Marriage Equality

An LGBT Report Card for Obama's First 100 Days

Emma Ruby-Sachs | Posted 05.29.2009 | Politics

Read More: Equality, Hate Crimes, LGBT Issues, Doma, Enda, White House Easter Egg Roll, Repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell, Defense of Marriage Act, United American Families Act, Reverend-Lowery, Marriage Equality, Don't Ask Don't Tell, Immigration Reform, Gay Rights, First 100 Days, Rick Warren, Nancy Pelosi, 100 Days, Obama First 100 Days, LGBT Rights, LGBT Families, Gay Marriage, Politics News
Emma Ruby-Sachs

Compared to the rows of sullen, silent Presidents behind him, Obama looks like a gay rights brown-noser. But when it comes to actual change in the lives of LGBT people, nothing has been done.

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Queeries: Going to Get Married in Iowa?

Steven Petrow | Posted 11.03.2009 | Style

Read More: Marriage, California Gay Marriage, Proposition 8, Gay Rights, Prop 8, Lesbian, Same Sex Marriage, Gays and Lesbians, California Prop 8, Gay Marriage, Iowa Same Sex Marriage, Marriage Equality, Same-Sex Marriage, Des Moines-Iowa, Style News
Steven Petrow

Who pops the question? Among straights, traditionally it's been the guy who asks the girl, but even that's evolved in recent years. For same-sex couples, we're not burdened by any such traditions.

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Miss USA and the B-Word

Emma Ruby-Sachs | Posted 05.22.2009 | Politics

Read More: Missusa, Equality, Perez Hilton, Miss-California-Mistake, Equal Rights, Obama Gay Rights, Civil Unions, Barack Obama, Marriage Equality, Same-Sex Marriage, Miss California Gay Marriage, Gay Rights, Bigot, Miss California, Barack Obama Civil Rights, Gay Marriage, Bigotry, Miss America, Carrie Prejean, Politics News
Emma Ruby-Sachs

Miss California, like many who share her take on the marriage issue, was careful to talk about her "opinion" and "beliefs" and the way she was raised as if this excused her intolerance. Barack Obama talks about tradition and belief as well in defense of his own position.

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Legal Same-sex Marriage: The True Paperwork Reduction Act

Isobel White | Posted 05.16.2009 | Politics

Read More: Taxes, Tax Day, Marriage, California Gay Marriage, Gay Rights, California Supreme Court Gay Marriage, Same Sex Marriage, California Same-Sex Marriage, Gay, California Same Sex Marriage, Cost of Being Gay, Gay Marriage, Marriage Equality, Same-Sex Marriage, Politics News
Isobel White

Without all the cumbersome and repetitive paperwork same-sex couples now have to complete just to prove they are committed to each other, think of all the forests that could be left standing.

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Torn Apart By DOMA

Emma Ruby-Sachs | Posted 05.10.2009 | Politics

Read More: Roland Burris Senate, Doma, Dick Durbin, Roland Burris, Immigration, Gay, Mike Quigley, National, Defense of Marriage Act, United American Families Act, Marriage Equality, Deb Mell, Immigration Reform, Gay Rights, Gay Issues, Gay Marriage, Immigration Debate, Immigration Policy, Uafa, Politics News
Emma Ruby-Sachs

One can only hope that quick passage of the UAFA will help people like Karla and Stacy have a fair shot at making a loving committed relationship work for the long term.

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DC, Congress, and the "M" Word

Lane Hudson | Posted 05.10.2009 | Politics

Read More: Washington DC, Gay Marriage, Marriage Equality, Congress, Gay Rights, Politics News
Lane Hudson

Could Congress legislatively overturn the DC Council's decision to recognize civil marriages from other jurisdictions? They certainly could.

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Don't Call Yourself Progressive If You Don't Support Sexual Justice

Rev. Debra Haffner | Posted 05.04.2009 | Politics

Read More: Progressive Religion, Abortion Rights, Same Sex Marriage, Progressives, LGBT Rights, Religion and Politics, Obama Abortion, Sex Education, Religious Left, Marriage Equality, Politics News
Rev. Debra Haffner

You know when marriage equality comes to Iowa that lesbian and gay equality has become a mainstream American value. Yet the Iowa court decision recog...

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Falling Short of Full Constitutional Protection for Gays in Iowa

Emma Ruby-Sachs | Posted 05.04.2009 | Politics

Read More: Equal Rights Amendment, Supreme Court, Iowa, Equality, Gay Rights, Equal Rights, Equal Protection, Discrimination, Gay, Constitution, Gays, National, Gay Marriage, Gay Issues, Marriage Equality, Iowa Supreme Court, Politics News
Emma Ruby-Sachs

In upholding gay marriage, the Iowan Court made a number of choices. Some of these were as progressive as the California Supreme Court's In re Marriage Casesruling and some were not.

