Illinois gay union legislation stresses the civil aspect
Rev. Frank Senn of Evanston wouldn’t mind if Illinois became the sixth state to recognize same-sex civil unions as binding commitments in the eyes of the law.
But the Evangelical Lutheran pastor would object if his church became the next Protestant denomination to bless same-sex unions as binding commitments in the eyes of God.
“There’s a difference between what is ordered in civil society and what the church can do under the Gospel,” said the pastor, whose son married another man in California before same-sex marriages were banned by the Proposition 8 referendum in November. “I think civil society has its own authority to make whatever social accommodations that seem good to society. We can only act on the authority of the word of God.”
Both decisions hang in the balance. This weekend, Illinois legislators could vote on a bill that would legalize same-sex civil unions and give same-sex couples the same “basic rights” as married couples. See Illinois gay union legislation stresses the civil aspect Chicago Tribune * Tags = gay men gay news lesbian news transgender bisexual
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Gay-rights groups criticize prospective justice
- Gay-rights groups criticize prospective justice
Gay-rights groups are criticizing Georgia Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears for joining a think tank founded by a marriage-rights opponent. Sears is considered a candidate for a U.S. Supreme Court appointment. Chicago Tribune/The Associated Press (free registration) (5/15)
* Tags = gay men gay news lesbian news transgender bisexual
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Mass. couples cheer gay marriage, 5 years later
BOSTON – Every year, the couples who led the fight for gay marriage in Massachusetts get together privately to celebrate both their own weddings and the marriages of thousands more couples who followed them.
But this year, the celebration feels a little bit sweeter for the six couples who will gather Sunday to mark the fifth anniversary of Massachusetts becoming the first state to legalize same-sex marriage. This year, they will also be celebrating the legalization of gay marriage in four other states.
“We’ve been very happy that it’s started to be accepted in other places,” said Maureen Brodoff, one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit that led to a Supreme Judicial Court decision legalizing gay marriage.
“It’s important to us that same-sex relationships get recognition outside of our home state, and I think that that is happening slowly as people look to the Massachusetts example and see that, you know, the sky didn’t fall, that it’s strengthened families, that it’s brought joy to a lot of families,” Brodoff said. See Mass. couples cheer gay marriage, 5 years later Chicago Tribune * Tags = gay men gay news lesbian news transgender bisexual
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States grant more rights to gay couples
When Maine‘s highest court ruled two years ago that lesbians Marilyn Kirby and Ann Courtney could adopt the two children they had cared for since 2001, the man who has led the state battle against gay marriage for 25 years got a glimpse of the defeat now looming.
“There’s a sense people have — a sense of inevitability — and a tremendous sense of frustration because of the history of the gay-rights fight in Maine,” said Michael Heath, executive director of the Maine Family Policy Council.
He was referring to rights incrementally accorded gay couples that have led to virtual equality between same-sex and heterosexual unions in states where gay marriage remains banned, a growing trend in Maine and elsewhere, experts on both sides of the issue agree.
These rights are expanding as legally married gay couples relocate to states that don’t allow gay marriage, forcing courts, legislatures and employers to deal with a new wrinkle on issues of custody, divorce, inheritance and end-of-life decisions.
See States grant more rights to gay couples
Chicago Tribune – United States
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Clergy gather in DC to lobby for gay rights
WASHINGTON – Months after giving an invocation at a kickoff event for President Barack Obama’s inauguration, the U.S. Episcopal Church’s first openly gay bishop returned to Washington on Monday to persuade Congress to pass an expanded hate crimes bill.
V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire is among more than 300 clergy members from different faiths who planned to spend Tuesday lobbying on Capitol Hill for support of a bill that broadens the definition of hate crimes to include those motivated by a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity and disability. The House passed the legislation 249-175 last week over conservatives’ objections.
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Clergy gather in DC to lobby for gay rights Chicago Tribune -
Clergy gather in DC to lobby for gay rights Chicago Tribune -
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NH gay bishop among hundreds of clergy gathering in DC to lobby … Fox44 News
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Clergy gather in DC to lobby for gay rights Examiner.com
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Iowa Marriage Roundup as Same-Sex Couples Rush to Tie the Knot
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In Iowa, Same-Sex Couples Rush to Tie the Knot
Washington Post - Joyous Day for Same Sex Couples in Iowa
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/04/iowa-marriage…
Grassley: Think long-term in gay marriage fight
JOHNSTON, Iowa – U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley said conservatives opposed to the Iowa Supreme Court’s gay marriage ruling should focus on long-term planning.
Grassley acknowledged he’s taking a lower profile on the issue than some Republicans, but he said that’s because a bipartisan approach is needed.
Speaking Thursday night during a taping of the public television program “Iowa Press,” Grassley argued gay marriage opponents should look toward the next election and future legislative sessions.
“It ought to be thoroughly planned,” said Grassley. “I don’t think it should be planned for just this year or next year, because this Legislature is about over. I think you ought to plan what you are going to do for the next election, for the next Legislature.”
Democratic leaders in the Legislature have opposed beginning the process of amending the Iowa Constitution to overrule the state Supreme Court’s April 3 decision. Two consecutive General Assemblies must approve a proposed constitutional amendment before it could be put to voters.
Grassley said social conservatives should begin building the political base needed to deal with the court’s decision.
“If there’s going to be any action taken contrary to the Supreme Court’s decision, then it should be to seek as broad a consensus as possible,” he said.
The four-term Republican senator said gay marriage opponents should realize the issue doesn’t break along partisan lines.
See Grassley: Think long-term in gay marriage fight Chicago Tribune * Tags = gay men gay news lesbian news transgender bisexual
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Details on same-sex marriage in Iowa
Marriage requirements in Iowa remain the same, with the exception that the ban on same-sex marriage has been eliminated:
–Two people, over 18.
–Not already legally married.
–Not closely related.
-Legally competent to enter into a civil contract.
To get a license:
–Visit a county recorder’s office and fill out an application.
–Show proof of identity.
–Pay a $35 fee.
–Have a witness sign the application.
–Both parties must be present or have the form notarized.
–Submit application and wait three days for license to be valid.
For the ceremony:
–It must be in Iowa, with both parties, an officiate and two witnesses present. All must sign the marriage certificate.
–Officiant, a judge or leader of religious faith, files certificate with county recorder within 15 days
–Same-sex marriage licenses submitted on Monday, April 27, the day Iowa legalizes same-sex marriage, will become valid on Thursday, April 30. Judges can grant a waiver.
What if a same-sex couple has had a ceremony elsewhere?:
–If a same-sex couple has been legally married elsewhere, their marriage is valid in Iowa as of Monday. They do not have to get remarried.
–It is unclear if civil unions from another state or registered domestic partnerships will be recognized in Iowa.
For more see Details on same-sex marriage in Iowa
Chicago Tribune – United States
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Lawsuits accuse Chicago cop of gay harassment, false arrests
(Chicago, Illinois) A Chicago police officer is facing seven civil lawsuits accusing him of making false drunk driving arrests, using excessive force and harassing gays and lesbians.
Four of the suits against officer Richard Fiorito were filed this week, The Chicago Tribune reported. The three others were filed in February.
Attorney Jon …
Illinois Mormons against civil unions?
Gay rights advocates fear that Mormons in Nauvoo might try to undermine civil unions up for debate in Springfield today. They point to the church’s overwhelming financial support of California’s Proposition 8, the successful ballot measure that made it illegal for lesbian and gay couples to marry.
The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, accused the Latter-day Saints of sending a private e-mail to Illinois members, urging them to contact state legislators and voice opposition to the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act, a bill that would define “civil union” as a legal relationship between two persons, of either the same or opposite sex. It would also entitle both parties of a civil union to the same legal obligations, responsibilities, protections, and benefits afforded to spouses.
The bill has been scheduled for a hearing in the Illinois House of Representatives Youth and Family Committee today. If the bill is voted out of committee, it becomes eligible for a vote before the full Illinois House of Representatives.
But Kim Farah, a spokeswoman for the national church, said the e-mail was not part of a church wide opposition campaign. The church’s engagement with political causes is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. It is unclear if the Illinois legislation would violate church doctrine as interpreted by Latter-day Saints.
“As is widely known, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes in the sanctity of traditional marriage,” she said in a statement. “The Church has not taken a position on any legislation currently being considered by the Illinois State Legislature … An e-mail was sent from a local Illinois Church leader to his congregation – one of 129 congregations in the state — who was free to express his own views.”
The e-mail in question was sent to at least one Mormon ward in Illinois and authorized by Bishop Chris Church of Nauvoo.
The message warns recipients that the legislation would “empower the public schools to begin teaching this lifestyle to our young children regardless of parental requests otherwise.”
MORE @ The Seeker – Chicago Tribune Blog
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