Via JMG: Maryland OK's Gay Divorce

You can't yet get gay-married in Maryland, but you can get gay-divorced.

The Court of Appeals ruled 7-0 that couples who have a valid marriage from another state can divorce in Maryland. The case involved two women who were married in California and denied a divorce in 2010 by a Maryland judge. “A valid out-of-state same-sex marriage should be treated by Maryland courts as worthy of divorce, according to the applicable statues, reported cases, and court rules of this state,” the court concluded in a 21-page ruling. It said Maryland courts should withhold recognition of a valid foreign marriage only if that marriage is “repugnant” to state public policy. The court says the threshold is a high bar that has not been met in the case that it ruled on.

Labels: gay divorce, LGBT rights, Maryland

Reposted from Joe

JMG Europe Marriage Map

With France to join shortly, it appears. Via Wikipedia.

Labels: Europe, LGBT rights, marriage equality

Reposted from Joe

Via JMG: MALAWI: New President Vows To Decriminalize Homosexuality

Sit down, there's good news from Africa.

President Joyce Banda has said she wants Malawi to overturn its ban on homosexual acts - the first African country to do so since 1994. Two Malawian men were sentenced to 14 years in prison in 2010 after saying they were getting married. Several Western leaders have recently said they would cut aid to countries which did not recognise gay rights. In her first state of the nation address to parliament, Mrs Banda said: "Some laws which were duly passed by the august house... will be repealed as a matter of urgency... these include the provisions regarding indecent practices and unnatural acts." The BBC's Raphael Tenthani in the main city, Blantyre, says the president has the support of a majority of MPs and so should be able to get parliament to overturn the law.

Religious groups are expected to loudly oppose Banda's plan.

Labels: Africa, LGBT rights, Malawi

Reposted from Joe

Via Bishop John Shelby Spong / FB:

Bishop John Shelby Spong

May 2

Inspired by Bishop John Shelby Spong's Chautauqua lecture on June 29, 2010. Video footage of the lecture can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhAmYJgbFqk This post is in celebration of the second annual John Shelby Spong Lectureship at St. Peter's Episcopal Church featuring James Carroll on May 17, 2012. For more information, http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e5tbmvk259cb523c&llr=8jidabdab ProgressiveChristianity.org congratulates Bishop Spong on his many outstanding achievements and salutes him for his dedication to the cause of enlightened faith.

 

 

Via FB: The Bible Belt

Via Gay Marriage USA's photo / FB:

Wall Photos

‎

 

"Our Marriage Was Once Illegal Too"

(Via: The Christian Left)

 

By: Gay Marriage USA

The Golden Girls on Marriage Equality

Via ॐ Blue Buddha Quote Collective:

‎"When it is impossible for anger to arise within you, you find no outside enemies anywhere. An outside enemy exists only if there is anger inside."

~ Lama Zopa Rinpoche

O poder...

The 7 Wonders of the World

1. The power to see.
2. The power to hear.
3. The power to touch.
4. The power to try.
5. The power to feel.
6. The power to laugh.
7. And the most important of all: The power to love.

Via JMG: France Promises Gay Marriage

France's new prime minister yesterday vowed to fulfill the promise of just-elected President Francois Holland (above right) and implement full civil marriage equality for same-sex couples.

A communiqué issued by the office of the prime minister, Jean-Marc Ayrault, who took office on 15 May, marked the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia yesterday with a pledge to put the president’s manifesto promise into law. It said: “On the occasion of International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, the Prime Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment against violence and discrimination perpetrated as a result of sexual orientation or gender identity. The Government is determined to challenge prejudice and to put an end to discrimination and violence. It will implement the commitment of the President of the Republic to the right to marriage and adoption to gay couples.”

How soon the process might begin is not yet known.

Labels: France, Francois Hollande, LGBT rights

Reposted from Joe

Yay Hillary!

http://front.moveon.org/what-hillary-clinton-says-being-gay-is-and-isnt/#.T7ZjpBs1v8I.facebook

Via JMG: Eight Years Of Gay Marriage

And yet, somehow, Massachusetts is still there. Happy anniversary, Bay State. It's damned shame it's taking the rest of us so long to catch up.

Labels: LGBT History, marriage equality, Massachusetts

Reposted from Joe

@RichardBranson comes @Out4Marriage so every couple can marry

Via JMG: NORTH CAROLINA: More Blacks Back Gay Marriage After Obama's Announcement

Public Policy Polling has published a fascinating result out of North Carolina, where support for gay marriage has surged among black voters such the president's announcement.

There's been a noticeable shift in the attitudes of African Americans in North Carolina toward rights for gay couples in the wake of President Obama's announcement last week that he supports gay marriage. Our final poll before the primary last week found only 20% of black voters in the state favoring gay marriage, with 63% opposed. Now 27% express support for gay marriage with 59% opposed, for an overall 11 point shift on the margin.

There's been a similar movement when it comes to the overall idea of providing gay couples legal rights in the form of either marriage or civil unions. Before the primary 44% of African Americans favored one of those with 51% opposed to any sort of legal recognition for same sex couples. Now 55% of blacks support either gay marriage or civil unions with only 39% against any sort of recognition. Obama's words look to be having an impact.

Great news!

Labels: Barack Obama, LGBT rights, marriage equality, North Carolina, polls

Reposted from Joe

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma May 18, 2012

 

Sitting Still

If we watch our breathing without desiring calmness and without resenting the tension arising from breathing in and out, and experience only the impermanence, the unsatisfactoriness, and selflessness of our breath, our mind becomes peaceful and calm.

- Henepola Gunaratana, "Sitting Still"
Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection

Via pqmonthly.com

Love in exile: Fighting for the rights of binational couples

www.pqmonthly.com

 

U.S.-born Daniel Clark Orey and his Brazi-born husband Milton Rosa find it easier to live in Brazil because the government recognizes their California marriage license. Because of DOMA, Orey can't sponsor Rosa for a U.S. green card

 

 

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma May 17, 2012

 

Allegiance to Life

Our pain for the world, and our power to take part in the healing of our world, both come from the same place.

- Joanna Macy, "Allegiance to Life"
Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection

Via AmericaBlog Gay:

Religious right hate groups say Obama probably gay 

 

As Right Wing Watch notes, this nut is cited by AFA, FRC and all the rest of their ilk:Paul Cameron of the Family Research Institute is an “expert” cited by groups like the Family Research Council, Concerned Women for America and the American Family Association, among others in the Religious Right. While his claims have been consistently discredited, Cameron is still a favorite of opponents of...