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National news sources everywhere are now reporting from San Francisco, California that a federal judge today refused to permanently stay his ruling overturning California's Proposition 8 but extended a temporary hold to give supporters time to appeal the historic ruling.
U.S. District Judge Vaughn R. Walker, who overturned the measure on Aug. 4, agreed to give its sponsors until Aug. 18 to appeal his ruling to the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. No new marriages can take place until then.
Walker's decision came after supporters of the same-sex marriage ban warned that they would take their case to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary to ensure that his ruling did not take effect.
Judge Lifts Temporary Stay On Same-Sex Marriage In California. Couples May Be Married Beginning August 18
National news sources everywhere are now reporting from San Francisco, California that a federal judge today refused to permanently stay his ruling overturning California's Proposition 8 but extended a temporary hold to give supporters time to appeal the historic ruling.
U.S. District Judge Vaughn R. Walker, who overturned the measure on Aug. 4, agreed to give its sponsors until Aug. 18 to appeal his ruling to the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. No new marriages can take place until then.
Walker's decision came after supporters of the same-sex marriage ban warned that they would take their case to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary to ensure that his ruling did not take effect.
CLICK HERE TO READ ENTIRE COURT ORDER
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Eminem Says He Now Supports Gay Marriage
Since his controversial Marshall Mathers LP, released in 2001, Eminem has run into trouble with the gay community over what many have perceived as a hostile attitude toward homosexuality. Though the rapper has often claimed that his lyrics were satirical, and even performed a duet with Elton John at the 2001 Grammy Awards, he has never backed down from the aggressive way he addressed the issue -- until now. Read more0
Italy's Constitutional Court on Wednesday rejected legal recognition of gay marriage, saying arguments in its favour were either "unfounded" or "inadmissible."
Courts in Venice and Trento in the northeast sought the court's opinion after gay rights groups questioned whether the bar to same-sex marriage was a violation of human rights enshrined in the constitution.
They also argued that the bar may flout European and international obligations, and that the constitution does not explicitly prohibit same-sex marriage.
The Italian Forum of Family Associations hailed the ruling, saying the court had "chosen in favour of the good of society."
But a group advocating gay marriage vowed to continue the struggle, "carrying it forward, both in the courts and in society, until the full equality of homosexuals is recognised in civil marriage law."
The Constitutional Court will issue a detailed opinion in the coming days.
Story AFP
Italy's Top Court Rejects Gay Marriage
Italy's Constitutional Court on Wednesday rejected legal recognition of gay marriage, saying arguments in its favour were either "unfounded" or "inadmissible."
Courts in Venice and Trento in the northeast sought the court's opinion after gay rights groups questioned whether the bar to same-sex marriage was a violation of human rights enshrined in the constitution.
They also argued that the bar may flout European and international obligations, and that the constitution does not explicitly prohibit same-sex marriage.
The Italian Forum of Family Associations hailed the ruling, saying the court had "chosen in favour of the good of society."
But a group advocating gay marriage vowed to continue the struggle, "carrying it forward, both in the courts and in society, until the full equality of homosexuals is recognised in civil marriage law."
The Constitutional Court will issue a detailed opinion in the coming days.
Story AFP
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Iceland, the tiny island country of 320,000 people in the North Atlantlc, will likely be the next nation to legalize same-sex marriage. Openly lesbian prime minister Johanna Sigurdardóttir presented a revision to current marriage law to the Icelandic parliament on March 23. The revision is widely expected to become law, and if (or when) it does, the first same-sex marriages could happen as early as June 27, 2010, the date of Gay Pride in the capital city of Reykjavík.
Since 1996, Iceland has had a legal domestic partnership registry for heterosexual and homosexual couples. Gay and lesbian equality was further stengthened in 2006 with laws guaranteeing the same social rights as heterosexuals to lesbian and gay men in the spheres of social security, taxation, labor, and other social services. Currently, registered same-sex couples also have the same access to adoption as heterosexuals who are married or in registered domestic partnerships.
