Category Archives: Politics
Lesbians in Alabama Need Help
It is sad that we have to PAY to defend ourselves and what is right. There should be a reimbursement system in place. ALABAMA should be eating these court costs!
“The two women in Mobile are the bravest two women I’ve ever known,” [Alabama Rep. Patricia Todd, D-Birmingham] said. “They’ve been through a lot, and they will continue to go through a lot, and we can never forget them.”
Todd said Searcy and McKeand have “incurred a great debt over legal fees” in their eight-year fight to have their California marriage recognized. She urged attendees to donate to the couple at their website, IAmAParent.com.
[Living in Limbo Executive Director Lara] Embry said Searcy and McKeand are $40,000 in legal debt “because they fought this fight for a long time in Alabama while we were not considered low-hanging fruit to national organizations who would then pitch in and help with that fight.”
“If you want to send someone a wedding gift, maybe make it honor of Cari and Kim, and make a donation to help them, to help pay for marriage equality in Alabama,” Embry said. “Because they got the bill.”
Visit I AM A PARENT
or the GO FUND ME PAGE
Waymon Hudson Activist – Fight OUT Loud
Early on the morning of May 1, 2007, around 1 am, my partner and I were returning home to Fort Lauderdale from vacation in Chicago. Our flight was delayed, so we were the last group of passengers (around 20 or so) at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport.
While waiting for our luggage in the baggage claim area, we heard these words come over the PA system loud and clear:
“A man that lies with a man as with a woman should be put to death.”
A few minutes later, the same Biblical recording played over the loud speaker again. We were understandably shocked and frightened.
We looked around for a security guard, airport employee, or TSA agent, but we were unable to find anyone because it was so late and everything was closed. We quickly gathered our bags and went to our car, nervous to be alone in a dark parking garage after hearing what we assumed was a death threat against us.
The next morning, we called the airport to report the incident. The airport manager seemed disinterested in the threat and simply said “sorry for the inconvenience.” After the tepid response from the manager, we contacted our county commissioner, as well as a local news station. We also contacted various web sites and blogs about our experience, including Pam’s House Blend and Towleroad (who were amazing in their support!) to try and get some help.
A few nights later, we received a call from the police saying that they were able to locate the person who made the announcement and that he confessed. The man was Jethro Monestine, a skycap for Superior Aircraft Services, who worked in the baggage claim area. After seeing the intense media coverage, a co-worker turned him in, fearing they too would be in trouble. Monestine said that he downloaded the recording onto his cell phone and played it over the intercom as a “prank”. He also claimed not be directing it at us, saying he was “bored between flights and just wanted to have some fun”. He was eventually fired, but no charges were filed against him for what can only be seen as making a death threat over the PA at a major US airport.
The intense media coverage, as well as the religious aspect of the recording, led to a large amount of negative feedback and hate-mail being directed towards us. Adding to this backlash was some skewed and sensationalistic reporting of our story, which included headlines that focused on the “bible verse” aspect of this incident, not the threat (one such example: “Prankster fired for playing bible verse that offended gays”). This opened us up for attack from a number of conservative groups, blogs, and radio shows. Websites and open forums began to fill with personal attacks directed at us. Every anti-gay slur, threat of damnation and condemnation of us that you could imagine appeared. Our motives, names, and even our appearance were viciously attacked.
This whole event really woke us up to the amount of hate that people are still capable of directing towards the GLBT community. We received numerous stories from people around the country telling us their own horror stories of discrimination and not being taken seriously. As with our own story, a lot of smaller incidents of discrimination and hate seemed to fall through the cracks, leaving many people to fend for themselves. Having gone through such an eye-opening experience, and finding that there were really very few resources available to LGBT individuals who needed immediate help in situations like ours, we decided to fight back. This inspired us to form a national non-profit organization called Fight OUT Loud.
While the experience of the airport and the ensuing backlash may have been difficult, it was probably one of the best things that could have ever happened to me. It changed my life, got me involved, and started an amazing organization that is helping people across the country.
“Fight OUT Loud has a strong online presence and will continues to help people by being where they are- through Twitter, Facebook and other online platforms.” explains Waymon.
