- The Georiga Bulletin, www.georgiabulletin.org December 22, 2009

Published:

WASHINGTON (CNS) — The Washington Archdiocese expressed regret that a District of Columbia bill to legalize same-sex marriage was approved despite church opposition and without protecting religious freedom. “Since this legislation was first introduced in October, the Archdiocese of Washington opposed the redefinition of marriage based on the core teaching of the Catholic Church that the complementarity of man and woman is intrinsic to the definition of marriage,” said an archdiocesan statement Dec. 15. However, the archdiocese said that because “the City Council was committed to legalizing same-sex marriages,” it had advocated for a bill that would balance that action with protecting religious freedom. The archdiocese’s statement was issued the same day the council voted 11-2 to allow gay couples from anywhere in the country to marry in the city. The vote was the second of two required on the measure, which was first introduced nearly a year ago. Mayor Adrian Fenty signed the bill Dec. 18. It also must undergo a 30-day congressional review period.

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- Jamie Frevele, www.huffingtonpost.com
Posted: December 20, 2009 11:06 PM

So, a couple of weeks ago, after the NY State Senate voted down marriage equality, I put my legal right to marry up for auction on eBay. My symbolic auction had raised $327 for the Point Foundation, which provides mentors, financial assistance, and support for LGBT students, before it was pulled. I won’t go into details because I’d rather move forward than complain about an easily overcome obstacle.

But this blew up the tiniest bit. $327? That’s a pretty decent contribution during this tight holiday season, and it was an amount of which I was really proud. The word had really spread in the LGBT blogosphere. I was interviewed by two radio shows as well as Advocate.com, who also followed up when the listing was pulled. Even more surprisingly, my local news station — on Long Island, where only two state senators, Brian Foley and Craig Johnson, voted in support of marriage equality — covered this story and may also follow up now that the auction has a new venue. I was so proud of News 12 Long Island that day. I should mention that for a few months in 2007, I provided them some really horrible production assistance. But I will be forever thankful that they covered this story.

(I’m also pretty grateful that the outlets that have covered this include the fact that I know I can’t actually auction off my right to marry. The last thing we need on our side is an idiot. And I’m not one.)

But I think the best part of this was the overwhelming support this received. I’m going to keep their usernames out, but here are some of the best comments that were posted on my eBay listing. You’ll see why I won’t let this thing die.

“Thank you! It’s people like you that give me hope that maybe someday this bigotry will end. I’ve been with my partner for 18 years and my one wish is that we can have this legal protection for our rapidly approaching old age. Thanks for finding a creative way to highlight our issue.”

“You rock! And this is a brilliant idea. Thank you so much for your support. My significant other and I have been together for almost 9 years and have a 2 year old son. We are a family in every way except legally. Thank you for standing up for us.”

“Thank you Jamie. I read about your auction through joemygod.com. It brings a tear to my eye to hear someone like you, who does not have a vested interest in gay marriage, come out as a vocal supporter.

Don’t give up on marriage. You sound like quite a catch. Any guy would be lucky to have such a kind woman as his wife.” [That seems totally self-serving to reprint, but it was just, honestly, one of the nicest things ever told to me by someone whom I've never met, and I'll never forget it.]

“I unfortunately cannot afford to bid on your right to marry, but I can afford a comment. Bravo, Jamie. Bravo. And thank you.” [The new venue allows an option for individual donations of any size!]

“Jamie, I am sure that you are getting a lot of mail thanking you for this posting, but I figured, why not add another one to the pile? I remember Prop 8, Question 1, and the so many other votes throughout the country in recent years that made me feel like I was an inferior being. I can remember contemplating, and eventually attempting (and thankfully failing), suicide because of that feeling. I remember watching the New York vote online, and with every ‘No’ vote, just feeling worse and worse, because one day, when I find someone that I want to spend the rest of my life with, I want the option that you are so generously selling. When it became clear that the vote was not going to pass, I sat in bed crying, wondering how people could be so ignorant, and why I couldn’t get married just because I like other men. People don’t realize how much basic rights such as marriage mean to those who do not have it, so I thank you for trying to help. Thank you.”

“This is a comment, not a question: THANK YOU, Ms Frevele, for doing this! Your description is both elegant and right on (as we used to say in the 60′s), your actions commendable. We cannot win Equal Marriage by ourselves, we MUST have straight allies such as yourself. When this ‘war’ is over, you can take pride in having had a hand in the victory!”

“This is wonderful and I would like to personally thank you for this. If this gets around it sends a really great message. You may want to consider donating the money to the Ali Forney Center in Manhattan as they are really hurting. They take in LGBT kids who get thrown away when they come out to their parents. Thanks again.” [Thank YOU, for bringing another worthy organization to my attention!]

