The British House of Commons voted to legalize gay marriage by an overwhelmingly majority of 400 to 175 despite a major rebellion by Conservative MPs.
Although Britain has allowed same-sex couples to enter into civil partnerships since 2004, Prime Minister David Cameron has long stated his belief that they should be entitled to full equality before the law.

In late January, the government introduced the Marriage (Same-Sex Partners) Bill into Parliament’s lower house. The legislation would allow same-sex couples to marry in religious as well as civil ceremonies, though a much-vaunted “quadruple lock” would ensure that no religious organization would be forced to solemnize same-sex unions. The Church of England was particularly anxious about the bill, fearing that since it is the state church, it could be forced to host gay weddings. However, the bill specifically states that the church can continue to pass legislation that defines marriage as the union of a man and a woman (under the terms of an act passed during the reign of Henry VIII, ecclesiastical laws must always yield to secular law).

But while the move to legalize gay marriage proved popular with his Liberal Democrat coalition partners, it exposed bitter divisions within Cameron’s own party. Last weekend the chairs of 20 local Conservative groups presented Downing Street with a letter urging the Prime Minister to delay the vote, claiming that the government had no mandate to redefine such a key institution.

They also claimed that Cameron’s support for gay marriage would lead to an exodus of local party members, a finding echoed by a recent poll commissioned by opponents of gay marriage that reported that 20 percent of Conservative voters would vote against the party in the next election due to its stance on the issue.

As is typical with matters of this sort, the leaders of all three major parties allowed their MPs to vote according to their consciences. Over the weekend, the British media reported that up to 180 Conservative MPs might ultimately vote against the bill. In the end, 139 voted against and 30 abstained. The dissenters included two Cabinet ministers (Environment Secretary Owen Paterson and Welsh Secretary David Jones), as well as three junior ministers. Defense Secretary Philip Hammond and Attorney-General Dominic Grieve both abstained.

The debate on the bill was often quite emotional. Openly-gay Conservative MP Mike Freer urged his colleagues to support the bill. “I am not asking for special treatment. I am simply asking for equal treatment.

Speaking in opposition to the bill, Conservative MP Sir Roger Gale claimed that the government was entering “Alice in Wonderland territory.” Instead of redefining marriage, he called on ministers to “withdraw the Bill, abolish the Civil Partnership Act 2004, abolish civil marriage and create a civil union Bill that applies to all people, irrespective of their sexuality or relationship. That means that brothers and brothers, sisters and sisters and brothers and sisters would be included as well.”

Meanwhile, his colleague Matthew Offord warned that the bill represented a slippery slope that could lead to the legalization of polygamous relationships. Referring to the law on marriage, he said that “another government can simply change the definition to include as many partners as they want.”

The bill will now receive clause-by-clause scrutiny from a Public Bill Committee, and when it returns to the full House, MPs will have another chance to vote on it. Then it goes on to the House of Lords, where it may face stiffer opposition. While it is highly unlikely that peers would reject the bill outright, they may try to kill it by passing amendments that the Commons are unlikely to accept. If that happens, there could be a lengthy period of ‘ping pong’ as the two houses try to iron out their differences. If agreement cannot be reached, the government may have to reintroduce the bill in the next parliamentary session and use the Parliament Acts 1911 & 1949 to override peers’ objections.

Image Courtesy :  Robyn Ramsay

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On July 10, The Episcopal Church’s House of Deputies gave final approval to a liturgy for the blessing of same-sex unions.

Resolution A049 authorizes the provisional use of a liturgy for the blessing of same-sex relationships. Strictly speaking, it is not “marriage,” but rather “The Witnessing and Blessing of a Lifelong Covenant.” However, it has many of the same elements as the traditional marriage service, including the exchange of vows and rings.

The Rev. Jack Zamboni, a deputy from the Diocese of New Jersey, praised the quality of the draft liturgy, saying that he wished he and his wife could have used it when they were married. He also told of how two lesbian parishioners of his were moved to tears when he told them that this General Convention would be considering a rite to bless their relationship. “They had never thought it would happen in their lifetime,” he said.

Deputy Ian Hallas from the Diocese of Chicago, who identified himself as a straight ally, spoke of his sister and her love for her partner. “The reason I return [to General Convention] is for my sister. I seek to assure that she not only has the same rites as myself but also the same privileges.”

But there were some who were adamantly opposed to the resolution. “For 2,000 years, the church has had clear teaching regarding marriage,” said the Very Rev. David Thurlow, deputy from the Diocese of South Carolina. He was a member of the committee that endorsed the resolution, but he dissented from its report.

“This resolution marks a clear and significant departure — theological, doctrinal and in worship — from the doctrine, discipline and worship of Christ as this church has received them,” he said. It introduces a “new theology of human sexuality,” he continued.

The final passage of the resolution was marred by procedural squabbling. A deputy moved to divide the resolution, and the President of the House of Deputies accepted his request. Her ruling was then challenged, and confusion reigned as the House tried to figure out how to proceed. Ultimately, the motion to divide was voted down, and the resolution was finally able to proceed to a final vote.

