Tag: same-sex marriage

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Editorial of the day: “The tide has turned. Time for Utah to turn with it”

From the editors of the Salt Lake Tribune:

Same-sex attraction, far from being unnatural, has been around since the dawn of time, and in recent decades mainstream America has come to accept it as something other than deviant. The American Psychiatric Association has considered homosexuality a normal sexual variation, not a mental disorder, since 1973. The Supreme Court in 2003 made same-sex sexual activity legal in every state, and then last June the court took that step of saying same-sex couples have a due-process right to marry. Younger people by and large take a more libertarian view of same-sex relationships, and that is what has fueled the nation’s shift since Utah passed its ban in 2004.

There are 32 states with laws still in effect banning gay marriage, but only one state has passed such a law since 2006. Since that time seven state legislatures have passed laws to allow same-sex marriage, and three more states did so through popular vote. Court decisions have struck down the laws in another seven states, including Utah. One of those states is California, where state officials stopped defending their same-sex marriage ban when it became obvious where the future lies. Utah’s ban passed with 66 percent of voters approving it, but it’s a legitimate question whether it would pass today if another election were held. Even the LDS Church has gone from actively participating in the marriage wars to simply explaining its own beliefs and practices.

The tide has turned. It’s time for Utah to turn with it.

(h/t JMG)

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Former Gov. Charlie Christ apologizes for supporting same-sex marriage ban in Florida

Charlie Crist has publicly apologized to LGBT people for his past opposition to marriage equality.

The former Republican governor of Florida, who is now running for the same post as a Democrat, courted gay voters in an interview with Tom Dyer of Watermark, a Florida-based LGBT publication.   This is Crist’s first ever interview with a gay media outlet.

In his remarks, Crist expressed regret his past support of Amendment 2, which changed Florida’s state constitution to ban same-sex marriage and civil unions through a 2008 referendum.

“I’m sorry,” the 57-year-old politician told reporter Tom Dyer. “I’m sorry I did that. It was a mistake. I was wrong. Please forgive me.”

The examples you cited were examples of me trying to be a good Republican. I couldn’t do it anymore, and I’m sorry I did.

“I made a mistake. I’m not perfect… please don’t hold me to that standard. And I’m sincerely sorry. I understand when it’s necessary to say I was wrong. That‘s the journey I’m on… and I’m still on it.

One of the few interviews I’ve seen in recent history where the journalist actually follows up on questions and hold his subject accountable. During the interview, Tom stays on Crist’s pivots regarding LGBT equality and even mentions that for all Crist’s great soundbites today, his campaign website mentions nothing about the LGBT community and what his goals might be for our community.

Head over to Watermark for the entire interview. Really worth reading.

(source)

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Rose Bowl Parade features float with same-sex marriage couple, wins “Color and Color Harmony” Award

Danny Leclair, 45, and Aubrey Loots, 42, a gay Los Angeles couple of 12 years, were married atop a float in Pasadena’s Tournament of Roses Parade today sponsored by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation and intended to mark the first New Year’s Day that same-sex marriage is legal in California and the role that marriage can play in helping to reduce new HIV infections among gay men, according to an AHF official.

Despite anti-gay protests and threats of “boycotts” of the this year’s Parade, the annual event happened splendidly. As a matter of fact, the AHF float won the award for “Color and Color Harmony.” 

During the 30 seconds that the float was onscreen during NBC’s coverage, the two grooms atop the wedding cake smiled, waved and did all those things you do when you are featured in a nationally televised parade.  From the look of it, the couple seemed to have a great time.

Parade host Al Roker: “A sincere shout-out to the newlyweds and the happy couples on the float.”

You will note, haters, that the sky has not fallen…

Happy 2014 folks!

(via Towleroad)

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Still no SCOTUS request for stay of marriage equality in Utah

https://twitter.com/BenWinslow/status/417718465990905856

At this point, you have to wonder what could justify a request for an “emergency stay” against marriage equality when clearly the Utah Atty General’s office is taking so much time to prepare.

How much of an “emergency” could there be if there’s this much foot-dragging?

Answer?  There is no emergency.

Forward.

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New Mexico’s largest newspaper to anti-gay opponents: It’s time to move on

In an op-ed in the Albuquerque Journal, the editors urge those still opposed to marriage equality in New Mexico to “move on:”

The reality is that same-sex marriage is here to stay. In the past few years, it has gained wide support, reflecting a changing U.S. society that is more tolerant of different lifestyle choices and a growing consensus that allowing people of the same sex to marry is the right thing to do.

[snip]

The state Supreme Court has concluded that all people, no matter their sexual orientation, should be treated equally under the law when it comes to the right to marry. It’s time to recognize that and move on.