“We’re filling the gap for people who don’t know where to go with their issues. We have strong ties with existing organizations and help connect people to the resources and support they need. Most of our work is very individual- we are here to make sure no LGBT issue falls through the cracks. Whether it be doing the research about local ordinances to help in an individual case of discrimination or helping educate the community about a larger LGBT issue, we really work to make sure no one, no matter where they are or what they are going through, feels alone when faced with bias, discrimination, or violence. Most of our work and projects are extremely targeted and individual.”
JOIN their mailing and action list to stay in the loop.
One gay man- lots of opinions… Journalist, Activist, Blogger, Politico, TV host, & all around political trouble-maker.
Follow Waymon on TWITTER
Waymon on Huffington Post
Waymon on Bilerico Project
SUPREME COURT Says …..Nothing!
MORE GROUND BREAKING NEWS FOR LGBT PEOPLE!
U.S. SUPREME COURT DECISION OPENS MARRIAGE TO NEARLY TWO-THIRDS OF SAME-SEX COUPLES IN THE U.S.
- Recent Williams Institute analyses suggest that the number of married same-sex couples, estimated to be as high as 130,000 in 2013, has increased by more than 50% over the last three years.
- Williams Institute research has analyzed the economic impact of allowing same-sex couples to marry in the 11 states that will now allow such marriages. Combining these states, 45,000 same-sex couples are likely to marry in the next three years generating more than $334 million in additional spending and over $22 million in sales tax revenue. Full versions of the state reports are available here.
- Nearly two-thirds of same-sex couples in the U.S. will now live in a state where they can marry, up from 50% prior to today’s decision.
- 6 out of 10 Americans will now live in states that allow same-sex couples to marry, up from 4 in 10.
- Williams Institute research suggests that there were 690,000 same-sex couples in the US in 2013 raising an estimated 200,000 children. As many as 30,000 of those children are being raised by married parents.
- In Indiana, there are more than 11,000 cohabiting same-sex couples, of whom an estimated 17% are raising more than 3,200 children in their homes.
- In Oklahoma, there are more than 6,100 cohabiting same-sex couples, of which an estimated 21% are raising more than 2,500 children in their homes.
- In Utah, there are more than 3,900 same-sex couples, of whom an estimated 20% are raising nearly 1,600 children in their homes.
- In Virginia, there are more than 14,200 cohabiting same-sex couples, of whom an estimated 18% are raising more than 4,000 children in their homes.
- In Wisconsin, there are nearly 9,200 cohabiting same-sex couples, of whom an estimated 20% are raising nearly 3,200 children in their homes.
- In Colorado, there are nearly 12,500 cohabiting same-sex couples, of whom an estimated 16% are raising nearly 4,000 children in their homes.
- In Kansas, there are more than 4,000 cohabiting same-sex couples, of whom an estimated 22% are raising nearly 1,800 children in their homes.
- In North Carolina, there are nearly 18,300 cohabiting same-sex couples, of whom an estimated 18% are raising nearly 6,600 children in their homes.
- In South Carolina, there are more than 7,200 cohabiting same-sex couples, of whom an estimated 19% are raising nearly 2,750 children in their homes.
- In West Virginia, there are nearly 3,000 cohabiting same-sex couples, of whom an estimated 18% are raising nearly 1,030 children in their homes.
- In Wyoming, there are nearly 700 cohabiting same-sex couples, of whom an estimated 25% are raising approximately 350 children in their homes.
IT’S A GREAT TIME TO BE GAY! Same-sex marriage will be the law of the land — inevitably but not immediately.!
Corpus Christi: Playing with Redemption on DVD
Corpus Christi: Playing with Redemption on DVD and VOD October 14, 2014
Terrence McNally’s ”Gay Jesus Play” Inspires Feature Documentary
What if Jesus was gay?
Breaking Glass Pictures will be releasing Corpus Christi: Playing with Redemption, a feature documentary focusing on Terrence McNally’s controversial off-Broadway play “Corpus Christi,” which imagines Jesus as a gay man living in Corpus Christi, Texas.
The documentary follows the troupe, Terrence, and audience around the world on a 5-year journey, where voices of protest and support collide on one of the central issues facing the LGBT community: religion.
The play originally opened at the Manhattan Theatre Club in 1998 to intense protest and bomb threats. Terrence McNally is a four-time Tony Award winning playwright, famous for Broadway hits Ragtime, Master Class, and Love! Valour! Compassion!
