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The president does oppose same-sex marriage, but he supports equality for gay and lesbian couples, and benefits and other issues, and that has been effectuated in federal agencies under his control.
Top White House adviser David Axelrod • Saying – somewhat unbelievably – that Obama still opposes gay marriage. Wasn’t this supposed to be the president that was going to stand up for gay rights? What the hell kind of standing up is that? While Obama opposed Prop 8, according to Axelrod (because it was “mean-spirited”), that still doesn’t take back the fact that the president has provided lip service and little else to the gay rights movement. Yes, it’s a political football. Yes, it’ll be hard to deal with among certain bases. But how can he, at this point, not support gay marriage? Unbelievable. source

Posted by Ernie Smith • 7 Comments • Permalink

11 Oct 2009 20:16

This is their moment. You knew that this wouldn’t be any march on Washington when Obama openly big-upped the movement and said he would end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” last night. But for the thousands of people in D.C. today (seriously, we were nearby, the crowd was massive and meaningful in size), that was only a start. They want him to keep going. Will he? source

Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

The backstory After the California Supreme Court overturned a law that made gay marriage illegal because it was discriminatory, those who opposed the law quickly put a ballot measure in place that would amend the constitution to define gay marriage as between a man and woman. Despite the gay rights movement’s best efforts, the law passed with 52% of the vote.
A second act? However, all may not be lost for gay marriage supporters. Immediately after Proposition 8 passed, it was challenged in court. The court heard summary judgments from both sides in March, and will decide whether the amendment was legal in the first place. The court will announce its decision Tuesday; rallies are planned no matter what happens. Get your popcorn ready. source

Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

The parade was planned around Eurovision. Moscow police detained dozens of people heading to a gay parade without explanation – including the two organizers of the parade. The people were celebrating Eurovision, the pop song contest that has a massive gay following and is being held in Moscow tonight. Clearly, Russia, this makes you look really good to the rest of the world. source

Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

I was out of work for eight weeks, spent a week in the hospital. That was the first time I really felt thankful for the sense of the security we had, with Rich there, talking with the physicians, helping make decisions. … It really made a difference.
Gary Chalmers • On how, during a bout with pneumonia, being married to his partner, Richard Linnell, significantly helped him. Chalmers and Linnell were amongst the first married gay couples in Massachusetts, which legalized gay marriage in 2004 via court decision. Despite continued vocal opposition from conservative and church groups, gay marriage has strong political support and the debate has faded into the background. Now, other states have recently legalized it. • source

Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink