Washington D.C. Legalizes Gay Marriage!

The Washington D.C. city council has finalized a bill legalizing same-sex marriage by a vote of 11-2. The two councilmembers who opposed the measure were Marion Barry, and Yvette Alexander.

The bill now goes to Mayor Adrian Fenty who has promised to sign the bill into law. Following that congress has 30 days to veto the bill, but the Democratic majority is likely not to interfere with the districts ruling.

Washington D.C. joins Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, New Hampshire, and Vermont in affirming their LGBT residents right to marriage.

D.C. Marriage Equality Rally Tonight!

The Human Rights Campaign has scheduled a rally tonight in support of the expected final passage of the marriage equality bill tomorrow. The Mayor of the capital has promised to sign the legislation, and congress has 30 days to decide whether to veto the bill.

Even though a win looks very likely, it is critical to come out and show support for the measure.

Monday, December 14
7 pm
The Kennedy Recreation Center
1401 7th ST, NW Washington, D.C.

Washington D.C. Marriage Rally Dec 14th

The Campaign for All DC Families and DC Clergy United will co-host a rally in support of marriage equality in Washington D.C. to advocate for the final passage of the marriage bill. The bill is scheduled to be voted on in mid December and is expected to pass by a wide margin.

Monday, December 14
7:00 pm
Kennedy Recreation Center
1401 7th Street N.W.

Sign Up to Support Marriage Equality in Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. took a historic step this summer in recognizing out of state same-sex marriages. Activists are now looking to make the next move towards a real possibility of legal marriage recognition of unions performed within the districts borders.

Pledge your support for LGBT equal marriage and assist in making that effort become a reality.

Light Up The Night - Tonight!

Tonight, we ask that you join us again for a nation-wide demonstration that will make an impact on the private sector. Candlelight vigils will be held at commercial centers in cities across the country in remembrance of the rights that once were for 18,000 marriages, and in honor of the rights that one day will be again - for EVERYONE.



Find a vigil in your area, or start your own, at Join The Impact!

Hundreds of vigils are occurring nationwide today, let us know how it goes wherever you are :)

Don't Tell Me Who To Love - Ray Boltz/Soulforce (Music Video)

Soulforce an organization dedicated to achieiving LGBT liberation from religious oppression and discrimination through non violent means has come out with a new video on marriage equality. The song is by Ray Boltz a famous Contemporary Christian Artist who came out of the closet recently.

Urge Vermont Governor to Support Marriage Equality

Vermont was the first state in the union to sign into law a civil unions bill under than governor Howard Dean (D). Since that time lawmakers have been challenging the civil unions law which does not provide full equal benefits to gay and lesbian couples. The house is likely to take up a bill upgrading civil unions to full marriage equality this session.

The current governor Jim Douglas (R) has come out in opposition to marriage equality and feels civil unions are adequate. He has yet to indicate whether he would veto this bill if it comes to his desk.

"Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas said Thursday he would oppose legislation allowing same-sex marriages, saying the state's civil unions law is adequate and that lawmakers should be focusing on the state's money problems.

State Sen. John Campbell says he plans to introduce such legislation in the Legislature's upcoming session. "I think the current civil union law is sufficient," Douglas said. "It accords equality of rights to Vermonters in terms of their relationships and I think we should leave the law as it is." Campbell said the bill is unlikely to gain support in the Legislature unless Douglas gives a clear signal he would sign it – or allow it to become law without his signature.

But Douglas balked at sending any such signal. "I never indicate what I might do when a bill gets to my desk, but I've been quite clear that I don't support the legislation," said Douglas, a Republican." (JMG)

It is imperative that we begin to contact the governor and urge him to sign into law a marriage equality bill should it eventually come to his desk. We must remind him that regardless of how he personally feels about marriage it is wrong to create a separate and unequal institution for LGBT people.

Use the E-contact form to get in touch with the governor.

Governor Jim Douglas
109 State Street, Pavilion
Montpelier, VT 05609-0101

802 828-3333
(toll-free in VT only: 800 649-6825)

Keith Olbermann a True Hero & Ally

Keith Olbermann of the MSNBC show Countdown has given six and a half minutes of air time to express his true remorse for proposition 8 passing. It is a beautiful video and straight from his heart to the American people. It is incredibly moving that Mr. Olbermann who has no personal stake in marriage rights would make this strong heartfelt plea urging Americans to think twice about their stance on marriage equality. Please watch the video below and join me in sending a very gracious thank you to Keith Olbermann for being such a strong ally and for speaking out against prop 8.


Send a thank you message to Keith Olbermann

Urge Senator Ruben Diaz to Support Marriage Equality

The New York state house leadership passed a resolution to allow gay marriage, but the bill has been stalling in the republican controlled senate that will not allow it to come up for a vote. Now that New York democrats have gained slight control of the senate it could possibly come up for a vote. Four democrats are likely to side with the GOP. Senator Ruben Diaz of the Bronx has said this regarding gay marriage:

“If Senator-elect Hiram Monserrate has made a decision in Puerto Rico to endorse Senator Malcolm Smith, that is his decision. I have not made a decision yet and hope the others have not either. I have not committed myself to anybody, and my position as an ordained minister and a pastor will not allow me to support any would-be leader that will bring gay marriage to the Senate floor.

“This is nothing new. Mr. Smith and all my colleagues have known my position for more than a year. That does not make me a Republican. Where is it written that in order to be a Democrat you have to suport gay marriage? And where is it written that if you do not support gay marriage you are not a good Democrat? I have always been a Democrat. I remain a Democrat, and I will continue to be a Democrat. A Democrat who rejects gay marriage and abortion based upon my beliefs."(Politics on the Hudson)

Please contact Senator Diaz and give him compelling reasons why he should support marriage equality and let the senate bring the bill to a vote. The NY democratic party supports marriage equality and the majority of New Yorkers support it as well and its wrong to deny equal rights to all NY residents regardless of ones religious beliefs.

1733 East 172nd Street
Bronx, NY 10472
Tel: (718) 991-3161
Fax: (718) 991-0309

diaz@senate.state.ny.us

2 New No on 8 Commercials

Via Wicked Gay Blog

Connecticut Activists Hold Rally Tonight at State Capitol

Connecticut gay activists led by Love Makes a Family of Connecticut and Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders will hold a rally in Hartford, CT at 5:30pm at the north steps of the Capitol (facing Bushnell Park) to celebrate the ruling issuing same-sex marriage equality.

For more info on directions click here.

Lets Make Marriage History in Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. is the capital of the United States and home to many senators and congressional members who espouse anti-queer views. However, the District of Columbia is heavily democratic and now it looks like marriage equality may be in the locales near future.

According to the Washington Blade:

"If Democrats expand their majority in Congress and California voters uphold same-sex marriage, a gay marriage bill is likely to be approved by the D.C. City Council as early as April 2009, according to activists and City Hall insiders.

With Mayor Adrian Fenty and at least 10 of the Council’s 13 members committed to passing a same-sex marriage bill, local activists and city officials have long said the only factor holding back such a bill has been the fear that Congress would invoke its powers to overturn it."

Right now we need to work very hard to ensure the election of democrats to both houses, we must win the battle against proposition 8 in California.

We also can start preparing for the fight in D.C. although legislation is not yet on the table we must contact the three council members who are still up in the air as to their vote on same-sex marriage. These members are not anti-gay and are debating whether to vote for marriage, so please politely urge them that when the bill comes up for a vote that they should vote in favor of equality.

Below are the 3 council members who we need to urge to vote in favor of marriage equality in Washington D.C.

E-Contact for council member Yvette Alexander (D-Ward 7)

Councilmember Marion Barry (D-Ward 8) mbarry@dccouncil.us

Councilmember Carol Schwartz (R) At-Large carol.schwartz@dc.gov