Breaking Marriage Equality News Headlines from February 2009

	Gay-rights group planning '09 drives 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.... Deseret News • Feb 27, 2009

	Prop 8: Let's Not Make the Same Mistake Next Time 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 or... Huffington Post • Feb 27, 2009

	R.I.'s dueling same-sex marriage bills elicit personal stories 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."... The Providence Journal • Feb 27, 2009

	California court to hear Prop 8 case next week 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 Suprem... Washington Blade • Feb 27, 2009

	Vigils set for eve of Prop 8 arguments 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.... 365Gay • Feb 26, 2009

	Maine innkeepers urge support for gay marriage 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.... WBZ • Feb 26, 2009

	The Eve of Justice: Prop 8 Vigils Planned for Prop. 8 Supreme Court Ruling 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.... SFist • Feb 26, 2009

	How the Committee Voted on HB444 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.... Equality Hawaii • Feb 26, 2009

	Prop 8 proponent ascends to leadership role in state Senate 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 fr... Bay Area Reporter • Feb 25, 2009

	Stop the North Carolina Marriage Amendment! 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.... Queers United • Feb 25, 2009

	Committee deadlocks on Hawaii same-sex unions bill 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 wi... AP • Feb 25, 2009

	Prop 8 could unravel minority rights, opponents say 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.... Desert Sun • Feb 25, 2009

	Prop. 8 vigil planned for eve of oral arguments 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.... Desert Sun • Feb 25, 2009

	Gay Bloggers' Voices Rise in Chorus of Growing Political Influence "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 mai... Washington Post • Feb 24, 2009

	Gay Marriage Needs a Vote 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.... NY Times • Feb 24, 2009

	Idaho LGBT rights bill dies in committee 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.... 365Gay • Feb 24, 2009

	When Asked Whether He Would 'Consider' Gay Civil Unions, Steele Replies, 'What Are You, Crazy?' 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 leg... Think Progress • Feb 24, 2009

	Calif. Senate committee sides with Prop. 8 foes 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.... SF Gate • Feb 24, 2009

	Prop 8: Our Children's Perspective 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 ... Bilerico Project • Feb 23, 2009

	Financial impact of gay vows studied 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.... Kennebec Journal • Feb 23, 2009

	NAACP Calls for Overturning of Proposition 8 "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... Advocate • Feb 23, 2009

	Israeli Parliament to consider gay marriage 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.... 365Gay • Feb 22, 2009

	NYT op-ed on same-sex marriage presents a compromise 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 ... Pam's House Blend • Feb 22, 2009

	Vote On New Mexico Gay Partnerships Likely Next Week 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.... On Top Magazine • Feb 22, 2009

	Lutheran task force recommends changing gay-clergy policy 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 tha... Chicago Tribune • Feb 21, 2009

	R.I. legislators to take up annual gay marriage debate 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. ... The Providence Journal • Feb 21, 2009

	Openly gay congressman from Colorado says passing ENDA, repealing DADT, partner benefits for federal employees high on his to-do list 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. "Havin... Dallas Voice • Feb 21, 2009

	SF/Bay Area LBGT Community Gathers for Post-Proposition 8 Forum 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... NCLR • Feb 19, 2009

	Indiana GOP nixes anti-gay amendment 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.... 365Gay • Feb 19, 2009

	'I Do' education campaign launched "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.... Bay Area Reporter • Feb 19, 2009

	Ballot proposals to repeal Prop 8 in planning stage "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 m... Bay Area Reporter • Feb 19, 2009

	Calling The Christianist Bluff 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.... Andrew Sullivan • Feb 19, 2009

	All gay-rights bills fall short, but neither side is giving up 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... Salt Lake Tribune • Feb 19, 2009

	Poll: Half of NJ voters support gay marriage About half of New Jerseyans believe that gay couples should be allowed to marry, according to a new poll.... Newsday • Feb 19, 2009

	California's Prop. 8 legal challenge harkens back to 1966 housing measure 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 ... Sacramento Bee • Feb 18, 2009

	Rain and the budget slow Prop. 8 foes' lobbying effort 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.... SF Gate • Feb 18, 2009

	Colorado partner bill advances 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 ... 365Gay • Feb 18, 2009

	Gay Marriage Hearings in Rhode Island Set for February 26 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.... Edge • Feb 18, 2009

	How new media helped elected the first openly gay official in South Carolina 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.... Pam's House Blend • Feb 18, 2009

	How Constitutional is Proposition 8? "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 ret... New University • Feb 18, 2009

	Utah Legislators Kill Two More Common Ground Bills 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.... Box Turtle Bulletin • Feb 18, 2009

	Group fights 'anti-gay' adoption bill in Kentucky "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."... Lexington Herald-Leader • Feb 17, 2009

	Join the Impact? What impact? 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.... Bilerico Project • Feb 17, 2009

	24 Hours for Marriage Equality in the Garden State If you're fed up with inequality, join Garden State Equality for 24 HOURS FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY.... Queers United • Feb 17, 2009

	Wisconsin Governor Calls for Domestic Partnerships 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.... Box Turtle Bulletin • Feb 17, 2009

	Justin Cole: The future of LGBT organizing 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.... Bilerico Project • Feb 17, 2009

	Keep gay couples united with green card reform 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.... Detroit News • Feb 17, 2009

	JUDICIARY COMMITTEE PASSES RESOLUTION OPPOSING PROP 8 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 Californian... Press Release • Feb 17, 2009

	Calif. lawmakers back Prop. 8 challenge The resolution goes next to the full Assembly, and the state Senate is scheduled to consider a companion measure in coming weeks.... Mercury News • Feb 17, 2009

	Minnesota's gay Republican will not vote for marriage equality bill "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."... Minnesota Independent • Feb 17, 2009

	Gay marriage foes rally in Maine 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.... 365Gay • Feb 17, 2009

	Straight Couples in France Are Choosing Civil Unions Meant for Gays 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 ti... Washington Post • Feb 17, 2009

	If You Want Gay Marriage, You Need To Fight For Gay Adoption 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.... The New Civil Rights Movement • Feb 16, 2009

	Gay Pride on Valentine's Day in Beijing 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.... Wall Street Journal • Feb 16, 2009

	Clinton Regrets IFA Venue in Letter, Supports Reversal of Prop 8 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.... Towleroad • Feb 16, 2009

	Same-sex marriage movement looks to 'Obamify' 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 Oakla... SF Gate • Feb 16, 2009

	Gay rights 'lobbyists' to descend on Capitol 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.... SF Gate • Feb 15, 2009

	No on Prop 8 Activist send Valentines 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.... KCBA • Feb 14, 2009

	Prop 8 Can't Rain On Freedom to Marry Day 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.... SFist • Feb 14, 2009

	Gay woman fights over hospital visitation rights in Miami court "Any family should have the right to hold their loved one's hand in the last moments of life, and we were denied that."... Miami Herald • Feb 14, 2009

	Clinton may cross picket line in San Diego 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.... California Ripple Effect • Feb 13, 2009

	Nationwide protests put human face on gay marriage battle 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.... 365Gay • Feb 13, 2009

	Hundreds rally for same-sex marriage 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 per... Brown Daily Herald • Feb 13, 2009

	Protesters Renew Fight For Gay Marriage 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.... CBS • Feb 13, 2009

	Clinton urged to cancel San Diego speech 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.... Mercury News • Feb 13, 2009

	Nadler, Leahy Reintroduce UAFA in House and Senate! 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 Cong... Immigration Equality • Feb 12, 2009

	Capitol rally: putting same-sex marriage into economic terms 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.... MinnPost • Feb 12, 2009

	Utah gov. faces wrath after supporting civil unions 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.... 365Gay • Feb 12, 2009

	Former President Clinton Urged to Move Speech From Boycotted Hotel 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.... Queers United • Feb 12, 2009

	Florida Supreme Court Action Alert 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.... Queers United • Feb 12, 2009

	Lesbian Couple Obtain Marriage License In Arizona In what was supposed to be a demonstration on National Freedom to Marry day yielded a surprising turn of events for one Tucson couple... Box Turtle Bulletin • Feb 12, 2009

	Gay couples protest at marriage bureaus across US 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.... AP • Feb 12, 2009

	Gay Couples Seek Marriage Equality 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, Mar... WVIR • Feb 12, 2009

	The $248 Million Stimulus New Jersey's Not Taking 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.... Huffington Post • Feb 11, 2009

	Focus on the Family vastly outpaced Mormon spending on Proposition 8 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 wi... Colorado Independent • Feb 11, 2009

	Gay marriage supporters vow to file second complaint over Mormon church's role in Prop. 8 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 ... LA Times • Feb 11, 2009

	Maine's Gay Marriage Opponents Set-Up Website ...it's worth remembering that well-funded, deep content sites like this helped ban gay marriage in California.... Queerty • Feb 11, 2009

	Act Now to Avoid Prop 8 Situation in North Carolina 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!... Queers United • Feb 11, 2009

	Gay marriage plan offered 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 c... Politicker • Feb 11, 2009

	Illinois takes up gay marriage bill 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 unio... 365Gay • Feb 11, 2009

	Vermont moves closer to legalizing gay marriage 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.... AP • Feb 11, 2009

	Kevin De Leon, Alice Kessler set record straight on AB 103 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.... California Ripple Effect • Feb 11, 2009

	Tell Utah Representatives to Support Common Ground Initiative! 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.... Queers United • Feb 11, 2009

	The Economics of Gay Marriage 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.... Change.org • Feb 11, 2009

	One More Thing You Can Do! Ask your family to call their Representatives! 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!... Immigration Equality • Feb 11, 2009

	Theater company leaves in protest 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.... SignOnSanDiego • Feb 10, 2009

	Guv, at odds with most Utahns, backs civil unions for gays 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... Salt Lake Tribune • Feb 10, 2009

	Utahns, LDS Church spent more on Prop. 8 than previously known 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, ... Salt Lake Tribune • Feb 10, 2009

	Phoenix domestic partnership registry opens 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 partne... 365Gay • Feb 9, 2009

	Legislation Alert: Uniting American Families Act 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:... Atticus Circle • Feb 9, 2009

	Harris Introduces Same-Sex Marriage Bill 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."... Progress Illinois • Feb 9, 2009

	Meg Whitman: Anti-LGBT, and Maybe California's Next Governor? 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 Massach... Change.org • Feb 9, 2009

	For Supporters of Gay Marriage, a Dashing of Great Expectations 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. Sm... NY Times • Feb 9, 2009

	N.Y. senate leader committed to gay marriage legalization 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.... AP • Feb 9, 2009

	Play Nice, Folks: Why confrontation is exactly the wrong approach when it comes to getting what you want. 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 t... Advocate • Feb 6, 2009

	BREAKING NEWS: Hawaii Civil Unions Bill Passed Committee!! 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!... Pam's House Blend • Feb 6, 2009

	Judge: Pair married in Canada can divorce in NJ 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.... AP • Feb 6, 2009

	Prop 8's Forced-Divorces Will Break Our Hearts 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 exc... SFist • Feb 6, 2009

	Our vocabulary 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."... Pam's House Blend • Feb 6, 2009

	Rulings on Gay Couples' Benefits Question Defense of Marriage Act "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 fo... LA Times • Feb 6, 2009

	Gay Marriage In New York Unlikely in '09 or '10 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 f... Huffington Post • Feb 6, 2009

	Following the Money: Disclosure Discrepancies from Yes on 8, Mormons Persist -- and Grow 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.... SF Weekly • Feb 6, 2009

	A Ruth-Less Supreme Court Would be Bad for LGBT Rights 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.... Change.org • Feb 5, 2009

	Talking Marriage Equality 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 questio... Penninsula Marriage Equality Coalition • Feb 5, 2009

	On March 5, Set Your Tivos to the California Channel 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.... Wall Street Journal • Feb 5, 2009

