TresSugar

Gay Activists Ready to Fight DADT and Wait For Prop 8 Repeal

TresSugar — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 12:00:00 -0700

From fighting for the right to serve in the military to pushing for the right to marry their partners, gay Americans face battles for equality on many fronts. It appears that progress is about to be made toward the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, while the fight for marriage equality in California is set to sit on the back burner for some time.

This Fall, the Senate will hold hearings on Don't Ask, Don't Tell. It's the first time since 1993 that lawmakers will take up the policy that prevents openly gay people from serving in the military. NY Sen. Kristen Gillibrand, whose legislation prompted the hearings, points out that 265 men and women have been dismissed from the military under the policy since President Obama took office. According to polls, 69 percent of Americans think gays should be allowed to serve.

In California, backers of same-sex marriage are thinking about waiting until at least 2012 to campaign to overturn Proposition 8. Major gay rights activists believe that the only thing worse than losing the fight for marriage equality in 2008 would be losing in 2010, and based on current poll numbers, a loss could be very likely.

So what's the moral of this story? It appears that the fate of gay rights is closely tied to poll numbers.

Mormons Petition Church to Change Gay Marriage Stance

TresSugar — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 06:00:00 -0700

A group of Mormons have urged the church to change its position on gay marriage for the sake of Mormon families and gay individuals who have lost rights because of the church's actions. A petition going around urges both sides of the debate to be open to understanding, forgiveness, and apology.

The group's organizer says:

"We would like the church to recognize the harm that's been done to people in the gay community, in general, but specifically to LDS gays who have tried to change their orientation to live up to the church's expectations. The effects can be really devastating to them and their families."

Supporters of the petition also point out that the Mormon teachings have made it hard for followers with gay family members to reconcile their support of their loved ones with their faith. Marie Osmond offers one high profile example of someone that did make it work - Marie doesn't think her Mormon faith should keep her from loving her gay daughter because Christ, she said "loved everyone."

Do you find it admirable that these Mormons are trying to change the ways of their religion?

Prop. 8 Upheld, While Existing Marriages Ruled Valid

TresSugar — Tue, 26 May 2009 10:25:14 -0700

Proposition 8, the same-sex marriage ban approved by California voters last November, has been upheld by the state supreme court by a 6-1 vote. The court also ruled that the 18,000 existing same-sex marriages issued between June and November 2008 are valid as well. Thanks to Proposition 8, some of California's same-sex couples will be legally married, while others will no longer have access to the privilege.

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Que Pasa? Understanding California's Prop 8 Hearings

CitizenSugar — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 21:44:40 -0800

Crowds gathered outside San Francisco's Supreme Court today while inside the court argued the hair-splitting details of the California Constitution and what it takes to change it.

The court has 90 days to make two major decisions: First, whether Prop 8, which eliminated the right to same-sex marriage, should be upheld or overturned. And second, whether the 18,000 same-sex marriages that already took place should remain valid.

It comes down to two words, really - amend and revise. The court needs to decide whether Prop 8 amends the constitution or revises it. The difference? A revision is a fundamental change that no ballot proposition can pass. It requires support from two-thirds of the state legislature and a follow-up majority vote by the people. Because same-sex marriage was deemed an "inalienable right" by the court last year, gay-rights proponents see it as a revision. On the other hand, an amendment is a routine change that simply requires a majority vote, like Prop 8 got with its 52 percent, and no legislative approval.

So while we wait till June for a decision, a new question emerges: Should it be harder to change a constitution?

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Briefing Book! Gay Couples Ask: Please Don't Divorce Us

LibertySugar — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 11:30:50 -0800

"Fidelity": Don't Divorce . . . from Courage Campaign on Vimeo

Gay Marriage: Proposition 8 could result in forced divorces, so couples make compelling plea. - SFist
Stimulus: Is the stimulus plan really better for men than women? - Slate
Transportation: Personal rapid transit? Automated transport pods, that could replace cars, unveiled at the Wold Future Energy Summit. - Good
Octuplets: Nadya Suleman defends her decision to have 14 children. - Jezebel
Taliban: Republicans admit they're the Taliban? GOP Rep. Sessions says Republicans should model their insurgency after the Taliban. - Wonkette
Bush: eBay find of the day: Bush shoe attack oil painting. - GiggleSugar

Do You Think Prop. 8 Should Be Repealed?

