NBC Opens Wedding Contest to Same-Sex Couples

NBC Today Show’s “Modern Wedding Contest” which previously barred gay couples on account of the fact that New York does not allow its residents same-sex couples to marry in state has reversed its decision after pressure from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). 4,000 people signed a petition saying NBC's decision was unfair because NY does recognize gay marriages from other states.

NBC stated that they listened to GLAAD's constituents

"Over the past few days, Today has received a considerable response regarding our wedding contest application. The rules stated that eligible couples must be legally married in New York, where we will host the wedding, therefore excluding same-sex couple applicants. Our intent was not to be discriminatory or exclusive...Moving forward, we ensure that our future wedding contests will be inclusive of all couples."

The new deadline to enter is July 12th. Those interested can apply here.

Word of the Gay: "MOTSS"

"MOTSS" is an acronym to refer to members of the same sex.

Same-Sex Hand Holding Globally on Jan 30th

The Day in Hand campaign has announced their fifth international same-sex hand holding Saturday. The group encourages same-sex couples, friends, allies to hold hands in support of gay relationships and queer public display of affection.

“Crossing borders, holding hands: this is now our community's most personal journey.”

David Watkins, Founder, A Day In Hand

This January 30th, hold hands, walk freely, and take pictures to post on the campaigns website!

Gays Can Now Apply for The Newlywed Game!

The Game Show Network's The Newlywed Game hosted by Carnie Wilson has announced that they are now open to same-sex couples who have a legal marriage license in at least one state. The game pits couples against each other to test their knowledge about their spouse on TV.

If this sounds like you or someone you know, please contact the Casting Team IMMEDIATELY at: 
TheNewlywedGame@embassyrow.com


PLEASE INCLUDE: Names/Ages, City/State, Phone Number (with area code), Email Address, Wedding Date, and PHOTO.

All participants must be 18 years of age or older and married 2 years or less.

This is a fun opportunity for gay couples to make some money, and to get some media coverage on committed same-sex couples.

Great Nationwide Kiss-In

In response to recent events in three different U.S. cities, where gay or lesbian couples have been harassed, and detained or arrested, for the simple act of kissing in a public place, two gay rights bloggers have joined forces with the national grassroots LGBT organization Join the Impact to create the Great Nationwide Kiss-In. Now, David Badash (of the New Civil Rights Movement), David Mailloux (of DYM SUM), and Willow Witte (Co-Founder and Director of Join the Impact) are seeking event coordinators throughout the United States to help organize these Kiss-In events.

The Great Nationwide Kiss-In will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2009 at 2 p.m., Eastern Time (11 a.m., Pacific Time). Badash’s original vision for the event would have as many couples as were willing to participate – gay and straight – showing this simple, innocent form of affection for one another in popular public locations throughout the United States.

As of July 23, the coordinators have confirmed five events in Boston, MA; Irvine, CA; New York City; San Diego, CA; and San Francisco, CA. There are also organizers trying to get events started in Austin, TX; Dallas, TX; Memphis, TN; Northampton, MA; Philadelphia, PA; Portland, OR; Salt Lake City, UT; and San Antonio, TX.

If you would like to coordinate a Kiss-In event in your city or town, can join organizers in one of the above cities, or if you have other questions about the Great Nationwide Kiss-In, please contact David Mailloux at GreatNationwideKissIn@gmail.com, or call him at (617) 213-0433.

Word of the Gay: "Wife"

"Wife" can be used to refer to a female partner, or to an effeminate male partner in a same-sex relationship. The term can also be used pejoratively against male couples, to insinuate that one of the men is passive.

A Day In Hand - Same-Sex Couples Holding Hands Globally

You don't have to fight to change the world. Promote love and equality by the simple act of holding hands.

This campaign's aim is to INSPIRE and SUPPORT same-sex couples who want to hold their partner's hand in public.

Holding hands with your partner, where you can, is about being true to yourself and to those you love. This is not a protest, a rally, a Pride or a march. This is about you and the life you lead every day.

Join A Day In Hand, make your life and others more comfortable.

Web Spotlight: Gay and Lesbian Couples National Network

The Gay and Lesbian Couples Network offers information about why same-sex couples are demanding equal rights under the law. There is also a listing by state of various GLBT couples groups who meet to socialize, network, and gather politically.

Take Action for Marriage Equality in Maine

A bill to make marriage between same-sex couples legal and to reverse the existing ban on same-sex marriage in Maine will be brought up for a vote in the legislature. The bill is sponsored by Senator Dennis Damon (D-Hancock).

The Maine Freedom to Marry Coalition is asking for people to get involved:

• Talk with your legislators and senators.

• Write a letter to the editor, and talk to the media.

• Volunteer with MFMC.

The Way Life Should Be: Marriage In Maine


Share the story of your same-sex relationship in Maine at Our Stories.

How to Counter Opposition in Marriage Debate

Quick and easy talking points when arguing for Marriage Equality:

Opposition: Marriage is defined as the union between a man and a woman.

Equality: The definition of marriage has changed throughout the course of history. Biblical marriage supported polygamy where men could take on several wives and concubines. Marriage has historically been an institution where a man would be possessive over his wife and she would be subservient. Today we see marriage in the context of loving and financially sound relationships, there is no legitimate reason to hold back on allowing this option for all interested parties.

Opposition: If you open up marriage, others will demand it as well and society will tumble.


Equality: Marriage is currently available for two people and gay marriage activists only seek to continue this tradition and allow 2 people of the same-sex to have this right. This line of reasoning by the opposition is a scare tactic to suggest that this paves the way for polygamy, beastiality, and pedophilia. This is far from the truth since those are illegal and not consensual. Two same-sex individuals committing to each other is vastly different.

Opposition: Why can't you just settle on a domestic partnership or civil union and leave marriage sacred?

Equality: Domestic partnerships and civil unions are inferior to the status of civil marriage. Marriage provides full benefits while civil unions lack in hundreds of benefits and rights that are afforded to heterosexual couples. Marriage is also a universal concept, if a same-sex couple is civil-unionized one place, and they move to another country that does not have civil unions, their partnership will not be recognized. Marriage is a concept that is understood internationally, and LGBT people should not be given second class citizenship.

Opposition: My religion is against same-sex marriage.

Equality: There is no reference in the bible to same-sex marriage. That being said, everyone is entitled to their religious beliefs and each and every house of worship can decide whether or not to honor same-sex relationships. Religion however is separate from government and gays and lesbians should be recognized under a contract of civil marriage.

Opposition: Two men or two women cannot procreate and create a family.

Equality: There are also infertile straight couples, and those who marry and do not want children. Providing government benefits and a ceremony to honor two people who have committed to one another has nothing to do with procreation. While it is true that gays and lesbians cannot procreate, they can choose options such as insemination, donor sperm/egg, and adoption of children.

Same-Sex Couples Barred From The Newlywed Game

"As you may or may not know, the Game Show Network is relaunching "The Newlywed Game." And as you also may or may not know, same-sex couples are currently marrying in two of our nation's states, as well as obtaining civil unions in four more. So that of course means that newly-wedded gay and lesbian couples will be totally eligible for the revised version of the 70's era game show classic, right?

Well, not so fast, queer fans of televised compatibility tests. For if the "Newlywed Game" rules and requirements that were sent to us by a reader are to be believed, it seems that our unions might not make the cut:"



Contact the Game Show Network and tell them same-sex couples should be allowed to be contestants on the show! http://www.gsn.com/help/contact.php

H/T to Good As You for the story.

H & R Block Offers Coupon to Same-Sex Couples Who Were Previously Denied

"During tax season 2008, some H&R Block clients attempting to file as civil union, domestic or same sex partners using TaxCut online were messaged that H&R Block's online programs did not support the functionality for these returns. Online customers were instructed to visit an H&R Block retail office to complete their returns. H&R Block regrets any inconvenience or extra cost that our online customers may have encountered because of this alternative tax preparation solution.

We value all of our clients and strive to provide you with the best service and the most value in your tax preparation experience. We want to ensure all our clients are fully satisfied and well-served, but this may not be what you experienced with our company. H&R Block is therefore offering its civil union, domestic and same sex partner clients, who started with TaxCut online and then completed their returns in one of our retail offices, a coupon good for up to $100 off retail office tax preparation services for tax season 2009 (tax year 2008). If you prefer to continue with a digital tax solution, H&R Block will provide you and your partner with one free copy of TaxCut 2008, which also includes a workaround for completing both the federal and state returns.

To receive the $100 coupon or the free copy of TaxCut for tax year 2008, you must complete and submit the form below. Once your information and paid status is verified, a coupon or product will be mailed to you."

http://www.taxcut.com/pdfs/aclu_coupon_form.pdf

Dancing With the Gays?

The media rumors are flying that Lance Bass the openly gay singer from the pop music band N'Sync will be on the ABC hit show "Dancing with the Stars." To add to the twist, the show is considering pairing him up with a professional male dancer. This would be the first time a same-sex couple would be seen on the show dancing and would be broadcast to millions of homes across the globe.

Click Here for ABC's E-Contact Form - Tell Them You Want Gay Duo on Dancing with the Stars!

*Photo courtsey of pizzpancakes on Creative Commons.

Live Long and Marry (Auction for Equality)

What is this?
Live Long And Marry is a fandom auction to benefit marriage equality. Bidding begins on July 1, 12:01 AM one minute after midnight Pacific Time, 2008, and closes on July 15, 12:01 AM one minute after midnight Pacific Time, 2008. Please do not bid until bidding opens.

What's the cause?
The auction will raise money for the fight against the California initiative which will legally destroy existing same-sex marriages and ban any further ones. If the initiative passes, it will write discrimination into the state constitution, annull existing marriages, and make Mr. Sulu cry.

How can I help?
You can bid on fanfic, original fic, vids, cookies, memorabilia, critique/betas, and much more! Or you can offer your skills and services as a writer, vidder, baker, knitter, or whatever else you'd like.

BIDDING OPENS ON JULY 1, 12:01 AM ONE MINUTE AFTER MIDNIGHT PACIFIC TIME, AND CLOSES JULY 15, 12:01 AM ONE MINUTE AFTER MIDNIGHT PACIFIC TIME.

http://community.livejournal.com/livelongnmarry/

For more info on what this is about, how to bid, and get your prize go here

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

TiVo Sponsors “SuperDad” Contest with Right-Wing Focus on the Family

Join the Family Equality Council in making Gay/Bi/Queer & Trans Dads visible.

"Nominate the GBTQ Dads in YOUR Life Today!

TiVo, the home entertainment company servicing millions of families nationwide, is working with James Dobson’s Focus on the Family on a “SuperDad Essay Contest” for Father’s Day. As you can imagine, Focus on the Family is only looking for one type of “super” dads and they certainly are not part of our community. That a national company many of our families send checks to each month would sponsor a Father’s Day contest with Focus on the Family is horrendous. I need you — all of you — to help us respond.

I won’t often ask you to visit Focus on the Family’s website, but today I am. The Family Equality Council is organizing a response to this discriminatory contest, asking you to nominate yourself or the GBTQ dads in your life. To do so, you have to visit http://www.family.org/fathersday/, sign up for their parenting forums (message boards), and submit your nomination (100 words or less) through the boards. I’m encouraging two-dad families to submit joint stories, highlighting the greatness of both dads in one entry!

In addition, I’m asking that you copy the text of your nomination and email it to OUTSpoken@familyequality.org, so we can feature your beautiful stories and hard work on Family Equality Council’s Blog and with others in our community!

This is a great opportunity for GBTQ dads in our community and their family members and friends to share the real stories of their lives and let TiVo and Focus on the Family know that all dads can be Super Dads!

Others can and should participate, as well. The Family Equality Council has created a petition for parents, family and friends to sign. The petition is aimed at TiVo and will let them know just how many LGBTQ-parented families and supporters are out there! Click here to sign the petition now!

Last summer more than 50 families sent their stories to Adoption.com in response to their discriminatory actions online (read about it here). I want to increase that number 10-fold this year. Let’s send 500+ nominations to Focus on the Family’s “SuperDad” contest and show them how truly super our GBTQ dads are!

Thank you for your time and for celebrating all loving families with us each and every day!"

*Picture courtesy of RandomlyRoaming off of Creative Commons.