With the deputy president's signature on a new law, South Africa on Thursday became the first country on the African continent to legalize same-sex marriages. The Civil Union Act entered into force on the eve of a December 1 deadline set by the Constitutional Court for the government to change its marriage legislation to ensure full equality for gays and lesbians.

The legislation made it through parliament despite opposition from many church groups and traditional leaders, who said it violated African culture. Gay rights groups have welcomed the law, although they criticized provisions allowing marriage officers to turn away gay couples if their consciences prevent them from marrying them.

Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka signed the law in her capacity as acting president because President Thabo Mbeki is in Nigeria. South Africa recognized the rights of gay people in the constitution adopted after apartheid ended in 1994, at a time when leaders were determined to bury all kinds of legal discrimination.

The constitution, the first in the world to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, provided a powerful legal tool for gay rights activists even though South Africa remains conservative on such issues. (AP)

Labels: marriage, South Africa

A same-sex marriage bill passed South Africa's upper house on Tuesday and headed to the desk of President Thabo Mbeki for signing.

Conservative religious groups and opposition members of Parliament called on Mbeki to veto the legislation but that is considered unlikely with a court ordered deadline to have marriage rights enacted looming.

The Constitutional Court gave the government until Dec. 1 to enact equal marriage rights.

Labels: marriage, South Africa

The Christian Coalition has lost sight of Christianity? Right, for many of us this is not news, though some high up in the ranks of the organization agree as well. The new leader-elect of the Christian Coalition was scheduled to begin on January 1, 2007. The Rev. Joel Hunter said he will not assume the role because of differences in philosophy.

What do you mean philosophy? Isn't the very basis of Christianity rooted in the teachings of love and humanity? Not in the eyes of the extreme right-wing Evangelicals. For them, it's only about 'the gays' and abortion--beyond that there is nothing else to be focused on.

Rev. Hunter rightly believes that the scope of Christianity is not those two issues. He wanted to broaden the current agenda of the Christian Coalition into issues such as poverty and the environment. "These are issues that Jesus would want us to care about," Hunter said. "To tell you the truth, I feel like there are literally millions of evangelical Christians that don't have a home right now."

Oh snap, Pat Robertson.

Hunter resigned on Tuesday during an organization board meeting. Hunter said he was not asked to leave. "They pretty much said, 'These issues are fine, but they're not our issues; that's not our base,' " Hunter said.

A statement issued by the coalition said Hunter resigned because of "differences in philosophy and vision." The board accepted his decision unanimously, it states.

What this means is the true core issues of Christianity won't bring in the big bucks from the Christian Coalition's base of members. That is very sad.

Labels: christian coalition, evangelical

The following was written by Sgt. Joseph Martin, a former soldier serving in the United States, discharged under so-called "Don't Ask, Don't Tell".

I Was a Soldier by Joseph Martin
In my military career, over six and a half years, I was at two different duty stations, visited six countries, completed five rotations at the Army's training centers and served in Iraq twice. I served with countless soldiers, trained them, some of whom I regarded closer than my brother. I held them in the highest of respects. I loved them and was proud to have served with them. I taught them how to survive and how to fight. I instilled confidence and military bearing. I pushed them when were ready to give up. And I provided the motivation and leadership they needed to succeed. I gave them a shoulder to cry on and a boot in the ass when it was needed.

I was a successful Sergeant. I was well respected and loved. I strived for being the best and expected the same from my soldiers. I loved being a soldier. There is no pride like the pride I had when I put on that uniform and saluting the flag. I received many awards, went to many schools and graduated at the top of all my classes. I strived for achievement. I was honor graduate at the Noncommissioned Officer's Academy at Fort Hood, Texas.

There is no brotherhood quiet like the brotherhood among soldiers. You learn each other. You love each other and support each other through everything. There are more people in the Army that have influenced my life than more than in my own family. These guys became precious and important to me.

