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By Adam Johnson
Jeff Kreisler
$14.99 NOW $10.19
$24
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Flickr / CarbonNYC
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The expression “as Maine goes, so goes the nation” has troubling implications if applied to the same-sex marriage movement, although “as goes California” might be a more accurate maxim. On Tuesday, voters in the Pine Tree State overturned a law that would have legalized gay marriage. (continued)
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AP
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By The Rev. Madison Shockley — The marriage equality movement has been severely damaged by the argument that those opposed to same-sex marriage would be forced to perform weddings against their will.
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Flickr / gdcgraphics
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The Church of Scientology counts several high-profile figures from the world of entertainment among its members—Tom Cruise, John Travolta and Kirstie Alley, to name a few—and they sometimes act as public advocates for their religion. However, one of their own, screenwriter and director Paul Haggis, has very publicly left the fold after taking issue with the church’s stance on Proposition 8.
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Flickr / ingridtaylar
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Although Proposition 8 passed in California last year, setting back the gay marriage cause, the legal wheels are still turning to argue against the measure. On Wednesday, Chief Judge Vaughn Walker of the U.S. District Court refused to stop a challenge to Proposition 8, dismissing the argument that (straight) marriage and procreation are fundamentally linked.
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Score one for irony: A new movement is in the works, complete with its own Web site, to protect the institution of marriage in the Golden State from the unholy scourge of ... divorce. The drive is on for the 2010 California Marriage Protection Act, and this group—which actually intends to poke fun at the Proposition 8 proponents—is circulating its own PSAs to educate the masses about its mission.
Posted on Oct 13, 2009
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By Ellen Goodman — I suppose there is something charming about watching conservative politicians in Texas trying so ardently to preserve a same-sex marriage.
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Flickr / laverrue
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The nation’s capital is likely to approve a law legalizing gay marriage, much to the chagrin of the less tolerant politicians who work there. The city’s congressional overlords have the power to overturn the measure, but even opponents of gay marriage don’t expect that to happen.
Posted on Oct 6, 2009
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startrek.com
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For the first time since its 1967 premiere, the “Newlywed Game” will feature a gay couple: George Takei of “Star Trek” and his husband of one year (and partner for 22) Brad Altman.
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benjerry.com/hubbyhubby/
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Left-leaning ice cream maker Ben & Jerry’s is temporarily changing the name of its popular “Chubby Hubby” ice cream to “Hubby Hubby” to serve up support for same-sex couples, who as of Sept. 1 can marry in the company’s home state of Vermont.
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Given that the Wisconsin Constitution explicitly bars same-sex couples from marrying, the state’s newly instituted domestic partnership registry may seem cold comfort, but it does offer some rights, like hospital visitation and property-related benefits. Some couples are ready to sign up although bigger battles remain to be won.
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gayspirituality.typepad.com
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Although it doesn’t look like the Church of England is getting with the program at the moment, its American counterpart, the Episcopal Church, is preparing to officially perform same-sex marriages and to approve gay and lesbian bishops. One openly gay bishop, Gene Robinson, was ordained in 2003.
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Flickr/Phil Romans
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Having enlisted the same PR firm, Schubert Flint Public Affairs, that handled the publicity behind the pro-Proposition 8 push in California last fall, opponents of gay marriage claim to have amassed enough signatures to prevent a new law recognizing same-sex nuptials from taking effect on Sept. 12. A referendum on the issue would be held in November. Back to the voting booth, Mainers.
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Flickr / SFBart
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It would take new legislation to extend full health coverage to the same-sex partners of federal employees, but President Obama, via presidential memorandum, will grant some benefits to them. Update: Progress or pandering?
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Wikimedia Commons
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Signed by Bill Clinton, the Defense of Marriage Act keeps the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages and allows states to refuse to recognize such marriages performed in other states. Barack Obama’s Justice Department has just issued a defense of DOMA, even though the president has said he’d like to see it overturned. The gays who voted for these Democrats, meanwhile, are losing patience.
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AP photo / Jim Cole
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The Granite State’s Republican governor opposes gay marriage, but he cut a deal with the Legislature and signed off on three bills that made New Hampshire the sixth state (wishy-washy California not among them) to grant same-sex couples their marital rights. Six down, 44 to go.
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“Freedom means freedom for everyone,” says Dick Cheney. Even the prince of darkness loves his gay daughter. But as long as we’re all getting freedom, can we have our habeas corpus back?
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The anti-Proposition 8 protests were one form of gay rights activism taking place recently around Los Angeles, but a related issue was the subject of a rally led by former Lt. Dan Choi, a West Point graduate and Arab linguist who was discharged from the Army National Guard earlier this month for coming out publicly: Choi wanted to remind the visiting president about his pledge to end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
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Flickr / CarbonNYC
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Theodore B. Olson and David Boies were Supreme Court adversaries in the landmark Bush v. Gore case, but the two lawyers have joined forces to take the fight for gay marriage into federal court. Fearing an unfriendly Supreme Court, some prominent gay rights groups are criticizing the shift in strategy.
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Having ignored the whole Miss California brouhaha in recent weeks, Jon Stewart finally succumbed on Tuesday night’s show, and it’s completely worth it—if only for his Donald Trump imitation.
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AP photo / Bebeto Matthews
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Looks like Carrie Prejean’s opinions about gay marriage, as well as various and sundry racy snapshots in a state of undress, aren’t going to end up costing her the Miss California title. On Tuesday, Donald Trump announced that Prejean was going to continue her reign—and, shockingly, that he thought some of the photos were rather fetching.
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Alert the media—banks need money! Who’s stressed, who’s reassured by the government’s test of the banks’ capitalization? Meanwhile, Pakistan is in serious danger, and Afghanistan is hardly a model of an emerging democracy. Their leaders are in Washington; what will America’s role be?
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latina.com
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Over the course of a couple weeks, Carrie Prejean—model, Miss California and marriage moralizer—has kicked up her fair share of controversy, and now she could be in danger of losing her title for taking her crusade against gay marriage past the parameters set by her pageant contract and for posing seminude four years ago.
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AP photo / Eric Jamison
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There must be more pressing priorities on their plate, but on Thursday members of Alabama’s House of Representatives officially signaled their support for Carrie Prejean, California’s representative in Sunday’s Miss USA pageant, by passing a resolution praising Prejean for saying that marriage should be only between a man and a woman.
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Celebrity gossip impresario and Miss USA pageant judge Perez Hilton didn’t get the answer he wanted when he asked Miss California whether states should legalize gay marriage, but he saved his ire for a post-show video blog, where he called the contestant a “dumb bitch (okaaaaaay?).”
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Stephen Colbert is a big fan of the National Organization for Marriage’s “Gathering Storm” ad—“It is like watching ‘The 700 Club’ and The Weather Channel at the same time!” But now the storm is hovering over Colbert’s own state, and he’s getting nostalgic for more traditional times of yore.
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Jon Stewart shares his amazement that “the aortic valve of the heartland of America” is more gay-friendly than California.
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AP photo / Toby Talbot
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Vermont has followed Iowa’s lead, becoming the fourth state to make same-sex marriage legal. On Tuesday, the Vermont Legislature overturned Gov. Jim Douglas’ veto with one more vote than was needed to make it official.
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gayjourney.com
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Proving once again how awesome Iowa is and how the battle for civil rights continues, Iowa’s Supreme Court has ruled that its ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, making it the third state to legalize gay marriage.
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AP photo / Marcio Jose Sanchez
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Bad news for anti-Proposition 8 activists: As of Thursday afternoon, it appeared that the California Supreme Court was hesitant to overturn the gay marriage ban. However, it might be the case that the court will allow existing marriages to remain legally valid.
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AP photo / Matt Sayles
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Lest he miss an opportunity to speak his mind, Sunday night’s Best Actor Oscar winner took a moment on the podium to encourage those who voted last November for California’s Proposition 8, the anti-gay-marriage initiative, to rethink their choice. Turns out the Academy is actually made up of commie, homo-loving sons of guns. Update: Video
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Flickr / laverrue
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New England is becoming a gay marriage zone. Five of the six states already have protections for gay couples, and state lawmakers and groups like Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders are pushing for full marriage rights in all six by 2012. Beyond human rights, that could mean big bucks for the region.
