Citizens in Maine and Washington will vote to repeal gay marriage or domestic partnership laws in defiance of their lawmakers and Governor

Citizens in two states decide whether or not to keep gay marriage, or institutions similar to them.  

In Maine voters will decide to override the Maine House of Representatives, Senate, and even the Governor to repeal their new "same-sex marriage law," or more appropriately chartered,  Maine's Marriage Equality Act.

In Washington citizens are also fighting the states expanded domestic partnership bill.  The expanded law adds benefits including the right to use sick leave to care for a domestic partner, and rights related to adoption, child custody and child support.

I am not sure I like the system of government in these two states; gay rights groups fought long and hard for these new laws, and after years of getting them passed in the legislature, signed into law by the sitting Governor, it could all be reversed!   

Religious groups in both states have spent millions and millions of dollars attempting to reverse these laws.

..:: READ MORE - COMPLETE COVERAGE ::..

Bill to repeal DOMA to be filed in the U.S. House on Sept. 15th

Since the U.S. Government has been repeatedly attacked with multiple lawsuits (including, a prominent and founding Union member, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts) over the Defense of Marriage Act (DoMA), U.S. Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-New York) will file a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives to repeal it.

The bill will be unveiled at a press event Tuesday. Openly gay legislators such as Wisconsin's U.S. Representative Tammy Baldwin and Colorado's U.S. Representative Jared Polis are expected to attend.

Recently, U.S. President Obama's Department of Justice defended the law in a California lawsuit that aimed to overturn the statute. That suit has since been dismissed on a technicality.

Most believe the bill will never make it out of the U.S. House of Representatives, and that the lawsuit filed by the Attorney General of Massachusetts has the best chance of striking down the law for infringing on the sovereignty of the Commonwealth and its exclusive right to define marriage, which the federal government must recognize (as it always has).

There is a great deal of division in the bill being filed on Tuesday because many feel the bill should simply recognize the marriages of gay and lesbian couples by the federal government if gay marriage is legal in their home state. Not only would this satisfy the Attorney General of Massachusetts, but it would also give couples access to federal benefits such as Social Security and federal pensions.

Most expect the bill to fail if the provision allowing states to ignore gay marriages performed outside their borders isn't left in tact.

In California today, other battles loomed as the Senate approved a bill late Wednesday that recognizes gay and lesbian marriages performed outside the state prior to November 5, 2008. The bill was passed in the California Assembly earlier in the month.

The social conservative group California Family Council (CFC), which supports the gay marriage ban, is urging California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to veto the measure, and has called the bill “unconstitutional.”

“The people of California are sovereign, and the language of Proposition 8 is clear regarding the people's intent,” Ron Prentice, director of CFC, said in a statement. “However, California's current Legislature will continue to attempt to weaken the laws set forth by the people.”

Roman Catholic Church to fund efforts in Maine to defeat gay marriage

In direct defiance of the teachings of the The New Testament (for those who are religious or spiritual) which never once condemns homosexuality, or says it is a sin, another church (this time it isn't the Mormon's, also known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints), the Catholic Church in the State of Maine is stepping up its effort to defeat a gay marriage law in November.

The WBLZ News Center reports that the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland is asking its parishes to take a special second collection next weekend to help pay for a campaign to use a statewide referendum to reverse a gay marriage law passed by the state Legislature.

Money raised in the effort will go to Stand for Marriage Maine, which is leading the effort to repeal the law allowing same-sex marriage.

Stand for Marriage also is planning a rally next Saturday at the Augusta Civic Center.

I suppose this is no surprise.... the Roman Catholic Church has seen more lawsuits than any other religious institution; and recent statements from the Pope have drawn widespread criticism, even from former United Kingdom Prime Minister Tony Blair (who is now the United National Special Envoy to the Middle East (since 2007), as appointed by the United National Secretary-General).

Gay rights organizations have condemned the Pope's statements, and even singer Rob Thomas [Matchbox 20] came out swinging against the religious suppression of 'the way people are born.'

