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Today’s oral argument in Plain English
After more than an hour of oral arguments this morning in Hollingsworth v. Perry,the challenge to the constitutionality of California’s ban on same-sex marriage, it came down to this: attorney Charles Cooper, representing the proponents of that ban, Proposition 8, returned to the lectern for his ten minutes of rebuttal time. He immediately confronted a question from Justice Anthony Kennedy, whom many regard as the critical vote in this case. Kennedy told him bluntly to “address why you think we should take and decide this case.” And with that, the Justice may have confirmed that the real question before the Court is not whether it would strike down Proposition 8, or what the broader effect of such a decision might be, but whether it is going to reach the merits of the case at all – a prospect that would be (to say the least) anticlimactic but seemed to be a real possibility by the end of the morning.
Continue reading at SCOTUSblog
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Come Out for Marriage Equality
On March 26th and 27th, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in two cases, respectively, which are fundamentally about whether same-sex couples, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans should have the same rights and freedoms as everyone else. The Supreme Court (SCOTUS) will make rulings by June, on whether or not it is constitutional for the federal government to deny a minority of U.S. citizens’ rights and privileges under the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), and whether or not to uphold the decision striking down Prop 8, where a majority of Californians voted to take rights away from a targeted minority.
Do you realize how important your presence at an event or rally is, this March 2013?
The LGBT community and supporters are planning events nationwide, to rally in support of marriage equality and full equality for gay,lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans, while many thousands plan to converge on Washington D.C.
CENTRAL VALLEY CANDLELIGHT VIGILS:
March 25th – Porterville
Candlelight Vigil, City Hall Building, 5:30-7p
March 26th – Fresno
Candlelight Vigil, Federal Courthouse, 4-6p
March 27th – Hanford
Candlelight Vigil, Old Courthouse, 5:30-7:30p
Join the events on Facebook or go to lighttojustice.org
Brought to you by local, grass roots organizing with the assistance of: GetEqual, Marriage Equality USA, Gay Fresno, Gay Visalia, Gay Porterville, Gay Hanford, Gay Central Valley, COS Pride Club and many other local organizations.
Add a commentProp 8/Defense of Marriage Act Updates
Lots more to report on the Prop 8 / Defense of Marriage Act front this morning. We’ll start with congress.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi spoke out this week on DOMA, On Top Magazine reports:
“Around 2005, the Republicans, who were in the majority, passed legislation specifically related to DOMA, which had, as you know, passed some years before, in the 90s,” Pelosi told reporters. “But they came up with a specific bill relating to DOMA that stripped the courts of the right of judicial review. They said [that] Marbury v. Madison was wrongly decided, that the courts do not have right of judicial review, and therefore they were stripping the courts of judicial review. Why would they do that if they thought they had a constitutional bill – specifically related to DOMA?” she asked.
Senate Democrats seem to agree. On Top Magazine also reports that all 15 current Senate Dems who voted form Defense of Marriage Act in 1996 now oppose it:
All 15 sitting Senate Democrats who voted for the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) now oppose the law… Patty Murray of Washington state is among those senators who have had a change of heart. “My state voted, and I voted with them, to allow marriages between gay and lesbian couples,” Murray told NPR. “I’m very proud of my state.”
Video: Starbucks CEO Telling Haters to Sell Shares if They Don't Believe in Marriage Equality
The other day, we reported on Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz reaffirming his company’s support for marriaiage equality. A video of his comments just surfaced. Towleroad.com reports:
What Strobhar said as reported by KPLU: “In the first fill quarter after this boycott was announced, our sales and our earrings — shall we say politely — were a bit disappointing.” Schultz responded by saying not every decision the company makes is an economic one: “The lens we use to make decisions is the lens of our people. We want to embrace diversity…If you feel, respectfully, that you can get a higher return than the 38 percent you got last year, it’s a free country. You can sell your shares of Starbucks and buy shares in another company. Thank you very much.”