Thoughtful and balanced, you can read the rest of the article here.

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Pew poll: Majority of Americans support marriage equality

According to Pew Research Center, just over half (51%) of the public now favors same-sex marriage, while 42% are opposed.  Sixty-seven percent believe gays and lesbians deserve equal rights.

Please note the direction of the graph lines over the past ten years.  The lines show growth in one direction. 

Brian Brown – are you paying attention?

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Freedom of speech at Tournatment of Roses Parade under attack by Karen Grube

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation third entry in the Tournament of Roses Parade will feature a same-sex wedding to take place atop a float themed “Love Is The Best Protection.”

Some folks are attacking the couple’s First Amendment rights to exchange their vows:

Karen Grube, of San Diego, said the Tournament of Roses should remove the AHF float from the parade. She has also called on corporate sponsors to remove their support of the parade if the wedding goes on as planned. And, she has set up a Facebook page seeking support for her cause.

“Gay marriage is illegal in over 30 states, why would they promote something that is blatantly illegal?” Grube said. “That’s just stupid.”

The 2014 Rose Parade is the first where gay marriage has been legal in California, following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June that deemed Proposition 8 unconstitutional.

Grube also said she didn’t think the Tournament should be involved in a group’s “political agenda.”

“It used to be a family thing, to get up on New Year’s Day morning and watch the parade,” she said. “It no longer is.”

Michael E. Thornton, a retired disabled veteran, said he will not be watching due to religious beliefs.

“Celebrating this ungodly activity is repugnant to me spiritually and I will not support this practice financially by viewing the parade,” he wrote in an email to this newspaper.

To point out the obvious, same-sex marriage is legal in California where the Tournament of Roses Parade takes place.

It will be interesting to see how many Duck Dynasty “Free Speech” warriors defend this gay couple for wanting to express their love publicly. Because, you know, the Phil Robertson support was about ‘free speech’ rights and not, you know, ‘the gay.’

(source)

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Utah sees record numbers of marriage licenses issued

The Salt Lake Tribune has the details:

As of close of business Thursday, more than 1,225 marriage licenses had been issued in Utah since last Friday, according to numbers obtained by The Salt Lake Tribune. Of those, at least 74 percent were issued to gay and lesbian couples.

That’s more than 905 same-sex couples who received marriage licenses in a week punctuated by holidays and limited — in some counties — by when their clerk began to adhere to U.S. District Judge Robert J. Shelby’s order.

With an average marriage license costing $40, counties in Utah made a grand total of more than $49,000 in the three-and-a-half days most county clerk’s offices were open this week.

About three-quarters of that money came from gay and lesbian couples seeking marriage licenses.

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BREAKING: 10th Circuit Court of Appeals DENIES stay of marriage equality in Utah

Via Chris Geidner at Buzzfeed:

“Having considered the district court’s decision and the parties’ arguments concerning the stay factors, we conclude that a stay is not warranted.   Accordingly, we deny Defendants-Appellants’ emergency motions for a stay pending appeal and for a temporary stay.  In addition, we direct expedited consideration of this appeal.  The Clerk is directed to issue a separate order setting deadlines for briefing.

Entered for the Court

Elisabeth A. Shumaker, Clerk

The state has one last resort – could ask the U.S. Supreme Court for a stay. The request would go to Justice Sotomayor.  Look for that to happen as soon as tomorrow…

It could be months before the 10th Circuit Court hears the appeal. In that time, same-sex couples will be allowed to marry in Utah!

Merry Christmas!!!

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Utah: Governor Herbert sends email to state agencies instructing them to follow ruling on marriage equality

Click image to enlarge

Utah Gov. Herbert’s office sent an email to state agencies telling them to comply with federal ruling on Amendment 3.

Dear Cabinet,

Thanks to each of you for providing an analysis of the impacts to the operations in your respective agencies based on the recent federal district court ruling on same sex marriage. As indicated in your responses, many agencies will experience minimal or no impact.

For those agencies that now face conflicting laws either in statute or administrative rule, you should consult with the Assistant Attorney Generals assigned to your agency on the best course to resolve those conflicts. You should also advise your analyst in GOMB of the plans for addressing the conflicting laws.

Where no conflicting laws exist you should conduct business in compliance with the federal judge’s ruling until such time that the current district court decision is addressed by the 10th Circuit Court.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Derek B. Miller
Chief of Staff
Governor’s Office
State of Utah

Below is an updated map of counties in the state of Utah currently NOT issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples, which is in violation of the Amendment 3 ruling and could carry a contempt of court charge.