Breaking Marriage Equality News Headlines from May 2009

	Prop. 8 opponents take their case to Fresno Those who marched say any road to a possible November 2010 ballot referendum legalizing same-sex couples must go through California's conservative Bible Belt. They kicked off the drive with 3,000 people attending Saturday's march in the belt's geographic center, aiming to sway those who supported Proposition 8 by sharing personal stories, one on one, with friends and neighbors, just as Milk would ... SF Gate • May 31, 2009

	Another equal marriage battle next year may be too soon "The turn in 2010 is going to be markedly negative for them," said Frank Schubert, the Sacramento political consultant who ran the Yes on 8 campaign last year, and who would head a 2010 campaign to uphold Proposition 8. Schubert predicts at least a third of the 2008 electorate, particularly those young, first-time voters who turned out to vote for Barack Obama, won't show up at the polls in 2010.... Mercury News • May 31, 2009

	Nevada Senate backs partnership bill over gov The 14-7 Senate vote Saturday -- the required two-thirds majority with no votes to spare -- must be affirmed by the Assembly to enact the measure into law over the governor's objections.... AP • May 31, 2009

	Personal touch will change minds on marriage For many families, that will be the progression - from outright disapproval, to accepting the idea of civil unions, to supporting same-sex couples. But the important point is, for all the expensive television ads that were rolled out for and against Proposition 8, it is the personal touch that really changes minds. The opponents of Prop. 8 learned that lesson. That's why they're rallying in Fresn... SF Gate • May 31, 2009

	Thousands rally in California's heartland in support of gay marriage Aiming to reach out to conservative voters, about 3,000 equal-rights supporters gathered Saturday in California's Central Valley in a renewed campaign to win support for equal marriage. Just days after the California Supreme Court upheld a voter-approved ban on same-sex couples, activists launched a 14 1/2 -mile march from the town of Selma to Fresno, where they rallied in front of City Hall as a... LA Times • May 31, 2009

	Win by Telling our Stories The future belongs to the freedom to marry.... Newsweek • May 30, 2009

	Hundreds march for equal marriage in central Calif. "Fresno represents middle America values, and we can start changing our neighbors' feelings about equal marriage beginning right here in the Central Valley," said lead organizer Robin McGehee, a 36-year-old college professor who married her longtime partner last year. "We're doing exactly what the freedom riders would do in the South in the 1960s, which is reaching into communities that are differ... SF Gate • May 30, 2009

	Poll: Majority of RI voters favor equal marriage law A survey released Wednesday shows that more than half of Rhode Island voters favor a law allowing equal marriage, leading advocates to point out to state leadership that it's what residents want. A Brown University poll showed 60 percent of registered voters in the state said they would support a law allowing gay couples to marry, and 75 percent said they would support a law allowing civil unions... AP • May 30, 2009

	Equal rights bills remain stalled in Congress U.S. House and Senate lawmakers apparently hold conflicting views on the best way to pass hate crimes legislation.... Washington Blade • May 30, 2009

	Supporters of Same-Sex Couples Trumpet the Church's Work Against Them With the battle moving east, some advocates are shouting that fact in the streets, calculating that on an issue that eventually comes down to comfort levels, more people harbor apprehensions about Mormons than about homosexuality.... Washington Post • May 30, 2009

	Nevada's Gov. Believes in Traditional Marriage. Why Is His Wife Accusing Him of 2 Affairs? Jim says Dawn engaged in "aggressive behavior," whatever that means. But Dawn says Jim had not one, but two affairs with women named Kathy Karrasch and Leslie Durant. Wait: Isn't this the guy who believes in upholding the sanctity of segregated marriage?... Queerty • May 30, 2009

	Iowa Legislative Leaders Vow No Action on Gay Marriage Same-sex couples will not be an issue in next year's legislative session, said the highest-ranking Democrats from both chambers of the Iowa legislature.... Iowa Independent • May 30, 2009

	IA: Equal Marriage Interest High In First Month In the first month since same-sex couples have been legal in Iowa, local county recorders and marriage planners said they've been very busy.... KCCI • May 30, 2009

	Gay couples a minefield for candidates for California governor In that environment, candidates for governor are juggling wildly different needs for the primaries and the general election. To score points with partisan voters in the June 2010 primary -- regardless of party -- is to risk harm in the broader arena of the general election. So Newsom or any other Democrat who gets too bold about same-sex couples in the primary could face a backlash if running as... LA Times • May 30, 2009

	YOUR HELP NEEDED For One Final Step Toward Marriage Equality In New Hampshire The vote in the House will be very close, so please -- if they live in your area, call or write to the 25 House Democrats who voted against HB 73 last week on May 20th, http://www.gencourt.state.nh.u... or if your State Rep. is a Republican please contact them to let them know you support religious freedom and independence. Go to the NH Freedom To Marry WEBSITE at http://nhftm.org/ to see oth... Blue Hampshire • May 30, 2009

	Equal marriage advocates to reach out to churches Ventura County advocates for equal marriage plan to visit churches and synagogues as part of their effort to put the issue back on the California ballot in 2010. "We don't want to get into screaming and yelling matches, we just want to tell our stories," said Lisa Hughes, a member of Equality Ventura County's faith outreach subcommittee.... Ventura County Star • May 30, 2009

	How Far Will Mormons Go to Fight Gay Couples? Opposing gay marriage in Utah (as the church did in 2004) is one thing, but taking a lead public role in a national campaign to deprive a persecuted minority of a right shared by all other Americans is another. It would be seen as a sign that the days of low-key tactics are over, and that the current Mormon leaders are prepared to give, and get, the political bruising that occurs when religion mix... U.S. News and World Report • May 30, 2009

	We need your organization's letter of support for the Uniting American Families Act by Monday! This year, I feel that we are finally at a tipping point and the bill is finally getting some traction. Sen Leahy is going to be holding a hearing about this bill next week and Rep Mike Honda is going to reintroduce the Reunite Families Act which will include language of UAFA in the bill. We are also hoping that when Comprehensive Immigration Reform is introduced next month, LGBT Families will b... Pam's House Blend • May 30, 2009

	Howard Dean: The Tide is Turning on Equal Marriage I remember growing up, we used to say things about gay people; we didn't know anybody who was gay -- we didn't think we knew anybody who was gay. Once somebody says, 'I'm gay and I wish you wouldn't do that,' you don't talk like that anymore because they're a human being.... Change.org • May 30, 2009

	Same-sex couples a sensitive issue in the black faith community There is a deep rift in the black community about comparisons between gays' struggle for marriage equality and the civil rights struggle of African-Americans. The National Black Justice Coalition is one of the groups working to address this issue and recently hosted its fourth annual Black Church Summit at San Francisco's Glide Memorial. Several members of the city's black clergy, who supported P... Inside Bay Area • May 30, 2009

	Black, Gay and Reclaiming 'Civil Rights' The thing is that are plenty of allies and leaders from the black community who do support full civil rights for LGBTs who can be cited when dealing with this issue -- John Lewis, Julian Bond, Leonard Pitts, Al Sharpton, Gov. Deval Patrick, Gov. David Paterson, to name a few. Members of black community who consistently oppose LGBT rights conveniently choose to ignore these leaders -- they have to ... Huffington Post • May 30, 2009

	NH: Equal marriage accord reached The bill will be voted on next week, as the third piece of a three-part equal-marriage proposal. Two bills have already passed -- House Bill 436, the main bill, and HB 310, with technical changes -- but a third became necessary when Lynch said he would veto the bills unless extra protections for religious groups were added. Language in the two bills that exempted clergy from performing marriages t... Union Leader • May 30, 2009

	Another Prop 8 Fallout: The Children Emotional trauma is defined as anything that seriously disrupts your sense of safety. Prop 8 was not an abstract, legal concept for kids of gay/lesbian families - it hit at the very core of their family. Imagine being a third-grade kid and knowing the government announced that your beloved mom or dad is a type of person officially barred from marriage, and that they could have been legally, instan... SF Gate • May 30, 2009

	For Gay Leaders, Obama's Silence on Prop. 8 Speaks Volumes But one major source of leadership has been silent on the issue: President Barack Obama, who pledged while on the campaign trail last year to advocate for the civil rights of gay and lesbian Americans.... Edge • May 30, 2009

	Prop. 8 Dream Team Backlash More formally, the ACLU, GLAAD, the Human Rights Campaign and related groups issued a statement that said "Most lawsuits will set us back," and argued that the best way forward was to work locally first, then nationally... NY Times • May 30, 2009

	Protest Against Prop. 8 Equal Marriage Ruling It's an exercise in pointlessness to hold an election rally after the election is long over and decided.... • May 29, 2009

	Gay rights advocates rip suit to undo Prop. 8 While Olson shares the same end goal as same-sex marriage advocates, he doesn't share their political strategy - to win states individually, with ballot initiatives or laws approved by state legislatures. Several same-sex marriage advocates intend to put the issue to voters in November 2010. Olson thinks both strategies can work simultaneously. But many gay legal advocates are urging same-sex cou... SF Gate • May 28, 2009

	NH: Senate rejects call for equal marriage vote The state Senate turned down a nonbinding referendum on same-sex marriage and agreed to name a team of negotiators in hopes of reaching a new compromise.... Nashua Telegraph • May 28, 2009

	The next equal marriage vote: 2010 or 2012? Equality California, which says it's the largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender-rights advocacy organization in the state, has concluded that sooner is better than later.... Sacramento Bee • May 28, 2009

	Group Begins Ad Blitz Against Same-Sex Couples Advocates for same-sex couples in New York, who have been laying groundwork for the bill for several years through grass-roots activity -- like recruiting supporters who are now reaching out to senators -- have spent at least $200,000 on television ads in the last few weeks. A commercial running in the Albany, Buffalo and Syracuse markets features a husband and wife who say it is unfair that their... NY Times • May 28, 2009

	Until Logic Did Them Apart The ubiquity of this hollow formulation tells us something about the state of anti-gay-couple thought. It's a body of opinion held largely by people who either don't know why they oppose gay couples or don't feel comfortable explicating their case.... The New Republic • May 28, 2009

	The big gay shrug Equal marriage is a foregone conclusion. It's a done deal. It's just a matter of time. For the next generation in particular, equal rights for gays is not even a question or a serious issue, much less a sinful hysterical conundrum that can only be answered by terrified Mormons and confused old people and inane referendums funded by same. It's just obvious, inevitable, a given.... SF Gate • May 27, 2009

	Phyllis Lyon: "It Will Be OK" I'm optimistic about the future. Look at all the states that have now done this. Boom. Boom. Boom. Boom. They may not all last. But it's going to be all right. It may not be while I'm alive, but eventually it will work out that if two people want to get married, they can get married and it won't matter to whom. We went through this before with people of color. It will be OK.... LA Times • May 27, 2009

	More than 100 Cities Fight Back Against H8 Marriage equality may have been denied in California yesterday (although let's not forget that we do have 18,000 same-sex couples whose marriages will remain valid by the state), but the renewed energy and movement to push for equal rights has only just begun.... Change.org • May 27, 2009

	Are Lawsuits The Best Way To Go? Rather than filing premature lawsuits, we need to talk to our friends, family and neighbors, and help them understand why denial of the freedom to marry is wrong. We need to build a vigorous, aggressive campaign to overturn Prop 8 and restore the freedom to marry in California. This is the moment to convince California and America that we should have the freedom to marry.... Box Turtle Bulletin • May 27, 2009

	Prop. 8 stands; more ballot battles ahead "Despite this injustice, we are prepared to return to the ballot box together with our allies to restore the freedom to marry," said Geoff Kors, executive director of Equality California, which took part in the legal challenge. "As more and more states across the nation allow same-sex couples to marry," he said, he is confident that California voters will respond to the next campaign.... SF Gate • May 27, 2009

	Bush vs. Gore rivals challenge Prop. 8 in federal court Former U.S. Solicitor General Theodore B. Olson and David Boies, who represented then-Vice President Al Gore in the contested election, have joined forces to tackle the equal marriage issue, which has deeply divided Californians and left 18,000 gay couples married last year in legal isolation. In a project of the American Foundation for Equal Rights, Olson and Boies have united to represent two s... LA Times • May 27, 2009

	What's next for same-sex couples? While California's Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld a ban on same-sex marriages that voters voters passed in November, the fight will undoubtedly go forward.... CNN • May 27, 2009

	Which U.S. states may legalize gay marriage next Gay rights advocates in the most populous U.S. state plan to resume their fight and go back to voters either next year or in 2012 in a bid to repeal Proposition 8, which defines marriage as between a man and a woman and was passed in November 2008 elections.... Reuters • May 27, 2009

	Prop 8 Advocates: Grandfathering Gay Marriages Akin to Letting Landowners Keep Slaves After Abolition The press release compares letting gay people stay married after today's ruling to letting slaves stay owned in America after slavery was abolished. Yep. They've actually brought our country's greatest civil rights victory into an argument about taking civil rights away from another minority group.... SF Weekly • May 27, 2009

	New poll says New Yorkers want equal marriage brought to vote, even if passage not a sure thing Nearly eight of 10 New Yorkers say the state Senate should put a bill legalizing equal marriage up for a vote regardless of whether there's enough support to pass it, a new poll released Tuesday shows. The Siena College poll shows that 78% of those surveyed disagree with Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith, who said he would only bring the bill to the floor only if he has the 32 votes needed to ... New York Daily News • May 26, 2009

	Gay couple in litigation criticizes ruling Robin Tyler says she is glad Diane Olson is still her wife but upset about the court decision. Tyler said at a news conference in Los Angeles after Tuesday's ruling that she was "as upset as if our marriage had been taken away."... Mercury News • May 26, 2009

	Ed Murray: Rallies Are Fine, Organizing Is Better There's a sense that real progress is being made here, that we're gaining ground, not losing ground, so who needs rallies and protests?... The Stranger • May 26, 2009

	We're Winning We're going to go back to the ballot box in California in 2010 or 2012 and voters are going to repeal Prop 8.... The Stranger • May 26, 2009

	View Live Feed of Meet in the Middle Here on Unite the Fight! If you can't make it because of kids, work or you live far away, be sure to come back to this post and watch it LIVE right here on Unite the Fight! We will also have one-on-one video interviews with the speakers!... Unite the Fight • May 26, 2009

	Equality California Vows to Restore Marriage at Ballot Box in Wake of Prop. 8 Ruling Despite today's setback, Equality California is committed to restoring the freedom to marry. We believe, as do the majority of our members, that 2010 is the best time to return to the ballot to repeal Prop. 8. We must take full advantage of the momentum and commitment people now have to do the work required on the ground. However, we will make the final decision on when to return in collaboration... Equality California • May 26, 2009

	Courage Campaign: 1 Million for Marriage Equality It's time to go on offense. To be fearless in our fight for equality. Starting right now.... Courage Campaign • May 26, 2009

	California Supreme Court Upholds Ban on Same-Sex Marriage Heated reaction to the decision began immediately, with protestors blocking traffic near the Supreme Court, and advocates for same-sex couples beginning plans for another election. In Los Angeles, Jennifer Pizer, the Marriage Project Director for Lambda Legal, said that the decision "puts it to us to repair the damage at the ballot box." One of the state's largest gay equality groups, Equality Cal... NY Times • May 26, 2009

	What will our side do during the Prop 8 rallies? Here is a thoughtful piece by Christopher Geidner@ Law Dork. He discusses the soon-to-be known decision about Prop 8 and the possible reactions in the LGBT community if the ruling is not in our favor -- either nullifying all the same-sex marriages or allowing the thousands of existing marriages to remain intact while still affirming Prop 8. He belives the Supreme Court will have the split decision... Pam's House Blend • May 26, 2009

	Live Broadcast of CA Supreme Court Ruling on Prop 8 at 10am PST YOU CAN WATCH RULING LIVE HERE!... Unite the Fight • May 26, 2009

	Hundreds pray on eve of Prop 8 ruling Several representatives of various faiths said they were ready to get arrested in acts of civil disobedience if the court does not overturn the ban.... Mercury News • May 26, 2009

	Twice-divorced Nevada governor vetoes domestic partnership bill Harrah's Entertainment has called for an override if Gibbons vetoed the measure. The casino giant pointed to an estimated $700 billion in buying power among potential lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender customers. The bill also had support from of the powerful Nevada Resort Association, and drew praise from the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada. Gary Peck, ACLU executive in Las Vegas,... Mercury News • May 25, 2009

	Gay-equality champion leaving Equality Utah post Mike Thompson, Equality Utah's executive director is leaving the 5-year-old organization after four years at the helm. His last day is Friday. The Oklahoma native is heading west to San Francisco -- a city he has wanted to live in for a long time -- to do what he does best: Build up fledgling nonprofits. "He's always pushed to increase the number of people we serve," says Jane Marquardt, a form... Salt Lake Tribune • May 25, 2009

	Distortions Aside, Clergy Support Gay Rights in Surprising Numbers An in-depth analysis of Mainline Protestant clergy shows large majorities of support for anti-discrimination laws, hate crimes legislation, and the right of gay couples to adopt children. Even same-sex marriage, so often portrayed by Religious Right leaders as an attack on the church, draws support from nearly half of Mainline Protestant clergy when it is clarified that no church would be forced t... Religion Dispatches • May 24, 2009

	How Obama set the tone for a quiet revolution in gay rights This summer is also the 40th anniversary of the Woodstock music festival. As both gays and straights gear up for a new summer of love, author David Carter, who wrote Stonewall, the definitive book on the riots and their significance, put the onus on Obama not to betray the spirit of optimism. "If he lives up to his promises, then it could be a golden age for our rights," he said.... Guardian • May 24, 2009

	For gay couples, married matters A significant majority of the 558 gay men and women surveyed said that since marrying, they feel more committed to their spouses, more accepted in their community, and more likely to be open about their sexual orientation at work. The survey indicates that there is something universal about the legal protections and social advantages afforded by the institution of marriage, said the study's autho... Boston Globe • May 24, 2009

	La Cage aux Democrats As Wolfson reminds us in his book "Why Marriage Matters," Dr. King addressed such dawdling in 1963. "For years now I have heard the word 'Wait,' " King wrote. "It rings in the ear of every Negro with piercing familiarity. This 'Wait' has almost always meant 'Never.' "... NY Times • May 24, 2009

	Harrah's Hotel and Casino Pleads for Gay Equality on Economic Grounds The Harrah's chain of Las Vegas casinos and hotels has written a letter to Nevada's legislature warning about a potential loss in gay tourism if Gov. Gibbons vetoes that state's pending domestic partners bill.... Queers United • May 23, 2009

	Same-Sex Marriage Laws Pose Protection Quandary Opponents of same-sex couples have frequently said it threatens to penalize members of the clergy who refuse to solemnize such unions or who preach against them. Legal experts almost unanimously dismiss such alarms. Refusals to officiate or to mute a religious doctrine, they say, are solidly protected by the First Amendment.... NY Times • May 23, 2009

	NH: Local reps optimistic equal marriage bill will pass In the wake of the narrow defeat of a equal marriage bill in the New Hampshire House this week, local legislators who support the measure said they take solace where they can find it -- and they find quite a bit that leads them to think a bill could pass this session. "We always knew it was going to be tough. We were hoping for passage, but losing was not a surprise," said state Rep. Jim Splaine,... Seacoast Online • May 23, 2009

	Queer Developments According to the group Freedom to Marry, about 13 percent of Americans now live in a state that allows gay couples or recognizes marriage licenses issued in other states, and that percentage is certain to rise. The gist of the disagreement now isn't partisan or theological as much as it is generational. Unlike their parents, younger Americans and those now transitioning into middle age have had op... NY Times • May 23, 2009

	Maine: When's a signature not really a signature? In a recent series of postings, some commenters -- nearly all of whom are anonymous -- said they were planning to sign fake names on the people's veto petition that seeks to overturn the new equal-marriage law.... Kennebec Journal • May 23, 2009

	Obama's promise to gays Some gay activists fear that, given the welter of other issues confronting the president, he may be unwilling to expend time or political capital on this or other gay-rights initiatives. Their anxiety was exacerbated by Obama's refusal to intervene in the expulsion from the National Guard of Dan Choi, an Arabic-speaking Iraq war veteran who disclosed he was gay in a TV interview. White House Pres... LA Times • May 22, 2009

	Why the New York GOP should embrace gay marriage Gays and lesbians are a vital part of our communities. They are doctors, teachers, firefighters, emergency personnel and neighbors. In this way, marriage equality is also about supporting good citizens and strengthening our communities. When a committed gay couple seeks to declare their love for one another and get married, the whole community benefits from the added stability and strength of that... New York Daily News • May 22, 2009

	Some 18,000 marriages hanging in the balance I wonder how conservatives must feel, knowing that they are keeping two human beings from engaging in one of the most responsible acts in civil society -- committing your life to someone else -- from happening.... Ventura County Star • May 22, 2009

	Obama To Be In Los Angeles Day After Decision Day Do you think he can make it through the entire visit without mentioning Prop 8?... Box Turtle Bulletin • May 22, 2009

	State high court to rule Tuesday on Prop. 8 The court announced the impending decision today in lawsuits by same-sex couples and local governments, led by San Francisco, seeking to overturn the measure that 52 percent of California voters approved in November. If the court upholds the measure, it must also decide how the proposition affects the marriages of about 18,000 same-sex couples who wed before the Nov. 4 election.... SF Gate • May 22, 2009

	Gay marriage in DC moves debate to black community Despite Barry and Jackson's claims, there's evidence the city isn't as split on equal marriage as some suggest. Of the 12 council members who voted in favor of the equal-marriage bill, six are black. A group of Democrats in the primarily black ward that Barry represents voted 21 to 11 to support same-sex couples over the weekend. And Washington has a history of supporting equal rights; the city p... Washington Post • May 21, 2009

	Generations reshape gay marriage debate Trends suggest the contentious political struggle could fade in the not-too-distant future. The states where same-sex marriage is more tolerated are passing laws allowing it. Younger Americans, more eclectic in their views on social issues and more likely to have friends or family members who are openly gay, are more tolerant of same-sex couples than their parents or grandparents and appear to be ... USA Today • May 21, 2009

	Gay equality group: Maine diocese violating tax law The Empowering Spirits Foundation said its challenge was filed Wednesday at an Internal Revenue Service office in Dallas. The San Diego-based group said the diocese is engaging in political activity by collecting signatures for the referendum, violating IRS rules applying to nonprofits.... AP • May 21, 2009

	Equal marriage in NH hinges on compromise Democratic legislative leaders hope to bring a compromise to a vote as early as June 3. If it passes, the bill and two already passed bills needed to implement equal marriage would be sent to Lynch for signature. Rep. Jim Splaine, prime sponsor of the main equal marriage bill, said Thursday that advocates will use the next two weeks to educate lawmakers about the religious protections Lynch wants... Boston Globe • May 21, 2009

	Illinois poised to approve civil unions The Illinois General Assembly is expected to approve a measure next week that would legalize civil unions, according to an LGBT activist. Rick Garcia, political director for Equality Illinois, said Thursday he's "absolutely" expecting the full state House and the Senate to pass a civil union measure either Tuesday or Wednesday. The bill has support from Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn (D).... Washington Blade • May 21, 2009

	Setback to Gay Marriage in New Hampshire The vote made the bill's survival less certain, but the measure is not dead yet. It will now go to a joint committee of the legislature, which will try to come up with language acceptable to the House and Senate. But it is unclear whether Governor Lynch, a Democrat, would sign it.... NY Times • May 21, 2009

	New Hampshire lawmakers reject gay-marriage bill New Hampshire lawmakers unexpectedly rejected a bill on Wednesday that would have made the state the sixth in the United States to authorize gay marriage.... Reuters • May 20, 2009

	Gay Marriage Slow to Draw an Opposition in N.Y. As the Legislature considers whether to make New York the next state to legalize same-sex marriage, social conservatives have been largely missing from the debate in Albany. The interest groups working to legalize marriage for gay couples have been laying the groundwork for more than four years, lobbying lawmakers and funneling hundreds of thousands of dollars to their campaigns. And last week th... NY Times • May 20, 2009

	ME: Question ready for foes of gay marriage Petitioners have until 90 days after the Legislature adjourns to collect 55,087 signatures. The secretary of state then has 30 days to certify the signatures.... Kennebec Journal • May 20, 2009

	Conyers says he has votes to repeal Defense of Marriage Act U.S. Rep. John Conyers, a Detroit Democrat, said Saturday in an interview with Michigan Messenger that the votes are in place in the House Judiciary Committee, which he chairs, to repeal the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).... Michigan Messenger • May 19, 2009

	Gay Couples Will Benefit Ailing Economy What gay marriage can do for the country is add a whopping $16.8 billion toward the "gross national wedding product." Engagement rings alone, according to a Forbes study, would run at $1.8 billion a year. And that money would positively affect, you guessed it, small businesses. Gay marriage is a "really simple to understand goldmine."... SFist • May 19, 2009

	Senate panel OKs Lynch changes The Senate Judiciary Committee today voted 3-2 to recommend greater legal protections for religious groups and institutions to win Gov. John Lynch's approval of gay marriage. The committee voted down an amendment proposed by Republican committee members to further protect businesses and individuals who oppose gay marriage because of their religious beliefs.... Union Leader • May 19, 2009

	NY: Quinn 'Can't Bullshit' On Gay Marriage There has been speculation as to how many votes Smith and marriage advocates lack, with the number floating anywhere from the rather optimistic (four) to the seemingly unreachable (six or more). When I asked Quinn for an update, she referred me to Smith's office.... New York Daily News • May 19, 2009

	NV: Poll finds half oppose law allowing civil unions Democrats and independents back efforts in the Legislature to allow same- and opposite-sex domestic partnerships. But because of the overwhelming Republican opposition, Nevadans overall reject such civil unions by a 12 percentage point margin, according to a poll conducted for the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The poll, which did not gather opinions about gay marriage itself, found 38 percent of Neva... Las Vegas Review-Journal • May 19, 2009

	Kept From a Dying Partner's Bedside The case, now the subject of a federal lawsuit in Florida, is being watched by gay rights groups, which say same-sex partners often report being excluded from a patient's room because they aren't "real" family members. And lawyers say the case could affect the way hospitals treat all patients with nonmarital relationships, including older people who choose not to marry, unmarried heterosexual cou... NY Times • May 19, 2009

	If the state Supreme Court upholds Proposition 8... should we support going back to the ballot to restore marriage equality to California in 2010 or 2012? ONE PERSON, ONE VOTE: Tell us when you think the Courage Campaign should support placing a marriage equality initiative on the ballot -- 2010 or 2012?... Courage Campaign • May 19, 2009

	Study: Gay marriages pump $111 million into Mass The report from the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law says a typical same-sex couple spent about $7,400 on their wedding, with one in ten couples spending over $20,000. A second study by the same group found that young, highly educated people in same-sex relationships were 2.5 times more likely to move to Massachusetts after 2004 than before gay marriage became legal.... Boston Globe • May 18, 2009

	Black clergy opposing gay marriage resent civil rights comparision Some local black clergy said they oppose same-sex marriage but they were uncomfortable elaborating because they didn't want to upset gay and lesbian members of their churches. They said they consider any sexual activity outside of traditional marriage between a man and woman to be sinful. But they also did not want to dwell on negative behavior or judge parishioners who are gay, they said.... Buffalo News • May 18, 2009

	MUST WATCH! LGBT Folk From All Over the World Proclaim, "I'm Proud to Be Gay!" Some of these people took real risks to be a part of this project. One that popped out to me was the Iraqi man who risks his life going on tape, admitting that he's gay. That's just one. We should all be proud.... Unite the Fight • May 18, 2009

	Anti-Gays Hold Much Larger Rally Than Marriage Equality Supporters in NYC WE HAVE TO ACT NOW TO HELP THE PASSAGE OF THE MARRIAGE EQUALITY BILL! Six weeks is all that is left before the senate session adjourns for the year. If it's not brought up to a vote, it will most likely die. Contact the New York Senators and urge them to vote yes for the bill.... Unite the Fight • May 18, 2009

	WeHo Formally "Gets Its Andaz On" Over Prop 8 Contribution Saying that "the use of economic boycotts is an effective nonviolent tactic in the civil rights movement," the resolution calls for the WeHo's newest hotel to sever ties business ties with the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego. Despite that implication, the resolution does not call for a boycott of the Andaz Hotel.... WeHo News • May 18, 2009

	East Dallas Methodist pastor counters First Baptist sermon with 'Why Gay Is OK' message The pastor of little Grace United Methodist Church took a swipe at big First Baptist Church of Dallas on Sunday with a sermon titled "Why Gay Is OK." The message was delivered as a counterpunch to "Why Gay Is Not OK," a November sermon by First Baptist pastor Dr. Robert Jeffress. "I knew I had to preach about this," the Rev. Diana Holbert said Sunday. She told her diverse East Dallas congreg... Dallas News • May 18, 2009

	Trend toward allowing same-sex marriage is undeniable In 2006, almost 60% of Wisconsinites approved the amendment. Less than three years later, that percentage already would be a lot lower. Only 55% of people in a nationwide poll by Quinnipiac University said they were opposed to gay marriage last month. And 57% said they favored allowing gay couples to form civil unions that would provide marriage-like rights.... Journal Sentinel • May 17, 2009

	Gay equality vote expected in NH Wednesday New Hampshire's Legislature is expected to vote Wednesday on an amendment Gov. John Lynch says he must have to sign gay marriage into law.... KTIV • May 17, 2009

	CO: Boy spearheads gay-marriage rally The idea first came to Ethan thanks to his neighbors, a lesbian couple he described as "the nicest people in the world." He didn't think it was right they aren't allowed to get married. From there, Ethan resolved to support gay couples. He approached Mindy Barton, legal director for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Colorado, to gain support. "He already had a lot of... Denver Post • May 17, 2009

	DC: A Vote for Same-Sex Marriage But yesterday, gay rights advocates declared victory in a key battle to set the tone for the issue when the Ward 8 Democrats voted 21 to 11 to support the legalization of same-sex marriage, in preparation for legislation expected to be introduced in the D.C. Council this year. The Ward 8 vote came after almost two hours of discussion about religion, referendums and civil rights among the crowd of... Washington Post • May 17, 2009

	In Advance of Equality Demo, Thousands Rally Against Gay Marriage In an event that generously mixed politics and religion, thousands of opponents of marriage equality for same-sex couples rallied outside of the New York City offices of Governor David Paterson on May 17 and called on the State Senate and God to stop the advance of same-sex marriage in New York.... Gay City News • May 17, 2009

	Gay-Marriage Issue Awaits Court Pick Questions on social issues in confirmation hearings have tended for the past 30 years to focus squarely on abortion, with partisans from both sides poring over a nominee's writings and rulings and presidents typically denying that any "litmus test" was employed in the selection. Same-sex marriage carries the same freighted potential to dominate a hearing, conservatives say.... Washington Post • May 17, 2009

	Equality bill evokes unity in NY After nearly four hours of what many consider the best debate Albany has seen in at least a decade, the Assembly approved O'Donnell's bill 89-52. The margin of victory is growing - the measure passed 85-61 in 2007 - and, more importantly for supporters, the bill drew support from some contrite lawmakers who previously opposed the bill.... Newsday • May 16, 2009

	NY: GOP Marriage Bombshell? There has been speculation that several GOP senators might be willing to vote "yes" on marriage, including Vincent Leibell and James Alesi. But so far, neither of those two - nor any other minority members for that matter - have been willing to tip their hands. Advocates are hoping that the 89-52 Assembly vote earlier this week will help pressure some lawmakers in the upper house - particularly t... New York Daily News • May 16, 2009

	Domestic partnerships bill passes Nevada Assembly The Assembly Friday gave final legislative approval to legislation creating domestic partnerships in Nevada. The bill goes to twice-divorced Gov. Jim Gibbons who has said he will veto it. Assemblyman Tick Segerblom, D-Las Vegas told the body the bill doesn't create gay marriage and doesn't require employers to provide benefits to domestic partners.... Tahoe Daily Tribune • May 15, 2009

	Next Steps on Marriage Equality All this is an open process which, really, has been eight months in the making, and which include recommendations of the House, Senate, and now the Governor's Office. The timing could be that all will be finished by the end of next week. Please keep contacting your House and Senate members and ask them to support the completion of this process so that House Bill 436 and marriage equality will be... Blue Hampshire • May 15, 2009

	Memo: Wis. domestic partnership plan likely legal An analysis prepared for lawmakers says Gov. Jim Doyle's plan to give same-sex couples some legal protections likely does not violate the state ban on gay marriage.... WKBT • May 15, 2009

