gay marriage
![I was there when the Governor of Hawaii vetoed House Bill 444A guest opinion piece by Être Humain
I was there at the Hawaii State Capitol when our governor, Linda Lingle, vetoed House Bill 444, which would have given all couples the right to get a civil union, homosexual or heterosexual. All of us came out early in the morning to wave signs for equality, and many showed their support by honking.
After we learned that she would veto the bill, we were all disappointed, and many got up to the microphone and spoke about their long-term relationships. One man, with his boyfriend for five years, said he wonders everyday that if something happens to either of them, the other will be granted visitation rights. Another man, with his boyfriend of twelve years, called Lingle a “coward,” and yelled, “Shame!”
Everybody knew that even though her decision affected gay couples’ lives personally, it would not be the end. Hawaii’s ACLU and HRC have already vowed they’d litigate until the case reaches the Supreme Court. Other politicians came out to show their support, including Gary Hooser, majority leader of the Hawaii Senate, and Justice Steven Levinson, who authored the Supreme Court’s Baehr v. Lewin back in 1993, which deemed same-sex marriages constitutional.
There were many people dressed in white with buttons that said “iVote”, alluding that they would vote out supporters of equality. For the most part, we ignored them and they ignored us. After Lingle handed down her decision, her supporters sang hymns and yelled out prayers, swaying with their hands in the air.
[July 6] was a big defeat for equality, but Hawaii activists vow to never stop fighting until the LGBT community is treated as first-class citizens: as equals.](http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l57urusVp51qacar6o1_500.jpg)
I was there when the Governor of Hawaii vetoed House Bill 444
A guest opinion piece by Être Humain
I was there at the Hawaii State Capitol when our governor, Linda Lingle, vetoed House Bill 444, which would have given all couples the right to get a civil union, homosexual or heterosexual. All of us came out early in the morning to wave signs for equality, and many showed their support by honking.
After we learned that she would veto the bill, we were all disappointed, and many got up to the microphone and spoke about their long-term relationships. One man, with his boyfriend for five years, said he wonders everyday that if something happens to either of them, the other will be granted visitation rights. Another man, with his boyfriend of twelve years, called Lingle a “coward,” and yelled, “Shame!”
Everybody knew that even though her decision affected gay couples’ lives personally, it would not be the end. Hawaii’s ACLU and HRC have already vowed they’d litigate until the case reaches the Supreme Court. Other politicians came out to show their support, including Gary Hooser, majority leader of the Hawaii Senate, and Justice Steven Levinson, who authored the Supreme Court’s Baehr v. Lewin back in 1993, which deemed same-sex marriages constitutional.
There were many people dressed in white with buttons that said “iVote”, alluding that they would vote out supporters of equality. For the most part, we ignored them and they ignored us. After Lingle handed down her decision, her supporters sang hymns and yelled out prayers, swaying with their hands in the air.
[July 6] was a big defeat for equality, but Hawaii activists vow to never stop fighting until the LGBT community is treated as first-class citizens: as equals.
US opinion on gay marriage shifting rapidly
A few months ago, we posted a chart showing that America’s opinion on gay marriage has eased slightly, but a recent chart by Five Thirty Eight shows that it could be even more of a change.
The chart uses data from dozens of polls about gay marriage. We may soon be able to safely say that the majority of America supports gay marriage!
Studies have shown us that americans who oppose gay marriage are both less educated and older.
See also:
- America’s opinion: gays receive the most discrimination
- Gays in the military: A thorough breakdown of opinions
- Archive: LGBT data and infographics
(Chart by Five Thirty Eight)
A photo by Steve Griffin / The Salt Lake Tribune:
As a rainbow appears in the background Jeff Key, of Salt Lake City, proudly holds the flag as advocates for gay marriage rally on Capitol Hill in Salt Lake City after a federal court judge overturned California’s same-sex marriage ban Wednesday. Key asked his husband to remarry him during the rally.
(via sadax on Reddit)
Infographic: Countries where gay marriage is legal
This week, Argentina became the first Latin American country to legalize same-sex marriage. Last month, Iceland passed a gay marriage law in an unanimous vote.
Which country is next?
Infographic by good.is. See also: Equalitopia’s archive of LGBT infographics.
Argentina becomes first Latin American country to legalize gay marriage
Argentina has just become the first Latin American country to legalize gay marriage. The Senate passed a bill on Thursday morning after a lengthy debate, according to the Telam news agency, reports CNN.
The bill, which was endorsed by the President Cristina Kirchner, not only legalizes gay marriage, but also allows the couples to adopt.
The upper house voted 33-27 for the proposal after 14 hours of debate, according to Reuters. The bill had already passed the lower chamber of Congress.
The New York Times reports that 70% of Argentinians support marriage equality.
Recently, Argentina’s highest-ranking Catholic prelate called the gay marriage bill a “machination” of the devil.
Gay marriage became legal in Mexico City in March earlier this year.
Catholic cardinal says gay marriage is the work of the devil
Argentina’s highest-ranking Catholic prelate has warned that the country’s gay marriage bill is a “machination” of the devil, reports Pink News.
Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio has called on priests in Buenos Aires, where he is archbishop, to protest against the bill, which is progressing through Argentina’s parliament.
In a letter to the monasteries of Buenos Aires, he wrote: “Let’s not be naive, we’re not talking about a simple political battle; it is a destructive pretension against the plan of God .. We are not talking about a mere bill, but rather a machination of the Father of Lies that seeks to confuse and deceive the children of God.”
Mexico City passed a law legalised gay marriage recently, but if Argentina’s bill becomes law, it will be the first country in Latin America to legalise the practice. The bill also proposes giving gay couples the right to adopt.
Judge: US federal gay marriage ban unconstitutional
In a step forward for marriage equality, a United States judge in Boston ruled—in two separate cases—that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional.
According to AP, in one case, Joseph Tauro, Massachusetts district judge, ruled that Congress violated the constitution when it passed DOMA, as it interferes with the state’s right to define marriage.
He said that the act forces Massachusetts to discriminate against its citizens.
“In the wake of DOMA, it is only sexual orientation that differentiates a married couple entitled to federal marriage-based benefits from one not so entitled, and this court can conceive of no way in which such a difference might be relevant to the provision of the benefits at issue.”
In another case filed by Gays & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, Tauro ruled that DOMA violates the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution.
Irish Parliament approves ‘gay marriage’ bill
The Dail in the Irish Republic has passed a bill recognizing civil partnerships between same-sex couples, reports BBC News.
The bill was opposed by Catholic bishops and a protest was held outside.
Justice Minister Dermot Ahern said it was “one of the most important human rights pieces of legislation the House had dealt with”.
It is expected to become law in the autumn, 17 years after homosexuality was fully decriminalised in the Irish Republic.
Happy Father’s Day!
Whether you were raised by one father, two fathers, or none, take this day to recognize the father figures around you who have impacted your life. :)
On this day, we should also recognize those who are unable to get married or adopt children.
(Illustration: Strange Weirdo)
A seven-year-old’s position on gay marriage
Flickr user Squid Rosenberg posted this image that her seven-year-old daughter created. Her second grade teacher asked her to create an “I Have a Dream” essay to honor Martin Luther King.
My seven year old wrote that she wished gay marriage was legal. This may very well be my proudest moment as a parent.
Iz is on the right as the flower girl. She didn’t finish the ring bearer, he is a floating head. The wedding rings are sitting on a pillow on the left.
(via Reddit)