As soldiers, you learn a trust between each other; you learn to read one another. Your life depends on this kind of understanding. I will never forget the first time we were attacked. There were bangs and sparks unlike any I have ever heard. It is so much different when you are under fire, beneath it all; there is a primal instinct to survive. This is when you learn how important it is to rely upon your fellow soldiers. This is where the soldier bond counts, when your life is in the hands of everyone else. On that night, I held a wounded soldier in my arms. He was blinded in one eye, sent home with a purple heart. That is when I realized why I was really serving, because of this brother, because of all my brothers. Between us all, there is honor, pride, and there is love like no other I have ever experienced.

The day that I told my best friend I was gay changed my entire life. Andrew and I were close. He and I shared everything; we were inseparable, on and off duty. We were in a guard tower at our base in Iraq having idle conversation like we would on any day. He mentioned that he had a gay friend in the Army that he had run into in Kuwait. We chit-chatted for a while and I asked how we felt about gays in the military. His reply was cool, he didn't care hell, they can carry guns too. I confided in him. Even he will tell you I was not coming on to him, I just wanted him to know.

I told him I was gay. He looked at me weird and we both started laughing. I asked him if he knew what was so funny, "You don't believe me." I said. His look changed as he asked, "Are you serious, Martin?"

Over the next couple of weeks, Andrew asked me a brigade of questions about who I liked within our outfit and if I was sure I was gay and about my past and how I had come to realize I was gay. I didn't hold back, I was completely honest. It felt good to have someone I could confide in, someone I could trust like that. He and I joked about it, and life in the Army went on as usual.

I had noticed there was a difference in the way two of my buddies were around me. We didn't hang out like we had; I was left out of games and trips to the chow hall and PX. I was by no means a loner, but the guys that Andrew and I hung out with were different around me. For some reason, I didn't put 2 and 2 together.

One day while sitting in our tent, a good buddy of mine came up and asked me what was going on with Russell (Andrew). I didn't know what he meant so he explained that Russell had been in talking to the Commander all day. I was in charge of the information flow between our deployed unit, and home, so I knew everything that was going on, but I didn't know what the deal with Andrew was. I ran into Andrew a few hours later and asked if everything was all right and asked why he was talking to the Commander. He told me something was going on with his family but I would have known if anything like that was going on. It still hadn't hit me that he had possibly spilled the beans on me.

I was outside the chow hall when the Executive Officer came up and said "Sergeant Martin, can you come with me?" I went with him and we made small talk on the way to his tent and when we got there, Staff Sergeant Gomez, my direct superior, asked me for my weapon, gave me a questioning look and left. I instantly knew what was going on, but I was not prepared for the words nor was I prepared for the tailspin I would be in over the next few months.

"Sergeant Martin, there have been some accusations by Sergeant Russell..." his voice trailed. I sat there, looking at the table; I couldn't look this guy in the eye. He went on to explain that Andrew had told the Commander that I had admitted to him that I was gay and that he was conducting an investigation. A pile of paperwork sat between he and I, he passed me an affidavit signed by Andrew, asked me to read it and sat in silence as I read the document that tore me out of the closet and exposed me to everyone I held dear.

Andrew had laid out everything. He told the Commander everything from who I had found attractive to who I was seeing back home, he left nothing to question. I was humiliated. I put the paper down, and stared off into nothingness trying to sort all this out in my head. Lieutenant Allen took the paper and explained to me what rights I had. He explained that I could fight this, I didn't have to admit anything to him, but that there was going to be an investigation. He put into plain words, "You can deny this and there will be an investigation and you will be on detail until it is closed, or you can sign this and Statement of Admission and you will be discharged without punishment." This was not a light decision. The XO went on to explain that I was relieved of my leadership position and my weapon had been taken for safety. He went on to tell me that as we speak, the Commander was in formation with everyone and telling them the situation because he didn't want there to be any incidents.

The Commander was telling everyone that I was gay. I sat there in shame. Everyone knew me, I was a trainer in the company, and I was well known and looked to and depended upon in the planning of missions and training. Now everyone I worked with was going to know I was gay. I had a million questions for the XO, but couldn't single one out to ask. He had told me that I didn't have to speak with him, that I could go and speak with JAG, I did just that.

JAG had explained that the Army could not punish me for being gay, but for breaking the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy. After speaking with them, I decided that the best thing was to admit it and go on with what I had left. The main reason I decided this is because my reputation was ruined, the promotion I was getting would've been canned, and my military career would hit a stand still to say the least. Not only that, but what would have come up in the investigation, they could have taken my computer, read my mail and the investigation could have gone for months, something I was not looking forward to.

I was back in the states 10 days later. I had new faces to explain myself to. I was given three weeks to turn in all my gear and go through the process of being discharged from service. Everywhere I went, I had to present paperwork that had to be signed by the various departments. These papers had the words "Homosexual Admission" written on them. The humiliation was painful. My final discharge paper, the one piece that soldiers hold dear, has these same words written under "Honorable Discharge" near the bottom.

I left Fort Hood with a cloud of regret, pain and anger that have followed me since. My Grandfather was a decorated Captain; I have his discharge and various pictures of his service hanging on my wall. I can't bear to hang mine up next to his; there is so much dishonor and painful pride when it comes to my time as a soldier. I have cried, I have yelled at the moon and cursed Andrew, myself and God for what has happened.

In telling Andrew, I ended everything I had worked for. The Army was so much of who I was. I was a soldier, a brother and a leader. I had no education; the Army was all I knew. For a long time, I blamed Andrew, and I guess a big part of me still does. After all, had he not said anything, I would still be a soldier, serving with pride.

It has been eight months. All the soldiers I was with in Iraq are now back. Of all the soldiers, and the friends I held closer than brothers, only one will talk to me. I have asked him what the guys have to say about me. "Honestly, Martin, you are the butt of all the jokes, you are a laughing stalk, man... sorry." I had expected that.

Telling Andrew has proved to be the best and worst decision I have ever made in my life. I have not yet learned to be proud of being gay. Out of all this, telling my family, especially my mother, has been the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. Through this, I hope to find my place as a civilian, a gay man. I want so badly to share my story. I want everyone to know. Yeah, I am gay, but I can carry a gun too. I can and have lead men, I can be a soldier, I was a soldier, a good one.

I am still willing to fight for this country, even though it would seem that this country won't fight for me.

To the soldiers with whom I once served, I have paid my dues. I bled with you, sweat with you and loved you. Be careful, my friends. No matter what you think of me, I will always hold you in respect and love.

I was a soldier and I miss the Army. I miss the brotherhood. I feel dishonored because I am who I am.

*Names and Specifics Have Been Changed For Obvious Reasons

Oregon House Democrats have been quoted a lot lately about the issue of granting civil unions to same-sex couples. On election night this year, Speaker-elect Jeff Merkley stated "This is an opportunity for us to present a wonderful agenda on healthcare, on prescription drugs, a full school year for children, biofuels, and a real conversation about civil rights and civil unions". Most recently in today's Oregonian, Dave Hunt, our new House Majority leader laid out a couple of the issues that will be their top priority in the 2007 legislative session. Brad Cain's article titled, "Civil unions, other issues, back on Ore. lawmakers' agenda", says it all. For a refresh on the 2005 bill that would have allowed for civil unions and an omnibus statewide anti-discrimination policy click here for prior extensive coverage by this blog.

Here it is:
But various interest groups, from gay rights organizations to environmental activists, worked to help the Democrats regain the majority in the House in the Nov. 7 election. They're ready for their issues to be high on the Legislature's agenda as well.
Chief among them will be a renewed push for civil unions legislation.

With strong backing from Democratic Gov. Ted Kulongoski, a civil unions measure to open up to same-sex couples hundreds of benefits available only to married couples won approval in the Democrat-run Senate in 2005.

But House Speaker Karen Minnis and other GOP leaders refused to bring the bill to a House vote, arguing that would thwart the will of Oregon voters who approved a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage in the November 2004 election.

With help from Basic Rights Oregon and other gay rights groups, Democratic challenger Rob Brading came close to knocking off Minnis in her own re-election campaign in the Nov. 7 election. But civil union backers succeeded in their next-best goal of helping Democrats win the majority in the House.

"We set out to help re-elect Gov. Kulongoski, to keep Karen Minnis from returning to the House speaker's office, and to create a pro-equality majority in the House - and we succeeded in all three things," said Basic Rights spokeswoman Rebekah Orr.

