LGBTQ news and entertainment
The Human Rights Campaign has put together an infographic detailing some of what the HRC feels are the more likely outcomes from the Supreme Court arguments in the Prop. 8 and DOMA cases. Click the graphic to view larger.
The small town of KwaDukuza was set abuzz this weekend as a young couple said “I do”.
This is believed to be the area’s ‘First Traditional African Gay Wedding’.
(via JMG)
“In speaking with North Dakotans from every corner of our great state, and much personal reflection, I have concluded the federal government should no longer discriminate against people who want to make lifelong, loving commitments to each other or interfere in personal, private, and intimate relationships. I view the ability of anyone to marry as a logical extension of this belief. The makeup of families is changing, but the importance of family is enduring.” – Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), becoming the 52nd sitting U.S. Senator to endorse marriage equality.
(Via JMG)
Senator Joe Donnelly (D-IN) has come out for marriage equality:
“In recent years, our country has been involved in an important discussion on the issue of marriage equality. While serving in the House of Representatives, I had the opportunity to act on a core belief of mine: we are a stronger country when we draw on the strengths of all Americans. I voted to repeal ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ and was an original supporter of the bill that would make it illegal to discriminate against someone in the workplace because of their sexual orientation. It is also for that reason that I oppose amending either Indiana’s or our nation’s constitution to enshrine in those documents an ‘us’ and a ‘them,’ instead of a ‘we.’ With the recent Supreme Court arguments and accompanying public discussion of same-sex marriage, I have been thinking about my past positions and votes. In doing so, I have concluded that the right thing to do is to support marriage equality for all.”
New Quinnipiac poll puts same-sex marriage support at 50 percent:
“Fifty-percent of American voters support same-sex marriage, while 41 percent oppose it and the remaining 9 percent are unsure or did not answer, according to a Quinnipiac University Polling Institute survey released on Thursday.
It’s the first time support has reached the 50 percent threshold for Quinnipiac.
Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), in a statement today to the Tampa Bay Times announced his support for marriage equality.
“It is generally accepted in American law and U.S. society today ‘that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.’ I believe that.
The civil rights and responsibilities for one must pertain to all. Thus, to discriminate against one class and not another is wrong for me. If we are endowed by our Creator with rights, then why shouldn’t those be attainable by Gays and Lesbians?
Simply put, if The Lord made homosexuals as well as heterosexuals, why should I discriminate against their civil marriage? I shouldn’t, and I won’t.
So I will add my name to the petition of senators asking the Supreme Court to declare the law that prohibits gay marriage unconstitutional.”
Sen. Nelson makes it 51 members of the Senate that have endorsed marriage.
Four years ago today the Iowa State Supreme Court ruled in Varnum v. Brian that same-sex couples should have the freedom to marry across the state of Iowa. Continue reading “Iowa: Happy 4th Anniversary of Marriage Equality!”
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.”
Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) has announced his support for marriage equality.
From Buzzfeed:
“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.