Tag: gay marriage

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Australia upholds gay marriage ban by wide margin

Australian lawmakers have overwhelmingly rejected a bill that would have legalized gay marriage.

The House of Representatives voted 98-42 against the legislation on Wednesday. It was the first of four bills introduced to Parliament that aim to lift the country’s ban on same-sex marriages.

A separate bill was also being debated in the Senate on Wednesday.

Polls show that most Australians support gay marriage. But the Liberal Party-led conservative opposition coalition and many in the ruling center-left Labor Party are against it.

Australian law defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Labor lifted its long-standing opposition to gay marriage last year, but Prime Minister Julia Gillard remains opposed to it.

(source)

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Minnesota: Ad opposing anti-gay marriage amendment on the air

First ad from Minnesotans United For All Families who oppose the anti-gay state amendment to ban marriage equality.

Kim and John, Catholic Republicans from Savage, Minnesota, talk about having their minds changed about gay families by a new couple who moved into their neighborhood, and their decision to vote “no” on the anti-gay marriage amendment on the ballot this November.

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Maine: Marriage equality supporters launch pre-emptive strike against NOM

As Mainers United for Marriage gears up for the last weeks of the marriage campaign, they’ve released a new ad that takes on the issue of religious freedom.

Having seen the anti-gay National Organization for Marriage’s playbook in the past and knowing their ads will feature lies about the impact of this law on churches, they’re addressing the attack early.

Smart kids.  See?  We’re catching on…

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Seattle Times backs marriage equality in Washington

The Seattle Times has launched its own social media campaign in support of same-sex marriage in Washington state.

Do you support same-sex marriage? Join The Seattle Times editorial board’s social media campaign to approve Referendum 74 on the Nov. 6 ballot. In your Sunday Seattle Times newspaper on Sept. 16, turn to the opinion section. Look for the sign that looks like this [above]. Cut it out. Take a photo of you, your partner or your family holding this sign and share it on Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #IDo74. You can also email the photo to ido@seattletimes.com. Please include names of the people in the photo. By sharing your photo, you give The Seattle Times permission to publish the photo in print and online.

Visit and “like” their new Facebook page.  

In addition, The News Tribune, the Spokesman Review, and The Columbian all endorsed R-74 and the freedom to marry, Washington United for Marriage reported Monday.

The News Tribune, which serves Tacoma and Pierce County, just south of Seattle, kept the rhetoric simple in its editorial endorsement for Referendum 74: “Why [Washingtonians] should vote yes can be summed up in one word. Equality.”

The Columbian, which serves the greater Vancouver, Wash., area, pointed out that since the state already embraces civil unions, it’s only logical to support full civil marriage for same-sex couples.

The Spokane-based Spokesman Review cites the recycled rhetoric of historic opposition to interracial marriage, which was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1967’s Loving v. Virginia.

“It’s not appropriate for citizens to vote on basic civil rights,” says the Spokesman Review’s editorial board. “But since the question is on the ballot, we hope Washingtonians will affirm the courageous and compassionate law adopted by the Legislature last spring.”

(source)

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GOP Senators introduce bill to stop same-sex ceremonies on military bases

Two GOP U.S. Senators on Tuesday introduced legislation that would prohibit same-sex unions from being held on military bases.

Here’s the long and short of it:

Specifically, the bill would prohibit marriage or marriage-like ceremonies at military facilities that are not a union between one man and one woman.

“The Defense of Marriage Act remains law, and as policy changes are implemented by the Department of Defense, the statute must be followed,” Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss) said. “This legislation also protects the freedom of conscience of chaplains who are serving our nation in the Armed Forces.”  The bill was also co-sponsored by Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.)

Last year, the Department of Defense authorized military chaplains to perform same-sex marriages in accordance with state law.

The authorization allows military chaplains to participate in ceremonies on or off military bases in states that recognize same-sex marriage.

The Department of Justice stopped defending DOMA in federal court actions after both President Obama and U. S. Attorney General Eric Holder last spring found the law to be unconstitutional.

Via LGBTQ Nation

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Gov. Jesse Ventura and wife speak out against anti-gay Minnesota amendment

Former Governor Jesse Ventura and his wife, Terry, have been married for 37 years – and they wouldn’t want to deny the happiness they’ve had in their life to anyone. “Love is by far bigger than government can ever be.”

Help defeat this anti-LGBT amendment in Minnesota: www.mnunited.org

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Washington: Alaska Air supports marriage equality

And another large corporation announces support for marriage equality in Washington state!

Senior leadership at Alaska Air Group and Alaska Airlines have announced their support for Washington United for Marriage and the campaign to Approve Referendum 74, joining a growing number of corporate leaders and businesses who understand the fundamental fairness of the bipartisan marriage law.

For Alaska Air Group and Alaska Airlines president Brad Tilden (pictured left) and his wife, Danielle, it comes down to doing the right thing. “Marriage equality is the right and fair thing to do in and for our state,” said Tilden, “From a business perspective, we risk losing qualified employees and applicants to other states which have adopted marriage equality statutes. Danielle and I are proud to support this initiative and are hopeful it will take our state to a new and more equitable place.”

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Nevada lawmaker looks to repeal ban on marriage equality

A Nevada lawmaker is aiming to challenge the state’s constitutional ban on marriage equality with legislation that would reverse two voter-approved ballot initiatives that have restricted marriages only to heterosexual couples.

Nevada Assemblyman Elliot Anderson will be introducing a bill after the legislature convenes in February which would begin the process to eliminate the state-wide ban on marriage equality because.

Nevadans approved the constitutional ban on marriage equality in 2000 with 69.6% of the vote. A final vote on the matter in 2002 was approved by 67% of the vote.

In 2009, Nevada passed domestic partnerships which reportedly gives same-sex couples the same rights as married couples.

(source)