Tag: marriage equality

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Paris: Archbishop warns marriage equality will lead to violence

The Archbishop of Paris, Cardinal Andre Vingt-Trois, has warned the French government that legalizing same-sex marriage will lead to violence:

Vingt-Trois, the archbishop of Paris, said the difference between the sexes was a basic human trait and denying it by legalizing marriage and adoption for homosexuals would weaken society’s ability to manage its differences peacefully. “This is the way a violent society develops,” he told the spring meeting of the French bishops’ conference. “Society has lost its capacity of integration and especially its ability to blend differences in a common project.” Vingt-Trois, the archbishop of Paris, said the difference between the sexes was a basic human trait and denying it by legalizing marriage and adoption for homosexuals would weaken society’s ability to manage its differences peacefully. “This is the way a violent society develops,” he told the spring meeting of the French bishops’ conference. “Society has lost its capacity of integration and especially its ability to blend differences in a common project.”

On Saturday the leader of France’s anti-gay Manif Pour Tous declared that “Hollande wants blood and he will get it.”

(source)

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Anti-gay protesters arrested attempting to camp out at National Assemby

French police today arrested approximately 70 anti-gay activists today as they tried to set up camp outside the National Assembly in advance of a final April 23 vote on marriage equality, Reuters reports:

Around 70 people were arrested early on Monday and placed in custody after they tried to set up a campsite outside the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, near the banks of the Seine river, a police official said. 
Another 19 protesters were stopped by police for identity checks late on Sunday as they waited for Interior Minister Manuel Valls to leave a concert hall in the capital.

Violent rhetoric by anti-gay groups is being ratcheted up in advance of the vote, with one anti-gay leader declaring blood would be spilled should the legislature vote for equality.

The April 23 date is a new one, weeks earlier than initially planned.

(via Towleroad)

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New Zealand looks to final approval of marriage equality this week

NewzealandNew Zealand looks ready for final approval of marriage equality this week, TVNZ reports:

Labour MP Louisa Wall’s marriage equality member’s bill is due to have its third reading in Parliament on Wednesday night.

The bill passed its committee stages with 77 votes to 43 last month and little change was anticipated for the final vote.

Big crowds, including a few celebrities, were expected to be in Parliament’s public gallery to witness the vote.

Once the bill is passed it will be four months before the first same-sex couples can be married. Weddings could begin as early as mid-August.

(h/t Towleroad)

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Christian Broadcasting Network is NOT happy about marriage equality in France

From the video report: “The Socialist government of President Francois Hollande will essentially destroy and then redefine the traditional institution of marriage for the benefit of a relatively tiny part of the population.  As is the case in most western nations, homosexuals account for less than 5% of the population in France.”

Polls show a majority of French citizens support marriage equality.

Catch enough buzz words in there?  Socialist?  Homosexual? Destroy/redefine traditional marriage.

It must be killing Brian Brown that he lost this one.

However, on the bright side, he did get some nice all-expenses paid trips to Paris.  How nice for him.

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Irish Constitutional Convention approves allowing referendum on marriage equality

By a vote of 79-18, the Irish Constitutional Convention has approved a referendum for marriage equality according to the Irish Examiner.

Convention Chairman Tom Arnold announced the results of the vote to enthusiastic applause.

“I would like to thank all of the participants who contributed to the Constitutional Convention’s same-sex marriage discussion,” Mr Arnold commented.

“I am very pleased that proceedings were conducted in a fair and transparent manner with all sides getting an opportunity to make their respective cases.

“This weekend’s discussions have been both passionate and thoughtful, both heartfelt and rigorous.”

A report will now be drafted and sent to the Government, which will have four months with which to respond.  If the Government agrees with the recommendation, a timeline for the referendum will be decided and scheduled. 

A 2012 poll shows strong support for marriage equality in Ireland – 75% approve of making civil marriage legal for same-sex couples.  In addition, the same poll shows 2 out of 3 polled say same-sex marriage will strengthen society as a whole.

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Two more Democratic congressmen publicly support marriage equality

Rep. Ron Kind of Wisconsin released a statement endorsing marriage equality via a post on Facebook, saying that history has shown that “discrimination never works:”

“My 18-year marriage to Tawni has taught me that we’re both stronger because we love and support each other. I support marriage equality because if two people want to make a lifetime commitment to love and care for one another, then the government shouldn’t stand in the way.

“As the Supreme Court deliberates the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act and Proposition 8, I’m reminded that throughout history, discrimination has never worked. I have never voted for discrimination, and I look forward to supporting legislation like the Respect for Marriage Act that will help committed same-sex couples gain the same rights as everyone else.”

Rep. Pete Visclosky of Indiana announced his support for marriage equality via Facebook also:

“I support marriage equality for all couples and believe that every single American should be able to marry the person they love. I believe that it is unfair that, under current law, same-sex couples are legally prohibited from taking advantage of the federal laws that provide financial and legal benefits to married couples. I believe that we can no longer allow the states to discriminate against same-sex marriages. Rather, I believe that the federal government should ensure that all consenting adults, no matter who they are or who they love, have the exact same marriage rights.”

Visclosky voted for DOMA in 1996. His spokesman says Visclosky now “regrets that vote.”

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NBC/WSJ poll: 53% support marriage equality

A new poll by NBC/WSJ shows support for marriage equality continues to climb:

Fifty-three percent of respondents favor allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry, which is up 2 points since the NBC/WSJ survey last asked this question in December, though that increase is within the poll’s margin of error.

Forty-two percent oppose gay marriage – also up 2 points since late last year.

By party, 73 percent of Democrats and 54 percent of independents back gay marriage, while 66 percent of Republicans oppose it.

Slow and steady wins the race, kids.

Forward.

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France: Senate passes reading of full marriage equality bill

The articles have been voted on one by one. And now the French Senate has passed the marriage equality bill as a whole.

From Edge LGBT News:

The French Senate has voted to legalize same-sex marriage in France, putting a landmark bill on track to become law by summer.

The vote in the upper house of parliament – led by President Francois Hollande’s Socialists – comes despite boisterous protests. Opponents – mostly conservatives and fervent Roman Catholics – have sought to defend traditional marriage.

Both houses of parliament will now take up a second reading to consider minor Senate changes to the bill passed in February by the National Assembly, also controlled by a Socialist-led majority.

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Nevada: state Senate committee advances proposal to repeal anti-marriage amendment

This morning, by a vote of 3-2, the Senate Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections in Nevada voted to advance a legislative measure that would begin the process to repeal the state’s anti-marriage equality amendment and legalize marriage equality.

A vote is expected before April 23.

From Freedom To Marry:

An initial draft of the language for the measure sought to repeal the state’s 2006 anti-marriage constitutional amendment, but the resolution passed this morning takes a step forward by replacing that language with an amendment to “recognize marriages and issue marriage licenses, regardless of gender.” 

In order to repeal the amendment, the resolution – SJR13 – must pass this year AND again with identical language in the next legislative session (2015). If both votes pass, then the proposal goes to the voters in November 2016.

For more info about marriage equality in Nevada, click here.

(via Freedom To Marry)