Jerry's email update on the fight for Equal Rights (December 16, 2004)
  

Landmark Gay Marriage Case Begins.

  
Friends,

I've got a new "to-do" request for you all.  Please read the following information from the Human Rights Campaign and PLEASE TAKE ACTION! 

This is also a big week as the 3000 marriages in OR are now being contested in court to be nullified in support or the recent marriage amendment voted into place, this past November.

Notable items this week:
  

Landmark Gay Marriage Case To Begin Today
 
PORTLAND, Ore. - The fate of nearly 3,000 marriage licenses issued to gay and lesbian couples is up to the Oregon Supreme Court when it meets Wednesday to hear a case that began with a decision by Multnomah County last March to become the first county in the nation to authorize same-sex unions.

FULL STORY
 
 

Parents crash MA school's gay tolerance event

Two parents, one of them a member of an anti-gay group, were ejected from an assembly designed to promote tolerance of LGBT people at a Newtonville, Mass., high school on Wednesday, after one of them began videotaping the session.

This does not belong in curriculum,'' Kim Cariani told the Boston Herald. "It's against my religion. It's morally wrong and forced in a child's face.''.

The disruption occurred during an assembly at Newton North High School called "To BGLAD: Transgender, Bisexual, Gay and Lesbian Awareness Day." Held for the past 10 years, the event is one of several ways the school district promotes diversity. Students are not required to attend.

FULL STORY

 

Please Call on CBS to Explain Refusal to Air the Inclusionary United Church of Christ Ad.

Call CBS today at:(212) 975-4321
or e-mail them at:
audsvcs@cbs.com

Urge them to publicly clarify their position on the network's recent refusal to air the United Church of Christ's inclusionary ad

Recently, CBS refused to air a United Church of Christ ad that emphasizes the church’s welcoming of a diverse membership, including same-sex couples. The Human Rights Campaign, in partnership with GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation), called on CBS today to publicly clarify its position on the network's recent refusal to air the ad.

Please call CBS or e-mail them at audsvcs@cbs.com today and urge them to publicly clarify their position on the network's recent refusal to air the United Church of Christ's inclusionary ad.

CBS told the UCC that the inclusion of scenes that touch on "the exclusion of gay couples and other minority groups" by other religious institutions as well as "the fact the Executive Branch has recently proposed a Constitutional Amendment to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman" meant that "this spot is unacceptable for broadcast on the [CBS and UPN] networks."

The UCC ad, which was also declined by NBC, concludes with the line, "Jesus didn't turn people away. Neither do we. No matter where you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here." You can view the ad on the UCC website here: www.stillspeaking.com/default.htm

In addition to FOX -- the only major broadcast network so far to say it will air the UCC's ad -- the 30-second spot has been accepted by a number of cable networks, including ABC Family, AMC, BET, CNN, Comedy Central, the Discovery Channel, the Hallmark Channel, the History Channel, Nick at Nite, TBS, TNT, the Travel Channel and TV Land.

Also today, the United Church of Christ announced that it has filed two related petitions with the Federal Communications Commission. For more on this story, or to take action please visit: http://www.ucctakeaction.org/ctt.asp?u=4497&l=70394.

                                            
 

  

TAKE ACTION HERE

Please revisit my HRC, take action page. CHECK IN REGULARLY.
 
Submit an editorial to your local paper every 35 days.  Helpful suggestions

Visit Dontamend.com

call CBS today at:
(212) 975-4321
or e-mail them at:
audsvcs@cbs.com
Urge them to publicly clarify their position on the network's recent refusal to air the United Church of Christ's inclusionary ad.

Previous updates:

12/9/2004: Canada & New Zealand grant marriage & union rights

12/2/2004: Supreme Court Declines Ma Gay Marriage Case

11/26/2004: ACLU Drops Marriage Case

11/18/2004: SS Marriage Ruling 1yr Later

11/11/2004: No marriage Backlash in Ma

11/4/2004: Dealing with the bad news.!

10/28/2004: Last chance to spread the word...VOTE!

10/21/2004: Ohio's anti-gay "Issue 1" campaign gets ugly.

10//142004: La. marriage ban goes to state high court.

10//72004: LA Amendment is THROWN OUT.

9/30/2004: BUB-BYE Bigoted MA House Speaker.

9/23/2004: L.A. VOTES TOTAL DISCRIMINATION

9/16/2004: Primary elections victories for pro- equality candidates, but not for Jerry's.

9/9/2004: House is back in session, to debate marriage again!

9/2/2004: Tell Bush "YOU'RE FIRED"

8/26/2004: JERRY IS MARRIED!!!

8/19/2004: MA Supreme Court Judge rules in favor of discriminatory law!

8/12/2004: California High Court Voids Same-Sex Marriages!

8/05/2004: ANOTHER MAJOR SETBACK & ANOTHER SMALL WIN.

7/29/2004: MAJOR SETBACK!
Discriminatory Marriage Protection Act Passed by a Vote of 233 to 194 

7/21/2004: GOP HAS MOVED THE MARRIAGE DEBATE TO THE HOUSE AND EXPECTS TO WIN

7/15/2004: The US SENATE SHOOTS DOWN THE FEDERAL MARRIAGE AMENDMENT!    But,..

7/08/2004: Court Date Set In Mass. Out-Of-State Weddings Case

6/30/2004: Federal appeals court denies attempt to block same-sex weddings 

6/24/2004: Romney urges federal ban on gay-marriage 'experiment'

6/17/2004: Gay marriage opponents gear up for fall. .

6/9/2004: Tell Mitt Romney To Stop His Anti-Gay Crusade.

5/27/2004: Governor Romney is BOOed at Suffolk Commencement Ceremony!

5/20/2004: WE CAN MARRY!!! 

5/13/2004: Judge refuses to stop gay marriages!!!

5/7/2004: Boston may ignore governor's directive on gay marriage

4/30/2004: Governor Aims to Limit Marriage to Mass. Residents, GLAD Offers Perspective

4/22/2004: I'm featured in today's paper  :-) HORRIBLE PICTURE!

4/13/2004: LETTER FROM QUINCY'S HERO: REP RONALD MARIANO

4/8/2004: Quincy's Rep Mariano Changes Vote to Support Civil Rights!

4/1/2004: CIVIL RIGHTS SETBACK IN MA
  

News Articles of Interest

Upcoming Events 

 

Canadian Leader Accuses Opposition Of Political Cowardice Over Gay Marriage
(Ottawa) Prime Minister Paul Martin slammed Conservative leader Stephen Harper over the gay marriage issue Thursday, accusing his rival of political cowardice.

 Full Story 
   

"Outed" Ex Congressman Returns To Capitol
(Washington) Even though U.S. Rep. Edward L. Schrock did not seek a third term in Congress after he was "outed" he’s headed back to Congress for a new term.
Full Story 

Not Getting Married Today 
New Paltz, New York) The Social Security Administration is refusing to recognize any marriage - straight or gay - performed in New Paltz, New York.

The tiny hamlet north of Manhattan burst onto the national scene in February when its mayor followed San Francisco in allowing gays to marry. New Paltz officials are now under a court imposed ban on conducting gay marriages, but the federal government is taking no chances.
Full Story 
  

Gay bishop volunteers to reduce role
As Anglicans around the world try to resolve their deep rift over homosexuality, the gay American bishop at the center of the fight is offering a concession to his critics. 
Full Story 

Gay Anglicans chide leader
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, has received a stern Christmas message in the form of a letter from laity and gay clergy within the Church of England.
 Full Story 


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