]

Vote On New Mexico Gay Partnerships Likely Next Week Sunday, 02/22/09
On Top Magazine

The Domestic Partner Rights and Responsibilities Act, introduced as Senate Bill 12 by Senator Cisco McSorley, has been crafted to give committed gay and lesbian couples marriage-like benefits.

[Read the article or read more articles from On Top Magazine.]

Lutheran task force recommends changing gay-clergy policy Saturday, 02/21/09
Chicago Tribune

If the assembly rejects the first measure to recognize monogamous gay unions, the remaining three will die. If the assembly approves, members will be asked if they want to permit clergy in committed same-gender relationships to work in churches that invite them to serve.

The third step asks the church to respect the bound conscience of those who disagree. The fourth calls for change in policy that would incorporate flexibility in the decision-making process that allows gay clergy in relationships to serve. Chicago Bishop Wayne Miller said he welcomed the cautious approach.

[Read the article or read more articles from Chicago Tribune.]

R.I. legislators to take up annual gay marriage debate Saturday, 02/21/09
The Providence Journal

Only three bills are up for debate Thursday night. One, sponsored by Blais, R-Coventry, would prohibit same-sex marriage. Another sponsored by Sen. Rhoda Perry, D-Providence, would pave the way for "civil marriage [as] a legal institution recognized by the state in order to promote stable relationships and to protect individuals who are in those relationships." A third, sponsored by freshman Sen. Erin Lynch, D-Warwick, would allow same-sex couples who married elsewhere to get a divorce here.

[Read the article or read more articles from The Providence Journal.]

Openly gay congressman from Colorado says passing ENDA, repealing DADT, partner benefits for federal employees high on his to-do list Saturday, 02/21/09
Dallas Voice

Speaking in a telephone interview, Polis didn't offer a specific timeframe for addressing other LGBT-related federal issues, including a repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act and the addition of hate crimes protections. But he said that as a member of the House Rules Committee and co-chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, he's in a position to push the community's agenda forward.

"Having that human face on the issue for other members of Congress, I think, is critical in helping to get some of these changes made," he said.

[Read the article or read more articles from Dallas Voice.]

SF/Bay Area LBGT Community Gathers for Post-Proposition 8 Forum Thursday, 02/19/09
NCLR

WHAT: Post-Proposition 8 Community Building Town Hall
WHEN: Thursday, February 26, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
WHERE: Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, 99 Grove Street, San Francisco

[Read the article or read more articles from NCLR.]

Indiana GOP nixes anti-gay amendment Thursday, 02/19/09
365Gay

Indiana's Senate Republican Caucus voted this week not to consider a resolution that would have proposed amending the state constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman.

[Read the article or read more articles from 365Gay.]

'I Do' education campaign launched Thursday, 02/19/09
Bay Area Reporter

"Everyone will have ownership," Kors told the Bay Area Reporter. "We want everyone working together."

He added that the Let California Ring Web site would be expanded to include not only the current partners such as Marriage Equality USA, but also a number of the anti-Prop 8 groups that have sprouted up since the passage of the initiative last November.

[Read the article or read more articles from Bay Area Reporter.]

Ballot proposals to repeal Prop 8 in planning stage Thursday, 02/19/09
Bay Area Reporter

"We have to remember that Prop 8 was passed by a slight majority [52 percent] and there are people who are open to changing their minds."

"We know engaging in open dialogue and sharing personal stories has a powerful impact," he said in the e-mail. "That's why we're encouraging people to continue having those conversations and to have them with people who may not be supportive of the freedom to marry."

[Read the article or read more articles from Bay Area Reporter.]

Calling The Christianist Bluff Thursday, 02/19/09
Andrew Sullivan

It's not about protecting marriage; it's about treating gay citizens and their relationships with contempt. At least Equality Utah has now proven that. And that is indeed a useful and clarifying thing.

[Read the article or read more articles from Andrew Sullivan.]

All gay-rights bills fall short, but neither side is giving up Thursday, 02/19/09
Salt Lake Tribune

Equality Utah crafted the Common Ground Initiative in response to statements made by the LDS Church after passage of California's Proposition 8. Even though it supported the ballot measure, which banned same-sex marriage in the Golden State, the church said it "does not object to rights for same-sex couples regarding hospitalization and medical care, fair housing and employment rights, or probate rights, so long as these do not infringe on the integrity of the traditional family or the constitutional rights of churches."

Despite those comments, the LDS Church did not endorse Equality Utah's initiative.

[Read the article or read more articles from Salt Lake Tribune.]

Poll: Half of NJ voters support gay marriage Thursday, 02/19/09
Newsday

About half of New Jerseyans believe that gay couples should be allowed to marry, according to a new poll.

[Read the article or read more articles from Newsday.]

California's Prop. 8 legal challenge harkens back to 1966 housing measure Wednesday, 02/18/09
Sacramento Bee

A former actor named Ronald Reagan, who had opposed the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, was a campaign spokesman.

"If an individual wants to discriminate against Negroes or others in selling or renting his house," Reagan declared, "he has a right to do so."

Two years after Proposition 14 passed, the state Supreme Court struck it down, saying it violated the U.S. Constitution. The U.S. Supreme Court later upheld the decision.

Proposition 8 ended same-sex marriage in California last November. Brown is contending that the measure violates the California Constitution's "inalienable" rights to liberty and privacy that cannot be eliminated without compelling reasons.

He maintains those rights include the right to marry, which same-sex couples had for five months last year. That window opened after the state Supreme Court decided in May to invalidate Proposition 22 of 2000, which had banned same-sex marriage, and it closed when voters passed Proposition 8.

[Read the article or read more articles from Sacramento Bee.]

Rain and the budget slow Prop. 8 foes' lobbying effort Wednesday, 02/18/09
SF Gate

The resolutions are symbolic with a capital "S." Not only are they certain to pass the Legislature on a virtual party line vote (Democrats in favor, Republicans opposed), but they also don't mean a thing, since the state Supreme Court already has agreed to hear arguments on Prop. 8's validity next month, with a decision coming by late spring.

[Read the article or read more articles from SF Gate.]

Colorado partner bill advances Wednesday, 02/18/09
365Gay

A bill making it easier for unmarried couples, including gays and lesbians, to make medical decision for incapacitated partners and leave property to their partners is headed to a vote on the state house floor.

The measure passed the state house judiciary committee despite stiff Republican opposition.