“Playing with Redemption and the I AM Love Campaign add a new dimension to the conversation that my play continues to provoke, and I look forward to CORPUS CHRISTI starting many more conversations around the country.” – Terrence McNally
Breaking Glass Pictures will release the documentary on DVD and VOD (iTunes, Comcast, Vubiquity) on October 14, 2014.
Putins Propaganda – Campaign of Hate in Russia
RUSSIA is a very scary place right now.
As most of the world moves forward toward gay equality, Russia is seemingly heading backward. Antigay sentiment and legislation are spreading rapidly throughout the country.
In 2013, the Russian parliament passed a ban on so-called “gay propaganda” that effectively makes nearly any public discussion of gay equality a crime. The city of Moscow has outlawed Gay Pride parades for the next 100 years. Adoption of Russian children is forbidden to citizens of any foreign country that permits gay marriage. And legislation is now being considered that would permit the Russian government to remove gay people’s children from their homes.
The Kremlin has chosen the LGBT community as its scapegoat in a populist campaign against supposedly decadent “Western” values, and there are ominous signs of much worse to come. Violent attacks against Russian gays or suspected gays are more and more common. Videos of young LGBT people being taunted and tortured have been widely distributed on the Internet.
Those are the stories that get the headlines, but there is much more to the Russian LGBT men and woman I have met. It is my hope that this documentary will educate viewers to their reality.
A film by Michael Lucas
sneak peak: Campaign of Hate: Russia and Gay Propaganda
on Facebook too
Harvey Milk Stamp Coming May 22 2014
Thirty-five years after Harvey Milk made history as California’s first openly gay elected leader, he’s closing in on another historical first.
The U.S. Postal Service announced last fall, that the late San Francisco supervisor and civil rights leader will join the likes of John F. Kennedy, Rosa Parks and Jackie Robinson by being recognized with a commemorative stamp – an honor that had apparently never before gone to an openly gay politician.
The long-awaited Harvey Milk commemorative U.S. postage stamp will be released on May 22nd, 2014 — Harvey Milk Day.
The U.S. Postal Service is rumored to be considering Washington, D.C. and San Francisco, as cities for the first-day launch of the stamp. It is expected to roll out nationwide.
Barney Frank Documentary will be Produced by Alec Baldwin
A lot of people call Alec Baldwin homophobic and anti gay.
The former MSNBC host Alec Baldwin who came under fire in June for calling a reporter a “toxic little queen” on Twitter, has been caught on camera threatening the paparazzi and using anti-gay slurs while doing so.
TMZ, where you can watch the clip: The video shows Baldwin — who was with his wife and baby — taking off in angry pursuit after the pap (not ours) … yelling, cursing and calling him a “c**ksucking f*g.”
FAMOUS drag queen Lady Bunny came to his defense last month in Huffington Post. And I have to agree, Should we really be decimating the man’s entire career over a few angry words that flew out of his mouth during an angry exchange at the end of a draining trial? Dan points out, “We often revert to high-school-era insults when we’re deeply upset.”
It’s a great read!
DEADLINE HOLLYWOOD reports: Alec Baldwin has signed on as executive producer of Compared to What: The Improbable Journey of Barney Frank, a new documentary about the openly gay ex-Massachusetts Congressman which debuts next month at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Baldwin will be conducting a Q&A with Frank at Tribeca after the film’s April 27 festival premiere. “Barney Frank is a personal hero of mine,” he said in a statement. “His legacy in Congress – and his historic importance as the first openly gay and married Congressman – important for our country.”
Lance Bass, Marriage Equality and Mississippi Travel
Mississippi-born Lance Bass sure has been in the news lately. Two weeks ago he attacked Mississippi’s anti-gay religious “freedom to discriminate” bill. Yesterday the former ‘N Sync boy band singer met at the White House with President Obama to talk health care reform. Today, a video he recorded with his fiancé for Freedom To Marry’s new push to win marriage for same-sex couples in the Southern states launched.
Bass says he grew up in a town of just 2000 people, and “it felt great” to feel like his neighbors were part of his extended family.
“We were best friends for about a month,” Bass says of his now-fiancé Michael Turchin. “I didn’t know that he liked me, and he didn’t know that I liked him… We just related on so many things, and I just knew that he was going to be part of my life. And I’m just glad it’s going to be as a husband,” Bass says, with a boyish smirk.
