OPINION: Will Sanders lead the nation on marriage?
Posted on Sep 27, 2007 at 11:59 am
The San Diego Union-Tribune
September 27, 2007
Jerry Sanders, a first-term Republican whose chance of re-election had seemed to dim in recent weeks, may have caused a huge turnabout in current politics by siding suddenly with mostly liberal voters in deciding that gays and lesbians should be allowed to marry a same-sex partner. His action will be felt locally, of course, drastically changing the outlook in next year's mayoral election. But the news penetration he achieved elsewhere in the world suggests that Sanders' action may have a bearing on the political equation nationally as well. [Link]
September 27, 2007
Jerry Sanders, a first-term Republican whose chance of re-election had seemed to dim in recent weeks, may have caused a huge turnabout in current politics by siding suddenly with mostly liberal voters in deciding that gays and lesbians should be allowed to marry a same-sex partner. His action will be felt locally, of course, drastically changing the outlook in next year's mayoral election. But the news penetration he achieved elsewhere in the world suggests that Sanders' action may have a bearing on the political equation nationally as well. [Link]
Asian American Community Leaders Advocate for the Freedom to Marry
Posted on Sep 23, 2007 at 09:47 pm
Over 90,000 gay and lesbian families in California are excluded from marriage; one in 10 of these families is Asian American. By filing this brief, Asian American community, legal, civil rights, and social service organizations — as well as Asian American lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender organizations — join together in an unprecedented show of unity and support for equal marriage rights within the Asian American community, as well as to send a strong message to the California Supreme Court that Asian Americans support a just and fair California for all members of our community. [Link]
PRESS RELEASE: CA legislature again passes bill giving same-sex couples choice to marry
Posted on Sep 07, 2007 at 02:28 pm
Equality California
September 7, 2007
For the second time in two years, the California Legislature has passed legislation that would grant same-sex couples the ability to marry. With a 22-15 vote, the Senate on September 7 approved AB 43, authored by Assemblymember Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, and sponsored by Equality California. [link]
September 7, 2007
For the second time in two years, the California Legislature has passed legislation that would grant same-sex couples the ability to marry. With a 22-15 vote, the Senate on September 7 approved AB 43, authored by Assemblymember Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, and sponsored by Equality California. [link]
CA Supremes delve into marriage case
Posted on Jul 11, 2007 at 04:22 pm
Windy City Times
July 11, 2007
"I see [these questions] as an encouraging sign that the court is taking this important question of ending discrimination in marriage very seriously and thoughtfully," said Evan Wolfson. He said it is crucial that gay and lesbian Californians take action now "to create the climate in California that enables the court to do the right thing" in the marriage case.
[Link]
July 11, 2007
"I see [these questions] as an encouraging sign that the court is taking this important question of ending discrimination in marriage very seriously and thoughtfully," said Evan Wolfson. He said it is crucial that gay and lesbian Californians take action now "to create the climate in California that enables the court to do the right thing" in the marriage case.
[Link]
OPINION: Domestic partnerships aren’t marriages
Posted on Jul 01, 2007 at 12:01 pm
Sacramento Bee
July 1, 2007
As a same-sex couple, we cannot marry in California, and if we married elsewhere, California would refuse to recognize that marriage. Instead, we have that better-than-nothing, twilight-zone status conferred by California's domestic partner legislation. This legislation gives us many of the same rights and benefits as married couples, but the two statuses have different procedural protections, social meanings and legal effects. [Link]
July 1, 2007
As a same-sex couple, we cannot marry in California, and if we married elsewhere, California would refuse to recognize that marriage. Instead, we have that better-than-nothing, twilight-zone status conferred by California's domestic partner legislation. This legislation gives us many of the same rights and benefits as married couples, but the two statuses have different procedural protections, social meanings and legal effects. [Link]
API Faith Leaders Speak Out in Support of Equality
Posted on Jun 07, 2007 at 09:53 pm
Rev. Yoshii pledged his support for LGBT persons and their families as well. He said that the issue is a personal one for API clergy. "We know about laws that have been used against us, to exclude us to, marginalize us, to not grant us civil rights," Rev. Yoshii explained. "That's why we come and stand in support of (the marriage rights) of same-sex couples." [Link]
WA gov. signs domestic partnership law
Posted on Apr 26, 2007 at 03:44 pm
Bay Area Reporter
April 26, 2007
Evan Wolfson said domestic partnerships such as in California and Washington are an important "first step" toward marriage equality. But he said both contain aspects that are "diminishing" of their meaning to gay couples. Both, he noted, have very limited benefits hospital visitation, authorizing autopsies, and inheritance rights when there is no will. Both also allow seniors to register as domestic partnerships, conveying an impression that the law is not so much to recognize same-sex couples as to handle some legal issues for pairs of people who live together and share expenses.
[Link]
April 26, 2007
Evan Wolfson said domestic partnerships such as in California and Washington are an important "first step" toward marriage equality. But he said both contain aspects that are "diminishing" of their meaning to gay couples. Both, he noted, have very limited benefits hospital visitation, authorizing autopsies, and inheritance rights when there is no will. Both also allow seniors to register as domestic partnerships, conveying an impression that the law is not so much to recognize same-sex couples as to handle some legal issues for pairs of people who live together and share expenses.
[Link]
Marriage ripe for decision in 2 courts
Posted on Mar 01, 2007 at 01:04 pm
Stateline.org
March 1, 2007
All eyes now are on the highest courts in California, Connecticut and Maryland, where decisions on the constitutionality of marriage discrimination are likely this year. California and Connecticut are appeals that will test whether civil unions or domestic partnerships are legally inadequate substitutes for matrimony. [link]
March 1, 2007
All eyes now are on the highest courts in California, Connecticut and Maryland, where decisions on the constitutionality of marriage discrimination are likely this year. California and Connecticut are appeals that will test whether civil unions or domestic partnerships are legally inadequate substitutes for matrimony. [link]
Activists predict progress in NY, CA, WA, this year
Posted on Jan 26, 2007 at 12:55 pm
Washington Blade
January 26, 2007
Evan Wolfson, executive director of Freedom to Marry, said there is also reason for hope in Massachusetts.
Link
January 26, 2007
Evan Wolfson, executive director of Freedom to Marry, said there is also reason for hope in Massachusetts.
"The new legislature has more pro-marriage legislators combined with a new pro-marriage governor. This will allow wiser heads to prevail. If it gets on the ballot, we will defeat it, but I would rather spend our resources for other states in their battles for marriage equality."
Link
On The California Decision
Posted on Oct 06, 2006 at 11:30 am
Marriage activists look to state Supreme Court
San Francisco Chronicle
October 6, 2006
Leaders and members of the lesbian and gay community said Thursday's ruling upholding California's ruling denying lesbian and gay couples the rights and responsibilities of marriage was a minor setback. "I think we win some and we lose some; there are good passages and bad passages," said Evan Wolfson, executive director of Freedom to Marry. "We've said all along that this struggle to end discrimination is going to be a patchwork in which we see some states move faster than others."
[Link]
San Francisco Chronicle
October 6, 2006
Leaders and members of the lesbian and gay community said Thursday's ruling upholding California's ruling denying lesbian and gay couples the rights and responsibilities of marriage was a minor setback. "I think we win some and we lose some; there are good passages and bad passages," said Evan Wolfson, executive director of Freedom to Marry. "We've said all along that this struggle to end discrimination is going to be a patchwork in which we see some states move faster than others."
[Link]