All posts tagged marriage equality

History in the making

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How amazing is this?!

On 3/6, HRC delivered The People’s Brief to the US Supreme Court.  Over 200,000 people added their names to The People’s Brief which asked the Supreme Court to provide marriage equality to same-sex couples in the United States.  The People’s Brief has more signatories than any amicus brief ever submitted to the Supreme Court.  BAM.  

Obergefell v. Hodges is the marriage equality case that will be heard by the Supreme Court on 4/28/15.  This case is a HISTORIC moment in history.  Specifically for gay rights movement.   I had the HONOR of hearing the named plaintiff, Jim Obergefell  speak recently.  Long story short, Jim and his partner were together for 20+ years.   Sadly, Jim’s partner John Arthur was diagnosed with ALS so they had to make some very tough decisions.  Jim and John bravely decided to seal the deal and get married.  They had to leave the state to do this as they couldn’t get married in their own home state of Ohio.   Through the generous help of friends and family, Jim and John flew to Maryland to get married.   Jim required a medical team in order to travel as he was bedridden due to the advancement of ALS.  They married in June of 2013 and John died several months later.

When hearing Jim speak, you can’t help but get emotional.   Here he is grieving as his life partner is diagnosed with a terminal illness.  There are many different rights that come with being married.  One of which is having your partner listed as your surviving spouse on your death certificate.  Something to think about…a heterosexual couple can get married with zero restrictions or conditions.  They are provided all the legal benefits of marriage and their relationship is acknowledged regardless of the duration of their relationship.  Imagine what it must feel like to not have your 20+ year relationship acknowledged by same government you have paid tax to your entire life.
Hopefully, we will soon look back at the fight for marriage equality and say “remember when”.   It feels pretty darn good to be able to say I am on the right side of history 🙂

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by MJB on March 16, 2015  •  Permalink
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Posted by MJB on March 16, 2015

https://thatssogay.co/2015/03/16/we-are-living-through-history/

Anti-gay law gets veto

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Governor Brewer vetoed Arizona’s proposed anti-gay bill

 

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer just did the right think and vetoes a bill that would have PROMOTED discrimination in Arizona.  Senate Bill 1062 would have allowed businesses to deny service to gays and lesbians claiming “religious beliefs”.  You have got to love how religion is being used by bigots (yet again) to promote discrimination. 

I respect Governor Brewer for her position.  She said that she made the right choice for Arizona and I agree! Many republicans have come out against this horrific bill which is nice to see.  People are slowly getting their heads out of their asses. 

Brewer said, “I call them as I see them, despite the cheers or the boos from the crowd,” and alled the bill “broadly worded”.  She went on to say, “To the supporters of the legislation, I want you to know that I understand that long-held norms about marriage and family are being challenged as never before. Our society is undergoing many dramatic changes,”

She went on to say “However, I sincerely believe that Senate Bill 1062 has the potential to create more problems than it purports to solve. It could divide Arizona in ways we cannot even imagine and no one would ever want.  Religious liberty is a core American and Arizona value, so is non-discrimination.” <———— YAAASSSSSSS

This makes me smile. 

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by MJB on February 26, 2014  •  Permalink
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Posted by MJB on February 26, 2014

https://thatssogay.co/2014/02/26/anti-gay-law-gets-veto/

Another reason to love Beyonce

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Fabulous Beyonce has done it again.  Proven that she is truly in a class of her own.  Beyonce is selling cute underwear sets on her website.  It’s a “Your’s & Mine” set of underwear.  What’s so cool about this? They come in the following options.

-Male, female

-Male, male

-Female, female

Well done B! Kisses!  You can buy there here. 

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by MJB on February 12, 2014  •  Permalink
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Posted by MJB on February 12, 2014

https://thatssogay.co/2014/02/12/another-reason-to-love-beyonce/

Quick rant: Civil rights

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It’s slowly happening.  Judges are starting to get their heads out of their asses and saying that laws banning gay marriage are unconstitutional.  NO SHIT! Liberty and justice for all.  ALL! That includes the most fabulous people. 

Just a quick rant as I am reading news about how US District Judge Terrence Kern ruled that Oklahoma’s ban on same-sex marriage violates the US Constitution.  Way to go Oklahoma! Will be interesting to see how this plays out.  I’ve said it before, I give national marriage equality 5-10 years max in the USA.  Probably closer to 5.