	Nadler reintroducing UAFA before Valentine's Day! Urge your Rep to cosponsor! 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!... Immigration Equality • Feb 5, 2009

	The Mormon factor in marriage fight 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.... Bay Area Reporter • Feb 5, 2009

	The Unconstitutionality of DOMA 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.... Change.org • Feb 5, 2009

	State Senator Pushing For Same-Sex Civil Unions In S.C. "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 w... WJBF • Feb 5, 2009

	Wait, Wait, Don't Marry Me: How to Stop Worrying and Love Domestic Partnerships "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 electo... The Stranger • Feb 5, 2009

	No on Prop 8 'regrets' tour hits Denver confab If she could do it over, said NCLR's Kendell, "I would have been more of an asshole," she said.... Bay Area Reporter • Feb 5, 2009

	Bill would ease benefit-sharing 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 compensat... Denver Post • Feb 4, 2009

	The Withering Rural Resistance "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.... The Stranger • Feb 4, 2009

	Sacramento joins other cities in fighting voter-approved Prop. 8, calling it unconstitutional 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 Wa... Sacramento Bee • Feb 4, 2009

	Report: Focus contributed $657,000 to support Prop 8 Focus on the Family and other 501(c)3 nonprofits can legally donate up to 15 percent of their annual budget to lobbying efforts.... Colorado Springs Gazette • Feb 3, 2009

	Educating our allies 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. A... 365Gay • Feb 3, 2009

	Calling Mormon's Bluff 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.... Box Turtle Bulletin • Feb 3, 2009

	California Supreme Court to Hear Oral Arguments in Prop 8 Legal Challenge on March 5 The California Supreme Court announced today that it will hear oral arguments on Thursday, March 5, 2009 in the Proposition 8 legal challenge.... NCLR • Feb 3, 2009

	Sacramento council will vote whether to support legal challenge to Prop. 8 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.... Sacramento Bee • Feb 3, 2009

	Fearful Prop. 8 Supporters Revealed 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.... NBC Bay Area • Feb 3, 2009

	TV network backs gay marriage in new ad campaign 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."... PageOneQ • Feb 3, 2009

	"Tell 3 Campaign" - Coming Out Isn't Enough! 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.... Queers United • Feb 3, 2009

	Prominent Mormons Reimbursed for Prop 8 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.... Queers United • Feb 3, 2009

	Valetines Day Kiss-In Protest at LA City Hall 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."... Queers United • Feb 3, 2009

	Maureen Mullarkey, Prop 8 Supporter 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."... Joe My God • Feb 3, 2009

	Ruby-Sachs: Radio personality on new Prop 8 list 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.... 365Gay • Feb 2, 2009

	Vanasco: Pro-Prop 8 donor list up 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.... 365Gay • Feb 2, 2009

	The Prop. 8 Case: You Might Not Be Gay, But You Might Be Next 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 yo... ACLU • Feb 2, 2009

	Quite a Reach 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 wishi... The Stranger • Feb 2, 2009

	How the Mormon Church Bought Prop. 8 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 bee... Queerty • Feb 2, 2009

	Steele: Republican Party Needs to Reach Out to Gay Supporters 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:... Box Turtle Bulletin • Feb 1, 2009

	Report from Creating Change Conference in Denver: Domestic Partners Need COBRA Too 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... Atticus Circle • Feb 1, 2009

	Portugal May Be Next in Line for Gay Marriage The leader of Portugal's ruling Socialist Party, Jose Socrates, has announced that he support gay marriage.... Edge • Feb 1, 2009

	FedEx Invokes Defense of Marriage Act to Deny Benefits we are free to ignore your marriage... Queers United • Feb 1, 2009

	Mormon church reports $190,000 Prop. 8 expenses 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.... SF Gate • Feb 1, 2009

	Branching out on Behalf of Gay Marriage: A Good Thing, Bad Thing, or Somewhere in Between? 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.... SFist • Feb 1, 2009

	Mormon church reports spending $180,000 on Proposition 8 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 ... LA Times • Feb 1, 2009

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