Although Catholic doctrine is that homosexuality is not a sin, the church does condemn homosexual acts and the former Joseph Alois Ratzinger [now known as Pope Benedict XVI] stated in 1986 before he became pope that homosexuality "is a more or less strong tendency ordered toward an intrinsic moral evil; and thus the inclination itself must be seen as an objective disorder."

According to Pope Benedict XVI, homosexuality will lead to the "self-destruction" of the human race.

Well, most of this garbage is why the LGBTI community feels alienated from Christianity. My name is Jordan Palmer; I am a practicing Christian and Taoist, and I personally wrote this blog entry. I have to wonder when religious leaders will stop twisting scripture (of whatever faith) to suit their own selfish needs...... but, if you look back on the history of Christianity, it has always been so.

All hope of striking down DOMA is with Massachusetts; Obama Administration plans to fight it

All hope of striking down the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) passed in 1996 which prevents the federal government from recognizing marriages performed within states resides with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts says The National Law Journal, and the National Legal Scholars Council.

"If you're looking to effect legal change, you're looking for plaintiffs who have been harmed, a lawsuit reasonably well-funded, and the legal expertise to take it up [to] the appellate process," said Arthur Leonard of New York Law School, an expert on gay and lesbian legal issues.

Of the four current lawsuits against DOMA, the suit filed in July by Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley, is well-focused, well-financed, highly lawyered, and an infringement on the sovereignty of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (previous story)

The Obama administration decided to defend the law in court even as it has stated publicly its plans to seek repeal in Congress. What? Does this make any sense? What a waste of tax dollars!

Kentucky Pro-Gay Marriage Signs Destroyed

A motivated supporter of Kentucky Equality Federation and Marriage Equality Kentucky's Marriage Declaration (more) has posted signs around Harlan County in Southern Kentucky to raise awareness of the declaration.

Today however, the 25 year-old supporter contacted Kentucky Equality Federation and reported that his hand made signs (pictured) have been torn down on multiple occasions.

According to the supporter, the signs have been town down by a well known local person.

Is there no room in Harlan County for diversity, tolerance, or equality? Is vandalism, or the destruction of property that belongs to someone else not a crime in the Commonwealth of Kentucky?

To our supporter we leave you with two quotes from very distinguished people who changed our nation:

"The probability that we may fail in the struggle ought not to deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just." - Abraham Lincoln

"Struggle is a never ending process. Freedom is never really won, you earn it and win it in every generation." - Coretta Scott King

To the person removing the signs (who we have also emailed), we leave you with these thoughts:

"The plague of mankind is the fear and rejection of diversity: monotheism, monarchy, monogamy and, in our age, monomedicine. The belief that there is only one right way to live, only one right way to regulate religious, political, sexual, medical affairs is the root cause of the greatest threat to man: members of his own species, bent on ensuring his salvation, security, and sanity." - Thomas Szasz

Remember, a competent and self-confident person is incapable of homophobia. Homophobia is invariably a symptom of emotional insecurity with your own sexuality.

Equality California: 2012 before Prop 8 is repealed; others disagree

When Marc Solomon, the former executive director of Equality Massachusetts, and now the 'marriage director' of Equality California speaks, it is generally a good idea to listen closely to his advice.

Solomon was the head of Equality Massachusetts when the commonwealth legalized same-sex marriage, and later defeated a constitutional amendment to ban it again.

Solomon told California gay-rights organizations on a conference call yesterday that "Big donors are not ready to fund a new fight so soon after failure, and a door-to-door campaign will take time."

But smaller groups such as Courage Campaign, and Love Honor Cherish have said waiting will sap momentum among gays and their allies still smarting from the unexpected ballot results and have vowed to mount a 2010 challenge.

The biggest supporters for a 2010 push appear to be Courage Campaign, and the even smaller Love Honor Cherish group. California's Marriage Equality USA remains on the fence.

"We're in a movement era. The day after the California ban passed -- and after President Barack Obama was elected -- was a wake-up call for gay advocates. On the one hand they put an African American man in the White House when it was impossible. On the other hand they had their rights taken away. - Rick Jacobs, chair, Courage Campaign

Another defeat in 2010 could be disastrous and derail a 2012 repeal.

