"GLBTI Weddings PLUS!"

2008-10-10T11:50:00.005-04:00

BREAKING NEWS

The Connecticut Supreme Court has just ruled 4 to 3 that same-sex couples must have the freedom to marry. Connecticut is now the third U.S. state, after Massachusetts and California, to institute marriage equality.

Statement of Garden State Equality chair Steven Goldstein on the historic decision:

"Today's decision will have an effect on the entire tri-state region of Connecticut, New Jersey and New York, all in the same media market. For the first time, marriage equality is now coming to our very own metropolitan region. Now millions of people all across the tri-state area will see devoted, loving same-sex couples get married, partaking in all the joys and challenges of marriage, with no impact whatsoever on the marriages of opposite-sex couples.

"Today's decision in Connecticut has particular relevance to us in New Jersey. Connecticut has had a civil union statute exactly like New Jersey's. Today, the Connecticut Supreme Court said civil unions do not and cannot provide the equality of real marriage -- that civil unions don't work in the real world and that they don't provide the dignity and respect of marriage either. These are exactly the points we've been making in New Jersey. Today, Connecticut said, civil unions, with all their myriad of problems, are not enough.

"This decision can't help but have enormous persuasive impact on New Jersey, not only because both states have had civil union statutes, but because both states are neighbors in the tri-state region.

"Garden State Equality salutes all the organizations involved in bring marriage equality to Connecticut, including Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD), the legal organization serving New England's LGBT communities; and our sister marriage equality organization in Connecticut, Love Makes a Family.

"All of us at Garden State Equality extend to GLAD and Love Makes a Family, and all the other organizations involved, our love and deepest appreciation. They are among the all-time heroes for LGBT America."

Please consider making a contribution to Garden State Equality. For every online contribution you make to Garden State Equality's political committee between now and Election Day, Garden State Equality will contribute half your contribution to the campaign of our sister organization Equality California, to help defeat the Proposition 8 ballot initiative that would eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry in California.

Contribute now to the Garden State/Golden State Campaign for Marriage Equality by clicking on https://secure.ga4.org/01/gardenstate_goldenstate.

Thank you from all of us at Garden State Equality.

California beats Massachusetts on gay marriage totals

2008-10-06T19:47:00.002-04:00

Photo: Los Angeles Times

via -- Jessica Garrison: LA Times

California has married more same-sex couples in three months than Massachusetts has married in three years, according to a new study from UCLA’s Williams Institute for the study of law and sexual orientation.

The study, released today, found that an estimated 11,000 same-sex couples have married in California between June 17, ...

2008-10-01T06:00:00.000-04:00

Transgender Anti-Discrimination Law Protected

2008-09-09T18:00:00.000-04:00

Today Maryland’s highest court ruled in favor of Lambda Legal and against a referendum petition that threatened to block a transgender anti–discrimination law in Montgomery County. In order to address discrimination against transgender individuals, the Montgomery County Council unanimously passed an act in 2007 that added gender identity to the county’s civil rights law.

Lambda Legal, together with Equality Maryland, represented concerned Montgomery County registered voters. We are very proud that we successfully protected this important anti–discrimination law.

Read more about this exciting victory on our website today and later this week in Lambda Legal’s eNews! Our work never stops. Victories like this require the support of people like you — donate today!

New York lawsuit against gay marriage thrown out

2008-09-02T18:38:00.001-04:00

by Associated Press
Tuesday September 02, 2008

A Bronx judge has thrown out the first direct legal challenge to Gov. David Paterson's move to recognize out-of-state gay marriages.

In a ruling today, state Supreme Court Judge Lucy Billings said the policy is a "permissible, if not mandated, step toward the objective of equality" for gays. Her finding comes as thousands of gay New Yorkers are expected to take advantage of a new Massachusetts law letting them wed there.

Source

2008-08-27T15:49:00.003-04:00

via 365gay.com

Del Martin (left) and her partner Phyllis Lyon being married by SF Mayor Gavin Newsom.

Del Martin, beloved figure of the gay and lesbian civil rights movement, died this morning. She and her partner Phyllis Lyon were the first to be legally married in the state of California.

Gavin Newsome is speaking in remembrance now - more soon.

