Equal Rights

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COMMENTARY: What would Harvey Milk think if he were alive today?

Dustin Lance Black via Huffpost Gay Voices
May 22nd, 2013

Today is Harvey Milk Day in California.

And I'm left to wonder what Harvey would say if he were here.

I imagine he'd start by saying that this day isn't about him. For Harvey, it was always about the movement, never about ego.

He'd likely say that this day is for the kids out there in Altoona, Pa., who still feel that what makes them different makes them "less than" and are feeling hopeless. He'd tell anyone who would listen that they must come out and stand up -- and send that young person a much-needed message of hope.

U.K. House of Commons approves marriage equality, sends bill to House of Lords

Ken Williams - SDGLN Editor in Chief
May 21st, 2013

LONDON – The House of Commons voted today to approve the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill on its third and final reading.

The vote was 366-161.

The bill now goes to the House of Lords, where the issue is far from settled and debate will begin in June. The bill would only apply to England and Wales.

Same-sex marriage has been legalized in Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, the Netherlands (and the Caribbean island of Saba), New Zealand (August 2013), Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden and Uruguay (Aug. 1, 2013).

Far Right activist commits suicide in Notre Dame in protest of marriage equality

SDGLN Staff
May 21st, 2013

PARIS -- A former Far Right militant terrorist turned controversial French historian today put a gun in his mouth and squeezed the trigger, committing suicide in front of the main altar at the world famous Notre Dame Cathedral in a dramatic protest against marriage equality.

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Heart & Soul: What’s the big deal about marriage equality?

The Rev. Jerry Troyer - SDGLN Contributor
May 21st, 2013

For those of us in the LGBT community, we live in pretty amazing times.

Twelve states in the United States give same-gender couples the freedom to marry, with that number seeming to increase every day.

Thankfully, my then partner of 23 years and I were able to marry, and did so, during the short period of time in 2008 when it was legal in California. As we know, we are waiting to hear the decision from the U. S. Supreme Court as to the immediate future of same-sex marriage in California.

Lesbian couple agree to judge's order to no longer live together due to morality clause

SDGLN Staff
May 21st, 2013

McKINNEY, Texas – A lesbian couple will comply with a Republican judge’s order to no longer live together due to a morality clause included in one of the women’s divorce papers, even though their attorney contends that the ruling is a violation of their constitutional right to privacy.

An attorney representing the couple issued a statement this week and revealed new information about the court action by Judge John Roach Jr., who has come under widespread criticism for his decision that split apart the couple.

Bans of same-sex marriage can take psychological toll

Shankar Vedantam - NPR
May 20th, 2013

As the country awaits two important Supreme Court decisions involving state laws on same-sex marriage, a small but consistent body of research suggests that laws that ban gay marriage — or approve it — can affect the mental health of gay, lesbian and bisexual Americans. When several states passed laws to prohibit same-sex marriage, for example, the mental health of gay residents seemed to suffer, while stress-related disorders dropped in at least one state after gay marriage was legalized.

Retired Bishop Gene Robinson to talk about marriage equality in Australia

SDGLN Staff
May 20th, 2013

MELBOURNE, Australia – Retired Episcopal (Anglican) Bishop Gene Robinson of New Hampshire is embarking on a tour of Australia to meet with church leaders at a time when the Down Under nation is debating marriage equality.

Although neighboring New Zealand joined Commonwealth member Canada in approving marriage for gay and lesbian couples, and the British Parliament is scheduled to debate the issue today, Australia has lagged behind.

In Venezuela, gays and lesbians demand equal rights

SDGLN Staff
May 20th, 2013

CARACAS, Venezuela -- Dozens of gays and lesbians marched Saturday in the capital city and demanded an end to discrimination against the LGBT community and for civil rights, including marriage equality.

Article 77 defines marriage as between one man and one woman.

Venezuela approved discrimination protections in 1999, but later rescinded the law after enormous pressure from the dominant faith, the Roman Catholic Church. Gays and lesbians can serve in the military and same-gender sex is legal in the country, but other civil rights are denied.

It's official: France's president signs marriage-equality bill into law

SDGLN Staff
May 18th, 2013

PARIS -- France becomes the 14th nation in the world to legalize marriage equality, after President Francois Hollande signed the bill into law today.

The first same-sex marriages can be held as early as May 28, 2013 ... but the BBC reported that Parliamentary Relations Minister Alain Vidalies told French TV he expected the first ceremonies to take place "before 1 July."

"Now it is time to respect the law of the Republic," Hollande said, apparently directed at critics who have held violent street protests over the past few months at the nation's lawmakers debated the bill.

Judge orders lesbian mom's partner to move out

SDGLN Staff
May 18th, 2013

McKINNEY, Texas -- A Collin County judge is enforcing a morality clause in divorce papers to force a lesbian mom's partner to move out of the home they share with the mom's two children.

Judge John Roach Jr., a Republican in the 296th District Court in Texas, gave Page Price 30 days to move out of the house she has shared the past three years with Carolyn Compton and her two children.

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