Rep. Mark Ferrandino (D), the bill's sponsor, said that he had wished he could have brought in legislation to legalize same-sex marriage, but admitted to the committee this was the best he could currently hope for.

[Read the article or read more articles from 365Gay.]

Gay Marriage Hearings in Rhode Island Set for February 26 Wednesday, 02/18/09
Edge

The fight for marriage equality in the Ocean State will be front and center on Thursday,February 26, as the Senate Judiciary Committee hears testimony pertaining to two bills - one prohibiting same-sex marriage and the other granting equal access to marriage for same-gender couples.

[Read the article or read more articles from Edge.]

How new media helped elected the first openly gay official in South Carolina Wednesday, 02/18/09
Pam's House Blend

Such rapid mobilization might not have been possible only two years ago. But, with a Facebook page and a knowledge of online organizing, I secured my winning margin without spending a penny.

[Read the article or read more articles from Pam's House Blend.]

How Constitutional is Proposition 8? Wednesday, 02/18/09
New University

"The math [seems to] favor supporters of Proposition 8 not opponents of Proposition 8," Chemerinsky said, discussing the 4-3 split of the Court when it struck down a previous ban on gay marriage.

"[Supporters of proposition 8] only need to get one other vote, while opponents have to keep all four," Chemerinsky said.

It is likely that Proposition 8 will be upheld, but that it will not be made retroactive. Thus, all marriages performed between May and November of 2008, like Chang's, will remain legal.

[Read the article or read more articles from New University.]

Utah Legislators Kill Two More Common Ground Bills Wednesday, 02/18/09
Box Turtle Bulletin

After lengthy public hearings yesterday, House committees rejected two more bills: HB288, which would have allowed same-sex couples and other unmarried pairs to adopt and foster children; and HB267, which would have protected LGBT people from discrimination in housing and employment. Both bills were badly needed.

[Read the article or read more articles from Box Turtle Bulletin.]

Group fights 'anti-gay' adoption bill in Kentucky Tuesday, 02/17/09
Lexington Herald-Leader

"We literally can't afford to play politics with these children's lives," Hartman said. "Hundreds of children are awaiting adoption each day in Kentucky, and it should be our politicians' jobs to find them a home, not to categorically eliminate potential loving parents with an anti-gay political attack."

[Read the article or read more articles from Lexington Herald-Leader.]

Join the Impact? What impact? Tuesday, 02/17/09
Bilerico Project

These days, Join the Impact's website is little more than a collection of ads for online gay dating services and links to dancing penguins.

[Read the article or read more articles from Bilerico Project.]

24 Hours for Marriage Equality in the Garden State Tuesday, 02/17/09
Queers United

If you're fed up with inequality, join Garden State Equality for 24 HOURS FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY.

[Read the article or read more articles from Queers United.]

Wisconsin Governor Calls for Domestic Partnerships Tuesday, 02/17/09
Box Turtle Bulletin

The governor called for a domestic partner classification and offering limited legal protections for same-sex couples, such as allowing domestic partners to take family and medical leave to care for a seriously ill partner, make end-of-life decisions and add health care coverage.

Domestic partners would register with counties and they would be treated like other vital records.

[Read the article or read more articles from Box Turtle Bulletin.]

Justin Cole: The future of LGBT organizing Tuesday, 02/17/09
Bilerico Project

For all of the complaining I've done about LGBT state and national organizations who don't understand how to work with new media, Justin lays it on the table swiftly and succinctly. It's a whole new world out there in LGBT activism. Those groups will either have to a) catch up quickly to continue being viable or b) fold.

[Read the article or read more articles from Bilerico Project.]

Keep gay couples united with green card reform Tuesday, 02/17/09
Detroit News

Their home state recognizes their relationship as a civil union. But that gives them no federal rights: Unlike married heterosexuals, Sissi can't sponsor Janet to be a lawful permanent resident.
Janet must enter the United States as a "tourist" and be with Sissi no more than 90 days at a time. She must leave again early next month.

[Read the article or read more articles from Detroit News.]

JUDICIARY COMMITTEE PASSES RESOLUTION OPPOSING PROP 8 Tuesday, 02/17/09
Press Release

Sacramento, CA - Today the members of the Assembly Judiciary Committee passed House Resolution 5 (Ammiano, D-San Francisco) by a vote of 7 to 3, which resolves that the Assembly opposes the implementation of Prop 8. H.R. 5 states that Prop 8 is an improper revision of the California Constitution.

"I am proud of my colleagues and their unequivocal support of equal treatment for all Californians. This resolution speaks directly to the fundamental rights of same-sex couples to have equal protection under the Constitution, rights that cannot be taken away by popular vote. I am confident that the Assembly will support the repeal of Proposition 8 and confirm the basic rights of all Californians," said Assemblymember Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco), author of HR 5.

Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers union, added "The Legislature again affirmed the rights of the minority to have equal protection under the Constitution. If Prop 8 is upheld, it would have a devastating effect on the hard won rights for women, minorities, and the disabled. We look to the court to extend equal protections of the law to all as the Legislature had done with the passage of the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act."

The resolution points out that a revision is a substantial change to the underlying principles of the California Constitution, or to the structure of California's basic governmental plan. As a result, pursuant to the California Constitution, the Legislature must initiate a change of this magnitude; it cannot be accomplished through the initiative process.

A similar measure, Senate Resolution 7, has been introduced by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco). That measure resolves that the California State Senate also oppose Prop 8 on constitutional grounds. It will be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee soon.

The California Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on the legality of the state's gay marriage ban on March 5. On January 15, sixty-five current and former state legislators, including Assembly Speaker Karen Bass and Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, filed a friend of the court brief seeking to invalidate Proposition 8 because it circumvents basic protections required by our Constitution and eliminates a fundamental right for a minority of Californians.

[Read the article or read more articles from Press Release.]

Calif. lawmakers back Prop. 8 challenge Tuesday, 02/17/09
Mercury News

The resolution goes next to the full Assembly, and the state Senate is scheduled to consider a companion measure in coming weeks.

[Read the article or read more articles from Mercury News.]

Minnesota's gay Republican will not vote for marriage equality bill Tuesday, 02/17/09
Minnesota Independent

"I think some of the gay activists will be upset with me for this, but sometimes I think an agenda is pushed so far and so fast that people have no alternative but to push back," Koering told Raw Story at the time. "And I think that sometimes you have to move slowly."

[Read the article or read more articles from Minnesota Independent.]