"Ever since I met Del 55 years ago, I could never imagine a day
would come when she wouldn’t be by my side. I am so lucky to have known her, loved her, and been her partner in all things," Lyon said. "I also never imagined there would be day that we would actually be able to get married. I am devastated, but I take some solace in knowing we were able to enjoy the ultimate rite of love and commitment before she passed."

Related coverage:

Lesbian activist Del Martin dies at 87 (AP/San Jose Mercury News)

Gay Rights Pioneer Del Martin Dies at 87 by Steve Weinstein New York Editor-In-Chief; EDGE Boston

ZOGBY POLL: NEW JERSEY WANTS TO DUMP CIVIL UNIONS

2008-08-19T10:09:00.001-04:00

By 59 to 36 percent, New Jerseyans say okay to public officials'
changing the civil union law to marriage equality

An astounding 69 percent of New Jerseyans say marriage equality
is inevitable in the state

Though Governor Corzine’s favorables are up and he’d beat Chris Christie,
New Jersey wants Corzine to take Obama Administration job if offered

Surprisingly, voters don’t care if Corzine picks a woman or minority
as running mate for Lieutenant Governor

You can see the complete poll at http://www.gardenstateequality.org/

**********************************************************

Tuesday, August 19, 2008 -- A majority of New Jersey favors marriage for same-sex couples over civil unions – and an even bigger majority is fine with public officials’ changing the civil union law to marriage equality, according to a new statewide Zogby Poll commissioned by Garden State Equality.

By 59 to 36 percent, New Jerseyans say they would be "fine with" public officials’ changing the civil union law to marriage equality. Indeed, when the poll goes out of its way to remind voters that New Jersey already has a civil union law, a majority of New Jersey still supports marriage for same-sex couples – 50.1 to 42.3 percent. And an astounding 69 percent of New Jerseyans say marriage equality is inevitable in the state.

Coming on the eve of the Democratic National Convention, the poll also asks a number of political questions. By 47 to 33 percent, New Jerseyans want Governor Corzine to say yes if a prospective President Barack Obama offers Corzine a job in the new Administration. But the poll puts Corzine’s approval ratings at 55 to 42 percent favorable-unfavorable, and he would beat Chris Christie 45 to 36 percent in a 2009 gubernatorial matchup. The numbers indicate that New Jerseyans may be giving Corzine permission to go to Washington not because they disapprove his job performance in Trenton.

Assuming Corzine runs for reelection in 2009, New Jerseyans by an overwhelming margin – 64 to 31 percent – don’t care if he picks a woman or minority as his running mate for Lieutenant Governor.

Zogby took the poll of 803 likely New Jersey voters from August 7 through August 11, 2008. The margin of error is +/- 3.5 percent. Though Garden State Equality commissioned the poll, Zogby collected the data independently.

According to the poll, U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg’s favorable to unfavorable rating is 52 to 35 percent. He would defeat former Congressman Dick Zimmer 50 to 32 percent if the 2008 U.S. Senate election were held today. U.S. Senator Bob Menendez’s favorable to unfavorable rating is 43 to 33 percent.

Senate President and former Governor Dick Codey continues to be the state’s most popular official, with a favorable to unfavorable rating of 66 to 17 percent.

In response to the question: Currently, New Jersey lets same-sex couples enter only into civil unions, while California and Massachusetts give same-sex couples the freedom to marry. Do you support or oppose same-sex couples in New Jersey also getting the freedom to marry? 50.1 percent said, support. 42.3 percent said, oppose.

In response to the question: If public officials conclude that the civil union law has not worked to provide same-sex couples the legal protections that marriage would, and that New Jersey should fix the problem by giving same-sex couples the freedom to marry, would you be fine with that or upset by that? 59 percent said, fine with that. 36 percent said, upset by that.

“No one should doubt the meaning of these numbers,” said Steven Goldstein, chair of Garden State Equality. “New Jersey wants to end discrimination in marriage, and is ready for our public officials to do it right now. The civil union law is one the greatest civil rights failures of our time. New Jersey sees that, and understands that justice delayed is justice denied.”

New Jersey also wants Governor Corzine to follow the lead of New York Governor David Paterson, who has recognized legal out-of-state marriages of same-sex couples in his own state. In response to the question: Same-sex couples can already be legally married in places outside New Jersey, including California and Massachusetts. Do you think New Jersey should recognize those marriages as marriages in New Jersey? 57 percent said yes and 37 percent said no.

