Gay marriage battles resume; U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says it is not a priority for Congress

Despite a massive coalition, the ban on same-sex marriage in California passed while states like Maine (story), Connecticut (story), and others have succeeded in securing marriage equality. Some bloggers called this a 'tipping point,' but we disagree (reasons we disagree).

• 29 states have constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriage.
• 12 states have laws preventing same-sex marriage.
• 4 states have neither a constitutional amendment in place, nor any laws making it legal. These states include: New Mexico, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, New York, and New Jersey.
• 5 states make same-sex marriage legal with most under legal attack, as well as being attached in the court of public opinion with new television ads being aired in various states by the National Organization for Marriage (NOM).
  

California coalitions are planning a large rally to kickoff a campaign they hope will change minds-and votes. Their goal: to undo Proposition 8. In the meantime, they have damage control to address like California celebrity blogger Perez Hilton.

In choosing Fresno, supporters of same-sex marriage are moving far from the supportive urban environs of San Francisco and West Hollywood, and coming to hostile territory.

The passage of Prop 8 in California led the Board of Directors of Equality California to snatch the executive director of EqualityMass (Equality Massachusetts) to be the new "Marriage Director."

The California Supreme Court has until June 03, 2009 to issue its ruling on the legality of Prop 8.

The rally is being called "Meet In The Middle For Equality." Actress Charlize Theron is expected to attend and organizers predict the rally could attract up to 3,000 people from throughout California.

While supporters hope to overturn the will of the people (not that majority rule is always best), the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) is challenging the recent legislation to legalize same-sex marriage in the State of Maine by using a law provided in the Maine Constitution called a 'people's veto'.

Gay couples in Maine hoping to take advantage of this week's legalization of gay marriage may be forced to wait months or even a year to hold their ceremonies. (previous story)

To get the bill on the ballot in November, they have 90 days to collect 55,000 signatures opposing gay marriage. This means the bill will be put on hold until then. Depending on when petitions are submitted, a referendum may not be held until June 2010.

Brian Brown, the executive director of NOM, said: "We will devote staff, volunteers and resources to this battle in Maine. Marriage means a man and a woman, and we will work hard to ensure that voters in Maine have the ability to do what voters in every other state where they have had a chance have done and stand up for marriage as we have always known it."

Betsy Smith of EqualityMaine, said pro-gay marriage campaigners would fight any attempt to repeal the bill, although she added that fundraising could be an issue in the present economic climate.

As far as federal recognition of same-sex marriage in states that have approved it, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said it is not a priority for Congress.

"Right now on our agenda we are talking about turning the economy around, dealing with an energy policy, health care for all Americans, education. We have an economic crisis of the magnitude none of us have seen in our lifetime," Pelosi told reporters at a Wednesday press conference.

The battle for marriage equality is far from over.

In Kentucky, the Family Foundation is so scared about the recent gay marriage victories, and possibly the launch of Marriage Equality Kentucky, they have planned a series of 'save marriage' workshops around the Commonwealth. (previous story)

If you have ever needed a better reason to volunteer or make a donation, this is it!

Miss California to campaign against gay marriage

Carrie Prejean, Miss California has gone to Washington to help launch a campaign opposing same-sex marriage.

This morning on NBC's "Today" show, she stated that she'll be working with the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) to "protect traditional marriages."

The National Organization for Marriage is the organization responsible for the 'storm' commercials. (previous story)

Miss California said marriage is "something that is very dear to my heart" and she's in Washington to help save it.

Prejean was named the first runner-up to Miss North Carolina in the Miss USA pageant April 19. Her response to celebrity blogger Perez Hilton's question about legalizing same-sex marriage may have cost her the title.

Speaking of Perez Hilton..... his response to her answer about gay marriage was a disgrace to the marriage equality movement, as well as the gay rights movement. You do not call someone a 'dumb b_tch' and make obscene gestures toward them because you do not agree with their answer. This is a total lack of poise, tact, and professionalism.

Americans (as well as the judges) made their own decision about Miss California when she answered the question presented to her about gay marriage..... We can disagree with her, not vote for her, but we do not post a video clip flipping her off and call her a 'dumb b_tch'. This crossed a line that you simply do not cross, especially if you consider yourself a celebrity blogger 'activist' for the marriage equality movement like Mr. Hilton does.

PlanetOut issued a survey, "Does Perez Hilton speak for you?" with more than 88% voting that Hilton does more harm to the gay rights movement than good.

