Marriage Equality

Same-Sex Marriage Now Legal In Northern Ireland

The BBC reports: From Monday, same-sex couples will be able to register to marry, meaning the first ceremonies will take place in February. For couples who are already married, their marriage will now be legally recognised in Northern Ireland. However, those who are already in a civil partnership will not be able to convert it to a marriage at this …

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Hate Group Warns TN Clerks To Stop Marrying Gays

Chris Johnson reports at the Washington Blade: Nearly five years after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled for same-sex marriage nationwide, all 95 county clerks in Tennessee received a letter this week informing them they should be operating instead under the state constitution law that makes “void and unenforceable” any policy or law “purporting to define marriage as anything other than …

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Franklin Graham “Sad” Over Split In Methodist Church

“I’m not a Methodist, but I do appreciate and want to encourage those in the United Methodist Church who are standing with what the Word of God teaches. After voting to ban same-sex marriage and LGBTQ clergy last year, reports now say that the denomination will soon split over the issue. That is sad news. “Pray for the United Methodist …

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Methodist Church To Split Over Same-Sex Marriage

The New York Times reports: Leaders of the United Methodist Church, the second-largest Protestant domination in the nation, announced on Friday a plan that would formally split the church after years of division over same-sex marriage. Under the plan, which would sunder a denomination with 13 million members worldwide, a new “traditionalist Methodist” denomination would be created, and would continue …

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Mormons Include Gay Couples On Genealogy Site

The Salt Lake Tribune reports: A year and a half ago, FamilySearch.org projected it would include same-sex parents and same-sex couples in its genealogy website sometime in 2019 — and it has, with three weeks to spare. The site, which is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, announced Tuesday that FamilySearch Family Tree now …

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Cayman Islands Overturn Marriage Equality Ruling

The Cayman Compass reports: The Cayman Islands Court of Appeal has ruled in favour of the government, overturning Chief Justice Anthony Smellie’s previous ruling that legalised same-sex marriage in the Cayman Islands. At the same time, however, the court ordered government to “expeditiously” provide Chantelle Day and her partner, Vickie Bodden Bush, with legal status equivalent to marriage, according to …

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TONIGHT: Northern Ireland To Get Marriage Equality

The Irish Post reports: Same-sex marriage and abortion are set to become legal in Northern Ireland for the first time. The changes are the result of amendments to a routine Commons Bill on the governance of Northern Ireland tabled by Labour Party backbenchers Conor McGinn and Stella Creasy. McGinn put forward a proposal calling for Westminster to legislate for same-sex …

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Hong Kong Court Rules Against Same-Sex Marriage

The South China Morning Post reports: A Hong Kong court on Friday turned down the city’s first judicial challenge for same-sex marriage and civil union partnerships, but urged the government to “undertake a comprehensive review” to save time and money from court actions arising from discrimination. Court of First Instance judge Mr Justice Anderson Chow ruled against a lesbian woman …

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Philippines High Court Boots Marriage Equality Case

CNN Philippines reports: The Supreme Court has dismissed a plea to legalize same-sex marriage in the country. The high court, in a statement Tuesday, said it junked the petition for certiorari and prohibition filed by Atty. Jesus Falcis due to its “lack of standing” and for “failing to raise an actual, justiciable controversy.” The court, despite acknowledging that the 1987 …

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THAILAND: Civil Unions Bill In Final Stages Of Approval

Vice News reports: When it comes to LGBTQ rights, Southeast Asia has some work to do. In Singapore, gay sex is still illegal. In the Philippines, trans people face blatant discrimination on a daily basis. But at least one country is set to make progress. If things go as planned, Thailand could become the first in the region to allow …

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Federal Appeals Court: Kim Davis Can Be Sued By Gays

Reuters reports: The Kentucky county clerk who in 2015 gained widespread attention for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples may be sued for damages by two of those couples, a federal appeals court ruled late on Friday. In a 3-0 decision, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati said Kim Davis can be sued in her …

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KENTUCKY: Federal Appeals Court Rules State Must Pay $224,000 In Fees Because Of Former Clerk Kim Davis

The Lexington Courier-Journal reports: A federal appeals court upheld a ruling Friday requiring Kentucky to pay $224,000 in legal fees related to former Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis’ refusal to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Davis was successfully sued by several couples in 2015 for refusing to follow the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling establishing a right to same-sex marriage. …

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CHINA: Parliament Spox Rules Out Same-Sex Marriage

Reuters reports: Limiting marriage to a relationship between a man and a woman will remain China’s legal position, a parliament spokesman said on Wednesday, ruling out following neighboring Taiwan in allowing same-sex marriage, despite pressure from activists. Taiwan’s parliament passed a bill in May that endorsed same-sex marriage, after years of heated debate over marriage equality that has divided the …

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BREAKING: Britain’s Parliament Votes 383-73 To Extend Same-Sex Marriage To Northern Ireland [VIDEO]

The Guardian reports: MPs have voted resoundingly to extend same-sex marriage to Northern Ireland, a plan the government has said it will honour despite ministerial doubts. The Commons voted 383 to 73 to pass the amendment to a largely technical bill on the stalled Northern Ireland assembly, tabled by the Labour MP Conor McGinn [photo], a longstanding campaigner for equal …

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German Burger King Ad Celebrates Same-Sex Marriage With Diamonds Made Of Whoppers And An F-Bomb

Ad Age reports: Fresh off its impressive showing at the Cannes Lions festival, Burger King has debuted its latest out-of-the-box move: diamonds made out of Whoppers. To celebrate Pride month, the brand has debuted the “Whopper Diamond,” jewels crafted from the ashes of its signature offering. The diamonds adorn a pair of bespoke wedding rings for a homosexual couple, Dima …

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ECUADOR: High Court Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage

Gay Star News reports: Ecuador has voted in favor of marriage equality in a landmark ruling today (12 June). Confirming the hopes of local activists, the country’s Constitutional Court ruled to legalize same-sex marriage in the country. Today’s ruling centered on whether the Inter-American Court Ruling of January 2018, which recognized same-sex marriage, compels Ecuador to legalize same-sex marriage. Judges …

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Alabama Bill To End Marriage Licenses On Gov’s Desk

The Birmingham News reports: The Alabama House of Representatives gave final passage today to a bill that would end the issuance of marriage licenses by probate judges and instead have them record documents that would serve as the official records of marriage. The bill goes to Gov. Kay Ivey, who could sign it into law. The legislation came in response …

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TAIWAN: Hundreds Marry As Law Goes Into Effect

The CBC reports: More than 360 same-sex couples tied the knot in emotional scenes in Taiwan on Friday, the first legal marriages in Asia hailed by activists as a social revolution for the region. The government data was released after Taiwan’s parliament passed a bill last week that endorsed same-sex marriage, although the measure could complicate President Tsai Ing-wen’s bid …

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Trump On Mayor Pete’s Marriage: I Think It’s Absolutely Fine, I Have No Problem With It Whatsoever [VIDEO]

USA Today reports: During an interview with the president, Fox News host Steve Hilton commented how he thinks it’s great to see Buttigieg on stage with his husband as the couple normalizes same-sex marriage amidst the ever-present media spotlight of a presidential campaign. “I think it’s absolutely fine,” Trump replied. “I do.” Hilton noted that it’s “a sign of great …

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BREAKING: Taiwan Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage

The New York Times reports: As tens of thousands of demonstrators filled the rainy streets of Taipei on Friday, lawmakers in Taiwan voted to legalize same-sex marriage, a first for Asia. “We want to marry!” supporters outside the legislature chanted in approval of the measure, as they applauded and waved signs and rainbow banners. “On May 17th, 2019 in #Taiwan, …

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