“Marriage to me is a commitment that you make to the person you love that you want to spend the rest of your life with,” Bass says, and talks about how his parents role-modeled marriage for him.
Bass believes that “people really do support gay marriage,” and “there’s tons of support” in Mississippi. He urges the younger generation, whom he says is scared, to talk about marriage equality openly with their parents.
“There’s nothing to be scared of,” Turchin says.
Take a look at Freedom To Marry’s website, Southerners for the Freedom to Marry.
HOWEVER…….
GetEQUAL Mississippi — a statewide grassroots social justice organization working toward the full equality of all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Mississippians — has issued a “travel alert” to any LGBT person planning travel to the the state. This alert has been issued based on the fact that Mississippi is on the cusp of passing Senate Bill 2681 — the so-called “Mississippi Religious Freedom Restoration Act” — through the House, and then sending it to the governor for signature or veto.
GetEQUAL Mississippi alerts those traveling to the state of a continued risk of discrimination based upon sexual orientation and/or gender identity. The State of Mississippi does not currently protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender (“LGBT”) people from being legally ejected from their hotel rooms or other places of public accommodation, and is on the cusp of passing legislation that would give business owners even more latitude to legally discriminate against minority groups.
Those who are required to travel to Mississippi are encouraged to take the following precautions:
– Avoid traveling alone in the state.
– Only book travel at hotels which have policies prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
– Visit only known LGBT-friendly establishments, including restaurants, bars and venues.
– Be aware of your surroundings and adopt other appropriate safety measures to protect yourself while traveling.
Obama Thanks Edie Windsor
What a wonderful time to be gay. (Except in Russia and Uganda). We are seeing so many advances in our lifetime, it can’t help but make you feel proud!
President Obama met this week with Edie Windsor, the octogenarian lesbian whose landmark case at the U.S. Supreme Court stuck down the so-called Defense of Marriage Act.
In a post on the White House’s official blog today, the Obama administration thanked Edie Windsor for her role in advancing equality for LGBT Americans. And on Wednesday, President Barack Obama himself thanked the 84-year-old lesbian widow for taking her case to the U.S. Supreme Court and earning a landmark ruling that effectively gutted the so-called Defense of Marriage Act.
“When the Court handed down its decision last June, President Obama called Edie from Air Force One to congratulate her on her victory,” wrote senior Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett on the White House blog today. “And earlier this week, the President invited Edie to the France State Dinner and the Oval Office to thank her in person. … The thanks expressed by the President that day have been echoed by millions of Americans, including thousands of legally married couples who can now live their lives with greater justice and dignity — thanks to heroes like Edie Windsor who have been willing to stand up and fight for equality under the law.”
Clay Aiken for….President?
Can a profile on Manhunt stop
Clay Aiken from running for Congress?!
We will soon see!
Former “American Idol” finalist Clay Aiken, who lost the singing
competition’s second season to Ruben Studdard in 2003, is “actively
considering” a run for North Carolina’s 2nd congressional district in
the U.S. House, according to the Washington Blade.
Sources told the Blade the openly gay singer has been making phone
calls to gauge potential support as he works with Betsy Conti, a local
political strategist who has worked with Al Gore and former North
Carolina Gov. Bev Purdue.
It’s unclear when Aiken may announce his decision to run for the House seat, currently filled by Rep. Renee Ellmers, R-N.C.
Obama Pledges $100 Million to Help End AIDS
President Obama announced on Monday he’s redirecting $100 million at
the National Institutes of Health for a new initiative to develop a cure
for HIV as part of his vision for an “AIDS-free generation.”
Obama made the announcement when speaking before a group of HIV/AIDS
advocates at a White House event observing World AIDS Day in the South
Court Auditorium of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
“The United States should be at the forefront of new discoveries in
how to put HIV into long-term remission without requiting live-long
therapies, or better yet, eliminate it completely,” Obama said.
In a fact sheet published after the event, the White House clarified
the $100 million would be distributed over the course of three years and
would catalyze further research for new therapies to improve outcomes
for people with HIV.
Read More at Washington Blade!
GAY NEWS – LGBT Russians – YOU ARE WONDERFUL says MISTER CHASE
MISTER CHASE is an EDM, rocktronic performer based in NY. He has a pulsing
party vibe, mixed with chill sugary pop tones and rock star edge. His
shows are super high energy, an extremely entertaining. He is a visual
performer, backed up by a troupe of sexy, talented dancers, appropriate
for any festival, casino, club, venue or event. Having toured US, UK and
Canada, his show turns every audience member into a believer. MISTER
CHASE is currently recording his second EP which is set to release later
this year.
