Out In The Silence November 30, 2009 Following the story of a small American town confronting a firestorm of controversy ignited by a wedding announcement for a same-sex couple in the local newspaper, the documentary, Out in the Silence, illustrates the challenges of being an outsider in a conservative rural community and the change that is possible when courageous people break the silence and search for common ground.
The OITS Community Engagement Campaign reports:
For the past six weeks, we've been crisscrossing Pennsylvania, and traveling to places like Iowa, Massachusetts, and Texas, doing screenings on high school and college campuses as well as in churches and community theaters, with the help of an amazing array of state and local organizations. At each event, there has been a diverse and lively audience ready to engage in dialogue and in the search for common ground on issues that have divided our communities for far too long.
Upcoming screenings and discussion groups: Charleston, SC - January 14, 2010 Lancaster, PA - January 17, 2010 Bloomington, IN - January 30, 2010 Harrisburg, PA - January 31, 2010
Rob Reiner is an American director, producer, writer, and political activist. As an actor, Reiner first came to national prominence as Archie and Edith Bunker's (played by Carroll O'Connor and Jean Stapleton, respectively) son-in-law, Michael "Meathead" Stivic, on All in the Family. That role earned him two Emmy Awards during the 1970s. He continues to make occasional cameo appearances on television on shows such as Curb Your Enthusiasm and The Simpsons. As a director, Reiner has enjoyed great success with films including: Stand by Me, When Harry Met Sally...,A Few Good Men, This is Spinal Tap, The Princess Bride and Misery. Learn more here.
Mr. Reiner served on the Host Committee for a Hollywood fund-raising party organized by political consultant Chad Griffin and Oscar-winning producer Bruce Cohen which was held on October 20, 2009 to help support the marriage equality campaign in Maine. The invitation read:
While the fate of marriage equality in California makes its way through the Federal court system, the voters of Maine will decide whether or not to take away marriage rights, granted in May by the legislature, on November 3rd…OF THIS YEAR. That is why I am co-chairing, along with Bruce Cohen, a fundraiser for NO ON 1/PROTECT MAINE EQUALITY at Bruce’s house on Tuesday Night, October 20th from 6:30-8:30pm, and we are so hoping you will join us and/or contribute to help fight this important battle. [Link]
Freedom to Marry salutes Rob Reiner as a Voice for Equality! Learn about our other Voices for Equality here.
If Mr. Riener's support inspires you - get involved! To help with the urgent work going on in New Jersey click here.
**Make your NOMINATION for a Voice for Equality today!
The Associated Press November 28, 2009 Roman Catholic bishops in N.J. asked local priests to read or distribute a letter this weekend suggesting that Catholics in the state should pray for lawmakers to reject a marriage equality bill. [Link]
The Wall Street Journal November 28, 2009 Nomaan Merchant predicts that a marriage equality bill in Washington, D.C., will likely pass because "National opposition is focused elsewhere, and Congress appears unlikely to overturn the Council's expected vote" in favor of the measure. [Link]
The Washington Post November 27, 2009 Citing recent victories in N.Y., Calif., Wash. state and other areas, experts say that despite ongoing national controversy over marriage equality, LGBT people are making steady and significant progress in gaining legal protections. Jarrett Barrios, president of GLAAD, points out: "Because at the end of the day, the public sees that marriage and all the benefits associated with it are about . . . what people need to honor their commitment to their spouses and protect them." [Link]
One of our Steering Committee members, Tahlib Disney-Britton, who lives in Indianapolis shares daily insights through a google group he maintains. Today he wrote about his experience twenty-two years ago when he baptized his son with his partner:
"Twenty-two years ago, my Catholic priest told me, "Let me worry about church politics." My partner and I went to him to say that Michael, my partner, would be the "God Father" vs. "Other Dad" for our son's baptism, so we could avoid "Catholic politics." His response surprised and affirmed us, "You are both his fathers. Go find a God Father." Today, I read that 60% of Catholics under the age of 30 support the freedom to marry for same-sex couples. My job is to grow that number in Indiana and not worry about church politics, just as my priest taught 22 years ago."
The New York Times November 26, 2009 The New York Times editorial board calls on the N.J. Legislature to promptly pass a bill during a lame-duck session that would extend marriage equality to gay couples in the state: "If the Democratic majorities in New Jersey’s Legislature are unwilling to stand up for a fundamental civil right that a majority of voters would accept, when exactly would they stand up?" [Link]
At the direct request of state legislators who support marriage equality, Garden State Equality and our organizational allies are doing another lobby day -- on Thursday, December 3rd in Trenton beginning at 8:00 am.
Thursday, December 3rd at 8:00 am, we'll meet at Garden State Equality's office at 110 West State Street in Trenton, across from the State House. From there we'll do a public march to the State House, where we'll have a hospitality room to serve free breakfast and then free lunch.
We're now at the tipping point of history: Every event we do must have unbelievable turnout, just like the previous lobby day that influenced legislators tremendously. That's why legislators have requested we do another. Please attend if you possibly can.
Forward this email to your family, friends and congregational and organizational colleagues, and to any blogs and list servs of which you are a member.
Cory Booker is the Mayor of Newark, New Jersey. Booker, a Democrat, is a former Newark Councilman and community activist. He was elected Mayor in 2006, becoming the 36th mayor of Newark. On October 16, 2006, Booker formally introduced his administration's first adopted Newark City Budget. The approved $697.1 million budget resulted in an 8.3% increase in the city's property tax, which is one of the largest property tax increases in the city's history. The budget also increased the number of city employees from 3,968 to 4,197. These increases were cited as necessary to fix the structural financial deficit and secure a solid foundation for Newark’s future. Booker pledged to not increase taxes the following year, a promise he kept – the City of Newark has not raised taxes in over two years. His administration has also since reduced the size of government with a 2009 Budget proposal containing 3935 city employees. In addition, the City of Newark has for the last two consecutive years received the GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, reflective of the Booker Administration’s continued commitment to an honest, transparent budgeting process ending decades of neglect and setting a foundation to balance the city’s finances. Learn more here.
