Category: news
11/12/08 06:04 - 46ºF - ID#46661
Gay Rights in CT
After Calif. loss, gays get right to wed in Conn.
By JOHN CHRISTOFFERSEN, Associated Press Writer John Christoffersen, Associated Press Writer - 29 mins ago
...
NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Same-sex couples walked joyfully down the aisle Wednesday for the first time in Connecticut, while gay activists planned to march in protests across the country over the vote that took away their right to marry in California.
Advocates said they expected thousands at a demonstration at Boston's City Hall Plaza later Wednesday, with gay couples and families featured to try to keep the tone positive, said Ryan McNeely, an organizer for the Join the Impact protest movement.
"We're not trying to convey an image of persecution, we're not trying to attack any specific group," he said. "The point we need to be making is that we need to bring everybody together and to respect each other, and that hate breeds hate."
Bubbles and white balloons bounced in the chilly autumn air as well-wishers cheered the marriage of Peg Oliveira and Jennifer Vickery in New Haven. They wed outside City Hall, next to a statue commemorating the struggle for freedom among captives on the Amistad slave ship.
Despite the roaring traffic and clicking cameras, "it was surprisingly quiet," Oliveira said after the brief ceremony. "Everything else dissolved, and it was just the two of us. It was so much more personal and powerful in us committing to one another, and so much less about the people around us."
The Connecticut Supreme Court ruled 4-3 on Oct. 10 that same-sex couples have the right to wed rather than accept a 2005 civil union law designed to give them the same rights as married couples. A lower-court judge entered a final order permitting same-sex marriage Wednesday morning.
"Today, Connecticut sends a message of hope and inspiration to lesbian and gay people throughout this country who simply want to be treated as equal citizens by their government," said the plaintiff's attorney, Bennett Klein.
There was no comparison between civil unions and marriage for Robin Levine-Ritterman and Barbara Levine-Ritterman, who obtained a civil union in 2005 and were among eight same-sex couples who sued for the right to marry.
"We didn't do it with pride or joy," Barbara Levine-Ritterman said of getting the civil-union license. "It felt gritty to be in a separate line."
On Wednesday, however, she proudly held up the first same-sex marriage license issued in New Haven as about 100 people applauded outside City Hall. She and her betrothed, who held red roses, plan to marry in May.
"It's thrilling today," Barbara Levine-Ritterman said. "We are all in one line for one form. Love is love, and the state recognizes it."
Manchester Town Clerk Joseph Camposeo, president of the Connecticut Town Clerks Association, said clerks in the state's 169 communities were advised by e-mail shortly after 9:30 a.m. that they could start issuing marriage licenses to gay couples.
"The feedback I'm getting from other clerks is that we're all at the ready, but no one really has a sense yet of what kind of volume we're going to get," he said.
According to the state public health department, 2,032 civil union licenses were issued in Connecticut between October 2005 and July 2008.
The health department had new marriage applications printed that reflect the change. Instead of putting one name under "bride" and the other under "groom," couples will see two boxes marked "bride/groom/spouse."
Massachusetts is the only other state allowing gay marriages. Like the highest courts in that state and Connecticut, the California Supreme Court ruled this spring that same-sex marriage is legal. After thousands of such unions were conducted in California, however, its voters last week approved Proposition 8, a referendum banning the practice.
Constitutional amendments to ban gay marriage also passed last week in Arizona and Florida, and Arkansas voters approved a measure banning unmarried couples from serving as adoptive or foster parents.
Gay rights advocates are citing Massachusetts as an example at planned rallies this weekend to demonstrate why gay marriage is beneficial to families and children.
"In Massachusetts, in particular, we have a great story to tell, a great story to tell about marriage equality, that it works and that it's good," said Marc Solomon, executive director of MassEquality.
Kris Mineau of the Massachusetts Family Institute, which opposes gay marriage, said planned and past protests, some of which have been angry in tone and targeted churches, are meant to intimidate the California high court into reversing its ruling that Proposition 8 was constitutional.
"We are a nation that goes by the rule of law," he said. "No court should ever be intimidated by mob rule. And that's what our opponents right now are trying to do."
The California vote has sparked protests and several lawsuits asking that state's Supreme Court to overturn the prohibition.
A group of Southern California activists have launched an effort to have simultaneous protests outside statehouses and city halls in every state Saturday. Demonstrations have been scheduled outside the U.S. Capitol and in more than 100 cities.
Activists also are aiming boycotts and protests at businesses and individuals who contributed to the campaign to pass Proposition 8. Many of the donors are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which played a significant role in encouraging its members to support the California ban.
Mormon churches in several states have become the focus of protests and some vandalism since the vote.
Since lawyers for gay rights groups and the cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco have asked the California Supreme Court to invalidate Proposition 8, same-sex couples in California are not flocking to Connecticut and Massachusetts to wed, said Shannon Minter, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights.
"I think couples are still very hopeful they will be able to marry here," Minter said.
Connecticut voters could have opened the door to ending gay marriage last week by voting for a constitutional convention to amend the state's constitution, but the measure failed.
