N.F.L. Is Pressured on Gay Rights Issues. » Courts should protect gay rights, too. 30 years later, gay rights case still relevant. CLEARWATER, Minn. - Strip away the politics and religion and the glue that binds the human race together is commitment. So easy to say, so much more complicated in practice. This is the story of Sharon Kowalski and Karen Thompson. If the names are unfamiliar, blame the passage of 20 years.
Perhaps it's best that we start at the beginning. "We fell in love in 1979," says Thompson, a professor at St. The relationship, kept secret from their families, blossomed. By 1983 Kowalski and Thompson were sharing a home and building a life together. "Do you remember who hit you? " The crash near Onamia killed Kowalski's four-year-old niece and seriously injured her seven year-old nephew. Kowalski - who was driving the car - suffered a traumatic brain injury. She was rushed to the hospital. Thompson rushed there too. "I wanted to know where Sharon Kowalski was and no one would talk to me.
But the battle over legal rights was just beginning. Thompson wanted to bring Kowalski home. (Copyright 2013 by KARE. Voters may flee GOP over gay rights. By Matt Barnum Posted: 03/17/2013 12:01:00 AM MDT|Updated: about a year ago Preston Dickey, left, of One Colorado and Daniel Gonzales celebrate after the Colorado House voted 39-26 to allow gay couples to form civil unions despite protests from Republicans that the issue will wind up in court because it doesn't offer religious exemptions. (Craig F. Walker, The Denver Post) I'm often embarrassed to admit that I'm a Republican. Despite widespread support among all voters, and despite the fact that a majority of Republicans support civil unions for gay couples, lawmakers in the Colorado GOP — with a single brave exception in the Senate and just two in the House — steadfastly opposed the measure, stubbornly choosing to remain on the wrong side of history. Which brings me to the chief reason why many in my generation can't manage to pull the lever for a Republican: gay rights.
Don't take my word for it. Down the road, gay marriage will be brought up for a vote in Colorado. Rob Portman fallout: How far is GOP from embracing gay rights? (+video) As the Republican Party looks in the mirror in the wake of losing the presidential election last year, its assessment includes what to do about gay marriage, an issue the party has traditionally been against. Skip to next paragraph Subscribe Today to the Monitor Click Here for your FREE 30 DAYS ofThe Christian Science MonitorWeekly Digital Edition That might be changing somewhat. One of their own, Sen. His reversal on the issue Friday is significant considering he is one of the original backers of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in the 1990s and a constitutional amendment to define marriage as between one man and one woman in 2004.
DOMA is under review this month by the US Supreme Court. Portman’s position is similar to a small faction in his party, which includes former presidential candidate Jon Huntsman, Florida Rep. Still, Professor Sapiro says, “the shift will not be massive.” For Roberts, Gay Rights a Defining Moment. Berks Co. school district adjusts web filter to access gay rights content. (Shillington) -- An eastern Pennsylvania school district says it has adjusted its Internet filtering software so that it no longer blocks content about gays. The American Civil Liberties Union said last month that Governor Mifflin School District's Internet filter blocked sites that a student tried to access for research. The group said the Berks County district's "sexuality'' filter prevented the student from accessing sites that expressed support for the gay-rights movement. An "intolerance'' filter blocked a range of political advocacy sites, including ones that oppose legal protections for gays.
John Stott is the district's solicitor. He tells the Reading Eagle that the district has now disabled those filters following the ACLU's complaint. The ACLU says it is encouraged by the district's decision. Needlogin?type=login&redirecturl=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.cincinnati. So, CPAC Had A Gay Rights Panel. How Did That Go? CPAC, the Conservative Political Action Conference, tonight (shockingly) held a gay rights panel titled “A Rainbow on the Right: Growing the Coalition, Bringing Tolerance Out of the Closet.”
The panel’s existence was thanks to the libertarian group, Competitive Enterprise Institute, which sponsored the event after it was confirmed gay Tea Party group GOProud would be banned this year, again. How did it go? Among the speakers were Jimmy LaSalvia, GOProud‘s co-founder, who said, “We have tolerated something in out movement for far too long: bigotry against gay people,” according to Alex Seitz-Wald at Salon: LaSalvia, deploying stronger language than he’s used in the past, said “bigotry has to be called out and condemned.” It’s the “same as racism,” he said. Slated to appear on the panel, in addition to LaSalvia were Fred Smith of CEI, Liz Mair, Jonah Goldberg, Margaret Hoover, and Jennifer Rubin.
