Breaking Marriage Equality News Headlines from June 2009

	A political reason for including substantive religious-liberty exemptions in the California Marriage Equality Act Initiative? "In California, you only needed to flip 2 percent of voters," Laycock said, referring to Proposition 8's victory last November by a 52-48 margin. "If you put in the religious exemption, I think you flip that 2 percent."... Legal Commentary on Proposition 8 and the Right to Marry • Jun 30, 2009

	Prop 8 Goes to Federal Court on Thursday Formerly lawyers who fought against each other in the Bush vs. Gore case, Ted Olson and David Boies have joined together to fight Prop 8. They will be asking for "a preliminary motion eeking a temporary and permanent injunction against enforcement of Prop 8 on the grounds that the state constitutional amendment violates the Due Process and Equal Protection clauses of the U.S. Constitution." If ap... LAist • Jun 30, 2009

	San Francisco federal judge to hear latest legal challenge to Proposition 8 The latest legal challenge to California's voter-approved ban on equal marriage may be a long way from the U.S. Supreme Court, but the first step on a possible path to the high court unfolds this week before a San Francisco federal judge. Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker on Thursday will consider arguments on whether to block Proposition 8, which amended the California constitution last No... Mercury News • Jun 29, 2009

	40 Years Later, Still Second-Class Americans In conversations with gay activists on both coasts last week, I heard several theories as to why Obama has seemed alternately clumsy and foot-dragging in honoring his campaign commitments to dismantle DOMA and Don't Ask Don't Tell. The most charitable take had it that he was following a deliberate strategy, given his habit of pursuing his goals through long-term game plans. After all, he's only fi... NY Times • Jun 29, 2009

	Political Shifts on Gay Rights Lag Behind Culture Yet if the culture is moving on, national politics is not, or at least not as rapidly. Mr. Obama has yet to fulfill a campaign promise to repeal the policy barring openly gay people from serving in the military. The prospects that Congress will ever send him a bill overturning the Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as between a man and a woman, appear dim. An effort to extend hate-cri... NY Times • Jun 27, 2009

	Family Values by Andrew Putschoegl It may not be the family we had imagined, but it's the family we have and love.... Project Pushback • Jun 27, 2009

	House Leaders Plot Equal Rights Agenda After five months of virtual inaction on the equal rights agenda, House Democratic leaders on Wednesday met privately to chart out a strategy for advancing the constituency group's priorities in the 111th Congress. Headlining the meeting was Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who with her leadership team and the three openly gay Members of Congress -- Reps. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), Tammy Baldwin (D-... Roll Call • Jun 27, 2009

	Texans Support Couple Recognition Most Texans don't oppose equal unions, but they're split in their support for marriage or civil unions. While more than a third (36%) oppose either arrangement, 32% said they would support civil unions and another 25% think equal marriage should be permitted.... Box Turtle Bulletin • Jun 26, 2009

	Yes on Equality may collect petition signatures for second version of marriage-equality initiative: Will a stronger religious-liberty clause emerge? I did not consider that Yes on Equality, the Initiative's proponent, has had opportunity since late January to remedy arguable deficiencies in the religious-liberty provision. Charles Lowe proposed the Initiative's language with the help of attorneys. In this June 11th Bay Area Reporter article, he says that he would be "very surprised if what we filed wound up being what is used." Are further cha... Legal Commentary on Proposition 8 and the Right to Marry • Jun 26, 2009

	Marriage supporters need 1,000 voters a day Based on results of the private poll done for a coalition of LGBT and allied organizations in May, number crunchers at Marriage Equality USA have determined that if a Prop 8 repeal measure is on the November 2010 ballot, the campaign needs 999 new supporters a day. That number drops to 453 new supporters a day should proponents wait until November 2012.... Bay Area Reporter • Jun 26, 2009

	Joe Biden reaches out to gay community Speaking at a LGBT fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee, Biden acknowledged the anger many gays and lesbians have toward the White House, and he pledged to "put some pace on the ball." "I don't blame you for your impatience," Biden said. "I hope you don't doubt the president's commitment."... Politico • Jun 26, 2009

	NY Governor Calls Senate To Wednesday Special Session -- Equal Marriage Vote Tops Agenda Governor David Paterson has called for the New York State Senate to vote on same-sex marriage legislation at an extraordinary legislative session tomorrow, June 24, 2009. All 62 members of the New York State Senate are legally obligated to attend anextraordinary session called by the Governor.... Outcome Buffalo • Jun 24, 2009

	New England's Equal Marriage Compromise The equal-marriage lobby is making political calculations of its own. Some advocates view exemptions as temporarily convenient and don't think they'll need to tolerate them forever. Just as increasing public support for gay people in recent years has made civil unions unsatisfactory to the movement, it's hard to imagine that if equal marriage were to gain overwhelming support in New England some e... National Journal • Jun 24, 2009

	Same-Sex-Marriage Follies Two years ago, national gay activists hatched a plan to turn the State Senate Democratic. Thus began the Albany ring cycle ...... New York Magazine • Jun 22, 2009

	White House Staffers Concede 'Frustration' Over Administration's Slow Action On Gay Rights Brown conceded that the administration is "moving slowly" on gay rights. "Nobody thinks it's fast enough right now, but I know the President cares about this. ... It's going in the right direction, if not quickly enough." Klain agreed with Brown. "I understand the frustration," he said.... Think Progress • Jun 22, 2009

	Special marriage rights cost us $4,799 in higher taxes Second class citizenship is expensive.... Blue Oregon • Jun 21, 2009

	Maine: Equal-marriage law fuels 'huge' turnout A large crowd lined Congress Street and the route to Deering Oaks on Saturday for the first Southern Maine Pride Parade since Maine's lawmakers voted to allow gays and lesbians to marry in the state. Although the marriage law is still not in effect and opponents are gathering signatures to try to force a vote on the issue, Maine's decision to join a growing list of states allowing gay people to m... Portland Press Herald • Jun 21, 2009

	California equal marriage fight goes to Chinatown Asian Americans have been building grass-roots support in Chinatown, Little Tokyo, Filipinotown for four years. Gays, lesbians and straight allies have talked about the often-taboo topic of homosexuality, set up booths at festivals, harangued non-English language media to change coverage and lobbied elected officials for support. "What we felt we had to do is talk to people who aren't on our side... Reuters • Jun 21, 2009

	Schwarzenegger decides against defending Prop. 8 in federal court Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has declined to defend the constitutionality of Proposition 8, telling a San Francisco judge that the legality of the anti-equal marriage measure is for the courts to decide. The governor's decision to remain neutral in a federal challenge to Proposition 8 means no statewide official will be defending the measure in federal court.... LA Times • Jun 21, 2009

	Herrera Files Amicus Brief in Support of Federal Challenge to Proposition 8 City Attorney Dennis Herrera today filed a friend of the court brief on behalf of the City and County of San Francisco in support of a federal lawsuit brought by two California couples challenging the validity of Proposition 8, the state constitutional amendment that eliminated the fundamental right of marriage for gay and lesbian citizens in California.... Press Release • Jun 21, 2009

	Why the Gay Rights Movement Has No National Leader One explanation is that gay and lesbian activists learned early on that they could get along just fine without one. Even in the movement's earliest days following the violent uprising at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village 40 years ago this week, no singular leader emerged. Some historians believe this is in part because it was -- and still is -- difficult for the average American to empathize ... NY Times • Jun 21, 2009

	Campaign to save Maine's marriage law is launched. Opponents hired Yes on Prop. 8 campaign manager to kill our rights The political action committee running the campaign will be called "Maine Freedom to Marry." Meanwhile, the Press Herald confirmed that our opponents in Maine are going to hire the firm of Frank Schubert, who ran the Yes on Prop. 8 campaign in California. Schubert knows where to find money, so Maine Freedom to Marry needs our help and our support.... Freedom to Marry • Jun 21, 2009

	White House: Census to better count gay couples U.S. Census Bureau officials said Friday that married same-sex couples will be counted as such in the 2010 national tally, reversing an earlier decision made under the Bush administration. Steve Jost, a spokesman for the Census Bureau, said officials already were identifying the technical changes needed to ensure the reliability of the information, but remained committed to providing an accurate ... AP • Jun 21, 2009

	Vermont: Thank Senator Shumlin for his principled stand for fairness and equality! In light of the Obama Administration's failure to take action to repeal the so-called "Defense of Marriage Act," and in the wake of the Obama Administration's recent legal defense of "DOMA" in the courts -- invoking an analogy between homosexuality and incest -- Senator Shumlin has withdrawn from participation in his party's fundraiser... Vermont Free to Marry • Jun 21, 2009

	NY Bar Association Votes To Support Equal Marriage Delegates for the association adopted a resolution Saturday asking state legislators to give full marriage rights to same-sex couples.... WCBS • Jun 21, 2009

	Maine: Petition effort questioned Julie Flynn, deputy secretary of state, said her office has received calls from people concerned about the petitioning process, but not a surprising number.... Sun Journal • Jun 21, 2009

	Here's an idea: what if the Government introduced voluntary gay marriage? What is so Christian about an institution which lets in straight atheists and even Satanists, but excludes gay Christians?... Sydney Morning Herald • Jun 20, 2009

	L.A. racially divided on equal marriage, Times Poll finds White voters were most emphatic in their support for equal marriage, with 68% supporting it and 27% opposing. African American voters were strongly against it, with 54% opposing equal marriage and 37% supporting it. Opposition to gay couples by African Americans was widely seen as a major factor contributing to the passage of Proposition 8. Latinos in the current poll were split, with 45% support... LA Times • Jun 20, 2009

