- www.networkedblogs.com June 14, 2011

Recognizing that “in New York, many individuals who currently seek to exercise the freedom to marry their partners may not do so solely because they are of the same sex,” New York Governor Cuomo sent to the State Assembly his Marriage Equality Act, which includes extremely strong and deep exemptions for religious organizations, and “benevolent organizations.”

The Marriage Equality Act exempts religious organizations, like the Catholic Church, or Jewish synagogues from anti-​discrimination laws that would otherwise allow them to be sued for refusing to marry a same-​sex couple if the bill becomes law.

So-​called benevolent organizations that “provide religious services,” such as the Knights of Columbus — which the Governor mentioned specifically — or, in theory, the Salvation Army, would also be exempt from anti-​discrimination lawsuits, for not wishing to rent space or do business with a same-​sex couple, based upon religious beliefs.

It is believed that the success of this bill is dependent upon these extremely strong religious exemptions, or, as the right is fond of calling, “protections,” in order to gain enough votes for passage. The Governor has said he would not send up a bill if there were not enough votes to pass it. 32 votes are needed from the 62-​seat Senate.

Read the full story here: http://networkedblogs.com/j9E7a

- www.thenewcivilrightsmovement.com June 14, 2011

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates says he sees no reason why the certification of the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) couldn’t be complete by the end of this month, and fully implemented by September. Gates, Defense Secretary under two presidents, since December, 2006, is leaving office at the end of this month.

“I think people are pretty satisfied with the way this process is going forward,” Secretary Gates said, adding that there’s been little fallout from the training or news of repeal. “I think people have been mildly and pleasantly surprised at the lack of pushback in the training.”

President Obama signed the bill that paved the road for repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell in December last year.

“SLDN is pleased to see Secretary Gates clearly state that he is prepared to certify ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ repeal before he leaves his post at the end of the month, SLDN Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis stated. “After nearly six months of preparation and training, we join the Secretary in expressing confidence that the military is, indeed, ready for open service. Hopefully, with the bulk of the training completed in all of the services, the service chiefs are rapidly approaching the point where they can officially recommend to the JCS Chairman Michael Mullen, Secretary Gates, and to the President that the time has come to make the long anticipated certification. The time to certify ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ repeal is on Secretary Gates’ watch.”

Read the full story here: http://thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/dadt-gates-sees-dont-ask-dont-tell-repeal-certification-this-month/politics/2011/06/13/22076

- www.thenewcivilrightsmovement.com June 14, 2011

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates says he sees no reason why the certification of the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) couldn’t be complete by the end of this month, and fully implemented by September. Gates, Defense Secretary under two presidents, since December, 2006, is leaving office at the end of this month.

“I think people are pretty satisfied with the way this process is going forward,” Secretary Gates said, adding that there’s been little fallout from the training or news of repeal. “I think people have been mildly and pleasantly surprised at the lack of pushback in the training.”

President Obama signed the bill that paved the road for repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell in December last year.

“SLDN is pleased to see Secretary Gates clearly state that he is prepared to certify ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ repeal before he leaves his post at the end of the month, SLDN Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis stated. “After nearly six months of preparation and training, we join the Secretary in expressing confidence that the military is, indeed, ready for open service. Hopefully, with the bulk of the training completed in all of the services, the service chiefs are rapidly approaching the point where they can officially recommend to the JCS Chairman Michael Mullen, Secretary Gates, and to the President that the time has come to make the long anticipated certification. The time to certify ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ repeal is on Secretary Gates’ watch.”

Read the full story here: http://thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/dadt-gates-sees-dont-ask-dont-tell-repeal-certification-this-month/politics/2011/06/13/22076

- www.ny1.com June 14, 2011

With just days until the current legislative session ends in Albany, state lawmakers are dealing with some major issues.

Governor Andrew Cuomo said at a press conference today that there will be a vote on same-sex marriage sometime before next Monday.

Democratic Senators Carl Kruger, Joseph Addabbo and Shirley Huntley, who was previously undecided on same-sex marriage, will now vote in favor of its legalization.

That brings the total in the State Senate to 29 senators in favor of gay marriage and 29 opposed.

Every Democrat except Bronx Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. supports gay marriage.

Only four Republicans senators — James Alesi, Greg Ball, Roy McDonald and Stephen Saland — remain undecided.

The governor said that the remaining Republicans “should vote for marriage equality,” claiming that 60 percent of state voters support the issue and that the Democrats’ near-unity reflects New York’s support of the issue.

“This is progress, we’re making great progress, we’re moving towards the goal line,” said Cuomo. “Twenty-nine out of 30 Democrats is a powerful, powerful statement.”

Read the full story here: http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/140847/cuomo–state-senate-will-hold-gay-marriage-vote

- www.networkedblogs.com June 14, 2011

Monday’s Prop 8 trial to determine whether or nor federal judge Vaughn Walker was obligated to recuse himself because he is in a long-​term same-​sex relationship, appears, based upon Chief Judge James Ware’s questions and comments, to be a loss for the anti-​gay marriage group, “Protect Marriage,” which claims he was.

Questions of race, gender, and religion as legitimate bases for recusal were asked and answered, all in the negative, including by Protect Marriage.

