Marriage Equality Now: Beyond Same Sex Marriage or Gay Marriage or Lesbian Marriage

It is not about gay marriage, lesbian marriage, or same sex marriage. It is about the fundamental right to marry the person you love...

"When any society says that I cannot marry a certain person,
that society has cut off a segment of my freedom."
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, 1958

Marriage Equality Same Sex Marriage Lesbian Marriage or Gay Marriage

VICTORY!

The US Supreme Court ruled on June 26. 2015 that there is a constitutional right for same-gender couples to get married in all states and territories as well as their marriage from one jurisdiction to be recognized nationwide.

The rest of this chapter remains as is for archival purposes.

MARRIAGE IS NOT ABOUT STRAIGHT VS. GAY

It is about civil versus religious marriage.

The term gay marriage is not adequate as it separates gay and straight marriage. Similarly for the term same sex marriage. In reality there is only one term: marriage. And it should be available to any couple.

Critics state that marriage is "between a man and a woman" and that it is a sacrament. This is certainly the case in some religions, but not in others.

INVITED ARTICLES ON

MARRIAGE EQUALITY, SAME SEX MARRIAGE, AND GAY AND LESBIAN MARRIAGE

> Congressman Rush Holt writes about his support for New Jersey same sex marriage and marriage equality now.

> Evan Wolfson, ED of Freedom to Marry, discusses marriage equality in 2009 and beyond.

> Lee Swislow, ED of GLAD, presents a bold strategy to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act and to end the denial of federal rights and benefits to married same sex couples.

> Geoff Kors, ED of Equality California, explains why California is the Same Sex Marriage Battleground in 2008.

> Professors Patrick Egan and Kenneth Sherrill have prepared a study that debunks many of the myths surrounding Proposition 8 in California.

> Professor Tobias Wolff discusses the importance of the California Supreme Court decision and the impact for out of state couples who marry in California.

> Jenn Steinfeld, ED of Marriage Equality Rhode Island, states that Rhode Island can have same sex marriage equality within three years by working with the legislature.

> Dan Furmansky, ED of Equality Maryland, explains why marriage equality for same sex couples can be achieved in Maryland in the next three years.

MARRIAGE AND FREEDOM OF RELIGION

Each faith should have, and already has, the right to marry whomever it wants and put any requirements it sees fit.

While many religions believe that marriage must be forever, the US Government allows divorces.

While many religious do not marry same sex couples, others believe that same-gender marriage is good.

The US Government, however, is bound by the Constitution not to endorse any one religion versus another.

CIVIL UNIONS ARE NOT EQUAL

Civil Unions are not recognized by the federal government and, in everyday life, are not recognized as an equal to marriage.

Civil unions create a separate class of individuals---those who can only access civil unions. In the United States there is a long-term understanding that separate is not equal.

Marriage equality means more than just the 1,000plus rights and responsibilities associated with it. It is also about not excluding people from the institutions that provide stability to their families and society. Massachusetts has had marriage equality since 2004 and it has proven that the sky has not fallen. Now more people can legally share their love and commitment.

TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE

Three interesting articles to read:

> Vermont Freedom To Marry has put together a comparison between the arguments against same sex marriage in Vermont in 2000 and interracial marriage from 1948 to 1967 (download pdf)

> Transgender professor Jennifer Finney Boylan describes in an OpEd in the New York Times why same sex marriages are occurring already in the 50 states with transgender individuals and the broader implications.

> The Economist, an European conservative magazine, put a picture of two grooms in its cover on January 6, 1996 that said "Let them wed" which was the title of its editorial.

MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WHO SUPPORT MARRIAGE EQUALITY

Does your Member of Congress or candidate for Congress say Yes I do? Find out the Members of Congress and candidates who support same sex marriage equality. Also, you can submit information if somebody is not listed. This list has not been updated lately since the 2012 Democratic platform supports same-sex marriage one can expect that all the Democratic elected officials support it. However, there is still plenty of opportunity to convince Republican lawmakers.

PRIORITIES FOR ACHIEVING MARRIAGE EQUALITY NOW (OR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE)

This list is kept for historical purposes. For an up-to-the minute list of LGBT rights on each state check eQualityGiving's States of Equality Scorecard.