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GOP's 2014 Plan - Be Bigoted Against Gays, But More Quietly
The republicans have done a bit of soul searching over why they lost the 2012 elections so badly, and as part of the effort, they considered gay rights and marriage equality. Think Progress reports:
For the GOP to appeal to younger voters, we do not have to agree on every issue, but we do need to make sure young people do not see the Party as totally intolerant of alternative points of view. Already, there is a generational difference within the conservative movement about issues involving the treatment and the rights of gays — and for many younger voters, these issues are a gateway into whether the Party is a place they want to be.
If our Party is not welcoming and inclusive, young people and increasingly other voters will continue to tune us out. The Party should be proud of its conservative principles, but just because someone disagrees with us on 20 percent of the issues, that does not mean we cannot come together on the rest of the issues where we do agree.
It goes on to say: “On messaging, we must change our tone — especially on certain social issues that are turning off young voters.” In other words, the party will continue to oppose equal rights but will do so with a less strident approach
Yeah, that’ll bring the youth vote into the fold.
Add a commentCome Out for Marriage Equality
On March 26th and 27th, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in two cases, respectively, which are fundamentally about whether same-sex couples, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans should have the same rights and freedoms as everyone else. The Supreme Court (SCOTUS) will make rulings by June, on whether or not it is constitutional for the federal government to deny a minority of U.S. citizens’ rights and privileges under the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), and whether or not to uphold the decision striking down Prop 8, where a majority of Californians voted to take rights away from a targeted minority.
Do you realize how important your presence at an event or rally is, this March 2013?
The LGBT community and supporters are planning events nationwide, to rally in support of marriage equality and full equality for gay,lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans, while many thousands plan to converge on Washington D.C.
CENTRAL VALLEY CANDLELIGHT VIGILS:
March 20th – Visalia
Panel Discussion, COS, Rm 150 Sequoia 5-8p
March 25th – Porterville
Candlelight Vigil, City Hall Building, 5:30-7p
March 26th – Fresno
Candlelight Vigil, Federal Courthouse, 4-6p
March 27th – Hanford
Candlelight Vigil, Old Courthouse, 5:30-7:30p
Join the events on Facebook or go to lighttojustice.org
Brought to you by local, grass roots organizing with the assistance of: GetEqual, Marriage Equality USA, Gay Fresno, Gay Visalia, Gay Porterville, Gay Hanford, Gay Central Valley, COS Pride Club and many other local organizations.
Add a commentRobin McGehee resigns as director of GetEQUAL
In an email just released:
I have some pretty big news to share. I’m stepping down as the director of GetEQUAL and handing over the reins to two of the best organizers I know. This isn’t the time to step away from bold action, but GetEQUAL isn’t going anywhere. Here’s the deal...
When Kip Williams and I co-founded GetEQUAL three years ago, we knew that the movement needed a sense of urgency -- it needed to reflect the very real fear and danger that folks from Kip's home state of Tennessee and my home state of Mississippi experience every day. We knew that the movement needed to return to our roots of using direct action and nonviolent civil disobedience in order to create moral crises for elected officials and the American public. We knew that the movement needed to take bold action to insist on full federal equality -- and that there were people on the ground across the country who were willing to take action to support that effort.
And, over the past three years, we've done exactly that. We've created a national grassroots network of organizers who have a deep sense of urgency, who are willing to take bold action, and who are insistent that LGBTQ Americans should be fully equal under federal law. Along the way, we’ve found folks who share all those values, and who are energized by the same vision that captured my and Kip’s imagination three years ago.
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VIDEO: Hillary Clinton Formally Endorses Marriage Equality
In a video released today by HRC, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton explained why she supports marriage equality for lesbian and gay couples. Most of us assumed Clinton had already spoken out on behalf of same-sex marriage—or at least that it was implicit in her famous “gay rights are human rights” speech from 2012.
Either way, it’s a nice speech. Only, why did she have to wait till she left office to make it?