 

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by MJB on January 15, 2014  •  Permalink
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Posted by MJB on January 15, 2014

https://thatssogay.co/2014/01/15/quick-rant-civil-rights/

Yay Britain!

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Marriage equality has finally come to Britain! Two quick notes here.  1. I like many people didn’t realize Britain didn’t have marriage equality.  They actually had civil-unions since 2005.  2.  Any country with a QUEEN best have gay marriage! Ok?? Heyyyyy..

Sometimes I write like I am just talking to one of the girls…sorry about that.  Ahem.  Serious tone.

House of Commons Speaker John Bercow announced the great news on Wednesday.  The “Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill,” will legalize same-sex unions in England and Wales.  Queen Elizabeth have her official ok to the law as a formality.  According to the Associated Press, this law will allow gay couples to have both civil and religious (as long as the religious organization wants to) ceremonies in England and Wales.  

Good for you Britain! Hopefully the USA won’t be too far behind 🙂

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by MJB on January 11, 2014  •  Permalink
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Posted by MJB on January 11, 2014

https://thatssogay.co/2014/01/11/yay-britain/

Equality on hold in Utah

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The Supreme Court has pleased equality on hold in Utah. Utah’s AG was granted his emergency stay of the bigoted law banning same-sex marriage.

There was no reasoning offered and this stay is “pending final disposition”. This is truly a shame and slap in the face of equality.

Read more here.

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by MJB on January 6, 2014  •  Permalink
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Posted by MJB on January 6, 2014

https://thatssogay.co/2014/01/06/equality-on-hold-in-utah/

Utah is spending $2 Million of taxpayer $ to fight marriage equality

You can’t help but say “huh??” to this one.  Utah’s Attorney General, Sean Reyes is spending about $2 Million of taxpayer dollars to fight the noble fight of the righteous or whatever he wants to call it.  As you know, Reyes has been wining since same-sex marriage became legal again in Utah.  He even filed for an emergency stay of the bigoted law that banned same-sex marriages.  This is a HUGE amount of money to waste on something that clearly has bigoted roots that are promoted by various religious organizations.  

This is just a drop in the bucket of money that has been wasted in recent history for people trying to “protect marriage”.  In 2011, U.S. House Republicans spent $2.3 Million of taxpayer dollars to defend the bigoted Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).  The lawyer hired has a billable rate of $520 an hour.  I don’t care what your personal beliefs are.  I don’t want to contribute $1 of my hard earned money to support bigotry.

How much GOOD could we do with all that money and energy that has been wasted on promoting bigotry? Feed the hungry, provide life-saving vaccinations to those in need, help the homeless…I could go on and on.  Logic and reason folks.  It is truly lost on most people. 

Bottom line, everyone should have the CIVIL RIGHT to get married.   Religious organizations should have the right to decide who they want to marry based on their ridiculous and man made rules.  

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by MJB on January 1, 2014  •  Permalink
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Posted by MJB on January 1, 2014

https://thatssogay.co/2014/01/01/utah-is-spending-2-million-of-taxpayer-to-fight-marriage-equality/

Ohio getting closer to marriage equality!

Well this is just FABULOUS! A federal judge in Ohio is helping push the state towards marriage equality by stating that the state’s ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional in regards to death certificates.  DEATH CERTIFICATES?! How about a ban on same-sex marriage is just plain old CRAZY and unconstitutional but I’ll take what I can get!

Judge Timothy Black ruled Monday that Ohio must recognize unions of same-sex couples.  The ruling specifically addressed death-certificates due to a lawsuit filed by a gay couple but also addressed marriage equality.  This is great news as Black is challenging the marriage ban. 

This ruling came from a lawsuit filed by a few gay couples.  Each couple had one partner that was dying and the surviving partner wanted to be recognized as married (as they should be) on the death certificate.  

Here is what Black had to say on the matter, “Once you get married lawfully in one state, another state cannot summarily take your marriage away,”.

As a reminder, voters passed Ohio’s gay marriage ban in 2004.  SO CRAZY that people can vote on CIVIL rights.

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by MJB on December 24, 2013  •  Permalink
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Posted by MJB on December 24, 2013

https://thatssogay.co/2013/12/24/ohio-getting-closer-to-marriage-equality/

Suck it equality opponents!

This is fabulous.  You have to love it when idiots are reminded that they are idiots.  As you know, the ban on gay marriage was just struck down in Utah for being unconstitutional (DUH!).  As I mentioned in my last note on this (you can read that here), the Utah Attorney General (Brian Tarbet) and governor (Gary Herbert) was pushing HARD for an EMERGENCY STAY of the old bigoted law.

