Fate of domestic partnerships might rest on outcome- July 11, 2008 Oregon's new domestic-partnership law could stand, or it could be back in the hands of a lower federal court, depending on how three federal appeals judges weigh arguments they heard Tuesday.Opponents of the law, represented by the Alliance Defense Fund of Scottsdale, Ariz., made their case to a panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Their arguments were not aimed at the law itself, but at elections officials' disqualification of petition signatures they filed to force a statewide...http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2008/07/fate-of-domestic-partnerships-might.html Judge rejects summary judgment in DNC lawsuit- July 11, 2008 A gay mans case against the Democratic National Committee moved toward trial last week when the organizations appeal for summary judgment was rejected. D.C. Superior Court Judge Jeanette Clark said July 2 that genuine issues of material fact are in dispute, and the case brought by the former DNC employee should go forward. Mediation is slated to begin later this month. She also noted in her orders that DNC Chair Howard Dean would remain among the cases defendants despite his separate request.http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2008/07/judge-rejects-summary-judgment-in-dnc.html U.S. Seeks Data Exchange On Gay Travelers- July 11, 2008 The United States is negotiating deals with European countries to exchange fingerprint and DNA data in criminal and terrorist cases, and in some circumstances to transfer data on race or ethnic origin, political and religious beliefs, or sexual orientation. Such agreements are a condition for granting citizens of newer European Union member states the right to enter the United States without visas, and for maintaining that right for older E.U. members. U.S. citizens already enjoy such a...http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2008/07/us-seeks-data-exchange-on-gay-travelers.html Legislature to take up repeal of 1913 law shortly- July 11, 2008 Wilkerson predicts Senate vote on TuesdayThe state legislature will likely take up a bill to repeal the 1913 law that prevents non-resident same-sex couples from marrying before the close of the legislative session at the end of this month.Sen. Dianne Wilkerson (D-Boston), the champion of the legislation in the Senate, said she expects the repeal bill to come up for a vote in the Senate on Tuesday. She declined to say what she expected the vote count to be, but said she was optimistic the...http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2008/07/legislature-to-take-up-repeal-of-1913.html Black opposition to gay marriage remains strong- July 11, 2008 Despite growing support for same-sex marriage in the United States as measured by several recent polls, black Americans remain steadfastly opposed to gay unions.According to research conducted by the National Black Justice Coalition and several other organizations, as many as two-thirds of black Americans are against gay marriage. Although the numbers vary by poll, research shows most blacks oppose both gay marriage and civil unions.The findings come as some surveys show a majority of whites...http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2008/07/black-opposition-to-gay-marriage.html Has Lambeth Palace Just Reignited the Great Invitation Scandal- July 11, 2008 A news release issued by the Anglican Church in Uganda claims that the "Archbishop of Canterbury's office has confirmed that Christopher Ssenyonjo, the second Bishop of West Buganda Diocese, has not been invited to the Lambeth Conference of Bishops." If true the confirmation could reignite the controversy of who has been left off - and on - the invitation list by Lambeth Palace. New Hampshire Bishop Gene Robinson has not been invited by Lambeth Palace - even though he is the...http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2008/07/has-lambeth-palace-just-reignited-great.html Margaret Cho Given Power To Preside Over Gay Marriages- July 11, 2008 marriages. The comedianfashion designer was deputized by San Francisco City to preside over the ceremonies.The 39-year-old gay rights supporter has already married two couples during the gay pride festivities in the Bay Area.She tells eonline.com, "It's a very empowering thing to be able to preside over these ceremonies. We've been working on this for such a long time."While her power to marry is only valid in the San Francisco area, she is now in the process of getting the same authority in...http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2008/07/margaret-cho-given-power-to-preside.html Gay online soap opera has a serious message- July 11, 2008 Find more videos like this on In the MomentShawn, a friend, wakes Edgar with a gentle kick. He explains, when it's clear Edgar does not remember, that Edgar brought a date home from a party, then chased him off before passing out in the courtyard.What happened" Shawn asks.Edgar is in a fog: "I just. . . .""Whore," says Shawn."Jealous" asks Edgar.From its opening scene, the online soap opera "In the Moment" pulls no punches -- because, its creators say, it cannot. The show, which has drawn tens..http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2008/07/gay-online-soap-opera-has-serious.html Gay-marriage advocates hope to repeal old law- July 11, 2008 State lawmakers are expected to vote next week on repealing a 1913 law that prevents out-of-state gay and lesbian couples from getting married in Massachusetts, reigniting a divisive debate on an issue that has stirred passions and put the state in the national spotlight. The Senate is expected to take up the legislation Tuesday, and the House will follow shortly afterward, according to several lawmakers. House Speaker Salvatore F....http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2008/07/gay-marriage-advocates-hope-to-repeal.html SJC: Gay couples cant claim pre-wed benefits- July 11, 2008 Same-sex spouses cannot sue for marital benefits that predate the 2004 legalization of gay marriage in Massachusetts simply because they would have wed sooner if the law allowed, the states highest court ruled yesterday. Unfortunately, the Supreme Judicial Court justices chose to make an example of the particularly tragic case of Cynthia Kalish and her spouse, Michelle Charron, who died of breast cancer at age 46 in March 2006. Kalish, 43, of Worcester, as part of a medical malpractice action...http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2008/07/sjc-gay-couples-cant-claim-pre-wed.html |