Marriage Victory in New Hampshire

Updated marriage equality map from Wikipedia;

purple = same-sex marriage.

Reuters has just reported:

State lawmakers approved a bill on Wednesday to make New Hampshire the sixth U.S. state to authorize gay marriage, but the legislation still requires the governor's signature.

New Hampshire's Democratically controlled House of Representatives endorsed gay marriage in a 198-176 vote, hours after the state Senate approved the legislation by 14-10 along party lines, making the state the fourth this year to back gay marriage in the United States.

Late last month, the House rejected a similar bill. But Senate and House members met last week to reach a compromise, approving new language giving clergy and religious institutions opposed to gay marriage greater protections, including the legal right to decline to marry same-sex couples.

Governor John Lynch, a Democrat, has said he would veto a gay-marriage bill if such protections were excluded and is expected to sign the latest bill into law.

Update: Governor John Lynch signed the bill into law at 5:20 p.m. It comes into effect on January 1, 2010, exactly two years after the state began performing civil unions. The Boston Globe reports:

Gay marriage is now legal in Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Massachusetts -- all of the new England states, except for Rhode Island. Gay marriage is also legal in Iowa. . . .

When Massachusetts became the first state in the nation to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples in 2004, New Hampshire seemed unlikely to follow. Republicans had enjoyed virtually uninterrupted control of both houses of the Legislature since the late 19th century.

But in 2006, Granite State voters unseated a pair of GOP congressmen amid rising upopularity for the Iraq war and the presidency of George W. Bush. The voters also swept Democratic majorities into the State House. A few months later, the new Legislature approved civil unions.

In early May, Lynch reiterated his position that civil unions were best for the state. But two weeks later, he said his thinking had changed. He said society's views on civil rights have "constantly evolved and expanded" throughout our history. "That is what I believe we must do today."

The Associated Press reports:

The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson, elected in New Hampshire in 2003 as the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church, was among those celebrating the new law.

"It's about being recognized as whole people and whole citizens," Robinson said.

"There are a lot of people standing here who when we grew up could not have imagined this," he said. "You can't imagine something that is simply impossible. It's happened, in our lifetimes."

I know just what the bishop means. Full text of Governor Lynch's comments at the bill signing is here. Key excerpts, emphasis mine:

New Hampshire's great tradition has always been to come down on the side of individual liberties and protections. That tradition continues today.

Two years ago in this room, I signed civil unions into law. That law gave same-sex couples in New Hampshire the rights and protections of marriage. And while civil unions was [sic] recognized as a step forward, many same-sex couples made compelling arguments that a separate system is not an equal system. . . .

Today, we are standing up for the liberties of same-sex couples by making clear that they will receive the same rights, responsibilities - and respect - under New Hampshire law.

Today, we are also standing up for religious liberties. This legislation makes clear that we understand that certain faiths do not recognize same-sex marriage, and it protects them from having to participate in marriage-related activities that violate their fundamental religious principles.

With the signing of this legislation today, New Hampshire will have taken every action possible to ensure that all families have equal rights to the extent that is possible under state law.

Unfortunately, the federal government does not extend the same rights and protections that New Hampshire provides same-sex families, and that should change. . . .

Most families in New Hampshire will awaken tomorrow, go to work and to school, and feel no impact from what we have accomplished today.

But for some, they will awaken tomorrow knowing we have said to them that they are equal, that they have the same rights to live and to love as everyone else.

Today is a day to celebrate in New Hampshire. Today should not be considered a victory for some and a loss for others. Today is a victory for all the people of New Hampshire, who I believe, in our own independent way, want tolerance for all.

That is truly the New Hampshire way.

Two Roosters Walking Arm In Arm

Not a parody. This is being played on gospel radio stations in Mississippi.

(Honk to One-Lane Bridge)

Hump Day: Testing the Waters

I feel like plunging right in . . .

(Honk to Bend Over Country and Buttboys)

LOL: Three TV Commercials

Traditional Marriage, Explained from Scripture

For all you unsaved trash who have no clue what the Bible really says about marriage:

(Honk to Joe.My.God.)

P.S. - Keep your fingers crossed, fellas: by the end of the day, New Hampshire just might become the sixth state to have equal marriage. I'll update ya when I know something.

The Dallas Principles: Speaking for You?