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Let Vermont Move Forward on Marriage Equality: an open letter to Governor Jim Douglas

Susan Brison | Posted 04.29.2009 | Politics

Read More: Gay Civil Rights, Civil Rights, Gay Marriage, Civil Marriage, Marriage Equality, Vermont, Same-Sex Marriage, Thetford-Vermont, Politics News
Susan Brison

The Honorable Jim Douglas Governor of Vermont 109 State Street, Pavilion Montpelier, VT 05609-010 Dear Governor Douglas, Fifteen years ago, my husb...

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No Time to Wait for Justice

John Kerry | Posted 04.24.2009 | Politics

Read More: Gay Rights, Doma, John Kerry Gay Rights, Junior Oliveira, Tim Coco, John Kerry Gay Marriage, Massachusetts, Immigration, Brazil, Homophobia, Gay Marriage, John Kerry, Marriage Equality, Asylum, Humanitarian, Immigration Policy, Equality, Politics News
John Kerry

Justice may be blind, but it sure ain't always swift. It's time Tim Coco and his husband Genesio "Junior" Oliveira be reunited.

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Marriage For Everyone: Worth the Fight

Sara Whitman | Posted 04.10.2009 | Politics

Read More: LGBT Politics, LGBT Issues, LGBT Community, LGBT Rights, Glad, Families, Social Security Benefits, LGBT Families, Marriage Equality, Massachussets, Lesbian, Gay, Gay Rights, Gays and Lesbians, Lesbian Moms, Gay Marriage, Gay Issues, Politics News
Sara Whitman

Today, we are approaching the fifth anniversary of marriage equality in our state. We have pushed the envelope, no question. And we will continue to.

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Change, Coming from the Heartland

Steve Ralls | Posted 04.09.2009 | Politics

Read More: Terre Haute Star Tribune, Proposition 8, Gay Rights, Pflag, Indiana, Terre Haute Indiana, Community Organizing, Stefanie Salter, Marriage Equality, Politics News
Steve Ralls

We may be able to build the foundations today that will spell victory for our families tomorrow, when we once again face ballot box battles like Prop 8 in California.

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Prop 8 For Dummies: What to Expect During Thursday's Court Hearing

Emma Ruby-Sachs | Posted 04.02.2009 | Politics

Read More: Judicial Activism, Strauss v. Horton, Proposition 8, Constitutional Amendment to Ban Gay Marriage, Prop 8, No on Prop 8, Marriage Equality, California Gay Marriage, Marriage, Gay Rights, Ban on Gay Marriages, California Supreme Court, Equal Protection, Ken Starr, Constitution, Gay Marriage, Politics News
Emma Ruby-Sachs

The single most important element of the Prop 8 supporter's argument is that the amendment represents the will of the majority of the California population.

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New York Times' Gay Marriage Nothing New

Emma Ruby-Sachs | Posted 03.26.2009 | Politics

Read More: South Africa, Gay Rights, Evangelical Christians, Religious Freedom, Equal Rights, New York Times, Canada, Constitution, Netherlands, Deaf, Separation of Church and State, Gay Marriage, Marriage Equality, Evangelicals, Politics News
Emma Ruby-Sachs

Imagine my surprise when the New York Times published an op-ed yesterday describing a new "great compromise" on gay marriage that essentially provided for marriage rights with religious exemptions.

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History Repeating and Why it Matters that Milk Win an Oscar

Steven Stamstad | Posted 03.22.2009 | Entertainment

Read More: Best Picture, Oscar, Gay Rights, Gus Van Sant Milk Movie, Milk Movie, Milk, Oscar Nominations, Harvey Milk, Oscars, The Oscars, 2009 Oscars, Oscar Nominees, Harvey Milk Movie, California Prop 8, Marriage Equality, Same-Sex Marriage, Prop 8, Gay Marriage, Oregon, Entertainment News
Steven Stamstad

Milk understood the power of grassroots organizing, the power of the media and the power of his own charisma to raise awareness, shape public opinion and create action.

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Choice: A Short Film on the Aftermath of Prop 8

Brian Crewe | Posted 03.19.2009 | Politics

Read More: California Gay Marriage, Marriage, Prop 8 Ballot Initiative, Ban on Gay Marriages, Prop 8, No on Prop 8, Same Sex Marriage, Gay Marriage California, California Gay Marriage Ban, California Prop 8, Gay Marriage, Same-Sex Marriage, Marriage Equality, Politics News
Brian Crewe

To see people that I know and care about being treated like second-class citizens was something I was not prepared for; it's so contrary to the values with which I was raised.

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Same-Sex Marriage: 5 Years Ago Today

Isobel White | Posted 03.16.2009 | Living

Read More: California Gay Marriage, Gavin Newsom, Gay Rights, Proposition 8, Lesbian, Valentine's Day, California Same-Sex Marriage, Gay, Gays, San Francisco, Gay Marriage, Gay Issues, Marriage Equality, Same-Sex Marriage, Living News
Isobel White

Five years ago today, my partner and I stood in line for hours at SF City Hall, waiting patiently to get our marriage license.

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The $248 Million Stimulus New Jersey's Not Taking

John R. Bohrer | Posted 03.14.2009 | Politics

Read More: Jon Corzine, New Jersey, Gay Marriage, Same-Sex Marriage, Marriage Equality, Stimulus Package, Economic Crisis, Politics News
John R. Bohrer

The economic dividends of a marriage equality bill in New Jersey will be great, and so will the moral ones.