Preserve marriage equality in Massachusetts. VICTORY!
After an historic vote in the Constitutional Convention in Massachusetts on June 14, 2007, in which over 75% of the legislators in both Houses voted to turn down a ballot for a constitutional amendment forbidding same sex marriage, the equal right to marry in Massachusetts is safe for years to come.
Get and preserve marriage equality in Connecticut. VICTORY!
On October 10, 2008, the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled that civil unions were not equal and that the state needed to provide marriage equality. On November 4, 2008 voters in Connecticut rejected a proposition to convene a constitutional convention to amend the constitution. On November 12, 2008 same sex couples from around the country and the world started getting married in Connecticut (although the marriage may not be recognized if they live outside Connecticut and the federal government does not recognize any same sex marriages). The right to marry is now safe in Connecticut, as well as Massachusetts.
Win Right to Marry lawsuit that is advancing in Iowa. VICTORY!
The Iowa Supreme Court ruled unanimously on April 3, 2009 that the state could not discriminate against LGBT couples in the right to marry. All the prior decisions on marriage in other states were won or lost by one vote. Unanimity in Iowa is an additional great victory. Read the full decision of the Iowa Supreme Court on same sex marriage equality. (Note pages 51 to 63 about the reasons the government thinks that gays and lesbians should not be able to marry as well as pages 63 to 67 about the argument that marriage is a religious institution.) Also, you can read a 6 page summary from the office of communications of the Iowa Supreme Court summarizing the decision on the right of same sex couples to marry in Iowa.
Convert civil unions to marriage in Vermont. VICTORY!
Vermont's legislature voted in April 2009 to legalize same sex marriage. The Vermont Senate voted for the bill by 26 to 4. The Vermont House also voted in favor by 95 to 52. Governor Jim Douglas (R) vetoed the legislation. To override the veto requires 2/3 vote of each chamber. On April 7, 2009, the Vermont Senate voted 23 to 5 to override the veto. The Vermont House voted the same morning to override the veto by 100 to 49. Vermont is now the fourth state in the USA to provide same sex marriage equality.

Vermont was the first state in the Union to provide civil unions after the Vermont Supreme Court ruled that it was unconstitutional to deny same sex couples all the obligations and rights of marriage and required the legislature to provide exactly the same rights (aka as civil unions) or allow LGBT people to marry. The legislature voted for civil unions and it was passed into law with the signature of Governor Howard Dean.
Pass marriage equality in legislatures in marriage-friendly states like Maine. VICTORY!
On April 30, 2009, the Maine Senate passed marriage equality by a vote of 21 to 14. On May 5, it was approved by the Maine House by 89 to 58. On May 6, Democratic Governor John Baldacci signed it into law. The law was vetoed by a popular vote in November 2010, but adopted by another popular vote on November 6, 2012 by 53% to 47%
Convert civil unions to marriage in New Hampshire. VICTORY!
New Hampshire's House approved marriage equality legislation on March 26, 2009 by a vote of 186 to 179. The NH Senate approve it by a 13 to 11 vote on April 29, 2009. The House and Senate voted again to add provisions requested by Governor John Lynch (D). The legislation was signed into law on June 3, 2009. Same sex couples can marry in New Hampshire effective January 1, 2010.There was an attempt on March 21, 2012 to repeal the marriage bill, but the NH House voted overwhelmingly against it (211 to 116) with 96 out 293 Republicans voting against it. Also, a bill to put the topic on a ballot was defeated.
Pass marriage equality in legislatures in New York. VICTORY!
The Assembly passed marriage equality in 2007 and again on May 12, 2009 by 89 to 52 (including 5 Republicans); the New York senate did not pass the bill at that time. On June 24, 2011, both the New York Assembly and Senate passed the marriage equality bill.
Pass marriage equality in the District of Columbia. VICTORY!
Pass marriage equality in Washington state. VICTORY!
The Washington legislature passed a bill to allow same-sex marriage in Washington. It was promptly signed by Democratic Governor Gregoire on February 13, 2012. Opponents captured enough signatures to put the law for a vote in November 2012.It was approved by the voters on November 6, 2012 by 53% to 47% Same gender couples can apply for a marriage license starting on December 6, 2012.

Pass marriage equality in Maryland. VICTORY!
The Maryland legislature passed a same-sex marriage bill in February 2012 and it signed by Democratic Governor O'Malley. It takes effect on January 1, 2013. Opponents collected enough signatures to put it on the ballot in November 2012. It was approved by the voters on November 6, 2012 by a vote of 52% to 48%

Convert civil unions to marriage in New Jersey. VICTORY!
The New Jersey legislature approved marriage equality legislation in February 2012, but it was promptly vetoed by Republican Governor Christie. There is a dual strategy: revoke the veto of the legislature or gain equality through the courts. A state court ruled that marriages could start October 21, 2012. Christie appealed the decision and asked for a delay of the start of marriages. The NJ Supreme Court unanimously ruled that while pending the appeal same-gender couples could marry in New Jersey. Given that ruling, Christie withdrew the appeal.

Preserve marriage equality in California. VICTORY!
On May 15, 2008 the California Supreme Court ruled that same sex couples had the right to marry in California. A total of 18,000 same sex couples married in that state until the voters of California took that right away on November 4, 2008 by the so called Proposition 8. Read our summary conclusions on a very interesting study of California Proposition 8 results. A federal lawsuit, initiated by American Foundation for Equal Rights, ended up in a ruling in the US Supreme Court ruling that the parties appealing the lawsuit did not have standing and therefore same-gender marriage was legal again in California.