As Mayor of Newark, Cory Booker has been one of New Jersey's most vocal advocates for equal rights for the LGBT community. The mayor personally raised a pride flag outside city hall in June 2008 and performed civil unions for same-sex couples on Valentine's Day that same year. But more substantively, he recently formed a commission to advise him on issues in the lesbian and gay community, and he helped pave the way for an after-school program that will serve as a safe harbor for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth. In August 2009, Booker explained to a group of journalists that he was backing New Jersey incumbent Democratic Gov. John Corzine because, if re-elected, Corzine would fully support equal marriage rights in the Garden State. [Link] Also, on November 10, 2009, Mayor Booker expressed his support for marriage equality, along with several other attendees, at the Emery Awards celebrating supporters of the LGBT community. [Link] See video below - Mayor Booker is the second speaker:
Freedom to Marry salutes Cory Booker as a Voice for Equality! Learn about all our Voices for Equality here.
If Mayor Booker's support inspires you - get involved!
**Make your NOMINATION for a Voice for Equality today!
Help keep Garden State Equality's ads on the air with a donation. And if you're a New Jersey resident, contact your legislators and let them know that voting on and passing marriage equality in this session is not negotiable.
Loretta Weinberg is an American Democratic Party politician, who has served as a member of the New Jersey Senate since 2005, where she represents the 37th legislative district. Weinberg served in the state Assembly before being selected to replace retiring Senator Byron Baer. Weinberg was the Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey in the 2009 election, having been selected by Governor Jon Corzine as his running mate on July 24. Corzine and Weinberg were defeated by Republican challenger Chris Christie on November 3, 2009. Weinberg serves on the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee (as Vice-Chair) and on the State Government Committee (also as Vice-Chair). She is a former member of the Senate Commerce Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee. Learn more here.
As the sponsor of the marriage equality bill in New Jersey (Freedom of Religion and Equality in Civil Marriage Act), Senator Weinberg has been tireless in her commitment to seeing the LGBT community treated fairly in the state of New Jersey:
I've campaigned all over the state, and based on my unscientific poll, people in New Jersey don't care about other people's marriages. I've never had a single person bring this up to me. And I'm talking about street fairs, restaurants, wherever. People care about their own marriages, and their ability to support their families. [Link]
In response to some legislator's argument that the 2009 lame duck session might not be the right time for a marriage equality debate, Senator Weinberg said, "This is an issue of fairness. It’s not like we’re going to miss out on a chance to fix the economy during the lame-duck session because we’re spending a couple of hours debating this. It is a matter of civil rights." [Link]
Freedom to Marry salutes Loretta Weinberg as a Voice for Equality! Learn about all our Voices for Equality here.
If Senator Weinberg's support inspires you - get involved!
**Make your NOMINATION for a Voice for Equality today!
Help keep Garden State Equality's ads on the air with a donation. And if you're a New Jersey resident, contact your legislators and let them know that voting on and passing marriage equality in this session is not negotiable.
People for the American Way November 24, 2009 Reverend Timothy McDonald, Founder of the African American Ministers Leadership Council and Board Member of People For the American Way Foundation, issued the following statement in response to the release by right wing leaders of the so-called “Manhattan Declaration:”
Pretending that all moral questions can be boiled down to two hot button issues profoundly misrepresents the moral questions Christians encounter in America today. Seeing that every American has the health care they deserve and access to a quality education are not peripheral to our struggle for justice and righteousness—they are absolutely central to it. Many Christians of every denomination support health coverage for all people, high quality public education in every community, and, yes, reproductive choice for women and marriage equality for all.
Perhaps even more importantly, I am deeply disappointed that the signers of this document would use scare tactics and mistruths to generate a wholly synthetic threat to religious liberty. Our First Amendment protections remain intact and protect the right of every American to worship and preach in accordance to his or her own faith. No church will ever be forced to bless any marriage it disapproves of. No minister will ever be compelled to take a particular stance on the morality of abortion or birth control.
Americans of all faiths and no faith at all are engaged in serious issues that affect all of our lives. That debate requires honesty, mutual respect, and an understanding of the complexities that surround us. This document serves none of those virtues. [Link]
365GAY November 25, 2009 New York is still waiting for a vote on marriage equality, though the governor has promised a vote by the end of the year. Steven, a 365gay reader, wrote this letter to Sen. Kenneth P. LaValle, who represents the 1st district (primarily Suffolk County, Long Island):
Dear Senator LaValle:
Your office has made it painfully clear to me when I called that you are against same sex marriage. I don’t understand your fears.
If it is a religious issue, religion really has no place in politics. Nobody is asking that you marry someone of the same sex. I am not afraid of opposite-sex marriage. You were elected to support the community that you serve. You need to listen to all the voices in that community rather than just acting on your personal beliefs.
Marriage can’t just be about procreation. If that were the case, we should not allow folks to marry unless they’re going to have children. If they can’t physically have children, they should have to adopt children or annul their marriage.
I have been in a monogamous relationship for a few months shy of 20 years. We were married in Toronto Nov. 7, 2003. I’d like to believe that America, and New York in particular, would be more forward-thinking than any other country, but sadly that is not the case.
I am involved in the community. I take great care of my property. I’m a great neighbor, friend, relative, and employee.
I work hard. I pay taxes. I vote to pass school budgets although I don’t have children. I recently received your mailing inviting me to your ‘family day,’ although you have no desire to recognize my family.
Everyone should be allowed to be involved with any consensual partner they choose, regardless of race, color, religion or sexual orientation.
Gay parents won’t make their kids gay. My folks were very, very straight. Gay kids can’t turn their siblings, friends, or schoolmates gay. There are as many homosexual firefighters, builders, athletes, police officers, and truck drivers as there are gay hairdressers, nurses, designers and decorators. [But instead of celebrating their contributions,] Society makes a great majority of folks live in shame, live in fear, live in denial and live a lie.
This is not the forum to get into how and why, but I assure you being gay is not a choice. Nobody would choose a life with so many unnecessary challenges. While I wouldn’t change my life for anything, it surely was more difficult than it had to be.
There are black politicians, most notably the president. There are women running countries. There are gay men and women serving our country by their own free will to ensure the constant freedom of these United States, yet they themselves are not free.