Great news folks.  On Sunday, the US 10th Circuit Court of Appeals denied Utah officials’ request for an emergency stay of the same-sex marriage ban.  Doesn’t equality just smell great?! I just don’t get these people who are STILL on the wrong side of history.  WAKE UP!! Gay marriage will not impact heterosexual marriage in any way!! If you are worried that it will, you are probably a closeted gay and want to get gay married yourself! BAM!

Here is what Gary Herbert the Governor of Utah had to say.  “I am very disappointed an activist federal judge is attempting to override the will of the people of Utah.  “I am working with my legal counsel and the acting attorney general to determine the best course to defend traditional marriage within the borders of Utah.”.  NEWSFLASH you idiot.  Utah is the polygamist capital of this country.  Please do not preach traditional marriage you dumb f*ck.

Are you excited about this?!?! Want to tell folks in power at Utah just how excited you are?! Click here to do that.

 

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by MJB on December 23, 2013  •  Permalink
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Posted by MJB on December 23, 2013

https://thatssogay.co/2013/12/23/suck-it-equality-opponents/

Same-sex marriage in Utah!

So this is interesting…

A federal judge struck down Utah’s shameful same-sex marriage ban today.  Utah is a pretty conservative state an the Mormon Church has a HUGE propaganda campaign running at all times attacking the LGBT community.  Because that is what people should do in Church.  Back to the topic at hand.  Same-sex marriage licenses are currently being distributed but the crazies have already started coming out in protest.  In-fact, the Utah Attorney General Brian Tarbet has actually requested an “Emergency Stay” of the homophobic/bigoted law (ban of same-sex marriage).  

Here is what the moron (probably a closet case) had to say, “The federal district court’s ruling that same-sex marriage is a fundamental right has never been established in any previous case in the 10th Circuit. The state is requesting an emergency stay pending the filing of an appeal.”

So let me get this right.  You let voters in Utah vote on CIVIL rights….and now you are saying that the court didn’t have the right to strike down a law that was discriminatory in nature?! Really?

So back to the 2004 when the anti-gay law was passed.  The crazies claimed that gay-marriage would somehow affect heterosexual marriage and the sanctity of marriage.  With all due respect Utah…please keep your comments to yourself on the sanctity of marriage.  

Anyhow.  This is not the end of this story but this is great progress for now and we LOVE progress 🙂

Congrats to the folks in Utah.  And for the record, I have done a good amount of work in Salt Lake City and there are a lot of very nice open minded “normal” people out there.  It is really too bad when you have crazies in power that give that state such a bad name.

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by MJB on December 20, 2013  •  Permalink
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Posted by MJB on December 20, 2013

https://thatssogay.co/2013/12/20/same-sex-marriage-in-utah/

More proof that bigots are all stupid

More proof that bigots are all stupid

I really love publishing proof that bigots are idiots. More proof folks. The Ruth Institute, a group devoted to “fighting marriage equality”, showed the world just how STUPID they are when they posted a graphic with spelling and punctuation errors. Guys…really. Learn basic spelling and grammar before making bold political statements.

Idiots.

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by MJB on December 9, 2013  •  Image  •  Permalink
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Posted by MJB on December 9, 2013

https://thatssogay.co/2013/12/09/more-proof-that-bigots-are-all-stupid/

Marriage equality for Hawaii!

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Marriages can begin on 12/2/13!

This is just fabulous!! Finally! Hawaii beats Illinois to become the 15’th state in the United States for marriage equality.   Go Aloha state! 
We think marriage equality should be available in all states as it is a civil right but this is most certainly a step in the right direction.  Hopefully we will have federal support soon to provide marriage equality for all 🙂

The United States has some catching up to do with other countries like Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, South Africa, Sweden and Uruguay.

Check out this great resource on international marriage equality. http://www.freedomtomarry.org/landscape/entry/c/international

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by MJB on November 12, 2013  •  Permalink
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Posted by MJB on November 12, 2013

https://thatssogay.co/2013/11/12/marriage-equality-for-hawaii/

Congratulations Illinois!

Progress! We have our 15’th state in the US that has marriage!!

Baby steps! Read more here.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/05/illinois-gay-marriage_n_4220793.html

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by MJB on November 5, 2013  •  Permalink
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Posted by MJB on November 5, 2013

https://thatssogay.co/2013/11/05/congratulations-illinois/