A proposed constitutional ban on same-sex marriage was defeated today by a joint session of the Legislature by a vote of 45 to 151, eliminating any chance of getting it on the ballot in November 2008. At least 50 votes were needed to advance the measure. Read more>
Archive for the 'Gay rights' Category
Millions stage gay parade in Sao Paulo
June 11, 2007An estimated 3 million gays, lesbians and transvestites paraded down the main avenue of Brazil’s business capital Sao Paulo on Sunday, showing their pride in a blaze of color and festive music, organizers said. Read more>
New Hampshire governor signs civil unions bill
June 5, 2007Gay couples in New Hampshire can start applying for many of the rights and responsibilities of marriage as early as January under a law Gov. John Lynch signed Thursday establishing civil unions. Couples who enter civil unions will have the same rights, responsibilities and obligations as married couples. Same-sex unions from other states also would be recognized if they were legal in the state where they were performed. Read more>
Study finds increasing tolerance for gay teachers
June 4, 2007“In the most recent Pew Values study, only 28% of respondents agreed that school boards should have the right to fire teachers who are known to be homosexual, while 66% disagreed — in 1987 when this question was first asked, a 51%-majority agreed with the statement.” Read more>
Having gay friends spurs tolerance
May 24, 2007People with gay friends or family members are far more likely to accept their sexual orientation than those who don’t, according to a U.S. survey released on Wednesday by the Pew Research Center. Read more>
Gay Britons Serve in Military With Little Fuss
May 21, 2007Massachusetts celebrates third aniversary of gay marriage
May 18, 2007Same-sex couples won the right to legally marry on May 17, 2004. Read more>
Gay New Yorkers’ marriages are valid
May 16, 2007The marriages of more than 170 gay couples from New York who wed in Massachusetts before last July are valid because New York had not yet explicitly banned same-sex marriages, a Massachusetts judge ruled. Read more>
Governor of Oregon signs a domestic partner bill
May 10, 2007Starting January 1, Oregon will add some of the benefits of marriage to gay couples, including the ability to “enter into contractual relationships that carry many of the benefits offered to married couples.” Gov. Ted Kulongoski, who had supported the legislation, signed it and an additional bill that will outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation.
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First gay marriage in Africa unites two game wardens
May 8, 2007The two men were both married in South Africa in December. South Africa is the first country in Africa to legalize same-sex marriages. (Note: this isn’t brand-new news)
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