Please find below important news updates that relate to the same-sex marriage movement. For more extensive coverage of related events, try the following sites:
BigGayNews.comâ„¢- a daily podcast and companion website of international GLBT news offered in a variety of languages. You can also check out 365Gay.com and Stop8.org.
In a still -confounding but welcome move, Dick Cheney spoke openly about his support for same-sex marriage on a state-by-state basis.
See the statements here.
Posted on June 22, 2009 at 2:03pm
The initial reports that came out when Marie Osmond’s daughter, Jessica, came out were that she was not supportive of gay marriage. Sadly, this seemed to imply that she did not support 
her daughter. However, in a follow-up interview, she expressed her belief in equal civil marriage rights.
This is a famous version of a lesson that we all need to learn…we must be honest with each other and our families and loved ones. Slowly but surely, this coming out process is what wins acceptance and better treatment. Marie acknowledged that her religious beliefs (she’s Mormon) did not support gay marriage but that she does believe in civil marriage equality for everyone, regardless of sexuality. She is brave enough to lead the way and show that it’s ok to “break ranks” and support civil rights for your loved ones, even in the face of what must be massive pressure from her peers.
See and here Marie Osmond speak here.
Posted on June 25, 2009 at 1:53pm
Many students in Tennesse never learn about issues such as the GLSEN-sponsored Day of Silence. The computers there are programmed to block traffic to any website that has 
information about GLBT issues…unless, of course, you want to research the schools where they convert you back. Those sites you can have access to. This is the sort of thing that drives some kids to suicide. However, watch the spot and see one brave young man who does quite the opposite…he lives very loudly and will not stand for his rights to be taken away! The ACLU is going to help him.
On the National Day of Silence, Many TN Students Left in the Dark from the GLAADBlog
Lest you foolishly think that colleges are places for open thought and creative, thoughtful dialogue, you’d be wrong. Amercian River College is banning a Day of Silence that would take 
place during class that day to show support for their gay friends. This brings up all sorts of questions…
What if you just had nothing to say? Does that mean you support same-sex marriage? What if you’d lost your voice from screaming at the homos the night before and now your voice is gone…wouldn’t you technically be rebelling against the homophobic, repressive student council? What if you were being silent, but just because you were awestruck about what a bunch of boneheads made the decision to ban the Day of Silence?
American River College Student Leaders Oppose Event For Gays by Ed Fletcher at sacbee.com
Posted on April 23, 2009 at 12:51pm
An 11 year-old boy killed himself because he was taunted for being gay.
Eleven years old.
And there are people who think that anti-gay bullying is ok. I want to make them attend his funeral and see that little casket.
Next time someone who is opposed to gay marriage claims that their rights are being impinged upon, remind them of the 11 year-old boy who couldn’t take the teasing that was permitted and encouraged by a society who picks on “fags.” They consider it their religious duty to bully a weak, gentle 11 year-old boy.
Another 11 Year-Old Commits Suicide of Anti-Gay Bullying from Joe.My.God’s Blog
New York is quickly becoming one of the next hotbeds of marriage equality action!
On the same day, the two following articles came out, making it clear that the state is going to be a major battleground:
NY Governor introduces bill to allow gay marriage by Marcus Franklin of the AP
NYC’s next archbishop will challenge gay marriage by Rachel Zoll of the AP
But the wonderful news…
Most New Yorker’s favor gay marriage, new poll finds (53% to 39%) by Tom Precious of The Buffalo News
Posted on April 21 at 1:12am
The White House has given tickets to gay and lesbian parents for the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. However, they have yet to explain why it is that they roll Easter Eggs when 
everyone else merely hunts them.
White House invites gay families to Easter event by Gillian Gaynair from the AP
Posted on April 8, 2009 at 3:51pm
Iowa’s Governor Chet Culver believes that marriage should be between a man and a woman…but he also understands the difference between religious law and civil law. 
Iowa gov is cool to attempting gay-marriage reversal by Mike Glover from the AP
Posted on April 8, 2009 at 3:45pm
Reversing a decision made only last month, the New Hampshire House has now voted to extend protections to its transgender citizens!
NH House passes transgender rights protections from the AP in the Boston Herald
Posted on April 8, 2009 at 3:40pm
The District of Columbia’s Council voted unanimously to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states. While it still doesn’t have legislation allowing same-sex marriages to be performed in D.C., this is a wonderful first step and will hopefully open the way for other legislation to follow.
D.C. Council recognizes gay marriage by Gary Emerling from The Washington Times
Posted on April 8, 2009 at 3:37pm
Here’s the “before” story: Governor’s Veto and Override Vote Loom by Andy Potter from WCAX.
HERE’S THE AFTER STORY!: VERMONT LEGISLATURE LEGALIZES SAME-SEX MARRIAGE by Abby Goodnough and Anahad O’Connor from the NY Times
Posted on April 7, 2009 at 4:27pm
The Iowa State Supreme Court stated today that the ban on gay marriage was unconstitutional! So basically…quick, everyone…go get married in Iowa!
Unanimous ruling: Iowa marriage no longer limited to one man, one woman from the DesMoines Register
Read the Summary from the Iowa State Supreme Court here.
Read the full Decision from the Iowa State Supreme Court here.
Click here for some notes about today’s decision from TheNewCivilRightsMovement.com.
Posted on April 3, 2009 at 7:11pm
A small but significant protest in Uganda for GLBT rights has drawn a lot of attention. Homosexuality is illegal in the East African country.
Ugandan gays and lesbians demand equal rights by Godfrey Olukya from the AP
Posted on April 3, 2009 at 12:51pm
The Vermont governor who has promised to veto the gay marriage bill that has been passed by the state Senate and will most likely pass the House is suddenly getting a lot of emails on the issue. The good news: now 60% of the emails favor same sex marriage!
Vermont gay marriage bill veto threat draws mail by John Curran from The AP
Posted on April 3, 2009 at 12:40pm
Defense Secretary Robert Gates said that “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” isn’t a priority and isn’t going away anytime soon.
Gates: No change soon on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” from the AP
Posted on April 3, 2009 at 12:33am
The homophobically-labeled “bathroom bill” which would’ve given transgendered people a number of essential protections was defeated by the New Hampshire House.
NH House kills protections for transgender people from Fosters.com
Posted on April 3, 2009 at 12:27am
The Delaware Senate rejected a bill that would’ve reinforced the ban on same-sex marriages in that state. Additionally the Delaware House passed a bill making it illegal to discriminate on
the basis of sexual orientation.
Delaware Senate Defeats Gay Marriage Ban by Jeremy Tucker from WBOC-TV
Posted on April 3, 2009 at 12:19pm
Japan has allowed same-sex couples who are Japanese citizens to marry abroad in countries that allow it. There are still more legal hurdles, but this is a significant first step.
Japan allows its citizens same-sex marriage abroad from the AFP
Posted on April 3, 2009 at 12:12am
New York City’s Mayor Bloomberg continues to support the concept of a statewide gay marriage bill, even though there is not currently a bill before the state’s legislature.
Mayor Bloomberg urges New York State to pass bill to allow gay marriage by Adam Lisberg from The NY Daily News
Posted on March 26, 2009 at 4:58pm
Seems to be a rough news day for gay rights proponents…unless you live in Serbia. Hawaii’s state senate shot down a bill 
that would provide civil unions for same-sex couples.
Hawaii senate fails to pass civl unions bill by Mark Niesse from the AP
Posted on March 26, 2009 at 4:52pm