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Flickr/roblisameehan
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Pope Benedict XVI on Monday called for the protection of traditional heterosexuality, comparing the Catholic church’s role in defending the family to saving the rain forests.
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kcbs.com
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California Attorney General Jerry Brown has changed his position on Proposition 8 and has asked the state Supreme Court to nullify the gay marriage ban on grounds that it violates citizens’ inalienable rights as guaranteed by the California Constitution.
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myspace.com
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Stressing the need “for Americans to come together” even when they disagree about particular issues, Barack Obama responded on Thursday to the outcry over his decision to give Pastor Rick Warren the honor of delivering the invocation at Obama’s upcoming inauguration ceremony.
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The news that Pastor Rick Warren, who opposes gay marriage, will give the invocation at President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration caused many gay Americans to take offense. NBC’s Ann Curry point-blanked Warren about his politics in Friday’s edition of “Dateline NBC.”
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filmindependent.org
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On Tuesday, Los Angeles Film Festival Director Richard Raddon officially resigned after being embroiled in a controversy over his support for the “Yes on 8” campaign to ban gay marriage in California.
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Not only did Bill O’Reilly play a big part in constructing the notion of an ongoing culture war in America, but he’s determined to be the No. 1 embedded reporter on its front lines. Here, he talks to Newt Gingrich about the recent anti-Proposition 8 demonstrations around the U.S.
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Flickr/maxintosh
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On Saturday, people took to the streets all around the U.S. to protest the passage of California’s Proposition 8 and to show their support for same-sex marriage. We’ve compiled 40 of our favorite photos from Spokane to Houston to New York City.
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Flickr/treasurethouhast
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Many of us living in California definitely took notice when the battle over Proposition 8 suddenly heated up and became more contentious in the days before it passed. The New York Times has the story on what happened in that final stretch before the election.
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LAist.com
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If you’re looking for an opportunity to support the well-dressed and maritally oppressed, you’re about to get your chance. On Saturday, protesters will take to the streets all across this great, if slightly homophobic, nation to take a stand for equality. Find out where to go here. And for inspiration, we turn to Andrew Sullivan.
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Flickr / ingridtaylar
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Andrew Sullivan has words of encouragement for the protesters who’ve taken to the streets of California: “A word to those discouraged by last Tuesday: don’t be. We will win because we’re right. It’s as simple as that. We are equal.”
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“This isn’t about yelling, and this isn’t about politics,” says the “Countdown” anchor, who points out that the president-elect would not exist if Americans had never “redefined” marriage.
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California Resources Agency
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During the Proposition 8 campaign and amid the fallout since California voters approved the banning of same-sex marriage, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proved that, although he once was teased for grunting and mugging his way through dialogue-challenged movies, he can now mince words with the best of the political crowd.
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Flickr/minds-eye
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If California is going to deny lesbian Melissa Etheridge her full rights as a citizen because of Proposition 8, the musician is happy to return the favor by refusing to add her tax money to the state’s coffers.
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nbclosangeles.com
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Tuesday’s elections are a thing of the past, but the battle over California’s Proposition 8 is still going on. On Thursday, a large group of demonstrators marched in Los Angeles in protest of the ban on gay marriage, with the Westwood area’s Mormon temple as their eventual destination.
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If you can read this headline, you might be part of the audience that this No on Prop. 8 ad is targeting, with a little help from three key “Ugly Betty” cast members.
Posted on Oct 29, 2008
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AP photo / Tony Avelar
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By Scott Tucker — As political leaders from the right rally their base seeking to outlaw gay marriage, and their counterparts on the left triangulate and equivocate, any real examination of the driving conflicts and stakes behind this crucial human rights concern is conspicuously missing from their debates about California’s Proposition 8.
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Truthdigger of the Week: Medea Benjamin
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