Minnesota gay couples head to Iowa to get married
Ten gay couples from Minnesota boarded a bus headed for Davenport, Iowa Sunday afternoon, so that they could make a legal trip down the aisle.
“If I have to go to Iowa first because that’s the first opportunity I have, then I am going to take it,” said Johnny Hedgepeth, one of the men getting married.
The couples are all congregants of All God’s Children Church in South Minneapolis.
Once Hedgepeth and his partner, Kenn Anderson cross the border back into Minnesota Tuesday, however, their marriage will no longer be recognized.
“I say whereever you are married, you are married and the law will just have to catch up with reality,” Hedgepeth said.
Minnesota law may catch up to Iowa in the next few years, according to gay marriage opponent Tom Prichard. See Minnesota gay couples head to Iowa to get married
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/05/minnesota-gay…
Pseudo-Christians are targeting “Hannah Montana” star Miley Cyru
Those pseudo-Christians at the “American Family Association” and “One Million Moms” are at it again.
Now they are targeting “Hannah Montana” star Miley Cyrus for not being a big enough bigot, Read what these “Moms” had to say”
I kid you not:
Miley Cyrus said what?
“Hannah Montana” star Miley Cyrus recently made statements supporting gay marriage.
Her comments were in response to a question posed to Miss California Carrie Prejean in the April 19 Miss USA Pageant. Homosexual celeblogger Perez Hilton was the pageant judge who asked Prejean her opinion of same-sex marriage, to which she responded that marriage should be between a man and a woman. Outraged by her response, Hilton began blasting the beauty queen and asked for celebrities to share their thoughts on gay marriage.
Miley Cyrus responded to Hilton through her Twitter.com account with the following comments:
• “Everyone deserves to love and be loved and most importantly smile.”
• “Jesus loves you and your partner and wants you to know how much he cares! That’s like a daddy not loving his lil boy cuz he’s gay and that is wrong and very sad!
• “Like I said everyone deserves to be happy.”
• “God’s greatest commandment is to love. And judging is not loving.”
• “I am a Christian and I love you – gay or not – because you are no different than anyone else! We are all God’s children.”
Rachel Maddow had a great response here.
* Tags = gay men gay news lesbian news transgender bisexual
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/04/pseudo-christ…
Action filed with West Bend Library Board to remove specific gay books
WEST BEND – Concerned with the presence and appropriateness of some materials at the West Bend Community Memorial Library, West Bend residents Ginny and Jim Maziarka are taking action.
The Maziarkas have filed a formal, written complaint with the library. The complaint has been placed on the March agenda and will be heard by the members of the Library Board when they convene for their monthly meeting on Tuesday night.
Due to a large crowd that is expected to attend the proceedings, the meeting has been moved from the library board room to the City Council Chambers at City Hall.
“We find the books for youth on homosexuality to be biased, gay-affirming, promotional and romanticized,” the Maziarkas said in an e-mail sent to the Daily News. “We believe our library should be offering appropriate, wholesome literature to our youth instead of pursuing the illegitimate goals of transforming the views of other people’s children on the contentious issue of homosexuality.”
See
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/03/action-filed-…
Fanboys a Buddy Flick With Serious Geek Cred
Review in a Hurry: In 1998, four geeks (one with terminal cancer) road-trip to California hoping to break into Skywalker Ranch to see The Phantom Menace before it’s released. Ever thought that Kevin Smith movies didn’t have quite enough Star Wars references in them? Then Fanboys was made for you.
The Bigger Picture: Ten years after the Star Wars prequel trilogy began, it’s hard to believe the hype and the hopes that surrounded Episode I, a film that disappointed most nondevotees. Fanboys does make a few allusions to the eventual crowd reaction but thankfully also engineers the story so that it’s largely beside the point—this isn’t a tale of whether or not George Lucas abused anyone’s childhood, but rather of four friends on one last journey before real life intervenes.
