Category: Marriage Equality

Athenae, Marriage Equality

Love Wins

Allison Hantschel

Just look at these faces. Look at the joy on their faces. Look at what the future looks like. Look at what happens when you keep pushing forward. Look at that song of joy sung upwards to the sky and try not to feel a little lighter in your socks. I keep saying in response to the “save traditional marriage” morons that full marriage equality will do nothing to affect anyone in a straight relationship, but you know what? That’s not true. Love and freedom anywhere is an affirmation of love and freedom everywhere, and the glorious noise of victory … Continue reading Love Wins

Athenae, Marriage Equality

Love Wins

Just look at these faces. Look at the joy on their faces. Look at what the future looks like. Look at what happens when you keep pushing forward. Look at that song of joy sung upwards to the sky and try not to feel a little lighter in your socks. I keep saying in response to the “save traditional marriage” morons that full marriage equality will do nothing to affect anyone in a straight relationship, but you know what? That’s not true. Love and freedom anywhere is an affirmation of love and freedom everywhere, and the glorious noise of victory … Continue reading Love Wins

Athenae, Marriage Equality

Fuck Yeah, Minnesota!

Allison Hantschel

If you know me, you know what it cost me to say that just now: While legislation legalizing same-sex marriage remains stalled in the Illinois House and Gov. Pat Quinn calls for the House to vote on the bill before the spring legislative session ends, Minnesota today became the 12th state in the union to pass a marriage equality bill. The Minnesota Senate approved the bill by a 37-30 vote, four days after the House passed the bill on a 75-59 vote. Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton said he would sign the bill into law Tuesday evening. Credit where it’s due, … Continue reading Fuck Yeah, Minnesota!

Athenae, Marriage Equality

Fuck Yeah, Minnesota!

If you know me, you know what it cost me to say that just now: While legislation legalizing same-sex marriage remains stalled in the Illinois House andGov. Pat Quinn calls for the House to vote on the bill before the spring legislative session ends, Minnesota today became the 12th state in the union to pass a marriage equality bill. The Minnesota Senate approved the bill by a 37-30 vote, four days after the House passed the bill on a 75-59 vote. Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton said he would sign the bill into law Tuesday evening. Credit where it’s due, and … Continue reading Fuck Yeah, Minnesota!

Current Affairs, Doc, Marriage Equality

The Shadow Box

When I think of U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, I remember the shadow box that hung on the wall of his Madison condo. It was a weekend afternoon and Pocan was throwing a housewarming party at his new condo. I was dating a city council rep at the time, so I found myself invited to this shindig. I had met Pocan a few times as a reporter and via a few friends I had in Madison’s gay community. He served as a county board rep and was a solid fixture in both the area’s political and LGBTQ communities. I always found … Continue reading The Shadow Box

Adrastos, Marriage Equality

Fuck Yeah, France

Peter Adrastos Athas

Another country has approved marriage equailty despite some right wing angst and protest: France has become the 14th country to legalise same-sex marriage , pushing through François Hollande‘s flagship social change after months of street protests, political slanging matches and a rise in homophobic attacks. After 331 votes for and 225 votes against, there were chants of “Equality. Equality.” in the French assembly, where the Socialists have an absolute majority. But thousands of riot police and water cannons were in place near the parliament building in Paris in advance of planned demonstrations against the law. The right to marriage and … Continue reading Fuck Yeah, France

Adrastos, Marriage Equality

Fuck Yeah, France

Another country has approved marriage equailty despite some right wing angst and protest: France has become the 14th country to legalisesame-sex marriage , pushing throughFrançois Hollande‘s flagship social change after months of street protests, political slanging matches and a rise in homophobic attacks. After 331 votes for and 225 votes against, there were chants of “Equality. Equality.” in the French assembly, where the Socialists have an absolute majority. But thousands of riot police and water cannons were in place near the parliament building in Paris in advance of planned demonstrations against the law. The right tomarriage and adoption for everyone … Continue reading Fuck Yeah, France

Adrastos, Congress, Current Affairs, Diary, Law/Justice, Marriage Equality, Political Crack4 Comments

Point Blank

Peter Adrastos Athas

In other news, the revised gun safety bill is being debated in the Senate today.The Manchin-Toomey compromiseis watered down but still worthwhile. I am not usually one to look favorably on symbolic votes or actions, but not on gun violence related issues. The most important thing is to beat the NRA once even if the measure isn’t everything that we were hoping for. It is imperative to break their aura of invincibility; once that happens we can really get to work. If nothing else, passing any gun control measure will prove those fuckers atPoliticowrong yet again. That is another reason … Continue reading Point Blank

Athenae, Marriage Equality, Religion2 Comments

Bigots are the New Gays

Jesus Elvis Roosevelt Christ: Last week, the cover of Time magazine showed two women kissing and a headline that read: “Gay Marriage Already Won.” With the Supreme Court case on gay marriage at hand in Washington — a final decision isn’t expected until summer — many feel that the legalization of marriage for gays is inevitable. Only the Deep South states, including Tennessee, remain opposed. In 2012, 59.4 percent of Georgia residents said they wouldn’t be in favor of legalizing gay marriage, according to a Landmark Communications/Rosetta Stone poll. Yet even in Tennessee, where more people are opposed to gay … Continue reading Bigots are the New Gays

Adrastos, Marriage Equality, Political Crack1 Comment

Hooray for Hollywood

Peter Adrastos Athas

Photo via the Rock Hudson project. I just watched an interesting interview with Patty Davis on the YouTube about her father and what he*might* think about gay marriage if he were alive and sentient. The best bit is when she described watching a Rock Hudson movie with Reagan and his explanation as to why Rock didn’t seem to enjoy kissing a chick.This quote comes from the NYT via TPM but it’s the same basic tale: Once when she and her father were watching a Rock Hudson movie, Ms. Davis said, she remarked that the actor “looked weird” kissing his female … Continue reading Hooray for Hollywood

Adrastos, Marriage Equality, Political Crack1 Comment

Hooray for Hollywood

Photo via the Rock Hudson project. I just watched an interesting interview with Patty Davis on the YouTube about her father and what he*might* think about gay marriage if he were alive and sentient. The best bit is when she described watching a Rock Hudson movie with Reagan and his explanation as to why Rock didn’t seem to enjoy kissing a chick.This quote comes from the NYT via TPM but it’s the same basic tale: Once when she and her father were watching a Rock Hudson movie, Ms. Davis said, she remarked that the actor “looked weird” kissing his female … Continue reading Hooray for Hollywood

Athenae, Marriage Equality3 Comments

Marriage Equality for Illinois

Allison Hantschel

The conservative Chicago Tribune: Much of the opposition stems from religious concerns, such as those cited by Cardinal Francis George, who has urged a “no” vote. We fully understand and respect the cardinal’s view that same-sex marriage violates natural law. But nothing in this bill affects the church’s authority to define what is right for Catholics. It recognizes the difference between religious rites and civil institutions. The Catholic church, after all, bars remarriage by divorcees, but Illinois grants marriage licenses to them. Allowing same-sex marriage does not limit the freedom of religious believers to reject it; it merely allows those … Continue reading Marriage Equality for Illinois

Adrastos, Marriage Equality, Stupid Republican Tricks11 Comments

Say what?

If this hadn’t been published on Saturday I’d swear it was an April Fool’s gag: Sue Everhart, chairwoman of the Georgia Republican Party, told theMarietta Daily Journal in a story published Saturday that once gay nuptials are legally permitted, there will be nothing to stop a straight person from exploiting the system in order to claim marital benefits. “You may be as straight as an arrow, and you may have a friend that is as straight as an arrow,” Everhart said. “Say you had a great job with the government where you had this wonderful health plan. I mean, what … Continue reading Say what?

Athenae, Faith, Marriage Equality, Religion, So Called Liberal Media14 Comments

Who Will Speak Up for Christianity in an Age of Rampant Girl-on-Girl?

Allison Hantschel

If only it had a champion, such as the Tribune’s John Kass: I’m not opposed to same-sex unions. Americans have the right to equal protection under the law, and same-sex couples should be able to expect the same tax benefits and other considerations allowed to those of us who are now being called, in some quarters, “opposite-sex couples.” As far as I’m concerned, Americans have the right to do as they please as long as they don’t infringe upon the rights of others. America is all about liberty and freedom. But this all comes now during the season of Lent, … Continue reading Who Will Speak Up for Christianity in an Age of Rampant Girl-on-Girl?

Adrastos, Marriage Equality, Political Crack, Stupid Republican Tricks2 Comments

Another Huck Upchuck

Peter Adrastos Athas

I’ll start by apologizing to my fellow NOLA blogger Jimmy Huck for borrowing his blog name for this post but, hey, it fits Mike Huckabee’s latest hissy fit: Though some conservatives are shifting course and backing gay marriage – like Bill O’Reilly and Sen. Rob Portman, for example – Mike Huckabee remains adamant that if Republicans change course they will lose the support of evangelicals. Republicans may begin to support gay marriage in full force, Huckabee said, “And if they do, they’re going to lose a large part of their base because evangelicals will take a walk.” “And it’s not … Continue reading Another Huck Upchuck

Adrastos, Marriage Equality, Political Crack, Stupid Republican Tricks2 Comments

Another Huck Upchuck

I’ll start by apologizing to my fellowNOLA blogger Jimmy Huck for borrowing his blog name for this post but, hey, it fits Mike Huckabee’s latest hissy fit: Though some conservatives are shifting course and backing gay marriage – likeBill O’Reilly and Sen. Rob Portman, for example – Mike Huckabee remains adamant that if Republicans change course they will lose the support of evangelicals. Republicans may begin to support gay marriage in full force, Huckabee said, “And if they do, they’re going to lose a large part of their base because evangelicals will take a walk.” “And it’s not because there’s … Continue reading Another Huck Upchuck

Athenae, Faith, Marriage Equality, Religion, So Called Liberal Media14 Comments

Who Will Speak Up for Christianity in an Age of Rampant Girl-on-Girl?

If only it had a champion, such as the Tribune’s John Kass: I’m not opposed to same-sex unions. Americans have the right to equal protection under the law, and same-sex couples should be able to expect the same tax benefits and other considerations allowed to those of us who are now being called, in some quarters, “opposite-sex couples.” As far as I’m concerned, Americans have the right to do as they please as long as they don’t infringe upon the rights of others. America is all about liberty and freedom. But this all comes now during the season of Lent, … Continue reading Who Will Speak Up for Christianity in an Age of Rampant Girl-on-Girl?

Adrastos, Law/Justice, Marriage Equality

Deep Standing Thought

Peter Adrastos Athas

I’m putting on my Carnac hat and making a prediction on today’s Prop 8 case. The Supremes will find that the appellants didn’t have standing (status) to sue and more or less affirm the lower Court’s ruling by indirection. That means that my friends in California can get gay married once a decision comes down. A broader ruling was never in the cards on that case but Justice Kennedy clearly showed his pro-gay sympathies and Scalia showed that he thinks Strom Thurmond was one fertile elderly motherfucker. Tomorrow’s DOMA case is the big enchilada. Continue reading Deep Standing Thought

Adrastos, Law/Justice, Marriage Equality

Deep Standing Thought

I’m putting on my Carnac hat and making a prediction on today’s Prop 8 case. The Supremes will find that the appellants didn’t have standing (status) to sue and more or less affirm the lower Court’s ruling by indirection. That means that my friends in California can get gay married once a decision comes down. A broader ruling was never in the cards on that case but Justice Kennedy clearly showed his pro-gay sympathies and Scalia showed that he thinks Strom Thurmond was one fertile elderly motherfucker. Tomorrow’s DOMA case is the big enchilada. Continue reading Deep Standing Thought