	With The 'Gay Tax,' Love Doesn't Come Cheap DOMA defines marriage as being the legal union of a man and a woman. On that basis, the federal government denies to legally married same-sex couples the 1,138 federal protections and benefits it extends to all other married couples. So I'm not surprised that a March 2009 report from UCLA found that same-sex partners are more likely to be poor than our heterosexual counterparts -- in large part be... NPR • May 15, 2009

	How New York Can Get Around Sen. Ruben Diaz (But Possibly Won't) Democratic Majority Leader Malcolm Smith says he won't bring the bill up for a vote unless he knows he has the support for it -- something he doesn't have us convinced he's even working on, thanks to the promise he made anti-gay Sen. Ruben Diaz. Which means even with the Democrats having a majority (a slim 32-30), there will be no action on S.B. 4401, which has 19 sponsors; Smith is only a "suppo... Queerty • May 15, 2009

	California: Protect the Alameda Inclusive Curriculum Please attend and show up early to keep the right-wing protesters from shutting everyone else out. You do not have to be prepared to speak, but bring t-shirts and signs to show your support. This meeting is of critical importance, not just for the children and families in Alameda, but for the entire Bay Area.... NCLR • May 15, 2009

	Maine: Foes of gay marriage mobilize They need to collect 55,087 signatures by mid-September to put the veto question before voters. Any registered Maine voter can collect signatures. The three groups don't need to coordinate; all the signatures essentially go into one pot, to be verified by the Secretary of State. They have until 90 days after the Legislature adjourns to collect the signatures. The adjournment date is currently Jun... Maine Today • May 15, 2009

	Gay Equality Leaders Look Beyond Marriage Battle Any day now the California Supreme Court will rule on the validity of Proposition 8, the voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage. The issue is important to activists, but the marriage issue is not the only priority for the gay rights movement.... KPIX • May 15, 2009

	Last Push! Make New Hampshire Happen! If you live in New Hampshire, or if you know anyone who does, please, make sure you ask them to contact their state representative to ensure they vote 'YES' on this final measure to make gay marriage legal!... The New Civil Rights Movement • May 14, 2009

	New Hampshire Legislature Support Governor's Changes The New Hampshire Legislature, officially known as the General Court, has said it will support the changes Governor John Lynch requested be made to the state's gay marriage bill.... The New Civil Rights Movement • May 14, 2009

	Rhode Island Debates Gay Marriage, Skirts Voting Priests mingled with gay and lesbian couples during an evening House Judiciary Committee hearing yesterday on two proposed gay marriage bills - one would legalize the institution, while the other would place the question before voters.... On Top Magazine • May 14, 2009

	Democrats' Domino Effect on Gay Marriage Issue? Polling shows the country moving with deliberate speed on the issue. According to the latest ABC News/Washington Post poll, 54 percent of moderates and 52 percent of independents now favor gay marriage. That's an uptick from 38 percent and 44 percent, respectively, in 2006. The issue still clearly cuts along partisan lines, but with 62 percent of all Democrats in favor of gay marriage, party lead... ABC News • May 14, 2009

	WI Supreme Court to look at state's gay marriage ban The Wisconsin Supreme Court will look at a challenge to that vote. Namely, whether the referendum illegally put two issues to voters at the same time: whether to ban gay marriage and whether to outlaw civil unions.... • May 14, 2009

	Ballot fight likely in 2010 to repeal Prop 8 Following the Courage Campaign's "Camp Courage" in Oakland earlier this month, organizers of the grassroots training event all but said they were ready to go forward next year. Then last week, EQCA unveiled its new campaign, "Win Marriage Back: Make It Real." Officials said that 25 newly hired field organizers would soon begin working with same-sex marriage supporters up and down the state in adva... Bay Area Reporter • May 14, 2009

	NH: Governor Lynch's Statement on Same-Sex Marriage Bill Attached is the language Gov. Lynch has proposed for the same Sex legislation.... New Hampshire Public Radio • May 14, 2009

	Governor will sign gay marriage bill in NH if changes are made New Hampshire Governor John Lynch says he will sign a bill to legalize gay marriage in the Granite State, but only if legislators make some changes.... New England Cable News • May 14, 2009

	BREAKING NEWS: New Hampshire Governor Will Sign Gay Marriage Bill At 2:15 this afternoon, New Hampshire Governor John Lynch announced that he will sign his state's gay marriage bill, making New Hampshire the sixth state in the union to legalize same-sex marriage. However, he wants the Legislature to make additional changes, according to New Hampshire Public Radio.... The New Civil Rights Movement • May 14, 2009

	The Fierce Urgency Of Whenever But I have a sickeningly familiar feeling in my stomach, and the feeling deepens with every interaction with the Obama team on these issues. They want them to go away. They want us to go away.... Andrew Sullivan • May 14, 2009

	What Motivated the Same-Sex-Marriage Switchers Last night a bill legalizing same-sex marriage passed the State Assembly with four more votes than it received just two years ago. Some seats had switched party hands, and some members were absent for one vote or the other, but the most interesting difference in the votes were the five legislators who had voted no in 2007 but voted yes this time around. What was behind their changes of heart on th... New York Magazine • May 13, 2009

	Donald Trump, Miss California, and Barack Obama From Obama's embrace of anti-gay activist Donny McClurkin, to his choice of anti-gay bigot Rick Warren to give the inauguration invocation, to the bizarre disappearance of most of the gay civil rights promises to the White House Web site, to the continual backtracking on the President's commitment to repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell, to the upcoming firing of more gay service members, to the fact that ... AmericaBlog • May 12, 2009

	NYS Assembly Says Yes To Gay Marriage In order to become law the bill will need passage in the State Senate and signed by the Governor. Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith (D. ) has stated that the Senate will consider the bill this session if it become apparent that there are enough Senators who will support the legislation with their vote.... Outcome Buffalo • May 12, 2009

	RI: Same-sex marriage bills to be heard Wednesday Scheduled for a hearing is a bill (2009-H 5744) sponsored by Rep. Arthur Handy (D-Dist. 18, Cranston) to broaden the definition of persons eligible to marry to include persons of the same gender. It also provides that members of the clergy would not be required to officiate at any particular marriage. Also scheduled is a bill (2009-H 5068) sponsored by Rep. Jon D. Brien (D-Dist. 50, Woonsocket) t... Press Release • May 12, 2009

	Support grows for federal DOMA repeal How soon a bill will be filed in Congress to overturn DOMA is anyone's guess. If it were to pass President Obama has said he would sign it, although he prefers civil unions to marriage. Even if the bill is filed this session, it may find difficulty getting to a vote. In addition to opposition from Republicans and anumber of conservative Democrats, mainly from Bible belt states, Speaker Nancy Pel... 365Gay • May 12, 2009

	NY: Assemblyman Makes Gay Marriage Bill Personal For Mr. O'Donnell, the lobbying is intensely personal. When he has been unable to persuade colleagues to vote yes, he has sent his partner, John Banta, director of special events for the Metropolitan Opera, to try instead. The two men met as freshmen at Catholic University in 1978, began dating two years later and have been together ever since. Mr. O'Donnell frequently brings Mr. Banta along to l... NY Times • May 12, 2009

	Faking Left Thus gay marriage opponents' persistent disadvantage. They can argue from tradition, custom and Christianity -- as Obama himself does, albeit with dubious sincerity, to explain why he backs civil unions but not full-fledged marriage. They can note the perils of formally severing the link between marriage and childbearing in a society where far too many children are born outside of wedlock as it is... NY Times • May 12, 2009

	Urge Maryland Attorney General and Governor to Review Marriage Laws Contact AG Douglas F. Gansler and urge him to evaluate Maryland law. Even if doesn't go anywhere, it will stir up the conversation of marriage equality in the "Old Line State."... Queers United • May 12, 2009

	How Hospitals Treat Same-Sex Couples While heterosexual couples typically don't have to provide marriage licenses to hospitals in order to prove they are husband and wife, same sex couples often must document their relationship to hospital officials before being allowed to take part in a partner's care. "There is a real disconnect between what might be a good written policy or state law and actual implementation of that policy or la... NY Times • May 12, 2009