We’re a few months away from the year 2010. We’re living in the great state of New York. I’d like to say it’s time to accept everyone for who and what they are – and give everyone the same exact civil and legal rights – but it’s actually way beyond time.
There are issues that should be put to public vote: changing cell phone laws for drivers, building new roads, and what to use tax money for are a few examples. Who to love and live a committed life with is not an issue that should be put to a public vote. Imagine a white man not being allowed to marry a black woman, or a Catholic man not being able to marry a Jewish woman. The thought of that happening today is unconscionable. This should be as well. There should be liberty and justice and equal rights for all.
If this entire issue is about political power, that power struggle needs to be played some other way. You cannot play with people’s lives. This is America. I’ve traveled the world quite extensively and used to be much more proud of my country and sadly used to receive a great deal more respect than I have recently.
Your personal beliefs are yours. Nobody has a right to change them. But you have an obligation to ensure that I have the exact same right as every other taxpayer and American citizen. If I do not, then please figure out a way to give me a benefit that others don’t have, since you won’t give me the same rights. You can begin by doing away with my school taxes, as I don’t have children and you don’t recognize my living arrangements as a family. You can continue from there.
You cannot, however, expect the same from me that you expect from everyone else without offering me the exact same privileges.
I don’t expect a reply. I didn’t receive one from my phone call last spring. I don’t know what you’re afraid of, Senator. I’d like to understand. Please ensure that I have every civil and legal right that every other New Yorker has. Nothing more. Nothing less. I assure you, the world will not spin off of its axis. In fact, it might become a friendlier, happier, more humane place to live. Thank you in advance.
Pam's House Blend November 24, 2009 Lurleen discusses how NOM is pouring hundreds of thousands of dollars into an anti-gay campaign in New Jersey featuring recycled falsehoods from other state campaigns:
Male ANNCR: Here's a question. If you were a state legislator, what would you focus on during the Lame Duck session?
Female ANNCR: There's lots of choices. I'd say jobs and the economy. And the budget deficit!
Male ANNCR: Good pick there. New Jersey has an $8 billion deficit. You know what some legislators are focused on? Redefining marriage. Throwing marriage to the curb and redefining it as any two people regardless of gender.
Female ANNCR: With all our problems, they want to legalize gay marriage?
Male ANNCR: Governor Corzine had four years to bring this issue up but hasn't, and now, with just days to go in his administration, the big push is on.
Female ANNCR: No voter input. No accountability. Give me a break!
Male ANNCR: 290,000 New Jerseyans have signed petitions opposing gay marriage. And every state where the people have voted on gay marriage has rejected it.
Female ANNCR: Gay couples ought to be able to live as they choose, but they shouldn't get lame duck legislators to redefine marriage for all of society.
Male ANNCR: Take a stand. Call your state legislators and tell them you oppose redefining marriage.
Paid for by the National Organization for Marriage.
Garden State Equality has fought back with two new ads of its own:
Man: Can you believe what's happening in New Jersey? Hospitals won't let some people visit sick loved ones. And some employers won't give health care to couples who aren't married. It's terrible! Civil unions aren't good enough.
Woman: I don't understand why New Jersey doesn't let all couples... just... marry. When two people marry, it doesn't affect our marriage.
Man: Wait - no health care?! In this economy?! Because people can't marry?! That ain't fair.
Woman: And neither are the phony arguments against equality. What does anyone's marriage have to do with curriculum? New Jersey law already lets parents control what's taught in school.
Man: We need to focus on the economy... jobs... lowering taxes. You know what? Straight, gay... let people get married. Have equal health care. And share the American dream.
Woman: Paid for by Garden State Equality. We believe in equality for everyone.
Announcer: New Jersey parents. New Jersey heroes. Marsha and Louise.
Louise: We've had to deal with raising four children, two of whom had significant handicaps. They could not be without health insurance. When I was looking for jobs, I had to ask the question, "Do you have civil union benefits?" Many looked at me as if I had two heads.
Announcer: New Jersey's civil union law failed Marsha, Louise and their children.
Marsha: That put us in quite a bit of debt in order to meet their special needs. One of our children had significant medical complications... and he passed in July.
Louise: We've been together for 20 years, in circumstances in which most people would have separated or divorced. I don't know what a marriage is, if it is not what we have, and I want that legal recognition.
Announcer: Give Marsha and Louise the freedom to marry. It won't affect your marriage, but it will mean everything to them.
Although efforts have been progressing for eight years to enact marriage equality in New Jersey, time is now running out. Yesterday, more than 300 ordinary citizens, including more than a few from Maplewood and adjacent towns, descended on Trenton to engage in the hallowed American tradition of petitioning their government. [Link]
To support marriage equality in New Jersey click here.
Time November 25, 2009 Michael A. Lindenberger discusses a federal judge's ruling that health benefits must be extended to the spouse of a lesbian federal employee: "By issuing such a stern challenge to the power of the Executive Branch, [Chief Judge] Kozinski managed to do what even the most sweeping state-court constitutional decisions on the freedom to marry have not: put the issue of equal treatment for gays to President Barack Obama in a way he will find hard to ignore." [Link]
The Associated Press November 25, 2009 State legislatures in N.Y. and N.J. have yet to schedule long-awaited votes on bills that would extend marriage equality to gay couples. Despite delays, many LGBT equality advocates remain optimistic that marriage for gay couples will advance in these and other states. Freedom to Marry's Evan Wolfson notes, "In any civil rights struggle there are going to be periods of creeping and periods of leaping." [Link]
Jeffrey Jacob "J. J." Abrams is an American film and television producer, screenwriter, director, actor, composer, and founder of Bad Robot Productions. An Emmy and Golden Globe-winner, he is known as the creator or co-creator of the television series: Felicity, Alias, Lost, and Fringe, and as a director of films including Mission: Impossible III and the 2009 feature Star Trek. Other films with which he has been associated include: Taking Care of Business, Regarding Henry, Forever Young, The Pallbearer, Gone Fishin', Armageddon, The Suburbans, Joy Ride, Cloverfield and Morning Glory. Learn more here.
