Maybe I Do… Maybe I Don’t

Dec 07th, 2010 09:30 PM By Bryan

Brian and I were never big on getting “married”…. but as the years go on, it’s more about just making people have to respect what we have as a couple. When I was rushed to the hospital a few months back, Brian went to the nurse’s station and asked when he could go back and see his “partner.” When the nurse called him up, she said “you can see your ‘FRIEND’ now.” FRIEND??? REALLY??? I don’t know if we ever will/would get married, but I feel we should be allowed to have the OPTION… or at least for our government to recognize us as a UNIT… a committed couple. We don’t deserve to be treated as “second class” citizens.

PROPOSITION 8 UPDATE

Dec 07th, 2010 11:32 AM By Admin

The following is an excerpt of a story by The Los Angeles Times:

“Federal appeals court judges Monday seemed headed toward a decision that could reinstate same-sex marriages in California while avoiding a ruling of national sweep that would invite U.S. Supreme Court action.

“The judges explored at least two routes that could achieve that goal. One would be a ruling that California, having granted marriage rights to same-sex couples, could not take them away by popular vote. The other would avoid a decision on the constitutional issues by declaring that gay-marriage opponents lacked the legal standing to appeal a lower court striking down Proposition 8, the 2008 ballot measure that amended the state Constitution.

“U.S. 9th Circuit Judges Stephen R. Reinhardt and Michael Daly Hawkins, Democratic appointees, suggested that Proposition 8 was similar to a Colorado initiative that repealed anti-discrimination laws against gays and that the U.S. Supreme Court overturned.

“The U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Colorado measure in a landmark 1996 ruling called Romer vs. Evans, a major gay-rights victory. The high court said disapproval of gays was not enough to justify such a measure.

“‘Isn’t this exactly what the people in Colorado did?’ Hawkins asked.

“The appeals court is hearing a challenge of an August ruling by Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn R. Walker, who overturned Proposition 8 after hearing testimony at a trial. Walker’s ruling has been put on hold pending the appeal.

“Opponents of same-sex marriage are expected to take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court if they lose in the appeals court. Some legal analysts believe that a narrow, limited ruling against Proposition 8 would fare better there than a decision that found gays and lesbians across the country should be entitled to marry.”

Read the full The Los Angeles Times story >>

The following is a story by The Associated Press about yesterday’s hearing:

Watch the full court hearing below:

Part 1

Part 2

GET INFORMED, GET INVOLVED

• Watch the hearing on C-SPAN’s website
• Learn more about the American Foundation for Equal Rights and its Proposition 8 Court Case
  

WATCH TODAY’S PROPOSITION 8 ORAL ARGUMENTS ON C-SPAN

Dec 06th, 2010 12:59 PM By Admin

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals is hearing oral arguments in American Foundation for Equal Rights‘ court case against California’s Proposition 8, which bans marriage for gay couples in the state.

The hearing is set to begin at 10 am PST / 1 pm EST and can be watch on C-SPAN, as well as on its website.

We will provide an recap of the hearing later today.

GET INFORMED, GET INVOLVED

• Watch the hearing on C-SPAN’s website
• Learn more about the Proposition 8 Court Case

We Just Want to be Together

Dec 06th, 2010 12:23 PM By Ronald

I met the love of my life online and later face to face while on vacation in Chile. We’ve been inseparable ever since. Fortunately for me, I’ve been able to travel to Chile and now Australia to see him. Even though he shares my job’s flight privileges, he can’t visit me here in the states. His application for a U.S. visa has been denied twice so he gave up on the idea of coming here.

Australia, on the other hand, welcomed him with open arms so he’s there until his student visa runs out. I can only get an Australian visa which does not allow me to obtain employment and only permits a 90-day stay.

We love each other so much but the distance is putting a strain on the relationship. We plan to get married legally in Argentina or Canada but it’s a slow process either way. Even so, since it’s not recognized here in the U.S., I will have no choice but to move out of the country.

Why Not?

Dec 06th, 2010 12:20 PM By Jackie

Why is gay marriage illegal? Straight people are given the right from birth to fall in love, marry, and have children. Just because a person is gay, how does that make them any less fit, any less able, to create a family and a loving home?