	75% of teens support equal marriage in online poll When asked whether they would feel weird being friends with someone of the same gender if they found out that he/she is gay, 62 percent said no versus 25 percent who said yes. Most (78 percent) felt that gay students should be allowed to bring a gay date to the prom.... Examiner • Jun 20, 2009

	The DOMA brief ruined everything Both Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton filed legal briefs arguing against existing law. The president says he is a "fierce advocate" for LGBT rights. Really? I don't think comparing a marriage to my partner, to marrying my niece or sister, is being my fierce advocate. I expect the president will try to distance himself from the brief and even the press statement, but it is too late. If ho... • Jun 18, 2009

	Census study of gay married couples finds similarities to husband-and-wife couples Marriage -- whether you are gay or straight -- may be the great common denominator among American households, according to a new government study that offers a first-ever look at the nation's same-sex couples who say they are spouses. Married men and women average about 50 years old, and about four in 10 have kids living at home. The average couple pulls down a little over $90,000 a year and four... Mercury News • Jun 18, 2009

	Gay critics say 'too little, too late' from Obama The memorandum Obama signed Wednesday is not expected to grant health and retirement benefits to same-sex partners, as that is prohibited under the Defense of Marriage Act. "It will absolutely be seen as something good -- but I think, for example, it not including full health insurance -- that is going to put a real microscope on that question. You know, why not?" Kim said, adding that the memo ... CNN • Jun 18, 2009

	Gay bias killings highest since 1999 "What we're also seeing, more disturbingly, is the increase in the severity of violence," said Sharon Stapel, executive director of the New York City Anti-Violence Project, which coordinates coalition. Stapel theorized that at least some of last year's violence was backlash against issues that arose during the during the presidential campaign. She cited debates about same-sex marriage, the milita... AP • Jun 18, 2009

	Maine equal marriage foes to use Calif. Prop 8 firm Schubert Flint Public Affairs will manage the campaign to repeal Maine's equal marriage law, just as it did in California. Organizers of the veto effort are trying to collect the signatures of more than 55,000 registered Maine voters to put the question on the November ballot.... AP • Jun 18, 2009

	Obama's gay rights gap On Sunday, the administration's top-ranking openly gay official offered a less-than-stellar prognosis for gay rights. Obama remains committed to banning employment discrimination against gays, along with repealing the marriage act and "don't ask, don't tell," said John Berry, director of the Office of Personnel Management, and that will happen "before the sun sets on this administration." The impl... LA Times • Jun 18, 2009

	President Obama betrays the gay community Sixty-seven percent of Americans now favor granting same-sex couples the right to marry or join in civil unions. Sixty-nine percent support letting openly gay men and lesbian women serve in our military, including a majority of Republicans (58 percent), conservatives (58 percent), and even churchgoers (60 percent). And an overwhelming number of Americans have long since supported passing legislati... Salon • Jun 17, 2009

	Is Obama giving federal agencies a right they already have? The answer is "yes." I just asked OPM Director John Berry, on a White House media conference call, whether in fact federal agencies already have the right to give these benefits to gay employees. The answer, "yes." So what's new about tonight? Obama is going to "tell" the agencies to give the benefits - as if any agency in the Obama administration would dare tell a gay employee no to a request for... AmericaBlog • Jun 17, 2009

	Barney Frank rips prez's 'big mistake' U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, one of the nation's leading gay rights champions, blasted President Obama yesterday over a controversial anti-equal marriage court filing and is calling on the commander in chief to explain himself. "I think the administration made a big mistake. The wording they used was inappropriate," Frank (D-Newton) said of a brief filed by Obama's Department of Justice that supported... Boston Herald • Jun 17, 2009

	U.S. to Extend (a few of) Its Job Benefits to Gay Partners (temporarily) President Obama will sign a presidential memorandum on Wednesday to extend benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees, administration officials said Tuesday evening, but he will stop short of pledging full health insurance coverage.... NY Times • Jun 17, 2009

	Obama Will (temporarily) Give Benefits to (some) Gay Federal Workers. Big Whoop Ugh, it gets worse. Turns out this is only a "memorandum," which means it expires when Obama leaves office. Also, there won't be any of those little "health benefits" tied to this, because of a little something called DOMA. You know, the policy the Obama administration defended last week? Same thing goes for Don't Ask Don't Tell: Eligible military servicemen and women won't be able to receive thes... Queerty • Jun 17, 2009

	Gay Group Slams Policies of President As a candidate for president, Mr. Obama said he would try to repeal the law known as DOMA. It prevents same-sex couples married in states where gay unions are legal from benefiting from federal benefits of marriage, such as Social Security spousal benefits. But on Friday, the Obama administration filed a brief seeking to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Arthur Smelt and Christopher Hammer, a California... Wall Street Journal • Jun 17, 2009