“Hi Jamie,

You rock. My amazing partner of 5 years, our beautiful baby boy, and I all thank you for fighting the good fight and finding a refreshingly humorous way to bring attention to the ridiculous nature of this political struggle. I intensely resent the fact that the government feels entitled to legislate my family’s happiness and legal wellbeing – and without plenty of good hetero folks on our side, this struggle will never end. The Point Foundation sounds like a perfect fit, kudos to you for the protest/fundraiser all in one! Thank you!”

“Jamie, I’m just writing to say thank you. I’m Canadian and here, in Canada, same sex marriage is a legal right. It’s hard to watch the disappointment and frustration on my gay sisters and brothers faces every time they’re told they are less than equal. Marriage equality in the US will be a tough battle, but you are helping to tip the scales. Best of all, you’re doing it with humour and more that just a little sarcasm. Thank you for speaking out. Thank you for your kindness. Thank you for your common sense. And when the day comes that gay women and men can marry, I will think of you. So will every other gay person who’s seen this listing. With this gesture, you’ve become a piece of it all. Just in case you don’t already know it – you rock, girl!”

What prompted me to do this was the fiance of my high school prom date and best guy friend in high school. I loved him like a brother, and we just got back in touch a couple of years ago. In that teenage “Island of Misfit Toys,” he was just one of many rocks, all of us supporting each other. So after the vote was over, the first thing I saw on Facebook was his fiance’s status: “NY just reminded me that I’m a second-class citizen.” I had joked about putting my right to marry up on eBay, but after reading that, it was time to make a point.

The new auction can be found at IDonatetoCharity.org, and this one is even better than eBay. For those who cannot afford to bid on a growing amount, individual donations can be made (of any size) to the Point Foundation. For those who still cannot afford a donation, that’s also fine. It’s rough for everyone right now. But you can still spread the word. Post the link on Facebook, email it, just get the word out. If there’s anything I’ve learned from doing comedy, it’s that you never know who is out there who can help out. You never know. You may tell 25 people about this and 24 of them are against marriage equality. But one person who supports it will be able to bid, donate, or further spread the word. It works. And 10 of those people might be on the fence and change their minds.

There will be people who think this is stupid. I’ve already been called a “looney” on one site, which made me giggle because it made me think of Monty Python’s “Fish License” sketch in which John Cleese proclaims “I am not a looney!” while trying to obtain a license for his pet fish, Eric. Eric the Fish. Ironic, because it makes me wonder about the first time a same-sex couple tried to obtain a marriage license and were probably called way worse. But this shouldn’t be about shutting up our opponents. They can say whatever they want, spreading hate and venom to people who haven’t received the facts. It’s our duty to provide those facts, to be smarter, louder, organized, and open-minded. It’s not time to write people off or underestimate humanity. Change can happen on this, and even if it takes decades, we just won’t shut up or give up. We’ve had setbacks, but underneath the most visible rejections are the most inconspicuous victories. And one day, they will grow so much that they can’t be ignored. People will change, new voices will emerge, and at some point justice will not be denied. We just need to be patient. And trust me, I really hate that. I hate being told to wait. Hate it. But if that’s required, let’s take it. It’s better than being told there’s no hope left.

That’s why I chose the Point Foundation. There are plenty of excellent people and organizations working on marriage equality on the local, state and national levels. (Including the Empire State Pride Agenda.) But I chose the Point Foundation for a couple of reasons. One, I was not popular in school. I was a nerd, then I was a freak. While I had close friends that I appreciated much too late, when they weren’t around, it was lonely and scary. If I had been struggling with this awkward, impossible teendom while also coming to grips with my sexuality, and wondering if my own friends and family, let alone my school, would accept me, I don’t know what I would have done. I don’t think I would have made it out alive. The Point Foundation supports the kids who are dealing with that right now. Two, the most exceptional of these kids, the Point Scholars, are the new voices that will emerge. They are the ones who will become leaders, and they need to be guided and nurtured. Three, some people might be on the fence about marriage equality. But lots of those people will not deny kids.

Yes, this auction is a silly idea. Yes, I consider myself to be a comedian, and that might lessen my credibility. But as you can see, I can write. I am using my skills for something worthwhile that needs attention and it has worked. More of us need to come out and use our talents for something bigger than ourselves so we can overcome those who use their positions and skills for the wrong reasons. (I’m talking to you, Ruben Diaz, using the pulpit to spread anything but compassion, tolerance, and acceptance.)

