California's Anti-Gay Marriage Prop 8 Ruled Unconstitutional | Common Dreams

California's Anti-Gay Marriage Prop 8 Ruled Unconstitutional | Common Dreams

Freedom to Marry Calls 9th Circuit Ruling “Powerful” | Freedom to Marry

Mayors Commit to Bring Marriage Equality to Cities | News | The Advocate

Mayors Commit to Bring Marriage Equality to Cities  | News | The Advocate

80 Mayors across the U.S. announced their support for marriage equality Friday.

19-Year-Old Who Was Raised by Two Women Gives Moving Gay Rights Speech, Becomes Viral Video Star | AlterNet

19-Year-Old Who Was Raised by Two Women Gives Moving Gay Rights Speech, Becomes Viral Video Star | AlterNet

Four GOP Presidential Candidates Sign Anti-Gay Marriage Pledge

im Pawlenty has become the latest Republican presidential candidate to sign a pledge from the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), according to Politico. The group is dedicated to fighting same sex marriage and preventing same sex couples from adopting children.

Republican candidates Michele Bachmann, Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney have also signed the pledge, vowing to support a federal marriage amendment defining marriage as one man and one woman.

By signing NOM's marriage pledge, the candidates also vowed to protect the Defense of Marriage Act in court, appoint conservative judges and a conservative attorney general, create a presidential commission to investigate harassment of same sex marriage opponents and put same sex marriage up to a vote in D.C.

NY Gay/Lesbian Couples Line Up to Marry

At long last gay and lesbian couples are getting married in New York today. Congrats and best wishes to all the newly weds!

New York: Another Victory for Marriage Equality

New York became the sixth state to grant gay and lesbian couples the right to marry Friday night. The bill, which passed the Democratic controlled NY House overwhelmingly, was finally passed in the GOP controlled state senate 33-29, with the support of four Republicans. It was a major victory for the national struggle for marriage equality because with the victory in New York the number of gay couples who can legally marry has doubled, and it was only the second time a state legislature was not forced to legalize same-sex marriage by a court order. Gov. Cuomo signed the bill before midnight.

New York Win Celebrated Far and Wide

New York Gay Marriage Victory Transforms National Debate

New York City Celebrates Marriage Victory (Pictures)

Unfortunately, President Obama was NOT a "fierce advocate" for LGBT equality as Gov. Cuomo.
Obama's Gay Marriage Wimp Out

New York Assembly Approves Gay Marriage

The New York state Assembly approved same-sex marriage on Wednesday and the bill is likely to face a vote in the Senate on Friday, where it only needs support from one more senator to pass.

Bill Clinton Endorses Marriage Equality

Former President Bill Clinton Endorses N.Y. Marriage Equality Legislation

President Bill Clinton endorsed marriage equality legislation in New York as it appears increasingly likely that lawmakers will vote on the measure by June.

Clinton announced his support in a statement released by the Human Rights Campaign on Thursday, saying that the goal of achieving a “more perfect union” includes marriage equality.

“Our nation’s permanent mission is to form a ‘more perfect union’ — deepening the meaning of freedom, broadening the reach of opportunity, strengthening the bonds of community,” said Clinton, a New York State resident. “That mission has inspired and empowered us to extend rights to people previously denied them. Every time we have done that, it has strengthened our nation. Now we should do it again, in New York, with marriage equality. For more than a century, our Statue of Liberty has welcomed all kinds of people from all over the world yearning to be free. In the 21st century, I believe New York’s welcome must include marriage equality.”

He's been atoning for his past sins and mistakes on LGBT civil rights

GOP Defends DOMA

From Thinkprogress:

The Offensive Defense

This week, Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) released the details of the House's intervention in defending the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), responding to President Obama's announcement in January that the Department of Justice would no longer defend the law's constitutionality in court. DOMA's Section 3 defines marriage for the federal government as only being between a man and a woman, prohibiting legally married same-sex couples in states like Massachusetts and Iowa from accessing the 1,138 federal benefits of marriage (such as joint tax returns, Social Security spousal benefits, and exemption from the Estate Tax). Binational same-sex couples are also deprived of the opportunity to sponsor the foreign-born partner for a Green Card. This past July, a Federal District Court in Boston ruled the law unconstitutional based on the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment. It reads: "No person shall...be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law." House Republicans will essentially have to argue that gays, lesbians, and bisexuals do not deserve due process; they are willing to spend a lot of taxpayer money to do it and the end result might actually end up being the exact opposite of what they hope to accomplish.

CONSERVATIVE MOTIVES: Last week's "defending marriage" hearing provided an introduction for what kind of defense the Republicans will mount. Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ) has said he would support impeaching Obama and defunding the DOJ over the DOMA decision and he used last week's hearing to reiterate his rebuke of the President. Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX) joined Franks in reiterating the lie that children are only best served by having opposite-sex parents, echoed by the testimony of two prominent anti-gay figures, Maggie Gallagher and Ed Whelan. Though the law cannot be defended without reinforcing animus against same-sex couples' relationships, almost every GOP potential presidential candidate has offered their own support for defending DOMA, including Mike Huckabee, Newt Gingrich, Michele Bachmann,Tim Pawlenty, Rick Santorum, and Mitt Romney. Boehner responded to a letter from House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) that he even thinks funding should be reclaimed from the DOJ to support the House's defense of the bill, writing, "Obviously, DOJ's decision results in DOJ no longer needing the funds it would have otherwise expended defending the constitutionality of DOMA. It is my intent that those funds be diverted to the House for reimbursement of any costs incurred by and associated with the House, and not DOJ, defending DOMA." And how much will it cost? The legal contract suggests a cap of $500,000, but a realistic assessment of DOMA's defense suggests the half million is more likely a minimum than a maximum.

THE SECRET CONTRACT: Without including Democrats in the negotiations, the House's Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group (BLAG) arranged a contract with former Solicitor General Paul Clement, who now earns $5 million a year at the law firm of King & Spaulding. The contract calls for a "blended rate" of $520/hour (as opposed to Clement's usual $900+/hr rates), but even at that rate, $500,000 will not go far considering there are 12 different cases pending against DOMA. Good thing the spending cap can be raised "by written agreement." In addition to the unrealistic cost estimates, the contract contains other concerns. Noticeably absent from the contract's nondiscrimination statement are protections for "sexual orientation" and "gender identity," despite the fact K&S boasts of their support for LGBT employees on their website. Even more conspicuous is a gag rule for all K&Semployees regarding advocacy for or against DOMA. According to the contract, "Partners and employees who do not perform services pursuant to this Agreement will not engage in lobbying or advocacy for or against any legislation ... that would alter or amend in any way the Defense of Marriage Act and is pending before either the U.S. House of Representatives or the U.S. Senate or any committee of either body during the term of the Agreement." Pelosi is still waiting for answers to her many questions about how the contract was negotiated so that Democrats can provide proper oversight.

TIMES HAVE CHANGED: Since President Bill Clinton enacted DOMA in 1996, the political landscape and public opinion have shifted in support of marriage equality. Multiple recent polls have shown that a majority of Americans now support full marriage equality for same-sex couples. Five states and the District of Columbia now offer same-sex marriages, with several more offering same-sex civil unions and domestic partnerships. Plenty of Republicans like Dick Cheney and Meghan McCain have voiced their support of marriage equality. In February, a Maryland senator flipped tosupporting same-sex marriage after hearing the "troubling" testimony "demonizing" gay families. A Colorado senator who recently voted against civil unions is now reconsidering his position. No defection has been more remarkable than that ofLouis Marinelli, who organized the National Organization for Marriage's (NOM) 2010 "Summer for Marriage Tour" and managed much of their online outreach. Now an open supporter of marriage equality, Marinelli is speaking outagainst NOM, and even though NOM is distancing themselves, they are also apparently taking legal action against him. While there is much to condemn Republican House leaders for about their defense of DOMA, their efforts could well have the opposite effect. By inviting the spotlight upon their animus, they will raise visibility for the continued plight of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Americans and likely promote the very trend of supporting marriage equality they oppose.

Obama Stops Defending DOMA

The Obama administration finally drops its defense of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), declaring the administration's view that the anti-gay law is unconstitutional.

Obama DOJ Stops Defending DOMA

Gay Rights Advocates Celebrate Obama's DOMA Turnaround

Obama Declares Key Section of DOMA Unconstitutional

And in related marriage equality news...

Hawaii Gov. Signs Same-Sex Civil Unions Into Law

New RNC Chair Vows to Fight Marriage Equality

New RNC Chair Reince Priebus Vows to Fight Marriage Equality for Gays and Lesbians

9th Circuit Sends Prop. 8 Back to CA Supreme Court

A Majority of Americans now Support Marriage Equality

Poll: 52 % of Americans for Marriage Equality

A new national poll from the Associated Press found that 52% of Americans support marriage equality, following a CNN poll last month that showed a similar finding.

The AP poll asked 1,007 Americans, "Should the Federal Government give legal recognition to marriages between couples of the same-sex, or not?’ 52% of those polled responded ‘Yes.’ 46% responded ‘No.’ And 2% responded ‘Don't know.’”

Victory! Prop. 8 Overturned

A great victory in California today!

Federal judge Vaughn Walker rules California's gay marriage ban unconstitutional, stating that "California has no interest in differentiating between same-sex and opposite-sex couples."

In a highly anticipated decision with potentially far-reaching implications in the national battle over marriage equality, a federal judge has struck down California's Proposition 8.

U.S. district judge Vaughn R. Walker ruled that the ballot measure violated both equal protection and due process clauses of the U.S. Constitution in a 136-page opinion released Wednesday, nearly seven months after an unprecedented trial over marriage rights began in his San Francisco courtroom.

In a sweeping ruling, judge Walker turned down every argument opposing same-sex marriage rights.
Read Ruling here

Keep in mind that Judge Walker is a conservative Republican appointed judge, not a flaming liberal, and the persuasive arguments by conservatives like like Ted Olsen obliterated all the opposition arguments against same-sex marriage. Now can he and other conservative marriage equality supporters convince enough conservatives on the SCOTUS?

Supporters of Prop. 8 are appealing the decision, which is expected to go to the Supreme Court, so the battle for equality continues!

Check out photos from San Francisco

NGLTF Responds to Ruling

Human Rights Campaign Statement

Lambda Legal

Americans United Applauds Court Ruling Against Prop. 8

White House Statement on Prop. 8

UPDATE:
The Best WORST Reactions to Prop. 8 Ruling

Argentina Legalizes Gay Marriage

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Argentina became the first Latin American nation to legalize gay marriage Thursday, granting same-sex couples all the legal rights, responsibilities and protections that marriage brings to heterosexuals.

The law's passage – a priority for President Cristina Fernandez's government – has inspired activists to push for similar laws in other countries, and a wave of gay weddings are expected in Buenos Aires. Some gay business leaders are predicting an economic ripple effect from an increase in tourism among gays and lesbians who will see Argentina as an even more attractive destination.

Will the United States be the last country in North and South America to legalize gay marriage?

Federal Judge Overturns DOMA

BOSTON — The federal law banning gay marriage is unconstitutional because it interferes with the right of a state to define the institution and therefore denies married gay couples some federal benefits, a federal judge ruled Thursday in Boston.

U.S. District Judge Joseph Tauro ruled in favor of gay couples' rights in two separate challenges to the Defense of Marriage Act, known as DOMA, a 1996 law that the Obama administration has argued for repealing. The rulings apply to Massachusetts but could have broader implications if they're upheld on appeal.