Gay marriage foes rally in Maine Tuesday, 02/17/09
365Gay

Damon said the legislation would affirm that no religious organization would be forced to conduct a same-sex marriage. If passed, the bill would recognize same-sex marriages from other areas where they currently are legal.

[Read the article or read more articles from 365Gay.]

Straight Couples in France Are Choosing Civil Unions Meant for Gays Tuesday, 02/17/09
Washington Post

In passing the law without making it specific to gays, however, France distinguished itself from other European countries that have approved civil unions or even marriage for same-sex couples. As a result of that ambiguity, the PACS broadened into an increasingly popular third option for heterosexual couples, who readily cite its appeal: It has the air of social independence associated with the time-honored arrangement that the French call the "free union" but with major financial and other advantages. It is also far easier to get out of than marriage.

[Read the article or read more articles from Washington Post.]

If You Want Gay Marriage, You Need To Fight For Gay Adoption Monday, 02/16/09
The New Civil Rights Movement

It's been a few months since Prop 8 passed. We were angry. We got a lot of attention and made a lot of headway in getting people on our side. But now, like new year's resolutions, we've grown complacent. Well, it's time to wake up and start fighting again.

So, you want to get married but don't want kids? Get to work anyway. Fight this wave of anti-gay bigotry. For yourself, and for the kids.

[Read the article or read more articles from The New Civil Rights Movement.]

Gay Pride on Valentine's Day in Beijing Monday, 02/16/09
Wall Street Journal

Reactions to the protest were divided; while many onlookers expressed support, saying they were aware there are many openly gay men and women in China now, others were not sympathetic to the cause.

[Read the article or read more articles from Wall Street Journal.]

Clinton Regrets IFA Venue in Letter, Supports Reversal of Prop 8 Monday, 02/16/09
Towleroad

President Clinton has a long-standing record of support for the LGBT community. He strongly opposed Proposition 8, speaking out against it, and recording calls to California voters urging them to defeat it. He still opposes it and hopes it can be reversed.

[Read the article or read more articles from Towleroad.]

Same-sex marriage movement looks to 'Obamify' Monday, 02/16/09
SF Gate

Obamification, organizers say, is more than just connecting supporters through social networking sites such as Facebook and building mile-long e-mail lists. It would involve pairing new media technology with old-fashioned, door-to-door outreach - two tactics that were not used well in the unsuccessful opposition to Proposition 8 in November, according to a report by Marriage Equality USA, an Oakland-based organization that supports gay marriage.

[Read the article or read more articles from SF Gate.]

Gay rights 'lobbyists' to descend on Capitol Sunday, 02/15/09
SF Gate

Their goal: win support of lawmakers for a resolution opposing the legality of Proposition 8, the constitutional amendment passed by voters in November that bans same-sex marriage.

[Read the article or read more articles from SF Gate.]

No on Prop 8 Activist send Valentines Saturday, 02/14/09
KCBA

On Monday the organization is sending a dozen people from the central coast to the state's capitol to talk legislators. Activists say that they will not give up until all people have a right to get married.

[Read the article or read more articles from KCBA.]

Prop 8 Can't Rain On Freedom to Marry Day Saturday, 02/14/09
SFist

Just in time for Valentine's Day, here are a few scenes of what went down at City Hall in the name of, aw, love.

[Read the article or read more articles from SFist.]

Gay woman fights over hospital visitation rights in Miami court Saturday, 02/14/09
Miami Herald

"Any family should have the right to hold their loved one's hand in the last moments of life, and we were denied that."

[Read the article or read more articles from Miami Herald.]

Clinton may cross picket line in San Diego Friday, 02/13/09
California Ripple Effect

Activists from the LGBT and labor movements have asked President Clinton to cancel or move his scheduled appearance at the infamous Manchester Grand Hyatt this Sunday.

[Read the article or read more articles from California Ripple Effect.]

Nationwide protests put human face on gay marriage battle Friday, 02/13/09
365Gay

Same-sex couples seeking to wed showed up at marriage license counters nationwide Thursday to highlight a right they don't have in 48 states, part of an annual protest that took on renewed urgency given recent election setbacks.

[Read the article or read more articles from 365Gay.]

Hundreds rally for same-sex marriage Friday, 02/13/09
Brown Daily Herald

MERI also used the rally as an opportunity to present the results of a survey of Rhode Island voters. Patrick Crowley, a MERI Education Fund board member, presented the results of the poll, which recorded 49 percent of the electorate in favor of same-sex marriage, while just 37 percent opposed to it.

Even among Catholic voters, Crowley said, 45 percent are in favor of gay marriage and only 37 percent are opposed.

[Read the article or read more articles from Brown Daily Herald.]

Protesters Renew Fight For Gay Marriage Friday, 02/13/09
CBS

In Utah, where a constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2004 prohibits same-sex unions, five gay and lesbian couples applied for marriage licenses in Salt Lake City on Thursday. County Clerk Sherrie Swensen said she could recall only one other gay couple asking to get married over the last 18 years.

[Read the article or read more articles from CBS.]

Clinton urged to cancel San Diego speech Friday, 02/13/09
Mercury News

The president of the San Diego hotel workers' union and several gay rights activists published an open letter to Clinton on a Web site Thursday after his staff indicated Clinton would not bow out of the paid appearance at the Manchester Grand Hyatt hotel.

[Read the article or read more articles from Mercury News.]

Nadler, Leahy Reintroduce UAFA in House and Senate! Thursday, 02/12/09
Immigration Equality

Kudos and thank you to all of you who called your Representative to ask him or her to be an original cosponsor of the Uniting American Families Act of 2009 (UAFA). Thanks to you, there are 75 original cosponsors in the House.

This is five more original cosponsors than we had at introduction in the last Congress - and the bill wasn't introduced until May! We will continue to press members of Congress to cosponsor until we reach last year's level (119) and beyond.

[Read the article or read more articles from Immigration Equality.]

Capitol rally: putting same-sex marriage into economic terms Thursday, 02/12/09
MinnPost

Everywhere you go at the state Capitol these days the talk is of the budget, the economic crisis and then the budget again.

So when Sen. Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis, speaks at a "Freedom to Marry Day Rally'' Thursday afternoon, he's going to put the subject of same-sex marriage into economic terms.

"Why in these hard times would you stand on the necks of couples?'' he will ask.

[Read the article or read more articles from MinnPost.]