Calling Protect Marriage’s motion at various times “frivolous,” “offensive,” and “deeply unfortunate,” Theodore Boutrous Jr., attorney for the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER), told the judge “This ploy has been used throughout history,” and cited historic desegregation cases.

Chief Judge James Ware, who happens to be African-​American, asked Charles Cooper, attorney for Protect Marriage, if, based upon Cooper’s argument that a gay judge cannot decide case of same-​sex marriage equality, a reasonable person could require recusal of a black judge from a civil rights case. Cooper answered, “no.” Ware also disclosed that when same-​sex marriage had been legal in California, he had presided over a same-​sex marriage.

Read the full story here: http://networkedblogs.com/j6vjU

- www.thetaskforceblog.org June 10, 2011

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is assisting New Yorkers United for Marriage in making marriage legal for same-sex couples in the Empire State. Every Monday to Thursday, Task Force organizers are joining with other coalition partners and supporters for phone banks to call voters in key districts.

Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsBzOQHm5vo&feature=player_embedded

- www.americanindependent.com June 10, 2011

Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=1Bs5s-Z2YBI

Maggie Gallagher of the National Organization for Marriage was recently a guest on the radio program Religion, Politics, and the Culture to talk about her organization’s strategy to prevent states from legalizing same-sex marriage and to pass anti-gay marriage amendments in states that don’t already have them.
In the interview, she said that when marriage amendments are referred to as efforts to “ban same-sex marriage,” NOM’s efforts lose around 10 points in the polls.

Appealing to marriage amendment supporters, Gallagher said that they should talk about how gay and lesbian couples cannot have children.

“Just say, ‘I think marriage is the union of husband and wife for a reason: these unions make a new life and they connect children to their mother and father,’” she said. “‘So it’s a bad idea for the government to step in and change the definition of marriage.’”

She said the messaging that tests the best with the public is one that says gays and lesbians should live how they choose.

“The one-liner that tests well, that I find less satisfying, is the idea that gays and lesbians have a right to live as they choose but none of us has the right to redefine marriage,” she said.

On how not to talk about banning same-sex marriage, she said it’s best not to mention that marriage amendments would ban gay marriage.

“I don’t like the phrase ‘ban same-sex marriage’ because I think it’s not true, and it also suggests that in respecting and protecting the historic understanding of marriage we are doing something that is pointed at hurting gay people,” she said. “So I always take the trouble of saying that we want to support and protect laws defining marriage as between husband and wife.”

Read the full story here: http://www.americanindependent.com/187920/maggie-gallagher-outlines-noms-messaging-strategy-on-same-sex-marriage

- wwwglaadblog.org June 10, 2011

This week, CNN’s Anderson Cooper aired a three-part series on AC360 called “The ‘Sissy Boy’ Experiment: Uncovering the Truth.” The series centered around the tragic life of Kirk Andrew Murphy, as was first reported by Jim Burroway on the blog Box Turtle Bulletin.

At the age of four, Kirk was a seemingly happy little boy, the middle of three children. His older brother, Mark, has a picture of Kirk the last time he remembers him smiling – Kirk was four years old at the time. The following year, Kirk’s mother, Kaytee, enrolled him in a government-funded study at UCLA that was aimed at making effeminate boys more masculine, or ridding Kirk of what participating researchers later called ‘Sissy Boy Syndrome.’ The happy demeanor of four-year-old Kirk was never to be seen again.

Kaytee Murphy says she enrolled Kirk in the study because she was concerned about him playing with “girls’ toys.” A psychologist appearing on a local TV program suggested boys like Kirk would become gay unless intervention, by way of ‘treatment,’ was sought.

Read the full story here: http://glaadblog.org/2011/06/10/anderson-cooper-uncovers-the-painful-truths-about-sissy-boy-experiment/

- www.manhatten.ny1.com June 9, 2011

Many of New York’s Latino elected officials rallied on the steps of City Hall for marriage equality Wednesday.

They called on the state Legislature and Governor Andrew Cuomo to act immediately to pass same-sex marriage legislation.

They said it is a matter of civil rights and social justice.

“We are here as proud Latinos to say those who claim our culture is against same-sex marriage, they do not. They do not speak for me, and they do not speak for us,” said Brooklyn-Queens-Manhattan Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez.

Read the full story here: http://manhattan.ny1.com/content/top_stories/140623/latino-elected-leaders-rally-for-legalized-same-sex-marriage

- www.jeangodden.com June 9, 2011

I was surprised and disappointed to learn that the Space Needle may not raise the pride flag this year during Gay Pride month. They made history and international news last year by raising it for the first time – a proud moment for us all.

Join me in asking Space Needle executives to fly the flag again this year.

The Seattle Space Needle is owned by a private corporation that is a long time supporter of gay rights. So why not fly the flag? As seattlepi.com noted, “This year, the Space Needle informed the community that they will not be flying the Pride flag again, but instead they donated the Pride flag to SO&P to march with during the Seattle Pride parade. It was a generous donation, and one I’m sure SO&P was honored to accept.”

While that was a wonderful gift, the public and proud support represented by the flag flying high over the symbolic representation of Seattle throughout the world is something that should not be lost.

Read the full story here: http://jeangodden.com/blog/2011/06/will-the-space-needle-raise-the-pride-flag/ 

Sign the petition here: http://jeangodden.com/ask-the-space-needle-to-show-its-pride /