Are you happy with Clinton’s statement, or should it have come sooner? Make your own statement in the comments section below!
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The National Organization for Marriage Unmasked. Again. And Again.
Lots of NOM news today. First off, there’s a new National Organization for Marriage video out, and it’s packed full of untruths. Joe.My.God explains:
As we learned long ago, NOM doesn’t care if their lies are broadcast across thousands and thousands of blogs and progressive websites, they just keep repeating the same discredited bullshit. Count the lies in this new ad for their DC hate march. If you miss any, Jeremy Hooper has fisked the entire clip moment-by-moment.
Over at Pam’s House Blend, Alvin McEwen reports on the comments NOM’s John Eastman made about Chief Justice John Roberts’ adoption of two children:
The leader of a prominent anti-gay organization called Supreme Court Chief John Roberts’ decision to adopt children the “second-best option,” the AP reports. “You’re looking at what is the best course societywide to get you the optimal result in the widest variety of cases. That often is not open to people in individual cases. Certainly adoption in families headed, like Chief Roberts’ family is, by a heterosexual couple, is by far the second-best option,” said John Eastman, chairman of the National Organization for Marriage.
Did NOM just jump the shark?
And over at On Top Magazine, they pile on the NOM video’s claim that a majority of Americans oppose marriage equality:
“The reality is that the majority of Americans want marriage to stay between a man and a woman. When people have the chance to vote on redefining marriage, the overwhelming majority voted to keep it the way it’s always been in our country: Between a man and a woman.” … Surveys over the past 18 months have shown a majority of Americans support extending marriage rights to gay couples. During the last election cycle, voters in three states legalized such unions and Minnesotans became the first to reject an amendment seeking to exclude gay couples from marriage.
Lie. Repeat.
Add a commentProp 8/Defense of Marriage Act Updates: Partisan Divide; Lawyer List
A couple more news stories on Prop 8 / Defense of Marriage Act. First off, The Washington Post reports on the partisan divide in the two cases:
A continuing distinct partisan divide is present in the gay marriage cases at the Supreme Court, set for arguments March 26-27, even though a brief on behalf of more than 100 prominent Republicans calls for marriage equality. The split is most apparent in legal briefs filed with the court by state attorneys general. All 21 attorneys general who have signed legal briefs or letters urging the court to uphold California’s ban on same-sex marriage are Republican… An additional 14 attorneys general who are asking the court for the opposite outcome are Democrats, including those from the nine states that allow gay couples to wed. Also among those Democrats are California’s Kamala Harris and Ellen Rosenblum of Oregon, which has a constitutional prohibition on same-sex weddings. Obama won all 14 states.
Our friends over at GayUSA have the list of lawyers who will argue the two sides before the Court:
The Supreme Court on Friday afternoon released the list of attorneys who will argue the DOMA and Prop 8, same-sex marriage cases. On Tuesday, March 26, 10 a.m. in the California Prop 8 Case Hollingsworth, et al., v. Perry, et al. (12-144): Combined, one hour of oral argument on the constitutionality of California’s Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage, and on the question of “standing” to appeal for the sponsors of that ballot measure.
See the list and full details at the link above.
Add a commentEVENT: THE BULLY PLAYS
THE BULLY PLAYS will have a special performance at Fresno State on Fri. April 19th. Proceeds benefit the Bulldog Pride Fund. Details: www.bulldogpride.org.
Front Row - Mitchell Lam Hau, Kia Vassiliades, Samantha Hyde, Leo Barajas. Second Row - Dillon Morgan, Beth Hall, Aaron J. McGee, Nick "Phoenix" Rodriguez.
Photo by Cary Edmondson (2002).
THE BULLY PLAYS
Compiled by Linda Habjan • Directed by J. Daniel HerringFri. April 19th • Woods Theatre • Speech Arts Building • Fresno State
One Performance Only • Limited Seating • Free Parking
Online: www.bulldogpride.org • Phone: 559.278-2586
(Fresno State) – The Bulldog Pride Fund is presenting one performance of “THE BULLY PLAYS” on Friday evening, April 19th in the Woods Theatre, located in the Speech Arts Building on the Fresno State campus. “THE BULLY PLAYS” is a production of the Theater for Young Audiences.