Utah gov. faces wrath after supporting civil unions Thursday, 02/12/09
365Gay

Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman (R) is facing a backlash from fellow Republicans, the powerful Mormon Church and from evangelical Christians following this week's statement that he would support civil unions for same-sex couples.

[Read the article or read more articles from 365Gay.]

Former President Clinton Urged to Move Speech From Boycotted Hotel Thursday, 02/12/09
Queers United

Several groups have banded together urging former President Bill Clinton not to speak at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego. The hotel is owned by Doug Manchester who donated 125,000 to proposition 8.

[Read the article or read more articles from Queers United.]

Florida Supreme Court Action Alert Thursday, 02/12/09
Queers United

If Wells is replaced with an ultra-conservative Justice, then lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Floridians will have a difficult time being heard in court. Plus, many of the issues that we care about, such as overturning the anti-gay adoption ban, currently heading to the court, will be jeopardized.

[Read the article or read more articles from Queers United.]

Lesbian Couple Obtain Marriage License In Arizona Thursday, 02/12/09
Box Turtle Bulletin

In what was supposed to be a demonstration on National Freedom to Marry day yielded a surprising turn of events for one Tucson couple

[Read the article or read more articles from Box Turtle Bulletin.]

Gay couples protest at marriage bureaus across US Thursday, 02/12/09
AP

Same-sex couples seeking to wed showed up at marriage license counters nationwide Thursday to highlight a right they don't have in 48 states, part of an annual protest that took on renewed urgency given recent election setbacks.

[Read the article or read more articles from AP.]

Gay Couples Seek Marriage Equality Thursday, 02/12/09
WVIR

Their message was peaceful as the same sex couples led the march up the stairs into circuit court. Holding her partner's hand Tammy Wilt said, "We want to have the rights that everybody else has. And that's the whole purpose of us being here. If everyone is allowed to be married than we should be married as well."

Friends, family, and other supporters followed seamlessly behind.

One of them, Mary Pat Hanson, said, "I soon will be married happily for 30 years. I just feel like anybody should be able to have the same happiness and same rights that I have had as a married woman."

[Read the article or read more articles from WVIR.]

The $248 Million Stimulus New Jersey's Not Taking Wednesday, 02/11/09
Huffington Post

Based on the economic impact to places with similar laws, the Williams Institute at UCLA projects that marriage equality would result in $248 million of direct spending in NJ over the course of 3 years. Resident couples and those from out of state would spend, spend, spend. Especially those from New York, whose wedded status would be recognized by their home state.

[Read the article or read more articles from Huffington Post.]

Focus on the Family vastly outpaced Mormon spending on Proposition 8 Wednesday, 02/11/09
Colorado Independent

Focus on the Family donated more to the Proposition 8 campaign than has been reported, The Colorado Independent has found. A widely reported sum of "$657,000 in money and services" donated toward the ballot measure by Focus falls short of the total, failing to account for contributions made by the organization as long ago as November 2007 when Focus on the Family helped seed ProtectMarriage.com with a $50,000 cash contribution. The evangelical group spent another $35,650 in December 2007 supporting the anti-gay marriage group with Web ads, e-mail blasts, radio broadcasts, printing and postage, according to a disclosure form filed with the California secretary of state. Total 2008 contributions from Focus on the Family to the Proposition 8 campaign were $641,600, according to disclosure forms filed in January and made available to the public a week ago. A Focus on the Family spokesman didn't return a call seeking comment.

[Read the article or read more articles from Colorado Independent.]

Gay marriage supporters vow to file second complaint over Mormon church's role in Prop. 8 Wednesday, 02/11/09
LA Times

Opponents of the measure, which banned gay marriage in California, said today that they plan to file a second complaint with the state alleging the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints deliberately did not disclose its financial contributions to the Yes on 8 campaign.

Californians Against Hate already filed one complaint with the California Fair Political Practices Commission, sparking an ongoing investigation of whether the church violated campaign finance laws.

[Read the article or read more articles from LA Times.]

Maine's Gay Marriage Opponents Set-Up Website Wednesday, 02/11/09
Queerty

...it's worth remembering that well-funded, deep content sites like this helped ban gay marriage in California.

[Read the article or read more articles from Queerty.]

Gay marriage plan offered Wednesday, 02/11/09
Politicker

A 23-year-old golf club salesman who thinks gays should be able to marry said his inspiration for proposing a ballot measure is a 20-year-old who brought the "personhood amendment" to the voters.

Stu Allen, of Lakewood, and a high school friend, Hallie Atencio, of Denver, are the proponents of a ballot measure that would change the state constitution to recognize marriage as a union between two consenting adults.

[Read the article or read more articles from Politicker.]

Act Now to Avoid Prop 8 Situation in North Carolina Wednesday, 02/11/09
Queers United

Take action now to ask your legislators to oppose the amendment. Have an even greater impact by putting the message below in your own words!

[Read the article or read more articles from Queers United.]

Illinois takes up gay marriage bill Wednesday, 02/11/09
365Gay

Openly gay state Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago) has filed legislation that would allow same-sex couples to marry in Illinois.

The bill is slated for discussion Tuesday in the Youth and Family Committee and a large number of gay and lesbian couples are expected to pack the committee room. But even Harris admits it will be tough to get the measure to a vote in the House.

Two years ago, a civil union bill introduced by Harris died when the session ended and conservative groups already have made it known they will fight the marriage bill. They've work to push for a state constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage they hope will make it to the ballot in 2010.

[Read the article or read more articles from 365Gay.]

Vermont moves closer to legalizing gay marriage Wednesday, 02/11/09
AP

Nine years after becoming the first state to permit civil unions, Vermont moved a step toward legalizing gay marriage Friday.

A bill that would allow same-sex unions was introduced in the Legislature, causing a crowd of about several hundred supporters to gather at the Statehouse in celebration.

[Read the article or read more articles from AP.]

Kevin De Leon, Alice Kessler set record straight on AB 103 Wednesday, 02/11/09
California Ripple Effect

Because domestic-partner records are centralized with the secretary of state, anyone can request a list of all registrants. Same-sex partners, some of whom have faced years of discrimination, are forced to publicly declare their sexuality in order to gain their rights.

[Read the article or read more articles from California Ripple Effect.]