	Same-sex marriage: Faiths' views are wide-ranging In fact, the spectrum of positions on same-sex marriage within Christian and Jewish denominations in the state is much more nuanced and wide-ranging. Some, such as the United Church of Christ, the Jewish Reform Movement and the Unitarian Universalist movement, have taken a stand in favor of gay marriage, leaving the decision up to individual pastors, rabbis and congregations. Others, such as the... Stamford Advocate • May 11, 2009

	New Hampshire Gay Marriage Bill: Taxing Issue? Were New Hampshire to offer marriage equality, and given its current tax structure, it would stem any movement of gays out of the state to nearby states that support gay marriage (currently Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, and shortly, Maine) and would, in fact, encourage gay couples to move into the state for the very same reason. Were it to be the only state in the area to continue the ban o... The New Civil Rights Movement • May 11, 2009

	NY Assembly To Support Gay Marriage [Click to zoom.] Click to enlarge AP 1 of 1 Close numSlides of totalImages Related Slideshows Celebrities In Playboy More Openly Gay Celebrities 2009 Celebrity Deaths Funniest Caption Contest Celebrities From The Garden State Celebs Who Lean To The Right Celebrity Redheads Celebrities On Twitter Hardcore Liberal Celebrities Related St... WCBS • May 11, 2009

	ACLU chief: Same-sex marriage 'a sure thing' Given the recent flurry of states saying "I do" to same-sex marriage, nationwide legalization is "a sure thing," says the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union. "Clearly, the momentum is on our side," says Anthony Romero, 43, the first openly gay person (and first Puerto Rican) to head the ACLU in its 89-year history. "It's just a matter of time."... Philadelphia Enquirer • May 11, 2009

	Barry, Obama & The Winding Road To Gay Marriage Politicians such as Obama and Barry won't hesitate to go where the people are when the time is right, but on difficult and divisive issues, they're much happier to hold back until the people have spoken. Call it timidity, call it craven, but it's how things work.... Washington Post • May 11, 2009

	N.E.'s identity bolsters gay marriage tolerance The six states share a set of demographics that makes them fertile ground for an expanding view of marriage. Besides their large number of Democrats, they have higher education levels, a characteristic linked to approval of same-sex marriage. Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire are also some of the whitest states in the country when polls show whites are less likely to oppose gay marriage.... Boston Globe • May 11, 2009

	Religious freedom and gay marriage can coexist The basic idea here is straightforward: We can and should work hard to accommodate the rights of same-sex couples and religious individuals and institutions. Doing that right, however, requires government to take account of the actual and legitimate needs and interests of both groups. That's what treating people equally is all about.... LA Times • May 11, 2009

	Gay marriage debate fades in Massachusetts At the time of those first weddings, the debate was red-hot - protests were frequent, expectations ran high that legislators would allow a referendum on whether to overturn the court ruling ordering same-sex marriage. Now, although Roman Catholic leaders and some conservative activists remain vocally opposed, there is overwhelming political support for same-sex marriage and no prospect for a refer... Fort Wayne Journal Gazette • May 10, 2009

	NH: Same-sex marriage bill in limbo The Senate-crafted compromise (HB 436) only got to Secretary of State Bill Gardner late Friday afternoon, while the second bill (HB 310) that fixes mistakes made in the first wasn't there yet. At a minimum, what must follow are signatures from the Senate president, House speaker and key members on the House and Senate Enrolled Bills committee. Then and only then could it go to Lynch's office aft... Nashua Telegraph • May 10, 2009

	New York Senators Hedge on Gay Marriage With six weeks left before the Legislature adjourns for the year, uncertainty surrounds the fate of Gov. David A. Paterson's bill to legalize same-sex marriage, and lobbying is intensifying. The measure is expected to easily pass the State Assembly, which approved a similar bill in 2007 and has scheduled its vote for Tuesday. That means the fate of the legislation will most likely be decided in ... NY Times • May 10, 2009

	MD: Rethinking marriage Maryland, where the law requires marriage to be between a man and a woman and where attempts to overturn that requirement have been bottled up in legislative committees, could yet join the national trend. But it will require Gov. Martin O'Malley to demonstrate more than the casual interest he has shown in legalizing civil unions, let alone gay marriage, in the past. What Mr. O'Malley must do is t... Baltimore Sun • May 10, 2009

	Pitts: Blacks must confront their homophobia At day's end, though, the great tragedy here is neither historical amnesia nor moral cowardice. No, the tragedy is embodied in Barry's description of African Americans as a people for whom open homosexuality is rare. That description is, unfortunately, too accurate -- not simply for black Washington, but for black America. We are a socially conservative people. And our conservatism is, quite lite... Miami Herald • May 10, 2009

	Fresno key for same-sex marriage supporters Last November, the central San Joaquin Valley overwhelmingly approved Prop. 8, the statewide ballot initiative that eliminated the right of same-sex couples to marry. Supporters of same-sex marriage plan to rally on the Saturday after the state Supreme Court rules on Prop. 8's legality. The high court has until June 3 to rule. That ruling is widely expected to affirm the will of the voters. But ... Fresno Bee • May 9, 2009

	5 years later, gay marriage accepted in Mass. At the time of those first weddings, the debate was red-hot -- protests were frequent, expectations ran high that legislators would allow a referendum on whether to overturn the court ruling ordering same-sex marriage. Now, although Roman Catholic leaders and some conservative activists remain vocally opposed, there is overwhelming political support for same-sex marriage and no prospect for a refe... AP • May 9, 2009

	Vote for Equality gets the message Fleischer and Clemente's first session focused on contrasting the ads the GLBT community tends to use with the ads of anti-gay marriage activists. Ads for our team tend to be focused on fairness and rationality, because duh: If you really think it out, same-sex marriage bans make no sense. Unfortunately, the other side bypasses the brain and goes straight for the gut and the adrenal glands. Our c... 365Gay • May 9, 2009

	SF Dems fan out in effort to repeal Prop 8 Talking to opponents of same-sex marriage is thought to be especially critical. Even in San Francisco, one out of every four voters supported the measure. But for now the canvassers are sticking to neighborhoods where there's at least some support for same-sex marriage as they build their base, hoping to eventually help in a statewide effort to repeal Prop 8. In the Marina, for example, a breakdow... Bay Area Reporter • May 8, 2009

	Prop. 8 opponents' TV ads show same-sex couples Equality California organizers said Thursday they remain hopeful that Proposition 8 will be overturned. But they say they are moving ahead with grass-roots organizing to sway public opinion and prepare for another ballot battle as early as in 2010. "We're committed to moving public opinion no matter what the court says," said Geoff Kors, California Equality executive director. The group is raisi... Sacramento Bee • May 8, 2009

	Effort to undo Proposition 8 goes to less friendly territory In choosing Fresno, supporters of same-sex marriage are moving far from the supportive urban environs of San Francisco and West Hollywood, and coming to hostile territory. In November, the central San Joaquin Valley overwhelmingly approved Prop. 8, the statewide ballot initiative that eliminated the right of same-sex couples to marry. Supporters of same-sex marriage plan to rally on the Saturday... Miami Herald • May 8, 2009

	For Gay Couples, Obstacles to Health Insurance Currently about one-third of companies with more than 500 employees offer domestic partner benefits. That's up from about 12 percent in 2000, according to a study from Mercer, an employee benefits consulting firm. But the percentage drops off sharply when smaller employers are counted, Ms. Hudson said.... NY Times • May 8, 2009

	'This Is a Question of Fairness' Mr. Baldacci described his change of heart -- and what we hope is the changing sentiment of many other American politicians. "I have come to believe that this is a question of fairness and of equal protection under the law, and that a civil union is not equal to civil marriage," he said. Precisely. Maine was the fifth state to legalize same-sex marriage. We urge Mr. Lynch to make New Hampshire th... NY Times • May 8, 2009

	New England gay marriage advocates hit roadblock in heavy Catholic Rhode Island Religion remains among the biggest hurdles. A recent survey by Trinity College in Connecticut showed 46 percent of Rhode Islanders identify themselves as Roman Catholic, a larger percentage than any other state.... FOX8 • May 8, 2009

