Ban Left-Handed Marriage

It is estimated that nearly 10% of the population is left-handed, clearly it is unnatural as 90% of the population is right-handed. We must stop left-handed people from forcing us to accept their deviance and not allow them to teach our children that it is okay to use either hand.

Word of the Gay: "Virgin Queen"

A "virgin queen" is a gay male who abstains from sex until after marriage or a commitment ceremony.

Counter the Lies & Myths Regarding Marriage Equality in California

Our opponents are preparing to get their voter referendum passed this election day which will effectively reverse the court ruling and write that "marriage can only be between one man and one woman" into the California state constitution. They are spreading a campaign of lies and misinformation about marriage equality.

It's important to correct these misrepresentations and be equipped with the knowledge of the facts...

"MYTH #1: Churches in California will be forced to perform same-sex marriages, even if they don't want to.

FACT: No church will ever have to perform any marriage it disapproves of. That's protected in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and will never change.

MYTH #2: County clerks can pick and choose which marriages they officiate.

FACT: Unlike religious leaders, county clerks are civic officials who are required to administer the law without discriminating. A civil marriage isn't a religious ceremony -- it's a legal contract. County clerks need to perform an official government duties.

MYTH #3: The Supreme Court shouldn't have done this!

FACT: The state Constitution requires equality under the law for all Californians, and the justices on the Court had an obligation to stand up for that principle. Throughout American history, courts have stood up for those who couldn't defend their rights any other way. Those decisions were often unpopular, but now we look back on them proudly.

MYTH #4: This is bad for marriage.

FACT: This is great for marriage! When two people love each other and want to make a lifelong commitment to care for and be responsible for each other, they should be able to get married. Starting today, marriage will be stronger, not weaker. Stopping some people from getting married doesn't help anyone's marriage -- it only hurts those who are discriminated against and their families.

As Election Day draws closer, no doubt we'll see more misrepresentations and half-truths from anti-gay organizations. We'll be working with our allies to be sure the truth is told."

Thanks to Alternet for the fact check.

Proposition 8's 5 Big Lies Video

Donate to the HRC California Marriage PAC

"GLBT couples in California can now legally marry – giving affirmation to their love and full validation to their relationships for the first time. Meanwhile, our right-wing opponents are building a $20 million war chest for a constitutional amendment to ban marriage for gay and lesbian couples in California.

HRC has set up a special fund – the HRC California Marriage PAC – to direct 100% of your contribution today to the fight against the anti-marriage ballot initiative in California. HRC is a member of Equality for All, the coalition working to defeat the marriage ban, and these funds will support the coalition's efforts."

Click Here to Make a Financial Contribution to the HRC California Marriage PAC

Ellen & Portia Wedding Video

With the legalization of same-sex marriage in California, comedian Ellen DeGeneres and model Portia de Rossi have decided to tie the knot. Below is a small video montage that was presented on the Ellen show for millions of Americans to view. It is short, and sweet and I felt like you guys would enjoy.



Help ensure marriage equality remains in California past this election cycle. http://noonprop8.com/

Word of the Gay: "Lavender Marriage"

A "lavender marriage" is a marriage of mixed sexual orientation. Sometimes one partner is gay or lesbian while the other spouse is straight, and some are marriages of convenience where the husband is gay and the wife is a lesbian.

Support One Million for Marriage Equality

"From coast to coast, we are coming closer to achieving true marriage equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Americans. But we need your help to fight efforts now underway to deny marriage rights to same-sex couples, including state constitutional amendments and federal laws that deny benefits to GLBT couples.

Please sign the Million for Marriage Petition, and be a part of this historic civil rights battle. Gay, straight, married, single... we need everyone who believes in marriage equality to stand up NOW."

An Invitation to Support Hallmark

Right-wing groups are upset over Hallmark's decision to carry same-sex marriage greeting cards. They have issued an alert to their constituents to boycott the greeting card chain over this decision. Please support Hallmark, buy the "gay" cards, and thank the company for celebrating our marriages.

EMAIL: Click for E-Contact Form also click here to email Donald Hall (Chairman of the Board at Hallmark).

PHONE: 1-800-HALLMARK (1-800-425-5627)

New Mass. Law Lets Out-of-State Gay Couples Marry

Fresh off the (Associated Press):

"Gay and lesbian couples from outside Massachusetts are now free to marry in the state.

Gov. Deval Patrick has signed a bill repealing a 1913 law that barred couples from marrying in Massachusetts if their union would not be valid in their own states.

