marriage equality

LGBT Rights and the Supreme Court

March 22, 2013 by Brooklyn Dame 2 Comments

Much progress towards full LGBT rights was achieved last year; marriage equality was won in several states, bringing the total to nine (Maryland, Iowa, Maine, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Washington — as well as the District of Columbia). Additionally, a hate crimes law was enacted, “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” ended and, for the first time ever, a sitting President stated his full support for marriage equality and instructed the Department of Justice to stop defending the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) which was enacted in 1996.… [Read more]

Filed Under: The BK Dame Says Tagged With: Civil Rights, Defense of Marriage Act, Discrimination, DOMA, LGBT, marriage equality, US Supreme Court

Can the Law Make Us Better People?

November 16, 2012 by Gemma Kaneko 1 Comment

It was the day of the election and we were talking about gay marriage.

“I think what really needs to happen is that people need to educate each other on tolerance and acceptance, because even if the federal government passes a law legalizing gay marriage, it won’t change people’s minds,” she said.

Then, after gay marriage won victories in Maine and Maryland, I was talking to another friend about the same thing.… [Read more]

Filed Under: In the Spotlight Tagged With: Equal Rights, Gay Marriage, Human Rights, marriage equality

Your Move, America: Vietnam and a Gay Rights Decision to Shake the World

August 16, 2012 by Erica Guardino 5 Comments

Love-Struck in Vietnam: A Gay Rights Decision to Shake the World

The Vietnamese Justice Department may be sparking a continental revolution. Coming under consideration this month, with a final decision due next May, Vietnam is officially considering the legality of same-sex marriage. If the bill passes, they will be the first in the continent to legally acknowledge such unions, joining eleven other nations worldwide.

While they may not be the first country to come to mind when you think about a champion of gay rights in Asia, they are less hostile to the idea, at least.… [Read more]

Filed Under: Transcending Borders Tagged With: DOMA, Gay Marriage, Gay Rights, marriage equality, Vietnam

Protecting Free Speech or Supporting Bigotry?

August 8, 2012 by Bill Rice 6 Comments

The liberal thinker John Stuart Mill was a strong proponent of free speech and expression. Yet he also warned against the tyranny of the majority and its inclination to suppress minority rights and views. Both concepts are relevant to the recent Chick-Fil-A controversy.

On the issues of censorship and free speech, the erudite liberal thinker John Stuart Mill wrote “If all mankind minus one were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind.” For, he argued in his treatise On Liberty, that “if the opinion is right, they are deprived of the opportunity of exchanging error for truth: if wrong, they lose, what is almost as great a benefit, the clearer perception and livelier impression of truth, produced by its collision with error.”

This thinking pretty much sums up my views on the free speech aspect of the recent Chick-Fil-A controversy.… [Read more]

Filed Under: We Say This Tagged With: Chick-Fil-A, Family Research Council, Free Speech, Gay Marriage, Justin Beiber, marriage equality, Uganda

Why the Bible ≠ Outlaw Gay Marriage

August 7, 2012 by Samantha Faye 7 Comments

Let me start by saying that I think it’s okay if you don’t like gay relationships.

It would bother me to know that you have a problem with them, but there’s nothing I can do about your opinion in that case. Some people are uncomfortable with the concept, and that’s okay. I don’t know what kind of upbringing you had or what kind of culture you’re part of, but if gays just aren’t your thing, that’s perfectly fine with me.… [Read more]

Filed Under: We Say This Tagged With: Bible, Gay Rights, marriage equality, Religion

“Eat Mor Chikin” – Nah, I’m good.

July 31, 2012 by Monique A. Gamble 3 Comments

My Beef with Chick-fil-A

Today is my early day. Ideally, I’d go home to drop off my things, and head to the Chick-fil-A on Exit 13 – it’s my favorite location. The nuggets there are always fresh, waffle fries are always crisp, and when I order a ‘half and half, more tea than lemonade,’ they make it perfectly every time. … [Read more]

Filed Under: Social Change Tagged With: America, Chick-Fil-A, Christian, Facebook, Fast Food, LGBT, marriage equality, Same-sex marriage, traditional values, Truett Cathy, US Politics, values, Waffle fries

Watch Where You Throw Your Money…

July 3, 2012 by Barbara Broido 1 Comment

We all grew-up tossing coins into the ubiquitous Salvation Army kettles around Christmas time and shoving our old clothes into their boxes. They rang their bells and cheered us with their brass ensembles, but what does The Salvation Army do with the money we give them and the profits they make from their various enterprises, such as their surplus used clothing business?… [Read more]

Filed Under: Art-itorials Tagged With: Gay Marriage, LGBT, marriage equality, Salvation Army

