Yesterday, a federal court judge threw out Indiana’s ban on same-sex marriage, ruling that the Gay marriage ban violates Equal Protection Clause and Due Process Clause. See the the summary judgement here [pdf]. Because there was no stay on the ruling, Indiana couples could begin marrying immediately, and the Marion County Clerk’s office was prepared
Read on »Posts Tagged: equal marriage rights
Essential Follow-up Reading on HJR-3
Indy Star — The intrigue behind the curtain cloaking the HJR-3 debate “When the Indiana Senate cast its vote Monday on the proposed same-sex marriage ban, it all seemed pretty straightforward, even predictable. The vast majority of Republicans voted for the measure and it passed 32-17. But outside public view, another story was playing out.
Read on »How Marriage Equality Opponents’ Three National Strategies All Contradict Each Other
From Think Progress: How Marriage Equality Opponents’ Three National Strategies All Contradict Each Other. At the federal level, opponents currently have three proposed strategies for rolling back some of the recognition that same-sex couples now have. Particularly in the wake of the Utah and Oklahoma decisions, groups like the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) and
Read on »Indiana House Joint Resolution 6 (HJR-6) Marriage Discrimination Amendment
Contact your state legislators to oppose HJR6, the Marriage Discrimination Amendment.
Read on »Adorable Gay Men get marriage license
Via the Maddow Blog – Pic: Way past wonderful – The Maddow Blog, these two adorable gay men are applying for a marriage license in Washington: Randy and Larry Get Married One month after Washington State voters approved the state’s marriage equality law in Ref. 74, same-sex couples get marriage licenses for the first time
Read on »Rally for Marriage Equality, Indiana Statehouse
Rosie Calls Re: GOP-Voting Gays to Michelangelo Signorile Show
Why it’s important to support equal marriage rights for gay people, even if you don’t want to get married yourself.
Read on »Disgrace – Obama’s position on marriage equality
Richard Just (Nation – “Disgrace: Obama’s increasingly absurd gay marriage position“) draws some interesting parallels between Woodrow Wilson’s weak stand on women’s suffrage and Obama’s weak position on same-sex marriage equality: In the fall of 1912, as his campaign for president entered its final stage, Woodrow Wilson was speaking in Brooklyn when he was asked
Read on »U.S. District Court Decision: Perry v. Schwarzenegger
The whole document it’s entirety, courtesy of the New York Times. There is some scrumptious reading here; things that just make me giddy with glee. “Proposition 8 fails to advance any rational basis in singling out gay men and lesbians for denial of a marriage license. Indeed, the evidence shows Proposition 8 does nothing more
Read on »Prop 8 Overturned by Federal Court
According to MSNBC news services: SAN FRANCISCO — In a major victory for gay rights advocates, a federal judge on Wednesday struck down a California ban on same-sex marriage. Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker ruled that the voter-approved ban, known as Proposition 8, violates due process and equal-protection rights under the U.S. Constitution. …
Read on »I do have experience building giant umbrellas, now that you mention it
I’m the perfect candidate to join this group. A Gaythering Storm from Jane Lynch
Read on »More Go Iowa! news
Iowa State Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal’s speech on the State Senate floor, explaining why he will not support an effort to amend the state’s constitution to reverse the recent unanimous ruling legalizing same-sex marriage in Iowa. That’s just awesome.
Read on »Real Biblical Marriage
Passed along from a friend via email If we were to create a constitutional amendment defining marriage based on the teachings of the Bible, it would look like this: A. Marriage in the United States shall consist of a union between one man and one or more women. (Gen 29:17-28; II Sam 3:2-5) B. Marriage
Read on »Keith Olbermann on Prop 8
Don’t extinguish love.
Read on »Ellen’s Marriage Announcement
This is so cool.