69 percent believe New Jersey will allow same-sex couples to marry, while only 21 percent believe New Jersey would not. 71 percent said, nothing will happen to legislators if they vote for marriage equality “because New Jersey voters care more about other issues.” Only 21 percent said supportive legislators would not be reelected.

In one of the poll’s most interesting questions – probably the first time the question has appeared in any poll – a clear majority of New Jerseyans believe insurance companies unfairly discriminate against transgender people by not covering the medical treatments that doctors deem vital to gender transition. 53 percent said this denial by insurance companies is unfair, while only 36 percent said it is fair.

In fact, even though New Jersey is a worldwide leader in banning discrimination against transgender people – the state’s Law Against Discrimination, hate crimes and anti-school bullying laws all encompass gender identity or expression – a number of insurance companies still refuse to cover vital medical treatment. The American Medical Association has said such denials are discriminatory.

“It is outrageous that some insurance companies deny vital health coverage to transgender citizens even though our state outlaws it,” said Barbra Casbar Siperstein, vice-chair of Garden State Equality and political director of the Gender Rights Advocacy Association of New Jersey. “Our state must act to ensure that all insurance companies follow the law.”
Finally, few New Jerseyans care whether Governor Corzine picks a woman or minority as his running mate in 2009, when New Jersey will be electing a Lieutenant Governor for the first time.

64 percent said it is unimportant to them whether Corzine picks a woman or minority as his running mate, with 45 percent saying it is “very unimportant.” Even a majority of Democrats said it is unimportant, though by a narrow 50 to 45 percent.

Women in the general electorate said it is unimportant, 58 to 37 percent. Latino voters said it is unimportant, 69 to 31 percent. Only African-American voters said it is important to them that Corzine pick a woman or minority as his running mate, 66 to 28 percent.

To see rest of the August 2008 Zogby-Garden State Equality Poll and the demographic breakdowns for all questions, please visit http://www.gardenstateequality.org/.

Massachusetts lets out-of-state gay couples marry

2008-07-31T18:09:00.001-04:00

By GLEN JOHNSON – AP

The residency requirement for gay marriage in Massachusetts is now lifted.

California Changes Prop 8 Ballot Language; Gay Marriage Ban Proposition Language Changes

2008-07-25T19:33:00.001-04:00

Jim Burroway
July 23rd, 2008

The original title was “Limit on Marriage. Constitutional Amendment”. Now it’s been changed for the better (PDF: 2 pages):

Prominent Los Angeles Family Law Firm Offers Top Ten Check List for Same-Sex Couples Marrying in California

2008-07-24T21:10:00.001-04:00

LOS ANGELES, July 23, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --

Partners Scott N. Weston and Robert J. Nachshin of Nachshin & Weston, a prominent family law firm in West Los Angeles that represents celebrities, business professionals and homemakers, suggest that in view of the In re Marriage Cases -- the California Supreme Court case that overturned the state's ban on same-sex marriage -- that such couples pay close attention to all their financial and legal needs before they tie the knot. As such, they offer the following "Top Ten" to do list:

Senate OKs Out-Of-State Gays Marrying In Mass.

2008-07-15T16:36:00.002-04:00

via NBC6.com

The Massachusetts Senate has voted to repeal a 1913 law used to bar out-of-state gay couples from marrying in the state.

The law prohibits couples from obtaining marriage licenses if they couldn't legally wed in their home states.

After Massachusetts became the first state to allow gay marriages in 2004, then-Gov. Mitt Romney ordered town clerks to enforce the little-known law and deny licenses to out-of-state couples.

San Diego Hyatt Hotel Owner Donated $125,000 to Stop Gay Marriage

2008-07-10T13:34:00.005-04:00

via LAist

It has just been revealed that the owner of the Manchester Grand Hyatt has, reportedly, made a substantial contribution to Prop 8 backers in California to support the effort to amend the state's constitution to specifically ban same-sex marriage.

Now certainly the man is allowed to support any effort he desires. Equally certain, despite his statement that gays and lesbians are welcome to his hotels and restaurants, is the likelihood that GLBTI guests will now seek out other digs?