In addition to the change in marriage law, parliamentarians are also considering expanding the rules on assisted reproduction to allow single women access to the various techniques for artificial insemination. Current Icelandic law allows only couples, including lesbian couples, to participate in assisted reproduction programs.
Despite its size, Iceland is a dynamic nation, and this includes its landscape. The recent eruption of a volcano in the remote area of Fimmvörðuháls has created a new mountain. Minister of Education and Cultural Affairs Katrín Jakobsdóttir has convened a committee to assist in naming the new landmark, but they are also seeking suggestions from the public. We think that the name of the new mountain should in some way commemorate the Icelandic commitment to equality for gays and lesbians. Suggestions can be sent to the Ministry here
Iceland Likely to Permit Gay Marriage by June
Iceland, the tiny island country of 320,000 people in the North Atlantlc, will likely be the next nation to legalize same-sex marriage. Openly lesbian prime minister Johanna Sigurdardóttir presented a revision to current marriage law to the Icelandic parliament on March 23. The revision is widely expected to become law, and if (or when) it does, the first same-sex marriages could happen as early as June 27, 2010, the date of Gay Pride in the capital city of Reykjavík.
Since 1996, Iceland has had a legal domestic partnership registry for heterosexual and homosexual couples. Gay and lesbian equality was further stengthened in 2006 with laws guaranteeing the same social rights as heterosexuals to lesbian and gay men in the spheres of social security, taxation, labor, and other social services. Currently, registered same-sex couples also have the same access to adoption as heterosexuals who are married or in registered domestic partnerships.
In addition to the change in marriage law, parliamentarians are also considering expanding the rules on assisted reproduction to allow single women access to the various techniques for artificial insemination. Current Icelandic law allows only couples, including lesbian couples, to participate in assisted reproduction programs.
Despite its size, Iceland is a dynamic nation, and this includes its landscape. The recent eruption of a volcano in the remote area of Fimmvörðuháls has created a new mountain. Minister of Education and Cultural Affairs Katrín Jakobsdóttir has convened a committee to assist in naming the new landmark, but they are also seeking suggestions from the public. We think that the name of the new mountain should in some way commemorate the Icelandic commitment to equality for gays and lesbians. Suggestions can be sent to the Ministry here0
Same-sex couples have been exchanging vows all over the District since D.C. first began to issue marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples on Tuesday—in gardens, in courthouses, in the office of the Human Rights Campaign, and even in Hello Cupcake. And today, a Georgetown establishment is going to be the site of a same-sex wedding, DCist reports, when the marriage between Keith Spangler and Andreas Vellios takes place at Georgetown’s Ben and Jerry’s.
Ben & Jerry’s has a prominent history of supporting several social justice movements—the company even made a commemorative ice cream, Hubby Hubby, when its founders’ home state changed its laws to recognize same-sex marriage—and Jerry Greenfield (the Jerry of Ben & Jerry’s) will be at the ceremony to talk about his company’s commitment to justice and to congratulate the couple.
City Councilmember David Catania (SFS ‘90, LAW ‘94), the first openly gay member of the D.C. City Council who introduced the bill legalizing same sex marriage, will also be there, along with Freedom to Marry Director Michael Crawford. Afterward the ceremony, there’s going to be ice cream cake for friends and family of the couple.
Gay Couple To Wed Inside Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Parlor
Same-sex couples have been exchanging vows all over the District since D.C. first began to issue marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples on Tuesday—in gardens, in courthouses, in the office of the Human Rights Campaign, and even in Hello Cupcake. And today, a Georgetown establishment is going to be the site of a same-sex wedding, DCist reports, when the marriage between Keith Spangler and Andreas Vellios takes place at Georgetown’s Ben and Jerry’s.
Ben & Jerry’s has a prominent history of supporting several social justice movements—the company even made a commemorative ice cream, Hubby Hubby, when its founders’ home state changed its laws to recognize same-sex marriage—and Jerry Greenfield (the Jerry of Ben & Jerry’s) will be at the ceremony to talk about his company’s commitment to justice and to congratulate the couple.
City Councilmember David Catania (SFS ‘90, LAW ‘94), the first openly gay member of the D.C. City Council who introduced the bill legalizing same sex marriage, will also be there, along with Freedom to Marry Director Michael Crawford. Afterward the ceremony, there’s going to be ice cream cake for friends and family of the couple.0
Effective March 3, 2010, same-sex couples may apply for marriage licenses in the District of Columbia.
Are you and your partner ready to get married?
If so, here's what you need to know before getting married in Washington D.C.:
Here Is What You Need To Know To Get Married in Washington D.C. (11 Easy Steps):
Effective March 3, 2010, same-sex couples may apply for marriage licenses in the District of Columbia.
Are you and your partner ready to get married?
If so, here's what you need to know before getting married in Washington D.C.:
Here's How:
- Age Requirement The minimum age for marriage in the District of Columbia is 18 years or 16 years with the consent of a parent or guardian. Applicants should bring driver's licenses, birth certificates, passports, or similar official document to show proof of age.
- Cost The Marriage License Application fee is $35.00. However, the fee is waived if a Domestic Partnership Certificate is presented at the time of application. The marriage certificate fee is $10.00. The Marriage Bureau only accepts cash or money orders (made out to Clerk, D.C. Superior Court).
- Previous Marriages Divorce happens. So does finding love again. If either of you have been previously married, be prepared to show your divorce papers. You'll need to provide the city, state, country of each previous marriage and the ending status, such as, by divorce or death. Home and work telephone numbers for both you and your ex(s) are also requested.
- Waiting Period Three full days must pass between the day of application to the day that the license can be issued.
- Blood And Other Tests As of September 11, 2008, a blood test is no longer a requirement to obtain a marriage license in the District of Columbia.
- Marriage License The Marriage License Application must include social security numbers, addresses, dates of birth for both parties as well as previous marriage information (see above). Also, in order to pick up your license, you must show your receipt for payment. Unfortunately licenses in the District are not issued by mail, so you have to pick it up in person.
- Wedding Officiator Even after you apply, your marriage isn't valid unless an ordained and licensed clergymen or justices of the peace officiates over your ceremony. Your "endorser" must be from the same religious society and registered with the Marriage Bureau Section, Family Court.
- Ceremony You can request a Civil Wedding performed by a court official in a room that fits up to 15 people. All free of charge. Request it at the time of registration, specifying the date and time you would like to be married and at least 10 days from the date of application. A clerk will call you to confirm a date.
- Copies of Certificate You can request a copy of your marriage certificate on the same day as the ceremony for $10 (cash or money order) or by mail at: Moultrie Courthouse 500 Indiana Ave., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20001 Higher fees may apply for triple seal certificates used for adoption and foreign jurisdictions.
- Planning Plan your ceremony month-by-month with this same-sex wedding planner. On a budget? Learn how you and your fiance can save a few dollars and still have a beautiful ceremony.
- Ring Selection Kathy Belge over at About: Lesbian Life steps you through the process of buying a wedding ring, including deciding on a budget, style and jewelry store.
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Barring interference from Congress or President Obama, gay marriages will be allowed in Washington, D.C. beginning tomorrow.
In December, D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty signed a bill to allow same-sex marriages in the nation's capitol. The bill then entered a 30-day review period in Congress.
The bill will become law tomorrow unless Congress introduces a joint-resolution, or President Obama fails to sign it into law.
Starting tomorrow, same-sex couples can apply for marriage licenses, though they must wait three business days to receive them.
AP reporting
Washington, D.C. On Track To Allowing Gay Marriages Starting Tomorrow!
Barring interference from Congress or President Obama, gay marriages will be allowed in Washington, D.C. beginning tomorrow.
In December, D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty signed a bill to allow same-sex marriages in the nation's capitol. The bill then entered a 30-day review period in Congress.
The bill will become law tomorrow unless Congress introduces a joint-resolution, or President Obama fails to sign it into law.
Starting tomorrow, same-sex couples can apply for marriage licenses, though they must wait three business days to receive them.