“THE BULLY PLAYS” is a collection of five plays complied by Linda Habjan. They are touching, imaginative, powerful, uplifting and funning. These five, short plays will challenge, inspire and enlighten the audience, and will help confront the issue of bullying in a constructive and creative way. The five plays being are performed are:
• “A BULLY THERE BE” by Lisa Dillman (a bully kid in fairy tale form);
• “BEASTS” by Ernie Nolan (facing the monster of fear);
• “NOBODY NOSE (THE TROUBLE I’VE SEEN)” by Barry Kornhauser (being different);
• “HERE BE DRAGONS” by Doug Cooney (name calling); and
• “A BUNCH OF CLOWNS” by Sandra Fenichel Asher (a bossy person bully to have friends).
Directed by professor J. Daniel Herring, “THE BULLY PLAYS” features eight ensemble cast members: Leonel Barajas, Beth Hall, Mitchell Lam Hau, Samantha Hyde, Aaron J. McGee, Nick “Phoenix” Rodriguez, Kia Vassiliades, and Dillon Morgan. (Barajas is a senior and four-time Bulldog Pride Fund scholar majoring in Mass Communication & Journalism).
TIMES:
6:00 PM* – Pre-performance wine and cheese reception with the Bulldog Pride Fund scholars.
7:00 PM – Performance of five scenes with eight cast members.
8:00 PM – Post-performance dessert and coffee reception with director and cast members
RESERVATIONS:
• $100* – VIP: Please arrive at 6:00 pm. Includes performance with reserved seating, a pre-performance wine and cheese reception with the 2012-13 Bulldog Pride Fund scholars, a post-performance dessert and coffee reception with director and cast members, plus special gift bags.
• $50* – PRIORITY: Please arrive at 6:00 pm. Includes performance with priority seating, a pre-performance wine and cheese reception with the 2012-13 Bulldog Pride Fund scholars, plus a post-performance dessert and coffee reception with director and cast members.
• $25 – GENERAL: Please arrive at 6:45 pm. Includes performance with general seating, plus a post-performance dessert and coffee reception with director and cast members.All prices will be slightly higher on day of show. No actual tickets will be issued. All reservations will be held at the door. Sorry, no refunds, no exchanges.Seating is limited, parking is free and advance reservations are highly recommended. Online at www.bulldogpride.org or by calling 559.278.2586.
ABOUT THE BULLDOG PRIDE FUND:
In 2006, the Bulldog Pride Fund was established under the auspices of the Fresno State Alumni Association with one simple mission: "To support student scholarships at Fresno State." To-date, it has raised nearly $250,000 for its endowment and will have provided, by next fall, 28 scholarships valued at $49,000.
“THE BULLY PLAYS” SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE:
Please contact Peter Robertson at 559.278.4669 or
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Cindy Lauper Takes Donald Trump to Task
Following Donald Trump’s comments about gay marriage, Cindi Lauper spoke out on the issue. The Huffington Post reports:
Now promoting her new Broadway musical “Kinky Boots,” the pop diva — who appeared on the ninth season of “The Apprentice” in 2010 — told Next Magazine of Trump, “I felt that what he said about the gay community was disappointing because a lot of gay people work for him. It’s just sad. I thought he could have done better for his country than just go to the lowest common denominator and stir up the crap. It’s our country, it’s not wrestling.”
Girls just wanna support marriage equality.
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EVENT: From Privilege to PRIDE: Love is the Road Book Launch
Book Launch Party
Saturday, March 23, 2013
2pm-6pm
Live Music by:
* Laney Leyhovan
* Sam Amm
* Eli Sullivan
* Bethany Houghton
Raffle Prizes
Book Trivia Contest
BRING YOUR FRIENDS & FAMILY
for a fun day at
The Ubiquitous Farm
6626 S. Reed Ave.
Reedley, CA 93654
559-779-9555
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tangerine Product Tasting
Bring your own martini glass to try fun tangerine beverages (drinks available for all ages).