	Gay Marriage Advocates Turning To Lost & Found Ads Starting tomorrow, several new lost and found ads will be seen online and in local newspapers such as the Sacramento Bee, but these ads are not asking for help finding typical items or valuables. A half-dozen ads, placed by those in favor of gay marriage, will be seen in the classifieds with messages like: Lost: my right to marry the person I love. Last seen November 4th, 2008. If seen, please re... CBS13 • May 7, 2009

	Equality California Joins Grassroots in Fight for Marriage Equality EQCA working alongside grassroots is a remarkable change since the No on 8 campaign during which the grassroots felt shut out. The failure of the campaign woke a sleeping giant throughout the nation, but particularly in California, displayed prominently in the massive rallies and protests that followed. Even more remarkable is that EQCA, along with Courage Campaign, Marriage Equality USA, FAIR, ... Pam's House Blend • May 7, 2009

	The Maine Marriage Law According to Maine practice, the law goes into effect 90 days after the legislature adjourns. The legislature usually meets well into June, according to press reports, so that would put the effective date sometime in September. From the date the legislature adjourns, the opponents of same-sex marriage in Maine will have 90 days to gather sufficient signatures to put a repealer on the ballot. Ac... Leonard Link • May 7, 2009

	California voters likely to revisit gay marriage As recently as a few months ago, some gay activists feared 2010 would be too soon. But the fact that same-sex marriage is now legal in five states, with New York, New Jersey and New Hampshire poised to follow, has changed the political climate, they say. "There is no doubt we are witnessing an enormous and unprecedented sea change in both public opinion and momentum on the issue of marriage equal... LA Times • May 7, 2009

	As Gay Issues Arise, Obama Is Pressed to Engage In the words of David Mixner, a writer, gay activists are beginning to wonder, "How much longer do we give him the benefit of the doubt?" Last weekend, Richard Socarides, who advised President Bill Clinton on gay issues, published an opinion piece in The Washington Post headlined, "Where's our fierce advocate?" The White House, aware of the discontent, invited leaders of some prominent gay rights... NY Times • May 7, 2009

	N.J. civil rights advocates: Marriage near The state already recognizes civil unions for same-sex couples after a Supreme Court decision in 2006 left it up to the Legislature. The decision to reverse that law -- or take it further -- is still in the hands of Legislature, where lawmakers have introduced a bill that would allow gay couples to marry (S2898), and a measure (SCR-30) that would ask voters to amend the constitution to define marr... NJ.com • May 7, 2009

	Group Renews Fight for Same-Sex Marriage in California Mr. Solomon, who came to California after several years of working on behalf of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts, the first state to legalize such unions, in 2004, stopped short of announcing of a formal campaign to put the issue on the California ballot, which would require an extensive signature-gathering effort. But his group appeared to be ramping up. It announced a statewide advertising ca... NY Times • May 7, 2009

	Obama's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" On Marriage In the past several weeks, there has been a remarkable sea-change on marriage equality. Four (possibly five) states are being added to the marriage equality column. This was unimaginable just a few months ago in the wake of California's passage of Prop 8. But these remarkable development has been utterly invisible to the White House. Obama promised bold leadership on these issues but we haven't s... Box Turtle Bulletin • May 7, 2009

	California Marriage Drive to Include Religious Protections The Courage Campaign, currently the most vocal activists seeking to organize an overturn of Proposition 8 in either 2010 or 2012, say that things will be different this time around. The parties who spearheaded the opposition to Prop 8 will not be involved in the effort.... Box Turtle Bulletin • May 6, 2009

	Gay marriage hits close to home, but Minnesotans not ready While Minnesotans may say they're not ready to extend full equality to same-sex couples, subtle changes abound as gay Minnesotans travel to Iowa to marry and Lutherans look to relax restrictions on churches that want to be inclusive. And while the religious right is working hard to convince Minnesotans that a proposed Constitutional amendment is needed, a new Star Tribune poll shows support for t... Minnesota Independent • May 6, 2009

	Forthcoming Same-Sex Sacramental Marriage Litigation The Universal Life Church Monastery (TheMonastery.org) has announced a legal defense campaign that will take action in all states that have enacted unconstitutional same-sex sacramental marriage restraints. The Universal Life Church Monastery reports that "States that deny ministers the religious right to perform the sacrament of marriage, regardless of the couple's sexual orientation, do so in vi... Press Release • May 6, 2009

	Genetic Marker Tied to Civil-Rights Support The best indicators of someone's opinion on the subject may be if they have openly gay friends or relatives and whether they think homosexuality is a choice or a genetic trait over which people have no control.... Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2009

	NH: House passes same-sex marriage, 178-167; bill now moves to governor's desk The New Hampshire House sent the gay marriage bill to Gov. John Lynch for signature, voting to agree with Senate changes to the bill. House Bill 436, which extends the state's marriage laws to include couples of any sex, won House approval by a vote of 178-167. The bill's wording differs from the version the House passed in March, but its effect is basically the same. "Any person ... may marry a... Union Leader • May 6, 2009

	Maine governor signs same-sex marriage bill The governor's signature makes Maine the fifth state to allow gay marriage. In his statement, Baldacci also acknowledged that his signature may not be the last word on the issue. Opponents have vowed to begin the process of a "people's veto" to send the matter to referendum.... Bangor Daily News • May 6, 2009

	Maine becomes fifth state to recognize same-sex marriage Maine Governor John E. Baldacci signed into law on Wednesday a bill that legalizes same-sex marriage in that state. Maine will become the fifth state to legalize same-sex marriage, along with Iowa, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Vermont. It's the second to do so through a legislative effort as opposed to the courts. "In the past, I opposed gay marriage while supporting the idea of civil unions," ... Minnesota Independent • May 6, 2009

	NY: Gay marriage battle becomes all-out war as gays press state officials Over the past several months, the group commissioned polls from Boston-based Kiley & Co. in the districts of at least 10 GOP state senators. The group plans to use the results to convince reluctant state lawmakers that voting "yes" on gay marriage is not political suicide. The polling from four Long Island districts obtained by the Daily News shows voters support granting the right to marry to s... • May 5, 2009

	Study says New York Latinos support gay marriage Jose Cruz, director of NYLARNet, said the study found half of Latinos in those states supported gay marriage or civil unions despite only 18 percent identifying themselves as liberal.... Times Union • May 5, 2009

	Uproar in D.C. as Same-Sex Marriage Gains Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D) has said he will sign the bill recognizing same-sex marriages performed elsewhere. The council's action puts the matter before Congress, which under the Home Rule Charter has 30 days to review District legislation. The bill could present the House and Senate with their biggest test on the same-sex marriage issue since Congress approved the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996.... Washington Post • May 5, 2009

	Gay marriage heat on Lynch Colin Manning, Lynch's press secretary, acknowleged the governor's office has been "having a lot of contact from both sides" of this issue. Asked if the governor has made a decision one way or the other, Manning said he has not. "He will be reviewing the legislation carefully," he said, and declined further comment.... Seacoast Online • May 5, 2009

	California Gay Marriage Backers Poised to Try Again in 2010 California voters approved Proposition 8 in November, a change to the state constitution banning same-sex marriage. Although a decision has not yet been rendered in the legal challenge to Proposition 8, many gay marriage proponents in California expect the state Supreme Court to uphold the voter-approved ban on new gay marriages while leaving intact the gay marriages performed in 2008 when a decis... ABC News • May 5, 2009

	Washington DC: More Fantastic Breaking News Washington D.C. council has voted to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states!... Atticus Circle • May 5, 2009

	Maine House OKs gay marriage bill Representatives voted 89-57 Tuesday afternoon to give the bill final approval in favor of the bill after rejecting an amendment that called for a November referendum. The bill was sent back to the Senate, which is expected to take it up when it returns Wednesday. The proposal would make Maine the fifth state to allow gay marriage. But it's unclear whether Gov. John Baldacci would sign the bill. B... Boston Globe • May 5, 2009

	Overturning Prop. 8 at the Ballot? At a gay rights organizing camp held this weekend in Oakland, Calif., and hosted by the Courage Campaign, leading activists made it clear that they're in the beginning stages of a campaign to overturn Proposition 8 at the ballot. In her closing speech at the camp on Sunday night, Torie Osborn, one of the founders of "Camp Courage," told the attendees, "We are who we've been waiting for. If not n... Advocate • May 5, 2009