AP reporting
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Gay couples in New Hampshire welcomed the new year with champagne toasts and wedding rings. (Photo By Associated Press: Olin Burkhart, center left, and Carl Burkhart, center right, both of Salem, N.H., wed on steps of New Hampshire's State Capitol Jan. 1, 2010 as the historic Marriage Equality law takes effect in Concord, N.H)
A gay marriage law approved by lawmakers takes effect on January 1. Gay couples who want to be among the first to marry in the state will be making their wedding vows along with their new year resolutions.
New Hampshire officials began issuing marriage licenses to gay couples on October 3. As of last Wednesday, 29 lesbian and 11 gay couples had secured marriage licenses, which expire after 90 days.
ay advocates in the Granite State ushered in the new year with weddings at the state Capitol on Friday, when New Hampshire's same-sex marriage law took effect.
The Freedom to Marry Coalition and the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation led celebrations in Concord on New Year's Eve, counting down the minutes until the state performed its first gay marriages just after midnight.
New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch signed a same-sex marriage bill into law early June despite his opposition to gay marriages and only after state lawmakers had complied with his requirement to include provisions in the legislation protecting religious institutions. The state Senate had voted 14-10 and the state House 198-176 to pass the measure.
Lawmakers had negotiated to include an amendment exempting religious institutions from participating in marriage-related activities that are against their beliefs.
Several times the bill was in danger of being completely rejected. Conservatives including the National Organization for Marriage had also pushed hard for the Legislature not to "deny New Hampshire voters the right to decide th[e] question themselves."
Marriage between gay couples is legal in five states so far. Massachusetts and Connecticut were the first ones to pass legislation, while Iowa, Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire all enacted similar measures this year. Maine, however, overturned its law in a November referendum.
The District of Columbia earlier this month passed its own bill, which takes effect after a required 30-day review by Congress.
National gay advocacy groups such as the Human Rights Campaign and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force have also suffered setbacks. Apart from the repeal in the Pine Tree State, proponents in the New Jersey Senate in December put off a final vote on a same-sex measure because of the lack of votes to pass it.
Around the same time In New York, state senators voted to defeat a similar bill despite the full-throated support of Gov. David Paterson.
A Proud Way To Start The New Year, New Hampshire Welcomed The New Year With Champagne & Wedding Rings
Gay couples in New Hampshire welcomed the new year with champagne toasts and wedding rings. (Photo By Associated Press: Olin Burkhart, center left, and Carl Burkhart, center right, both of Salem, N.H., wed on steps of New Hampshire's State Capitol Jan. 1, 2010 as the historic Marriage Equality law takes effect in Concord, N.H)
A gay marriage law approved by lawmakers takes effect on January 1. Gay couples who want to be among the first to marry in the state will be making their wedding vows along with their new year resolutions.
New Hampshire officials began issuing marriage licenses to gay couples on October 3. As of last Wednesday, 29 lesbian and 11 gay couples had secured marriage licenses, which expire after 90 days.
ay advocates in the Granite State ushered in the new year with weddings at the state Capitol on Friday, when New Hampshire's same-sex marriage law took effect.
The Freedom to Marry Coalition and the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation led celebrations in Concord on New Year's Eve, counting down the minutes until the state performed its first gay marriages just after midnight.
New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch signed a same-sex marriage bill into law early June despite his opposition to gay marriages and only after state lawmakers had complied with his requirement to include provisions in the legislation protecting religious institutions. The state Senate had voted 14-10 and the state House 198-176 to pass the measure.
Lawmakers had negotiated to include an amendment exempting religious institutions from participating in marriage-related activities that are against their beliefs.
Several times the bill was in danger of being completely rejected. Conservatives including the National Organization for Marriage had also pushed hard for the Legislature not to "deny New Hampshire voters the right to decide th[e] question themselves."
Marriage between gay couples is legal in five states so far. Massachusetts and Connecticut were the first ones to pass legislation, while Iowa, Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire all enacted similar measures this year. Maine, however, overturned its law in a November referendum.