LibertySugar — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 03:01:12 -0800

This weekend CA Attorney General Jerry Brown asked the CA Supreme Court to void Proposition 8 because it is unconstitutional. The attorney general must defend the laws of California. Yet Brown says Prop 8 makes his job impossible, because the amendment contradicts another part of the state Constitution: the equal protection clause.

Right after 52 percent of voters passed the gay marriage ban, Brown claimed he would uphold the will of the voters, and when the Court legalized same-sex marriage earlier this year, Brown had argued against it. But now, Brown says:

"Proposition 8 must be invalidated because the amendment process cannot be used to extinguish fundamental constitutional rights without compelling justification."

Brown thinks that in the conflict between the people's amendment power, and the court's duty to protect minorities and liberties, the court's duty should prevail. What do you think?

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Rick Warren To Give Inaugural Invocation - Righteous Choice?

CitizenSugar — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:00:43 -0800

Prominent evangelical Pastor Rick Warren will deliver the traditional blessing at Barack Obama's Inauguration. While selecting Rev. Jeremiah Wright would have created many more waves of outrage, the choice of Rev. Rick Warren has caused some ripples of disappointment among Obama's more liberal supporters.

Rev. Warren, who hosted a non-debate between Obama and McCain at his Saddleback Church, publicly supported California's successful gay marriage ban Proposition 8. But he's also tried to widen the social conservative agenda to include causes like global poverty, human rights, and HIV/AIDS.

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Biggest Headlines of 2008: California Voters Pass Gay Marriage Ban

CitizenSugar — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 11:30:25 -0800

In November, California passed Prop 8 with 53 percent of the vote, changing the state Constitution to repeal same-sex marriage. The state's Supreme Court legalized gay marriage earlier this year, but the amendment limits marriage to heterosexual couples. Similar bans have been set in 27 states, but none of those states had previously legalized marriage.

Following the ruling, opponents filed suits, held rallies, and lashed out at the Mormon church for its well-funded campaign supporting the prop. In late November, the California Supreme Court accepted three lawsuits taking on Proposition 8, but denied the requests to halt enforcement. Proponents have until Dec. 19 to file their return and brief. Even though California's same-sex marriage battles makes the cut for the biggest headlines of 2008, we still have to wait for the next chapter. Legal experts expect California Supreme Court will make a final decision in 2009.
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"Day Without a Gay" - Push For Rights Picks Up

LibertySugar — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 03:00:42 -0800

Gay people around the US want to literally call attention to the restrictions of their rights, and they've organized Day Without a Gay to do so. On Dec. 10, International Human Rights Day, gay workers are being encouraged to “call in gay” to work, and spend their time volunteering instead.

Since multiple states passed same-sex marriage bans last month, the push for gay rights awareness has picked up. A recent article in Newsweek made a sophisticated argument for gay marriage, using the Bible itself as supporting evidence. To see part of that argument, read more.

The Newsweek piece explains that neither scripture, nor Jesus, ever addressed the issue of same-sex marriage. Making a religious case for gay marriage, the article continues:

The practice of inclusion, even in defiance of social convention, the reaching out to outcasts, the emphasis on togetherness and community over and against chaos, depravity, indifference - all these biblical values argue for gay marriage.

Do you think creative advocacy, such as citing the Bible as support, taking the day off work, or the celebrity-filled Prop. 8 - The Musical, could have helped prevent the passing of Prop. 8?

Prop 8 - The Musical: Starring Jack Black as Jesus

LibertySugar — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 09:29:24 -0800

With an all-star cast including Jack Black, Neil Patrick Harris, John C. Reilly, Maya Rudolph, Rashida Jones, and Margaret Cho, "Prop 8 - The Musical" harmoniously chronicles how California came to pass its gay marriage ban.

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

Jack Black appears as Jesus Christ to point out that the Bible says a lot of interesting things, like you can stone your wife, or sell your daughter into slavery. He says that Prop 8's supporters simply pick and chose teachings from the Holy Book that support their social agenda. And Neil Patrick Harris points out that the gay wedding industry could save the US economy! This is all explained in song of course!

Check out the musical put together by Funny or Die. Do you think satire or song can help change the minds of those who voted to ban gay marriage?