U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Tauro, appointed to the federal bench in 1972, ruled this afternoon in Gill v. Office of Personnel Management that Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act violates the equal protection of the laws guaranteed by the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. A companion decision in Massachusetts v. U.S. Dep't of Health and Human Services also was issued, with Tauro finding that DOMA also violates the Tenth Amendment and the Spending Clause of the Constitution.

The Obama DOJ defended DOMA, and will probably appeal the ruling to the Circuit Court and eventually the SCOTUS.
Obama Administration Walks Tricky Political Line on Gay Marriage Ban

Read the Ruling

Gays Wed in D.C.

DC Weddings Begin for Gay Couples

Court Won't Halt D.C. Same-Sex Marriages

SCOTUS Won't Halt D.C. Same-Sex Marriages

The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to stop the District of Columbia’s gay marriage law, freeing the city to issue its first marriage licenses to same-sex couples the following day.

Opponents of gay marriage in the nation’s capital had asked Chief Justice John Roberts to stop the city from issuing the licenses on Wednesday while they appealed. They argued that D.C. voters should have been allowed to vote on the issue. Local courts have rejected the opponents’ arguments.
“It has been the practice of the court to defer to the decisions of the courts of the District of Columbia on matters of exclusively local concern,” said Roberts, writing for the court.

He also pointed out that Congress could have voted to stop the city government from putting the law into effect and didn’t.

The city has said Wednesday probably will be the first day same-sex couples can apply for marriage licenses.

Marriage Equality Set Backs (and Gains)

The fight for marriage equality too a few steps back in the U.S., but seems to be advancing in other countries.
New Jersey Defeats Gay Marriage Bill
The State Senate on Thursday rejected a proposal that would have made New Jersey the sixth state in the nation to allow marriages involving same-sex couples. The vote was the latest in a succession of setbacks for advocates of gay marriage across the country.

Hill Republicans Join Fight Against D.C. Gay Marriage
Republican congressional leaders have joined local activists in a court fight to allow voters to decide whether same-sex marriage should be legal in the District, underscoring the continued uncertainty surrounding the issue.
Thirty-nine GOP legislators, including 37 members of the House and two senators, James M. Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), have filed an amicus brief supporting a public vote on the issue. The House members include Minority Leader John A. Boehner (Ohio) and Minority Whip Eric Cantor (Va.).

While anti-gay groups and Republicans continue to fight marriage equality in the U.S., other countries are taking the lead to legalize gay marriage:

Portugal Approves Gay Marriage
Portugal's parliament Friday approved plans to legalise gay marriage, less than three decades after revoking the country's ban on homosexuality, but rejected proposals to allow same sex couples to adopt.
The bill passed with limited public controversy in what has traditionally been one of Europe's most socially conservative countries.

Catholic Portugal Legalizes Gay Marriage

Citizen Crain: Latin States of America Lead US of A

Will most of the Western democracies legalize marriage for gays and lesbians before the U.S.??

UPDATE: Gay Marriage Ban Goes on Trial in CA

The Boss Supports Gay Marriage

Bruce Springsteen Backs New Jersey Gay Marriage Bill

Bruce Springsteen has thrown his support behind legislation backing same-sex marriage in his home state of New Jersey, with a note posted Tuesday night on his website. The proposal is due to be voted on Thursday by the state’s Senate.

“Like many of you who live in New Jersey, I've been following the progress of the marriage-equality legislation currently being considered in Trenton,” Springsteen writes. “I've long believed in and have always spoken out for the rights of same sex couples and fully agree with Governor [Jon] Corzine when he writes that, ‘The marriage-equality issue should be recognized for what it truly is -- a civil rights issue that must be approved to assure that every citizen is treated equally under the law.’ "

Springsteen continues, "I couldn't agree more with that statement and urge those who support equal treatment for our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters to let their voices be heard now."

Of course, The Boss has long support gay & lesbian civil rights, and recorded a song about a gay man with AIDS for the movie Philadelphia.