Marriage Equality / LGBT Rights Updates 5/19/13 (Various)

Venezuela: Gay Activists Push for Marriage Equality (France 24)
A group of LGBT activists held a rally in Venezuela Saturday for marriage equality.
purpleunions.com/blog/2013/05/venezuela-gay-activists-push-for-marriage-equality.html

New York, USA: Marriage Equality USA Gala Tuesday in NYC (GMW)
The Marriage Equality USA 15th Annual National Gala, honoring Lea DeLaria, Google and Swish, will bring together LGBT community members and leaders, straight allies, entertainment industry and corporate leaders, and celebrities to raise funds for and highlight contributions to the marriage equality movement, on Tuesday, May 21st, from 6:00-10:00pm at 404 NYC, 404 10th Avenue, New York City.
purpleunions.com/blog/2013/05/new-york-usa-marriage-equality-usa-gala-tuesday-in-nyc.html

Michigan, USA: Marriage Equality By 2014? (Detroit Free Press)
Could Michigan have full marriage equality by next year?
purpleunions.com/blog/2013/05/michigan-usa-marriage-equality-by-2014.html

Wisconsin, USA: What Some State Representatives Are Saying About Marriage Equality (Journal Times)
After marriage equality passed in Minnesota, The Journal Times asked some Wisconsin legislators what they thought of passing such a bill there.
purpleunions.com/blog/2013/05/wisconson-usa-what-some-state-representatives-are-saying-about-marriage-equality.html

————————

Upcoming Marriage Equality Events (Full Events List/Add Your Own Event: www.purpleunions.com/mn/gay-marriage-events-list.html):

