Court: Louisiana must put two adoptive fathers on document

Posted on Feb 20, 2010 at 06:02 pm

Louisiana must put both fathers' names on the birth certificate of a boy adopted by a same-sex couple, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Thursday. A three-judge panel unanimously upheld a district judge's ruling, ordering the state registrar to quickly issue a new certificate for the boy identified as "Infant J," and "J.C. A.-S."

U.S. District Judge Jay Zainey found that the law was so clear that no trial was needed. Louisiana's law requires the state to list adoptive parents' names. Because New York law allows adoption by unmarried couples, Louisiana had to follow that law in writing the new certificate, he wrote.

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Voice for Equality Update: Saints Linebacker, Scott Fujita

Posted on Feb 05, 2010 at 08:40 am

The Advocate
February 3, 2010
While New Orleans Saints linebacker Scott Fujita, one of Freedom to Marry's Voices for Equality, was gearing up for Super Bowl XLIV, he spoke to The Advocate about standing up for gay rights and against inequality. Commenting on another Voice for Equality from the NFL, Brendan Ayanbadejo, Fujita said:
I thought what Brendan wrote was incredibly insightful, thought-provoking, and completely on point. And many people would call it courageous. But if Brendan's like me, I don't know if he'd consider what we've done all that courageous. We have strong feelings about equal rights, and to me, expressing those feelings isn't courageous, it's the right thing to do. I think there will be a third player who expresses support for gay marriage ... and a fourth player, and a fifth, and so on. [Link]

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Racist Judge Inadvertently Makes the Case for Marriage Equality

Posted on Oct 29, 2009 at 08:31 pm

truthdig
October 29, 2009
The Rev. Madison Shockley, a minister of the Pilgrim United Church of Christ in Carlsbad, CA and an Executive Committee member for 'Let California Ring', shares the story of a racist justice of the peace in Louisiana who recently refused to perform an interracial marriage on the grounds that he found it morally objectionable - and in so doing may have helped the marriage equality cause by demonstrating the clear right to decline to perform government-sanctioned weddings. [Link]

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LGBT Joint Statement Responds to Denial of Marriage to Interracial Couple in Louisianna

Posted on Oct 19, 2009 at 09:51 am

Washington, D.C, Oct. 16, 2009
The following statement was issued today by a coalition of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality advocates in response to the refusal by a Louisiana justice of the peace to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple in the southeastern part of the state. Keith Bardwell, a justice of the peace in Tangipahoa Parish, refused to marry Beth Humphrey, who is white, and Terence McKay, who is black, because they are an interracial couple.

The statement may be attributed to the individuals and organizations listed below:

“That anyone would refuse to marry a loving, committed couple on the basis of race is unconscionable. That the person doing so is an official of the state responsible for upholding justice is outrageous and unacceptable.”

“We condemn this ugly act in the strongest possible terms and join the NAACP in denouncing this display of racism. It is wrong for loving couples who want to make a life-long marriage commitment to be denied that right because of someone else’s prejudice.”

Kyle Bailey, Interim Executive Director, National Stonewall Democrats
Jarrett Barrios, President, Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)
Toni Broaddus, Executive Director, Equality Federation
Rea Carey, Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
Kevin Cathcart, Executive Director, Lambda Legal
Jennifer Chrisler, Executive Director, Family Equality Council
Jody Huckaby, Executive Director, PFLAG National (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays)
Mara Keisling, Executive Director, National Center for Transgender Equality
Kate Kendell, Executive Director, National Center for Lesbian Rights
Sharon J. Lettman, Executive Director, National Black Justice Coalition
Joe Solmonese, President, Human Rights Campaign
Lee Swislow, Executive Director, Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders
Evan Wolfson, Executive Director, Freedom to Marry

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Video: Jindal Spokeswoman Criticizes the Interfaith Alliance for Supporting Marriage Equality

Posted on Sep 04, 2009 at 12:42 pm

MSNBC: The Rachel Maddow Show
September 3, 2009
Rachel Maddow talks with the Interfaith Alliance's Rev. Dr. Welton Gaddy about Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal's spokeswoman attacking the organization for its support of the freedom to marry. [Link]

(from 3:35 - 6:28)

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Voice for Equality: Patricia Clarkson

Posted on Jun 16, 2009 at 08:30 am

The Academy Award-nominated and Emmy-winning actress, Patricia Clarkson, can currently be seen in the critically acclaimed film, "Elegy." She will next be seen in Martin Scorsese's "Shutter Island" and Woody Allen's "Whatever Works." Past credits include "Good Night, and Good Luck," "They Dying Gaul," "Far from Heaven," "Pieces of April," " The Station Agent," "Miracle," "High Art," "Dogville," "Welcome to Collinwood," "The Pledge," and "The Green Mile." Born and raised in New Orleans, Patricia actively supports the relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina victims.

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Patricia Clarkson: Here’s to the Violets: My Thoughts on Gay Rights

Posted on Jun 15, 2009 at 06:37 pm

The Huffington Post
June 15, 2009
One of Freedom to Marry's Voices For Equality, Patricia Clarkson, recently delivered the keynote speech at the Human Rights Campaign's Annual New Orleans Dinner. See video below of her speech: "Here's to the Violets: My Thoughts on Gay Rights"



[Link]

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Judge: 2 Adoptive Dads Belong on Birth Certificate

Posted on Dec 29, 2008 at 10:27 am

Associated Press
December 27, 2008
A federal court ruled that Louisiana's Office of Vital Records must issue a birth certificate listing both the names of a child's gay adoptive fathers, giving full faith and credit to the N.Y. State court under which the men adopted their son. [Link]

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On Capitol Hill, several bishops join opposition to anti-gay marriage amendment

Posted on May 26, 2006 at 02:48 pm

Episcopal News Service
May 26, 2006
"Bishop Larry Maze of Arkansas and retired New Jersey Bishop Joe Morris Doss, now living in Louisiana, joined a diverse spectrum of clergy and religious leaders on Capitol Hill May 22 to speak against passage of the so-called 'Federal Marriage Amendment' (FMA)." [Link]

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Katrina’s aftermath, same-sex couples will be hit the hardest

Posted on Sep 12, 2005 at 05:02 pm

El Observador
September 12, 2005
The devastation and suffering already caused by hurricane Katrina is just the beginning of what's to come for those who have lost their homes. Many will have to rebuild their lives from scratch, with those in the gay and lesbian communites having the greatest difficulty. The lack of government protection and support to gays due to their denial of marriage, will result in the lack of any goverment aid to same-sex couples and their families. Many will not be able to make medical decisions, if needed, have no right to insurance monies, and no guarantee of inheritance to start over with in the tragedy of losing their loved one. In addition, children are the ultimate victims as they will have no choice but to face the undue burdens and challenges ahead as a result of the government's refusal to help and protect their families under the same law as their neighbors. [Link]

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