Out-of-state gay couples will be able to marry immediately if a court waives the state's standard three-day waiting period for them.

Opponents had said repealing the law would make Massachusetts the "Las Vegas of gay marriage." But Patrick says the old law had its roots in racism as it was seen as a way of preventing interracial marriages.

The new law includes a provision waiving the customary 90-day waiting period for the change to go into effect."

Rep. Steve Rothman Joins the Equality Bandwagon

New Jersey Democratic congressman Steve Rothman who previously did not support same-sex marriage has made an about face and now supports equal marriage rights. He has made this decision in light of his lesbian step-daughter.

Mr. Rothman has also joined the newly formed LGBT Caucus within the House of Representatives.

Please take the time to thank Representative Rothman for supporting Marriage Equality and joining the LGBT Caucus and let him know that you appreciate his commitment to equality.

http://www.house.gov/rothman/contact_steve.htm

Washington, DC Office
2303 Rayburn HOB
202-225-5061 (phone)

California Residents: Volunteer to Defeat Marriage Amendment at Local Pride Parade!

Got this email...

"Equality For All's campaign to defeat the marriage ban in November is in full swing. Now we need your help to get our message out to voters.

What better place to start than at Pride celebrations across California?"

We need volunteers at the following Pride festivities:

Sacramento Pride
Saturday, June 21

San Francisco Pride
Sat, June 28th, 12-3 PM
Sat, June 28th, 3-6 PM
Sat Dyke March, June 28th, 3-7 PM
Sun parade, June 29th, 9-11 AM
Sun, June 29th, 12-3 PM
Sun, June 29th, 3-6 PM

LA Black Pride
Thurs-Sun, July 3-6

San Luis Obispo
Sun, July 6

Monterey
Sat, July 12

Santa Barbara
Sat, July 12

San Diego
Fri-Sun, July 19-20

Volunteers will get training and a free "Vow to Vote No" t-shirt.

"Pride celebrations are our biggest opportunities before the vote in November to mobilize our supporters, and the Equality For All campaign needs your help. We need volunteers to circulate the festivals and parades, asking people to join the campaign to defeat the amendment by giving money or time."

Sign Up to Volunteer for Equality for All!

Marriage Begins Today in California!

Just a few more hours, 5PM to be exact and California will officially begin issuing licenses to same-sex couples. Congratulations to the LGBT community in California and to all the couples! We stand proudly with you!

Below a beautiful video of some of the California couples when decision was announced by the Supreme Court by 2015 Place

LGBT Activist Groups Warn Couples Not to Sue Non-Marriage Eq States

"Four LGBT legal groups and five LGBT advocacy groups released a statement Tuesday directed to out-of-state couples planning to travel to California to marry: Celebrate your California marriage with family and friends, but don't go back to your home state and file a lawsuit demanding that your state recognize your union.

The advisory, titled "Make Change, Not Lawsuits," addresses eight questions gays and lesbians may have regarding marriage and outlines a strategy to expand same-sex marriages throughout the nation.

"Pushing the federal government before we have a critical mass of states recognizing same-sex relationships or suing in states where the courts aren't ready is likely to get us bad rulings. Bad rulings will make it much more difficult for us to win marriage and will certainly make it take much longer," the statement read."

For more on the story visit Gay.com

Norway Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage!

"Members of Parliament in Norway today approved a bill that will allow same-sex couples to marry by 84 votes to 41.

The new law will make marriage gender neutral.

The Scandinavian country already allows gay and lesbian couples to enter into civil partnerships, but LGBT rights groups had long complained the law does not go far enough.

Norway, which is not a member of the EU, joins Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, South Africa and Canada in granting gay people full marriage rights."

For more on the breaking news check out Pink News

Thank Jay Leno for his Stance on Marriage Equality

Comedian Jay Leno has come out publicly in favor of same-sex marriage according to BGay.com

"Talk show host Jay Leno showed up at the symbolic mass commitment ceremony at the Abbey in West Hollywood Wednesday night to show his support for gay marriage.

Leno - who several times has been criticized for being insensitive towards LGBT people on his late night talk show - said he didn't understand why people are concerned about gays being allowed to marry.

Daily News' Greg Hernandez interviewed Leno at the even:

Greg: What made you decide to be here?
Jay: I have friends in the gay community, I mean we live in Hollywood. Who doesn't know gay people in Hollywood? So, they asked me to come down and I said, 'Sure!' I mean, what's everybody afraid of?"