Stop telling your fundamentalist kinfolks that there is no "gay agenda" - it's all down in writing now (cue Wagnerian trumpets and timpani): The Dallas Principles. And if you aren't with 'em - you're against 'em, it's that simple.

What, you didn't hear about it? Girlfriend, you mean you didn't get the fax or the email or the invite?! Gee, that's too bad. Well, confidentially, I didn't get one, either . . . must have been an oversight. Everybody knows I've shown my principles all over Dallas.

But who wrote this earth-shaking document? More than that, a bigger question is, what purpose does this document serve? What does it do for anybody? Why is it needed?

Been meaning to blog about this but haven't had the chance to study it till now. Prompted by a continuing discussion over on my truckbuddy NG's blog, here are the Dallas Principles, an unsigned, undated document whipped up May 15-17 by 24 LGBT folks who got together up the road in Big D and took it upon themselves to make this big, splashy pronouncement:

PREAMBLE

President Obama and Congress pledged to lead America in a new direction that included civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans. We now sit at a great moment in our history that inspires the nation to return to its highest ideals and greatest promise. We face a historic opportunity to obtain our full civil rights; this is the moment for change. No delay. No excuses.

Nearly forty years ago, a diverse group of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people stood up to injustice at the Stonewall Inn in New York City. In doing so, they submitted themselves to bodily harm and criminal prosecution. Their demand was simple -- equal protection under the law.

Still today, full civil rights has eluded the same community that rioted forty years ago. Instead, untold sums of resources have been spent to divide our nation and turn our lives into a political football.

At several junctures in American history, the stars have aligned to deliver the promise of equal protection under the law to those previously denied. [cue "this is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius . . . " - Russ] At this unique time in history, our nation must once again exercise the great tradition of making its people equal.

Justice has too long been delayed. A clear path toward full civil equality for the LGBT community is overdue and must come now.

Using fear and misunderstanding to justify discrimination is no longer acceptable in this nation. Those content with the way things are will be judged harshly by history. Those who do not actively advance these ideals or offer excuses will be judged just as harshly. Those who attempt to divide our community or to delay and deny action on civil equality, waiting for the right moment to arrive, will be held accountable. [cue Darth Vader theme - Russ]

We reject the idea that honoring the founding principles of our country is controversial. We believe in the inherent human dignity of all people. No longer will we submit our children, our family, our friends and ourselves as a political tool for any Party or ideology. A new day has arrived.


PRINCIPLES

The following eight guiding principles underlie our call to action. In order to achieve full civil rights now, we avow:

1.Full civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals must be enacted now. Delay and excuses are no longer acceptable.

2.We will not leave any part of our community behind.

3.Separate is never equal.

4.Religious beliefs are not a basis upon which to affirm or deny civil rights.

5.The establishment and guardianship of full civil rights is a non-partisan issue.

6.Individual involvement and grassroots action are paramount to success and must be encouraged.

7.Success is measured by the civil rights we all achieve, not by words, access or money raised.

8.Those who seek our support are expected to commit to these principles.


FULL CIVIL RIGHTS GOALS

Being united by common principles and engaging in united action, we will achieve the following goals:

1.DIGNITY AND EQUALITY. Every lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender person has inherent dignity and worth, and has the right to live free of discrimination and harassment.

2.FAMILY. Every LGBT person has the right to a family without legal barriers to immigration, civil marriage or raising children.

3.ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY. Every LGBT person has the right to economic opportunity free from discrimination in employment, public housing, accommodation, public facilities, credit, and federally funded programs and activities.

4.EDUCATION. Every LGBT child and youth has the right to an education that is affirming, inclusive and free from bullying.

5.NATIONAL SECURITY. Every LGBT person should have the opportunity to serve our country openly and equally in our military and foreign service.

6.CRIME. Every LGBT person should enjoy life protected against bias crimes.

7.HEALTH CARE. Every person should have access to affordable, high quality, and culturally competent health care without discrimination.


CALL TO ACTION

1.We demand that government officials act now to achieve full civil rights without delay.

2.Our organizations and individuals need to develop a collaborative and revolutionary new organizing model that mobilizes millions of supporters through emerging web and phone technologies.

3.All LGBT individuals must accept personal responsibility to do everything within their power for equality and should get involved in the movement by volunteering, giving and being out.

