The Uruguay Senate just approved its marriage equality bill by a vote of 23-8.
The bill will return to the country’s lower legislative chamber for minor changes, but President Mujica has promised to sign the bill and marriages should commence within a few months.
From Freedom to Marry: “When marriages between same-sex couples begin this summer, Uruguay will join 11 countries that have the freedom to marry for same-sex couples nationwide: The Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Canada, South Africa, Norway, Sweden, Portugal, Iceland, Argentina, and Denmark.
“Three others have taken judicial and regional steps to allow same-sex couples to share in the freedom to marry in parts of the country: Brazil, Mexico, and the United States.”
Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert took a sideways argument against common sense gun legislation and “slippery-sloped” right over to gay “bestiality:”
In fact, I had this discussion with some wonderful, caring Democrats earlier this week on the issue of, well, they said “surely you could agree to limit the number of rounds in a magazine, couldn’t you? How would that be problematic?”
And I pointed out, well, once you make it ten, then why would you draw the line at ten? What’s wrong with nine? Or eleven? And the problem is once you draw that limit ; it’s kind of like marriage when you say it’s not a man and a woman any more, then why not have three men and one woman, or four women and one man, or why not somebody has a love for an animal?
There is no clear place to draw the line once you eliminate the traditional marriage and it’s the same once you start putting limits on what guns can be used, then it’s just really easy to have laws that make them all illegal.
In related news, President Reagan’s son, Michael, wrote an op-ed piece bringing marriage equality, bestiality and murder into the same thinking space:
“It’s ultimately about changing the culture of the entire country; it inevitably will lead to teaching our public school kids that gay marriage is a perfectly fine alternative and no different than traditional marriage.
There is also a very slippery slope leading to other alternative relationships and the unconstitutionality of any law based on morality. Think about polygamy, bestiality, and perhaps even murder.”
What’s pretty grotty about the whole endeavor is that it’s all done with conscious intent. These men know exactly what they are doing when they make these comments about the LGBT community.
We all know the brilliance of Elaine singing “Ladies Who Lunch” from COMPANY and “Broadway Baby” from FOLLIES.
But if you missed her Tony Award winning one woman show “Elaine Stritch – At Liberty,” here’s just one example why you have to go buy/rent/find a copy and watch it.
I was lucky to see it. This is just a tip of the iceberg.
Shirley Manson and Garbage arranged for Detroit fan Scott Sauter to propose to his boyfriend Domenick Viviano on stage at their concert on Saturday night.
As the crowd goes wild you can hear Dominic shouting an emphatic “Yes! Yes!”
Garbage then dedicated the song “Vow” to Dominic and Scott.
Currently, Michigan has a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage but a judge has delayed ruling on a a challenge to that law until after the Supreme Court rules on marriage equality.
I want to post another view of the proposal because I want you to get a true visual sense of the crowd’s reaction.
THIS is why marriage equality will win the day. Because young people get the point.
It is believed that there are at least 267,000 undocumented LGBT immigrants in the United States and some of them are speaking out in a new video calling out for LGBT-inclusive immigration reform.
In conjunction with the recent release of the report “Living In Dual Shadows: LGBT Undocumented Immigrants,” the Center for American Progress today announced the launch of out4citizenship.org, a new website designed to tell the stories of LGBT undocumented immigrants and continue the momentum toward providing a path to citizenship for all undocumented immigrants.
“When I climbed the Capitol steps in January, I promised myself that I would return to the Senate with an open mind and greater respect for others,” Kirk wrote on his blog.
“Same-sex couples should have the right to civil marriage. Our time on this earth is limited, I know that better than most. Life comes down to who you love and who loves you back– government has no place in the middle.”
Kirk is the second sitting Republican Senator to endorse marriage equality, following Ohio Republican Sen. Rob Portman last month.
EJ is a student at NYU and has a close relationship with his parents:
Earvin Johnson III — aka EJ — is one of Magic’s 3 kids. The Lakers legend tells TMZ, “Cookie and I love EJ and support him in every way.” Magic goes on, “We’re very proud of him.”
“I’ve supported Delaware’s journey toward marriage equality because I believe the law should recognize the committed relationships of same-sex couples. As a Catholic and as an elected official, I’ve been dedicated to striking the balance between honoring the religious sacrament of marriage, while allowing same-sex couples to enjoy legal recognition of their committed relationships.
“That’s why — starting as Lieutenant Governor — I supported civil unions, culminating with the passage of Delaware’s civil union law in 2011. And that’s why I support marriage equality in Delaware.
“I continue to respect and support the rights of religious institutions to define marriage in accordance with the tenets of their faith. However, I do not believe it is right for the government to treat couples differently based on their sexual orientation. Marriage equality will ensure that same-sex couples in Delaware receive the same treatment under the law.
“For over a generation, we as a society have honored the truth that separate is not equal. On the surface, this may just sound like a debate about words. But marriage is also symbolic — it gives honor to a lifelong partnership in a way that civil unions do not. This June, I will be married 20 years. I know that marriage is about commitment, love, and mutual respect.
“All Delawareans should have the privilege of participating in this institution.”