LGBTI bloggers have been slamming Mr. Hilton for his response; watch it below (be sure to read the PlanetOut article above):

Tipping point? Not likely!

The article below may in fact be good news for states that do not have constitutional amendments making same-sex marriage illegal, but we have a lot of work to go in the states that have constitutional amendments. Those amendments must be repealed by "the people" who voted in favor of them.

April’s triple triumph on the front lines of the U.S. same-sex marriage wars — Vermont lawmakers approved marriage on April 7, the same day D.C. City Council voted to recognize marriages performed elsewhere, and the Iowa Supreme Court on April 3 ruled in favor of gays — have many on both sides of the ideological divide wondering if the issue is on the cusp of a tipping point.

Gay activists are saying it’s possible, even likely, that the issue is far enough along to have reached an unquantifiable inevitability now that same-sex marriage is legal in four states (Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont and Iowa). But last year’s bitter loss in California (Proposition 8’s approval on the November ballot outlawed same-sex marriage there, which had been legal since a state Supreme Court ruling in May) and the 29 state constitutional amendments restricting marriage to one man and one woman make it clear gay activists are far from home free.

Freedom to Marry’s Evan Wolfson, who’s gay, said, “We have tremendous wind in our sails” and “each success moves us further toward our goals.”

Richard Socarides, a gay New York attorney who was a White House adviser under President Bill Clinton, said, “there’s certainly more momentum than there’s ever been.”

Mike Jones, a gay blogger and communications director for the Human Rights Program at Harvard Law School, said the movement is “definitely heading toward a point where there will be unstoppable momentum.”

The first rule in politics is to never underestimate your opponent. We have yet another one; a very powerful one (in additional to the American Family Association, Liberty Counsel, etc.) the National Organization for Marriage.

Previous story: Powerful anti-gay groups goes on high alert

Previous story: Anti-gay groups working overtime to stop the Employment Non-Discrimination Act

Previous story: Liberty Council tires to stop gay marriages in California (again)

The National Organization for Marriage aired its ad April 8 — the day after the Vermont Legislature legalized same-sex marriage and less than one week after the Iowa Supreme Court granted marriage rights to gay couples in its ruling.

Amid storm clouds and rumbling thunder, actors in the commercial say that supporters of same-sex marriage are advancing rights for gay couples in ways that hurt others. One woman says she’s a doctor who must choose between her faith and her profession; another says she’s helpless to stop Massachusetts public schools from teaching lessons condoning same-sex marriage; and one man says his New Jersey church group was punished for opposing gay nuptials.

The organization claims it spent $1.5 million on the commercial.

Maggie Gallagher, NOM’s president, told the Blade the ad was “more successful” than they “imagined or hoped.” She said the commercial has inspired a significant response from “small donors and the activist base.”

Gallagher said NOM released its commercial in response to the same-sex marriage developments in Vermont and Iowa.

“The main message point I saw being unleashed in the media is that this somehow — right after our great victories in California, Arizona and Florida — that this court decision and the state of Vermont meant the marriage fight was over,” she said. “And we thought it was important to get out and communicate that … Americans do care about the marriage issue and we’re not giving up on this.”

Bottom line, don't get your hopes up. We need volunteers to remain on guarded and ready to respond now more than ever!

OUTRAGEOUS LIES! There is a storm gathering

Outrageous is the only word to describe the content of new advertisements the National Organization for Marriage, or "NOM" as they also call themselves.

According to Time Magazine:

There is a storm gathering. The clouds are dark and the winds are strong. Apparently, there's lightning too. Oh, and your freedom's about to be taken away and you will have no choice about it. (Read "Despite Wins for Gay Marriage, Obstacles Remain.")

We won't keep you in suspense. The storm is the gay marriage debate. The clouds and strong winds?

Those are an April 3 Iowa supreme court ruling and the Vermont legislature's decision to override a governor's veto on April 7, making the states the third and fourth in the country where gay marriage is now legal. (The other two are Connecticut and Massachusetts.)

In response to these recent additions, the National Organization for Marriage rushed out this ominous new television ad ahead of schedule, featuring monologues from parents, teachers and doctors in gay marriage battleground states worried about what same-sex unions mean for their freedom. "This comes from the heart of people who want to protect marriage," says Maggie Gallagher, president of NOM.

You simply have to watch this video:


Get your umbrella everyone! The people in this video truly look like drones.

UPDATE: Though this is far from a laughing matter, some people have made some humerous changes to the public service announcement from NOM: