Same-Sex Marriage Update

Jess · 04-21-2010, 07:17 AM

Maybe people will eventually realize that "equal" means equal. Nothing less. Nothing more.

http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5255991,00.html

Cyclopea · 04-21-2010, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jess

Maybe people will eventually realize that "equal" means equal. Nothing less. Nothing more.

http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5255991,00.html

Very interesting. I remember years ago when Vermont was the first U.S. state to grant civil unions, some straight couples tried to apply and were turned away. Civil Marriages were then adopted before the issue could play out and civil unions were discontinued. Should be interesting to see how this works out ultimately in places where heterosexuals sue for civil union equality. Thank you for posting!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8376937.stm

SuperFemme · 04-21-2010, 02:16 PM

Presbyterian Church charges Northern California minister over gay weddings

Associated Press

Posted: 03/29/2010 01:43:55 PM PDT
Updated: 03/29/2010 01:43:56 PM PDT

SANTA ROSA — A retired Presbyterian minister in Northern California is again facing charges she violated church law when she officiated at the weddings of gay couples.

The Rev. Jane Spahr, 67, was acquitted two years ago of similar charges when the church's top court found that she did not violate denominational law because the ceremonies she performed were not real marriages.
But this time, the same-sex marriages at issue were legal in California. The 16 weddings were performed in 2008 before voters banned the unions with the passage of Proposition 8.

Spahr's lawyer, Scott Clark, said it's unprecedented that the church is trying to sanction a minister for performing legal marriages.

The prosecution counters, however, that while the marriages may have been legal under state law, they were "expressly prohibited" by the church.
The case hinges on "a narrow issue of church law," said prosecutor JoAn Blackstone, who added that the local presbytery committee that investigated the Spahr case found it didn't have "any wiggle room" in deciding to press charges.

"This isn't about her character," she said. "It's only about church law."
The constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) defines marriage as a covenant between a man and a woman. The church's Supreme Judicial Council has ruled that ministers can bless same-sex unions as long as the ceremonies are not called a marriage and don't mimic traditional
weddings.

The charges, formalized earlier this month, say Spahr "publicly, intentionally and repeatedly" violated church laws and "failed to further the peace, unity and purity of the church."

Spahr acknowledges the allegations and said she performed the weddings as a "matter of conscience."

"It's a real faith issue for me," she said. "I think I would be in jeopardy if I didn't do it."

Spahr, a lesbian who lives in San Francisco, used to lead a ministry for gay Presbyterians until she retired in 2007.

She faces sanctions ranging from public censure to a prohibition against performining ministerial duties, including marriages, Clark said. A trial on the new charges will likely take place in August or September.

blackboot · 04-26-2010, 03:56 AM

blackboot · 04-29-2010, 10:14 PM

Hawaii lawmakers pass civil unions
By MARK NIESSE (AP) –

"HONOLULU — The Hawaii House of Representatives has approved same-sex civil unions, sending the measure to the governor.

The House voted 31-20 to give final legislative approval to civil unions Thursday. The bill passed the Senate in January.

Republican Gov. Linda Lingle hasn't said whether she'll sign it.

The measure grants gay and lesbian couples the same rights and benefits the state provides to married couples.

The issue was revived on the last day of this year's legislative session when House Majority Leader Blake Oshiro made a motion to reconsider it.

The House declined to act earlier this year because of fears that the Democratic-controlled House wouldn't have enough votes to override Lingle if she vetoes it.

The bill is HB444."

Jess · 04-30-2010, 05:53 AM

Soooo.. when's the wedding blackboot??? We expect at least a youtube video of it!!! Marry that woman and stop living in sin!!!

Glad to hear some good news coming from anywhere in this country! thanks!

MsTinkerbelly · 04-30-2010, 10:06 AM

Great news! Congratulations to the people of Hawaii!!

04-21-2010, 07:17 AM	#1
Jess Timed Out - Permanent How Do You Identify?: decidedly indifferent Preferred Pronoun?: other Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Patrick Springs, VA Posts: 2,812 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,247 Thanked 5,700 Times in 1,682 Posts Rep Power: 0	Here's an interesting twist Maybe people will eventually realize that "equal" means equal. Nothing less. Nothing more. http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5255991,00.html

04-26-2010, 03:56 AM	#4
blackboot Member How Do You Identify?: TransgenderMasculineQueer Preferred Pronoun?: H with a y Relationship Status: fluxing the solder. Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 484 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,964 Thanked 835 Times in 184 Posts Rep Power: 7482395	Last edited by Linus; 06-16-2010 at 07:55 PM. Reason: hmmmm...nevermind

04-29-2010, 10:14 PM	#5
blackboot Member How Do You Identify?: TransgenderMasculineQueer Preferred Pronoun?: H with a y Relationship Status: fluxing the solder. Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 484 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,964 Thanked 835 Times in 184 Posts Rep Power: 7482395	WOOOOHOOOOO! Hawaii lawmakers pass civil unions By MARK NIESSE (AP) – "HONOLULU — The Hawaii House of Representatives has approved same-sex civil unions, sending the measure to the governor. The House voted 31-20 to give final legislative approval to civil unions Thursday. The bill passed the Senate in January. Republican Gov. Linda Lingle hasn't said whether she'll sign it. The measure grants gay and lesbian couples the same rights and benefits the state provides to married couples. The issue was revived on the last day of this year's legislative session when House Majority Leader Blake Oshiro made a motion to reconsider it. The House declined to act earlier this year because of fears that the Democratic-controlled House wouldn't have enough votes to override Lingle if she vetoes it. The bill is HB444."

04-21-2010, 02:16 PM	#3
SuperFemme Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Permanently Banned 10/24/2010 Preferred Pronoun?: She. Relationship Status: Married (one of 18,000) Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Atascadero, CA Posts: 4,933 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,309 Thanked 7,108 Times in 2,327 Posts Rep Power: 0	Presbyterian Church charges Northern California minister over gay weddings Associated Press Posted: 03/29/2010 01:43:55 PM PDT Updated: 03/29/2010 01:43:56 PM PDT SANTA ROSA — A retired Presbyterian minister in Northern California is again facing charges she violated church law when she officiated at the weddings of gay couples. The Rev. Jane Spahr, 67, was acquitted two years ago of similar charges when the church's top court found that she did not violate denominational law because the ceremonies she performed were not real marriages. But this time, the same-sex marriages at issue were legal in California. The 16 weddings were performed in 2008 before voters banned the unions with the passage of Proposition 8. Spahr's lawyer, Scott Clark, said it's unprecedented that the church is trying to sanction a minister for performing legal marriages. The prosecution counters, however, that while the marriages may have been legal under state law, they were "expressly prohibited" by the church. The case hinges on "a narrow issue of church law," said prosecutor JoAn Blackstone, who added that the local presbytery committee that investigated the Spahr case found it didn't have "any wiggle room" in deciding to press charges. "This isn't about her character," she said. "It's only about church law." The constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) defines marriage as a covenant between a man and a woman. The church's Supreme Judicial Council has ruled that ministers can bless same-sex unions as long as the ceremonies are not called a marriage and don't mimic traditional weddings. The charges, formalized earlier this month, say Spahr "publicly, intentionally and repeatedly" violated church laws and "failed to further the peace, unity and purity of the church." Spahr acknowledges the allegations and said she performed the weddings as a "matter of conscience." "It's a real faith issue for me," she said. "I think I would be in jeopardy if I didn't do it." Spahr, a lesbian who lives in San Francisco, used to lead a ministry for gay Presbyterians until she retired in 2007. She faces sanctions ranging from public censure to a prohibition against performining ministerial duties, including marriages, Clark said. A trial on the new charges will likely take place in August or September.

04-30-2010, 05:53 AM	#6
Jess Timed Out - Permanent How Do You Identify?: decidedly indifferent Preferred Pronoun?: other Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Patrick Springs, VA Posts: 2,812 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,247 Thanked 5,700 Times in 1,682 Posts Rep Power: 0	Soooo.. when's the wedding blackboot??? We expect at least a youtube video of it!!! Marry that woman and stop living in sin!!! Glad to hear some good news coming from anywhere in this country! thanks!

04-30-2010, 10:06 AM	#7
MsTinkerbelly Timed Out - TOS Drama How Do You Identify?: ... Preferred Pronoun?: ... Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: ... Posts: 6,573 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 30,737 Thanked 22,895 Times in 5,017 Posts Rep Power: 0	Great news! Congratulations to the people of Hawaii!!