Blog
OPINION: State of marriage took precedence over state of Louisiana
Posted on Sep 03, 2005 at 04:50 pm
OpEdNews
September 3, 2005
Even before Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans papers condemned George W. Bush for caring more about a constitutional amendment to discriminate against gay couples than preventing disasters and protecting Louisiana lives. His budget proposal "recommended slashing $34 million from the New Orleans district of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, leaving the city with a $581 million shortfall for flood control and coastal erosion improvement projects." [Link]
September 3, 2005
Even before Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans papers condemned George W. Bush for caring more about a constitutional amendment to discriminate against gay couples than preventing disasters and protecting Louisiana lives. His budget proposal "recommended slashing $34 million from the New Orleans district of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, leaving the city with a $581 million shortfall for flood control and coastal erosion improvement projects." [Link]
Anti-gay measure blocked in North Carolina
Posted on Sep 02, 2005 at 12:51 pm
365Gay.com
September 2, 2005
For the second year in a row, the North Carolina legislature rejected a proposed constitutional amendment attacking same-sex couples. "This is a huge victory for LGBT North Carolinians," said Equality North Carolina spokesperson Ian Palmquist, "but our work is far from over." [link]
September 2, 2005
For the second year in a row, the North Carolina legislature rejected a proposed constitutional amendment attacking same-sex couples. "This is a huge victory for LGBT North Carolinians," said Equality North Carolina spokesperson Ian Palmquist, "but our work is far from over." [link]
Federal DOMA bars FEMA from providing hurricane relief to same-sex couples
Posted on Sep 01, 2005 at 12:53 pm
365Gay.com
September 1, 2005
Same-sex couples suffering from hurricane Katrina's destruction are being denied any relief in the form of family benefits, because the federal so-called "Defense of Marriage Act" and the states's exclusion of gay couples from marriage prevent FEMA from providing it. Additionally, Louisiana has a constitutional amendment discriminating against same-sex couples that also prevents the state from recognizing any legal status for domestic partnerships or civil unions. Mississippi and Alabama also discriminate — through anti-gay measures adopted while government officials neglected work that might have saved lives. [link]
September 1, 2005
Same-sex couples suffering from hurricane Katrina's destruction are being denied any relief in the form of family benefits, because the federal so-called "Defense of Marriage Act" and the states's exclusion of gay couples from marriage prevent FEMA from providing it. Additionally, Louisiana has a constitutional amendment discriminating against same-sex couples that also prevents the state from recognizing any legal status for domestic partnerships or civil unions. Mississippi and Alabama also discriminate — through anti-gay measures adopted while government officials neglected work that might have saved lives. [link]
NTERVIEW: Author Evan Wolfson brings a lawyer’s clarity to the discussion of same-sex marriage “righ
Posted on Aug 15, 2005 at 02:49 pm
BuzzFlash
August 15, 2005
BuzzFlash interviews Evan Wolfson, author of Why Marriage Matters: America, Equality, and Gay People's Right to Marry and head of Freedom to Marry. A review in the Oregonian said it best: "Armed with Wolfson's arguments, you could sell anyone with an IQ over room temperature on the wisdom and humanity of marriage equality." [Link]
August 15, 2005
BuzzFlash interviews Evan Wolfson, author of Why Marriage Matters: America, Equality, and Gay People's Right to Marry and head of Freedom to Marry. A review in the Oregonian said it best: "Armed with Wolfson's arguments, you could sell anyone with an IQ over room temperature on the wisdom and humanity of marriage equality." [Link]
Supreme Court Nominee’s Positions on Gay Equality Matters
Posted on Aug 11, 2005 at 03:25 pm
The recent discovery revealing Supreme Court Justice nominee John Roberts' pro bono work on the groundbreaking Romer vs. Evans case, striking down an anti-gay ballot initiative in Colorado, brings up questions on both sides of the fence. Gay rights groups wonder whether or not Roberts truly believes the Romer case ruling was correctly decided, and whether he believes the Constitution contains a right to privacy. Evan Wolfson, head of Freedom to Marry, comments, "Everybody's in favor of judicial restraint, but what does that mean? If it means not acting as a check against majoritarian excesses or upholding constitutional rights against improper government action, then restraint is not something admirable." [Link]
Cherokee Court Clears Way for Lesbian Marriage
Posted on Aug 03, 2005 at 03:46 pm
AP Wire Service