Here’s a Storify story of tweets about tonight’s event and how it went: Related: Friends: GOP sea change on gay rights? Prominent Republicans have signed a brief supporting the Supreme Court challenge to California's Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage. NBC's Andrea Mitchell reports. By Michael O'Brien, Political Reporter, NBC News Ohio Republican Sen. Rob Portman's endorsement of same-sex marriage rights on Friday is the latest high-profile example of a sea change within the conservative movement toward gay rights. A trickle of GOP leaders have begun to back the rights of gay and lesbian couples to marry, and activists at the conservative movement's signature gathering this week express tolerance for Republicans who support same-sex marriage, even if they personally disagree. Portman, an influential senator whom Mitt Romney almost selected last year as his running mate, announced that he had changed his position toward same-sex marriage because one of his sons is gay.
He's not the only high-profile Republican to back marriage rights for same-sex couples, either. Brendan Hoffman / Getty Images, file. Mark Ferrandino, Colorado House Speaker, Shown Kissing Partner In Denver Post Photograph. A photograph of Colorado House Speaker Mark Ferrandino is the subject of local debate. The shot, which appeared in The Denver Post, shows Ferrandino, who is openly gay, kissing his partner Greg Wertsch. Also visible on Ferrandino's desk is a bottle of formula which that belongs to the couple's foster child, according to the report. The Post is now polling readers over its decision to run the photograph, which was taken by photographer Craig Walker, in a blog post by Linday Shapley. Meanwhile, the Post's Photo Editor Ken Lyons defended his publication's decision, saying Ferrandino's "inclusion feels like the ending to this story, and it would have been remiss to not have him as part of the report.” View the full photo below, then scroll down to keep reading: Ferrandino has been one of the most ardent supporters of his state's civil unions legislation for same-sex couples, which passed the Colorado House 39-26 on March 12.
"This wasn't a choice. Colorado Gov. Also on HuffPost: From gay rights to social justice. I care deeply and personally about equal rights for gay people — the right to go to school, to work and to reside free from discrimination and harassment; the right to live my life free of anti-gay violence; the right to marry the person I choose; and the right to fully pursue happiness on my own terms. As a gay man, I have experienced discrimination socially and legally, and I understand the impact of this discrimination on gay men’s lives and health. This has led me to become an activist in the gay rights movement. I work in this movement alongside many straight allies and I am frequently amazed by their conviction and commitment. Working with these allies and talking to straight Illinois legislators and residents while advocating for marriage equality, I have begun to wonder whether I would be an ally if I was straight. I’d like to think that I would be a strong ally, but I can’t be certain.
Many issues other than gay rights concern me deeply. New Pope, Humble Hardliner, Called Fight Against Gay Rights a 'War of God' Hah, I love you. Reasoning? In religion? You so silly. But, yeah...seriously, if God were as powerful as is believed, why do gay people even exist? If God truly hated them, why not just kill every gay person dead right.....NOW! Oh wait...I'm not dead. Why would homosexuals insist on marrying in a Catholic church?
Some gay people want to marry in Catholic Church because they were raised Catholic, have been baptized and confirmed, served as altar boys, identify Catholicism as their faith and pray the rosary regularly. Then there are people like me, who are straight, who would not get married in a Catholic Church because the Church will not bless homosexual marriages, which I believe to be every bit as deserving of God's grace as mine. Look, you win, the Church will not allow gay marriage in my lifetime, but you are not going to stop people who feel that they are being treated in an unchristian manner from crying foul. NE lawmakers to hear bills expanding gay rights. Gay Rights Activists: Civil Unions Step Forward, Not Equal Yet. Mar 14, 2013 9:25 AM by Maddie Garrett It was seven years ago Colorado voters banned gay marriage, and now civil unions are becoming law. Gay rights activists are calling it a step toward equality, however there are still distinct lines between civil unions and marriage.