	Gay marriage debate on tap in Maine House The Maine House is preparing to take up a same-sex marriage bill, and its prospects are good given the number of co-sponsors and momentum from last week's Senate vote. The bill, which won a 21-14 vote of approval in the Senate last week, goes to the House on Tuesday. The bill has more than 60 co-sponsors, most of them House members.... Boston Herald • May 4, 2009

	Gay-marriage bills corner 2 governors Two New England governors are facing a choice between their principles and their party as same-sex-marriage bills move nearer to landing on their desks. New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch and Maine Gov. John Baldacci had staked out clear positions against gay marriage before this year's legislative sessions. Then bills to extend marriage to same-sex couples began moving faster than expected through th... Washington Times • May 4, 2009

	The Tipping Point Hi Stop8.org readers, This is Matt writing to you again. I just wanted to point you to this post of Andrew Sullivan's. He mentions an article in the San Francisco Appeal that I already posted about here on Stop8; but I'm posting about it again because I'm the person who wrote the article for the Appeal, and I'm just so delighted that Mr. Sullivan liked it enough to mention it. Yay! And let me urge... Andrew Sullivan • May 4, 2009

	Antigay Group Hiding Mormon Cash? The nonprofit National Organization for Marriage -- better known as the people behind the widely panned "Gathering Storm" commercials and as friends of "opposite marriage" supporter Miss California, Carrie Prejean -- is required by law to release its financial reports. According to the marriage-equality group Californians Against Hate, NOM is skirting that law, refusing to make its IRS 990 forms p... Advocate • May 4, 2009

	Recap of this weekend's #campcourage Hi Stop8.org readers. I'm Matt, and I created this site. I don't often post my own writing -- mostly, I aggregate news from other sources. But I went to Camp Courage this weekend, and it was such a valuable experience that I wanted to share it with you. Camp Courage is basically just a re-skinning of Camp Obama, with equality as the new campaign. It was pretty packed -- maybe 200 or so... • May 4, 2009

	When Same-Sex Marriage Was a Christian Rite Contrary to myth, Christianity's concept of marriage has not been set in stone since the days of Christ, but has constantly evolved as a concept and ritual. Prof. John Boswell, the late Chairman of Yale University's history department, discovered that in addition to heterosexual marriage ceremonies in ancient Christian church liturgical documents, there were also ceremonies called the "Office of ... Colfax Record • May 4, 2009

	Gay Marriage Gets Another Assembly Republican The Log Cabin Republicans of New York, the state's GOP gay rights group, announced today a member of the the Assembly minority - Fred Thiele - has decided to cosponsor the same-sex marriage bill. This brings to the number of GOP Assembly members willing to vote "yes" on the bill up to five. In 2007, four Republicans - Mike Spano (who has since become a Democrat), Joel Miller, Teresa Sayward and D... New York Daily News • May 4, 2009

	New Wal-Mart CEO Backed Gay Adoption Ban Among those who signed a petition to place a gay adoption and foster parenting ban on the Arkansas ballot last November was Mike Duke, Wal-Mart's new top man. Although the initiative makes it illegal for all unmarried, cohabiting couples - straight or gay - to adopt children, opponents argue that the real targets behind it were same-sex couples.... Change.org • May 4, 2009

	Same-sex marriages gradually gain legal ground The recent moves in New England and the heartland to legalize gay marriage appeared to reinvigorate campaigns for passage of same-sex marriage bills in Maine, Maryland and Hawaii. Rights advocates predict the tide will eventually sweep even into some of the 30-plus states that have passed laws or constitutional amendments defining marriage as between a man and a woman.... LA Times • May 4, 2009

	Oprah talks marriage equality Oprah Winfrey and panel, including actor Hugh Jackman, Oprah's openly gay decorator-in-chief Nate Barkus, and a lesbian couple who were married in Iowa, supportively discuss marriage equality.... Oprah • May 4, 2009

	Iowa Guard will still oust married gays Gay and lesbian military service members who are legally married in Iowa can still be involuntarily discharged from the Iowa National Guard and other military branches under a federal law that prevents homosexuals from openly serving in the armed forces, military officials say. The federal law, approved by Congress in 1993, takes precedence over the Iowa Supreme Court ruling in April that legaliz... DesMoins Register • May 4, 2009

	Gay-Rights Groups Employ Faith to Push Bills Today, more than 300 clergy from a variety of faith and denominations will fan out over Capitol Hill to preach a unified gay-rights message to members of Congress: Pass the hate crimes bill that would give sexual orientation and gender identity the same federal protection as race, and pass the employment non-discrimination bill that would protect gays. Clergy Call is the second clergy event organ... Washington Post • May 4, 2009

	Today's First Gay Marriage Post One of the chief reasons why more and more Americans support the rights of same-sex couples? More Americans know gay and lesbian people.... The Stranger • May 4, 2009

	As they Stand on the Tipping-Point, Gay Couples' Advocacy Having Ever-Growing Impact The more people talk about gay couples, the more comfortable they are with them. And it doesn't even seem to matter what people say -- lord knows, there've been plenty of anti-gay conversations lately -- every conversation keeps nudging public opinion towards equality. So the anti-gay-couple groups like the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) are standing in quicksand: the more they keep stru... San Francisco Appeal • May 3, 2009

	Utah prime location for gay-rights movement At the urging of their church leaders, Latter-day Saints were vigorous proponents of Proposition 8, the California campaign to outlaw gay marriage. Members in California and Utah gave about $16 million and the church itself, nearly $300,000. A backlash of protests, which were directed in part at Utah, seemed to baffle the church. And while Republican Gov. Jon Huntsman, who is Mormon, this year en... Salt Lake Tribune • May 3, 2009

	Gays say Maine marriage law can be 'unbearable' Since 2004, Maine has had a domestic partner registry, which is supposed to grant some legal rights similar to those enjoyed by married couples. But it's largely useless when it comes to wills, workers' compensation, guardianship and retirement benefits, Wriggins said. This week, the state House of Representatives is expected to take up a same-sex marriage bill that was endorsed by the state Sena... AP • May 3, 2009

	Goodbye Wedge Issue in 2010? As public acceptance of gay marriage has changed so drastically in our favor, Republicans who have used gay marriage as a tool for fear-mongering to get conservative voters to the polls and marginalize more centrist party members may not have that plank to rely on anymore.... Change.org • May 3, 2009

	Gay couples' marriages and the "bandwagon effect" One major problem with the bandwagon, however, is that it will inevitably hit the stone wall of 30 or more state constitutional amendments. Unless the Supreme Court intervenes, overcoming those amendments will require not just majorities, but super-majorities of popular opinion. Many will have to be voted on by the people at the ballot box, where so far the bandwagon has been in a rut.... Volokh • May 2, 2009

	Questions for James McGreevey I think in the Northeast we've reached the tipping point. I think Proposition 8 sort of reawoke a sense of political consciousness among the L.G.B.T. community and, as important, its allies.... NY Times • May 2, 2009

	Republicans could play decisive role in New York marriage bill "Over 30 Republican legislators have stood up for marriage equality in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont and none of those people who voted for marriage lost re-election in their respective cycle," he said. "The idea that a Republican who is for gay marriage has put themselves on the hot seat is a bit overblown."... Edge • May 2, 2009

	Dems sense opportunity on gay marriage What's certain is that opposition to gay marriage for decades has been a potent tool for the GOP in rallying social conservatives. They are critical to the party's grass-roots organizing and small-dollar fundraising. But as more states accept gay and lesbian unions, there is a debate inside the party over how it should position itself on the issue. The dispute is just one part of a broader strugg... SF Gate • May 1, 2009

	Justice David Souter retirement from Supreme Court unlikely to shift balance of court on LGBT legal issues It seems unlikely that President Barack Obama would nominate a new justice to the Souter/Brennan seat whose views on LGBT issues - equal protection, due process/privacy, freedom of speech and association - would differ significantly from those of Justice Souter. The LGBT issues most likely to come before the Court over the next few years would include the military "don't ask, don't tell" policy if... Leonard Link • May 1, 2009

	Despite new law, no church 'I do' for Swedish gays Sweden's parliament in April approved by a wide majority a new marriage law that puts gays on an equal footing with heterosexuals. But the Lutheran Church, which was the state church until 2000, has said that while it supports the new law, its synod will only formally decide in October whether to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies.... AFP • May 1, 2009

The Show & The News

Support the Show

About Marriage News Watch