August 3, 2005
In 2005, a Cherokee tribal court dismissed a lawsuit impeding one lesbian couple's pursuit of their marriage's being granted tribal recognition. Though Cherokee same-sex couples are still unable to obtain full marriage rights, this case was an important step in the direction towards marriage equality. [Link]
August 3, 2005
In 2005, a Cherokee tribal court dismissed a lawsuit impeding one lesbian couple's pursuit of their marriage's being granted tribal recognition. Though Cherokee same-sex couples are still unable to obtain full marriage rights, this case was an important step in the direction towards marriage equality. [Link]
Majority of Americans Support Rights for Same-Sex Couples
Posted on Aug 03, 2005 at 03:24 pm
A recent poll from the Pew Research Center reveals that more Americans have moved on the side of fairness and equality, favoring same-sex couples to have the same rights as married couples. "This is exactly what the right wing is afraid of," says Evan Wolfson," executive director of Freedom to Marry and author of Why Marriage Matters. "If we stick with the conversation and persist in engaging the non-gay public on marriage equality the public will move to fairness." [Link]
One year after marriage ban, gays still seek marriage licenses in Missouri
Posted on Aug 03, 2005 at 12:39 pm
365Gay.com
August 3, 2005
To mark the one year anniversary of the state's anti-gay marriage ban, discriminating against same-sex residents, gays peacefully line up at city halls and courthouses throughout the state, seeking marriage licenses. This peaceful protest "puts a face" to those discriminated upon who are just seeking for what is right and fair under the law. "We're committed couples. We want the same recognition that heterosexual couples enjoy. We don't want to devalue marriage, we want to enhance it." [link]
August 3, 2005
To mark the one year anniversary of the state's anti-gay marriage ban, discriminating against same-sex residents, gays peacefully line up at city halls and courthouses throughout the state, seeking marriage licenses. This peaceful protest "puts a face" to those discriminated upon who are just seeking for what is right and fair under the law. "We're committed couples. We want the same recognition that heterosexual couples enjoy. We don't want to devalue marriage, we want to enhance it." [link]
Battle over the freedom to marry plays out in the Cherokee Tribe
Posted on Aug 01, 2005 at 12:03 pm
Washington Post
August 1, 2005
A historical hearing in Oklahoma's Cherokee courts will take place on Tuesday to legalize marriage between same-sex couples after Kathy Reynolds and Dawn McKinley of Oklahoma moved to become the first same-sex couple to marry under Cherokee law. Cherokee law did not exclude same-sex couples from marrying, but the couple was stopped short upon the actual filing of their marriage application, after they requested and received, without incident, a marriage application from the tribe last year, and held a wedding ceremony performed by a licensed minister certified by the Cherokee Nation. [Link]
August 1, 2005
A historical hearing in Oklahoma's Cherokee courts will take place on Tuesday to legalize marriage between same-sex couples after Kathy Reynolds and Dawn McKinley of Oklahoma moved to become the first same-sex couple to marry under Cherokee law. Cherokee law did not exclude same-sex couples from marrying, but the couple was stopped short upon the actual filing of their marriage application, after they requested and received, without incident, a marriage application from the tribe last year, and held a wedding ceremony performed by a licensed minister certified by the Cherokee Nation. [Link]
Gay and lesbian seniors face great discrimination
Posted on Jul 27, 2005 at 03:57 pm
Windy City Times
July 27, 2005
LGBT elders face unique problems that loosely fit into three categories: individual discrimination, abuse, and issues caused by the inability to marry one's partner. Discrimination and abuse are problems that can cause a LGBT senior to become isolated and even to go back into the closet. The issues associated with marriage stem from legal rights automatically conferred upon married couples that cannot be privately arranged or contracted for by same-sex couples and, for those rights for which contracts may be made, the high cost of attorneys is the reason many cannot do so. [Link]
July 27, 2005
LGBT elders face unique problems that loosely fit into three categories: individual discrimination, abuse, and issues caused by the inability to marry one's partner. Discrimination and abuse are problems that can cause a LGBT senior to become isolated and even to go back into the closet. The issues associated with marriage stem from legal rights automatically conferred upon married couples that cannot be privately arranged or contracted for by same-sex couples and, for those rights for which contracts may be made, the high cost of attorneys is the reason many cannot do so. [Link]