–Australia, NSW, Sydney: May 25, Rally for Marriage Equality, Sydney Town Hall, 1-3 PM. Details
–Australia, NSW, Sydney: Jun 5, Equality Dinner – Australian Marriage Equality, Cafe DOV. Details
–Australia, SA, Adelaide: May 25, Rally for Marriage Equality, Parliament House, North Terrace, 1 PM. Details
–France, Ile de France, Paris: May 21, Concert for Marriage Equality. Details
–USA, AR, Fayetteville: Jun 27, “8″ The Play Reading, Northwest Arkansas Equality Pride. Details
–USA, CA, Beverly Hills: May 27, LA Equal Roots Meeting, 8106 Santa Monica Blvd, 7:30-9:30 PM. Details
–USA, CA, Canoga Park: Jun 20-Jun 22, “8″ The Play Reading, Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church. Details
–USA, CA, Clayton: Jun 15, “8″ The Play Reading, Clayton Valley Presbyterian Church. Details
–USA, CA, Long Beach: May 18-May 19, Lambda Legal at Long Beach Pride. mailto:mcastro-bojorquez@lambdalegal.orgDetails
–USA, CA, Los Angeles: Jun 4, LA Black LGBT Network Meeting, Jewel’s Catch One, 7-9 PM. Details
–USA, CA, Los Angeles: Jun 8-Jun 9, Lambda Legal at Los Angeles Beach Pride. mailto:mcastro-bojorquez@lambdalegal.orgDetails
–USA, CA, San Diego: May 21, SAME Membership Meeting, 3620 30th Street, 6:30-8:30 PM. Details
–USA, CA, San Francisco: May 29, One Struggle One Fight Meeting, 209 Golden Gate Ave, 7 PM. Details
–USA, CA, San Francisco: May 29, Marriage Equality USA Awards reception 2013, Chambers, 601 Eddy St, 6-8:30 PM. Details
–USA, CA, San Francisco: Jun 29-Jun 30, Lambda Legal at San Francisco Pride. mailto:mcastro-bojorquez@lambdalegal.orgDetails
–USA, CA, West Hollywood: May 28, Love Honor Cherish Meeting, Nat’l Council Of Jewish Women, 7:30 PM. Details
–USA, CA, West Hollywood: May 31, “8″ The Play Reading. Details
–USA, CA, West Hollywood: Jun 20, Equal Roots Joins Hands & Hearts, West Hollywood EQCA Office, 7:30-9 PM. Details
–USA, DC, Washington: May 28, Gay & Lesbian Activists Alliance Meeting, Sumner School Museum, 7 PM. Details
–USA, DC, Washington: Jun 2, Say I Do! 2013 LGBT Wedding Expo, Hotel Palomar, 1-4 PM. www.facebook.com/sayidolgbtDetails
–USA, DC, Washington: Jun 13, “8″ The Play Reading, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Pride. Details
–USA, IL, Canton: May 17-May 19, “8″ The Play Reading, Many Lights Stage Productions. Details
–USA, IL, Chicago: Jun 7, Equality IL First Friday Networking Social, Sidetrack, 6-8 PM. Details
–USA, IN, Lafayette: May 22, Citizens for Civil Rights Monthly Meeting, Pride Lafayette Comm Ctr, 7-8 PM. Details
–USA, IN, Terre Haute: Jun 29-Jun 30, “8″ The Play Reading, Community Theatre of Terre Haute. Details
–USA, KY, Frankfort: Jun 26, United for Marriage Rally, State Capitol Building, 11 AM. Details
–USA, MD, Baltimore: Jan 12-Jan 19, Cruise the Seas With Equality Maryland. Details
–USA, MI, Grand Rapids: Jun 15, West Michigan Pride 2013, 1-9 PM. Details
–USA, MO, Kansas City: Jun 8, , All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church. Details
–USA, NJ, Somerset: May 17-May 19, “8″ The Play Reading, Villagers Theatre. Details
–USA, NY, New York: May 21, Marriage Equality USA 2013 Gala, 404 NYC, 4040 10 Ae., 6 PM. Details
–USA, NY, New York: Jun 5, MENY General Meeting, LGBT Center, 6:30-7:30 PM. Details
–USA, NY, New York: Jun 20, Equality at Work Awards 2012, The McGraw-Hill Companies, 12:30 PM. Details
–USA, NY, Red Hook: Jun 9, Hudson Valley Engagement, Private Home, 4-7 PM. Details
–USA, NY, Woodstock: Jun 15-Saturday 2, “8″ The Play Reading, Byrdcliffe Festival of the Arts. Details
–USA, OH, Cleveland: Jun 30-Jun 30, “8″ The Play Reading, Cleveland Playhouse. Details
–USA, OR, Portland: Jun 6-Jun 9, , Artists Repertory Theatre. Details
–USA, OR, Statewide: Jun 20, Bites for Rites 2013. Details
–USA, PA, Philadelphia: Jun 4, , Drexel University. Details
–USA, VA, Alexandria: May 31, “8″ The Play Reading, Springfield Community Theatre. Details
–USA, VA, Statewide: Jun 22-Jun 23, Cookout for Marriage Equality 2013. Details
–USA, WA, Olympia: Jun 23, Equal Rights Washington at Olympia Pride. Details
–USA, WA, Seattle: May 19, Same Love, Same Rights Wedding Expo 2013. Details
–USA, WA, Seattle: Jun 15, Pre-Pride Pre-Funk Fundraiser for Equal Rights WA, 6-9 PM. Details
–USA, WA, Seattle: Jun 30, Equal Rights Washington at Seattle Pride. Details
–USA, WA, Spokane: Jun 8, Equal Rights Washington at Spokane Pride. Details

Know about a gay marriage-related event in your part of the world? Add it here: www.purpleunions.com/mn/gay-marriage-events-list.html

Please tell your friends about Gay Marriage Watch, and let us know if there’s anything we can do to improve the blog, or if you have any news to add from your part of the world!

Today Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton signed a bill that brings marriage equality for same-sex couples to the U.S. State of Minnesota. Couples can start marrying in the state on August 01, 2013, when the Bill goes into  effect.

The signing followed the Minnesota Senate vote of 37 to 30 to approve marriage equality. Their vote followed last Thursday’s 75 to 59 vote in favor in the Minnesota State House.

Before the morning Senate session began, the Mayor of the capitol city of St. Paul made the following pronouncement via Twitter: “I renamed the Wahasha Bridge 2 the Freedom to Marry Bridge for this week.” So yes, “Marriage equality here we come”

The bill was introduced and shepherded through the proceedings by Senator Scott Dibble, himself an openly gay man, married in California during that short pre-Prop 8 window in 2008.

Fighting back two amendments, Senator Dibble noted: ‘This is the USA. We don’t exclude people in the public square, from public services!”

The proposed amendment would have allowed not only businesses, employees, establishments, but also any private citizen the right to discriminate if their ‘deeply held’ religious beliefs kept them from accepting the marriage, and I say ‘marriage’ because the amendment didn’t even seem limited to same gender marriages!

Just two years ago, the Minnesota Senate and House passed a very different bill: a constitutional amendment that would have banned gay marriage in the state. In less than a month it passed through both chambers, landing a spot on the 2012 ballot. But voters rejected the amendment in November. Now this giant leap to equality. Congratulations to all GAY U.S.A. participants, friends and supporters in MN! Well done!

See article by Cathy Kristofferson at OBLOGDEE

GAY U.S.A. the Movie interviewed State Senator Scott Dibble for the film and shot footage during Lobby day 2012.  (Pic on right)

By Melanie Nathan, May 09, 2013.

MN Gov Dayton and Senator Scott Dibble Copyright GAY USA the Movie, © 2012

Today the Minnesota House Legislature voted in favor of same-sex marriages, forging the path toward being the first in the Midwest to pass such a law through the legislature, as Iowa came into law via the Courts.

The 75-59 vote was seen as the critical step for the measure, which would allow same-sex weddings beginning Aug. 1.  This a momentous shift in the state, considering that just six months ago voters were faced with the divisive campaign to outright ban marriage equality in the Minnesota Constitution. Whereas now Minnesota is poised to lead the nation as the first State to make one dozen.

The state Senate will consider the bill Monday, where it is expected to pass there. Gov. Mark Dayton has pledged to sign it into law.

Hundreds of people on both sides of the issue turned out to express their views at the Minnesota Capitol, which was under tighter than usual security.

Pro-marriage demonstrators filled the hallways outside the House chambers, some dressed in orange T-Shirts and holding signs that read, “I Support The Freedom to Marry.” Behind them, opponents held up bright pink signs that simply read, “Vote No.”

Leaders in Illinois — the only Midwestern state other than Minnesota with a Democratic-led statehouse — say that state is close to having the votes to approve a law too. But most other states surrounding Minnesota have constitutional bans against same-sex weddings, so the change might not spread to the nation’s heartland nearly as quickly as it has on the coasts and in New England.

MN Gov Dayton and Scott Dibble Copyright GAY USA the Movie© 2012

The Delaware Senate voted 12-9, to approve marriage equality legislation (HB 75), guaranteeing that Delaware will become the 11th state that recognizes same-sex couples’ marriages. The law will take effect July 1. Civil unions, which Delaware previously legalized in 2011, will convert to marriages after one year. The House passed the marriage equality bill two weeks ago by a 23-18 vote and Gov. Jack Markell (D) has promised to sign it.

“We are living in times of historic change,” said Jane Wishon, a  Board Member of Marriage Equality USA. “Right after Rhode Island became the 10th marriage equality state, Delaware has become the 11th — the entire nation is now watching to see just how quickly Illinois, Minnesota, or one of the many other states moving forward will become number 12.”

UPDATED: – Signed into law today by  Governor Jack Markell.

“I know that you have been waiting for this day to come,” Chafee said to the state’s gay and lesbian community at a bill-signing ceremony in front of hundreds. “I know you have loved ones that dreamed this would happen but did not live to see it. But I am proud to say that now at long last, you are free to marry the person you love.”

In a New York Times op-ed Wednesday, Chafee outlined his support for gay marriage not only on moral grounds, but also economic.

Picture: Rhode Island House Speaker Gordon Fox, right, embraces his partner, Marcus LaFond, after a vote to pass a gay marriage bill at the State House in Providence, R.I., Thursday, May 2, 2013.

On February 14, the Illinois State Senate voted to pass the legalization of marriage equality (IL SB10) bill, entitled the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, by a 34-21-2-2 score in favor of marriage equality.  The Illinois House of Representatives needs to vote on the Bill and if it passes, Governor Pat Quinn, will likely will sign it into law, making Illinois the 11th state to legalize same-sex marriage, after Rhode Island this past week. The bill faces a tougher fight in the House than the Senate. While a majority of Illinoisans support marriage equality, opponents of the bill have ramped up their efforts to keep it from passing.

Anti-gay forces, led by the “Illinois Family Institute,” (IFI) described as an SPLC hate group, are rallying against Illinois’s equal marriage rights bill this Saturday in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood. It is imperative that the LGBT community rally in force as ‘Voices IN FAVOR’ of equal rights for all must be heard. Bring your signs please if you are in the area, as you are urgently needed to peacefully counter the IFI’s message of hate and discrimination.

In its attempt to derail the equal marriage rights bill, the IFI is cynically trying to pit the Latino community against the LGBT community — ignoring of course that many of share both identities.

