Maine and D.C. Go Forward & More

Maine Statehouse Votes in Favor of Marriage for Same-Sex Couples

Washington D.C. Recognizes Same-Sex Marriage


This article at the Gay Rights blog @ change. org

Here is Ms. Vienna Teng with City Hall. I wish she would write a song about Massachusetts but that's okay. My daughter was married at this city hall, so I love the song.

And if you never read the post here on this painting...



it was painted by my dear friend Steve Emery, whose inspiration for it were my daughter and daughter-in-law's wedding photographs at taken at San Francisco City Hall last Fall. Every time I try to write about how much this painting means to my family and me, I get a bit chocked up and completely lose the words. But I think you know. Visit Steve's gallery. It is a very uplifting space.

Supreme Court Hears Prop 8 Case Thursday

It's mildly encouraging to me that the Supreme Court of California is holding a hearing on the Prop 8 issue so soon. After the 43 or so groups that represent opposition to Prop 8 have been heard, as well as a slew of "friends of the court" briefs, the Supreme Court will have to determine three main issues: Is Prop 8 invalid because it represents a revision of, rather than an amendment to, the California constitution; does prop 8 violate "the separation of powers doctrine" under the CA constitution; and if it is legal, what is the status of the 18,000 marriages that were performed last year, before the passage of Prop 8.

It's looking like a long-shot and it will take months before the court makes any kind of ruling. Legal scholars are projecting more hope for preserving the marriages performed last year than for an overturn of prop 8. We'll have to wait and see.

Meanwhile, think of my daughter, whose marriage is one of the 18,000 and whose future rests in part on this decision. She and her wife are moving to California to pursue graduate school and whether their marriage is legal or not could impact their ability to obtain graduate housing for couples and health insurance benefits. If the marriage is shot down, they will have to apply for domestic partnership status, which may water down their legal rights as a couple.

Read More +/-

Calif. Supreme Court to hear Prop 8 case March 5 - Los Angeles Times

365 Gay

Forty-three groups representing civil rights activists, legal scholars, labor unions, bar associations, state legislators and religious organizations have filed written arguments asking that Proposition 8 be overturned. Read more of this Los Angeles Times story here.

8 Prop

I'm sort of weak in my enthusiasm for complicated legal matters, you know? So the title of the Prop 8 video immediately caught my eye: Proposition 8 Made Simple. If you haven't seen this, you have to.





This is the latest from the courts on overturnings Prop 8.

And then I want you to take a look at this video of this yes on prop 8 counter-ad.