Tag Archives: marriage equality

Australia’s News Corp outlet reports: The February same sex marriage plebiscite will not proceed. Talks to save it collapsed today guaranteeing a bitter debate in Parliament where legislation for the national ballot will be defeated in the Senate by Labor and the Greens. In response to fruitless talks, Labor intensified its portrayal of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull as a prisoner …

The Associated Press reports: After having remained quiet while Italy debated civil unions for same-sex couples in May, on Sunday Pope Francis expressed support for the Mexican bishops in their efforts to support the “family and life” amid a burgeoning national debate over gay marriage. “I join willingly the Bishops of Mexico in supporting the efforts of the Church and …

Telesur reports: At least 80,000 people have attended the anti-gay rally called “rally to defend our families” in Mexico City on Saturday, Mayor Miguel Angel Mancera said. The protest is organized by Catholics and the ultra-conservative National Front for the Family, who have been calling people to take to the streets to “defend their families and children” against same-sex marriages …

As I predicted earlier this week, the turnout for Brian Brown’s protest at the Mexican embassy in DC was indeed a “handful of nutjobs.” Tomorrow Brown will be in Mexico City to march with his counterparts in a demonstration against the president’s call for a constitutional amendment which would legalize same-sex marriage nationwide. Same-sex marriage is currently legal in only …

Patrick Strudwick reports at Buzzfeed: Campaigners, politicians, and members of the public are celebrating a historic vote in the States of Guernsey, which on Wednesday finally approved the introduction of same-sex marriage by 33 votes to five. It makes Northern Ireland now the only part of the British Isles without marriage equality, following similar successful campaigns in Jersey and the …

Reuters reports: Chile’s President Michelle Bachelet said during a United Nations General Assembly panel on LGBT rights on Wednesday that she would send a bill legalizing gay marriage to Congress in the first half of 2017. “My government has committed to submit to Congress a bill on marriage equality during the first half of 2017,” Bachelet said, according to a …

The Raleigh News & Observer reports: A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit by three couples who challenged North Carolina’s law that allows magistrates to refuse to marry same-sex couples by citing religious beliefs. U.S. District Judge Max Cogburn ruled that the couples lacked legal standing as taxpayers to sue and lacked evidence showing they were harmed directly by the law …

Posted to NOM’s Facebook page: Join us as we gather in front of the Mexican Embassy to the United States on September 23rd at noon for a demonstration in support of the family in solidarity with the Mexican people! We will join together to show support for the efforts by the Frente Nacional por la Familia (FNF) and other leaders …

Dominic Holden reports at Buzzfeed: The legal advocacy group that represented several couples in a lawsuit against Kim Davis — the county clerk in Kentucky who famously refused to issue marriage licenses after the Supreme Court struck down bans on same-sex marriage — is asking a federal court to award it $233,058 to cover legal expenses. In court documents filed …

Britain’s Bucks Free Press reports: A grammar school has been accused of handing out ‘homophobic’ work after a maths question sparked fury amongst parents and students. The shocking question, handed out by a school volunteer to a group of students at the all-boys Royal Grammar School, in High Wycombe, suggests only men and woman should get married “as God intended”. …

Fort Lauderdale’s ABC affiliate reports: A former court specialist is suing Broward Clerk of Courts Howard Forman for firing her over what she is claiming to be religious discrimination. According to a lawsuit obtained by Local 10 News, Yanicka Parker also works as a minister and is a regular attendee of Faith Deliverance Tabernacle, in Fort Lauderdale. Parker claims in …

Via press release from hate group leader Brian Brown: Dear Marriage Supporter, As we told you last week, our friends at Frente Nacional por la Familia (National Front for the Family) are leading a nationwide protest of citizens in Mexico to oppose the attempt of the ruling government party led by President Enrique Peña Nieto, to impose widespread legal recognition …

The Guardian reports: The government will propose new protections for “conscientious objectors” to same-sex marriage which marriage equality advocates fear could allow civil celebrants, registrars and even bakers and florists to refuse to serve same-sex weddings. According to briefing notes on the plebiscite prepared for the Coalition party room, seen by Guardian Australia, the legislation would allow “conscientious objectors” to …

The Tennessean reports: Fifty-three Republican state legislators have teamed with a Christian conservative group in trying to become involved in the pending divorce of two Knoxville women who are arguing over child custody. The Family Action Council of Tennessee announced that its legal arm, known as the Constitutional Government Defense Fund, is representing the legislators in filing a motion to …

Buzzfeed reports: Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie was faced with a question close to home on ABC’s Q&A on Monday, when her gay brother asked if the government’s proposed plebiscite on marriage would affect his emotional wellbeing. “Given the majority of parliamentarians and Australians now support marriage equality, is a $160 million plebiscite necessary, and what impact do you think the …

News Corp Australia reports: Federal Labor has introduced to parliament legislation that aims to legalise same-sex marriage in an attempt to gazump the government’s planned national vote on the issue. Opposition Leader Bill Shorten introduced a private bill on Monday, saying it was a chance for the parliament to prove its worth and fulfil its purpose. “Today we can bring …

Andy Towle reports at Towleroad: Across Mexico over the weekend, thousands of “pro-family” groups protested against same-sex marriage as the country moves toward marriage equality. In one particular march in Celaya, Guanajuato, a 12-year-old boy was photographed in the middle of the street trying to block the march of 11,000 people from moving forward. Journalist Manuel Rodriguez captured an image …

Early this year Finland’s parliament finalized the details of the marriage equality law which goes into effect in March 2017. Enter the group attempting to repeal the law before then. Via the Helsinki Times: A citizens’ initiative to repeal the upcoming legislative amendment granting marriage rights to same-sex couples was discussed at the Finnish Parliament on Thursday. Hanna Sarkkinen (Left …

Australia’s Daily Telegraph reports: Kylie Minogue and fiance Joshua Sasse have confirmed their support for marriage equality in Australia as it continues to dominate political debate. Minogue, a gay icon, has noted how “backward” Australia is on the same-sex marriage issue, stating that “the earth didn’t cave in” in other countries where it is now legal and that “love is …

The opinion of this Roy Moore wannabe was in the minority but Slate warns of what it portends. Mark Joseph Stern writes: On Friday, the Texas Supreme Court refused to review a lower court ruling holding that cities may not deprive married same-sex couples the benefits it provides to opposite-sex couples. The court’s decision leaves in place a pro-equality ruling …