Greg: What do you think about gay marriage in California and all that's happened in the last few weeks?
Jay: "Well, I come from Massachusetts and they have it there and the sky didn't fall in, everyone seems to be fine. It's one of those things where it's a matter of time, you sort of ease into it and you see what happens."

Greg: Do you have any friends who you want to see married?
Jay: Oh, I have a lot of gay friends. We have a couple of gay couples at 'The Tonight Show' who've been together 7,8,9 years. Whether they want to get married or not...Well, the nice thing about gay marriage is you have TWO people excited about the wedding. In straight marriages, only one person is excited. Gay marriage, both persons are excited.

"But you know what's so funny to me, it's how people miss out on the economic benefits just in terms of catering and flowers and planning. The services that come with it. I see all the companies that have benefited from gay travel. If you look at it, gay people have probably the most disposable income of any group and the businesses that cater to them do very well. So it just seems like common sense. Gas is four bucks a gallon. For me to worry about what Larry and Bob are doing seems sort of ridiculous.

Greg: If (Sen. John) McCain came on your show, would you ask him about gay marriages?
Jay: Yeah. I know what he would say because that's sort of what you have to say. But I think things gradually change and that's what happens. Obviously when you put people on the spot and you confront them and you stick a mic in their face, well, they're gonna say one thing. I don't know what would happen if he become president but I know that you just have to kind of ease into these things. Like I said in Mass., people just got married, no protests, no parade. Just, 'Oh, OK. Life went on."

Greg: Were we too hard on you over the whole Ryan Phillippe thing? (Leno was blasted for asking the actor to give him his "gayest look" while guesting. He later apologized for any offense)
Jay: "That seemed a little over the top to me, I have to admit. Only because it was not my intention. When I've had straight actors on who've played sexy roles, I'll say, 'Give me your sexiest face.' So, when I said it to Ryan, we had said he's a kid from a Baptist community who was now playing a gay part and I said, 'OK, now give me your gayest look' knowing he wouldn't do it. You laugh and OK fine. Obviously it upset some people. Hey loo, I'm an entertainer, sometimes you annoy people, you make people mad. Alright, that happens. But, I really think there are bigger issues than that. That's a classic case where you're not talking about morality or lifestyle, you're just talking about silly stuff."

Contact Jay Leno to Thank Him for His Pro-Equality Position

Broadcast YOUR Message of Marriage Equality

Hat tip to Lavender Liberal for this wonderful idea in order to defeat the anti-marriage initiative in California.

The Marriage Equality Youtube group is looking for LGBT folks & allies to upload short videos onto the net to speak out about why marriage equality is so important to you. Whether you are coupled, single, married, or just believe in equal rights please put out the message and broadcast it to thousands of people on the net. The founder of the group will collect snippets from the various videos to make one long compelling film about why Same-Sex Marriage must be secured for Californians and all citizens of the world.

So get those video cameras out and make your case for Same-Sex Marriage! Together our videos can reach tens of thousands of people and get people to vote against the anti-SSM amendment. We can change hearts and minds through our stories.

http://www.youtube.com/group/marriageequality

1.1 Million Strong for Marriage Equality

Our opponents have collected 1.1 million signatures for a proposed anti-gay ballot initiative that would overturn the recent court ruling allowing for marriage equality in California. To reflect the new number our opposition has reached, the Human Rights Campaign has a new goal on the "Million for Marriage" campaign.

Please sign the Million for Marriage petition and send it along to friends and family.

Million for Marriage Petition

New York Recognizes Out of State Same-Sex Marriages

Thanks to the leadership of Governor David Patterson, New York State will recognize out of state Same-Sex Marriages within New York. (CNN)

Please contact the Governor to thank him for his leadership on the issue and commitment to equal rights for the LGBTQ community.

E-Contact Form for Governor Paterson

To Write To The Governor:
David A. Paterson
State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224

Phone: 518-474-8390

Take Action: Voice Support for California Same-Sex Marriage Ruling

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is taking feedback on the "hot button" issue of the California Supreme Court Ruling favoring same-sex marriage.

It's a simple, easy automated call, you don't need to speak to anyone.

To vote in support of the Supreme Court's decision on LGBT marriage:

1. Call the Governor at 1-916-445-2841
2. Press 1, 5, 1, 1

Email form:
http://gov.ca.gov/interact#email(Click email tab and select "Supreme Court decision on Same Sex Marriage". On the next screen you must click PRO).

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814