This past week, House Majority Leader-elect Dave Hunt said civil unions legislation will be brought to a vote in the House this time because he thinks most Oregonians support the idea.

"We are not talking about bringing up divisive issues," the Milwaukie Democrat said. "We're trying to follow positions that we think are very much supported by a majority of Oregonians on education, health care, public safety and civil rights."

Labels: civil union, oregon

A new poll sheds insight into the national opinion of gay unions and how there is a rising trend in support over the past two years.

Most adults in the United States believe same-sex partnerships should be legally acknowledged, according to a poll by Opinion Dynamics released by Fox News. 30 per cent of respondents think gays and lesbians should be allowed to legally marry, while 30 per cent support a similar legal partnership that should not be called marriage.

Conversely, 32 per cent of respondents believe there should be no legal recognition to gay and lesbian relationships.



In 2004, marriage certificates were issued to same-sex couples by local governments in the states of California, Oregon, New Mexico and New York. In May 2004, the state of Massachusetts allowed gay and lesbian partners to apply for marriage licenses, the first state-sanctioned homosexual weddings in the U.S.

Civil union and domestic partnership laws in Vermont, Connecticut and California grant same-sex couples all state-level rights and obligations of marriage—in areas such as inheritance, income tax, insurance and hospital visitation. There are more than 1,000 federal-level rights of marriage that cannot be granted by states.

On Jun. 7, a proposal to enact a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage failed in the Senate after a 49-48 vote. On Jul. 18, a House of Representatives effort to constitutionally prohibit any form of marriage other than one "between a man and a woman" fell 46 votes short of the 289 required to pass.

Over the past two years, 19 American states have enacted amendments to define marriage as the union between a man and a woman. Seven more approved similar measures after statewide ballots on Nov. 7.

On Nov. 8, Matt Foreman, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, expressed satisfaction with the victories of Deval Patrick and Eliot Spitzer, saying, "Massachusetts and New York voters have elected in overwhelming landslides the first two governors ever who support marriage equality for same-sex couples. These historic victories show that support for full equality for our families is not a negative but something voters are willing to embrace enthusiastically."

via Angus-Reid

Labels: civil union, marriage, poll

That's right folks. In a new study, Seattle comes in as the second "gayest" city in the U.S. with about 13 percent of the population "identifying as" gay, lesbian or bisexual. These numbers does not include all those who are in the closet. Portland, my home town, comes in as the eighth "gayest" city with 8.8% of the population that is out and open about their sexual orientation.

Of course San Francisco comes in as THE "gayest" city with 15.4%. Here is the list of the top 10 gayest cities in the U.S. according to the U.S. census data:

From The Seattle Times:
The study's findings are drawn from newly released U.S. census data on same-sex households showing that between 2000 and 2005, the reported number of gay-couple households increased by 30 percent in the United States and by 50 percent in Washington state.

Read how they came up with these numbers and read the entire article at The Seattle Times.

Labels: study, washington

By an overwhelming vote of 230-41, the parliament of South Africa has approved a bill that would give legal recognition to same-sex unions.

The bill provides for government recognition of any "voluntary union of two persons which is solemnized and registered by either a marriage or a civil union." No ceremony is required, apart from the legal registration of the union.

The proposal was strongly backed by the ruling African National Congress, whose leaders portrayed the measure as a civil-rights initiative, likening discrimination against gays and lesbians to the apartheid racial policies of the country's former regime. It will become law when signed by President Thabo Mbeki, who has already signaled his support.

And the U.S. is now behind Mexico and South Africa for civil rights for gay and lesbian couples.

Labels: marriage, South Africa

Attorneys representing same-sex couples in California, along with the human rights organizations Equality California and Our Family Coalition, have petitioned the California State Supreme Court to decide whether banning same-sex marriage violates the state constitution, the ACLU announced Monday.

An April 2005 ruling from the San Francisco Superior Court stated that preventing same-sex couples from marrying was in fact a violation of the state constitution, but the California court of appeals later overturned this in a 2-1 decision last month. This petition asks the court to reverse this ruling.

A wide variety of human and civil rights groups have filed amicus briefs supporting the petition, including the California NAACP, the California Council of Churches, and the Asian Pacific American Legal Center.

The California Supreme Court has 60 days to rule on the petition and may extend that period by not more than an additional 30 days. (The Advocate)

Read the announcement from Equality California - click here.

Labels: california, marriage, supreme court

Mel Martinez, a notoriously antigay U.S. senator from Florida who previously served in President Bush's cabinet, will assume the high-profile post of Republican National Committee general chairman, GOP officials said Monday.

"Senator Martinez was elected in 2004 by taking page 1 out of Karl Rove's gay-baiting playbook," said Joe Solmonese, president of the gay rights group Human Rights Campaign. "His campaign was one of the most antigay, bigoted, and divisive campaigns in the nation's history. We are deeply troubled that this kind of senator has been chosen to lead the Republican Party."

Here are some of the issues:

An ardent supporter and co-sponsor of the Federal Marriage Amendment. Martinez has been on the record opposing Republican Senator John McCain's states-rights stance on the issue saying, "it isn't good enough to say, 'Leave it up to the states. If we leave it up to the states we will see the erosion of marriage that we've seen by activist courts, which we otherwise will not see if we protect the institution of marriage at the federal level."

Attacked his 2004 Republican primary opponent for supporting hate crimes legislation accusing him of catering to the, "radical homosexual lobby."

Ran a 2004 campaign that was so anti-gay and divisive that Florida's Republican Governor, Jeb Bush, called on him to stop the attacks. Also because of his anti-gay tactics, the St. Petersburg Times revoked their endorsement after Menendez sent a mailer against his opponent calling him, "the new darling of the homosexual extremists."

Well speaking of new darlings... I guess the Republican National Committee needed a new face for their anti-gay, radical right-wing agenda to destroy America since the former RNC Chair, Ken Mehlman, is speculated to be a closet case.

Labels: republican

From Reuters:
Mexico City approved civil unions on Thursday, legalizing gay partnerships for the first time in the world's second-largest Roman Catholic nation.

The capital's municipal assembly, controlled by left-wing legislators, voted for the measure 43-17 as hundreds of rival protesters demonstrated noisily outside the building.

The move paves the way for same-sex civil unions in the city of 8.6 million people early next year.
The local congress in the northern state of Coahuila, bordering Texas, began debating a similar plan to legalize gay unions this week.

"These reforms are going to cause a snowball effect that no one will be able to stop," said David Sanchez of the left-wing Party of the Democratic Revolution, one of the few openly gay national congressmen.

The measures in Mexico City and Coahuila are modeled on France's civil code and provides property, pension, inheritance and even co-parenting rights. But they stop short of allowing full marriage or adoption of children.

Outside the assembly hall, gay activists with rainbow-color flags and Christian opponents of the law exchanged barbs.
"It's anti-natural. They are descending into something that is against humanity. Societies have always fallen into decadence when there has been homosexuality and disruption in the family," said protester Humberto Muniz.

Authorities in Mexico's powerful Catholic Church have condemned gay union. Some 90 percent of Mexico 107 million people are Catholics and conservative evangelical groups are also winning adherents. Only Brazil has more Catholics.

Labels: marriage, mexico

Massachusetts legislators today soundly rejected one constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, and recessed the Constitutional Convention until January, thereby effectively derailing a proposed ballot measure which would have ended marriage equality in Massachusetts.

By taking this action, the Legislature sided with the majority of people in Massachusetts who believe that marriage equality is good for families and communities and that it's time to move on to more pressing matters.

In addressing two proposed constitutional amendments that would have stripped away marriage rights for same-sex couples, legislators overwhelmingly defeated the first by a 196 to 0 vote. They then moved to end the debate altogether, thereby effectively terminating our opponents' drive to put a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage on the 2008 November ballot. That vote was 109 to 87.

That is amazing news from Massachusetts. I am seeing a trend here. Arizona defeated their proposed constitutional amendment on Tuesday, New Jersey ruled in favor of marriage equality and now the Massachusetts legislature has help up marriage rights for same-sex couples.