It is policy that savvyplanners.com screens its vendors to assure genuine welcome and care. Currently our Master Vendor List features 629, hand-selected and evaluated companies to serve our clients.

We're having a bit of a challenge reconciling a hotelier's support of an anti-gay marriage effort with a, parallel, welcome to GLBTI guests to spend GLBTI dollars at this property.

Victory! Same-Sex Couples and Their Families Will Be Protected From Domestic Violence Under Family Court Access Law

2008-06-25T18:05:00.004-04:00

via Empire State Pride Agenda

The New York State Legislature has just unanimously passed a bill that allows domestic partners – including same-sex couples – access to the protections granted by Family Court. The bill is now expected to be signed into law by Governor Paterson, and as soon as it is, it will enable Family Court to give civil orders of protection to all victims of domestic violence, including unmarried committed couples and those in dating relationships.

This victory means that same-sex partners who were previously blocked from the Family Court because they didn’t have the ability to get married will now have equal access to protection from domestic violence.

Until now, New York has been one of the last states in the nation to protect same-sex couples against domestic violence. The Family Court access bill (S.8665/A.11707) gives access to important domestic violence protections, without a person having to initiate criminal court proceedings. These protections can involve, among other things, removing an abuser from the home and the use of social services to address the situation.

This long-overdue law has been in the works for two decades and has been passed by the Assembly by wide, bipartisan votes for many years, but this marks the first time that it has ever reached a floor vote in the Senate.

Now it's time to thank your Senator and Assemblymember for passing the Family Court access bill. To find your Senator and Assemblymember, click here. Call them and tell them thank you for supporting S.8665 / A.11701 and extending protections to all New Yorkers – including same-sex couples - against domestic violence.

Gay kiss unnerves U.K. mayonnaise eaters

2008-06-25T10:22:00.006-04:00

WELL! We all think that this is the cutest ad in a long time.

It seems that Heinz got 202 complaints about the fact that the spot features two kids leaving for school and two men kissing (!!!!). You should note that the kiss happened after the kids left the room for school.

You watch it and tell us what YOU think!

Activism is more than a word

2008-06-24T12:20:00.000-04:00

In honor of LGBT Pride Month- a look at activism in the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community around the world. Created for Fight OUT Loud.

Category: Nonprofits & Activism
Tags:
activism LGBT gay Fight OUT Loud Pride grassroots outreach public service announcements

Pressure Mounting On NJ Lawmakers To Legalize Gay Marriage

2008-06-20T12:47:00.002-04:00

by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: June 20, 2008 - 11:00 am ET

(Trenton, New Jersey) LGBT rights activists are stepping up their pressure on New Jersey lawmakers to take up legislation that would convert the state's civil unions law to provide for marriage.

The decision by the California Supreme Court to allow same-sex marriage has helped in the fight and a study released Friday will likely add to the argument that allowing gays and lesbians to marry is not only a matter of equal rights but also is good business.

The study, released by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law examined the potential economic gains that same-sex couples' weddings would bring to New Jersey.
Presently California stands as the sole recipient of the same-sex tourism and wedding windfall because, unlike Massachusetts which limits marriage licenses only to people from areas where the marriages would be legal, California has opened the marriage gate to same-sex couples from across the country.

If New Jersey extended marriage to same-sex couples it could share in that windfall, the Williams Institute study said. The New Jersey wedding industry will receive a substantial $248 million boost in direct spending by same-sex couples over the next three years, the study said.
It predicts that, based on the experience of Massachusetts, half of New Jerseys 21,178 same-sex couples will want to marry, leading to 10,589 weddings. Another 45,831 out-of-state couples are likely to travel to New Jersey to marry.

This economic lift will also likely generate over 800 new jobs in the state the study found.
"In a tough economic climate, marriage can directly benefit the New Jersey budget in a direct, tangible, and substantial way," said economist M.V. Lee Badgett, co-author of the study and research director of The Williams Institute.

Weddings by same-sex couples in New Jersey will have a positive impact on the state budget of over $96 million within the next three years, the report found...

Butte County halts marriages because of budget constraints (CA)

2008-06-19T20:19:00.002-04:00

via The Gay & Lesbian Times

OROVILLE, Calif. (AP) – Couples can no longer tie the knot at the clerk’s office in Butte County.
Butte County Clerk Candace Grubbs says the county can’t afford to continue performing wedding ceremonies. About 200 couples a year marry at the clerk’s office.

Grubbs said her decision has nothing to do with the California Supreme Court’s ruling last month legalizing gay marriage. The state has directed county clerks to start using new gender-neutral marriage licenses once the ruling becomes final at 5 p.m. on June 16.

That prompted clerks in Kern and Merced counties to announce they will no longer preside over any wedding ceremonies.

Grubbs says Butte County will continue to issue marriage licenses, but will not perform ceremonies.

One of our Happy Couples!!!!

2008-06-18T19:57:00.007-04:00

One of our happy wedding topper couples has been getting a lot of media attention this week!
They were the first couple to be wed in San Diego!!

Congratulations Bob and Tom!!

With only a few days to assure that the toppers made it in time for the event, One of Bob's relatives called in a panic... concerned that they wouldn't get there in time. She had two pairs of our marvelous Renellie Cake Toppers shipped to them, which we processed, picked and shipped that same day. One for another couple getting married that day.

Proudly representing Renellie Cake Top Figurines for nearly two years, we were thrilled to make it happen! In fact, they arrived a day or two EARLY!

We figure the customer was happy too! She sent this in an e-mail:
Hello,

"I would just like to tell you how wonderful your representative Marcinho at your
New Jersey office is. He was so helpful and so positive. I had a very stressful task of getting 4 cake toppers for a wedding 3 business days away (they just started planning a week ago), and Marcinho helped me guarantee that the crucial cake toppers order went through on the very same day. I cannot rave enough about the lovely personality and fast, efficient skills of this representative. He deserves a raise!

Yours in San Diego,
Erin Lehman"

Thanks Erin!! Glad to be able to help out!

Congratulations gentlemen! Thank you for your order, your courage, your pride and your example. May you have a marvelous MARRIED life together!

You can read about this wonderful couple:

Military's policy stays unchanged
'Don't ask, don't tell' doesn't allow nuptials
By Steve Liewer STAFF WRITER; San Diego Uion-Tribune
Photo Credit: NANCEE E. LEWIS / Union-Tribune

At 7 a.m. today, former Marine Bob Lehman and Tom Felkner will be among the first gay couples to exchange vows at the downtown county building, cementing their 15-year relationship with the bonds of marriage.

Tom Felkner (left) and former Marine Bob Lehman plan to exchange vows today.Tonight, they'll dance and eat wedding cake at a club in Hillcrest with hundreds of friends and family members. Among the guests will be an active-duty Navy corpsman and Iraq war veteran whom Lehman and Felkner consider a close friend.

There's little chance the corpsman will marry his partner, who also is in the military, any time soon because of the government's policy barring gay and lesbian service members from serving openly.

For now, “don't ask, don't tell” trumps “I do.”

Gay marriage could add $500M to NJ economy, panel told

2008-06-18T19:29:00.002-04:00

by Robert Schwaneberg/The Star-Ledger
Wednesday June 18, 2008, 3:37 PM

New Jersey could boost its economy by more than half a billion dollars over the next three years by promptly legalizing same-sex marriage, a California law professor told a state commission today. Brad Sears, executive director of the Williams Institiute at UCLA School of Law, said gay weddings alone would pump $248 million into New Jersey's economy under a "very conservative" economic analysis. He said additional spending on gifts, overnight hotel stays by visiting friends and other items could boost the total to "a half billion dollars plus" over the next three years.

Sears testified before the New Jersey Civil Union Review Commission, which is exploring the economic impact of legalizing gay marriage. He said that by legalizing only civil unions for same-sex couples, New Jersey had incurred "all the costs without getting the main benefit" -- spending on wedding celebrations.

Last year the New York City Comptroller's Office calculated that allowing gays to marry would boost that city's economy by $142 million in the three years following legalization. That analysis found gay marriage would cost New York City employers $33 million in health insurance premiums for same-sex spouses, but that would be more than offset by spending on weddings.

It calculated those weddings -- many among same-sex couples from New Jersey and other states traveling to the Empire State to wed, would pump $175 million into New York City's economy. John Tomicki, chairman of the N.J. Coalition to preserve and protect marriage, said that argument could justify polygamy.

"To take that reasoning further you should be able to marry 10 people at a time and that would cause even larger receptions," Tomicki said. "The logic is rather silly."

CONGRATULATIONS PHYLLIS AND DEL!!!!!!!!

2008-06-16T21:51:00.004-04:00

Same-sex weddings start with union of elderly San Francisco couple
Marisa Lagos, Rachel Gordon, Chris Heredia,Jill Tucker, Chronicle Staff Writers
Monday, June 16, 2008

(06-16) 18:33 PDT SAN FRANCISCO -- Cheers filled San Francisco's City Hall shortly after 5 p.m. as longtime lesbian activists Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin, partners for more than 50 years, began their second wedding - and their first legal
union.
Photo by Noah Berger, special to the Chronicle

Mayor Gavin Newsom, who officiated the ceremony in the reception area of his office, said it was a fitting way to memorialize last month's state Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage in California, which took effect at 5:01 p.m.

Lyon, 83, and Martin, 87, were the first couple married four years ago when Newsom told the county clerk's office to start offering marriage certificates to same-sex couples. Eventually more than 4,000 same-sex couples were married in San Francisco that year, but those unions were later nullified by the court. Today, the couple, and dozens of others, had their first chance to make their unions truly legal.

In at least five counties around the state, other couples were pronounced "spouses for life" once the clock chimed 5.

Continue at the (source)

Editor's Note: Congratulations from our CEO, MW Savant-

"Congratulations ladies!!! From your work in creating and leading Daughters of Billitis , to your marriage the first time that February... we offer you our most sincere thanks and gratitude for every step you urged, each life you've touched, every person you've inspired and every difference you've made for the entire GLBT community! Thank you for what you have done for marriage equality and for all you do and have done for the GLBTI-family! May you have many happy times as a legally married couple! Congratulations!!!!!!!

-MWS"

Reader questions and answers on gay marriage (California)

2008-06-14T17:20:00.004-04:00

By Rong-Gong Lin II, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers

With gay marriage set to begin in California on Monday, The Times is answering readers' questions on the subject. You can submit questions at ron.lin@latimes.com. Check out full coverage of the debate about the gay marriage issue at latimes.com/gaymarriage.
Also available: The Times' gay marriage page on Facebook.

Here is a sampling of questions:
What will civil marriage commissioners say when giving the wedding vows? Here's the wording recommendation from the County Clerks Assn. of California: "By virtue of the authority vested in me, as a Deputy Commissioner of Marriages for the County of XXX, I now pronounce this couple united in marriage under the laws of the state of California.

"My partner and I had a civil union in Vermont. Can we get married in California now?Yes. If you are unmarried, you may get married in California.

Where can I apply for a marriage license?Both would-be spouses must appear in person at a county clerk's office with photo identification and cash, check, or money order to pay for the license fees and, if desired, a ceremony.

Here's the process for counties in Southern California:

Los Angeles County: No appointment is needed to apply for a marriage license. Wedding ceremonies at the county clerk's office in Norwalk are on a first come, first served basis only on Tuesday and June 21; appointments are required at all other times and locations. It costs $70 for the license and $25 for the ceremony. Starting on Monday at 5 p.m., applicants can begin to fill out the application online, but must come into a clerk's office to receive the license.

Orange County: Appointments are accepted but not required. The license costs $61.50, and the ceremony $28; debit cards are also accepted. Those who start their application online before arriving at the clerk's office are given priority.

Ventura County: Appointments recommended but walk-ins are allowed. The license costs $97, the ceremony $45, and the certificate, once the wedding is completed, is $13. You may start the marriage application here and go to the right-hand corner, and click on the "marriage application" tab.

(Continue for other counties)

ron.lin@latimes.com

maura.dolan@latimes.com

Times staff writer Jean-Paul Renaud contributed to this report.

Daughter of Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick Comes Out

2008-06-12T20:17:00.008-04:00

by Laura Kiritsy, Editor-in-chief Thursday Jun 12, 2008

Editor’s Note: This is the first time that Katherine Patrick has spoken to the media about being an out lesbian and the support she has received from her parents, Gov. Deval Patrick and First Lady Diane Patrick.

Photo: Marilyn Humphries

On June 14, 2007, the day that lawmakers finally voted down an anti-gay marriage amendment to the state constitution, Katherine Patrick stood outside the State House and looked up at her father.

Gov. Deval Patrick was standing on the front steps, surrounded by a jubilant crowd of hundreds that mobbed the brick sidewalk and spilled halfway across Beacon Street. As they cheered the defeat of the amendment - an effort led by the governor, Senate President Therese Murray and House Speaker Sal DiMasi - Katherine had never before felt more proud of her father.

"Because, of course, he didn’t know that I was gay then," the 18-year-old recalls. "So, for someone so publicly to fight for something that doesn’t even affect him was just like, ’That’s my dad,’ you know?" she says with a laugh.

"That’s all I could think. I was very, very proud to be part of this family, and this state in general.""It was great. I’m very glad," she adds, looking at her father. "Don’t cry, Dad." Patrick’s eyes are brimming with tears, prompting some good-natured teasing from his daughter. "He’s done some good things," she says with a laugh, patting his arm. "I appreciate it. Want a tissue? Oh, God. He’s a crier."

Continue at (source)

Group asks Calif. court to ban gay marriage

2008-06-12T20:07:00.003-04:00

3 hours ago

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A conservative Christian legal group on Thursday made a last-ditch effort to stop gay marriage from becoming legal in California by asking a midlevel appeals court to temporarily prohibit county clerks from issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

The Virginia-based Liberty Counsel, in a petition with the 1st District Court of Appeal in San Francisco, argued that the wording of the California Supreme Court ruling legalizing gay marriages allows the lower court to set the terms and schedule for implementing the decision.
Liberty Counsel argued that the high court's May 15 ruling put dozens of state laws addressing marriage into conflict and that the Legislature needs time to address those issues.

Barring any further legal intervention, gay couples will be able to start marrying in California at 5:01 p.m. Monday, when the Supreme Court's decision becomes final. The ruling to legalize gay marriage overturned a decision by the Court of Appeal, which is therefore required to issue an order consistent with the high court's 4-3 opinion.

San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera called Liberty Counsel's filing "absurd."
"I am not aware of a process in American law that enables parties to effectively appeal a higher court ruling to a lower court," Herrera said.

His 'n' his, hers 'n' hers -- state gears up for same-sex marriages

2008-06-12T19:06:00.002-04:00

L.A. Now
Southern California -- this just in
LA Times Blog
by Veronique de Turenne & Jesus Sanchez
June 12, 2008

Tuesday's the big day, when same-sex couples can legally wed in California. But not so fast -- procedures vary depending on where you live, with some counties (the O.C.) granting appointments to get a license, while others (Kern and possibly Butte) are suspending marriage ceremonies altogether. Jean-Paul Renaud has the details:

The first, busy days that same-sex couples will be allowed to wed in California promise to be chaotic and confusing, as counties throughout the state are coming up with widely varying procedures for implementing the (state) Supreme Court's order lifting the ban on gay marriage.

(continue at source for all the details)

Update on Marriage Recognition in New York

2008-06-12T17:45:00.003-04:00

by Empire State Pride Agenda

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 19:46:59 GMT

"A lot of questions have arisen in the past two weeks since the news broke about Governor Paterson writing to state agencies about respecting the legal out-of-state marriages of same-sex couples. Like many others in New York , you might have questions about what this action means for you.

The two biggest questions that we’ve been hearing since Gov. Paterson released his advisory memo are:

1. Is it time to be thinking about going to California or Canada to get married?
2. Does this mean my employer has to recognize my out-of-state marriage now?

There aren’t blanket answers to these questions that will work for everyone. However, in order to help make understanding these issues easier, the Pride Agenda has created a resource page on our website.

Use this resource for information about marriage for same-sex couples in New York , including:
3. Why lawsuits aren’t the best way to win marriage equality
4. A summary of recent developments for recognizing out-of-state marriages in New York.

5. How Gov. Paterson’s actions might apply to the 1324 state rights and responsibilities that come with a marriage license?

6. What you can do moving forward to help win full marriage equality in New York State .

We hope this resource will add some clarification on these exciting new developments. Stay tuned for more updates from us as we continue to learn more about this—and as we keep working to make sure that a marriage equality bill is passed in Albany."