Tag: marriage equality

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London Mayor Boris Johnson on marriage equality

“The key thing about faith – at least in this country – is that you can choose whether to believe or not, and you can pretty much choose how to observe your faith. But you can’t (really) choose where you are born, or the laws under which you grow up whether you are gay or straight.

And marriage is an ancient human institution that is far older than any of the religions that are practised today. It may well be beloved by God, but no religion has ever had a monopoly on marriage. [snip]

Marriage is an institution that can bring great happiness. It is a formal acknowledgment, by society, of the love and bond that can exist between human beings. It provides stability and comfort. Far from dying out, marriage is on the increase – especially in London.  Why on earth would we deny it to anyone?”

– London Mayor Boris Johnson, writing for the Independent.

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France: Marriage equality to be approved October 31, 2012

According to PinkNews, The French government is looking to October 31st as the day when the first draft of its marriage equality law will be approved.

Despite widespread political and religious opposition, Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault insisted there would be no backtracking on a manifesto promise by President Francois Hollande in an interview with AFP. More than 1,200 French mayors and deputy mayors have signed a petition opposing the government’s plans, with many of them warning they will not preside over same-sex ceremonies. However, this represents less than one percent of the total number of mayors and deputy mayors in France.

The Socialist Party holds a strong majority and President Francois Hollande has vowed that same-sex marriages will commence nationwide by summer.

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Baptist Pastors support marriage equality in Maryland

In new ads from Marylanders for Marriage Equality, two African-American pastors speak out in support of the Question 6 ballot measure, which would put Maryland’s legislatively-passed marriage equality law into effect.

The Baltimore Sun reports: “The ads are designed to counter an organized push by black churches to preach opposition to same-sex marriage from the pulpit this month. Both sides are wooing black voters this year; they made up about 25 percent of the electorate in 2008, and are expected to come out in similar numbers for this year’s election.”

Says Rev. Donte Hickman: “As a pastor, my support for Question 6 is rooted in my belief that the government should treat everyone equally.”

Says Rev. Delman Coates: “This law does not force any church to perform a same-sex marriage if it’s against their beliefs. Protecting religious freedom and protecting all Marylanders equally under the law. That’s what this is about.”

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Washington: Sixty-three priests support marriage equality

A group of 63 priests with more than 800 combined years of service to the church are coming out in support of marriage equality on Thursday, the Seattle PI reports:

“We are uneasy with the aggressive efforts of Catholic bishops to oppose R-74 and want to support the 71 percent of Catholics (Public Religion Research Institute) who support civil marriage for gays as a valid Catholic position,” they said in a statement.

Former priest Pat Callahan, who organized the statement, added:  “This is the first public action we’ve taken.”  Callahan was in the Catholic priesthood for 15 years.

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Washington state marriage equality foes “buying” Likes for Facebook page

According to Pam’s House Blend, the anti-gay forces opposing marriage equality in Washington state are “buying” Likes for their Facebook page in an effort appear more “popular.”

See the screen capture below (click the pic to enlarge):

Before the buying spree began, the page had only about 6,000 likes. It’s hard to imagine the purpose of buying empty likes, except to perhaps generate a false sense of strength among local supporters.
 
Preserve Marriage Washington is the group trying to kill Washington state’s freedom to marry law. To keep the law on the books, Washingtonians must vote “Approved” on Referendum 74 this Nov. 6th.

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Washington: Marriage equality support grows to 15 point lead

More good news from Washington state’s campaign for marriage equality:

Washington voters appear poised to enact changes in social policy, legalizing same-sex marriage and possession of marijuana, that will be noticed across the country, according to a new SurveyUSA poll for KING/5 News. The poll found Referendum 74, which would make Washington the seventh state to enact marriage equality, leading by a 55-40 percent margin with just 6 percent undecided. No state in America has ever voted in favor of same-sex marriage. The issue is also on the ballot in Maryland and Maine.


Republican Washington State Rep. Maureen Walsh appears in the newest ad for Washington United for Marriage.

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Anti-gay group in Washington state buys “likes” on Facebook

A group trying to kill marriage equality in Washington State is participating in some nefarious promotion, according to Pam’s House Blend.

Preserve Marriage Washington had about 6,000 “likes” on its Facebook page before it purchased thousands of additional likes from Thailand, according to the site.

“It’s hard to imagine the purpose of buying empty likes, except to perhaps generate a false sense of strength among local supporters,” blogger Laurel Ramseye writes.

That’s kind of sad – you have to buy LIKES to make people think your position is popular.

How about you just admit folks don’t like your hate?