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Quote of the Day

"Freedom is never given; it is won."

- A. Philip Randolph

That's Gay: Ac**kalypse Now

From JMG: New Poll: Civil Unions Draw Stronger Support Than Same-Sex Marriage

While a new poll shows the public support for marriage equality remains unchanged, support for civil unions is growing.

In a new Washington Post-ABC News poll, 47 percent say gay marriages should be legal, with 31 percent saying they feel that way "strongly." Intensity is stronger among opponents, however: overall, half say such marriages should be illegal, including 42 percent who say so strongly. Civil unions draw broader support. Two-thirds now say they favor allowing gay and lesbian couples to form civil unions that would give them many of the same legal rights as married couples. That's an increase of 12 percentage points since a December 2007 poll that asked about civil unions for "homosexual couples." In the new poll, support for civil unions is at 50 percent or better across party and ideological lines. Support for such arrangements is now 15 points higher than it was a few years ago among conservatives; it's up 13 points among Republicans.

Views on gay marriage are little changed since Post-ABC polling last touched on the topic, in April 2009. Then, 49 percent said they thought it should be legal, 46 percent illegal. In that poll, a wording experiment found little difference between support for legal marriages of "gay and lesbian couples and for those among "homosexual couples." (A CBS News/New York Times survey released yesterday conducted a similar experiment and found the wording did make a difference in their results.)

reposted from JMG

From JMG: Buffalo: Strangers Marry After Denial Of Same-Sex Marriage License

Denied a license to marry her partner Cheryl, Buffalo, New York lesbian Kitty Lambert turned to ask if any random man would marry her. Here's how it went down.

In an act of civil-sorta-disobedience, local LGBT activist Kitty Lambert received a marriage license to a stranger named Ed at Buffalo’s City Hall today, after being denied a license to marry her same-sex partner. A small group gathered in the lobby before proceeding to the 13th floor. Entering the City Clerk’s office, Kitty and long-time partner Cheryl attempted to apply for a marriage license. Armed with the appropriate documents City employees informed them due to New York State law, they would be unable to grant them a license. As the clerk’s office employees gathered to watch, a tearful Lambert explained the benefits only available to straight couples with a marriage license. With news cameras rolling, Kitty then turned to the crowd and asked for any male who would be willing to get married to her. A gay man named Ed stepped forward and volunteered. They briefly exchanged information and presented the appropriate documents along with $40. City staff verified the information, and proceeded to give them a marriage license.

reposted from JMG

Family Values - Help get this on TV in California right now! Click the actblue link to the right!

From JMG: DADT: "Homosexual" Vs. "Gay"

A fascinating CBS poll reveals that support for the repeal of DADT varies greatly depending on whether "homosexual" or "gay" is used in the wording of the question.

In the poll, 59 percent say they now support allowing "homosexuals" to serve in the U.S. military, including 34 percent who say they strongly favor that. Ten percent say they somewhat oppose it and 19 percent say they strongly oppose it. But the numbers differ when the question is changed to whether Americans support "gay men and lesbians" serving in the military. When the question is asked that way, 70 percent of Americans say they support gay men and lesbians serving in the military, including 19 percent who say they somewhat favor it. Seven percent somewhat oppose it, and 12 percent strongly oppose it.

John Aravois at AmericaBlog reacts:

Bottom line: Homosexual is a nasty, clinical-sounding word with nasty connotations for far too many Americans. It's what I've argued for years, and have been routinely beaten up by some in the gay community who claim I'm nuts - namely, that no one should use this offensive word and we should correct anyone who does. It now appears I'm not so nuts after all.

As longtime readers know, I tend to use "homosexual" rather frequently. I have no issue with it. It's what most of us here are. I understand that some resent its almost universal usage by our enemies, who only use "gay" in scare quotes. But when the wingnuts say "homosexual," I'm not remotely insulted, even though that's their intent. Still, this CBS poll result is very interesting.

Reposted from JMG

Subject: Uganda

Hi,

Have you heard about the brutal new anti-gay law in Uganda?

A bill in the Ugandan parliament proposes life imprisonment for anyone convicted of having same-sex relations and imposes the death penalty for "serial offenders." NGO employees working to prevent the spread of HIV could be imprisoned for up to 7 years for "promoting homosexuality." Even members of the public face up to three years in jail if they fail to report homosexual activity to the police within 24 hours!

The bill had been delayed because of some initial international criticism. But after a well-funded and vicious lobbying effort by extremists, it now looks set to be passed -- threatening widespread persecution and bloodshed.

With the decision expected in days, only an irresistible wave of worldwide pressure will be enough to save the lives of gay people in Uganda.

I just signed a new international petition to stop the gay death law. Will you join in?

http://pol.moveon.org/uganda/?r_by=18903-538505-6zqYbFx&rc=comment_paste

Thanks!

Parisian Love Too

From JMG: Orlando Man To Marry Total Stranger In Protest Of Anti-Gay Marriage Laws

As a Valentine's protest against anti-gay marriage laws, heterosexual Orlando performance artist Brian Feldman announced that he would randomly marry any woman who happened to show up at the Orange County Courthouse this past Monday. Three women appeared! Therefore, having filed the paperwork and paid the license fee, Feldman will marry one Hannah Miller on this Friday. From the Facebook event page:

Is this entire project a mockery of marriage? Not at all! It’s completely within the legal rights of Brian and any other heterosexual couple with $123.50 (plus $6 for a standard marriage certificate). Sound absurd? Not nearly absurd as denying the equal right to marry for same-sex couples who truly care about each other; who’ve been in committed, productive and, most importantly, loving relationships for upwards of 20+ years. That, to Brian, and millions of Americans who believe in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality, is truly absurd - to say nothing of a civil injustice.

(Tipped by JMG reader John)

Reposted from JMG