Tell Utah Representatives to Support Common Ground Initiative! Wednesday, 02/11/09
Queers United

Governor Huntsman supports the Common Ground Initiative. Three recent polls indicate a majority of Utahns support basic rights for gay and transgender people. One of the most outspoken proponents of Amendment 3, BYU law professor Lynn Wardle, admits the amendment allows for certain benefits and he debunks the 'slippery slope to marriage' argument used by Common Ground Initiative opponents.

[Read the article or read more articles from Queers United.]

The Economics of Gay Marriage Wednesday, 02/11/09
Change.org

The group, affiliated with UCLA, has submitted a report to the Portland (ME) Regional Chamber of Commerce which said that if Maine legalized same-sex marriage, it could expect to see up to $49 million in revenue.

[Read the article or read more articles from Change.org.]

One More Thing You Can Do! Ask your family to call their Representatives! Wednesday, 02/11/09
Immigration Equality

Please call your Representative if you haven't yet! (see Feb. 5 blog below for a script if you are a member of a binational couple)

AND: Ask your supportive parents, grandparents, siblings, children, nieces, nephews, etc. to call their Representative and ask them to be an original cosponsor of the "Uniting American Families Act of 2009"
It's easy!

[Read the article or read more articles from Immigration Equality.]

Theater company leaves in protest Tuesday, 02/10/09
SignOnSanDiego

Ion Theatre, a small but well-regarded young theater company, has vacated its performance space in what it calls a protest of the property owner's personal contributions to Proposition 8, the November ballot initiative that banned same-sex marriage in California.

[Read the article or read more articles from SignOnSanDiego.]

Guv, at odds with most Utahns, backs civil unions for gays Tuesday, 02/10/09
Salt Lake Tribune

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., a spokeswoman said Monday, backs Equality Utah's Common Ground Initiative, a legislative effort that would provide some rights to gay and transgender Utahns. Even more, the Republican governor favors civil unions.

It's a position that runs counter to his political party and against the majority of Utahns -- 70 percent of whom oppose civil unions, according to a recent Salt Lake Tribune poll.

"He's long supported many of the ideas that are presented within the Common Ground Initiative," said Lisa Roskelley, the governor's spokeswoman, noting her boss waits to endorse specific bills officially until presented to him in final form. "He supports civil unions."

[Read the article or read more articles from Salt Lake Tribune.]

Utahns, LDS Church spent more on Prop. 8 than previously known Tuesday, 02/10/09
Salt Lake Tribune

Utahns and the LDS Church spent significantly more than previously reported on last-minute efforts to push passage of California's ban of same-sex marriage, newly filed financial disclosures show.

Donations from as many as 1,025 individual and businesses in Utah to both sides of the Proposition 8 campaign totaled about $3.8 million, according to new filings with California's secretary of state, with more than 70 percent going to groups supporting the successful measure.

[Read the article or read more articles from Salt Lake Tribune.]

Phoenix domestic partnership registry opens Monday, 02/09/09
365Gay

Phoenix same-sex couples began registering Monday with the city's new Domestic Partner Registry.
Send / Share
Add Comment
To be eligible domestic partners have to appear in person at City Hall and sign a notarized document stating that they are in a committed relationship, are financially interdependent, and live in the same domicile in the City of Phoenix. They also must state that neither partner already is married, that the partners are not blood relatives and each is over the age of 18.

[Read the article or read more articles from 365Gay.]

Legislation Alert: Uniting American Families Act Monday, 02/09/09
Atticus Circle

If you're moved to write a letter to your representatives in Congress to alert them to the reintroduction of the bill and your support for it, here's a suggested template:

[Read the article or read more articles from Atticus Circle.]

Harris Introduces Same-Sex Marriage Bill Monday, 02/09/09
Progress Illinois

The Chicago Democrat introduced the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act last week, which seeks to "to provide eligible same-sex and opposite-sex couples with the same treatment as those in a civil marriage." More specifically, it requires that an individual in a same-sex marriage be included under the legal definitions: "spouse", "immediate family", and "dependent."

[Read the article or read more articles from Progress Illinois.]

Meg Whitman: Anti-LGBT, and Maybe California's Next Governor? Monday, 02/09/09
Change.org

Whitman publicly came out in favor of Proposition 8, the statewide amendment that rescinded marriage rights for gay and lesbian Californians by revising the State Constitution. And before she worked the crowds for Sen. John McCain in 2008, Meg Whitman endorsed former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney for President, who threw everything (including the kitchen sink) into efforts to prevent Massachusetts from recognizing gay marriage.

[Read the article or read more articles from Change.org.]

For Supporters of Gay Marriage, a Dashing of Great Expectations Monday, 02/09/09
NY Times

His assessment was a sobering dose of reality for supporters of gay rights, who with their money and support helped Democrats win control of the Senate for the first time since 1965 and hoped to quickly knock down the last remaining obstacle to gay marriage in New York.

"It's very disappointing," said Matthew Titone, a Democratic assemblyman who represents Staten Island and who listened to Mr. Smith's speech, which was delivered at a fund-raiser for the Human Rights Campaign, a national gay rights organization.

"Even if they don't have the votes, that's really no excuse for the leader not to crack the whip, get them in line and remind them that the only reason they're in the majority is because of the gay community," Mr. Titone said.

[Read the article or read more articles from NY Times.]

N.Y. senate leader committed to gay marriage legalization Monday, 02/09/09
AP

New York Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith said Saturday that his Democratic conference lacks enough votes to legalize gay marriage this year, but he's committed to passing a gay marriage bill soon.

[Read the article or read more articles from AP.]

Play Nice, Folks: Why confrontation is exactly the wrong approach when it comes to getting what you want. Friday, 02/06/09
Advocate

In 1991 a group of activists from the radical gay group Queer Nation infiltrated the set of The Arsenio Hall Show and interrupted the comedian's opening routine, demanding to know why he didn't invite more openly gay guests to be on his program. The audience booed the hecklers, and the stunt represented the last gasp of the in-your-face tactics that gay activists had utilized since Stonewall. In the 1980s, when a whole generation of gay men was dying and no one seemed to care, we needed angry, brash gay activists to wake up the rest of the country. But we don't have to scream at Arsenio Hall to interview Gus Van Sant anymore -- and not just because Arsenio is washed up. That confrontational approach is as dated as the slogans on the Queer Nation T-shirts: Queer Liberation Not Assimilation. We need a gay movement that reflects its amazing successes, not its continuing frustrations.

[Read the article or read more articles from Advocate.]