Mr. Abrams served on the Host Committee for a Hollywood fund-raising party organized by political consultant Chad Griffin and Oscar-winning producer Bruce Cohen which was held on October 20, 2009 to help support the marriage equality campaign in Maine. The invitation read:
While the fate of marriage equality in California makes its way through the Federal court system, the voters of Maine will decide whether or not to take away marriage rights, granted in May by the legislature, on November 3rd…OF THIS YEAR. That is why I am co-chairing, along with Bruce Cohen, a fundraiser for NO ON 1/PROTECT MAINE EQUALITY at Bruce’s house on Tuesday Night, October 20th from 6:30-8:30pm, and we are so hoping you will join us and/or contribute to help fight this important battle. [Link]
Freedom to Marry salutes J.J. Abrams as a Voice for Equality! Learn about all our Voices for Equality here.
If Mr. Abrams' support inspires you - get involved!
**Make your NOMINATION for a Voice for Equality today!
Hands Across the Potomac - WTOP November 24, 2009 The governors of Virginia and Maryland both blasted the Catholic Church over its threat to stop providing social service programs in the District, if the city's proposed marriage equality law isn't changed. The criticism from the governors came on WTOP's Hands Across the Potomac radio program on Tuesday. [Link]
The American Prospect November 23, 2009 Gabriel Arana discusses the Perry v. Schwarzenegger case, including the fact that "it is only about marriage in the sense that Roe v. Wade was about privacy, or Brown v. Board of Education was about school choice. The case is really about the place of gay people in society." [Link]
The Daily Politics (NY Daily News) November 19, 2009 Empire State Pride Agenda Executive Director Alan Van Capelle is pleased by the fact that the New York Court of Appeals upheld two government orders to recognize out of state marriages between same-sex couples: "I think it continues to build momentum in our community and we’re proud of the individuals who took the right step in recognizing same-sex couples." [Link]
NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams November 23, 2009 Ron Allen reports that the Catholic Church says it will stop providing some services through Catholic Charities if a marriage equality bill is passed in Washington, D.C. [Link]
Joely Fisher is an American actress best known for her work on television, but also on stage and in films. She is best known for her role as the vain and insensitive Paige Clark on the sitcom Ellen. She played the role until the series ended in 1998. That same year she earned a Golden Globe Award nomination. She has also had a recurring role as Lynette's bitchy boss Nina on Desperate Housewives, and has starred opposite actor Brad Garrett as Joy Stark in the Fox sitcom 'Til Death. Early film credits include: Pretty Smart (1986), Dedicated to the One I Love (1991) and I'll Do Anything (1994), along with television appearances on: Growing Pains, Blossom, Caroline in the City, The Outer Limits, Grace Under Fire and Coach. Fisher is the daughter of singer Eddie Fisher and actress Connie Stevens, and her younger sister is actress Tricia Leigh Fisher. Learn more here.
Ms. Fisher served on the Host Committee for a Hollywood fund-raising party organized by political consultant Chad Griffin and Oscar-winning producer Bruce Cohen which was held on October 20, 2009 to help support the marriage equality campaign in Maine. The invitation read:
While the fate of marriage equality in California makes its way through the Federal court system, the voters of Maine will decide whether or not to take away marriage rights, granted in May by the legislature, on November 3rd…OF THIS YEAR. That is why I am co-chairing, along with Bruce Cohen, a fundraiser for NO ON 1/PROTECT MAINE EQUALITY at Bruce’s house on Tuesday Night, October 20th from 6:30-8:30pm, and we are so hoping you will join us and/or contribute to help fight this important battle. [Link]
Freedom to Marry salutes Joely Fisher as a Voice for Equality! Learn about all our Voices for Equality here.
If Ms. Fisher's support inspires you - get involved!
**Make your NOMINATION for a Voice for Equality today!
The Star-Ledger (NJ) November 23, 2009 Members of Garden State Equality and other LGBT equality advocates gathered at the N.J. Statehouse in Trenton on Monday as lawmakers began their first day of a lame-duck session that could address a marriage equality bill. On the same day, the anti-gay National Organization for Marriage announced a $500,000 ad campaign aimed at defeating the legislation. [Link] Click here to support action in New Jersey.
The Associated Press November 24, 2009 The N.J. Legislature began its lame-duck session Monday without advancing a marriage equality bill that current Gov. Jon Corzine supports but Governor-elect Chris Christie opposes. State legislative leaders have said they won't post the bill for a vote unless it has at least 21 votes in the Senate and 41 in the Assembly. [Link] Click here to support action in New Jersey.
The Washington Post November 24, 2009 Joe Davidson discusses separate rulings last week by two federal judges that the U.S. government must extend benefits to the same-sex spouses of federal employees, writing that these decisions bolster the rationale behind two proposed federal measures that would grant such protections. [Link]
Randy Jackson was photographed September 18, 2009 in Los Angeles, California at the White Knot stand at the Emmy Awards Gift Suite enthusiastically holding a White Knot Pack, which includes two White Knots and a messaging card. The White Knot for Equality organization is dedicated to the idea of marriage equality. One of their quotes is “Everyone should have the right to tie the knot,” and they illustrate this point by producing and distributing White Knots nationally and worldwide. They encourage marriage equality supporters to “wear the White Knot every day to show support and to create conversation. Share the White Knot and spread the word that all loving couples deserve the same legal rights, benefits, and respect that civil marriage bestows." [Link]
Freedom to Marry salutes Randy Jackson as a Voice for Equality! Learn about all our Voices for Equality here.
If Mr. Jackson's support inspires you - get involved!