The District of Columbia earlier this month passed its own bill, which takes effect after a required 30-day review by Congress.
National gay advocacy groups such as the Human Rights Campaign and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force have also suffered setbacks. Apart from the repeal in the Pine Tree State, proponents in the New Jersey Senate in December put off a final vote on a same-sex measure because of the lack of votes to pass it.
Around the same time In New York, state senators voted to defeat a similar bill despite the full-throated support of Gov. David Paterson.0
They had to travel to the ends of the Earth to do it, but two Argentine men succeeded in becoming Latin America’s first same-sex married couple.
After their first attempt to wed earlier this month in Buenos Aires was thwarted, gay rights activists Jose Maria Di Bello and Alex Freyre took their civil ceremony to the capital of Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego province, where a sympathetic governor backed their bid to make Latin American history.
The couple exchanged rings Monday in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, closer to Antarctica than Buenos Aires. The informal ceremony was witnessed by state and federal officials.
"My knees didn’t stop shaking," said Di Bello. "We are the first gay couple in Latin America to marry."
Di Bello, 41, an executive at the Argentine Red Cross, met Freyre, 39, executive director of the Buenos Aires AIDS Foundation, at an HIV awareness conference. Both are HIV-positive.
At the indoor civil ceremony, the grooms wore sport coats without ties, and had large red ribbons draped around their necks in solidarity with other people living with HIV.
Argentina’s Constitution is silent on whether marriage must be between a man and a woman, effectively leaving the matter to provincial and city officials. The men tried to get married in Argentina’s capital but city officials, who had earlier said the ceremony could proceed, refused to wed them citing conflicting judicial rulings.
Di Bello said Ushuaia initially declined to authorize the marriage, but went ahead after the couple received backing from Tierra del Fuego province.
Gov. Fabiana Rios said in a statement that gay marriage "is an important advance in human rights and social inclusion and we are very happy that this has happened in our state."
An official representing the federal government’s antidiscrimination agency, Claudio Morgado, attended the wedding and called the occasion "historic."
Many in Argentina and throughout Latin America remain opposed to gay marriage, particularly the Roman Catholic Church.
"The decision took me by surprise and I’m concerned," Bishop Juan Carlos, of the southern city of Rio Gallegos, told the Argentine news agency DyN. He called the marriage "an attack against the survival of the human species."
But same-sex civil unions have been legalized in Uruguay, Buenos Aires, Mexico City and some states in Mexico and Brazil. Marriage generally carries more exclusive rights such as adopting children, inheriting wealth and enabling a partner to gain citizenship.
Legal analyst Andres Gil Dominguez said the Tierra del Fuego government appeared to base its authorization on a broad interpretation of the Argentine Constitution and obligations under international treaties.
Rios said her province’s approval was based on a ruling by a Buenos Aires judge who declared two provisions of the constitution discriminatory and gave the go-ahead for the Dec. 1 marriage, which was then blocked by another judge’s ruling based on civil law.
Individual provinces may not have final say over same-sex marriages for long.
A bill that would legalize gay marriage was introduced in Argentina’s Congress in October but it has stalled without a vote.
Argentina’s Supreme Court currently is analyzing appeals by same-sex couples whose marriages were rejected. A Supreme Court justice said on Monday that the high court would likely rule on issues of same-sex marriage sometime in 2010, but could defer to Congress if legislation moves forward.
Only seven countries in the world allow gay marriages: Canada, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands and Belgium. U.S. states that permit same-sex marriage are Iowa, Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut and New Hampshire.
Earlier this month, lawmakers in Mexico City made it the first in Latin America to legalize same-sex marriage. Leftist Mayor Marcelo Ebrard was widely expected to sign the measure into law.
Gay Couple First to Marry in Latin America
They had to travel to the ends of the Earth to do it, but two Argentine men succeeded in becoming Latin America’s first same-sex married couple.
After their first attempt to wed earlier this month in Buenos Aires was thwarted, gay rights activists Jose Maria Di Bello and Alex Freyre took their civil ceremony to the capital of Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego province, where a sympathetic governor backed their bid to make Latin American history.
The couple exchanged rings Monday in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, closer to Antarctica than Buenos Aires. The informal ceremony was witnessed by state and federal officials.
"My knees didn’t stop shaking," said Di Bello. "We are the first gay couple in Latin America to marry."
Di Bello, 41, an executive at the Argentine Red Cross, met Freyre, 39, executive director of the Buenos Aires AIDS Foundation, at an HIV awareness conference. Both are HIV-positive.
At the indoor civil ceremony, the grooms wore sport coats without ties, and had large red ribbons draped around their necks in solidarity with other people living with HIV.
Argentina’s Constitution is silent on whether marriage must be between a man and a woman, effectively leaving the matter to provincial and city officials. The men tried to get married in Argentina’s capital but city officials, who had earlier said the ceremony could proceed, refused to wed them citing conflicting judicial rulings.
Di Bello said Ushuaia initially declined to authorize the marriage, but went ahead after the couple received backing from Tierra del Fuego province.
Gov. Fabiana Rios said in a statement that gay marriage "is an important advance in human rights and social inclusion and we are very happy that this has happened in our state."
An official representing the federal government’s antidiscrimination agency, Claudio Morgado, attended the wedding and called the occasion "historic."
Many in Argentina and throughout Latin America remain opposed to gay marriage, particularly the Roman Catholic Church.
"The decision took me by surprise and I’m concerned," Bishop Juan Carlos, of the southern city of Rio Gallegos, told the Argentine news agency DyN. He called the marriage "an attack against the survival of the human species."
But same-sex civil unions have been legalized in Uruguay, Buenos Aires, Mexico City and some states in Mexico and Brazil. Marriage generally carries more exclusive rights such as adopting children, inheriting wealth and enabling a partner to gain citizenship.
Legal analyst Andres Gil Dominguez said the Tierra del Fuego government appeared to base its authorization on a broad interpretation of the Argentine Constitution and obligations under international treaties.
Rios said her province’s approval was based on a ruling by a Buenos Aires judge who declared two provisions of the constitution discriminatory and gave the go-ahead for the Dec. 1 marriage, which was then blocked by another judge’s ruling based on civil law.
Individual provinces may not have final say over same-sex marriages for long.
A bill that would legalize gay marriage was introduced in Argentina’s Congress in October but it has stalled without a vote.
Argentina’s Supreme Court currently is analyzing appeals by same-sex couples whose marriages were rejected. A Supreme Court justice said on Monday that the high court would likely rule on issues of same-sex marriage sometime in 2010, but could defer to Congress if legislation moves forward.
Only seven countries in the world allow gay marriages: Canada, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands and Belgium. U.S. states that permit same-sex marriage are Iowa, Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut and New Hampshire.
Earlier this month, lawmakers in Mexico City made it the first in Latin America to legalize same-sex marriage. Leftist Mayor Marcelo Ebrard was widely expected to sign the measure into law.0
MEXICO CITY — Mexico City lawmakers have become the first in Latin America to legalize gay marriage. City legislators passed the bill 39-20 on Monday with five lawmakers absent.
Gay marriage is currently allowed in only seven countries and some parts of the United States.
Leftist Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebrard is widely expected to sign the decision into law.
The bill calls for changing the definition of marriage in the city's civic code. Marriage is currently defined as the union of a man and a woman. The new definition will be "the free uniting of two people."
Reported By The Associated Press
Mexico City 1st In Latin America To Approve Gay Marriage
MEXICO CITY — Mexico City lawmakers have become the first in Latin America to legalize gay marriage. City legislators passed the bill 39-20 on Monday with five lawmakers absent.
Gay marriage is currently allowed in only seven countries and some parts of the United States.
Leftist Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebrard is widely expected to sign the decision into law.
The bill calls for changing the definition of marriage in the city's civic code. Marriage is currently defined as the union of a man and a woman. The new definition will be "the free uniting of two people."
Reported By The Associated Press