Adrastos, Marriage Equality, Political Crack1 Comment

Portmania: The Next Generation

Peter Adrastos Athas

Will Portman wrote a piece for the Yale Daily News about coming out, which was republished by the Guardian. Here’s the money quote: The following summer, the summer of 2012, my dad was under consideration to be Gov Romney’s running mate. The rest of my family and I had given him the go-ahead to enter the vetting process. My dad told the Romney campaign that I was gay, that he and my mom were supportive and proud of their son, and that we’d be open about it on the campaign trail. When he ultimately wasn’t chosen for the ticket, I … Continue reading Portmania: The Next Generation

Adrastos, Law/Justice, Marriage Equality5 Comments

Kissing Cousins?

Peter Adrastos Athas

This could prove to be an interesting test of my personal experience theory: Jean Podrasky, 48, a lesbian who wants to marry her partner, will be at Tuesday’s U.S. Supreme Court hearing on Proposition 8 in seating reserved for family members and guests of Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. “I am so excited,” said Podrasky, an accountant and the first cousin of the chief justice on his mother’s side. “I feel quite honored and overwhelmed.” Roberts is a conservative appointed by President George W. Bush in 2005. Podrasky, who is more liberal, said she rooted for his nomination to … Continue reading Kissing Cousins?

Adrastos, Marriage Equality, Political Crack1 Comment

Portmania: The Next Generation

Will Portman wrote a piece for the Yale Daily News about coming out, which was republished by the Guardian. Here’s the money quote: The following summer, the summer of 2012, my dad wasunder consideration to be Gov Romney’s running mate. The rest of my family and I had given him the go-ahead to enter the vetting process. My dad told the Romney campaign that I was gay, that he and my mom were supportive and proud of their son, and that we’d be open about it on the campaign trail. When he ultimately wasn’t chosen for the ticket, I was … Continue reading Portmania: The Next Generation

Adrastos, Law/Justice, Marriage Equality5 Comments

Kissing Cousins?

This could prove to be an interesting test of my personal experience theory: Jean Podrasky, 48, a lesbian who wants to marry her partner, will be at Tuesday’sU.S. Supreme Court hearing on Proposition 8 in seating reserved for family members and guests of Chief JusticeJohn G. Roberts Jr. “I am so excited,” said Podrasky, an accountant and the first cousin of the chief justice on his mother’s side. “I feel quite honored and overwhelmed.” Roberts is a conservative appointed by PresidentGeorge W. Bush in 2005. Podrasky, who is more liberal, said she rooted for his nomination to be approved by … Continue reading Kissing Cousins?

Adrastos, Marriage Equality, Political Crack7 Comments

Portmania

Peter Adrastos Athas

We live in such interesting times that a hitherto boring pol made a big splash today: Ohio Senator Rob Portman. Portman is so boring that the reason he was considered as Willard Mittbot Romney’s running mate is that he was so dull that he wouldn’t overshadow Willard. Today, of course, Portman came our for marriage equality for highly personal reasons: his college age son is gay and came out to his parents a few years back. This reason has been controversial among some of my brothers and sisters on the left. Matt Yglesias and Irin Carmon made some very good … Continue reading Portmania

Athenae, Marriage Equality

Fuck Yeah, America!

Allison Hantschel

Michigan’s first legal same-sex marriage: Last year, the Odawa tribal council debated a resolution to recognize gay marriage, but the measure failed by one vote. When it was reintroduced, the language was changed to require at least one spouse be a tribal citizen, and that swayed support. On March 2, it passed by a 5-4 vote. All that was needed was the signature of tribal Chairman Dexter McNamara, whose veto would have required a difficult 7-2 council majority to override. McNamara not only signed it, but also asked to perform the wedding ceremony. “I’ve always felt that either you believe … Continue reading Fuck Yeah, America!