**Make your NOMINATION for a Voice for Equality today!
Religious Institute November 23, 2009 Faith leaders across the political spectrum support religious freedom, the right of each religion to determine its own rites and practices, as well as freedom of the pulpit. Mainstream and progressive religious leaders differ from conservatives in our belief that no single religious voice can speak for all faith traditions on abortion or LGBT equality, nor should government take sides on religious differences. [Link]
nj.com November 23, 2009 Marriage equality supporters flocked to the NJ Statehouse this morning as lawmakers prepared for their first day of the lameduck session. Steven Goldstein, chair of Garden State Equality, rallied a group of 300 protesters on West State Street, directing them to take advantage of legislative committee meetings and speak with their senators. [Link]
nj.com November 21, 2009 Carla Katz: "So, is it really going to be Democrats who walk away from the altar? Really?" One report puts potential income from marriage equality at $248 million a year. Civil unions have been found to be not only not equal to marriage but severely lacking in rights compared to marriage. Poll after poll shows the people of New Jersey are behind the freedom to marry. Bring marriage equality up for a vote - Now! [Link]
DCist November 23, 2009 Kriston Capps discusses the Manhattan Declaration, a document written by anti-gay activists that reaffirms their stance against marriage equality and other social issues. Capps: "It is apparently a deeply held religious teaching and belief that same-sex partners of employees of the Catholic Church not receive benefits." [Link]
The Washington Post November 21, 2009 The Catholic Archbishop of Washington, Donald W. Wuerl, appeared at a news conference in the District on Friday to announce his and others' signing of "The Manhattan Declaration," which reiterated the socially conservative bishops' opposition to marriage equality even as the Church was considering a city-proposed compromise on its marriage equality bill. [Link]
Leeza Gibbons, a long-time host of Entertainment Tonight, is an American talk show host. Gibbons currently is the host of her own radio show, Hollywood Confidential, part of the United Stations radio syndication company. In addition to ET, Gibbons' past television credits include: PM Magazine, Extra, as well as Leeza, her own NBC/syndicated talk show, which ran from January 1994 to September 2000. She has also guest-starred on several shows, including The Geena Davis Show, The Simple Life, The Simpsons, and Home Improvement . She played a television reporter in the Robocop films and had a small role as a reporter in Soapdish. Learn more here.
Leeza Gibbons is a proud signer of Freedom to Marry's Marriage Resolution which reads:
Because marriage is a basic human right and an individual choice, RESOLVED, the State should not interfere with same-gender couples who choose to marry and share fully and equally in the rights, responsibilities, and commitment of civil marriage.
The Huffington Post November 21, 2009 Barbara Ann Radnofsky blogs about her discovery of language within the Texas constitutional amendment banning marriage equality that says that Texas "may not create or recognize any legal status identical or similar to marriage," which she says bans all marriage. [Link]
Law Dork November 20, 2009 Chris Geidner blogs about the anti-gay Manhattan Declaration, that says, among other things, that "Marriage is not a 'social construction,' but is rather an objective reality—the covenantal union of husband and wife—that it is the duty of the law to recognize, honor, and protect." Says Geidner: "Disagreement about 'objective reality' aside, the document is, in fact, nothing more than a declaration of the continuing importance of the First Amendment." [Link]
The Bilerico Project November 20, 2009 Joe Mirabella writes that the leaders of the Reject 71 campaign in Washington state are attempting to mislead voters with falsehoods: "I am not surprised Larry Stickney is trying to rewrite history to motivate his base to donate to his organization. He is the leader of the first defeated anti-equality campaign in history." [Link]
Bangor Daily News November 23, 2009 Antonia Carroll, a 16-year-old Bangor High School student, on Sunday organized a rally of more than 60 people, including other high school students, who volunteered for the NO on 1 campaign. Carroll: “We will not stop, and we will not give up until we have equality for all." [Link]
The Associated Press November 22, 2009 New Jersey's lame duck legislative session begins Monday with many bills, including one that would extend marriage equality to gay couples, awaiting action. The session could lead to the movement of marriage equality legislation through the state Legislature and onto the desk of Gov. Jon Corzine, who says he would sign it into law (Governor-elect Chris Christie does not support marriage equality). [Link]
Palm Beach Post November 22, 2009 The ongoing case of openly gay Martin Gill, who has mounted a legal challenge to Florida's ban on adoption by gay parents so that he may adopt two children he has fostered for nearly five years, could set precedent in Florida surrounding the state's controversial adoption law. [Link]
McClatchy Newspapaers November 22, 2009 In a town hall-style meeting on Thursday, several nurses from Miami's Jackson Memorial Hospital personally apologized to a lesbian from Washington state who said that a hospital social worker wouldn't allow her to be with her dying partner in 2007. Registered nurse Norberto Molina: "I can't imagine what you went through." [Link]
The New York Times November 22, 2009 The New York Times' editorial board on the debate between the D.C. Council and Catholic Charities over a marriage equality bill: "City lawmakers who are negotiating with the archdiocese over the language of the bill should try to settle it without acrimony — but not by abandoning the District’s equal-rights tradition or by selling out same-sex couples." [Link]
impre.com November 21, 2009 A Catholic can remarry under civil law without leaving the Catholic Church. He or she cannot have a second marriage by the Catholic Church, but a civil ceremony is allowed, granting all the state and federal rights and benefits associated with matrimony. In that case there is separation of church and state. Why does this not apply to same-sex couples seeking a civil marriage? [Link]
Freedom to Marry November 20, 2009 Excerpts from Evan Wolfson's speech while being honored by the National Employment Lawyers Association of New York on November 19, 2009:
In Maine a couple weeks ago, the marriage legislation passed earlier in the year was subjected to an up-or-down vote by ballot-measure. A minority should not have to go before the majority and plead for an end to discrimination in a vote on fundamental rights; nevertheless, we came very close to prevailing. The most striking demographic feature was that we overwhelmingly carried the urban areas, while the more rural parts of Maine – and there are a lot of them – voted against equality.
In other words, in places where gay people are most visible, where our families most integrated into the fabric of life, where we’ve had the most conversations about who gay people are and why marriage matters, people affirmed the freedom to marry. In the areas with less visibility and fewer conversations, we narrowly failed to move the just 15,000 more people whose support would have made the difference.
The path ahead is clear: we need more of us, gay and non-gay, speaking with others in our circles and beyond about the shared values of family, fairness, and freedom –the values underlying this human rights movement, a movement in which NELA/NY has played a proud part.
Lucy Lawless is a New Zealand actress and singer best known for playing the title character of the television series Xena: Warrior Princess for which she won a Saturn Award, and for her role as Number Three on the series Battlestar Galactica. Other television appearances have included: The Simpsons, The X-Files, Just Shoot Me!, Veronica Mars, Burn Notice, Less Than Perfect, Curb Your Enthusiasm and bro'Town. Learn more here.
Lucy Lawless is a proud signer of Freedom to Marry's Marriage Resolution which reads:
Because marriage is a basic human right and an individual choice, RESOLVED, the State should not interfere with same-gender couples who choose to marry and share fully and equally in the rights, responsibilities, and commitment of civil marriage.
Center for American Progress November 19, 2009 Recent and credible research has convincingly shown that Bishop Harry Jackson’s views of the “privileged" gay and lesbian community in Washington D.C. are completely untrue and inaccurate. Contrary to Jackson’s claims, yearly earnings of men in same-sex couples are actually lower than those of married men. Also, same-sex households have lower incomes than those headed by straight married parents. [Link]
Joe. My. God. November 29, 2009 San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders will testify in the federal suit aimed at repealing Prop. 8 that is being brought by Ted Olson and David Boies. Sanders changed his position to support marriage equality in a press conference with his openly lesbian daughter. [Link]
Comedy Central: The Daily Show with Jon Stewart November 19, 2009 Jon Stewart discusses stories involving the LGBT community including Will Phillips, the 10-year-old student who refuses to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance until gay and lesbian couples can marry. Stewart brings out professional wrestler Mick Foley, who vows to protect Phillips from bullies in school. [Link]
The League of Ordinary Gentlemen November 19, 2009 Mark Thompson refutes claims by Rod Dreher that marriage equality will allegedly "undermine religious liberty." Thompson: "The freedom to marry, in and of itself, thus presents no greater a problem for religious liberty than does no-fault divorce." [Link]
MSNBC: Countdown with Keith Olbermann November 19, 2009 Keith Olbermann commends Texas attorney general candidate Barbara Ann Radnofski for bringing to light a clause in the Texas amendment banning marriage equality which Radnofski believes could outlaw all marriages in Texas. [Link]
The Washington Post November 20, 2009 Some D.C. Council members are attempting to reach a compromise with the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington so Catholic Charities will not end its social services contracts with the District if marriages of same-sex couples are honored. [Link]
The Associated Press November 19, 2009 New York's top court on Thursday rejected the anti-gay Alliance Defense Fund's legal challenge that sought to take away some government protections granted to same-sex couples married in other jurisdictions and now living in N.Y. [Link]
Garden State Equality November 20, 2009 Garden State Equality:
We just emailed you that we're doing a lobby day in Trenton this Monday at 8:30 am - meet at Garden State Equality's office across from the State House, 110 West State Street . We would love to see you there. There's something we need you and everyone else to do today, Friday. Now, please, if at all possible. And after you do it, please spread this email to everyone in sight.
No matter where in New Jersey you live, please call New Jersey Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney's office now at (856) 251-9801 and tell them you support the marriage equality bill and want it voted on this year, before Chris Christie takes office.
Here's why: Senator Sweeney, who happens to be a good guy otherwise, did us harm by telling reporters this week that the legislature should postpone marriage equality to consider the economy. And Senator Sweeney and the legislature will be in session this Monday, when we do our lobby day. We need your calls to him today.
Who are among those especially suffering in this economy? Same-sex couples denied health benefits because employers won't recognize civil unions as marriage. Imagine being denied health insurance in this economy!
And who would economically benefit when the legislature enacts marriage equality? Everyone! Because New Jersey would make $248 million in revenue in the next three years, according to an independent study, when it enacts marriage equality.
When you call Senator Sweeney's office, please be respectful. You can certainly say you're upset with his comments, but please be respectful. Legislative staffers who answer the phones are nice people who didn't tell him to make his comments.
Please call Senator Sweeney's office now at (856) 251-9801. If you have time, there's an additional number for Senator Sweeney you should call. He has a second physical office because he's also Gloucester County Freeholder Director. His office number there is (856) 853-3390. Call both numbers no matter where in New Jersey you live.
And then please forward this email to every pro-equality New Jerseyan you know.
Thanks so much from all of us at Garden State Equality.
Garden State Equality November 20, 2009 Garden State Equality:
URGENT! JOIN US: GARDEN STATE EQUALITY IS HOLDING AN URGENT LOBBY DAY THIS MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23rd, BEGINNING AT 8:30 AM -MEET AT OUR TRENTON OFFICE ACROSS FROM THE STATE HOUSE, 110 WEST STATE STREET. PLEASE ATTEND. NO RSVP NECESSARY.
THE LEGISLATURE IS BACK IN SESSION ON MONDAY. WE HAVE JUST LEARNED OUR ANTI-MARRIAGE EQUALITY OPPONENTS ARE DOING A LOBBY DAY ON MONDAY AND ARE TURNING OUT IN DROVES TO TRY TO INTIMIDATE LEGISLATORS. IF EVER THERE WAS A TIME TO TAKE OFF FROM WORK TO HELP MAKE HISTORY, THIS IS IT.
PARKING IS AVAILABLE AT THE TRENTON MARRIOTT PARKING LOT AT 1 WEST LAFAYETTE STREET , AT THE CORNER OF WEST LAFAYETTE STREET AND SOUTH WARREN STREET . IF NEEDED, GARDEN STATE EQUALITY WILL REIMBURSE YOU FOR THE PARKING. DON'T GO LOOKING FOR FREE STREET PARKING IN TRENTON : IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND AND/OR YOU'LL HAVE TO FEED A METER CONSTANTLY. FOR A MAP TO WALK FROM THE TRENTON MARRIOTT PARKING LOT AT 1 WEST LAFAYETTE STREET TO GARDEN STATE EQUALITY'S OFFICE AT 110 WEST STATE STREET, ENTER THE LOCATIONS AT www.Mapquest.com/directions
AGAIN, PLEASE JOIN US THIS MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23rd BEGINNING AT 8:30 AM AT GARDEN STATE EQUALITY'S TRENTON OFFICE, 110 WEST STATE STREET . ON SITE, WE'LL HAVE FREE DONUTS AND JUICE TO GET THE DAY STARTED. AT LUNCH TIME, FREE PIZZA AND SODA.