Fanboys itself is somewhat long-anticipated. It’s been in the works for years and then was held up for two more while the Weinstein company tried to decide whether or not a character with terminal cancer should be completely excised from what is otherwise a high-concept comedy.
See Fanboys a Buddy Flick With Serious Geek Cred
E! Online
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/02/fanboys-buddy…
Recognition of Out- of- State Marriages for Same-Sex Couples in Lambda Legal’s Case
“Once an out-of-state same-sex marriage is recognized in New York,…each of its parties would be ‘a party to a marriage,’ and, thus, a ‘legal spouse’ who would be entitled to the benefits, rights and obligations of that status,” the three-judge majority opinion held. The other two panel judges filed a concurring opinion.
“Today the Appellate Court confirmed that New York’s state government follows the law by respecting out-of-state marriages of same-sex couples,” said Susan Sommer, Senior Counsel at Lambda Legal. “The Court has upheld important spousal health coverage for government employees in the process.”
In May 2007, DCS issued a memo recognizing, as spouses, same-sex couples married in other states or jurisdictions for purposes of extending spousal health insurance coverage to public employees in participating government insurance plans. The Alliance Defense Fund (ADF), on behalf of four New York taxpayer plaintiffs, challenged DCS’s authority to respect valid out-of-state marriages of same-sex couples and to treat those couples fairly in administering state benefits. In March of 2008, the Supreme Court, Albany County, issued a decision that the DCS was following the law in applying New York’s marriage recognition rule to these marriages. ADF opposed the decision in an appeal filed in 2008.
Lambda Legal argued before the court in October 2008 on behalf of Defendant-Intervenors-Respondents Peri Rainbow and Tamela Sloan, long-time public employees who are raising a special needs child adopted from foster care. The couple depends on the government protections that come from respect for their marriage, and today’s decision validated the lower court ruling that marriages such as theirs are lawfully respected in New York state.
Today’s decision is consistent with other marriage recognition victories in New York courts, as well as Governor Paterson’s May 2008 directive instructing all state agencies to respect out-of-state marriages of same-sex couples. In September 2008, the New York Supreme Court (Bronx trial court) dismissed a lawsuit against Governor Paterson challenging this directive and again granted Lambda Legal’s motion to intervene in the case on behalf of Rainbow and Sloan.
In February 2008, in Martinez v. County of Monroe, the Appellate Division, Fourth Department in Rochester, also upheld application of the marriage recognition rule to valid out-of-state marriages of same-sex couples. The decision, issued in response to a challenge brought by the NYCLU on behalf of a lesbian couple, is consistent with longstanding marriage recognition in New York.
In early 2009, Lambda Legal applauded a similar decision from the New York Appellate Division, Second Department affirming dismissal of a case brought by the ADF. The court confirmed that Westchester County Executive Spano lawfully recognized out-of-state marriages of same-sex couples, ruling as well in favor of Westchester County couple Michael Sabatino and Robert Voorheis, who had married in Canada and were permitted to intervene as defendants in the case with Lambda Legal as counsel.
Susan Sommer, Senior Counsel, is handling the case for Lambda Legal. She is joined by co-counsel
Kramer Levin Naftails & Frankel LLP.
The case is Lewis v. New York State Department of Civil Service, et al.
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/01/recognition-o…
The Top 9 Drag Queens In The USA Bring The Drama, Outrageousness And Sheer Fabulosity As They Battle It Out To Become The Next RuPaul
RuPaul has pushed the boundaries of popular culture on an international level as a recording artist (“Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” duet with Elton John, “Supermodel: You Better Work”), as a television talk-show host (“The RuPaul Show” on VH1) and as an actor (“The Brady Bunch,” “Too Wong Foo…” “Starrbooty”). As the first-ever spokesperson for M.A.C Cosmetics’ VIVA Glam Campaign, RuPaul contributed to raising millions of dollars to the M.A.C AIDS Fund. Now RuPaul is breaking new ground as the host, mentor and judge of this one-of-a-kind reality competition. Playing a dual role, RuPaul, in full glamazon drag, will reign supreme in all judging and eliminations, while the debonair Mr. RuPaul will help guide the contestants as they prepare for each challenge. Challenges will range from photo shoots, to fashion designing, to real woman makeovers, to performing with RuPaul in the first music video from RuPaul’s upcoming album, “Champion.”
“Tell Tyra that the Queen has returned, and while you’re at it have Heidi clear the runway. I’m going to pump some ‘realness’ into reality,” said RuPaul. “To be a winner on this show the contestants need to be a fashion designer, an American idol, and a top model all rolled up into one. And they definitely have to be smarter than a fifth grader.”
While “RuPaul’s Drag Race” will take a look at the outrageous world of drag, it will also reveal the courage, perseverance and humanity of 9 men who have overcome and endured the hardships of a masculine dominated society that mocks and makes fun of men who act like women. Not only will viewers get a bird’s eye view of what it takes for these chameleons to transform themselves but they will also take away the secrets of the artistry of drag.
The eight, one-hour episode series “RuPaul’s Drag Race” has gathered the next generation of outrageous, up-and-coming drag queens to fight for the title. Each cast member must embody the charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent that made, RuPaul an international drag superstar. Each week, joining RuPaul on the judges panel are fashion journalist and best-selling author Merle Ginsberg and Project Runway breakout star and designer Santino Rice plus a bevy of celebrity guest judges including: Bob Mackie (Designer), Michelle Williams (Destiny’s Child), Lucy Lawless (actress), Maria Conchita Alonso (actress/singer), Robin Antin (creator of The Pussycat Dolls), Debra Wilson (Mad TV), Jenny Shimizu (model/actress), Tori Spelling (actress), Dean McDermott (actor), Howard Bragman (Author of, “Where’s My Fifteen Minutes?”) Frank Gatson (choreographer) and Gordon Espinet (M.A.C VP of Makeup Artistry.) The judges will determine the bottom two contestants of the week. Those contestants then compete in a show-stopping battle-royal “lip-synch for your life” performance that will determine if they will “shante” and stay or “sashay” away.
“RuPaul made history as drag’s first glamour superstar and will do so once again bringing together a group of exceptionally talented drag artists in the world’s first drag reality series,” said Brian Graden, President, MTV Networks Music Group Entertainment and President, Logo.
“RuPaul is back, and better than ever,” says Barbato. “RuPaul first took the world by storm when Clinton was in the White House. Now, in the new Obama era, the time is right for RuPaul to reign supreme once again.”
In the end, only one will have what it takes to win the coveted title of America’s next drag queen superstar, and a prize package that includes a nationally sponsored ABSOLUT(R) Vodka “Real Fruit” tour, a cash prize of $20,000 courtesy of ABSOLUT(R) Vodka and M.A.C Cosmetics, supply of M.A.C Cosmetics, a feature photo spread in Paper Magazine and a photo taken by renowned photographer Greg Gorman to be used in an l.a. Eyeworks legendary designer eyewear campaign.
Following are the 9 “RuPaul’s Drag Race” contestants:
– Akashia — Cleveland, OH
– Bebe Zahara Benet — Minneapolis, MN
– Jade — Chicago, IL
– Nina Flowers — Denver, CO
– Ongina — Los Angeles, CA
– Rebecca Glasscock — Ft. Lauderdale, FL
– Shannel — Las Vegas, NV
– Tammie Brown — Los Angeles, CA
– Victoria Parker — Raleigh, NC
RuPaulsDragRace.com will stream the first episode simultaneous to the series on air premiere Monday, February 2, and will be home to exclusive video content throughout the season. Additionally, each episode will be available on RuPaulsDragRace.com every week following its on-air premiere.
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” and its casting website demonstrate Logo’s commitment to reach new levels of engagement with its audience. Examples of this multi-platform approach to entertainment include the site for Logo’s hit animated series, “Rick & Steve: The Happiest Gay Couple in All the World” at HappiestGayCouple.com and the upcoming “NewNowNext Awards,” airing on-air, online and on mobile devices. Logo continues to be the number one aggregator of content for the LGBT audience with its growing library of online video on LOGOonline.com and its affiliated websites AfterEllen.com, AfterElton.com, Downelink.com and 365gay.com.* Tags = gay men gay news lesbian news transgender bisexual
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/01/top-9-drag-qu…
New York Appellate Court Decision Affirming Out-Of-State Marriage Recognition
‘Yet another appellate court has ruled that government officials act lawfully when they respect out-of-state marriages of same-sex couples.’
(New York, January 5, 2009) — A decision last week from the New York Appellate Division, Second Department affirmed dismissal of a case brought by antigay Arizona group the Alliance Defense Fund and confirmed that Westchester County Executive Spano lawfully recognized out-of-state marriages of same-sex couples.
The Court said in its decision: …”The Executive Order at issue here requires that same-sex marriages be recognized to ‘the maximum extent allowed by law.’ By its terms, therefore, the Executive Order can never require recognition of such a marriage where it would be outside the law to do so. Since it is within the authority of the County Executive ‘[t]o see that the laws of the state, pertaining to the affairs and government of the county…are executed and enforced within the county’) the Executive Order is not illegal.”
“Yet another appellate court has ruled that government officials act lawfully when they respect out-of-state marriages of same-sex couples,” said Susan Sommer, Senior Counsel at Lambda Legal. “The Alliance Defense Fund has wasted the courts’ time and taxpayers’ money in their years of consistently unsuccessful cases attacking these marriages in New York and the government officials who refuse to discriminate against lesbian and gay New Yorkers.”
In February 2008, in Martinez v. County of Monroe, the Appellate Division, Fourth Department in Rochester, also upheld application of the marriage recognition rule to valid out-of-state marriages of same-sex couples. Today’s decision comes after four ADF losses at the trial court level and is the first New York Appellate Court ruling on their cases challenging marriage recognition. The ADF, on behalf of several Westchester County taxpayers, challenged County Executive Spano’s June 6, 2006 Executive Order No. 3, which directs, “each and every department, board, agency, and commission of the County of Westchester under my jurisdiction to recognize same sex marriages lawfully entered into outside the State of New York in the same manner as they currently recognize opposite sex marriages for the purposes of extending and administering all rights and benefits belonging to these couples, to the maximum extent allowed by law.” In March 2007, the lower court ruled that Spano’s order was legally issued and consistent with New York law. That ruling was appealed. In oral argument on June 23, 2008, Lambda Legal represented Westchester County couple Michael Sabatino and Robert Voorheis, who had married in Canada and were permitted to intervene as defendants in the case.
“Today the court has re-affirmed that our relationship will be honored in the community where we live and where we make our life together as a married couple,” said Sabatino. “It is a relief to know that we will continue to enjoy the rights and benefits of our marriage.”
In July, Attorney General Cuomo, on behalf of Governor Paterson, filed a motion to dismiss a similar case brought by the Alliance Defense Fund. The ADF, on behalf of a group of taxpayers, challenged Governor Paterson’s May 14, 2008 directive that state agencies respect out-of-state marriages of same-sex couples, consistent with long-standing
New York law. The court granted Lambda Legal’s motion to intervene in the case on behalf of Peri Rainbow and Tamela Sloan, long-time public employees who are raising a special needs child adopted from foster care. The couple depends on the protections that come from respect for their marriage. On September 2, 2008, the New York Supreme Court (Bronx trial court) dismissed the lawsuit, ensuring that couples will continue to be treated equally in New York State.
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/01/new-york-appe…
The quality of judgment – Ha’aretz
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The quality of judgment
Ha’aretz, Israel - 6 hours ago A case in point concerned the lesbian couple Tal and Avital Yarom-Hakak, who each asked to adopt the other's child. In a minority opinion handed down in May … |