FOR NOW – he has a message for the gay people of Russia…YOU ARE WONDERFUL!
Nikolai Alexeyev Has Final Meltdown
Russian gay activist Nikolai Alexeyev, who until now was considered
Russia’s top lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) advocate,
appears to have ended his political career tonight in a series of
anti-Semitic Facebook and Twitter posts that have even his most ardent
supporters calling out his ongoing anti-Semitism.
I’d reported earlier on Alexeyev’s anti-Semitic social media posts last week, and on his earlier run-in with charges of anti-Semitism.
Last week, in an apparent fit of ire against a (Jewish) man who penned
an op ed in OUT magazine critical of him, Alexeyev retweeted comments calling the author a “jewish pig” and “israeli monkey,” and calling OUT magazine a “jewish slut magazine that supports jews and their filthy faggotry propaganda.” Alexeyev then tweeted and posted on Facebook his own comments about Jewish vodka being made from sperm. More at America Blog
FEDERAL Government WILL Recognize Same Sex Marriages
The U.S. Department of Treasury has just made it official: legally
married same-sex couples will receive the same tax benefits as
opposite-sex married couples, regardless of where they reside.
In
a call earlier today, U.S. Treasury Department Secretary Jacob Lew told
leadership of the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce
(NGLCC) and other LGBT interest groups that effective immediately the
U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
ruled that same-sex couples, legally married in jurisdictions that
recognize their marriages, will be treated as married for federal tax purposes.
The ruling applies regardless of whether the couple lives in a
jurisdiction that recognizes same-sex marriage or a jurisdiction that
does not recognize same-sex marriage.
“Today’s ruling provides
certainty and clear, coherent tax filing guidance for all legally
married same-sex couples nationwide. It provides access to benefits,
responsibilities and protections under federal tax law that all
Americans deserve,” said Secretary Lew. “This ruling also assures
legally married same-sex couples that they can move freely throughout
the country knowing that their federal filing status will not change.”
This
is a major victory for the entire equality movement, but especially for
married same-sex couples who own and operate businesses. LGBT people
who are legally married in one of the 13 states that grant same-sex
marriage, can now ensure their business is a “family” business and are
legally entitled to determine the legacy of their wealth.
The
NGLCC will continue to work with LGBT small business owners to ensure
they are equipped with all the pertinent knowledge and resources
throughout this transition. The organization will also advise dozens of
our more than 140 corporate partners who will be augmenting grossing-up
best practices as a result of this announcement.
Other key takeaways:
- Joint filing beginning 2014 for couples married in 2013.
- Retro-active filing for those married in the past three years.
- Same tax treatment for items like income, gifts, and estate.
Secretary
Lew acknowledged there would be further refinements needed and that
both his department and the IRS are looking to the public to help
identify these needed refinements; for instance, child tax credit issues
surrounding same-sex parents where it is not legal at the state level
for a same-sex second parent to adopt.
Stoli Says They are Pro gay and Based in Luxemberg – not Russia
Towleroad just ran portions of an interview with Stoli CEO Val Mendeleev.
considering that he left the country 20 years ago. He used the same term
to describe SPI’s owner, Yuri Scheffler, and insisted that they both
oppose Russian president Vladimir Putin, as well as the country’s
anti-gay policies. He maintained that SPI is “not a Russian company,”
highlighting the fact that the company is headquartered in Luxembourg,
and only operates one distillery in Russia. He did admit that the
company does use Russian ingredients, However, he said that the company
is looking into other sources, but that will unfortunately take time.
“We produce more than 100,000 bottles of Stoli every day…It’s not so
easy to shift production immediately.”
And this is because we have ongoing litigation with the Russian
government about the ownership of the brand. So, we’re not a friend of
the Russian government. We are not a Russian company. Stoli is not even
allowed to be sold in Russia… [The Russian government] did manage to
grab up the Russian Stoli brand and they have been trying to grab up the
ownership of the global brand. But the international courts in London
and Switzerland understand that this commercial dispute with the Russian
government has political motives. Yuri Scheffler, in early 2000, when
this whole thing started, was supporting political opposition to the new
government that was installed there, and that basically started the
whole dispute.”