"We had our own wedding in 2010, so at that point we were just kind of hanging out and waiting for everything else to catch up," said Dara Hoffman. Hoffman is a lesbian, and for six years she's spent her life with Lauren Fox. "We made that emotional commitment several years ago," said Fox. Hoffman and Fox are getting a civil union license on May 1, 2013, the first day it will be legal. "I've seen, especially some of the older folks who have been fighting for it for so long, in tears and sobbing with joy just over how far we've come," said Hoffman. Same sex couples might go to the same place to get their civil union license as they would a marriage license, but those two pieces of paper still mean two different things. Freep. For liberal Catholics, newly elected Pope Francis signals hope for change within the church. "It sounds like to me he'll be open to the dialogue. He seems to have rapport with the people in his diocese," said retired Detroit Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Gumbleton, a well-known peace activist.
"It seems to be the right direction. " Gumbleton said Argentine Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio brings to mind the papacy of John XXIII, which ushered in the Second Vatican Council, modernizing Catholic services and promoting the use of more laypeople in parish life. Known for championing liberal causes in the church, Gumbleton has called for greater emphasis on gay rights and helping poor people. Marlene Ciuffoletti, a small-business owner in Canton who was raised Catholic and would like to be connected again to the church, said she'd like to see the new pope deal swiftly with priests who've molested children and allow priests to marry. Tim Kalmar, 54, a Sterling Heights retiree who belongs to St. "St. Gay rights movement splits in Kentucky. © John Sommers II / Reuters/REUTERS A outside view of the Open Door Community Fellowship Church in Louisville, Ky. In Louisville, an activist and a minister represent the dueling factions of the Bible Belt's nascent gay rights movement.
In Kentucky, a Bible Belt state where voters have passed a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, the movement to promote gay rights has two factions. One seeks to overturn discrimination through a legislative path, admitting it faces long odds. The other wants to break down barriers to gay marriage with demonstrations and civil disobedience.
Chris Hartman, head of Kentucky's Fairness Campaign, spends his time lobbying for a nondiscrimination law that would protect gays and lesbians from losing their jobs or being denied housing because of their sexual orientation. He concedes that the law, which has been proposed every year for a decade and has never been brought to a vote, has little chance of passing any time soon. Then there is Rev. Opinion: Embracing Gay Rights, Abortion Would Make GOP the Party of Freedom. Southern Baptists Convention’s Embarrassing Poll. Rashad Evans Speaks Out For Gay Rights, Is Awesome | With Leather. Last week, we got a ridiculous amount of backlash for sharing the story of Fallon Fox, the transgender MMA fighter whose fight license is under review in Florida. People who’ve never commented on a With Leather story (or haven’t commented in years) showed up to anonymous type some hateful shit into a comments box and post it, because the most difficult thing to do in the world is be compassionate about something you don’t understand.
“I hate this group of people because X” became an opinion, and not something crazy people say when they want to be horrible. Anyway, the positives of sharing that story outweighed the negative. The sports world (and the sportswriting world, by proxy) need every single one of its important people to stand up and say “hey, stop it.” Today we got a big one, thanks to UFC’s Rashad Evans, via his outstanding statement on OutSports. “I’ve never been a homophobe, never understood what that is all about.
Here’s what he just did to your argument: Thank you, Rashad. Queen 'Fights' For Gay Rights Without Mentioning Them. By Zack Ford "Queen ‘Fights’ For Gay Rights Without Mentioning Them" Headlines this weekend praised The Queen for promoting gay rights in a new Commonwealth Charter, which includes this commitment to civil rights: We are implacably opposed to all forms of discrimination, whether rooted in gender, race, colour, creed, political belief or other grounds. The “other grounds” is meant to refer to sexuality, but was kept ambiguous because some of the commonwealth countries still have strict laws against homosexuality.
Though the public display of her signing and live speech is notable, British LGBT groups are not impressed by the allusion. TATCHELL: In her 61 years on the throne, the Queen has never publicly uttered the words lesbian or gay. The Guardian’s Patrick Strudwick similarly notes that “to refrain from specification is to collude with silence, the Grand Pause that keeps lesbians and gay men invisible, suffocating in marriages of inconvenience or trapped in police cells.” Update. Immigration is gay rights movement’s new focus - The Santa Fe New Mexican: National And World News. SEATTLE — After the November election, gay rights advocates — victorious in their fight for same-sex marriage in Washington state — began planning their next strategic move. Over the past decade they had landed other important victories, from outlawing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity to winning domestic partnership benefits for gays.
An online service is needed to view this article in its entirety. You need an online service to view this article in its entirety. Login Or, use your linked account: Choose an online service. Need an account? Now lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) advocates in Washington and across the country are bringing new energy and momentum to another thorny social issue: immigration. In a way, their involvement is one of reciprocity — an acknowledgment of the broad support by immigrants of same-sex marriage last November. “We are committed to the idea that no aspect of the LGBT community be left behind.” Britain's Queen Elizabeth II to sign charter encouraging gay rights in Commonwealth charter document.
Queen to back gender equality, gay rights pledge « Royal Spectacle. UF students rally in Tally for gay rights. Queen Expected To Signal Support For Gay Rights. Britain's Queen Elizabeth II to make historic televised pledge for gay rights. Queen Elizabeth expected to sign Commonwealth Charter, which could support gay rights and gender equality on the throne. Pro-gay rights panel invades CPAC [Updated] Prematurely Praised On Gay Rights, Queen Elizabeth II To Sign Anti-Discrimination Charter. Queen fights for gay rights: Monarch makes historic pledge on discrimination and hints that if Kate DOES have a girl that means equal rights to the throne. Queen to sign new charter backing gay rights. Gay Rights, Immigration Reform Closely Linked for Some. Actor and gay rights advocate James Franco honoured on Hollywood Walk of Fame. CPAC Bans Gay Republican Group — But Gets A Gay Rights Panel In Return.
Pat Brady: Illinois Republicans may oust pro-gay rights party chairman. Is CPAC Hosting a Gay Rights Panel? Not Exactly. Ayanbadejo: Gay rights 'the hardest fight I've ever had to face' Gay Rights Activists Bully Tebow, Christian University. Carly-Rae-Jepsen-wins-praise-over-gay-rights-protest_55060986 - Entertainment Story. Gay-rights group asks city to reconsider. Puerto Rico's Gay Rights Battle Gets Momentum. Ellen DeGeneres Gay Rights; Urges Supreme Court to Overturn Prop 8 Gay Marriage Ban : Celebrities : ENSTARZ. Gay Rights Emerge as Campaign Issue in Germany. Lech Walesa accused of hate speech after gay rights criticism | World news. Puerto Rico's Gay Rights Battle Slowly Heats Up. Puerto Rico slowly warms to more gay rights. Needlogin?type=login&redirecturl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.poughkeepsiejournal. Obama gay rights brief filed. Ron Reagan Calls GOP Opposition To Gay Rights 'Absurd'; Jimmy LaSalvia Won't Comment.
Catholic Diocese worries about Phoenix gay rights, anti-discrimination ordinance - Phoenix Business Journal. Liberia: Total Abomination - Clergy Exclaims Against Gay Rights Advocates & Advocacy (Page 1 of 3) German right mulls expanding rights of gay couples. Gay rights vs. ‘objectivity’ | Marvin Olasky | Feb. 22, 2013. Exhibit explores historical roots of gay rights movement in Long Beach. CNN Panel Tackles Gay Vs. Civil Rights Debate. Former first lady Laura Bush removes herself from gay rights ad. Wyoming mother an enduring figure for gay rights. Obama must not sit silent in gay-rights legal case. Gay fights advocate Dan Savage takes Jacksonville City Council to task. Azealia Banks attacks gay rights organisations. Gay rights bills filed in Texas - Odessa American: State: texas, el paso, jose rodriguez, gay rights, lawrence v. texas supreme court.
House Majority apologizes for laughing at gay rights question at Juneau press conference. Straight Gay-Rights Lawyer From Cameroon Facing Threats, Seeking U.S. Asylum. New Pope: What He Can Do For Gay Rights. Obama's Executive Actions May Continue with Gay Rights. Wyoming Gay Rights: Conservative State Takes Small Steps Forward. Super Bowl Champ Brendon Ayanbadejo: "Not A Fight For Gay Rights, A Fight For Human Rights!" (INTERVIEW. 49ers gay rights ad pulled due to controversy. 49ers gay rights ad pulled amid controversy. Gay rights war nearing an end. John Kerry Notes Gay Rights Progress in Senate.
Super Bowl Becomes Forum on Gay Rights. Immigration Poll Finds More Support Than Opposition For Gay Rights. Israel, Hamas and Gay Rights: Who Are the Real “Pinkwashers”? Komen CEO Nancy Brinker hosts fundraiser for gay-rights group. Hong Kong behind the times on gay rights - World. For Komen founder Nancy Brinker, gay rights is another issue close to the family - The Reliable Source.