	Outraged By Obama Legal Brief, Gay Democratic Donors Boycotting DNC Bash The timing of the brief, which the president of the leading gay and lesbian rights organization said caused his community "pain," is awkward, given that next Thursday, June 25, the Democratic National Committee is hitting up the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community for cash in a fundraiser featuring Vice President Biden. As John Aravosis at AmericaBlog reports, gay donors, outr... ABC News • Jun 16, 2009

	http://obamasplanforgayrights.com/ There isn't one.... The Stranger • Jun 16, 2009

	A Prop. 8 win-win The federal action was brought on behalf of two gay couples who were denied marriage licenses after the ruling that upheld Proposition 8. If such an action were instead brought in state court, California would have an opportunity to bring equity to both sides. The attorney general, in defending the state's interest, could ask for a court order enjoining the state from using the terminology of marr... LA Times • Jun 16, 2009

	Surprise outcome of museum shooting: gay rights Now, Congress is under greater pressure to acknowledge that gays face the same threats as the Jews and blacks targeted by Mr. Von Brunn, and it could take action as soon as this week.... Christian Science Monitor • Jun 16, 2009

	In DC, LGBT Activists Won by Playing the Long Game Yesterday the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics rejected Bishop Harry Jackson's efforts to put recognition of same-sex marriages performed in other states to a referendum. The reason the referendum was rejected was because the proposed law would go against D.C.'s comprehensive human rights law that says proposed laws that would have the purpose or effect of discriminating against people based on ... American Prospect • Jun 16, 2009

	Obama's Ground-Breaking Gay Rights Speech* And let me state, clearly and directly, that the statements in the brief suggesting that the LGBT community is not entitled to equality, are unacceptable. On behalf of my Administration, I apologize not only to the community, but to everyone who found such arguments distasteful, or worse.... Word in Edgewise • Jun 16, 2009

	The $9.5 Billion Gay Marriage Windfall To estimate the financial impact of gay couples were they legalized nationally, we multiplied the number of gay couples marrying by 34% of the amount straight couples would spend on such items as engagement rings, banquet halls, wedding dresses and honeymoons. Add it all up, and it comes to $9.5 billion.... Forbes • Jun 16, 2009

	Democrats To Gay Americans: Fuck You. Now Write Us a Check. Obama is defending DOMA in the vilest possible terms--comparing equal marriage to incest and child rape--and he refuses to use the powers at his disposal right now to suspend enforcement of DADT. Harry Reid, speaking for the Democratic majority in Congress, says there will be no legislative action on DADT. But, hey, we're all invited to the Democratic National Committee's LGBT Leadership Council's... The Stranger • Jun 16, 2009

	In R.I., some wary as tide of gay marriage rises at border The slower pace in Rhode Island, where the state Senate voted last week to allow same-sex partners to make funeral arrangements, has frustrated some local activists, many of whom rallied outside the State House in Providence last weekend to call for immediate equality. But others say that legalization by 2012, a goal advocates set last year for securing same-sex marriage in all New England states... Boston Globe • Jun 16, 2009

	Harry Reid: no sponsors, no plan for DADT repeal - says Obama should do exec order If Harry Reid and, frankly, Nancy Pelosi, are the best options that Democrats have to offer us as gays and lesbians at this point, then it's time to turn off the financial spigot. You may not have the option or desire to support an Republican alternative, but if the best Reid, et al, can offer us on LGBT issues is cowardice, then at least let us offer apathy in return.... Pam's House Blend • Jun 16, 2009

	Cleve Jones Responds: 10 Reasons Why a March Isn't a Bad Idea On June 8, 2009, Bil Browning of Bilerico Project attacked the planned march on Washington scheduled for October 11 in a post entitled: "10 reasons why a march on Washington is a bad idea." Bil, and other critics of the march are wrong on all ten counts and here's why.... Bilerico Project • Jun 16, 2009

	A Bad Call on Gay Rights Busy calendars and political expediency are no excuse for making one group of Americans wait any longer for equal rights.... NY Times • Jun 16, 2009

	Nation's mayors support gays' freedom to marry The U.S. Conference of Mayors today passed a resolution in support of ending the exclusion of gay couples from marriage. The resolution, titled "Equality and Civil Rights for Gay and Lesbian Americans," included support for the freedom to marry along with endorsement of federal bills such as Employment Non-Discrimination Act, the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, the Uniting American Families A... 365Gay • Jun 15, 2009

	Questionable new poll: More RIers oppose than support equal marriage? The results come just two weeks after a Brown University poll found that 60 percent of respondents favor equal marriage. But the fact that the latest survey was funded by a high-profile anti-gay-people group has led some to question its objectivity, just as others questioned the outcome of a poll this spring that was commissioned by Marriage Equality Rhode Island, a pro-equal-marriage group. That... The Providence Journal • Jun 15, 2009

	Mayors criticize Justice Department support for Defense of Marriage Act With the Obama administration facing growing discontent among gay supporters, the mayors of Los Angeles and San Francisco joined in voicing concern today about a new U.S. Justice Department brief supporting the federal Defense of Marriage Act.... LA Times • Jun 15, 2009

	Former Clinton aide Socarides: Obama's Department of Justice had a choice There is no earthly reason for the Obama administration's silence (and now with the DOMA brief contempt) on our issues, to have its tail between its legs. It only cements the belief, after the Donnie McClurkin and Rick Warren debacles, that all you wanted out of the LGBT community were votes, dollars and bodies to volunteer to usher him into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue; a lame proclamation about gay ... Pam's House Blend • Jun 14, 2009

	Why I Now Support Equal Marriage Under current New York State law, same-sex couples are deprived of access to the employment benefits, life and health insurance and inheritance laws that heterosexual couples have. If the state were to institute civil unions for same-sex couples, that discrimination would end, but we'd still be creating a separate and unequal system.... NY Times • Jun 14, 2009

	American Gays and Lesbians Feel Betrayed by Obama More and more Americans support equal rights for gays and lesbians and oppose the ban on openly homosexual soldiers serving in the military. But Barack Obama seems to be behind the curve on gay rights -- and the calls for him to act are getting louder.... Spiegel • Jun 14, 2009

	Has Obama Administration Gone Over to the Dark Side in LGBT Issues? I think now that we are half a year into the new administration, it is past time for Obama and Holder to start showing some leadership on the issues where the campaign made specific pledges. It is time for the administration to move on DADT and DOMA, and not to sit back and wait for events to develop. And it certainly is not time to mount an aggressive, and in some respects homphobic-sounding, d... Leonard Link • Jun 14, 2009

	CA Attorney General Brief: Prop 8 Violates 14th Amendment On the same day in which the Obama administration filed a brief before the U.S. Supreme Court defending the so-called "Defense of Marriage Act," California Attorney General Jerry Brown filed a very different brief in Perry v. Schwarzenegger, the Prop 8 challenge brought by Ted Olson and David Boies.... Box Turtle Bulletin • Jun 14, 2009

	Prop. 8 leader to run for Sacramento-area Assembly seat A leader in this year's successful ballot fight to ban equal marriage in California is planning to run for a Sacramento-area Assembly seat.... Sacramento Bee • Jun 14, 2009

	Who Filed The DOMA Brief? So who signed off on this brief? Who is responsible for this mess? Or are gays that low a priority for DOJ?... Andrew Sullivan • Jun 14, 2009

	No One Could Have Predicted Do you think the Obama administration is letting Bush holdovers work on healthcare reform? Do you think they're letting Bush holdovers work on Iraq policy? Do you think they're letting Bush holdovers work on economic policy? Do you think they're letting Bush holdovers manage Sotomayor's confirmation process? Of course not. Because all of those things matter to the Obama administration. They give a... The Stranger • Jun 14, 2009

	DOJ Moves To Dismiss DOMA Challenge UNfuckingbelievable.... Joe My God • Jun 14, 2009

	HRC, NGLTF, ACLU, Others Call on Obama To Repeal DOMA Now When President Obama was courting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender voters, he said that he believed that DOMA should be repealed. We ask him to live up to his emphatic campaign promises, to stop making false and damaging legal arguments, and immediately to introduce a bill to repeal DOMA and ensure that every married couple in America has the same access to federal protections.... Towleroad • Jun 14, 2009

	Insult To Injury They could have argued for a narrow ruling or kept the "reasonable" arguments to a minimum. What they did - without any heads up to any of their gay supporters and allies - is unconscionable. Citing incest precedents? Calling gay couples free-loaders? Arguing that our civil rights are not impinged because we can marry someone of the opposite sex? Who on earth decided that that was a great idea? Ma... Andrew Sullivan • Jun 14, 2009

	Clueless The ball is now in the President's court. He owes us an apology - and not one of words, but one of action. Signing a hate crimes bill won't do it. Nor will an additional imprecation to Congress to do something about DOMA. It is he who was elected President with the explicit promise that gay equality would be on his agenda. What Presidents do is lead, and after this anything less than the kind... Independent Gay Forum • Jun 14, 2009

	Fierce advocacy My point is only to note how much continuity there is in this instance, as in others, between the Bush and Obama administrations. In short, there's little in this brief that could not have been endorsed by the Bush DOJ. A couple of rhetorical flourishes here and there might have been different. Perhaps a turn of phrase. But, minus some references to procreation and slippery slopes, the substance i... Volokh • Jun 14, 2009

	Barack Obama Demonstrates His Committment to Gay Rights It is gratuitously insulting to lesbians and gay men, referring (unnecessarily) to same-sex marriage as a "form" of marriage, approving of congressional comparisons between same-sex marriages and loving relationships between siblings, or grandparents and grandchildren, and arguing (with a straight face, I can only assume) that discrimination against same-sex couples is rational because it saves th... Independent Gay Forum • Jun 14, 2009

	Jerry Brown supports federal case against Prop 8 In stark contrast to President Obama's Justice Department filing a brief defending the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act, California's Attorney General Jerry Brown today filed a brief in support of a federal challenge to Proposition 8.... California Ripple Effect • Jun 13, 2009

	Will a ballot to repeal Prop. 8 have a (substantive) religious-liberty exemption? But do initiative proponents understand or even anticipate concern over the alleged inadequacy of language like that of the initiative's religious-liberty exemption? Are they taking into account stronger religious-liberty exemptions that allowed for successful passage of New Hampshire's equal marriage law? Apparently not.... Legal Commentary on Proposition 8 and the Right to Marry • Jun 12, 2009

	S.D. County apologizes to married gay couple The incident illustrates why same-sex couples who want to get married should be allowed to wed. "If you've got two groups of people who have two different sets of rights, that is just unworkable," she said.... SignOnSanDiego • Jun 12, 2009

	Obama DOJ lies to Politico in defending hate brief against gays It is an outright lie to suggest that the DOJ had no choice. But it's worse than that. Let's just assume for a moment that the Justice spokesman didn't lie to Politico, even though they did. Let's just assume that Obama had no choice but to oppose the gay couple filing this DOMA lawsuit. Where in the law does it say that Obama was required to compare equal marriage to incest?... AmericaBlog • Jun 12, 2009

	Obama defends DOMA in federal court. Says banning gay marriage is good for the federal budget. Invokes incest and marrying children. I cannot state strongly enough how damaging this brief is to us. Obama didn't just argue a technicality about the case, he argued that DOMA is reasonable. That DOMA is constitutional. That DOMA wasn't motivated by any anti-gay animus. He argued why our Supreme Court victories in Roemer and Lawrence shouldn't be interpreted to give us rights in any other area (which hurts us in countless other case... AmericaBlog • Jun 12, 2009

	Groups begin talk of ballot wording In addition to the issue of kids and schools, the ballot language likely would contain wording making it clear that religious groups would not have to perform equal marriages if such unions go against their faith. When this question was asked in the Binder-Simon survey, support for equal marriage stood at 52 percent.... Bay Area Reporter • Jun 12, 2009

	MUST READ: The Folly of 2010 The $60 million or more that will be spent in 2010 could go to other things, like state and congressional elections or fighting a possible SSM repeal (Maine? Iowa?) or amendment ban in another state. Those volunteers and organizers could be doing other productive things with their time. And losing in 2010, especially if the margin is greater than in 2008, will be deflating. It will harm morale. It... Independent Gay Forum • Jun 11, 2009

	How To Get 63% of Americans to Support Equal Marriage. (Maybe.) Would changing these few little words have made a difference last November? Probably not. But advocates for same-sex marriage can do a better job of framing their argument. Generally speaking, appeals to government noninterference are fairly popular; people don't like government telling them what they do and they don't have the right to do. Posit equal treatment under the law as the default -- how... FiveThirtyEight • Jun 11, 2009

	Gay couples forced to flee US over immigration law Bills have been introduced in Congress to treat same-sex partners like heterosexual spouses for the purposes of immigration but are likely to face a strong fight, both from equality opponents and anti-immigration groups. The 1996 Defense of Marriage Act prevents immigration officials from recognizing gay marriages, even from states where they are now legal. Proponents see the issue as a basic rig... AP • Jun 11, 2009

	Why Prop 8's Going To Stick So too much autonomy will fracture the campaign -- but too much power-sharing will paralyze it. We're doomed! There's only one thing that'll guarantee a successful overturn of the marriage ban; and that's all of us reaching out, one person at a time, to family and friends and coworkers and everyone, until eventually enough voters understand why equality matters. And then even the worst campaign wo... San Francisco Appeal • Jun 11, 2009

	Dueling gay identity events highlight change in Grand Rapids The Grand Rapids area is currently in the middle of an "ongoing conversation" about gay identity and gay rights, according to Colette Seguin Beighley, assistant director of the LGBT Resource Center at GVSU. "We learned that the Love Won Out conference was coming to town and wanted to offer another part of the conversation," she told Michigan Messenger in an interview.... Michigan Messenger • Jun 10, 2009

	Commentary: Obama absent on equal rights for gays During the campaign, Barack Obama assured gays and lesbians that he supported repealing "don't ask, don't tell" as well as adoption and anti-discrimination rights for the gay community. Those kinds of promises carry a particular weight when made by a man whose very capacity to run for elected office is the yield of another civil rights struggle. That lineage and the high expectations that come w... CNN • Jun 10, 2009

	March on Washington seen as 'bare-bones' affair; Some activists skeptical about need for D.C. demonstration A number of activists are skeptical about whether the LGBT community should pursue a march this fall. Stampp Corbin, a gay activist in San Diego, Calif., called Jones "one of our most beloved activists," but said "it would be unconscionable" to think that activists would be able to plan for and draw LGBT Americans to an October march. "He couldn't possibly be talking about a march on Washington ... Washington Blade • Jun 9, 2009