Peter Wolfgang, the executive director of the Family Institute of Connecticut, a gay-marriage opponent, acknowledged that banning gay weddings in Connecticut will be difficult but vowed not to give up. He condemned the high court's decision as undemocratic.
"Unlike California, we did not have a remedy," Wolfgang said. "It must be overturned with patience, determination and fortitude."
The state's 2005 civil union law will remain on the books for now. Same-sex couples can continue to enter civil unions, which give them the same legal rights and privileges in Connecticut as married couples without the status of being married. Several states, including California, allow domestic partnerships or civil unions for same-sex couples.
___
Associated Press writers Susan Haigh in Hartford, Conn., and Lisa Leff in San Francisco contributed to this report.
Permalink: Gay_Rights_in_CT.html
Words: 1167
Location: Buffalo, NY
11/10/08 07:41 - 38ºF - ID#46632
I'm an uncle but was I before.....
Permalink: I_m_an_uncle_but_was_I_before_.html
Words: 78
Location: Buffalo, NY
Category: sports
11/09/08 10:21 - 42ºF - ID#46612
Bills and Sabres
Yes I'm a Bills fan. They started out so good and then lost 2 games to people in their division. The game today in New England is a big game for both teams I think who ever wins would be in first place and could be there all alone also. I know the Bills are good enough to win but I wonder if they will play like they are. Based on what my guide on Cable says the second game is the Steelers Vs. The Colts. The last time the Bills and Steelers where both on they both lost and they lost in what I thought was a nasty way to lose. I'm hoping both teams win but we shall see, should be a good day of football.
I hope our teams get it together and start winning cause I would really like to see the sabres win when I go see them, and this is a win the Bills really need, not sure how the Steelers are doing but it would be nice to see them win also.
Permalink: Bills_and_Sabres.html
Words: 287
Location: Buffalo, NY
Category: comedy
11/08/08 03:38 - 48ºF - ID#46606
Public vs. Private Jokes oh no.....
Permalink: Public_vs_Private_Jokes_oh_no_.html
Words: 279
Location: Buffalo, NY
Category: political
11/05/08 06:41 - 67ºF - ID#46563
Obama wins is just 1 step
Permalink: Obama_wins_is_just_1_step.html
Words: 231
Location: Buffalo, NY
Category: political
11/04/08 08:24 - 58ºF - ID#46526
Voting is strange
Permalink: Voting_is_strange.html
Words: 247
Location: Buffalo, NY
Category: buffalo
11/03/08 06:59 - 59ºF - ID#46500
Buisness Idea
Permalink: Buisness_Idea.html
Words: 227
Location: Buffalo, NY
Category: politics
11/03/08 06:43 - 59ºF - ID#46499
The Problems of election Day
The Second problem I have is Election Result programs. I'm sorry but news on Results should be illegal until every single polling place is closed and the votes have been started to be counted and this fact is confirmed some how. Here is why. I don't care what anyone says hearing the results can be miss lead people and cause them to vote or to not vote and change things. Lets say for example my guy is losing by a lot or a big percentage well then why go vote at all, but see only 30% of the votes are in so what about the other 70%. I also think watching is kinda silly they do this thing where all the votes aren't in and they have a projected winner in each state. Um guys there is this thing called Absentee Balloting. Yes I may check in late if I'm still awake and see who has won maybe but we shall see.
Permalink: The_Problems_of_election_Day.html
Words: 371
Location: Buffalo, NY
Category: comedy
11/02/08 12:02 - 42ºF - ID#46473
SNL Zack and Miri make a Porno
I didn't get to see John McCain live on SNL last night, I wanted to watch it but didn't know he was on but passed out on the Sabres game. He started the show with Tina Fey on QVC since that is the only station he could pay for and yes they where selling stuff like Knives that cut through the pork (funnier when he says it) I thought it was a funny bit. Then I watched another clip of him as part of weekend update. I liked that but didn't find it as funny. But see that is why watching stuff live is better then on the internet. It would have been better to see the McCain part as one part of weekend update as opposed to the entire clip. I'm not sure what time it is on but I think SNL has one more live show on Monday Night and I'm not sure how long it will be. I do have to give credit to McCain now and Palin in the past credit for going on SNL. It is good to see that McCain does have a sense of Humor and that he can make fun of himself. I'm not saying it will get him more votes but it might.
I hope no mater what people did or where they went that they had a Nice Halloween and that they had a good weekend and remembered to turn there clocks back (what a hassle that is, I know it is small but still.......). I do have two picture posts from the (e:strip) party for those who haven't seen them yet.
Permalink: SNL_Zack_and_Miri_make_a_Porno.html
Words: 594
Location: Buffalo, NY
Category: photos
11/01/08 05:46 - 46ºF - ID#46465
Halloween Part 2 2008
I just wanted to add that there are some places that are still doing Halloween tonight I think Club Diablo is one of them I think this is their 3rd night of 3. I won't be going I'm going to stay home. I hope that everyone enjoys the rest of there weekend and that anyone at the party had a good time, If I didn't get a picture of you sorry.
Permalink: Halloween_Part_2_2008.html
Words: 417
Location: Buffalo, NY
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