The IFI uses the usual rhetoric on its website, using warlike metaphors to lie, by saying that by giving gay people rights, somehow – such will impact their freedom . IFI falsely leads people to believe that having rights as a straight community is an exclusive and hence giving rights to the gay community will somehow impact their freedom. The Illinois Family Institute has declared it is at “war” to prevent the LGBT community from obtaining legal rights. This is what they say:-

“To win the battle for freedoms and families in this country, your action is required. Illinois Family Institute is fighting every day in local communities, in our state legislature, and in the public-square to protect and defend those traditional values and Constitutional freedoms which make our country so great. We can’t win without you!

The time to join the battle is now! Whether you are an individual, group or church, there are many opportunities for you to make a difference. Roll up your sleeves now and see how else you can make a difference by viewing the opportunities to your left.”

The anti-gay hate group also says:

“THE DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE ● We strongly support the Defense of Marriage Act as enacted in Illinois to defend the institution of marriage between one man and one woman, and to prevent recognition of same-sex “civil unions.” We believe that all state and corporate “domestic partners” policies that reward unnatural relationships erode marriage and the natural family (mother, father and children) as the proper foundation of our society. We support the enactment of a constitutional amendment in Illinois that will further protect marriage from being redefined by activist courts. And we support a federal marriage protection amendment, know that the gravest potential danger to marriage comes from federal courts that could attempt to impose “gay marriage” or “civil unions” on every state, including Illinois.”

The IFI is listed as a “hate group” by the Southern Poverty Law Center for its willful lying about LGBT people (see www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2010/winter/the-hard-liners#.UXGJPEqyHe4).

Andy Thayer, co-founder of the Gay Liberation Network (www.gayliberation.net), told OBLOGDEE:

“We appeal to all people of good will, LGBT and non-LGBT, Latino and non-Latino, to join our protest against the IFI and oppose hate and discrimination in all forms.”

Please come out this Saturday and help send a strong message against hate and discrimination of any kind!

Join the Action here www.facebook.com/events/335936816528821/

EVENT PROTEST:

WHERE: 2200 N. Sacramento Avenue, Chicago, IL

WHEN: Saturday, April 27, 10.00 AM

BILL UPDATES: www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=10&GAID=12&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=85&GA=98

The bill, which is co-sponsored by Equality California, Transgender Law Center, ACLU of California, GSA Network and the National Center for Lesbian Rights, addresses the exclusion of transgender students from classes and activities, and clarifies existing anti-discrimination law to provide clear protections to transgender students.

“Every school year we receive dozens of calls on our legal helpline from the families of California students who are being excluded from school activities because they are transgender.” said Masen Davis, Transgender Law Center executive director. “Today the Education Committee acknowledged that transgender students should be treated like all other students and be given a fair chance to participate and succeed in school. On behalf of those youth and families, we are incredibly grateful for the committee’s support.”

Carolyn Laub, Executive Director of Gay-Straight Alliance Network, said: “On behalf of our youth members across the state, GSA Network applauds the Assembly Education Committee for moving the School Success and Opportunity Act forward and affirming that all students, including transgender students, should have the opportunity to fully participate in and graduate from school.”

“This bill goes to the heart of the mission of our education system to provide a quality, safe education for all students, including transgender students.” said John O’Connor, Equality California executive director. “Equality California applauds the courage and leadership of Committee Chair Buchanan and all of the members who voted for this bill.”

“Today we are one step closer to ensuring transgender students are given a fair chance to learn, participate fully, succeed, and be themselves at school,” said Melissa Goodman, a senior staff attorney with the ACLU of California.

ABOUT THE ACT.

PLEASE STAY TUNED FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO PASSAGE OF THE LEGISLATION.

ACLU of California comprises the statewide work of the three California affiliates of the American Civil Liberties Union to protect and defend civil liberties.

Equality California (EQCA) is the largest statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender advocacy organization in California. Over the past decade, Equality California has strategically moved California from a state with extremely limited legal protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people to a state with some of the most comprehensive protections in the nation. Equality California has partnered with legislators to successfully sponsor more than 85 pieces of pro-equality legislation. EQCA continues to advance equality through legislative advocacy, electoral work, public education and community empowerment. www.EQCA.org

Gay-Straight Alliance Network (GSA Network) is a national youth leadership organization that empowers youth activists to fight homophobia and transphobia in schools by training student leaders and supporting student-led Gay-Straight Alliance clubs throughout the country. In California alone, GSA Network has brought GSA clubs to 56% of public high schools, impacting more than 1.1 million students at over 900 schools. GSA Network’s youth advocates have played a key role in changing laws and policies that impact youth at the local and state level. GSA Network operates the National Association of GSA Networks, which unites 37 statewide networks of GSA clubs throughout the country. www.gsanetwork.org

Gender Spectrum provides resources, training and support to create gender sensitive and inclusive environments for all children and teens. www.genderspectrum.org

The National Center for Lesbian Rights is a national legal organization committed to advancing the human and civil rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community through litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education. www.NCLRights.org

Transgender Law Center works to change law, policy, and attitudes so that all people can live safely, authentically, and free from discrimination regardless of their gender identity or expression. www.TransgenderLawCenter.org

Kate Kendell of NCLR notes in an e-mail for support: “Time is running out to move this critical resolution forward. Contact your Senator today and ask them to vote in favor of Senate Joint Resolution 13.

The vote in the Senate is a crucial first step in winning the freedom to marry in Nevada. The legislature must approve this resolution this year and pass it again during the next session in 2015. Then, the measure will be placed on the ballot, when Nevadans will have the opportunity to cast their ballot in favor of ending the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage.

This is an incredible chance to move marriage forward in the Silver State. Thousands of families are counting on us to get this bill passed—and we have little time to build the support we need to pass SJR13 on the Senate floor.

We don’t have time to waste: Contact your legislators today and urge them to stand on the right side of history by voting “yes” on SJR13.

SUPPORT NCLR

Young Californians need your help. In just a few hours, California’s Assembly Education Committee members will decide whether to protect transgender students when they consider the School Success and Opportunity Act. Transgender students are illegally prevented from participating fully in school activities, programs, and facilities in numerous school districts across the state. This can lead to missing credits needed for graduation, as well as serious stigmatization and bullying of transgender students, who are already one of the most marginalized groups in our public schools.

Assembly Bill 1266 will strengthen California’s existing non-discrimination laws and ensure that transgender students have the opportunity to succeed in school and participate in classes, sports, and other activities without discrimination—just like all other students. These policies have already been successfully implemented at hundreds of California schools, and it is time to make sure that all schools allow transgender students to participate fully and graduate on time.

Right now, bill opponents are spreading a message of fear, making transgender youth the scapegoat for their outdated prejudices, and ignoring the success of similar policies throughout the state and the nation. The Assembly Education
Committee today will decides the bill’s fate, and we need your support and voice to ensure that transgender students in our community get the help they need. Please call committee members who represent your area, letting them know that you want their support for this vital bill.

• Joan Buchanan, Chair (D-Alamo): Capitol Office: 916.319.2016; District Office: 925.328.1515.
• Kristin Olsen, Vice-Chair (R-Modesto): Capitol Office: 916.319.2012; District Office: 209.576.6425.
• Nora Campos (D-San Jose): Capitol Office: 916.319.2027; District Office: 408.277.1220.
• Rocky Chavez (R-Oceanside): Capitol Office: 916.319.2076; District Office: 760.929.7998.
• Adrin Nazarian (D-Van Nuys): Capitol Office: 916.319.2046; District Office: 818.376.4246.
• Shirley Weber (D-San Diego): Capitol Office: 916.319.2079; District Office: 619.462.7878.
• Das Williams (D-Santa Barbara): Capitol Office: 916.319.2037; District Office: 805.564.1649.

A sample email is included below that you can also use to directly email the committee member from your region asking for their support.

Sample Email

Dear [Legislator],  I am writing to urge you to support Assembly Bill 1266, the School Success and Opportunity Act, by Assemblymember Tom Ammiano. California law prohibits discrimination against students based on their gender identity. Unfortunately, many school districts do not know what this means, leading to transgender students being excluded from school programs and facilities.  This bill will ensure that school administrators, teachers, parents and students understand that schools must treat transgender students just like all other students. Transgender youth deserve a safe, non-discriminatory school environment that encourages them to learn and participate fully, just like everyone else .  Policies like these have been successfully implemented in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and other districts throughout California and the nation. While the opposition seeks to keep the discussion in a place of fear and ignorance, the real experience shows those fears to be baseless. In fact, ending the exclusion of transgender students from activities, programs and facilities has led to increased acceptance and success for all students.  Please support the School Success and Opportunity Act, and help make California schools a foundation from which all students can succeed.

SEE more at NCLR