Convert civil unions in Rhode Island to full marriage equality. VICTORY!
The Rhode Island legislation voted and passed a civil unions bill in June 2012. It was signed by Governor Chafee (Independent) on July 2, 2012. This law is very controversial because it was pushed by the Speaker of the Rhode Island House, Gordon Fox (Democrat), who is openly gay. In May 2013, the legislature passed marriage equality. Same-gender couples can start asking for marriage licenses starting August 1, 2013.
Convert civil unions to marriage in Delaware. VICTORY!

Pass marriage equality in Minnesota. VICTORY!
Also in May 2013, the Minnesota legislature approved marriage equality effective August 1, 2013.
Obtain Civil Unions and Domestic Partnerships where marriage equality is not possible now due to state constitutional amendments forbidding gay and lesbian marriage.
Hawaii could pass civil unions legislation, which would also include recognition of marriages, civil unions, and domestic partnerships from other states.
Win federal recognition of state marriages (repeal the Defense of Marriage Act Section 3). VICTORY!
> Subgoal: obtain at least two pressing federal benefits as early as possible: (1) social security benefits, and (2) partner immigration

TEXT OF THE DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE ACT

Read its full text for yourself. The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is a very short legislation, but very discriminatory.

ONE-STOP GIVING FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

Large donors who prefer to give a single check and let others decide how to allocate the money can consider the Civil Marriage Collaborative (CMC) which is doing an excellent job in this area. Donors, large or small, can also give to Freedom to Marry.

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In response to the comment below by Sista Girl:

Some religions interpret the word of God as meaning that marriage is between one man and one woman. Other religions held until recently that marriage can involve multiple people. Other religions support marriage of same sex couples.

So, we cannot make a religious argument about marriage since not all religions agree on the interpretation of God's wishes.

Religions should have, as they do, the right to decide who to marry and who not to marry.

However, the government cannot discriminate on the right of people to get married. Actually, the government also allows divorce, while many religions (as it is their right) won't remarry people, since they do not accept divorce (except for some particular cases, as when the marriage was not consumated).

Sista Girl posted the exact same comment on another page on our site. We deleted it since it is spam to post the same comment on multiple pages.

When it comes to Gay marriages it is not right, and also not natural. When God created us we were mint to love the opposite sex. When Gay couple have children it gives the child a mix message that this is normal. Gay marriages could get in our schools. Teaching about the subject.

It has already gotten in our church confusing the pastor that this is normal. When it comes to god nothing should change. Marriage is supposed to be one man and one woman.

Children who live with Gay couple, or a mother or a father can make the child a killer, and a stalker etc.

Another thing about children that have gay couples it could leave ,or be laughing because their parents is gay, and the child might not be excepted because of their parents race.

Ban Gay marriage and keep our children safe!!!!

Dear family,

My Sweetheart Dzmitry is rotting in Belarus because I have no legal way to bring him here to the United States. This is the nightmare that Americans face whose partners are non-American nationals of the same sex. Dzmitry and I have endured painful separation for 5 years now. My wealth has been depleted from all the financial strain. I really believe my angel's life is in danger all the time. He doesn't even eat every day! His stress is unimaginable, topping mine by far. But even in adversity there are many blessings. My hardship moulds and shapes me into a more sensitive and loving human being. It has led me to communicate with many wonderful people that I didn't previously know. It has led me to this community at EQualityGiving.org.

I want to do everything within my power to help my true family - my homosexual and transgendered brothers and sisters - and that defintely includes going to jail if necessary, by ignoring or violating odius barbaric religious laws that have contaminated our land. I'm impressed with the right direction that this website's taking. I'm amazed and deeply grateful to Juan and Ken Ahonen-Jover, for their selfless work for all of us!

I agree that we need to reorient ourselves toward forcing the new Omnibus Equality Law. This makes perfect sense to me. Our issues are a civil rights issue. They're universal and need enforced worldwide. We need to demand our rights and resort to non-violent civil disobedience to get the message across to those who crave the status-quo. Although all GLBT organizations have been contributing to our goal of equality for all people, I think they've fallen into a self-serving loop that perpetuates a certain degree of apologetic subservient "be-thankful-for-what-the-master-gives-you mentality." This organization, EQualityGiving.org, the National Center for Lesbian Rights and Out4Immigration are definitely exceptions to that. But all of that will change, and we must change, for love's sake.

On a final note, I'd strongly recommend all of you to absorb the righteous and courageous Julian Bond's advice. Recently, Mr. Bond, who is the national chairman for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, speaking to a Human Rights Campaign fundraising even in Los Angeles, told gays and lesbians to DEMAND our seat at the front of the bus! You must watch the entire video of his address. Let it fill you with inspiration, hope and pride. In my opinion, Mr. Bond has risen to the level of being a national hero for the struggle for human equality. I've never heard even a gay rights leader approach the truth and eloquence of Mr. Bond's words. I've never witnessed someone who isn't gay, and someone who is a Christian, with the compassion that he has for us. I'm going to write him and thank him, and send a check to the NAACP, linking the contribution to what he said for GLBT rights.

Hugs,

Madison Reed

My blog: http://blog.lotusopening.com

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Last Modified 2015-06-29