Gay marriage lawyers tell the City of San Francisco and others to stay out of it!

The attorneys that sued the State of California in federal court (many disagree, click here to find out why) asked a judge late Friday to bar the city of San Francisco and three other groups supportive of same-sex weddings from joining.

In court papers filed late Friday, attorneys David Boies and Theodore Olson told U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker that San Francisco and Our Family Coalition, Lavender Seniors of the East Bay, and Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, or "PFLAG", have no legal rights to join the lawsuit.

Huh? San Francisco is a subdivision of the State of California; would their involvement not bring a more legitimate claim against the state? Worst case scenario for the city: The state disenfranchises the city, and removes their ability to limited, local city government.

Also, by keeping PFLAG out, a national organization, they are really missing out on a lot of national resources and money.

The move highlights the continuing disagreement among gay marriage supporters over how best to fight for same-sex weddings in the state.

City of San Francisco wants to redefine U.S. lawsuit on Prop 8; California Attorney General's Office remains silent

The city of San Francisco (many of our young readers do not understand that cities, counties, parishes, townships, and boroughs are political subdivisions of a state, and subordinate to the state; a state however is sovereign, but shares joint sovereignty with the federal government as outlined in the U.S. Constitution), asked a judge Thursday for permission to intervene in the federal lawsuit challenging California's ban on same-sex marriage, a request that may intensify the battle for control of the high-stakes litigation.

The leader of an organization that filed the suit against Proposition 8 has already accused established gay-rights groups of trying to undermine the case and promised to oppose their attempt to intervene. San Francisco raised the stakes Thursday by filing a similar motion with Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker, who has scheduled a hearing for Aug. 19.

The city would add "a unique local government perspective" to the case, along with its extensive legal experience in defending gay and lesbian rights, if allowed to intervene, City Attorney Dennis Herrera's office said in court papers.

The California Supreme Court upheld Prop. 8 in May as a state constitutional amendment overturning the court's year-old ruling that recognized same-sex marriage in California.

Several days before the latest ruling, Olson and Boies filed their federal suit, arguing that Prop. 8 violated the U.S. Constitution's guarantee of equal protection of the law.

Citing states' rights, opponents expect the lawsuit in U.S. District Court to fail since the California Supreme Court is the highest authority on internal affairs of the state.

Gay-rights advocates and the city of San Francisco, plaintiffs in the state court case against Prop. 8, had steered clear of federal issues that might have given the U.S. Supreme Court jurisdiction to rule unfavorably on same-sex marriage. Now that the dispute is in federal court, however, the state plaintiffs want to join the argument but redefine the case.

Rather than simply claiming a constitutional right to same-sex marriage, the city and the advocacy groups argue that Prop. 8, by taking rights away from gays and lesbians, is a discriminatory measure that violates federal equal rights standards, which the states ratified as an amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

The California Attorney General's Office (who fought to make gay marriage legal, then sued the state for violating the California Equality Clause when Prop 8 passed), has yet to comment on the city's request.

The time for Kentucky is now; ignore the "Oh Lord, Not Now!" movement!

When reading a blog post about why former Clinton White House advisor David Mixner doesn't want to wait until 2012 to challenge Prop 8 at the ballot, I realized that this applies to Kentucky's Constitution Section 223A, passed by Constitutional Amendment in 2004.

I completely agree with the observations made by Mixner, who has also been a civil rights activist and best-selling author for 50 years. It is easy to associate the Kentucky Equality Federation and Marriage Equality Kentucky online petition to overturn Kentucky's Constitutional Amendment to his remarks:

There is a new chapter within the LGBT civil rights movement that can only be described as the "Oh Lord, Not Now!" movement.

Flag These well meaning, hard-working and intelligent folks want a very neat time-lined, totally safe and predictable movement. One where, as a community, we do not publicly move until we are assured of victory. They don't want us to venture from a proscribed game plan that mostly originates out of a Washington-based political strategy to gain our freedom. They live in fear that we will move too quickly, make someone uncomfortable and put our political friends in a tough spot. Afraid to risk defeat, they believe we have to make everyone like us and be on our side. Most amazingly they seek the approval of others instead of insisting that others have to liberate themselves from their own long held myths in order to receive this marvelous gift that our community brings.

The cabal of powerful decision makers wants everything to be safe, clean and perfect before moving. Don't upset anyone, don't jump ahead of ourselves and most of all don't deviate from a well-laid plan that hopefully will eventually lead to victory. Every one of our allies has to be comfortable, the polls have to show us way ahead, and proof of victory has to be assured before trying anything new. The unpredictable grassroots could be destructive and create instability.

Sounds pretty good doesn't it? Except that it doesn't fit any model of success that I have seen in my near 50 years of organizing. In fact, my journey has proven to me that the unpredictable often is just the stimulus that movements need; victory often comes from an unplanned event that organizers could not have pulled off if they had worked years to do it. Most candidates would never be elected to office if they waited for their turn, had hard proof of victory and listened to the political pros. Our own current president is a perfect example of this fact.

Most historic movements are filled with grassroots moments that propel that movement to new heights. It could be a Rosa Parks who was just tired and didn't want to surrender her seat or the automobile workers who occupied their factories in the 1930's to the dismay of traditional labor leaders or a simple unplanned walk to the sea to get salt that appalled more traditional Indian liberation leaders.

Along the way, we are allowing even our allies to abuse language in order to slow down our fight for full equality and freedom. We have allowed them to avoid the word marriage out of fear we are being unreasonable by insisting on full rights through the civic institution. Our allies accommodatingly play with words like civil unions, domestic partnerships, significant others, same-sex alliance, etc in order to avoid that one word, that one institution that will get us closer to freedom than any other word....marriage. It is marriage that we want and marriage we should seek. Anything less plays into the system of Apartheid they are attempting to build. We are even afraid to use the word 'freedom' as if we are not deserving enough to own that word.

Sign the Kentucky Marriage Declaration today!

Marriage Equality Kentucky begins collecting pro-gay marriage signatures

Marriage Equality Kentucky is launching a campaign to collect signatures for marriage equality in Kentucky.

From the website:

The Marriage Equality Kentucky Marriage Declaration is a proclamation that marriage is a basic constitutional right that should be extended to all people. Currently, the Commonwealth of Kentucky will not recognize any type of same-sex union. Marriage, domestic partnerships, and civil unions are all illegal in Kentucky (even if performed in other countries or states).

In 2004*, voters in the Commonwealth approved Constitutional Amendment 233A. Visit the history page for additional information. According to published reports, between 78.2% - 84% of Kentucky's lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender population didn't even know a Constitutional Amendment banning same-sex marriage was being voted on.

* Kentucky Equality Federation was started in 2005, and Marriage Equality Kentucky was launched in 2008.

Kentucky's Constitution does not allow citizens to propose Constitutional Amendments by direct action (as in California, Maine, and many others). In Kentucky, the House and Senate must approve the amendment and the citizens then approve or reject the amendment in the next general election.

Proposed marriage amendment sparks protest in Indiana

Gay Recruiters, an Indiana advocacy group for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people is planning a demonstration on July 02, 2009 in Bloomington to fight a constitutional amendment against same-sex marriage in the State of Indiana.

Calling it a 'Marriage Counter Sit-In for Equality,' in the Monroe County Justice Building, a rally is to occur simultaneously outside the justice building.

Founder Lillie Aydt says the goal of the demonstration is to prevent legislation similar to California's Proposition 8 outlawing same sex marriage. Recent legislative attempts to ban same-sex marriage in Indiana have passed the state Senate but have failed in the Indiana House.

Who cares that Cheney supports gay marriage? U.S. Supreme Court said it lacked the authority to rule on gay marriage

So does anyone really care that former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney now supports gay marriage? He certainly did not when he was the sitting U.S. Vice President. Not to mention that the U.S. Vice President is also the ex-officio President of the United States Senate (a member of a body who is part of it by virtue of holding another office).

During every photo opportunity the Cheney's had with their granddaughter, they never included their lesbian daughter in any of the photo's. Say what you will, but the President cannot force the Vice President/President of the U.S. Senate to do anything, much less force him to leave his lesbian daughter and her partner out of photo's.

This week, Dick voiced his support for same-sex marriage, as long as it is handled by the states and not the federal government. The former U.S. VP said "people ought to be free to enter into any kind of union they wish, any kind of arrangement they wish."

Hmmm. Why didn't he say this when it would have actually carried weight.......when he was President of the U.S. Senate, or the U.S. Vice President?

We still have a long way to go for marriage equality.

In 1971, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that Minnesota law limited marriage to opposite-sex couples, and that this limitation did not violate the United States Constitution. The plaintiffs appealed, and the United States Supreme Court, 409 U.S. 810 (1972), dismissed the appeal "for want of [a] substantial federal question," meaning the U.S. Supreme Court lacked the authority to rule or override the Minnesota Supreme Court. That dismissal by the Supreme Court of the United States constituted a decision on the merits, and established Baker v. Nelson as the controlling precedent as a matter of federal constitutional law on the absence of federal authority regarding same-sex marriage.

This is one of many reasons gay rights organizations are so outraged about the latest federal lawsuit. (previous story)

Challenges to DOMA have already been rejected by several federal courts, including a decision by Judge James S. Moody in the case of Wilson v. Ake.

Most legal scholars believe that the federal government cannot impose a definition of marriage onto the laws of the various states.

Now, there is all this talk about a march on Washington, D.C.! When will people learn that the battle for marriage equality must be waged within our states? Even the U.S. Supreme Court has said so!

Superstar Rob Thomas details the "The Big Gay Chip on His Shoulder"

Superstar Rob Thomas shows everyone "The Big Gay Chip on His Shoulder." This is a great article written by a gifted singer and songwriter.

Do yourself a favor and read the entire article.

Here are some highlights:

I am a person who believes that people are born gay. I don't think you have any control over what moves you or to whom you're attracted. That's why it's called an attraction and not a choice.

There isn't one person who is against gay marriage that can give me a reason why it shouldn't be legal without bringing God or their religion into it. Still, I'm amazed at the audacity of a small, misdirected group of the ultra-conservative Christian right wing, to spend millions of dollars, in a recession, on advertisements to stop two men or women who love each other from being able to be married, but when you present any opposition to them, they accuse you of attacking their religion. Isn't it funny that the people who are the quickest to take someone's basic rights to happiness are always the loudest to scream when someone attacks their right to do so?

I've heard it said before, many times, that if two men or two women are allowed to join into a civil union together, why can't they be happy with that and why is it so important that they call it marriage? In essence, what's in a name?

A civil union has to do with death. It's essentially a document that gives you lower taxes and the right to let your faux spouse collect your insurance when you pass away. A marriage is about life. It's about a commitment. And this argument is about allowing people to have the right to make that commitment, even if it doesn't make sense to you. Anything else falls under the category of "separate but equal" and we know how that works out.

The support of legalizing gay marriage is in no way meant to change the ideals of the section of Christians who believe that homosexuality is a sin. But we should refuse to let other people's ideals shape the way we live our lives. Each of us has a short ride on this earth and as long as we stay in our lane, and don't affect someone else's ride, we should be allowed to drive as we see fit.

Thanks for the support Rob!

Gay rights advocates rip suit to undo Prop. 8

What a complete joke; I'd say it will take all of 10 minutes for a federal Judge to throw this out of federal court since the California Supreme Court is the highest authority on California law, especially the California Constitution.

Here are some clips of the story:

Gay rights advocates Wednesday blasted two veteran attorneys for filing a federal lawsuit seeking to overturn Proposition 8, California's voter-approved same-sex marriage ban, saying the move is premature and could be disastrous for the marriage movement.

.....

The advocates say it took 17 years to undo a 1986 Supreme Court decision that upheld Georgia's sodomy law. An Arkansas court used that law as justification to deny a lesbian mother custody of her children, said Jon Davidson, legal director at Lambda Legal, a national gay rights group.

.....

Still, filing a federal lawsuit at this point "sounds like a silly and rash act," said UC Davis law professor John Oakley, an expert on the federal court system.

California Supreme Court upholds Prop 8

As expected, the California Supreme Court upheld Proposition 8, passed by the citizens of the State of California. This now places the states constitution in direct conflict with itself.... California has an 'equality clause' in their constitution.

However, the Supreme Court ruled 'no authority is greater than that of the people.' During oral arguments, Chief Justice George suggested that the unfairness of Proposition 8 should be addressed through the political process.

The 18,000 plus marriages performed in the state when same-sex marriage was legal will remain valid.

In summary, we conclude that Proposition 8 constitutes a permissible constitutional amendment (rather than an impermissible constitutional revision), does not violate the separation of powers doctrine, and is not invalid under the “inalienable rights” theory proffered by the Attorney General.

We further conclude that Proposition 8 does not apply retroactively and therefore that the marriages of same-sex couples performed prior to the effective date of Proposition 8 remain valid. Having determined that none of the constitutional challenges to the adoption of Proposition 8 have merit, we observe that if there is to be a change to the state constitutional rule embodied in that measure, it must “find its expression at the ballot box.”

United We Stand, Divided We Fall - the motto of the Commonwealth couldn't be more accurate

The California Supreme Court ruling on the legality on Prop 8 is scheduled for tomorrow, but Kentucky has higher mountains to climb..... LGBTI people can still be fired simply because of their sexual orientation or gender identity!

In addition to answering that legal question, however, the seven-member court is expected to address the legal status of some 18,000 same-sex couples who were married in California between June — when the legalization took effect — and Election Day in November.

California Attorney General Jerry Brown, said last year that he believed those same-sex marriages would be legal regardless of Proposition 8. But opponents of same-sex marriage argue that it is illogical to continue to recognize marriages that can no longer be legally performed here.

Since the passage of Proposition 8, several other states have legalized same-sex marriage, including Iowa, Maine and Vermont. Connecticut, where a court decision legalized same-sex marriage shortly before Election Day, began performing ceremonies shortly after California banned them with Proposition 8.

Don't breath very easily about recent victories however, many organizations are mobilizing to fight them, especially Protect Marriage, and the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), Liberty Counsel, and the American Family Association.

Do we give up? NO! Because that's what true evil is...... though these organizations say gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and intersex people are 'sick and evil,' I submit that true evil is when we submit to them.... we believe what they say and give up instead of defying them. I am reminded and inspired by an email Kentucky Equality Federation Jordan Palmer sent a couple of weeks ago:

This is a time in Kentucky's history that every organization and individual must put differences aside and work together to finally secure the 1st Step of Equality for Kentucky. At the end of the day, we are all the same: one community fighting for our civil rights.

While we know the climb to secure equality in Kentucky is very steep, the magnitude of the issues at stake requires that every LGBTI person and straight ally act and stand for the 1st Step of Equality in Kentucky: a statewide law to protect LGBTI people from discrimination in housing, credit, accommodations, and employment!

Eventually, we will also overturn the 2004 discriminatory marriage amendment which blocks same-sex marriage, civil unions, and domestic partnerships.

Our community and our volunteers continue to be our inspiration to drive forward. At Kentucky Equality Federation, no individual, no group, and no organization shall be turned away in our struggle; we welcome everyone with open arms.

We must bring change to our Commonwealth; it is our generation's obligation and opportunity to bring equality to the LGBTI community; we stand on the shoulders of those who have come before us – the time is here.

United We Stand, Divided We Fall - the motto of the Commonwealth couldn't be more accurate.

For tickets and additional information, click here.

Gay Culture War reaches the West again as conservative groups try to block Referendum 71 in the State of Washington

The Culture War continues as citizens in the State of Washington are being asked to sign Referendum 71, a referendum seeking to overturn legislation awaiting the governor's signature that offers "everything but marriage" to gay and lesbian domestic partners.

No one needs a campaign to stomp on legislation that doesn't hurt anyone. The bill in question tidies language in numerous statutes and legislation to give registered gay and lesbian domestic partners equality in business and legal affairs, the same rights married couples enjoy.

Referendum 71 was filed by Larry Stickney, president of the Washington Values Alliance. Supporters need to get more than 120,500 valid voter signatures by July 25 in order to qualify for the November ballot.

Stickney said he was filing the referendum on behalf of a broad-based coalition, saying that foes were going to "do all we can to turn this back."

Governor Chris Gregoire said she will sign the domestic partnership expansion into law on May 18, saying it "embraces the values of the people of the State of Washington."

The filing of the referendum delays the scheduled July 26 effective date of the law until the signatures are counted. If opponents qualify for the ballot, the law is delayed until the results of the November election.

The bill expands on previous Washington state domestic partnership laws by adding such partnerships to all remaining areas of state law where currently only married couples are mentioned. The statutes range from labor and employment rights to pensions and other public employee benefits.

Stickney said that opponents to the law worry that it will ultimately lead to courts legalizing same-sex marriage in the state.

"This kind of legislation kind of tees it up for the courts to act," he said.

Four states have legalized same-sex marriage: Connecticut, Massachusetts and Iowa through court order, and Vermont through legislative action.

Same-sex marriage was legal in California for five months until a state referendum to ban it passed last fall. Bills to allow same-sex marriage are currently before lawmakers in New Hampshire, Maine, New York and New Jersey.

New Jersey, California, New Hampshire, Oregon, Washington and the District of Columbia have laws that either recognize civil unions or domestic partnerships that afford same-sex couples similar rights to marriage. Thirty states have gay marriage bans in their constitutions.

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!

Forthcoming Same-Sex Sacramental Marriage Litigation?

The Universal Life Church Monastery (TheMonastery.org) has announced a legal defense campaign that will take action in all states that have enacted unconstitutional same-sex sacramental marriage restraints. The Universal Life Church Monastery reports that "States that deny ministers the religious right to perform the sacrament of marriage, regardless of the couple's sexual orientation, do so in violation of the 1st Amendment of the US Constitution."

The Universal Life Church Monastery displays this graphic on its website:

To investigate appropriate legal action supporting same-sex sacramental marriage, the Universal Life Church Monastery has retained two constitutional law firms, which include Arizona-based DeConcini McDonald Yetwin & Lacy, and Seattle-based Carney Badley Spellman.

As popular support for same-sex sacramental marriage continues to escalate, the Universal Life Church Monastery has observed a marked increase in its ministerial ordination requests. The Universal Life Church receives in excess of 500 ordination requests per day, attributing the increase to nationwide dissatisfaction with the intolerance of traditional religious dogma. Ministers who have joined the Universal Life Church have spoken in favor of its inclusive practices.

Reverend Aiyanna Looney of Oskaloosa, Iowa, a minister of the Universal Life Church Monastery for the past five years, explains her same-sex sacramental marriage beliefs to the Ottumwa Courier: "Starting as early as April 24 [2009, clergy members such as myself will finally be able to officiate legal marriages (religious and secular) for same-sex couples in the State of Iowa. As a Cleric with the Universal Life Church, my right to officiate the marriages of same sex couples, in accordance with my beliefs, is now a protected right by the State of Iowa."

Looney adds, "I am a supporter of same-sex marriage, and I am willing to perform same-sex marriages because I see no difference between the racism I have experienced and the discrimination homosexuals have experienced stemming from Conservative Christian ideology. I am not white, my husband is, and I am in a mixed race marriage. I have been told [that my union [with my husband, Sam Looney, is sacrilegious and not recognized as marriage by several Conservative Christians. These people have used biblical passages such as Genesis 28:1, Leviticus 19:19 and Deuteronomy 7:3-4 to support their racist beliefs. However, I have a Certificate of Marriage [and marriage cannot be defined by racists."

The Universal Life Church Monastery recognizes Looney's right to perform the sacrament of marriage, and stands behind the constitutionally protected religious rights for all its ministers to perform ceremonies for any and all United States citizens.

The 20 Million strong Universal Life Church is the only denomination in the world that opens its doors to everyone, and welcomes all who ask to become an ordained minister. As a non-denominational, interfaith ministry, the Universal Life Church Monastery proclaims that God, Mother Nature or intelligent design created all beings intentionally.

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):