Same-Sex Marriage Update

[Jess]

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HT9lWShwR0s"]YouTube- Political Voices for Equality[/nomedia] : the page links you to other relative videos regarding the Freedom To Marry

[Jess]

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/07/0...-to-claim.html

[AtLast]

(My apologies if this news has been posted)


Mormons Found Guilty on 13 Counts of Prop 8 Malfeasance, Fined by FPPC

By Dan Aiello
California Progress Report

On Wednesday, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints became the first religious organization to be fined for political malfeasance in California, according to Californians Against Hate (CAH), the non-profit organization that filed the complaint after voters narrowly approved the anti-marriage equality initiative, proposition 8, November, 2008.

Leaders of the Mormon Church "failed to timely report making late non-monetary contributions" to the Yes on Prop 8 campaign, an amount totaling $36,928, according to the June 10, 2010 finding by California's Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC), announced at the commission's meeting Wednesday in Sacramento. The commission's enforcement included levying a 15% punitive fine against the LDS organization, totaling $5,539 dollars.

The late reporting charges were just one part of the complaint CAH filed November 13, 2008, shortly after the anti-marriage equality initiative passed, and followed-up with a supplemental complaint filed March 18, 2009, as more information became public.

"[The fine] seems a little light since [the FPPC] only looked at $36,000 of their contributions, but it's also historic because no church has ever been fined for illegal political activity in California before," said Fred Karger, CAH founder. "In fact, it's unprecedented."

LDS spokesperson, Kim Farah, declined comment, referring instead to a public statement at the religious organization's website which said Mormons "Mistakenly overlooked the daily reporting process" during the last two weeks of the campaign.

"When we accused them of contributing more money [than was reported], they stated publicly that our claims were false, but that turned out to be a lie - one of many," said Karger, who was in Sacramento attending the FPPC meeting to make sure the fine was assessed. "It's unbelievable, their arrogance, blatantly violating California election laws and lying repeatedly about their involvement in prop 8.

According to CAH, a spokesman for the Mormon Church, Don Eaton, said in an interview with KGO-TV (ABC San Francisco) prior to the election, "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints put zero money in this.”

It was eventually learned that the Mormon Church coordinated contributions amounting to more than half of the $45 million dollar Yes on Prop 8 campaign, as well as contributing non-monetarily to the campaign by sending Mormon campaign volunteers through the Church's "mission" program and offering use of church ward (parish) properties throughout the state.

Karger noted that Mormon leadership has significant influence in Utah. Political scientists have referred to Utah's form of government as a "Theo-Democracy," because of the church's influence over state politics and legislation. "No legislation passes without the approval of the Church leadership," said Will Carlson of Equality Utah, a group that has been unsuccessful in passing statewide protection from discrimination based on sexual orientation. Mormons active in the faith constitute approximately 75% of the Utah legislature and, because the Mormon church requires members to adhere to the wishes of LDS leadership or face excommunication, church leadership is able to exert significant influence over Utah politics.

The LDS exerts influence on social issues in Utah's neighboring states, as well, creating what is known politically as "The Mormon Corridor," from Eastern California to Colorado, Idaho to Arizona.

The complaint by Karger and CAH resulted in the FPPC's 19-month investigation, leading to today's decision. "They got off easy," said Karger, "but this is only one state. They were involved in all 30 state [marriage] battles. This is just the beginning."

Along with the complaint filed in California, Karger and CAH also filed a complaint "against the Mormon's front organization, NOM [National Organization for Marriage]," Karger said. Maine's Fair Political Practices Commission "voted 3-2 to investigate them and to turn over their donor names which they're required to by law," said Karger. "They contributed another $2 million dollars in that campaign."

NOM is under investigation in the state of Maine for possible money laundering and failing to file the required campaign reports for that state’s Question 1 campaign. Question 1 took away gay marriage in Maine just last November.

The Maine investigation is ongoing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~

Dan Aiello reports for the California Progress Report.