Food and Drinks available for purchase
from Dusty Buns Organic Bistro
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Republican Gays Hopeful for More Moderate GOP
Is the California GOP ready to adopt a more moderate stance when it comes to marriage equality and gay rights? SDGLN reports:
Gay Republicans in California are sensing a thawing in the attitudes of the state’s GOP membership toward gays and lesbians as the party seeks ways to reach new voters. One gay party stalwart even believes the GOP in California is on the cusp of full acceptance of people the party shunned as recently as a few years ago.
I’ll believe it when I see it.
Find more articles and gay wedding resources in California.
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Organize a Marriage Equality Rally for the Supreme Court Hearings in your Own Town
Want to have a marriage equality rally in your home town during the upcoming Supreme Court hearings on Defense of Marriage Act and Prop 8? Joe.My.God has the details:
If you’d like to help organize a SCOTUS rally in your hometown, advice and materials can be found here. On the same topic, is anybody here planning on being in DC that day?
See the currently planned events here.
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EVENT: Take a Stand for Equality
From Robin McGehee: As the Supreme Court of the US gets closer to hearing the LGBT communities case for Marriage Equality - join local activist as we remind the community that we stand for more than just marriage. Come stand with others at the corner of Blackstone & Shaw and send a message to Congress that we expect them to fight for FULLY INCLUSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM and pass the employment non-discrimination act (ENDA) in this session. And, also give voice to GetEQUAL's call for our President to sign the federal contractor's employment protection Executive Order that is sitting on his desk, right now!!Help bring much needed visibility and apply pressure, during this week's National Week of Actions. Facebook event
When: Thursday, March 14th 4:30pm to 6:30pm at Blackstone and Shaw "Peace Corner".
Add a commentReporting From the Gay Kiss-In in Roseville, California
Just got back from the two hour rally at the Roseville Galleria in response to a gay couple getting told to stop kissing or leave the mall this last week.
We arrived about 15 minutes before the start of the rally at 11 AM, and there were maybe 50 people there. As the time approached, the crowd quickly swelled – we’re guessing there were probably 300 of us there at the height of the event.
The Galleria met with several local gay groups in the last few days, and came out in support of the rally – even passing out free Mrs. Fields’ cookies and bottled water and setting up an arc of rainbow-colored balloons.
We got into the spirit of the event (at right).
The whole event had an air of festivity – many couples, gay and straight, were there, and a local group played some fantastic music for the crowd. Speakers from the Sacramento Gay and Lesbian Center, the City of Roseville, Event Organizers, and Westfield (the mall management company) spoke to the crowd.
The Roseville representative was a gay VP from Hollywood who is responsible for the Norther California area, and he spoke of the company’s inclusiveness, and their desire to welcome everyone to each of their properties. You can see the whole statement here or below.
Kudos to the group that put this event together on short notice. To our knowledge, it was the first of its kind in this sleepy bedroom community, and ended up being a great way to reach out to the community and to the mall and management to help them understand our lives and concerns.
You can see the official Kiss-In event page here.
Prop 8/Defense of Marriage Act Update 3/10/13
We’re just 16 days away from the Supreme Court hearings on DOMA and Prop 8. Here’s the latest news:
At Think Progress, Ian Millhiser is worried about Justice Kennedy’s newfound respect for the powers of Congress.
…it is a bit concerning to see Kennedy suddenly claiming that he believes in judicial restraint while he is no doubt in the process of reviewing briefs in the marriage equality cases: U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy said Wednesday that congressional lawmakers need to maintain the nation’s balance of power by being able to compromise, expressing concerns that the high court is increasingly the venue for deciding politically charged issues such as gay marriage, health care and immigration.
It would be stunning (and disgusting) if the Justice who was instrumental in expanded rights for corporations over the objections of congressional law suddenly felt restrained when it came to rights for actual people.
Over at The Dish, Andrew Sullivan questions Richard Socarides’ explanation of why Bill Clinton signed DOMA in the first place:
They didn’t fully comprehend that the federal law would do … exactly what it said it would do. Blogger, please. That’s like Stephanopoulos taking me out to dinner at the time to persuade me that Don’t Ask Don’t Tell was going to reduce the number of discharges of gay servicemembers – when it did the very opposite. And Socarides won’t mention Dick Morris, who was the real force behind this move and who once actually told me (probably disingenuously) that his one regret in the Clinton years was DOMA. But Socarides’ point – once you get past his ludicrous excuse that they were shocked, shocked that gay people would be affected by the law – is honest enough. They wanted votes.
Over at Towleroad.com, they have the video of David Mixner talking about the Clinton decision to sign DOMA:
Mixner said that while he welcomes Clinton’s decision to do so, it’s important to not rewrite history and sweep his original actions under the rug. Mixner also talks about the upcoming SCOTUS decisions.
Sunnivie Brydum at the Advocate notes something missing from the Clinton Op-Ed:
“As welcome as Clinton’s words are, there are two that are conspicuously absent: I’m sorry,” writes Capehart. “Sorry for signing the bill. Sorry for crowing about it in radio ads on Christian radio stations during his ’96 reelection campaign. Sorry for the harm it has caused same-sex couples and the income inequality it exacerbates.”
And Joe.My.God reports on NOM’s fundraisng to bus in the fundies to their march at the Supreme Court later this month:
“We have received requests from churches for 100 buses that we don’t have the funds to assist. That’s thousands — many of them from Latino and African-American communities — who want to attend the march but are having trouble pulling together the necessary funds. I know that some of you reading this email can give a lot more than that. Please realize that for every $1,000 you donate today, you will be responsible for bringing an entire bus full of marriage supporters and activists to the march at the Supreme Court on March 26th so they can make their voices heard loud and clear at the exact time the most important court case of our generation is under consideration.”
It’s practically a steal.
Add a commentKiss-In at the Roseville Galleria
A few days ago, a young gay couple was asked to leave a Sacramento-area mall after being seen kissing by security guards. The local Fox affiliate broke the story:
Smooching and holding hands may not seem like a big deal, but two men were asked to leave the Westfield Galleria in Roseville, Calif. Saturday for doing just that. “I kissed him on the cheek. That’s how my boyfriend and I show affection,” said Daniel Chesmore. Sitting on the couch at 21-year-old Chesmore’s parents’ home in Roseville, he and his boyfriend Jose Guzman, 24, share a few kisses while holding hands. “This is exactly what we did at the mall on Saturday,” Guzman said.
The mall cited its code of conduct, but nowhere did it say anything about personal displays of affection, and Fox soon found the mall wasn’t enforcing the same rule for straight couples:
In an undercover investigation, FOX40 spotted dozens of straight couples sitting inside of the Galleria, holding hands and smooching, right out in the open. And as the hours passed, not one couple FOX40 witnessed was asked to leave the mall.
In response, local activists have planned a kiss-in for today at 11 AM at the mall. Called Love is Love, the event is planned to be non-confrontational and to celebrate love.
The mall management is supporting the kiss-in. The management met with some of the activists yesterday. Jovi Radtke reports (from the Facebook page):
“I really wanted to let everybody know that we just got out of a meeting with the management and different representatives of the Westfield Galleria. To say that they support us would be a dramatic understatement! They’re really going above and beyond to show all of us that they not only care, but are also on the exact same page in regard to embracing and spreading love for ALL people. It’s been a really eye-opening and inspiring experience to see how much positive change can come from what was initially such a negative occurrence. I hope this helps everybody’s expectations about what tomorrow is all about. We’re not there to start a war, we’re there to unify in love for the betterment of all people.”
The mall management also issued an apology yesterday, as Fox reports:
The original statement read, “Persons that violate the Code of Conduct are asked to leave the property.”
Friday afternoon, the Galleria released its fourth revision, part of the statement reads, “Let us be clear: if anyone was made to feel singled out on the basis of sexual orientation at a Westfield location, we apologize[...]“
We’re going to the kiss-in, and will report more from there.
Add a commentCarly Rae Jepsen, Train pull out of Boy Scout event over gay ban
Carly Rae Jepsen and Train fans who also happen to be Boy Scouts: Don't count on seeing them perform at the upcoming Jamboree in July.
Both artists have pulled out of the 2013 National Scout Jamboree, an annual conclave that attracts over 50,000 participants, over the Scouts' position on including gay, lesbian and transgender members and leaders. Train and Jepsen had originally been slated as headliners for the West Virginia event.
"As an artist who believes in equality for all people, I will not be participating in the Boy Scouts of America Jamboree this summer," Jepsen tweeted Tuesday morning.
Train members wrote on their blog last Friday, "When we booked this show for the Boy Scouts of America we were not aware of any policy barring openly gay people from participation within the organization. Train strongly opposes any kind of policy that questions the equality of any American citizen. We have always seen the BSA as a great and noble organization. We look forward to participating in the Jamboree this summer, as long as they make the right decision before then."
Add a commentMy Big Gay Shotgun Wedding
Friend of the Blog (is that FOTB?) Lisa alerted us to this great article about one couple’s wedding and the Defense of Marriage Act:
It was supposed to be just a little civil service, a Justice of the Peace type thing. We’d solemnly swear, sign some paperwork, and be done. Marriage at this point in our relationship, we thought, is merely a legal transaction – certainly no big deal.
But as two gay men in America, getting married is no small matter. It’s the flashpoint of a national debate over equal rights, one that could soon be decided by nothing less than the United States Supreme Court.
We got married recently because we had to – a shotgun wedding, of sorts. We’re expecting…no, not a baby, but that Supreme Court ruling, and the results could greatly impact our lives.
Read the whole thing over at Medium.com.
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Ken Mehlman's Big Gay Marriage Mission
George W. Bush’s former campaign manager and former chairman of the RNC must feel like he has some atoning to do. He apparently provided the impetus behind the new amicus brief featuring more than 100 top republicans that has just been filed with the US Supreme Court urging the overturn of Prop 8 and full marriage equality for same sex couples, the New Yorker reports:
It’s not just that Ken Mehlman is a prominent Republican, which makes him an important asset to–and, now, organizer in–the gay-rights movement; it’s that he is one of the smartest political operatives anywhere in the country right now, and that he understands better than perhaps anyone how moderate and persuadable Republicans think. These are the very people the gay-rights movement is now trying to speak to. As Mehlman told the Times reporter Sheryl Gay Stolberg, “We are trying to say to the Court that we are judicial and political conservatives, and it is consistent with our values and philosophy for you to overturn Proposition 8.”
Mehlman eats a little crow in the article for failing to speak out sooner:
“At a personal level, I wish I had spoken out against the [anti-gay] effort… As I’ve been involved in the fight for marriage equality, one of the things I’ve learned is how many people were harmed by the campaigns in which I was involved. I apologize to them and tell them I am sorry. While there have been recent victories, this could still be a long struggle in which there will be setbacks, and I’ll do my part to be helpful.”
While we agree, we also think that late is better than never. And who knows? This could be the brief that makes the difference.
Add a commentMore Articles...
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- NOM Head Gripes that HRC Stole His Logo
- Murder of Mississippi's first gay candidate for mayor
- Marriage Equality Opponents Make New Claim to Supreme Court, Plan Rally Outside Hearing
- The State of Our Unions: Why Obama didn't mention Gay Marriage in the SOTU
- Suze Orman Speaks Out on Marriage Equality