4.We will hold elected officials and our organizations accountable for being transparent and achieving full civil rights by active participation when possible and active opposition when necessary.

5.Our allies need to be proactive in public support for full civil rights.

6.Every government measure that quantifies the US citizenry must permit LGBT individuals to self-identify and be counted in every way citizens are counted.

7.We demand that the media present LGBT lives in fair, accurate and objective ways that neither include nor give credence to unsubstantiated, discriminatory claims and opinions.

Mmm, so just who is this "we" that the document speaks for? Is it all of teh gayz, or just some, or merely a self-selected, elite handful?

Your Head Trucker is on the case, and from the website, here are the identities and occupations of the 24 Authors - none of whom were elected, btw, to represent our community:

Juan Anhoven-Jover, Ph.D. - Miami Beach, FL - a high-tech entrepreneur who retired at age 40, now a philanthropist; co-founder of eQualityGiving.org.

Ken Anhoven-Jover - Miami Beach, FL - emergency medicine physician and co-founder of eQualityGiving.org.

John Bare - San Francisco, CA - former research biologist/geneticist, now a donor and activist.

Jarrett Tomas Barrios - Boston, MA - formerly an openly gay state senator in Massachusetts for nine years, now runs a health access foundation.

Dana Beyer, M.D. - Montgomery County, MD - physician, surgeon, scientist, and political activist.

Jeffrey H. Campagna - New York, NY - independent film producer, attorney, fundraiser, and LGBT organizer, formed ThePowerOnline.org in the wake of Prop 8.

Mandy Carter - Durham, NC - African-American lesbian political activist since 1968, 2005 Nobel Peace Prize nominee, owner of Mandy Carter Consulting.

Michael Coe - Washington, D.C. - oversees operations at the Hawthorn Group and heads the firm's State and Local Government Relations Practices.

Jimmy Creech - Raleigh, N.C. - a United Methodist minister for 29 years, has worked to end bigotry against LGBT people since 1987, ordination revoked in 1999 for disobedience to the church.

Allison Duncan - San Francisco, CA - founder and CEO of Amplifier Strategies, works closely with donors and philanthropists to "achieve measurable social impact" with their dollars.

Michael Guest - Washington, DC - appointed as an openly gay Ambassador (to Romania, 2001), resigned 2004 to protest discriminatory policies in the State Department; now Senior Adviser to the Council for Global Equality.

Joanne Herman - Boston, MA - first transgender member of the Boards of Point Foundation and Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders; has written numerous columns for The Advocate on transgender issues.

Donald Hitchcock - Washington, DC - has held leadership and activist roles in IBM Employee Alliance for LGBT Equality, Human Rights Campaign, DC Youth Pride, National Coalition for LGBT Health, and DC for Marriage.

Lane Hudson - Washington, DC - recognized as a Time Magazine Person of the Year for his political blogging, also recognized as influential by The Advocate and Out Magazine.

Charles Merrill - Palm Springs, CA - of the Merrill Lynch family, philanthropist, artist, and activist.

Dixon Osburn - Washington, DC - CEO of the Osburn Network, co-founder and former Executive Director of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network.

Lisa Polyak - Washington, DC - on the Board of Directors of Equality Maryland, Moderator of Families with Pride, in Baltimore.

Barbra Casbar Siperstein - Edison, NJ - President of New Jersey Stonewall Democrats and member of the New Jersey Civil Unions Review Commission; New Jersey's first transgender delegate to the Democratic National Conventions in 2004 and 2008.

Pam Spaulding - Durham, NC - editor and publisher of the award-winning blog, PamsHouseBlend.com, one of two LGBT blogs selected to cover the 2008 Democratic National Convention as a member of the press pool.

Andy Szekeres - Denver, CO - staff member of numerous LGBT and political campaigns, most recently that of openly gay Congressman Jared Polis, elected in 2008.

Lisa Turner - Virginia Beach, VA - president and owner of The Turner Group, Ltd.; political and campaign consultant for 18 years, also lecturer and instructor.

Jon Winkleman - New York, NY - founding member of ThePowerOnline.org; recently served on the board of National Stonewall Democrats and Hillary Clinton's National LGBT Steering Committee.

Paul Yandura - Washington, DC - served as LGBT outreach director for the Clinton/Gore '96 campaign, founding director of the Democratic National Committee's Gay and Lesbian Leadership Council; founding partner of Scott+Yandura, political consultants.