[Soon]

Calling it "marriage by another name," Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle has just announced that she will VETO her state's civil unions bill. Adding insult to her bigotry, invited to the announcement was the now-retired Hawaii Supreme Court Justice who first got the state's marriage equality ball rolling in 1993.





TAKE ACTION
Hawaii Chamber of Commerce - 808-545-4300
Hawaii Visitors & Conventions Bureau - 800-464-2924

UPDATE: The ACLU and Lambda Legal have announced plans to sue Hawaii.
Lambda Legal and the ACLU had readied a lawsuit after the House tabled HB 444 in January. The Hawai'i Senate had previously approved the bill by a veto-proof 18 to 7 majority and sent it back to the House for a conforming vote. "We're obviously disappointed that Governor Lingle has, once again, used her power to deny the people of Hawai'i their civil rights" said Laurie Temple, Staff Attorney for the ACLU. "Luckily for the people of Hawai'i, however, our constitution prevents discrimination based on sexual orientation. If the Governor won't honor her oath to uphold the constitution, the courts will."

MORE REACTIONS

Equality Hawaii:

“Today is a sad day for the thousands of Hawaii families who remain second class citizens,” said Alan Spector, legislative affairs co-chair for Equality Hawaii. “We fail to see how the Governor’s actions are in the best interest of Hawaii’s future and are nothing more than political maneuvering at the expense of people’s lives. We’re disappointed and outraged that same-sex families will not be treated equally under Hawaii law, but vow to come back and fight this fight another day.”

Human Rights Campaign:

“Americans nationwide share in the disappointment and outrage of thousands of Hawaii’s families who will not receive equal treatment under law,” said Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign. “Thankfully, there are local advocates as well as leaders in the Hawaii legislature who will continue to further the cause of equality. For decades, we have been a loyal partner in this fight for fairness in the Aloha State and we pledge to stand with them for years to come.”

[blackboot]

Needless to say, we are heartbroken at Gov. Linda Lingle's veto of HB444 that would have allowed us a Civil Union.

blackboot & CherryFemme

[Jess]

[Jess]

[Soon]

[blackboot]

When these "christians" weren't waiving their hands in the air or singing and praying, some took the time to shout that they "hoped we all died of aids."
It is a sad time in the land of aloha.

[Corkey]

BREAKING: Federal judge strikes down key DOMA section
July 8, 2010 / Denis / Uncategorized
In a landmark decision this afternoon, a Federal District Court judge in Boston has ruled a key provision of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional.

The case was brought by Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders on behalf of eight couples and three other persons who had been legally married in Massachusetts. The plaintiffs said DOMA’s section 3, which prohibited federal recognition of legal marriages of same-sex couples, violated the principle of equal protection under the U.S. constitution, and the court agreed.

“This is not a marriage case. If we win, it wouldn’t result in any new marriages. It’s a case where people are already married and they’re being treated differently by the federal government. It’s about equal protection,” Mary Bonauto, lead counsel in the case, told The AmLaw Daily before the decision came down.

If the judge’s decision is upheld by higher courts, the U.S. federal government would have to recognize same-sex couples in legal marriages with regard to multiple federal programs. The case is Gill, et al vs. Office of Personnel Management, et al.

[Arwen]

Here's a link.

[Stearns]

Originally Posted by blackboot

Needless to say, we are heartbroken at Gov. Linda Lingle's veto of HB444 that would have allowed us a Civil Union.

blackboot & CherryFemme

I emailed the Hawaii Chamber of Commerce and the Hawaii Visitor's & Convention Bureau today and expressed that Hawaii would never get my and my wife's money because of Gov. Lingle's lack of belief in human rights for all people. I decided on these two organizations, because I think emailing Lingle is a waste of time. I had already emailed her prior to the veto.

[SuperFemme]

Originally Posted by blackboot

When these "christians" weren't waiving their hands in the air or singing and praying, some took the time to shout that they "hoped we all died of aids."
It is a sad time in the land of aloha.

ouch.

at rallies after Prop 8 we encountered that kind of sheer hatred too.

all i could do was cry, yanno?

i was the kind of angry/sad/hopeless that the only thing that came out of me was tears. not words, not yelling, just tears.

my heart breaks for you both and i don't want to pat you on the head and tell you it's going to be ok. because we don't know that.

but don't lose the ability to hope again, please?

in my eyes you are married, as i'm sure is true for this whole community. *we* believe in your love. it's as important as everyone elses.

