Tag Archives: Louisiana

“Here we see the house of cards collapsing that supported the myth that redefining marriage in inevitable. This decision by Judge Feldman in Louisiana is a great win for the cause of marriage, coming as it does on the heels of other pro-marriage court victories, that puts the lie to the claim that it is inevitable the US Supreme Court …

“This ruling is a victory for children, each of whom need and desire a mom and dad, something our public policy should encourage. This decision is a victory for the rule law, and for religious liberty and free speech which are undermined anywhere marriage is redefined. We commend Judge Feldman for refraining from judicial activism and recognizing that Louisiana voters …

Via the Associated Press: A federal judge has upheld Louisiana’s ban on same-sex marriages, as well as the state’s refusal to recognize gay marriages legally performed in other states. U.S. District Judge Martin Feldman’s ruling Wednesday broke a string of 20-plus court wins for supporters of same-sex marriage since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down part of the federal Defense …

Another LGBT rights bill was rejected last night in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The EBR Metro Council has voted against the controversial fairness ordinance by a vote of 8 to 4. Councilmembers John Delgado, Donna Collins-Lewis, Chandler Loupe, and C. Denise Marcelle all voted in favor of the ordinance. The ordinance would have made it illegal to discriminate against veterans, seniors …

From their website: Unfortunately, however, police officers soon arrived. “You cannot be on the neutral zone,” they said, referring to the large public sidewalk where we were standing. “There’s a city ordinance against this, and you will need to step away and ask the private businesses for permission to stand on their property. You can’t do it here.” How strange: …

“The degrading comments of a city councilman aligned with the Baton Rouge Area Chamber and other prominent businesses in my hometown are sending a message to Christians and conservative businesses that they are not welcomed in Louisiana’s Capital City. In attempting to pass a special rights measure based upon sexual behavior last Wednesday, Councilman John Delgado ironically lashed out at …

Four weeks ago in New Orleans, federal Judge Martin Feldman surprised both sides when he declared that he would not merely consider the out-of-state marriage recognition case before him, but intended to rule on Louisiana’s constitutional ban on same-sex marriage as well. Yesterday Feldman issued an order declining any further briefs or arguments on either issue. He did not say …

Clip recap: Another week, and another win for marriage equality. This time, it’s Florida. But the freedom to marry is in jeopardy in Colorado. Meanwhile an appeals court has set a date for oral argument in two states, but then said never mind. And the Department of Justice has indicated its plans for addressing the freedom to marry before the …

Ckip recap:  This week I’m back in California, where we just celebrated one year of marriage equality. It was in late June that the AFER’s case to overturn Prop 8 finally concluded and equality was restored. Now, we’re awaiting a ruling in AFER’s Virginia case. We’ve already won at the district court level, and now the Fourth Circuit could rule …

And the hits just keep coming: The attorneys stuck to one specific issue as they made their case before a judge in New Orleans on Wednesday: whether gay and lesbian couples married legally in other states should be recognized as married in Louisiana, which has a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. U.S. District Court Judge Martin Feldman had other ideas. …

Today a federal judge will hear arguments in a lawsuit which demands that Louisiana recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages. Attorneys for six same-sex couples in Louisiana and the advocacy group Forum for Equality Louisiana Inc. sued the state last year. They argue that Louisiana must recognize their unions under the Windsor decision. Attorneys for Louisiana disagree, saying that in its Windsor …

New Orleans funerals have always been known for being celebrations of a life fully lived rather than somber reflections on loss, but this may be pushing it a bit too far. Via WGNO-ABC: In life Miriam Burbank loved a cold beer, and an occasional scotch. So it’s only fitting, that it all be captured as part of her home-going. “I …

If you are unfamiliar with the 1973 arson at New Orleans’ UpStairs Lounge, the Wikpedia entry on the crime is a good place to start. Below is the trailer for the coming documentary on the worst mass murder of LGBT people in US history. While you watch, think about how close we came to this in Seattle a few months …

The Louisiana House Commerce Committee has voted against a bill that would have made it illegal to refuse to sell or rent property to LGBT citizens. Three Democrats joined nine Republicans on the House Commerce Committee in rejecting the measure Monday 12-3. None said specifically why they voted against the bill. The bill by Rep. Pat Smith, D-Baton Rouge, would …

Via Gawker.

Dan Savage has unleashed his 187,000 Twitter followers on the members of the Louisiana House.

Thanks to pressure from a local anti-gay Christian group, the Louisiana House yesterday refused to repeal an unenforceable and unconstitutional anti-sodomy law. The vote was 66-27. A House Committee passed the legislation onto the body’s floor by a vote of 9-6 last week. But one of the state’s most powerful lobbying groups, the conservative Christian Louisiana Family Forum, opposes striking …

Clip recap: A Republican icon comes out in support of marriage equality. We’ve had a sting of major marriage wins in the last few months, but now anti-gay groups will keep trying to tear those victories down in a series of hearings. Support for marriage equality is picking up in conservative states, a terminally ill woman in Indiana is one …