The White House has never been so beautiful. Who woulda thunk?

It seriously brought tears to my eyes. Unbelievable.

Still feeling pretty damn happy about this.

Congrats to everyone in USA
 

Just want to say that this is great news.
And I hope that when the 3 weeks is up that the decision stays the same.
I can't see them reversing it.
We in the Uk have been able to marry for some time now, and it really does make you realise how lucky you are to have that choice.
I wish the USA Happy days ahead,.
Long live love and equality.

Good news! But i live in texas and i know that homophobia will not disappear with a few pen strokes...that being said i hope our nation and individual states will continue to move forward a maybe one day we will all look back and see our own ignorance

finally
 

since married in 2013 I have had to carry our health care proxy and our marriage license with me, and so has J, to prove we were in fact married in a state that recognized it.

Now I can downsize to a new handbag, I will find any excuse to shop, really!

Congrats to those that helped make this decision possible and Congrats to those who will enjoy the freedom in the future, it's darn good to be equal

my life, now, is actually pure BLISS

Marriage Equality??
 

I was thinking.....

How do you all feel about petitioning Medusa and Jack, and asking to have this thread renamed "Marriage Equality" ?

The term "same-sex marriage" has bothered me for a very long time, as all we wanted, and what we finally have, is "Marriage Equality"... not something different, just a marriage like anyone else we know.

Anyway...

Just remember, y'all, that we ain't done yet with all the fighting for our rights that needs to be done. It is still perfectly legal, in many areas to refuse or throw us out of housing, and jobs, right now. :(

There is much to be done...but for a couple of days i am going to sit here with a huge smile on my face and feel good about the progress we HAVE made.:rrose:

Texas AG: County workers don’t have to issue same-sex marriage licenses
 

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) on Sunday advised county clerks, magistrates and others who have religious objections to same-sex marriage that they may opt out of providing services to same-sex couples seeking marriage licenses.

Calling the Supreme Court’s ruling Friday allowing same-sex unions nationally a “lawless decision,” Paxton said that his guidance was necessary to protect the religious liberties of hundreds of local officials whose job it is it issue marriage licenses.

“We find that although it fabricated a new constitutional right in 2015, the Supreme Court did not diminish, overrule, or call into question the First Amendment rights to free exercise of religion that formed the first freedom in the Bill of Rights,” he said in a statement.

The opinion offered a hint of the resistance that is likely to delay or otherwise hamper same-sex marriages in many of the 14 states that before Friday’s ruling did not permit gay couples to wed.

In particular, opponents have stressed the necessity to protect people of faith from being forced to condone or participate in a same-sex ceremony. Gay rights groups have called these efforts discrimination under the guise of religious liberties.

The opinion immediately drew criticism from gay rights groups, which said it was not legally sound. They also plan to press their case in Mississippi and Louisiana, which have held back broadly on providing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

“Public officials have no constitutional or statutory right to discriminate in providing public services,” said Shannon Minter, legal director for the National Center for Lesbian Rights. “This opinion is wrong on the law, and it does a disservice to officials who need clear, reliable guidance about their duty to follow the law and to provide marriage licenses to all qualified couples.”

In his opinion, Paxton acknowledges the legal vulnerability for local officials who decline to help gay couples. He suggests that clerks and others who do not want to issue same-sex marriage licenses because of “sincerely held” religious beliefs delegate that responsibility to others. But in cases where no official is available to assist gay couples, they could face lawsuits.

“But, numerous lawyers stand ready to assist clerks defending their religious beliefs, in many cases on a pro-bono basis, and I will do everything I can from this office to be a public voice for those standing in defense of their rights,” he said.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/p...s=rss_national

------------------------

Legal victory. Implementation hurdles.

Finally all 50!
 

Louisianna and Mississippi began issuing marriage licenses today...they were the only hold-outs on Friday, saying they would wait until their stays from the lower courts were lifted, or in the case of Louisianna, they were waiting until the 3 weeks were exhausted.

After the ruling Friday, Puerto Rico also said they will change their law and comply, but I'm not certain as to when marriages can take place.

There will be areas where we meet resistance, and more than a few lawsuits, but today we have marriages in all 50 states!

Colombia
 

A top Cabinet Minister in Colombia has opened a petition to allow marriage equality and same-sex adoption in his country.

It is widely believed that the SCOTUS decision will push additional countries to grant marriage rights for all citizens. And...maybe in others they will be held accountable for the killings of their people for being gay.

We can dream, right?

How about...don't be in the business of issuing marriage licenses if you have this prejudice.

