Blog
Celebrating recent LGBT legislative advances
Posted on May 30, 2007 at 12:57 pm
Lambda Legal
May 30, 2007
Jon Davidson, Legal Director of Lambda Legal discusses the marriage-related achievements in early 2007, noting once recently passed laws go into effect "nearly 35 percent (34.7%) of same-sex couples live in states where some of the state law rights that spouses receive can be obtained by marrying or entering civil unions, reciprocal beneficiary relationships or domestic partnerships. What is perhaps most amazing about these figures is that NONE of this existed only seven years ago." Although these achievements deserve recognition, Davidson continues, "Same-sex couples still cannot marry in 49 states, and the federal government refuses to honor the marriages that same-sex couples validly enter." [link]
May 30, 2007
Jon Davidson, Legal Director of Lambda Legal discusses the marriage-related achievements in early 2007, noting once recently passed laws go into effect "nearly 35 percent (34.7%) of same-sex couples live in states where some of the state law rights that spouses receive can be obtained by marrying or entering civil unions, reciprocal beneficiary relationships or domestic partnerships. What is perhaps most amazing about these figures is that NONE of this existed only seven years ago." Although these achievements deserve recognition, Davidson continues, "Same-sex couples still cannot marry in 49 states, and the federal government refuses to honor the marriages that same-sex couples validly enter." [link]
BLOG: Stop calling my civil union a marriage
Posted on May 23, 2007 at 03:24 pm
Blue Jersey
May 23, 2007
Ignoring the differences between civil unions and marriage doesn't make them go away. Pretending that civil unions are the same as marriage doesn't make it true. The latest news here in New Jersey is proving, just as Blue Jersey predicted, that civil unions are an inferior status that don't work in the real world, and aren't working in New Jersey. [link]
May 23, 2007
Ignoring the differences between civil unions and marriage doesn't make them go away. Pretending that civil unions are the same as marriage doesn't make it true. The latest news here in New Jersey is proving, just as Blue Jersey predicted, that civil unions are an inferior status that don't work in the real world, and aren't working in New Jersey. [link]
BLOG: An update on Emma
Posted on May 21, 2007 at 12:25 pm
Pam's House Blend
May 21, 2007
In a happy conclusion to the story about the GA family we posted yesterday, Emma is back home. Pam's House Blend comments, "I feel like the 'system' let a judge, a supposedly levelheaded steward of the law, enforce homophobia and tear a family apart. My heart goes out to Emma and Elizabeth. I hope that the hurt inflicted heals quickly. I wish good things for their reunited family." [Link]
May 21, 2007
In a happy conclusion to the story about the GA family we posted yesterday, Emma is back home. Pam's House Blend comments, "I feel like the 'system' let a judge, a supposedly levelheaded steward of the law, enforce homophobia and tear a family apart. My heart goes out to Emma and Elizabeth. I hope that the hurt inflicted heals quickly. I wish good things for their reunited family." [Link]
A GA family’s heartache
Posted on May 21, 2007 at 12:13 pm
Southern Voice Online
May 21, 2007
In a January ruling Judge John Lee Parrott argued that the state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages also prohibited same-sex couples from adopting children, and accused Hadaway of attempting to "sham" the court by applying as a single person when she was involved in a seven-year relationship with a woman. Hadaway tried to return the child to the biological mother, who again gave her parental rights to Hadaway. Hadaway, who had ended her seven-year relationship and moved to Bibb County, then attempted to pursue adoption in that county. But when Parrott learned that Emma Rose was still living with Hadaway, he had the child placed in foster care. After Bibb County Superior Court Judge Tilman Self granted Hadaway custody in March, Parrott refused to recognize Self's ruling and ordered the young girl to remain with her DFCS foster family, despite a DFCS social worker calling that "the worst possible scenario" for the young girl. [Link]
May 21, 2007
In a January ruling Judge John Lee Parrott argued that the state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages also prohibited same-sex couples from adopting children, and accused Hadaway of attempting to "sham" the court by applying as a single person when she was involved in a seven-year relationship with a woman. Hadaway tried to return the child to the biological mother, who again gave her parental rights to Hadaway. Hadaway, who had ended her seven-year relationship and moved to Bibb County, then attempted to pursue adoption in that county. But when Parrott learned that Emma Rose was still living with Hadaway, he had the child placed in foster care. After Bibb County Superior Court Judge Tilman Self granted Hadaway custody in March, Parrott refused to recognize Self's ruling and ordered the young girl to remain with her DFCS foster family, despite a DFCS social worker calling that "the worst possible scenario" for the young girl. [Link]
Top CT court hears the case for marriage equality
Posted on May 20, 2007 at 02:09 pm
New York Times
May 20, 2007
Like three other couples who are plaintiffs, Ms. Conklin and Ms. Peck have not entered into a civil union and are holding out for marriage. "A civil union carries a second-rate status for our relationship," Ms. Peck said. "Carol is the love of my life, and I want to marry her." [Link]
May 20, 2007
Like three other couples who are plaintiffs, Ms. Conklin and Ms. Peck have not entered into a civil union and are holding out for marriage. "A civil union carries a second-rate status for our relationship," Ms. Peck said. "Carol is the love of my life, and I want to marry her." [Link]
BLOG: Thinking of commitment…
Posted on May 17, 2007 at 02:40 pm
This Is Not My Blog
May 17, 2007
The Commitment Ceremony was very nice — held at a local park in the late summer. The program was designed by Tina with all of the artwork being hers. She and Sandra had picked out some very appropriate poetry to be read by various friends and it was beautiful. Both of them were activists and yesterday I re-read, with great interest, a statement that they had made in the program. [link]
May 17, 2007
The Commitment Ceremony was very nice — held at a local park in the late summer. The program was designed by Tina with all of the artwork being hers. She and Sandra had picked out some very appropriate poetry to be read by various friends and it was beautiful. Both of them were activists and yesterday I re-read, with great interest, a statement that they had made in the program. [link]
CT marriage case is breaking new ground
Posted on May 15, 2007 at 01:29 pm
New York Times
May 15, 2007
Connecticut's highest court became the first in the nation to hear arguments over whether the establishment of civil unions created a fundamentally inferior status for gays and lesbians. (Link)
May 15, 2007
Connecticut's highest court became the first in the nation to hear arguments over whether the establishment of civil unions created a fundamentally inferior status for gays and lesbians. (Link)
AR town to recognize gay couples, no rights though
Posted on May 14, 2007 at 02:52 pm
Today's THV
May 14, 2007
Gay couples can register with Eureka Springs, Arkansas, and receive a certificate acknowledging their relationships. However, it's not a legal document and does not bestow any of the rights and responsibilities of marriage on the partnerships. [Link]
May 14, 2007
Gay couples can register with Eureka Springs, Arkansas, and receive a certificate acknowledging their relationships. However, it's not a legal document and does not bestow any of the rights and responsibilities of marriage on the partnerships. [Link]
BLOG: Analyzing the CT marriage arguments
Posted on May 14, 2007 at 02:11 pm
Leonard Link
May 14, 2007
Handicapping the outcome? This is a difficult one. What can be said is that the marriage equality advocates in this case gave it their best shot, that Klein lived up to his excellent reputation as the winner of the first AIDS discrimination case decided by the US Supreme Court, and that if the battle is lost in the short term in this case, it will not be for lack of the best possible representation. [Link]
May 14, 2007
Handicapping the outcome? This is a difficult one. What can be said is that the marriage equality advocates in this case gave it their best shot, that Klein lived up to his excellent reputation as the winner of the first AIDS discrimination case decided by the US Supreme Court, and that if the battle is lost in the short term in this case, it will not be for lack of the best possible representation. [Link]
Connecticut’s Ban on Gay Marriages Doesn’t Stop Families From Forming
Posted on May 13, 2007 at 12:06 am
When 4-year-old Kailey wanted to see a picture of the "pretty dress" her mother wore when she got married, Eileen Ego and Corrine Frost knew it was time to have a talk with their daughter. Kailey's two moms, who have been together for 15 years, worried about explaining to their daughter why her parents are not married. [Link]