Read on »I wanna commitment ceremony you
Stephanie and I were having talk the other day with one of our friends over terminology and what we called our selves, our wedding, and what we’ll call ourselves once we’re married. That’s not an unusual discussion, and gay people have different opinions about it. There are some who don’t embrace the words “marriage” “fiancée”
Read on »So much to blog, so little time
I actually have things to write about lately, but haven’t geared up to do it. Lets see, where were we when we last tuned in? Oh, yeah, I was probably playing Packrat. Well, the gloss has come off that Facebook game somewhat, as I got collected most of the cards I could get a hold
Read on »It’s All Because…. (The Gays are Getting Married)
(via Maxine Dangerous)
Read on »Regarding SJR-7
I just wanted to say that there are a lot of hard working people who were tireless in getting SJR-7 stopped in its tracks. I’m afraid to start naming them, because I’ll manage to leave someone out – but every single person who was involved in the grassroots effort worked hard – much harder than
Read on »SJR-7 Died in Committee
From numerous sources, but quoting from the Indiana Equality email: Marriage Discrimination Amendment dies in committee Indianapolis – Indiana Equality announced today that the Indiana House of Representative’s Rules and Legislative Procedures Committee voted five to five on Senate Joint Resolution 7 (SJR-7). As a result, the amendment will not be brought for a vote
Read on »SJR-7 Language rejected as flawed by ultra-conservative Bork
Bilerico contributor Don Sherffick testified before the recent House Committee meeting on SJR-7, noting that the language for the flawed second paragraph of the bill originally came from an early draft of the Federal version of the amendment – a draft that was later re-written considerably. That revelation caused some comment and concern amongst committee
Read on »Statewide religious coalition speaks out against SJR-7
From iconindiana.org: Indianapolis – The Interfaith Coalition on Nondiscrimination (ICON) today spoke out against Senate Joint Resolution 7 (SJR-7) in a letter to the Indiana General Assembly. The letter, which is signed by 130 Indiana clergy, leaders of faith communities, and other religious professionals, opens with, “Our backgrounds and those of the people we serve
Read on »Colts raise $20,000 for Anti-Gay Group
This is being discussed in the comments on my post on Tony Dungy – but it bears pulling up to it’s own entry – at the Indiana Family Institute Dinner, the Colts sent merchandise to be donated off in an auction, which raised $20,000 for the organization to oppose gay rights and to support SJR-7.
Read on »House committee tables SJR-7 vote
According to Bil from Bilerico: The House Rules and Legislative Affairs committee listened to three hours of testimony regarding SJR-7, the proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage and civil unions. After several members of the committee commented that they’d like more time to review the testimony before voting on the matter, Chair Scott Pelath
Read on »Cummins plans to testify against proposed ban
From the Indianapolis Star: No private employers testified against a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage when it was before the Senate, but that will change when discussion begins today in the House. Cummins Inc. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Tim Solso has sent a letter to House Speaker B. Patrick Bauer, D-South Bend, encouraging him
Read on »Tony Dungy against same-sex marriage
According to the Indianapolis Star: Colts coach Tony Dungy said he knows some people would prefer him to steer clear of the gay marriage debate, but he used a speech Tuesday night to clearly stake out his position. Dungy told more than 700 people at the Indiana Family Institute’s banquet that he agrees with that
Read on »500 attend Rally, House Democrats Hide from Constitutents
About 500 people attended the Rally in the Indiana Statehouse, organized by Indiana Equality to address SJR-7, the amendment to ban same-sex marriage, and to support the hate crimes bill, which will include sexual orientation and gender identity. There were several speakers, including Candace Gingrich, lgbt civil rights activist and sister of Newt Gingrich. See
Read on »Comparing the Indiana Legislature to the 20’s KKK is NOT Hyperbole
I’m sorry, RiShawn Biddle, but if you studied your history, like Chris Douglas and Gary Welsh have pointed out to you in several posts, you’d know better that to call it hyperbole. RiShawn is an editorialist for the Indianapolis Star, and posts to a “blog” on the newspaper’s site — which I still maintain is
Read on »National Freedom to Marry Week – Feb 11-17th
National Freedom to Marry Week 10th Annual Observance February 11-17, 2007 10 years of work 10 years of change 10 years closer to equality All across the country, from Hawaii to Massachusetts, from California to New Jersey, we have worked together to make significant gains for same sex couples and their families. Our journey is
Read on »The importance of contacting your elected officials yourself
I’m going to emphasize my point at the very beginning of this post, rather than toward the end: If you don’t want people to speak on your behalf — to potentially agree to things you don’t agree with, or to make decisions for you — then you have to speak up yourself. If you don’t
Read on »SJR-7 Update
SJR-7, the bill to amend the Indiana Constitution to prevent equal marriage rights for gay people, was passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee today, and will soon be presented to the full Senate for voting – probably next week. That’s pretty bad news, especially since two amendments to the legislation that were presented were
Read on »bilerico’s new policy
I read with excitement this piece on Bilerico.com: Looking at last year’s news cycle, one option had a high degree of success at influencing voters’ behavior, setting back a large segment of the conservative movement, and generally providing a modicum of entertainment value for the masses. What was it? “Outing” the hypocrite. Think Ted Haggard
Read on »The Catholic Church Has a New Policy on Gay People
This happened earlier in the week, but I haven’t had time to address it before now. If you know me, you know I grew up Catholic and have had somethings to say in the past about the Catholic Church and their behavior towards gay people. Catholic Bishops have officially approved new guidelines concerning ministry to
Read on »Marriage, children and equal rights
Good As You presents an especially apt point about the fallaciousness of the “reserving marriage for the nuturing of children” argument: Hmm..you know why the judges “ignored is that marriage is not primarily about adults; marriage is about the nurturing and development of children?” Because marriage certificates don’t legalize unions with the caveat that those
Read on »Oh my god, Did Bauer just throw us under the bus?
Thanks to Bil for pointing out this jaw-dropping statement from Indiana Minority Leader Pat Bauer, D-South Bend: “I just think that the only way for (Republicans) not to (continue to) demagogue it is to have a redundancy. It’s too bad it has to go in the constitution, but so be it,” Bauer said. “It’s not
Read on »Schwarzenegger will veto equal marriage rights bill
Apparently, the will of the people won’t prevail after all. Governor Schwarzenegger is promising to veto the equal marriage rights bill that was just passed in the California legislature. So let me get this straight… we can’t take our civil rights issues to court, because when the courts make a ruling, they’re called “activist judges”
Read on »Statehouse Rally for Equal Marriage Rights – March 8
I will be attending this rally on March 8th, and I’m inviting you all to join me. I will be one of the crowd-control folks in a lovely orange vest. If you want to get together for a sign-making party, please let me know; this event is only a few short days away. In response
Read on »Statehouse Rally for Equal Marriage Rights – March 8
In response to the State Legislature’s current bill (SJR 7) seeking to limit equal marriage rights for same-sex couples by amending the constitution, gay rights advocates and their friends and families are planning a Rally/Silent Protest at the east steps of the Indiana Statehouse on Tuesday, March 8 at 11 a.m. to protest this piece
Read on »Same-Sex Marriage – That Happy Golden Feeling
Just a reminder of what was going on last year at this time… In S.F., debate on gay nuptials marked by joy “Boston and San Francisco are often compared for their similarities. But of the two cities that bookended a historic week in the debate on gay marriage, I know which place I’d rather have
Read on »Ohio’s Marriage Discrimination Amendment
Salon Magazine has an article on Ohio’s anti-marriage equality amendment, which will be on Nov. 3rds. The measure goes beyond simply disallowing same-sex marriage arrangements, and potentially invalidates all legal agreements between a same-sex couple, including child custody agreements, wills, and power of attorney. Ten other states — Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, North
Read on »Salon Article: Republicans Adjust Strategy to Target Gay Marriage
Because of the erosion of support from independents and from moderate Republicans, Salon reports that Karl Rove’s new strategy is to energize evangelical Christians for the election. His choice of tool: The anti-gay marriage amendment. so they’re coming after me, y’all. The White House’s strategy for winning the votes of evangelicals has several components. It
Read on »Wedding Photos: Gay Marriage in Massachusetts
See Yahoo’s picture slideshow of 173 photos of same sex partners marrying in Massachusetts. My favorite is the one where the hearts are projected on the side of the church…
Read on »Massachusetts Performs First Legal Gay Marriages
Ahhh, love. Isn’t it grand? Have I mentioned recently that I expect my whole family to vote Democrat this year?? Via Reuters: CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (Reuters) – Two women were among the first gay couples to be legally married on Monday and hundreds more waited for their turn to make history as Massachusetts became the only
Read on »Massachusetts Court: Gays have access to equal marriage rights
Wow, I spoke too soon; Democrats won’t be able to dodge this as a campaign issue no matter what. The Massachusetts Supreme Court just decided that civil unions were not enough and only full marriage rights for gay people would be acceptable under Massachusetts law, meaning that gay people may be able to get married
Read on »Massachusetts strikes down ban on equal marriage rights for gay people
The Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled that the ban on equal marriage rights for gay people was unconstituational, but didn’t go so far as to grant marriage licenses to the gay couples who filed the suit. Instead, it sent the issue back to the Massachusetts legislature, who will have 180 days to remedy the inequality of
Read on »Same-Sex Marriage
The biggest fallacy in this debate is the belief that gay men and lesbians aren’t able to get married right now. Not only are there thousands of married gay and lesbian couples, they’ve been getting married for decades. There are several aspects to marriage; among them a legal aspect, a religious aspect, a social aspect,
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