BREAKING NEWS: Hawaii Civil Unions Bill Passed Committee!! Friday, 02/06/09
Pam's House Blend

Now we go for a vote on the House floor. More than ever, we need Hawaii residents and family and friends of Hawaii residents to call and state your support of this bill!! Make your voice heard! Stand for equality under the law for ALL people!

[Read the article or read more articles from Pam's House Blend.]

Judge: Pair married in Canada can divorce in NJ Friday, 02/06/09
AP

Gay marriages performed outside New Jersey are recognized in the state for the purpose of divorce, according to a ruling Friday by a judge deciding whether a lesbian couple married in Canada can split.

The wider implications weren't immediately clear, but Superior Court Judge Mary Jacobson said New Jersey has a long history of recognizing marriages that are valid where they were performed.

[Read the article or read more articles from AP.]

Prop 8's Forced-Divorces Will Break Our Hearts Friday, 02/06/09
SFist

There's a lot of work to do before the hearing, and Equality California's prepping for the big day with five actions -- now's a crucial time to spread the word about how much pain Prop 8 will inflict when it takes away all those marriages. And the Peninsula Marriage Equality Coalition has a bunch of handy workshops coming up about how to persuade allies.

And speaking of spreading the word, an excellent article in this week's Stranger points out that a key component in achieving lasting civil equality is an educated electorate. To that end, we hope you're participating in Tell3, a brilliant campaign to educate your family and friends about why civil rights matter to you personally.

[Read the article or read more articles from SFist.]

Our vocabulary Friday, 02/06/09
Pam's House Blend

In searching for a replacement, I have concluded that Gregory Herek, a researcher at UC, Davis, has proposed the best solution for my mental search-and-replace --- "sexual prejudice."

[Read the article or read more articles from Pam's House Blend.]

Rulings on Gay Couples' Benefits Question Defense of Marriage Act Friday, 02/06/09
LA Times

"The denial of federal benefits to same-sex spouses cannot be justified simply by a distaste for or disapproval of same-sex marriage or a desire to deprive same-sex spouses of benefits available to other spouses in order to discourage them from exercising a legal right afforded them by a state," Reinhardt wrote in an order to the U.S. Courts administration to submit Levenson's benefits election form.

[Read the article or read more articles from LA Times.]

Gay Marriage In New York Unlikely in '09 or '10 Friday, 02/06/09
Huffington Post

Squadron is not opposed to attempting in 2009, but said their were basically two strategies. Either, put the bill up in 2009 and risk a defeat or lay the ground work for passage later. "Just making the Senate Democratic is not enough, we need a fundamental change in Senate culture," Squadron explained. He believes that while the Senate is progressing, we aren't there yet.

Laying the ground work for victory, Squadron believes, involves showing marriage opponents "the ways it (gay marriage) leads to a traditional family structure." As well as explaining to members of the Senate the economic benefits Squadron added that, "real resources" need to be spent on changing people's minds in key districts and in the Senate.

[Read the article or read more articles from Huffington Post.]

Following the Money: Disclosure Discrepancies from Yes on 8, Mormons Persist -- and Grow Friday, 02/06/09
SF Weekly

Bauer conceded that he may well be forced to file an amendment restating how much his coalition really received. So, while the Mormon Church trumpeted that "Claims that the Church ... did not report all its contributions to the Protect Marriage Coalition are erroneous" on a press release, Bauer's answer belies that. So does the following data from the Protect Marriage Coalition.

[Read the article or read more articles from SF Weekly.]

A Ruth-Less Supreme Court Would be Bad for LGBT Rights Thursday, 02/05/09
Change.org

There have been three seminal rulings on LGBT rights from the U.S. Supreme Court during her tenure, and in all three, Ginsburg supported decisions that fostered LGBT rights.

[Read the article or read more articles from Change.org.]

Talking Marriage Equality Thursday, 02/05/09
Penninsula Marriage Equality Coalition

It is the intent of this training to help empower all people who believe in marriage equality to answer the questions posed by people who oppose marriage equality. Our goal is not to put words into your mouths, but: To provide some responses that we found affective. And to help empower you to hold emotive conversations with everyone you encounter by developing/adopting a response to common questions which you can feel comfortable using. Featured Speaker at this Feb 8th event is Kate Forrest from the Commonweal Institute.

[Read the article or read more articles from Penninsula Marriage Equality Coalition.]

On March 5, Set Your Tivos to the California Channel Thursday, 02/05/09
Wall Street Journal

So how is the court divvying up its three hours? In Tuesday's order scheduling the hearing, the court allotted 30 minutes to California AG Jerry Brown; 30 minutes each to the two groups of same-sex couples; 30 minutes to the local governments and 60 minutes to Protect Marriage, the ballot measure's official sponsor. Protect Marriage is represented by Ken Starr.

[Read the article or read more articles from Wall Street Journal.]

Nadler reintroducing UAFA before Valentine's Day! Urge your Rep to cosponsor! Thursday, 02/05/09
Immigration Equality

You can make the bill a success by convincing your Representative to support the bill from Day One. Reintroducing the bill with as many cosponsors as possible will show powerful momentum for the rights of gay and lesbian binational couples!
.
Please call your Representative and ask them to be an original cosponsor of the "Uniting American Families Act of 2009"
.

It's easy!

[Read the article or read more articles from Immigration Equality.]

The Mormon factor in marriage fight Thursday, 02/05/09
Bay Area Reporter

But documents unearthed by the Bay Area Reporter show that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has had a consistent strategy to fight same-sex marriage that dates back more than two decades.

[Read the article or read more articles from Bay Area Reporter.]

The Unconstitutionality of DOMA Thursday, 02/05/09
Change.org

The LA Observer reported today that the ruling by Judge Stephen Reinhardt says the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutionally denies benefits to gay federal employees' spouses.

[Read the article or read more articles from Change.org.]

State Senator Pushing For Same-Sex Civil Unions In S.C. Thursday, 02/05/09
WJBF

"You just can't close the doors on people's rights," Sen. Ford says. "If they feel they have a right to a civil union, and if enough voters agree with that then we're gonna have it."

But getting his bill through the Statehouse isn't all he's up against. Voters would have to pass a new Constitutional amendment to undo the one that passed in 2006, since it says a marriage between one man and one woman is the only lawful domestic union that shall be valid or recognized in the state.

Sen. Mike Fair, R-Greenville, doesn't think Sen. Ford's bill has a chance. "There's no support for same-sex marriage in the General Assembly, probably because in this regard...the General Assembly is a reflection of the public at large in South Carolina." The 2006 amendment passed 78 percent to 22 percent.

[Read the article or read more articles from WJBF.]

Wait, Wait, Don't Marry Me: How to Stop Worrying and Love Domestic Partnerships Thursday, 02/05/09
The Stranger

"We need four things to move the marriage bill," said Josh Friedes, advocacy director for Equal Rights Washington. "A house that will pass the bill, a senate that will pass the bill, a governor who will sign the bill, and an electorate that will protect the bill when it goes up for referendum" (meaning a popular vote to repeal the bill). "What we do not have right now is certainty about the electorate."

In reality, gay-rights advocates don't have much certainty about the state legislature, either. This year's domestic-partnership bill has 56 sponsors in the house (more than enough to pass it), but in the senate it only has 20 sponsors (of 50 total members), which means Murray and others will be lobbying for additional votes. And that's for domestic partnership. Imagine if the demand was marriage or nothing.

"Most of my colleagues outside of Seattle have never heard from anybody on the issue of marriage equality," Murray said. "To me, that speaks to the major Achilles' heel of the gay and lesbian political movement."

[Read the article or read more articles from The Stranger.]

No on Prop 8 'regrets' tour hits Denver confab Thursday, 02/05/09
Bay Area Reporter

If she could do it over, said NCLR's Kendell, "I would have been more of an asshole," she said.

[Read the article or read more articles from Bay Area Reporter.]

Bill would ease benefit-sharing Wednesday, 02/04/09
Denver Post

It's a benefit to same-sex couples, and Ferrandino expects a fight, but he said others would benefit as well.

"It's going to be controversial, but if you think about it, it shouldn't be," Ferrandino said. "It's something that's smart government policy to try to encourage people to plan ahead."

The bill would also allow an unmarried partner to sue for wrongful death or collect workman's compensation should the other partner be killed on the job. It would cement the right for unmarried partners to visit each other in the hospital as well.

In 2006, socially conservative lawmakers like Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield, proposed similar legislation allowing so-called "designated beneficiary agreements."

[Read the article or read more articles from Denver Post.]

The Withering Rural Resistance Wednesday, 02/04/09
The Stranger

"We have to celebrate that we can look at these terrible bills, which would have made us drop everything a few years ago to work to defeat, and now we can just look them and say "Ah, it's ridiculous they still think they can stop the march of progress and will of the poeple,'" says Equal Rights Washington spokesman Josh Friedes.

[Read the article or read more articles from The Stranger.]

Sacramento joins other cities in fighting voter-approved Prop. 8, calling it unconstitutional Wednesday, 02/04/09
Sacramento Bee

Councilman Kevin McCarty requested last month that the council hear the issue of whether the city should join as "amicus curiae" - or friends of the court - in legal challenges against Prop. 8. The California Supreme Court said Tuesday it would begin hearing oral arguments on the challenge to Prop. 8 on March 5.

The council voted 8-1 to join the other cities as amicus curiae; Councilman Robbie Waters voted against the move, saying "the voters have voted on this matter twice."

[Read the article or read more articles from Sacramento Bee.]

Report: Focus contributed $657,000 to support Prop 8 Tuesday, 02/03/09
Colorado Springs Gazette

Focus on the Family and other 501(c)3 nonprofits can legally donate up to 15 percent of their annual budget to lobbying efforts.

[Read the article or read more articles from Colorado Springs Gazette.]

Educating our allies Tuesday, 02/03/09
365Gay

We must talk with our colleagues and neighbors at playdates, soccer games, and in the supermarket. We must be on the lookout for ways to begin the conversation, whether by connecting about taxes, parenting, or the new Obama administration.

In a less personal but still useful vein, we can leave comments on mainstream parenting and personal finance blogs, Facebook groups, and other online forums. As important as it is to educate about blatant homophobia, we must also make sure to convey the less obvious inequities that may escape the view of those who don't live with them on a daily basis.

We have made much progress, but there is more to be done, and we

[Read the article or read more articles from 365Gay.]

Calling Mormon's Bluff Tuesday, 02/03/09
Box Turtle Bulletin

Last week, a Utah Senate committee killed a bill allowing individuals who rely on a breadwinner to sue for wrongful death. The vote to kill the measure was on a strict LDS-membership vote. Equality Utah isn't taking that set back lying down.

[Read the article or read more articles from Box Turtle Bulletin.]

California Supreme Court to Hear Oral Arguments in Prop 8 Legal Challenge on March 5 Tuesday, 02/03/09
NCLR

The California Supreme Court announced today that it will hear oral arguments on Thursday, March 5, 2009 in the Proposition 8 legal challenge.

[Read the article or read more articles from NCLR.]

Sacramento council will vote whether to support legal challenge to Prop. 8 Tuesday, 02/03/09
Sacramento Bee

Berkeley, Cloverdale, Davis, Fairfax, Long Beach, Palm Springs and West Hollywood, as well as Humboldt and Sonoma counties have already filed amicus curiae briefs supporting the position that Prop. 8 is unconstitutional.

[Read the article or read more articles from Sacramento Bee.]

Prominent Mormons Reimbursed for Prop 8 Tuesday, 02/03/09
Queers United

All this may be the tip of the iceberg as new reports indicate the following people, and probably more to follow were allegedly reimbursed by the church.

[Read the article or read more articles from Queers United.]

Fearful Prop. 8 Supporters Revealed Tuesday, 02/03/09
NBC Bay Area

Even now, proponents of the ballot measure cower in fear of homosexuals armed with spreadsheets and maps bent on terrorizing supporters of traditional gender roles.

[Read the article or read more articles from NBC Bay Area.]

TV network backs gay marriage in new ad campaign Tuesday, 02/03/09
PageOneQ

A major television network has made a statement for marriage equality as part of a larger vision for unity in a recently debuted campaign.

The USA Network, whose ads feature the slogan "Characters Welcome," has launched the campaign in conjunction with a growing coalition of advocacy organizations, calling on the audience to sign the "Characters Unite Pledge."

[Read the article or read more articles from PageOneQ.]

"Tell 3 Campaign" - Coming Out Isn't Enough! Tuesday, 02/03/09
Queers United

The "Tell 3" campaign is being run by Equality California in an attempt to create awareness about LGBT people, our lives, and our fight for equality.

[Read the article or read more articles from Queers United.]