Being gay does not change who you are as a human being. People need to really understand this. If someone who is gay or lesbian comes out to their friends and family, that person is the same person that had been accepted before, but now you know a little more about each other. Until this attitude is universal, the road for gay and lesbian people will continue to be a hard one.

And, as long as people think with their Bibles and their churches, rather than their own minds, the perceived divide between straight and gay will endure. I hope we can change in my lifetime, and I will do everything I can to open the minds of everyone I meet.

If you are reading this and are in despair in your own life, know this–even though I have never met you, even though I don’t know your name, I love you and respect you and I hope you find joy in your life. You are blessed.

The Right to a Legally Secure Family

Dec 02nd, 2010 12:13 AM By Amber

Daniel and I have been together for nearly 10 years.

About 3 years into our relationship, when straight couples often begin discussing marriage, we decided we could not.

How could we, in good conscience, take part in institutionalized discrimination?

We could not and would not.

So despite our family’s protests, we continued on as a happy, unmarried couple, and we were committed to stay that way until everyone in this country was afforded equal rights.

But about 6 months ago, our resolve was shaken.
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I Want to See My Twin Sister Happy

Dec 02nd, 2010 12:09 AM By Baloo

I give a damn because my twin sister is a lesbian and I always have been by her side!!

She knows I always support her and her girlfriend!!

Everytime they are in need they know I will help them!!

And I also know they will always help me and give me strength when I’m down!!

Being gay, lesbian or any other sexual orientation different to straight is not a curse, it’s a perfectly normal passion and love.

I Got to Dance with Mother on My Wedding Day

Dec 02nd, 2010 12:05 AM By Jeffary

As a Canadian, we have been able to get married for a few years. That is why I must support my brothers and sisters for the same rights as everyone. I married my husband in a beautiful outdoor ceremony at our friend’s farm. The proud and respected Rev. Brent Hawkes officiated the ceremony, he had mentioned during the ceremony that during the first gay wedding he officiated he wore a bullet proof vest and there was a police presence in the crowd.

But on our wedding day, no bullet proof vests, no police. Just family and friends, over 120 of them. This was August 2006. My mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer during Thanksgiving, she passed away just after Christmas just a few weeks later. When we were able to have some time alone, she remarked how happy she was that I had found love. She in her last weeks had came a long distance to her acceptance. She smiled at me, and said, “I worried so much that you would never be happy, but I got to dance at your wedding. And it was the best day ever.” I’m the youngest of 4 boys. And that is why I give a damn for human rights in a country that needs to have more weddings and more dancing.

Even if We Could Get Married in South Carolina…

Dec 02nd, 2010 12:01 AM By Ryan

My name is Ryan. I’m a 26 years old LGBT activist with a Masters degree in Education who pays taxes and votes in every local and national election. I wear a small silver ring on my right hand with 5 diamonds in it, there is beautiful person who I’ve dated for 2 years now; someone who grew up on the other side of the world and now wears a matching ring like mine. Shehan & I are engaged to get married. But there’s just one catch, Shehan is a boy, and in my state, boys don’t marry boys… “its just not natural” or legal for that matter.

Even if we could get married in South Carolina, my partner Shehan is from Sri Lanka and right now the “so-called” Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) would prevent me from sponsoring him for a green card. This is an example of how unfair laws are right now for same-sex couples. In a land founded on freedom, justice, and equality, there are thousands like us who suffer from unjust laws. Ironically, both Shehan’s brother & sister came to the US, married opposite-sex partners, and are on their way to being citizens. We are so happy for them and their “pursuit of happiness”, but why can’t Shehan & I have that same opportunity?
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Brothers and Sisters

Dec 01st, 2010 11:59 PM By Fourniadis

The notion that heterosexuals are the only people who deserve the blessings of liberty is an arcane notion which has no business being considered in this day and age.

I am straight, and I don’t think I or anyone else should feel threatened by open and honest displays of affection by anyone.

My marriage is not in jeopardy when gay people get married and soldiers who perform their commission admirably should not be singled out for dismissal simply because they are gay.

Let’s get together for the equality that our Constitution guarantees and do something that will make future generations proud.

Please no second class citizenship for anyone.