So visit my listing. If you can bid, wonderful. If you can donate, awesome. If all you can do is send the link, still wonderful and awesome. It’s the time to unearth our allies.

Follow Jamie Frevele on Twitter: www.twitter.com/jamielikesthis

- The Portugal News Online, www.the-news.net December 23, 2009

The Portuguese government were planning to present a law decree proposal to Parliament paving the way for same-sex marriages by the end of this year, a senior minister said.

Pedro Silva Pereira, the minister to the presidency, said the draft bill was to be discussed in the Council of Ministers last Thursday and taken to parliament later this month for action.

He said the right of adoption by homosexual couples would not be included in the bill.

Prime Minister José Sócrates’ Socialist Party included a same-sex marriage plan in its election manifesto for last September’s legislative polls.

While the Socialists were returned to power with a parliamentary minority, the proposal is expected to get the backing of leftist opposition parties, virtually assuring its passage, analysts said.

TPN/Lusa

- December 22, 2009 by Jason Shaw
www.gayagenda.com

It looks as though Maggie Gallagher may be wrong in her pompous assumption that marriage equality is not inevitable, as same-sex marriage has just become legal South of the boarder as well.

From Jason Shaw:

Mexico City has become the first city in Latin America to legalise gay marriage, giving same sex couples a lot more rights, including allowing them to adopt children. The bill was passed the capital’s local ruling assembly by 39 votes to 20 on Monday 21 December, the city’s mayor, Marcelo Ebrard, of the Democratic Revolution party, had been tipped for some time to sign the measure and make it into law.

The bill called for a change of the definition of marriage in the city’s civil code, it’s was defined as the union of a man and a woman, the new wording will be “the free uniting of two people”. This amendment will enable gay couples to adopt, apply for bank loans, inherit wealth, be included in the insurance policies of their partner, all rights that were denied under the cities civil union laws.

“We are so happy,” said campaigning film student,Temistocles Villanueva, outside the city assembly after the law was passed, similar thoughts and sentiment was expressed by gays and lesbians all over the city.

“For centuries, unjust laws banned marriage between blacks and whites or Indians and Europeans. Today, all barriers have disappeared.” Said Victor Romo from the DRP in a statement.

However, Armando Martinez, the president of the College of Catholic Attorneys, complained that politicians had “given Mexicans the most bitter Christmas – They are permitting adoption and in one stroke of the pen have erased the terms mother and father,” he said.

Buenos Aires, the Argentine capital was the very first Latin American city to legalise same sex civil unions for gay and lesbian couples back in 2002. It took a while, but in 2007 four other Argentine cities did the same. Mexico City was the first city in Mexico to introduce a similar civil union for same sex couples in the same year, 2007.

However, many people in Mexico and elsewhere in Latin America remain opposed to gay marriage, and the Roman Catholic church has announced its opposition, as has the National Action party, led by the Mexican president, Felipe Calderón.

Mexico City is perhaps one of the most liberal and enlightened of the major Latin American cities, where homosexuality is increasingly accepted in Mexico. The annual gay pride parade attracts tens of thousands of people each year and the city has a vibrant gay scene.

Martha Stewart Weddings Magazine is celebrating their 15th Anniversary issue with a twist – a gay couple’s wedding is featured in the magazine!

Click here to see:

- www.gaylife.about.com Monday December 21, 2009

For years I’ve walked by the Salvation Army headquarters on 14th Street in New York City. There is almost always a homeless person taking shelter on the stairs waiting for the doors to open and occasionally there are white dispatch trucks parked outside. I look up each time, because the Salvation Army has been one of the most visible aide organizations that I can remember.

In fact, The Salvation Army is one of the largest volunteer banks, raising nearly $2 billion in private funds each year. Most recognize the Army by their street soldier: santa-suited bell ringers that stand outside of Macy’s or the grocery store asking for loose change or stray dollars to support their mission.

But, for all the Salvation Army does for homelessness, disaster relief and international aide, they are public about their apprehension towards gays and lesbians. In fact, they discourage LGBT people from volunteering. Their web site reads:

“The Army regards the origins of a homosexual orientation as a mystery and does not regard a homosexual disposition as blameworthy in and of itself or rectifiable at will. Nevertheless, while we are not responsible for what we are, we are accountable for what we do; and homosexual conduct, like heterosexual conduct, is controllable and may be morally evaluated therefore in light of scriptural teaching.

“For this reason, such practices, if unrenounced, render a person ineligible for Salvation Army soldiership.”