((((hugs))))

[blackboot]

Eduardo Hernandez July 8 at 12:18pm "Dear Friends of Equality & Justice,
One easy way for you to let the visitor industry hear the pain Governor Lingle has caused with her veto of HB 444 is to call the official visitor information call center at 1-800-GOHAWAII (1-800-464-2924). While a boycott of Hawaii would be counter-productive because so many of our supporters earn their living in the tourism economy, you can certainly help to communicate that discrimination and bigotry are incompatible with the spirit of aloha tourism in general.

This toll-free line is operated by the Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau, the official U.S. marketing agent of the Hawaii Tourism Authority. It is monitored closely to identify trends and concerns among travelers. Daily, weekly and monthly reporting from these calls helps inform tourism marketing initiatives and public spending. Please let your voice be heard in a constructive way.

When you call: 1) Hold for a live operator. 2) Decline their offer of a vacation planner to be mailed to your home. 3) Tell the operator: “I’m very concerned about the situation in Hawaii, following Governor Lingle’s veto of civil rights legislation. When I visit (one or more of) the Islands of Hawaii, I expect to be treated with equality and aloha. Please pass my concerns on to your supervisors.”

[Stearns]

Originally Posted by blackboot

Eduardo Hernandez July 8 at 12:18pm "Dear Friends of Equality & Justice,
One easy way for you to let the visitor industry hear the pain Governor Lingle has caused with her veto of HB 444 is to call the official visitor information call center at 1-800-GOHAWAII (1-800-464-2924). While a boycott of Hawaii would be counter-productive because so many of our supporters earn their living in the tourism economy, you can certainly help to communicate that discrimination and bigotry are incompatible with the spirit of aloha tourism in general.

This toll-free line is operated by the Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau, the official U.S. marketing agent of the Hawaii Tourism Authority. It is monitored closely to identify trends and concerns among travelers. Daily, weekly and monthly reporting from these calls helps inform tourism marketing initiatives and public spending. Please let your voice be heard in a constructive way.

When you call: 1) Hold for a live operator. 2) Decline their offer of a vacation planner to be mailed to your home. 3) Tell the operator: “I’m very concerned about the situation in Hawaii, following Governor Lingle’s veto of civil rights legislation. When I visit (one or more of) the Islands of Hawaii, I expect to be treated with equality and aloha. Please pass my concerns on to your supervisors.”

I got e-mails today from both Yahoo Travel and Delta announcing deals to Hawaii. Coincidence? Maybe not.

[blackboot]

SuperFemme,
Thank you for your kind words. I am reminded of how I miss California LGBTQ.
We only had one loud Queen(and we immediately gravitated to each other) in the less than 100 that showed up at the Capital to hear Linda Lingle veto away our civil rights. I miss putting on my black boots *wink* and taking it to the streets. Maybe that time has past. I don't know. Maybe I'm just an old and tired warrior.

I'll take that head pat.

[SuperFemme]

HOLY SHIT!

Judge Walker will be ruling on the Federal Prop 8 trial at 6 p.m. today.

I'm soooooooooooooo nervous I could vomit.

Please? God? Higher Power? Anyone? Please oh please do not let this be the death of gay marriage in America. Please.

Stay tuned

[SuperFemme]

prop 8 stays.
boo.

my heart broke.

[betenoire]

Originally Posted by SuperFemme

prop 8 stays.
boo.

my heart broke.

WHAT? But the Judge kinda sounded like our friend! How is this possible?

Oh, I see. I misunderstood how it works. I thought there was just the one judge (the one nice one I kept hearing about) I didn't realise there were, what, 6?

[Queerasfck]

Originally Posted by SuperFemme

prop 8 stays.
boo.

my heart broke.

Sux............