It's All About Respecting and Restoring

Finally, I see evidence that gay equality advocates are reclaiming and reframing the marriage equality debate by using powerful and positive words such as respect and restore.

I see this in the PR surrounding the introduction of the Respect for Marriage Act (RMA), which would "repeal the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and restore the rights of all lawfully married couples—including same-sex couples to receive the benefits of marriage under federal law. The bill also provides same-sex couples with certainty that federal benefits and protections would flow from a valid marriage celebrated in a state where such marriages are legal, even if a couple moves or travels to another state."

How many federal rights would then go to legally married gay couples? A Government Accounting Office (GAO) report cites exactly 1,138 instances in federal law in which marital status is cited.

Kudos goes to lead sponsors in the House of Congress include Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO) -- as well as 90 initial co-sponsors!

Would Jesus Discriminate?

The MCC - Metropolitan Community Church, which has congregations in more than 20 countries and is a strong supporter of LGBT rights, has launched a campaign asking would Jesus discriminate against others.

A number of MCC churches in Texas have produced posters quoting biblical verses that they claim indicate Jesus did not disapprove of homosexuality. They really have a point here, Jesus wasn't "mainstream" in his lifetime.

In July, Rev. Candy Holmes of the Metropolitan Community Churches, testified before congress in Support of Domestic Partnership Benefits & Obligations Act of 2009. Rev. Holmes we are proud of you.

"Hubby Hubby!" Three Screams for Ben & Jerry's!

I love it. In celebration of Vermont's new law allowing same-sex couples to marry, Ben and Jerry's renamed its popular ice cream -- also one of my personal favorites -- "Chubby Hubby" to "Hubby Hubby!" It will be this way for the entire month of September, but only in stores in Vermont, unfortunately. This is certainly a sweet gesture, and done with a sense of humor.
















Says Ben Jerry's CEO, Walt Freese: "At the core of Ben & Jerry's values, we believe that social justice can and should be something that every human being is entitled to. From the very beginning of our 30-year history, we have supported equal rights for all people. The legalization of marriage for gay and lesbian couples in Vermont is certainly a step in the right direction and something worth celebrating with peace, love and plenty of ice cream." http://www.benjerry.com/hubbyhubby/

On to New York

Openly gay NY Democrat senator Tom Duane, has said that the Senate could vote on gay marriage in the next few weeks. In May, the bill passed the New York Assembly 89-52, thus the Senate is now it's final hurdle. NY Gov. Paterson has strongly indicated he will sign the bill if it reaches his desk.

It should be noted that in 2007, a similar bill passed the Assembly 85-61 but failed in the Senate. Hopefully, the current momentum towards marriage equality will allow justice to prevail.