	LGBT Activists Call for March On Washington October 11 is Columbus Day. Congress won't be in session and the President will be out of town. This raises the question: exactly who do we expect to hear us when we march? Who will receive our petitions or issue statements of support? Who will be held accountable before the press? With everyone gone for the holiday weekend, it will be all to easy for our representatives and President to duck resp... Box Turtle Bulletin • Jun 8, 2009

	Does a March on Washington make sense now? A march will cost and arm and a leg, and require foot soldiers to negotiate space, hotels, all sorts of logistical nightmares in such a short time frame. Wouldn't you rather see resources to put people on the ground in Maine, or New York, or Washington state, or any other place where there are opportunities to stop anti-gay efforts and promote equality gains?... Pam's House Blend • Jun 8, 2009

	Politics to play bigger role in Pride Parade Organizers of one of the nation's foremost gay-pride celebrations don't plan to tone down the festivities even as marriage supporters begin political outreach to California's Central Valley. The Dykes on Bikes motorcycle contingent will again lead the parade, while conservative and religious groups outraged by the city's gay community are expected to film it. But with issues from marriage to the ... SF Gate • Jun 8, 2009

	Carrying the torch for equal marriage A handful of "marriage equality torches" were carried on foot, in cars and even on a unicycle to city halls around the county yesterday by people protesting Proposition 8, the November state ballot initiative that stripped gays and lesbians of the right to marry. In a twist on protesting, organizers mobilized about 140 residents in far-flung corners of the county to walk their own streets carryi... SignOnSanDiego • Jun 7, 2009

	Michigan voters shifting views on gay couples In what Glengariff Group pollster Richard Czuba describes as a seismic shift in public opinion, even support for equal marriage has nearly doubled since a similar poll in 2004. That poll was conducted before voters approved an amendment to the Michigan Constitution restricting marriage as exclusively between a man and a woman.... Detroit Free Press • Jun 7, 2009

	Study: Bans on equal marriage lead to rise in HIV infections According to the findings by Mialon and Francis, "a rise in tolerance from the 1970s to the 1990s reduced HIV cases by one per 100,000 people, and that laws against same-sex marriage boosted cases by 4 per 100,000." "Intolerance is deadly," Mialon said. "Bans on gay marriage codify intolerance, causing more gay people to shift to underground sexual behaviors that carry more risk."... Southern Voice • Jun 6, 2009

	Unions joining equal rights fight: Labor groups advocate for Senate equal marriage bill Community organizers from the powerful health care union 1199 SEIU and its sister union, building service union SEIU 32BJ, have worked for the past few weeks with the Empire State Pride Agenda, which has led lobbying efforts to promote the bill. The New York State United Teachers union and the New York City Central Labor Council have provided phone banks to assist the effort.... Times Union • Jun 5, 2009

	Out of the closet: Politics and other mistakes The marriage-equality bill sailed through the legislative process not because it wasn't controversial, but because Equality Maine had carefully laid the groundwork. At every step, the process was managed by the group not only for maximum political impact, but also to address broader concerns. EM has obviously been thinking outside the State House and preparing from the beginning for a public vote... Boston Phoenix • Jun 5, 2009

	Black, Reiner Back Fed. Prop. 8 Suit Director Rob Reiner and Milk screenwriter Dustin Lance Black are among the board members of a newly formed legal and policy group behind the federal challenge to Proposition 8.... Advocate • Jun 4, 2009

	Beyond 'gay marriage' The cultural battle over same-sex relationships has been relegated to court cases, chanting crowds and heated confrontations. At its heart, though, it's often just about two people trying to get the world -- indeed, even their families -- to recognize and understand their love.... USA Today • Jun 4, 2009

	California lesbian couple allege discrimination at Fresno hospital The couple said they have never experienced such blatant discrimination. They are both so upset over the incident that they have contacted the ACLU for legal advice. Orbin said it was particularly upsetting that the hospital staff continually refused to acknowledge Rowe as her spouse, and failed to treat either of them with kindness or respect.... Examiner • Jun 4, 2009

	Seesawing Same-Sex Marriage Maine and New Hampshire are now the states to watch. Both states have Democratic governors who campaigned on a platform saying that marriage is between a man and a woman; both signed equal marriage bills passed by their state legislatures. But Maine, unlike the other equal marriage states in New England, has an easy process for a "people's veto" that could put the issue on the ballot in November. ... • Jun 4, 2009

	New England economy could see gay-couple boost Five out of the region's six states now endorse gay couples after New Hampshire legalized equal marriage on Wednesday, leaving Rhode Island as the sole holdout. The spread of equal marriage could serve as a recruiting tool for universities, health care companies and financial services firms that dominate the region's economy, experts said. "It will be a selling point when it comes to trying to ... Reuters • Jun 4, 2009

	Setting the (Gay) Wedding Table The gym bunnies, bears, drag queens, power gays and lipstick lesbians in West Hollywood and California want a winning campaign to restore their legal right to marry. Some of them may not closely follow the inside moves of their own civil rights movement, but what unfolds now is critical. The decisions made in the coming weeks, and the leaders who emerge, will lay the foundation for the defeat or v... LA Weekly • Jun 4, 2009

	Knowing Someone Gay/Lesbian Affects Views of Gay Issues While 57% of Americans oppose legalizing equal marriage, Americans who personally know someone who is gay or lesbian are almost evenly divided on the matter, with 49% in favor and 47% opposed. Among those who do not personally know anyone who is gay, 72% oppose legalized equal marriage while just 27% favor it.... Gallup • Jun 3, 2009

	New Hampshire governor signs equal marriage law Gov. John Lynch was Surrounded by cheering supporters of the move as he signed the three bills about an hour after the key vote on the legislation in the House. The law will take effect in January, exactly two years after the state legalized civil unions.... AP • Jun 3, 2009

	Christian Clergy Rally on Opposite Sides of Gay Marriage Debate "Our religious traditions and scriptures teach us that wherever love is present, God is also present," the coalition, called D.C. Clergy United for Marriage and Equality, states. "We therefore affirm the right of loving same-gender couples to enter into such relationships on an equal basis with loving heterosexual couples."... • Jun 3, 2009

	Rhode Island Senate Votes for a Single Domestic Partnership Right Domestic Partners may be recognized in Rhode Island. But only once they are dead.... Box Turtle Bulletin • Jun 3, 2009

	New Hampshire Legislature approves equal marriage New Hampshire legislators approved a measure Wednesday that would make the state the sixth to allow gay couples, and Gov. John Lynch said he would sign it later in the afternoon. He had promised a veto if the law didn't clearly spell out that churches and religious groups would not be forced to officiate at gay peoples' marriages or provide other services. The Senate passed the measure Wednesday... AP • Jun 3, 2009

	Prop 8 Debate Underway in Porterville Porterville was the only city in California to officially endorse Prop 8. The city council approved a resolution in September of last year, in a vote that attracted little attention. But now, with the effort to overturn Prop 8 underway local activists want the council to know they do not represent everyone in Porterville. The Porterville City Council got an earful from residents who said the coun... KFSN • Jun 3, 2009

	NH Senate passes equal marriage revision; House next As expected, the New Hampshire Senate has passed revised equal marriage legislation and sent it to the House. If if passes there, Gov. John Lynch is expected to sign it into law later Wednesday, making New Hampshire the sixth state to allow gays to marry.... Boston Herald • Jun 3, 2009

	Marriage: Protection or Discrimination? To protect marriage, we should spend time and energy on problems that affect marriage, and stop using the word "protection" to disguise discrimination.... KNTV • Jun 3, 2009

	NY: Capital Tonight Poll: Senate split over gay marriage Another four no votes and New York becomes another state that tries and fails to legalize equal marriage. That's the findings from the public survey of 62 senators Capital Tonight conducted Tuesday - three weeks before their legislative session ends.... Capital News 9 • Jun 3, 2009

	100+ D.C. Faith Leaders Show Support for Gay Couples More than 100 pastors and faith leaders voiced their support for same-sex couples in D.C., standing in stark contrast to protests a month earlier by other pastors. The pastors, mostly from African American churches, wanted a referendum reversing the D.C. council vote recognizing same-sex couples from other states. The latest protest, pastors from a range of denomination, support same sex couples ... WJLA • Jun 3, 2009

	Gay couples call on NY Senate to OK equal marriage Sen. Thomas Duane (D-Manhattan) and his partner, Louis Webre, cited similar difficulties. Duane is the primary sponsor of the equal marriage bill and Monday predicted passage before the legislative session ends on June 22. "Already there are enough votes for it to pass and a cushion," said Duane, the only openly gay senator.... Newsday • Jun 2, 2009

	Cheney on gay couples: 'Freedom for everyone' Former Vice President Dick Cheney said Monday he supports gays being able to marry but believes states, not the federal government, should make the decision.... Washington Post • Jun 1, 2009

	Take Action in New Hampshire June 3rd One Vote! That was the margin of victory for the New Jersey-based National Organization for Marriage's attack on Equality. One Vote! And, only one week left to make history in New Hampshire. The opposition is more energized than ever, June 3rd will be the final vote on marriage equality and it will be close - WE NEED YOUR HELP TO WIN!... Straight Talk on Marriage • Jun 1, 2009

	We're Winning: Nevada & New Hampshire If the plight of anti-gay florists is the best objection opponents of marriage equality have got... we're really winning.... The Stranger • Jun 1, 2009

	Gay Activists, Black Ministers Seek Common Ground Both Payne and Hardies say that they don't measure progress by just the minds they might change, but by how successful they are in changing the tenor of the dialogue. "We're trying to get the message across about gay marriage being about love, and the benefits that come from that," she says. Assuring ministers that supporting or being agnostic on the issue of same-sex marriage doesn't mean they ... WBUR • Jun 1, 2009

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