Valetines Day Kiss-In Protest at LA City Hall Tuesday, 02/03/09
Queers United

As quoted from their site: "They took away our rights, they made us second class citizens, and now they're trying to take away the marriages we already legally obtained. Well F that. Show them that no matter what they do to us, we are and will continue to love."

[Read the article or read more articles from Queers United.]

Maureen Mullarkey, Prop 8 Supporter Tuesday, 02/03/09
Joe My God

When asked how she could have donated money to fight gay marriage after making money from her depictions of gays, she just said, "So? If you write that story, I'll sue you."

[Read the article or read more articles from Joe My God.]

Ruby-Sachs: Radio personality on new Prop 8 list Monday, 02/02/09
365Gay

For those who have had a chance to look through the list of new donors to the Yes on 8 campaign on the California Secretary of State''s website might happen across radio personality Gary Bryan from KRTH 101.1 FM. Other observations include a suprising number of teachers and administrators from colleges in the State.

[Read the article or read more articles from 365Gay.]

Vanasco: Pro-Prop 8 donor list up Monday, 02/02/09
365Gay

Here's what we've been waiting for - a full list of those who gave money to support Prop 8. We're going through the names now.

Here are the names that were just released today.

I'd love to hear if there are people on the list whom you know personally or professionally, or if you've patronized their establishments.

[Read the article or read more articles from 365Gay.]

The Prop. 8 Case: You Might Not Be Gay, But You Might Be Next Monday, 02/02/09
ACLU

Marriage isn't the only thing at stake here. If the California Constitution can be amended to take the right to marry away from gay people, then any fundamental right could be snatched away from any group that's outnumbered at the polling places. As one of the signs seen at the massive protests that have taken place around the country in the wake of Proposition 8 says, "You may not be gay - but you might be next." That's what we'll be telling the California Supreme Court when arguments are held next March in our case, Strauss et al v. Horton et al. It's difficult for me to think of a greater threat to the principles of individual freedom for which the ACLU stands.

[Read the article or read more articles from ACLU.]

Quite a Reach Monday, 02/02/09
The Stranger

This is the GOP's new position on gay rights: We will "reach out" to you, meaning "we will chat amiably with you about our efforts to deny you your rights." Michael Steele will use the word "gay" in the same sentence with the phrase "reach out." John McCain will go on Ellen and tell Ellen that he wishes her and Portia every happiness. But he wants to ban same-sex marriage, of course, so he's wishing Ellen every happiness save that happiest-day-of-your-life happiness.

Sorry, GOP, but you don't get any points for being polite about oppressing us.

[Read the article or read more articles from The Stranger.]

How the Mormon Church Bought Prop. 8 Monday, 02/02/09
Queerty

Fred Karger, of Californians Against Hate, thinks the rabbit hole goes deeper, saying "As I read this report, it seems to raise more questions than it answers. I think there is still a lot of missing parts of the report because we know they've been active since June."

We agree. Looking through the report, the expenditures are dated solely from the fall of '08, however, we know the Church had been involved with the Yes on 8 campaign from the get-go. In fact, as we've reported earlier, the Mormon Church had developed an elaborate 'war plan' that included bringing in Catholic leaders and other religious groups into the fight, and that the Church had plans to get involved in a California marriage battle going back to the late '90s.

What we have seen with the Church of Latter Day Saints is a pattern of denial and lying. At this point, it's clear that the Church used its own resources to win Proposition 8 and that it did so in an organized, structured and well-funded way. It's also clear that the Church will continue to deny responsibility for it actions, which, increasingly, look to be illegal. In releasing these latest numbers, the Church is hoping to avoid censure for failing to file, however, the damage is done. It's clear that the Church actively worked to cover up its involvement, denying that it had spent significant money to defeat Prop. 8, while knowing full well it had.

[Read the article or read more articles from Queerty.]

Steele: Republican Party Needs to Reach Out to Gay Supporters Sunday, 02/01/09
Box Turtle Bulletin

The new chairman of the Republican Party, Michael Steele, told Chris Wallace this morning that the party needs to reach out to supporters of abortion rights and gay rights:

[Read the article or read more articles from Box Turtle Bulletin.]

Report from Creating Change Conference in Denver: Domestic Partners Need COBRA Too Sunday, 02/01/09
Atticus Circle

Basically, even if an employer offers domestic partner benefits to an employee, the employer doesn't legally have to extend continuation coverage to the domestic partner if the employee is laid off. That obviously has dire implications for couples and their families dealing with medical issues and financial hardship. If you have time this week, please write a letter addressing this important issue ... and stay tuned to this blog next week for a report from the conference.

[Read the article or read more articles from Atticus Circle.]

Portugal May Be Next in Line for Gay Marriage Sunday, 02/01/09
Edge

The leader of Portugal's ruling Socialist Party, Jose Socrates, has announced that he support gay marriage.

[Read the article or read more articles from Edge.]

FedEx Invokes Defense of Marriage Act to Deny Benefits Sunday, 02/01/09
Queers United

we are free to ignore your marriage

[Read the article or read more articles from Queers United.]

Mormon church reports $190,000 Prop. 8 expenses Sunday, 02/01/09
SF Gate

Up until Friday, the Mormon church had denied any direct financial support for the campaign beyond a reported $2,078 spent for bringing church Elder L. Whitney Clayton to California.

[Read the article or read more articles from SF Gate.]

Branching out on Behalf of Gay Marriage: A Good Thing, Bad Thing, or Somewhere in Between? Sunday, 02/01/09
SFist

By defending Planned Parenthood, are we getting closer to gay marriage? If we donate to Greenpeace, will they help us fight discrimination? By protesting on behalf of Palestinians, are we working to repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell? Or should we be protesting on behalf of Israel? Uh oh, murky murky murky.

[Read the article or read more articles from SFist.]

Mormon church reports spending $180,000 on Proposition 8 Sunday, 02/01/09
LA Times

On top of that, some Prop. 8 opponents say church officials violated election law by failing to file campaign disclosure reports outlining church funds being spent on the campaign. Fred Karger, who filed a complaint with the Fair Political Practices Commission after the election alleging that church officials had not properly disclosed their involvement, said he thought today's filing proves that his complaint has merit.

"They said they reported all their travel ... now, when there is a [complaint filed] they disclose 25 Southwest tickets just in October," he said. "They were required to report this" in an earlier filing, he said. Church officials could not be reached for comment this evening.

[Read the article or read more articles from LA Times.]

« January 2009 | February 2009 | March 2009 »