Ya think drinking is a sin? Don't be a bartender.

texas wtf
 

hi everyone,
was totally shocked to see about this business in texas.
they should be ashamed of themselves.
if its the law, its the law.
i know they say its not law binding there.
i wouldnt like to live in texas right now.
there must be so many disappointed ppl, who just wanna get married but fear that onesome will say "no you cant" just because they believe otherwise.
the sooner they get this clause out the better

Let's hope that the Supreme Court finds the Texas Attorney General to be in contempt of court and sends him to a federal jail for a while. I especially enjoy his use of the term 'we' in writing his opinion. Since when is he of royal blood, much less a king or a queen. Those are the only two types of people that it is appropriate for them to use the term 'we', when speaking.

On another matter, even after we stop all the legal discrimination against us, we still need to find a way to overcome the prejudice against being GLBT. If I recall the statistics correctly, only about 10% of the population is GLBT, yet about 40% of the children living on the streets are GLBT. They have been thrown out, or forced out of their homes,. due to the bigotry and hatred that we face. Perhaps, one day, this will end. I truly hope that, preferably soon, a child that has been thrown out of their home, due to this, files a lawsuit against their parents seeking child support.

The US Angican Church (episcopalians) will be voting today on whether to sation same-sex marriages in the Church.

The Church i attend has been allowed to do so for several years...it was up to the area Bischop.

Just when you think you have edited all you can...sanction is the word.

And...i am not completely, okay I'm wrong...it's been a tough morning.

Same-sex marriage or the blessing of same-sex unions, has been available in the Episcopal Church for approx 20 years! What is being votedon today is the language used during the Litany...in reference to he/she, he/he, she/she. The vote will be to make the language all the same and remove references to gender, or to make several variations available as a couple chooses.

Hey, that is ok. Hang in there! Besides, this proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are not simply another computer. After all, computers don't make mistakes! :P I hope that the rest of your day goes better. Hugs

Creative Obstruction
 

Some officials stop holding weddings

--------------------


The religious objections were not unexpected.

The freedom of speech argument seems irrelevant to me.

The refusal to issue any marriage licenses is innovative.

I, as well as a lot of others, predicted the push back on same-sex marriage, as well as other forms of discrimination being used against us. I can't remember what page, but i think it was back in April or May.

In any case, we have a long road to travel, but marriage equality is a fact, and it can't be taken away. Yes they can make us go to other counties, but the fact remains that in EVERY SINGLE STATE in the US we can be married.

Like i said before, there is a lot of hate out there, be careful!(f)

The vote was a win for marriage equality in the Episcopal Church! Just an fyi, we also elected the first gay Bishop (Robinson, who has a male partner) more than a decade ago.

Whoop!

To day Shreveport Louisiana had it's first gay wedding at the festival plaza down town. It was the first thing on the evening news report at 5 and 6 pm, it was a well done segment .Our last mayor put in a strong glbt policy for the city and the new mayor is up holding it. In the report the clerk said they had to add a few correct boxes to check before issuing the paper work but now it's in order. I am glad my home town did this, way to go Shreveport.

Texas sucks, it still has a long way to go, due to our so wonderful Governor. So if I decide to get married, not anytime soon and if Texas has not changed, I will be headed to another state that will marry me and my partner.

Colorado
 

Opponents of marriage equality are working to get two inititives on the ballot:

1. Rename same-sex marriages "civil unions"
2. Allow wedding suppliers to hire outside contractors to provide services for a same-sex wedding if they are opposed.

It will be a long time beore this crap ends.:readfineprint:

14 of 54 registers of deeds have claimed the religious exemptiom recently passed, and have written a letter to the Governor asking to be excused from issuing licenses or performing marriages for same-sex couples.

Asshats:fastdraq:

Missouri
 

From the pages of jeez they are asshats.....

The Dent County commission has voted to officially "mourn" the passing of same-sex marriage. On the 26th of each month (July-June) for a year, the county flags will be lowered to half-staff.

I have not posted since the SCOTUS decision. I cried happy tears all day and ran to the television every time the subject came up. I was stuck on MSNBC, because they have so many LGBTQ folk on staff and on camera. It was a day of great joy.

The next day I was in St Pete for the Pride Parade. I thought it started at 7pm so I was way early, and so glad that I was. It was one big love fest. I It was like a family reunion with thousands of family members, every one of which you loved. People were hugging and kissing and congratulating each other.

Thanks to you Ms. T for your faithful and important work on this thread and everywhere. Thanks to all of you who have worked, really throughout history, to make this possible, and most of all, thank you god, fate, the universe, the force, or whatever brought us here, that I am alive to see this happen. I am still floating on the euphoria of that day. As Tiny Tim (the Dickens character) would say "God bless us, every one!!!"

Smooches,
Keri

1 year later.......
 

Tomorrow marks the 1 year Anniversarry of Marriage Equality throughout our land! :hangloose:

For those of you who married after the decision, how has your life changed? For those of you married longer same question, except now that it's legal nationwide, is there any change in how you are treated?

And finally, how bad has it gotten for you in other areas since legally they can't stop us from marrying?

I'll come back later with my own experiences.

Just a reminder of how important it is that the White House remains with the Democrats!

The Presidency, the Senate, the House ... all Democrat. We especially need some old time anti-war Democrats to balance off the Hawks. Two or three more Liberal Supreme Court Justices. My vision for a good 20 to 30 years of progress. And maybe we'll save the planet at the same time.
Smooches,
Keri

Well gee, I hear crickets!

Since the ruling on nationwide marriage equality, I have had mixed feelings about the progress made by our community toward equal civil rights.

The haters seem motivated to make sure we hear their hate: the wacko who went to jail because she wouldn't issue marriage licenses, the states that have passed "freedom of religion/discrimination" laws etc etc....

I find most people are embracing us as a married couple...the Church has a married couples group that meets for dinner and events, and it has been opened to same-sex married couples. I try not to cringe when we are introduced by people as "our friends Kasey and Cindy, they
are in a same-sex marriage" :|

My Kasey has faced a lot of nasty comments when alone. I can see that people are itching to say something when we are out together, but I am a formidable presence and they are fortunate to reconsider. Same-sex marriage has received greater acceptance, but in my opinion we as individuals are resented for changes most people did not want to occur.

I will always be grateful to the people who have worked so hard through the years to make marriage equality a reality, I never thought it would happen in my lifetime. I wish I could stand up on top of a mountain and yell, "well it's been a year, how has this decision affected your marriage."

The silence would be deafening.

More change will come with time. As you said, we have experienced an enormous amount of progress in our lifetimes. Take that progress and run with it. So sorry Kasey gets treated badly. I hate that. African Americans still fight for there freedoms every day, and I think our people will as well. For a long time. Hell we are fighting again for birth control. Who woulda thunk?

You ARE a formidable woman MsT. You are one of the fighters that moves us forward. Thank you so much for that. We need you badly as a people.

What I want most for you, though, is happiness. You are one of those lucky folk who have found the right person to go through life with. I know you know what a blessing that is.

At the last two pride events I attended, Tampa in March and St Pete this past week-end there were especially virulent "Christians" spewing their hatred. With megaphones.

Before the killings in Orlando, I pretty much just let it roll off. But now I want it stopped. I want the police to make them leave. I do not see their speech as being constitutionally protected speech. I see it as hate speech, even as inciting to riot. Hate speech leads to hate acts. My heart is too raw to listen to these haters misquote Jesus and use the bible as justification for their acts. Where is their joy? Do they actually take joy in attacking us? If they would work to bring a little joy into their own lives, perhaps there would be less room for their self righteous anger.

Joy is what I wish for you and Kasey. One of my favorite old sayings is "Living well is the best revenge." You and Kasey are living well. There is probably way more joy in your lives that in the lives of those who stand against you.

Many Blessings
Smooches,
Keri

I am sorry that the haters tried to spoil Pride for our community...as a Christian I find it so hard to understand why they feel the need to act the way they do.

The "laws" of the old testament were put in place to show the believers of God the way to heaven. But....things don't work out so well when people have to follow laws. Human beings then chose people (Priests) to tell them how to be better with God than their neighbors...and thus Priests added MORE rules and regulations until everything was so bad God sent Jesus.

Jesus said to his followers I have two commandments for you:

Love your God above all others with your whole heart.
Love your neighbor as yourself.

In Matthew 7 (new testament) God then says "Judge not" (ok so I paraphrased that one lol). Meaning that God will be our only Judge upon our death, and if you need any guidelines look to the two things Jesus left us with.

We believers are saved by Gods grace, there is nothing else we have to do, no acts, no rules, not even religion.

That's it. Simple, or at least it should be.......

Because people are human beings, there will always be an urge in us all to be the best, to do it better than our neighbor, to be more righteous....well you get the picture. Every day I pray to be kinder, to not be quick to anger, to let the hatred of others roll off of my back.

Just wanted to let those who are unaware of these rulings of Judaic Law.
1) Marriage between 2 people of the same sex is legal in Reform Judaism

2) Marriage between 2 Jews is legal in Conservative and Reconstruction Judaism. If one is a convert s/he must have had instruction, mikveh (ritual bath), Bet Dien (Jewish Court), and Shema (in front of open ark). Also, a male must be circumcised.

Unfortunately, marriage between 2 men or 2 women is still not permitted in Orthodox and Ultraorthodox denominations.

Partner and I have been unable to get married due to financial reasons.

She receives EBT cash and food stamps. I receive SSDI. If we were to get married, we would lose $500/mo. with no chance for Her to get Medicaid or us to apply for HUD.

If the finances matter to you, do a little math before making the leap. We did.

In a postal survey, the Australian population has voted to allow marriage equality! The Prime Minister has agreed to abide by the non-binding survey, and marriages should be happening by Christmas.

I am a firm believer that no one gets to vote on whether another person gets equal rights, but in this case I am very happy for the people of Australia.:rrose: