You are currently browsing the category archive for the 'Gay Marriage in CA' category.
It’s been months since I posted an installment of New Gay Heroes. I’ve had a couple of posts for the series in mind for quite some time, but just haven’t gotten around to actually writing and posting them. This weekend, though, I saw a little snippet on the Huffington Post that lit a fire under me to get going. So without further ado…
Portia de Rossi
It’s true that when we think of famous lesbians, the first blonde to come to mind might be her wife, but Portia de Rossi is surely a New Gay Hero in her own right.
She and wife Ellen do wonderful things for lesbian visibility by being out, being themselves and sharing their lives with the public. Whether they are beaming in the glow of their engagement on the red carpet…
Sharing their wedding photos in People magazine…
Playing the Newlywed Game and speaking candidly about their life and love on Ellen’s talk show…
Or talking about equal marriage rights on Oprah…
Ellen and Portia are, together, such a wonderful positive representation for lesbians and same-sex marriage.
But on her own, Portia has this habit of appearing on talk shows and effortlessly and eloquently speaking about marriage equality. Just last week, she quite calmly fielded the (at times bizarre) questions of the ladies at The View with poise:
The very same day she also stopped by Good Morning America, where she again spoke about her marriage to Ellen and equal rights (that starts at about three minutes in):
I just love the way Portia speaks about equal marriage rights with such grace and ease. She makes it sound just as simple as it should – if we don’t have marriage, we don’t have equal rights. Plain and simple. Portia always manages to explain that marriage is different from being “partnered” or “unioned” or whatever other nonsense opponents of our rights try to sell us – and she always does it without breaking a sweat.
Portia de Rossi is a New Gay Hero for sure.
The California Supreme Court has decided to uphold Prop 8. Thankfully, the 18,000 same-sex couples already wed in California will remain that way, but no future same-sex marriages will be permitted.
This is a crushing blow.
For purposes of clarification, this case was not about whether or not the California Supreme Court wants to let same-sex couples get married – this case was about the legality of Proposition 8:
-
The supporters of equal rights who brought the case to the CSC argued that the Proposition should be overturned because taking the right to marry away from same-sex couples would require a revision of the state’s constitution, and revisions cannot be made by a popular vote (the process is more complicated).
-
Supporters of Proposition 8 argued that banning same-sex marriage was an amendment to, rather than revision of, the state’s constitution, and therefore was possible through a popular vote.
This means that the Supreme Court ruled today that Proposition 8 was an amendment to the state’s constitution rather than a revision, and threfore stands. While this doesn’t change the fact that same-sex marriage is now illegal in California, it does shed some light on exactly what the Court decided today, and I think that is important to know.
Visit DayofDecision.com for details on protests taking place around the country today if you feel compelled to speak out and stand with others to express your disappointment in this decision. I hope all of us attending will remember that while we are justified in being angry and have a right to speak out, peaceful protests will be most beneficial to our cause.
The Vermont Senate and House voted to override the Governor’s veto of the same-sex marriage bill!!
Vermont is the first state to put equal marriage rights into law via Legislature vote, and now joins Massachusetts, Connecticut and Iowa as the only states in the country where same-sex marriage is legal (though NY recognizes out of state same-sex marriages, and hopefully California will be back on track soon!).
Three out of six New England states now have equal marriage rights!
I’m looking at you, New Hampshire, Maineand Rhode Island…
From JoinTheImpact.com:
Over the last several days, tens of thousands of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and their Supporters have taken to the streets of California to show their outrage with the passage of CA Proposition 8. Prop 8 provides for a Constitutional Amendment to prohibit same-sex marriage rights. Similar amendments and propositions have been passed in AZ and FL.
The passage of these propositions has angered the gay community and their supporters. Many feel as if they are now second-class citizens in a country that has seen that change can happen with this historical election. They do not feel that a majority should be able to vote on minorities’ rights or vote to take anyone’s rights away.
On Saturday, November 15, 2008 this community will again take to the streets in what could be the largest organized Protest / Movement since the Civil Rights Movement. To date, more than 250,000 individuals have pledged to take part in the nationwide event, in which they will descend upon the City Halls, State Capitols and the Nation’s Capitol to make their voice heard. Signs, posters and numerous websites have already been created and the word is spreading quickly throughout the nation. Jointheimpact.com lists protest locations in all 50 States and the District of Columbia.
The message is simple, yet loud; Equal Rights for All. Signs seen at the many protests that have already taken place in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Chicago and Salt Lake City read: “No More Mr. Nice Gay – Equal rights for all people”, “Fight the H8”, “Teach Acceptance – Not Hate”, “I am now a 2nd class citizen”, “I am a victim of H8” to name a few. The organizers of this nationwide event have stressed that it, like the protests that have taken place over the last week; will also be peaceful demonstrations. “The time has come here in America for all people to be afforded equal rights, and we will not stop until everyone receives Equal Rights.”
The Protest / Movement is scheduled to take place across the nation at the same time: 1:30 PM Eastern, 12:30 PM Central, 11:30 AM Mountain and 10:30 AM Pacific on Saturday, November 15th, 2008. Those interested in attending this historical event may find their local protest location by visiting: JoinTheImpact.com
Boston’s Protest:
Saturday, November 15th @ 1:30pm
City Hall Plaza
So far, I have only seen this event mentioned in one blog. Is the word getting out? Is this really going to be big? Will I see you there?
We won!
I almost can’t believe the election is over, and we won. I am positively elated that Barack Obama will be our next President.
Yet, in the same breath…this:
(Just as an FYI, same-sex marriage was already illegal in Florida – this new measure goes even further and bans any kind of legal recognition/protection for same-sex couples.)
For me, Proposition 8 hurts even more than the others – to take away a right that has already been won just feels so much more heinous.
Such good news along with so much bad leaves me feeling unbalanced today. To all those in Arizona, Florida, Arkansas and California – I am thinking of you.
Hooray!
Okay, so I know a wedding is a private matter and celebrities are perfectly justified in keeping everything secret if that’s what they want, but I am so so so happy that Ellen and Portia let a magazine (any magazine! I’m not picky!) take pictures for us all to see! It’s such a thrill to see a lesbian wedding as the cover story of a mainstream magazine.
Hi. I’m Portia DeRossi, and I’m freakin’ gorgeous
So far these are the only picture up on People’s website. To see the rest (how can I resist??), we’ll have to wait until the issue hits news stands on Friday.
Both the Senate and the House here in Massachusetts have now voted to repeal the 1913 law that former Governor Mitt “Full of Shit” Romney dusted off to prevent out of state same-sex couples from marrying here. The law banned marriage licenses from being issued to non-MA residents whose marriage would not be legal in their home state.
It is widely believed that this law originated to keep out of state interracial couples from marrying here (interracial marriage rights happened state by state, just as same-sex marriage rights are happening now), and good ol’ Mitt just couldn’t resist the opportunity to use the law to discriminate against a whole new demographic.
Once Governor Deval Patrick (a known supporter of gay rights and parent to a gay daughter) signs, the discriminatory law will be history, and out of state couples will be free to come to MA to get married. It is worth pointing out, though, that these couples’ marriages still will not be recognized in their home states – unless they live in California, where gay marriage is legal (and hopefully will continue to be), or New York, where there is some recognition of same-sex marriage (like for state employees).
Supporters of repealing the law pointed to its discriminatory origins, and the real possibility of a boost to our state’s economy when gays from all over the country travel here for destination weddings. Opponents of repealing the law warned that taking it off the books would turn Massachusetts into the “Las Vegas of gay marriage.”
I say, bring it on:
Allow me to begin by stating that Ellen DeGeneres is not a celebrity crush of mine. However…
This look really does it for me. H – O – T. This is how you rock a menswear look. Well tailored, just rumpled enough with the loose tie and popped collar, and of course, a beautiful lady on your arm. Me-yow.
Speaking of Ellen and Portia, they have set a date! Of course they will not share the details of where or when, but Ellen did hint at the impending nuptuals being a star-studded event when she said that “incredible people” will sing at the ceremony. She also said that she will share a little bit of the wedding on her show. Thank goodness we have DVR!
I can’t wait – a glamorous celebrity lesbian wedding! Here’s hoping Ellen rocks a delicious ensemble like this one for the big day – but maybe minus the sneakers…? We’ll see!
Well, the Accountant and I have returned from our vacation in San Francisco!
We had a wonderful time seeing the city and oh yeah, this…
happened while we were there!
Congratulations California!!!!!!!!
I meant to post before we left, but preparing for a trip is always hectic, never mind when you are trying for prep for a move at the same time! Moving day is fast approaching and there is so much to do, so new posts may be scattered over the next two weeks. As for now, unpacking and grocery shopping and all that incredibly un-fun post-vacation stuff needs to be done. Just wanted to check back in!
