09.17.07
Posted in Gay Rights at 5:32 pm by pikapp44
Iowa state Rep. Nicole LaFavour, D-Boise, the state’s only out lawmaker, and Jody May-Chang, editor of Boise-based PrideDepot.com, are among those who want to reframe the questions over U.S. Sen. Larry Craig’s, R-Idaho, arrest and guilty plea in an alleged gay restroom sex sting, from being focused on his orientation to his actions. “All of us are watching the people of Idaho to see if they can rise above the idea that the senator being gay is the problem in all of this,” LaFavour said.
Permalink
09.11.07
Posted in Advocate Articles, Gay Rights at 6:45 pm by pikapp44
New Jersey’s governor last weekend vowed to sign a marriage equality bill but said he would not seek one in an election year, while California’s governor did get such a bill but kept quiet about it as he exhorted fellow Republicans toward centrism.
New Jersey governor Jon Corzine on Sunday called same-sex marriage in his state inevitable but said it “won’t be on my agenda” until after the 2008 presidential election for fear it would be used as a wedge issue by the right wing, New York’s Gay City News reported.
“I don’t think I’d like to see this debated in a presidential election year,” the paper quoted Corzine, a Democrat, as telling members of the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association at a gathering in Newark, N.J.
“I don’t know whether it’s three years or five years, but in some time frame in the not so distant future, I suspect that New Jersey will embrace the moniker of gay marriage or same-sex marriage,” he said.
Corzine asserted he will sign a bill to allow same-sex marriage if the legislature sends him one.
Permalink
09.10.07
Posted in Advocate Articles, Gay Rights at 6:03 pm by pikapp44
A strong 22–15 vote, the California senate on Friday sent a marriage equality bill to the desk of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who pledged this year that he would veto such legislation. The bill passed the state assembly in June with one vote to spare.
This is the second time in just under two years that the California legislature has passed a bill that opens the doors to legal marriage for all couples, gay or straight.
Schwarzenegger vetoed the first effort in 2005, citing the results of a 2000 California voter referendum on marriage. At that time, Schwarzenegger, a moderate Republican, said that the definition of marriage in the state should be determined by the voters or the state supreme court.
This time around, the governor’s spokesman, Aaron McLear, says that while the governor has not taken a flat position, he still intends to respect the results of the 2000 referendum, the Associated Press reported. In that vote, roughly 60% of the electorate voted to ban the recognition of same-sex marriages from out of state.
In February, when the marriage bill once again loomed on the horizon, Schwarzenegger pledged a veto “because the people of California have voted on that issue.”
The passage of the marriage bill in 2005 was a historic breakthrough, the first time any state legislature had voted for marriage equality.
California now doubles up on its gay rights legacy, even as the California supreme court prepares to weigh in on the issue in a long-running court battle stemming from San Francisco’s spate of same-sex marriages.
The high court will be accepting written briefs on six consolidated marriage cases through mid-October, at which point the justices will set a date for oral arguments. Schwarzenegger, in turn, has until October 14 to veto the current legislation.
Given the supreme court’s active involvement in the question of marriage rights, Schwarzenegger is even less likely to interfere with the deliberations by signing a marriage bill into law at this point.
Nonetheless, activists are not throwing in the towel. In a statement Friday, the Human Rights Campaign called on Schwarzenegger “to think about how the history books will remember this decision.” Schwarzenegger, said HRC’s Joe Solmonese, “has an opportunity before him to be remembered as a courageous governor who stood up for equal treatment under the law for all families.”
Equality California’s Geoff Kors urged Schwarzenegger to “rise above right-wing ideology, as he has on many other issues, by signing this bill.” The governor, he continued, “should keep up with the will of the people and show the kind of bold bipartisan leadership on this issue that will define his place in history.”
Even if the bill is vetoed, its passage sends a powerful message to the California justices, demonstrating that a ruling in favor of marriage equality would not be a lonely stand for constitutional principles but a reflection of the state’s political consensus.
Permalink
09.07.07
Posted in D's Thoughts, E's Thoughts, Gay Portal at 4:45 pm by pikapp44
Gay Franchise is the premier source for Gays and Lesbians to identify Franchisors who understand the value of diversity and recognize the need to open their doors to new and diverse markets.
It’s dedicated to expanding America’s economic growth by connecting the GLBT business community with equality-minded Franchisors.
Research shows that Gay and Lesbian consumers spend their dollars with companies that have progressive policies.
Owning your own franchise is exciting, but being “out” at work is even better. So whether you currently own a business or are thinking about taking that leap, GayFranchise.com is now available to provide you with the resources you need to make the right decision.
GLBT Business links and resources are featured on GayFranchise.com
Permalink
09.06.07
Posted in Gay Portal at 3:33 pm by pikapp44
I’m proud to be gay and be seen with my partner. I found my soul mate on - Pride Dating which is a gay dating, gay singles site.
Oh my, I’ve searched for such a long time. I’ll tell you this site offers a breath of fresh air in the search for the best gay dating site.
Before I thought that only pathetic losers turned to the computer to find a date. Now, with the Internet changing everything from the way we shop to the way we find driving directions, internet dating has become the hottest way to meet other gay singles.
I’m a young, athletic 32 year old gay man. I work in the automobile industry. I earn really good money. I’ve wanted to share my life with another gay man. Take trips together, dine out, go to the movies and love my man. Who turned out lived in the same city and is gorgeous. He’s tall, dark and so handsome.
Finally, PrideDating saved my love life. It’s a safe, reliable gay dating site. It has thousands of gay photo personals and an awesome gaychat system and it offers a unique Hot List feature which allows you to view all of the gay dating men with gay personal ads who are checking out your gay personal ad, sending you messages, reading your blog and checking out your gay pics. The best part is you can even upload video of yourself so that other gay singles who have gay personal ads can check you out live and in living color. Best of all is that the sign up is free. It’s the best and easiest way to meet lots of gay people who share your interests and your future desires.
The gay photo personal ads posted by gay single members are packed with details, gay photos and interesting info about them. I had tried gay.com before but PrideDating offers the latest technology including video chat, instant message alerts and even notices when other gay singles view your profile. If you are interested in someone then you can take it to the next level and send them a message or video chat with them. PrideDating is a gay dating site that provides service for both gay males and gay females, bisexuals and the transgender.
Choosing our partner is one of the most significant decisions we will make. The person we choose to wake up next to each morning has the power to determine the quality of our life, where we live, the people we socialize with, everything. If you’re not gay and you want to educate yourself go here - Gay Education .
Permalink
Posted in Gay Rights at 12:48 pm by pikapp44
The Republican debate took place on a stage at the University of New Hampshire, roughly four months before the state holds the first primary of the 2008 race.
”Even if we lose elections, we should not lose our honor,” shot back former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, ”and that is more important than the Republican Party.”
Sen. Sam Brownback and Rep. Duncan Hunter called for the resignation of Sen. Larry Craig, the Idaho Republican who pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in an airport men’s room in an undercover police operation.
”It’s important that the party stand for family values,” said Brownback, although as recently as last week, he pointedly avoided recommending that Craig step down.
Brownback also drew boos from the audience when he called for passage of a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. ”I understand there is a divided audience,” he said.
Permalink
09.05.07
Posted in Gay Rights at 4:42 pm by pikapp44
Hillary Clinton appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show to discuss her candidacy for President, including her views on gay rights.
On the show, DeGeneres started off the conversation with a joke. “I don’t know if you know this, but I’m gay,” she said to Clinton. “What!” said the New York senator, pretending to be surprised.
Then DeGeneres asked Clinton to explain her opposition to same-sex marriage, which the Democratic frontrunner avoided directly responding to, saying she favors civil unions with equal benefits. Clinton also said the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy for gays in the military has failed. Enacted during her husband’s time in the White House, the policy has driven people out of the military, she said.
Permalink
09.04.07
Posted in Gay Rights at 4:17 pm by pikapp44
Four actors from “Grey’s Anatomy,” the ABC hit where Isaiah Washington was fired for anti-gay slurs, are featured in a new ad campaign preaching tolerance for gays and lesbians.
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation on Tuesday released 25 new public service ads that it will encourage TV networks to air. The ads feature celebrities talking about either the power of anti-gay words or the importance of accepting a gay or lesbian family member.
T.R. Knight, Sara Ramirez and Kate Walsh of “Grey’s Anatomy” all made ads. Alexandra Billings, a transgender actress who appeared in one episode of the medical drama, also participated.
Washington wasn’t included, although he filmed a separate public service announcement for GLAAD that aired on ABC earlier this year. He was fired from the series for using an anti-gay slur backstage at the Golden Globe Awards in January while denying he had used the word earlier against Knight.
GLAAD didn’t specifically seek out “Grey’s Anatomy” stars, said Damon Romine, the organization’s entertainment media director. It produced the spots at its media awards event in April, and approached celebrities who appeared there to participate, he said.
“Be an ally. Be a friend,” tennis star Martina Navratilova says in one of the spots, echoing the campaign’s theme.
A handful of cable networks, including the Sundance Channel and Lifetime, have agreed to run the ads and GLAAD will be approaching more to participate, Romine said.
Actors Rachel Griffiths, Marlee Matlin, Rebecca Romijn and Lance Bass are among the 21 other celebrities featured in the ads.
“It is incredibly important to reach out to a wide spectrum of people, to encourage the support and understanding from those who might become our straight allies and also to dispel the damaging, false myths and unfounded fears propagated by bigots and zealots,” said former pro basketball player John Amaechi, another participant.
___
Permalink
Next entries »