On October 15, 2009, Ms. Michele performed "On My Own" from Les Miserables at the annual Human Rights Campaign national dinner in Washington D.C. She first spoke of her parents having told her at a young age that she could be with whomever she wanted to be with as long as it made her happy, and how happy she was to support HRC in that philosophy. She then used her expressive singing voice and new-found-fame from Glee to lend strong support to the marriage equality cause. See video below:
Freedom to Marry salutes Lea Michele as a Voice for Equality! See other Voices for Equality here.
If Ms. Michele's support inspires you - get involved!
**Make your NOMINATION for a Voice for Equality today!
The Star Ledger - nj.com November 20, 2009 Star-Ledger Editorial Board: Nervous Democrats should take a look at the latest poll on marriage equality and act quickly to pass it during the lame duck session. The poll shows that most people in New Jersey are greeting marriage equality with a collective shrug. The real danger is that Republican Chris Christie, who takes office in January, has promised to veto the measure. [Link]
Jackie Speier is the Democratic Representative for California's 12th congressional district. The district includes the northern two-thirds of San Mateo County (formerly part of the district represented by her political mentor, Leo Ryan) and the southwest quarter of San Francisco. She is also a former member of the California State Senate who represented parts of San Francisco and San Mateo counties. On April 8, 2008, she won a special election for the vacated United States House of Representatives seat of late Congressman Tom Lantos. Rep. Speier's congressional committee assignments include: Committee on Financial Services, Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government-Sponsored Enterprises, Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement and the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. Learn more here.
On Tuesday November 17, 2009, Rep. Jackie Speier was a guest on The Colbert Report for a humorous "Better Know a District" segment. The congresswoman expressed her support for marriage equality and stated,
Being gay is not a disease. It’s a sexual orientation. So there is nothing to fix.
nj.com November 19, 2009 More New Jerseyans support legalizing the freedom to marry than oppose it, according to a Rutgers-Eagleton poll released this morning. The poll, conducted between Nov. 6 and 10, found 46 percent of adult residents want to extend the right to gay couples while 42 percent oppose it. Still undecided were 12 percent of respondents. [Link]
City Room (The New York Times) November 19, 2009 The policy of honoring marriages on equal terms was upheld in a ruling today by the NY Court of Appeals, with a strong and repeated plea by the High Court to the Legislature to act on the underlying question of the freedom to marry in New York state. [Link]
Bucks (The New York Times) November 18, 2009 Following up on a previous blog in which she discussed the challenges gay and lesbian couples face when getting divorced, Tara Siegel Bernard writes about different options for couples who wish to end their unions. [Link]
The Huffington Post November 18, 2009 Michael Wilson advocates for the people who would be affected if D.C.'s Catholic Charities withdrew services over marriage equality, and writes that the Archdiocese should be replaced as a service provider because "they have tried to publicly muscle the city into following church teaching." [Link]
NJVoices Guest Blog (The Star-Ledger) November 19, 2009 Deborah Jacobs, executive director for the ACLU of New Jersey, discusses the possible upcoming vote on marriage equality in New Jersey and urges voters to contact their legislators: "Our legislators must consider what they want to tell their grandchildren — that they sided with human rights and dignity for families, or that they sided with discrimination, disenfranchisement and denial of essential rights." [Link]
Fort Worth Star-Telegram November 18, 2009 Barbara Ann Radnofsky, a Houston lawyer and Democratic candidate for Texas attorney general, says that a 22-word clause in a 2005 state constitutional amendment banning marriage equality endangers the legal status of all marriages in the state. [Link]
The Washington Post November 19, 2009 Bishop Harry Jackson, represented by the anti-gay Alliance Defense Fund, on Wednesday filed suit in D.C. Superior Court against the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics' decision to block a proposed ballot measure aimed at banning marriage equality in the District. [Link]
The Los Angeles Times November 19, 2009 U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Stephen Reinhardt on Wednesday ordered compensation for a Los Angeles man denied federal employee benefits for his husband because of the federal DOMA. [Link]
Reuters November 18, 2009 Two Argentine men who will soon wed in Latin America's first government-recognized marriage of a same-sex couple hope their union will pave the way for other gay couples in the country to marry. [Link]
The Washington Post November 19, 2009 Joe Davidson reports that the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Wednesday voted 23-12 in favor of a measure that would extend health insurance, disability and other benefits to partners of gay federal employees. [Link]
EqualityMaine November 19, 2009 EqualityMaine is hosting a series of Community Conversations across the state in December, to debrief the campaign and discuss next steps in winning marriage equality in Maine. Betsy Smith of Maine Equality: "While the numbers favored our opponents on Election Day, we have by no means lost the campaign to win marriage equality." [Link]
Chris Pine is an American actor. He has appeared in the romantic comedies The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement and Just My Luck, as well as the action film Smokin' Aces. His most notable role to date is that of James T. Kirk in the 2009 science fiction film Star Trek. Television work has included appearances on: ER, The Guardian, CSI Miami and Six Feet Under. Mr. Pine is currently in talks with Paramount Pictures to play CIA analyst Jack Ryan in a new film based on the Tom Clancy novels. Learn more here.
It was announced on October 14, 2009 that Chris Pine would be participating in the Love Unites Shepard Fairey Equality Project, a new marriage equality advocacy project for which more than 80 celebrities will be signing their names to a Shepard Fairey print titled Defend Equality - Love Unites. Fairey, whose Obama Hope print became the iconic emblem of President Obama’s 2008 campaign, was approached by FAIR, an LGBT grassroots marriage equality organization, to commission an image that would help unite and inspire the marriage equality movement. “I am proud to contribute the Defend Equality Love Unites image to the fight for marriage equality, and commend FAIR for putting this image to good use." The signed prints will be sold in online auctions starting in November 2009. [Link]
Freedom to Marry salutes Chris Pine as a Voice for Equality! See other Voices for Equality here.
If Mr. Pine's support inspires you - get involved!
**Make your NOMINATION for a Voice for Equality today!
National Catholic Reporter October 12, 2009 NCR: The U.S. bishops should scrap the entire text of their proposed so-called pastoral letter on marriage and start fresh. The primary problem with the draft is that it is not, as advertised, pastoral, but instead contains sweeping denunciations of modern issues such as marriage equality. [Link]
D.C. Wire (The Washington Post) November 18, 2009 Bishop Harry Jackson, represented by attorneys from a conservative legal organization, filed suit Wednesday against the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics over its refusal to allow an initiative to ban the freedom to marry. [Link]
Dolly Parton is an American singer-songwriter, author, multi-instrumentalist, actress and philanthropist, best-known for her work in country music. In the four-and-a-half decades since her national-chart debut, she remains one of the most successful female artists in the history of country music, with twenty-five number-one singles, and a record forty-one top-10 country albums. She has the distinction of having performed on a top-five country hit in each of the last five decades and is the only artist to score a number-one country single in each of the past four decades. She is known for her distinctive soprano, sometimes bawdy humor, flamboyant dress sense and voluptuous figure. Learn more here.
On Friday, November 13, 2009, on the Joy Behar Show on CNN, Dolly Parton came out in support of marriage equality. Questioned by Behar on whether she was in favor of marriage equality, the country diva said, "Sure, why can’t [gays and lesbians] get married? They should suffer like the rest of us do." Ms. Parton acknowledged that her marriage viewpoint was perhaps unexpected given her southern background, and she also hypothesized that her large gay following came from she herself having been "different" and an outsider for many years. [Link] See video of the Behar interview below:
Freedom to Marry salutes Dolly Parton as a Voice for Equality! See other Voices for Equality here.
Bucks (The New York Times) November 17, 2009 Tara Siegel Bernard discusses the difficulty many gay and lesbian couples face - both legally and financially - when they decide that they must divorce, because of the differences in law in many states. [Link]
The Associated Press November 17, 2009 Some anti-gay activists in Iowa say they plan to make marriage equality a central issue in next year's legislative elections and governor's race. The activists say they want to lobby lawmakers to change the state's constitution to ban marriage equality and possibly push to oust the Iowa Supreme Court justices whose decision lifted the state's marriage ban. [Link]
The Associated Press November 17, 2009 In court documents filed Tuesday, married Mass. gay couples suing the government over a section of the federal DOMA said the marriage ban violates the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution because it denies them access to federal protections afforded to straight married couples. [Link]
The Associated Press November 18, 2009 The D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics on Tuesday ruled that a proposed measure aimed at banning marriage equality in the District cannot go on the ballot because it would have violated D.C.'s 1977 Human Rights Act. [Link]
The Los Angeles Times November 18, 2009 The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington is warning the District of Columbia Council that the church will stop contracting to provide social services if the city approves marriage equality as planned. To which the only valid response is, "OK." [Link]
Russell Simmons is an American entrepreneur, the co-founder, with Rick Rubin, of the pioneering hip-hop label Def Jam, and creator of the clothing fashion lines Phat Farm, Argyleculture, and American Classics. He is the older brother of Rev. Joseph Simmons, better known as "Run" of Run-DMC. His older brother, Daniel Simmons, Jr, is an accomplished abstract artist. Since May 2005, Russell Simmons has been a contributing blogger at The Huffington Post, and in January 2009 he was named Editor-In-Chief of GlobalGrind.com: The World According To Hip-Hop. Simmons is the third richest figure in hip hop, behind only Jay-Z and Sean Combs. Learn more here.
In April 2009, Mr. Simmons sent an open letter to New York Governor David Paterson in support of marriage equality, and then in October 2009 his participation in the Love Unites Shepard Fairey Equality Project, a new marriage equality advocacy project, was announced. More than 80 celebrities were enlisted to sign their names to a Shepard Fairey print titled Defend Equality - Love Unites. Fairey, whose Obama Hope print became the iconic emblem of President Obama’s 2008 campaign, was approached by FAIR, an LGBT grassroots marriage equality organization, to commission an image that would help unite and inspire the marriage equality movement. “I am proud to contribute the Defend Equality Love Unites image to the fight for marriage equality, and commend FAIR for putting this image to good use." The signed prints will be sold in online auctions starting in November 2009. [Link]
Freedom to Marry salutes Russell Simmons as a Voice for Equality! See other Voices for Equality here.
If Mr. Simmons' support inspires you - get involved!
**Make your NOMINATION for a Voice for Equality today!
Matthew Ryan is the mayor of Binghamton, NY - located upstate in New York's Broome County. After graduating from CUNY Law School where he focused on public interest law, Ryan returned to Binghamton University and became a professor of environmental law. He served for 15 years in Binghamton as a Public Defender, including eight years as the Broome County Public Defender. He was elected Mayor of Binghamton in 2005. Learn more here.
Mayor Ryan has stated his unequivocal support for marriage equality, and in June 2007, he signed an executive order recognizing marriages between same-sex couples performed in other jurisdictions as fully valid in the City of Binghamton. In April 2009, he also issued a strong statement in support of the Governor's marriage equality bill and signed a joint statement with the Binghamton City Council urging its passage.
Freedom to Marry salutes Binghamton, NY mayor Matthew Ryan as a Voice for Equality! See other Voices for Equality here.
If Mayor Ryan's support inspires you - get involved!
**Make your NOMINATION for a Voice for Equality today!
AMERICAblog Gay November 17, 2009 Today, GLAD filed its response to the Department of Justice’s motion to dismiss the Gill vs. Office of Personnel Management lawsuit -- and moved for summary judgment. GLAD is requesting the judge to issue a ruling in its favor, as a matter of law, without proceeding to a trial by finding Section 3 of DOMA unconstitutional as applied to the plaintiffs in the Gill case. [Link]
Freedom to Marry is the gay and non-gay partnership working to win marriage equality nationwide.
We encourage dialogue with Americans thinking through the need to end discrimination in marriage, provide support to targeted state and local efforts, and promote fairness for all families, including same-sex couples and the children raised by gay parents. By working to secure equal access to marriage, we help reinforce our country's historic commitment to freedom, the pursuit of happiness, and equal justice for all.
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