What I'm seeing is a handful of very well-heeled folks, and a bigger number of writers, bloggers, and political activists who can put a message out and stir the pot good.

Now, all these folks sound like they have done good work for the queer community, no doubt; but ya know, guys - I just have this little problem with people, even nice, smiling, well-scrubbed and well-intentioned ones, coming up with a list in secret, and then telling me they are MY values and goals.

Don't you? Or am I just being too sensitive here?

Check out their FAQ page, then let me know what you think, guys, let's talk about this one. It's going to be quoted in the media many times as being your principles. You got a problem with that?

The Fierce Urgency of . . . Whatever

Anderson Cooper and Andrew Sullivan discuss the President's lack of action on gay issues, despite the fine talk and pretty promises:

Obama Comes Out for Gay Pride

Last year's Pride Parade in West Hollywood

This just in - the President has issued a proclamation designating June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month:

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release June 1, 2009

LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER PRIDE MONTH, 2009
- - - - - - -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION

Forty years ago, patrons and supporters of the Stonewall Inn in New York City resisted police harassment that had become all too common for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Out of this resistance, the LGBT rights movement in America was born. During LGBT Pride Month, we commemorate the events of June 1969 and commit to achieving equal justice under law for LGBT Americans.

LGBT Americans have made, and continue to make, great and lasting contributions that continue to strengthen the fabric of American society. There are many well-respected LGBT leaders in all professional fields, including the arts and business communities. LGBT Americans also mobilized the Nation to respond to the domestic HIV/AIDS epidemic and have played a vital role in broadening this country's response to the HIV pandemic.

Due in no small part to the determination and dedication of the LGBT rights movement, more LGBT Americans are living their lives openly today than ever before. I am proud to be the first President to appoint openly LGBT candidates to Senate-confirmed positions in the first 100 days of an Administration. These individuals embody the best qualities we seek in public servants, and across my Administration -- in both the White House and the Federal agencies -- openly LGBT employees are doing their jobs with distinction and professionalism.

The LGBT rights movement has achieved great progress, but there is more work to be done. LGBT youth should feel safe to learn without the fear of harassment, and LGBT families and seniors should be allowed to live their lives with dignity and respect.

My Administration has partnered with the LGBT community to advance a wide range of initiatives. At the international level, I have joined efforts at the United Nations to decriminalize homosexuality around the world. Here at home, I continue to support measures to bring the full spectrum of equal rights to LGBT Americans. These measures include enhancing hate crimes laws, supporting civil unions and Federal rights for LGBT couples, outlawing discrimination in the workplace, ensuring adoption rights, and ending the existing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in a way that strengthens our Armed Forces and our national security. We must also commit ourselves to fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic by both reducing the number of HIV infections and providing care and support services to people living with HIV/AIDS across the United States.

These issues affect not only the LGBT community, but also our entire Nation. As long as the promise of equality for all remains unfulfilled, all Americans are affected. If we can work together to advance the principles upon which our Nation was founded, every American will benefit. During LGBT Pride Month, I call upon the LGBT community, the Congress, and the American people to work together to promote equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2009 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon the people of the United States to turn back discrimination and prejudice everywhere it exists.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

BARACK OBAMA

Very good, Mr. President; glad to hear you testify. And about damn time, too. But how come this proclamation does not appear on the White House blog? It takes a bit of hunting to find it, stuck way back in the corners of whitehouse.gov.

Hillary, though, beat him to the punch with her own announcement earlier today:

In Recognition of Gay and Lesbian Pride Month 2009
Hillary Rodham Clinton

Secretary of State

Washington, DC

June 1, 2009

Forty years ago this month, the gay rights movement began with the Stonewall riots in New York City, as gays and lesbians demanded an end to the persecution they had long endured. Now, after decades of hard work, the fight has grown into a global movement to achieve a world in which all people live free from violence and fear, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

In honor of Gay and Lesbian Pride Month and on behalf of the State Department, I extend our appreciation to the global LGBT community for its courage and determination during the past 40 years, and I offer our support for the significant work that still lies ahead.

At the State Department and throughout the Administration, we are grateful for our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees in Washington and around the world. They and their families make many sacrifices to serve our nation. Their contributions are vital to our efforts to establish stability, prosperity and peace worldwide.

Human rights are at the heart of those efforts. Gays and lesbians in many parts of the world live under constant threat of arrest, violence, even torture. The persecution of gays and lesbians is a violation of human rights and an affront to human decency, and it must end. As Secretary of State, I will advance a comprehensive human rights agenda that includes the elimination of violence and discrimination against people based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Though the road to full equality for LGBT Americans is long, the example set by those fighting for equal rights in the United States gives hope to men and women around the world who yearn for a better future for themselves and their loved ones.

This June, let us recommit ourselves to achieving a world in which all people can live in safety and freedom, no matter who they are or whom they love.

Hillary also has an active plan in the works to extend diplomatic privileges and recognition to same-sex employees in the State Department. And for the record, her husband Bill made the first presidential Pride proclamation back in 2000.

Today's Quotes: The Christianists' Aim

A reader who is a Kansas minister writes to Andrew Sullivan about the horrific murder of Dr. George Tiller, shot dead at his church in Wichita yesterday:

I have come to the conclusion that the Christianists' aim is the simple denial of God’s grace to anyone who may have a broader vision of the love of Christ.

Do they not understand that each day that Dr. Tiller lived was another opportunity for grace to prevail? For some that grace may have meant he saved the life of a woman needing access to a safe abortion, to others perhaps that grace would’ve been his own turning away from his practice. But the point is whenever we presume to be the gatekeepers of God’s love and grace, we ourselves are turning away from God.

Another abortion doctor, Warren Hearn, had this to say in an interview with the Colorado Independent:

We don’t have to invade Iraq to find terrorists. They’re right here killing abortion doctors. Every doctor that does abortions has been under an assassination threat for decades. The anti-abortion movement message is, "Do what we tell you to do or we will kill you," and they do. This is a fascist movement.

Sullivan is blogging extensively on the murder, and publishing numerous moving letters from readers whose poignant stories clearly show why sometimes a late-term abortion is the most merciful choice that can be made, like this story and this one.

WTF: Cheney Loves the Gays More Than Obama Does?

As the Washington Post reports, Cheney supports equal marriage at the state level. Obama doesn't:

"I think, you know, freedom means freedom for everyone," Cheney said in a speech at the National Press Club. "I think people ought to be free to enter into any kind of union they wish, any kind of arrangement they wish."

Cheney, who has a gay daughter, said marriage has always been a state issue.

"And I think that's the way it ought to be handled today, that is, on a state-by-state basis. Different states will make different decisions. But I don't have any problem with that. I think people ought to get a shot at that," he said.

Nevada Gets Domestic Partnership Law

Map of same-sex unions in the United States from Wikipedia

That makes one-third of the states who now provide some form of recognition, weak or strong, to same-sex couples. The New York Times reports:

The Nevada Legislature voted into law a domestic partnership registry for same-sex and unmarried straight couples on Sunday evening, with the Assembly mustering the two-thirds vote required to override a veto by Gov. Jim Gibbons, a Republican.

The move makes Nevada the 17th state to recognize the relationships of gay men and lesbians, creating the registry with the secretary of state by which couples receive legal protections associated with marriage.

The State Senate voted to override the veto on Saturday.

The Nevada law does not require businesses to provide health benefits to the domestic partners of their employees.

“The significance here is it literally equates domestic partner with spouse under Nevada state law,” said Michael Ginsburg of the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada.

“You have the full force of the law behind you now,” Mr. Ginsburg said. “When you’re in the hospital, forced to make decisions for your partner, all you have to say is, ‘This is my spouse,’ and that carries tremendous weight.”

Proponents were able to persuade two members of both the Senate and the Assembly to switch sides since earlier votes. Many were pressured by executives for the casino industry, who feared a boycott by gay travelers.

Opponents, including the governor, argued that the law was unnecessary because gay couples could create legal contracts to provide most of the rights they would receive through the registry. They also pointed out that Nevada voters approved a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage earlier this decade.

Yet State Senator David R. Parks, a Las Vegas Democrat and the only openly gay elected official in Nevada, obtained legal opinions from legislative lawyers stating that the domestic partnership registry was not the equivalent of marriage.

Correction: The NYT reporter must have miscounted; I'm only seeing 15 states, plus the District of Columbia. We need two more states to get to a third of the Union; and 45 more states to get nationwide marriage equality, plus the repeal of DOMA at the federal level.