Labels: constitutional amendment, Massachusetts

Her rule is over. Today, in the Oregonian the headline reads: "Minnis says she won't pursue role of leader". The funny part of that is her caucus wouldn't even vote to put her in a leadership position, so don't think it is her choice. The Minnis monarchy has fallen. The queen is dead.

Labels: karen minnis, oregon

What a night we had here in Oregon and across the county. Victories all over the place.

Out of the eight constitutional amendments on the ballots of voters in those states, all passed but one. Arizona.

From 365gay.com:
The victory in Arizona comes after a tough fight by Arizona Together, a group formed to oppose the amendment.

"This outcome speaks volumes about Arizona's commitment to families," said Kyrsten Sinema, chair of Arizona Together.

"Arizona voters saw through Prop 107's rhetoric and knew that the intent of 107 was to take away domestic partner benefits from thousands of Arizona families."

Voters in Virginia, Wisconsin, South Carolina, South Dakota, Idaho, Tennessee and Colorado, however approved amending their constitutions to ban same-sex marriage.

Hey all. So as if you haven't heard this enough... VOTE!!! It is too late to mail your ballots as they need to be in the hands of your county elections office by tomorrow at 8pm. There is a complete listing of drop-off locations for all Oregon counties here.

This election in Oregon is HUGE for the GLBT community. The tides are changing and we are a part of that. So ride the wave and vote to elect people to the Oregon Legislature that have your best interests in mind. If you don't vote, you have no voice.

Check out the Basic Rights Oregon voter guide online here: VoteEquality.com

Then turn in your damn ballots!

-Gavin

Another one bites the dust. (don't miss the video below of him denoucing homosexuality... and joking about "If you give me $1000 I won't tell your wife", he tells the camera man. Shall we start taking bets on when he "checks himself into rehab"?

From the Denver Post:
Ted Haggard, one of the most prominent evangelical pastors in the nation, resigned today as president of the National Association of Evangelicals amid allegations that he carried on a three-year sexual relationship with a male prostitute.

Haggard, founder of the 14,000-member New Life Church, has denied the accusations but said in a statement released by the church today that he could "not continue to minister under the cloud created by accusations made on Denver talk radio this morning."

He has placed himself on administrative leave pending investigation, spiritual counsel and a decision by the church's board of overseers, the church's legal counsel said.

"I am voluntarialy stepping aside from leadership so that the overseer process can be allowed to proceed with integrity. I hope to be able to discuss this matter in more detail at a later date," Haggard's statement said.

The former prostitute, Mike Jones, 49, of Denver, went public with the accusations on Tuesday, saying he felt compelled to do so because he believes Haggard, a strong opponent of same-sex unions, has been hypocritical.

"I made myself cry and I made myself sick," Jones said about his decision to come forward. "I felt I owed this to the community. What he is saying is we are not worthy, but he is."

Jones says he was contacted three years ago by Haggard for sex - he thinks through a gay newspaper advertisement or an online ad he posted on rentboy.com.

Today, Jones showed the Denver Post an envelope addressed to him from "Art," a name Jones says Haggard used - sent from an address in Colorado Springs. Jones said the envelope came to him with two $100 bills inside.

Jones also played a recording of a voicemail left for Jones from "Art." Jones refused to reveal what the topic of the voicemail was about because there could be legal problems and he wants to consult with an attorney.

"They want to protect the sanctity of marriage and I am trying to figure out what that means because they are not doing a good job," Jones said of anti-gay marriage proponents. "To have someone in such a high profile position preaching against them and doing opposite behind other people's backs is hypocritical."

Jones said he would take a lie detector test to validate his claims.

The church's lawyer, Martin Nussbaum, said Haggard's resignation is in no way an admission of guilt. He's already denied Jones' accusations, but feels that when an allegation like this is made, he needs to take this step, Nussbaum said.

Nussbaum, paraphrased: The bylaws state that when an allegation of immorality is made, this process is triggered, where he puts himself on leave. The outside board makes the final decision.

In the interim, the church's associate senior pastor, the Rev. Ross Parsley, will serve as acting senior pastor of the church.


Don't miss this clip of him denouncing the gays...

Labels: evangelical, republican