Revolution for real Human Rights in Brazil Continues
From our dear friend Alex Bernardes at Via G (Revistaviag.com) Magazine in Brazil : Our Brazilian constitution states that this is a local country, therefore, anyone who is elected by the people and takes a political
chair, is not allowed to use his religious concepts and beliefs to
conduct or change people’s behavior. Unfortunately, that is true only in
the books.
Recently, a pastor called Marco Feliciano (Minister of an
Evangelical Church Franchise in Brazil), was elected by his peers –
people weren’t able to interfere in that process because it was done
undercover –, and, once taking charge as the president of the Human
Rights ‘Deputy’ Chamber, he started to promote intolerance,
discrimination, segregation towards some specific groups of doomed and
unluckily borned people (his words, based in the Old Testament).
mainly points to Negros and gays. Now, he wants to pass a bill which
allows the “cure for gays”, considering that “these people may want to
be healed and live a “normal” life”, and he threatens anyone who tries
to interfere or be in his way. Our state of freedom, equality and
fraternity is now going down the drain…
As you worldwide friends
may know, we are in the core of a revolution for real human rights in
Brazil, asking for more important things such as better public
educational, health and transportation systems. We really don’t need
this kind of people around us to blur people’s real interests. If you
are sympathetic to our manifestations, please “like” it and share.
the world know about this shame…
No More DOMA! NO MORE PROP 8!!!
The Defense of Marriage Act has been ruled unconstitutional.
from recognizing same-sex marriages legalized by the states, is
unconstitutional, the Supreme Court ruled Wednesday by a 5-4 vote.
purpose and effect to disparage and to injure those whom the State, by
its marriage laws, sought to protect in personhood and dignity,” Justice
Anthony Kennedy wrote in the majority opinion. “By seeking to displace
this protection and treating those persons as living in marriages less
respected than others, the federal statute is in violation of the Fifth
Amendment.”
Here is the opinion finding no standing in the Prop 8 case, Hollingsworth v Perry, written by chief justice Roberts.
Held: Petitioners did not have standing to appeal the District Court’s order. […]
Petitioners have no role—special or otherwise—in its enforcement.
They therefore have no “personal stake” in defending its enforcement
that is distinguishable from the general interest of every California
citizen.
Bill O’Reilly Gives Full Support to Gay Marriage
I was never a fan of Bill O’Reilly….until now. His views were always too far right and I thought he was sort of a jerk! He spent years railing against gay activists and belittling gay marriage.
that marriage, like driving a car, is a privilege, not a right. He has
said that if the government felt marriage was a right, then it would not
stop polygamists and incestuous couples from marrying. O’Reilly further explained his position in his book Culture Warrior
“To this culture warrior, gay marriage is not a vital issue. I don’t
believe the republic will collapse if Larry marries Brendan. However, it
is clear that most Americans want heterosexual marriage to maintain its
special place in American society. And as long as gays are not
penalized in the civil arena, I think the folks should make the call at
the ballot box. Traditional marriage is widely seen as a social
stabilizer, and I believe that is true.”
On March 26, 2013, O’Reilly stated “I support civil unions, I always
have. The gay marriage thing, I don’t feel that strongly about it one
way or the other. I think the states should do it.” O’Reilly then said,
“The compelling argument is on the side of homosexuals … ‘We’re
Americans, we just want to be treated like everybody else.‘ That’s a
compelling argument, and to deny that you’ve got to have a very strong
argument on the other side. And the other side hasn’t been able to do
anything but thump the Bible.”
The Hollywood Reporter quizzed
FOX News host Bill O’Reilly about his remarks during the Supreme Court
marriage hearings that the “compelling argument is on the side of
homosexuals” and that “Bible thumpers” are losing.
Asked if he stood by those remarks, O’Reilly said that marriage
should be left to the states. Asked if he supports DOMA repeal, O’Reilly
said Congress should do whatever they want.
United for Marriage’ SCOTUS Rallies and Marches Expected in 50 States
DOMA and Proposition 8.
challenge the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)
and California’s Proposition 8 – are fundamentally about whether LGBT
Americans can enjoy the same freedoms and opportunities as everyone
else.
OBAMA urges Courts to END California Gay Marriage Ban!