Seeing the Light: Ex-opponent of Gay Marriage Changes His Mind

June 24, 2012 by Barbara Broido and Brooklyn Dame 1 Comment

Doodle_273_Crossing_the_Bridge_Over_to_Full_Equality_David_Blankenhorn

Welcome to the light of fairness and equality, David Blankenhorn! As the founder and president of the Institute for American Values, and the author of ”Fatherless America: Confronting Our Most Urgent Social Problem“ and “The Future of Marriage,” Mr. Blankenhorn has long been an active opponent of marriage equality…and he’s had a change of mind; he’s taking a leap into the future.… [Read more]

Filed Under: Art-itorials Tagged With: David Blankenhorn, Gay Marriage, Gay Pride, LGBT, marriage equality

Bob Page: Doing What’s Right

May 27, 2012 by Barbara Broido and Brooklyn Dame 3 Comments

vf. Doodle_263_Bob_Page_Standing_Up_for_What's_Right-1

Bob Page is the the courageous founder of Replacements Limited, the world’s largest dealer in new and used china and silverware. Mr. Page’s company is losing business…because he publicly supported gay rights and, specifically, marriage equality in opposition to North Carolina’s Amendment 1. He is proof that although standing up for equality may come at a price, it’s the right thing to do.… [Read more]

Filed Under: Art-itorials Tagged With: Amendment 1, Bob Page, Gay Rights, marriage equality, North Carolina, Replacements Ltd

The World Won’t End if Gays Marry

May 17, 2012 by Samantha Caputo 10 Comments

Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary defines marriage as:

The state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law

And

The state of being united to a person of the same sex in a relationship like that of a traditional marriage.

Historically, marriage wasn’t about the love factor either.… [Read more]

Filed Under: We Say This Tagged With: Civil Union, Equality, Gay Marriage, marriage equality

In Defense of Reason, Part 2: Bending Over Backwards

May 16, 2012 by Chauncey Dennie 3 Comments

On May 9, 2012 President Barack Obama, in an interview with Robin Roberts of ABC News, became the first president in U.S. history to publicly support marriage equality, stating that “for me personally –- it is important…to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married.” President Obama’s announcement came on the heels of Vice President Joe Biden’s interview on Meet the Press three days earlier, where the Vice President said he was “absolutely comfortable” with gay marriage.… [Read more]

Filed Under: We Say This Tagged With: Climate Change, Income Inequality, marriage equality, President Obama, Republicans

Grow a Pair

May 11, 2012 by HunnerWoof 6 Comments

The internet has been on fire since Wednesday’s announcement that President Obama supports marriage equality. I’ve received several IMs, texts and email messages cheering the news, with several friends and family members pointing out that I must be so elated over this development. Actually, I don’t really give a shit.… [Read more]

Filed Under: We Say This Tagged With: Grow a Pair, LGBT, marriage equality, President Obama

Dear Republican Friends

May 11, 2012 by Courtney Eastone 6 Comments

Dear Republican Friends:

We disagree on much. We have different philosophies on just about everything. However, for those who share my curiosity of people and desire to understand and know more, we enjoy these differences. We argue, debate and learn from each other. I enjoy these discussions and truly value opinions that differ from my own.… [Read more]

Filed Under: We Say This Tagged With: LGBT, marriage equality, Republicans

Obama, Gay Marriage, Hey!

May 11, 2012 by Christine Meehan 5 Comments

President Obama: I have only five words from my inner gay man to respond to your comments on the gay marriage issue yesterday.

“Hey girl. Hey girl. Hey!”

As a proud ally and supporter of the LGBTQ community and its fight for equality, the impact of the discussion between ABC News and the President hit close to home.… [Read more]

Filed Under: We Say This Tagged With: LGBT, marriage equality, President Obama

Gay Marriage: A Rite That Should Be a Right

May 10, 2012 by Mia Imani 5 Comments

President Obama, I applaud you, sir, for the big ballsy, brave step you took by “coming out” in support of marriage equality for gay couples. Your Republican opponent Mitt Romney has, of course, come out in opposition to it. Romney has stated that he believes marriage should be between “one man and one woman.” Romney, who is of the Mormon faith, of all people should know that church beliefs can, and should, evolve over time.… [Read more]

Filed Under: We Say This Tagged With: Cathoic Church, Gay Marriage, LGBT, marriage equality, Mitt Romney, President Obama

The Romanticized South Redux: I’m Looking at You, North Carolina

May 9, 2012 by Monique A. Gamble 16 Comments

Being a Southerner in a major city has made me acutely aware of what I appreciate about my heritage, and those qualities I loathe about it. When I moved to the DC metro area 5 years ago, folks knew immediately that I wasn’t from around here. I learned quickly that the ease of my smile was welcomed precisely because warmth is an unfamiliar character trait around these parts.… [Read more]

Filed Under: Social Change Tagged With: Alabama, Amendment 1, Confederacy, Confederate flag, Eddie Long, George W. Bush, George Wallace, marriage equality, North Carolina, Progress, Same-sex marriage, Southern, Southerner, The South, tradition, University of Alabama, Yankee