365gay.com columnist Lisa Neff writes: “I’ll tell you that I used to contribute to the Salvation Army, though I was never enthusiastic about the organization’s missionary work.” Neff goes on to say, “I can find a charity more worthy of the stray dollar in my pocket.”

Should gays and lesbians give to charities that lobby against LGBT interests? And, how can a philanthropic organization offer human rights services in some areas and lobby against rights in others? Charitable gifts shouldn’t come with stipulations, but should our dollars be used against us?

By Deborah Mcdermott
dmcd...@seacoastonline.com
December 21, 2009

Maine gay marriage advocates have regrouped following repeal of the gay marriage law at the ballot Nov. 3, and they are working to put like-minded legislators in office in 2010.

They also are planning to take a more personal approach with voters than they did in the months leading up to November — an approach that focuses less on identifying likely voters than it does on having conversations with people in the more rural, small-town pockets of Maine.

Lane Williamson of Kittery, who led the southern York County NO on 1 voting effort in November, said that was the outcome of a recent community meeting held by Equality Maine in Ogunquit — one of a number of such meetings Equality Maine held throughout the state in the past month.

Dorian Cole, communications director of Equality Maine, said no decision has been made about how the campaign will proceed with a new gay marriage initiative. Advocates could seek legislation through either a bill or a citizen’s initiative, seek redress in the courts or alternatives such as civil unions.

All alternatives are being discussed, she said, although she said the court route was “low in our priorities.”

Mostly, she said, gay marriage advocates are just working to get people elected in 2010.

It was recently announced that the National Organization for Marriage, the major backer of YES on 1 organization Stand for Marriage Maine, also intend to become involved in next year’s races.

“That’s where our focus is right now,” Cole said.

Williamson said gay marriage advocates are definitely working toward bringing the issue to another vote in Maine. And the overall strategy has changed.

“Equality Maine has figured out it didn’t create enough of a grassroots organization, and they’re right,” she said. “The way to be doing this is on the ground, with communities of people who are local, who are talking and persuading.”

She said advocates plan to begin building that community, town by town, starting now. And so, in York County for instance, “that means leaving the coast and going to western York County.” She said there are natural constituencies already in place in most towns — in many churches, among high school students and at businesses that support equality, for instance.

She said many people in Maine “would never discriminate against anyone. Their Bible, their sense of right and wrong teaches them that everyone has equal rights. We want to create opportunities so that we can talk to them and persuade them to see what we’re talking about is much the same thing.”

By BARRY HATTON (AP)

LISBON, Portugal — Portugal’s Socialist government has drawn up a proposal that would make Portugal the sixth European country to allow gay marriage.

The law is almost certain to pass, as the center-left Socialist government has the support of all left-of-center parties, who together have a majority in Parliament. Right-of-center parties oppose the measure.

The proposal changes Portuguese law to remove references to marriage being between two people of different sexes, Cabinet Minister Pedro Silva Pereira told a news conference Thursday, adding the government will send its proposal to lawmakers for a debate, probably in January.

If approved by Parliament, the proposed law goes to Portugal’s conservative President Anibal Cavaco Silva, who can ratify or veto it. A veto can be overturned by Parliament.

If there is no presidential veto, the first gay marriage ceremonies could take place in April — a month before Pope Benedict XVI is due on a four-day official visit.

Gay marriage is currently permitted in five European countries — Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Norway.

In Portugal, an overwhelmingly Roman Catholic country, previous efforts to introduce gay marriage have run into strong resistance from religious groups and conservative lawmakers.

Pedro Corte-Real, head of the Portuguese delegation of ILGA, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, said the proposal was a vindication of his group’s battle to end sexual discrimination.

“We have been fighting for this for years,” he told The AP.

In July, the Constitutional Court upheld the country’s ban on gay marriage, rejecting an appeal by two lesbians seeking to wed. It said the constitution, while granting equal rights, did not state that same-sex marriages must be permitted.

Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

On Tuesday, Washington, D.C.’s city council voted to make the District the sixth place in the nation where gay couples can legally marry. By voting to permit same-sex marriages in the District between people from anywhere in the country, the council struck a historic blow for equal rights that has drawn the attention of supporters and opponents both locally and nationally.

Although D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty has indicated he will sign the measure, it still faces several hurdles before it can become law. Congress could block the council’s decision during the 30-day review period mandated under the District’s home rule charter, and opponents still hope to mount a challenge at the ballot box by forcing the city to put the issue up for referendum.

Given that both houses of the Democrat-controlled Congress currently have their plates full dealing with health-care reform and other matters, it seems unlikely either will divert much time or energy to meddle in the District’s affairs. And the District’s own human rights ordinance in general prohibits referendums that potentially violate the rights of individuals based on their race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Thus, it appears that the issue of gay marriage has now arrived at Maryland’s doorstep, and that increases the urgency for Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler to issue an opinion on whether the state is permitted to recognize same-sex marriages from other states.

The District already has such a law, and it seems reasonable to expect that many gay couples in Maryland may now choose to get married there, even though they maintain their residences in this state. Recognizing those unions would afford gay couples the same legal protections regarding health care, inheritance, sick leave to care for a partner and other domestic arrangements enjoyed by heterosexual couples.

Maryland’s law specifying that marriage is between a man and a woman survived a test in the Court of Appeals, and efforts to legalize gay marriage through the legislature have been unsuccessful. But Gov. Martin O’Malley has said he would like to be able to recognize same-sex marriages performed in states where they are legal but is waiting to hear from the attorney general about whether doing so would be legal.

The attorney general has now been researching the question since May. It’s hard to conceive of what, exactly, is taking Mr. Gansler so long, but with thousands of gay couples in Maryland likely about to be tempted by a quick jaunt to D.C. for a wedding, he needs to hurry up.

Readers respond
Every state has always had the option to recognize out-of-state marriages unobtainable within that state, like first cousin marriages, whose legality varies. Therefore, the first clause in the federal Defense of Marriage Act providing that no state need recognize out-of-state marriages has always been just empty political theater.

The Constitution provides that court decrees/licenses like marriage and divorce must be recognized across state lines, but there is a huge loophole called the strong public policy exemption. All states could ignore sister states’ court decrees if they were against that state’s strong public policy. Too bad there’s no clear definition of “strong public policy,” so it’s up to a state’s top brass to define it.

Will Maryland give more weight to national unity expressed by full faith and credit or cower with fear of out-of-state gay married couples? It’s up to the governor and attorney general to set the bar, and thus it’s a purely political calculation. Sad, but true.

Marco Luxe
Copyright © 2009, The Baltimore Sun

- www.ukgaynews.org STRASBURG, December 17, 2009

The European Parliament, meeting in Strasbourg, today adopted a resolution strongly condemning the Anti Homosexuality Bill 2009 , a Private Members Bill, said to have the support of the Government, tabled by David Bahati MP in the Ugandan Parliament.

Joining widespread international outcry from the British, French and Swedish governments as well as the White House, the European Parliament officially calls on Ugandan authorities “not to approve the bill and to review their laws to decriminalize homosexuality”.

The resolution reminds the Ugandan government of its legally-binding obligations under international treaties, including the ‘Cotonou Agreement’, as well as its inability to withdraw from ratified international human rights treaties. The text of the resolution approved by MEPs also calls on the European Commission and Council to reconsider European aid to Uganda should the text pass in the Parliament.

Currently, the European Union gives Uganda $275(USD) annually – 16.6% of Uganda’s total official development aid.

Michael Cashman MEP, co-president of the European Parliament’s all-party ‘Intergroup’ on LGBT Rights, praised the move.

“The European Parliament is committed to promoting democracy and the human rights of all citizens in the countries it works with,” he said. “Uganda is about to dishonour its moral leadership and its people by going against universally-agreed human rights.

“The Ugandan government must ask David Bahati MP to withdraw the draft bill that will kill, imprison and fine Ugandans, simply for being who they are. This bill is uncivilised and unacceptable to all decent people,” added Mr. Cashman who recently returned from a diplomatic mission in Angola and Botswana.

Ulrike Lunacek, another co-president of the Intergroup pointed out that homosexuality has always existed and will always exist in Africa –as everywhere else.

“Homosexuality is nothing un-African, as some African leaders wrongly claim. That is why lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people need protection and acceptance, not hate legislation.”

In the plenary debate, the European Commission also expressed their “deep concern” regarding recent developments in Uganda.

Anglican, Catholic and Evangelist representatives have also recently spoke out against the bill in Uganda, and the criminalisation of homosexuality in general.

Two weeks ago, National Public Radio in the USA revealed that Mr. Bahati was a member of the ultra-right group “The Family”, which is based in Washington. This secretive group has among its members a number of evangelical Christians from both major US political parties who are members of the US Congress.

[The Secret Political Reach Of ‘The Family’. Fresh Air host Terry Gross talks with Jeff Sharlet, author of The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power, a secretive Washington DC fellowship of powerful anti-gay, anti-abortion Christian politicians who, the author claims, is connected to proposed anti-gay legislation in Uganda that could sentence,repeat offenders to the death penalty.

The connection with “The Family” and the Ugandan Anti Homosexuality Bill 2009 was subsequently highlighted on MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show.