The Obama administration is in the news AGAIN this week!
marriage equality, urging the Supreme Court to rule that voters in
California were not entitled to ban same-sex marriage there, according
to an administration official.
Perry, No. 12-144, and was not required to take a position in it. But
the lawyers who filed the challenge, Theodore B. Olson and David Boies,
along with gay rights groups, lobbied hard for the brief, saying the
administration could not stay silent on the issue.
UPDATE – more details of the brief have come out –
In essence, the position of the federal
government would simultaneously give some support to marriage equality
while showing some respect for the rights of states to regulate that
institution. What the brief endorsed is what has been called the
“eight-state solution” — that is, if a state already recognizes for
same-sex couples all the privileges and benefits that married couples
have (as in the eight states that do so through “civil unions”) those
states must go the final step and allow those couples to get married.
The argument is that it violates the Constitution’s guarantee of legal
equality when both same-sex and opposite-sex couples are entitled to the
same marital benefits, but only the opposite-sex couples can get
married.
The eight states that apparently would be
covered by such a decision are: California (whose Proposition 8, which
denies marriage to couples who already have all of the other marital
benefits, would fall), Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey,
Oregon, and Rhode Island!
PLUS Attorney General Eric Holder released a statement about the filing:
“In our filing today in Hollingsworth v.
Perry, the government seeks to vindicate the defining constitutional
ideal of equal treatment under the law. Throughout history, we have
seen the unjust consequences of decisions and policies rooted in
discrimination. The issues before the Supreme Court in this case and the
Defense of Marriage Act case are not just important to the tens of
thousands Americans who are being denied equal benefits and rights under
our laws, but to our Nation as a whole.”
Obama says “DOMA IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL” to Supreme Court!
These are truly amazing times we are witnessing right now! I never thought, in my lifetime, I would see such support for gay marriage/marriage equality! WOW!
Since his personal endorsement of gay marriage last spring, President
Barack Obama has kept up the public support, even making a historic mention of gay rights in his inaugural addresslast month.
Polls show that by weighing in, Obama and the White House are siding with the majority of Americans.
In the last decade — and especially in the last few years — Americans’ attitude toward gay marriage has shifted dramatically.
Right after the election in November, the Pew Research Center released a report on the
perception of gay marriage over the past decade. It found that opinion
has swung from staunch opposition in 2001 — 57 percent opposed gay
marriage, compared to 35 percent who were in favor — to solid support in
2012, when 48 percent polled supported gay marriage, compared to 43 percent who were opposed.
On Friday, President Obama’s administration filed an historic legal brief that declares his belief to the US Supreme Court that DOMA is
unconstitutional.
NBC NEWS SAID FRIDAY….The Obama administration urged the Supreme Court on
Friday to throw out a section of a 1996 federal law that prohibits
recognition of same-sex marriage.The brief was filed Friday in United States v. Windsor, a
case challenging Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, the
law that legally declares marriage to be only between a man and a woman.
That section allows state and federal authorities to deny benefits to
same-sex couples that are commonplace for heterosexual couples, like
insurance for government workers and Social Security survivors’
benefits.This marks the first time a president has endorsed same-sex marriage rights in the nation’s highest court. In effect, the U.S. is asking the court to change DOMA to set a
higher bar for courts to approve laws that discriminate against gay men
and lesbians, Lyle Denniston, a Supreme Court expert, wrote on the influential ScotusBlog.President
Barack Obama announced in 2011 that the U.S. would no longer enforce
DOMA, but “this is the first time the federal government has proposed
that constitutional test in a gay rights case before the Supreme Court,”
Denniston writes. “The court itself has never specified just what
constitutional standard it will apply in such cases, but it may have to
settle that this term.”HOW AMAZING IS THAT?!
ALLEGEDLY, Hillary WILL Run for 2016 Presidency
Clintons as well as the Democratic Party, confirmed that Hillary Clinton
will be the Democratic candidate in the next Presidential election.
Tsakopoulos told Greek Reporter that the former Secretary of
State will run for President in 2016, putting an end to speculation
over whether Clinton will make a second bid for President that has been
circulating around the internet and international media.
“Hillary will be our next President and she will be a great one,”
Tsakopoulos said at a private gala in California this past weekend.
Asked if this was confirmed by Clinton or whether it’s his personal
view, he replied, “I talk to her husband, and he confirmed it. She will
run.”
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