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Wiped? Back to Work

Wendy Block | Posted 02.15.2009 | Home

Read More: California, Homelessness, Beverly Hills, Barack Obama, Buddhism and Politics, San Fernando Valley, Poverty, Impeachment, Clean Elections, Progressives, Single Payer, Democratic Party, Los Angeles, Election, Marriage Equality, Iraq War, Political Activism, Candidate, Home News
Wendy Block

This past Sunday I ran for re-election as a Delegate to the California Democratic Party. I was on the Progressive Slate, from the 42nd Assembly District which covers parts of LA and the San Fernando Valley.

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Repealing DOMA Will Ease the Warren Sting

Emma Ruby-Sachs | Posted 02.06.2009 | Politics

Read More: Defense of Marriage Act Barr, Doma, Tammy Baldwin, Obama Inauguration, Bob Barr, Immigration, Gay, Libertarian, Libertarian Party, Civil Rights, Defense of Marriage Act, Marriage Equality, Gays in the Military, Gay Rights, Ban on Gay Marriages, Rick Warren, Bob Barr Libertarian, Gay Marriage, Politics News
Emma Ruby-Sachs

Repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell has been floated as one opportunity for Obama, but I encourage the new President to try frying a bigger fish -- the Defense of Marriage Act.

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In Defense of the White Ribbon

Johnathan Wilber | Posted 02.05.2009 | Living

Read More: Gay Rights, Ban on Gay Marriages, Rick Warren, New York Times, Gay, Gays, New York City, Gay Marriage, Gay Issues, Civil Rights, Gay Activism, Social Activism, Marriage Equality, White Ribbon, Light Up the Night, Prop 8: The Musical, Join the Impact Nyc, Living News
Johnathan Wilber

Maybe it's not so much Rick Warren I should be directing my protests toward as all the gays and lesbians who titter at the very serious idea of equality.

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What Would Obama Do If Obama Was Mad At Obama About Rick Warren?

David Quigg | Posted 01.28.2009 | Politics

Read More: Proposition 8, Marriage, Debt Relief, Darfur, Activism, Community Organizers, Rules for Radicals, Frank Rich, Prayer, Barack Obama, California, Politics News, Gay Marriage, Civil Unions, Gay Rights, Rick Warren, Marriage Equality, Inauguration, Aids, Saul Alinsky, Barack Obama Rick Warren, Rick Warren Invocation, Obama Inauguration, Rick Warren Obama Invocation, Rick Warren Saddleback Church, Obama Invocation, Invocation, Politics News
David Quigg

Obama would move on -- he'd refuse to be distracted. He'd brush the dirt off his shoulder and immediately return his focus to winning.

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Barack Obama, Linda Douglass, and Little Ole LGBT Me

Karen Ocamb | Posted 01.22.2009 | Politics

Read More: LGBT Politics, Bill Clinton, Gay Rights, Prop 8, Linda Douglass, Same Sex Marriage, Rick Warren, Hillary Clinton, Human Rights Campaign, Maya Angelou, Civil Rights, Gay Marriage, Barack Obama, Marriage Equality, Politics News
Karen Ocamb

LGBT folks were not prepared for the sucker-punch Rick Warren, especially after having our legitimate, fundamental right to marry stripped from us by a majority of California voters.

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A Generation Ago, Rick Warren Would Have Made Obama Sit at the Back of the Bus

Alan Cumming | Posted 01.19.2009 | Entertainment

Read More: Barack Obama Rick Warren, Rick Warren Invocation, Obama Inauguration, Rick Warren Obama Invocation, Rick Warren Saddleback Church, Barack Obama, Marriage Equality, Same-Sex Marriage, Obama Invocation, Marriage, Gay Rights, Ban on Gay Marriages, Rick Warren, Same Sex Marriage, Gay Marriage Ban, Invocation, Gay Marriage, Entertainment News
Alan Cumming

Would Obama have been fine with saying his parents entered into a civil partnership? Maybe. But would he be fine with hearing that his parents' marriage was akin to a brother marrying his sister or a pedophile marrying a child?

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I Voted (Twice) for Obama, and Apparently I Lost

Joe Cutbirth | Posted 01.18.2009 | Politics

Read More: 14th Amendment, Harvey Milk Hope Speech, Proposition 8, Joe Cutbirth, Lesbian, President Obama, Lawrence King, Matthew Shepard, Obama, Gay, Civil Liberterian, Harvey Milk, Barack Obama, Marriage Equality, Lesbian and Gay, Gay Families, Briggs Initiative, Constitution, Hope, Mayor of Castro Street, Rick Warren, Homophobia, Obama Inauguration, Obama Transition, James Byrd Jr., Rick Warren Obama Invocation, Christian, David Duke, Politics News
Joe Cutbirth

Warren's selection is a thumb in the eye of every lesbian and gay citizen, and an insult to kind and decent Americans who believed that Obama's presidency was the beginning of a new era.

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