Because there was a request to vote ‘by orders,’ the clerical and lay deputations from each diocese had to vote separately. The final tally was:

CLERICAL DEPUTATIONS:

85 Yes

22 No

4 Divided

LAY DEPUTATIONS:

86 Yes

19 No

5 Divided

The House of Bishops already passed the resolution, so it is now officially on the books. Same-sex blessings will be available from the first Sunday in Advent, though bishops will not be required to allow their clergy to use them.

Just before the vote on A049, the House of Deputies considered Resolution C095, which finally nudged the church down the road to structural reform. It calls for the creation of a task force of up to 24 people who will collect ideas from all levels of the church regarding possible changes to the church’s structure and system of government.

The General Convention received over 51 resolutions calling for structural reform, and it fell to the Committee on Structure to craft a single resolution that would be acceptable to as many people as possible. Their work produced C095, and in an astounding turn of events, it managed to pass the Deputies on a unanimous voice vote.

After its passage, the Rev. Gay Jennings, co-chair of the Committee on Structure and President-Elect of the House of Deputies, said that there was “a palpable desire to reimagine how we do business. I think as much as the discussion is about structure, perhaps even more the passion and the interest in this is about identity and vision: who we are as the church, who is God calling us to be in the 21st century.”

The measure now goes to the House of Bishops.

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Washington, U.S.A. - A week after President Obama announced his support for ending marriage discrimination against same-sex couples, Freedom to Marry and Service members Legal Defense Network (SLDN) announced  Freedom to Serve, Freedom to Marry, a new national campaign that will highlight the stories of military families harmed by the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

The campaign launched with the release of an online video illustrating the real injury inflicted on gay and lesbian military families who, because of the federal government’s refusal to respect their marriages legally, are denied the support and protections that all other military families receive.

“Last week the President described how the stories of service members and their families made a difference in his decision to support the freedom to marry.  In deed, the faces and stories of military families impacted by the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act illustrate the unjust ways this law treats our nation’s most courageous patriots.

It’s unconscionable that we would ask American citizens to put their lives on the line for us in war zones while treating them and their families as second-class citizens at home.  All service members and their families provide the same service, take the same risks, and make the same sacrifices.  When it comes to recognition, support, and benefits, they must all be treated equally.  There cannot be two classes of service members,” said Army Veteran and SLDN Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis.

Because of the ‘gay exception’ created by DOMA, America’s legally married gay and lesbian couples are denied 1,100+ federal responsibilities and protections including Social Security survivors benefits, equal treatment under U.S. immigration laws, and the opportunity to take leave to care for a spouse.

“Many people assume that, with the repeal of ”Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” gay men and lesbians serving our country are now being treated fairly and equally, but that’s not the case.  We ended the ban on open military service for gay and lesbian Americans, but there is still a federal ban on treating married service members as what they are: married,” said Evan Wolfson, founder and President of Freedom to Marry.

“The so-called Defense of Marriage Act’s ’gay exception’ keeps the government in the business of discriminating against families, such as those of service members, and burdening employers, such as the military, who are prevented from treating their employees fairly and equally.”

The Freedom to Serve, Freedom to Marry campaign will include video and other multimedia content spotlighting the harms of DOMA on military families, including the denial of health insurance, survivor benefits, and access to military bases and housing for service members’ spouses.  Additionally, the campaign will invite the public to sign an online petition calling on Congress to “end this discriminatory and unequal treatment of our service members and veterans by repealing DOMA.”

In October 2011, SLDN filed landmark litigation on behalf of eight married gay and lesbian service members and veterans challenging DOMA and three other federal statutes that may be interpreted to prevent the military from providing the same protections and support to all families.

Freedom to Marry’s federal program works to repeal the so-called Defense of Marriage Act and make the case for marriage to government officials, opinion-leaders, and political operatives’ in Washington, DC. Freedom to Marry is a leader of the Respect for Marriage Coalition, a diverse group of nearly 70 organizations working together to repeal DOMA, and regularly hosts salons to engage Democratic, Republican, and independent opinion-leaders and operatives in conversations about why marriage matters to same-sex couples.

Since the introduction of the ‘Respect for Marriage Act’, the bill that would repeal DOMA, the number of cosponsors has increased from 18 to 32 in the Senate, including every Democratic member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and from 108 to 144 in the House of Representatives.

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New York, U.S.A. – Author Jeffrey Sharlach’s critically-acclaimed new novel RUNNING IN BED (Two Harbors Press; $14.95 paperback; $7.99 eBook) looks at the experiences of a generation of gay men who came of age in the 1970s, the decade following the Stonewall uprising considered the birth of the modern gay rights movement in America.

Hailed by Publisher’s Weekly as a “fast-moving and engaging story that will linger with the reader long after the final page is turned,” Running in Bed tells the story of Josh Silver, an ambitious young college grad who’s just landed his first job at a prestigious Madison Avenue advertising agency.

Everything in his life is working out just fine—except for one nagging problem: he can’t stop dreaming about men. Josh seeks professional help to reprogram his sexual desire but in 1977 New York City’s gay community is basking in the golden glow of the post-Stonewall decade and Josh finally succumbs to its lure.

In what Kirkus called “a vibrant, accomplished debut,” first-time novelist Sharlach paints a brilliant picture of life in New York for a gay man at that moment in history. From the New York club scene to summers on Fire Island, Sharlach writes with humor, poignancy, and charm, and presents characters who are universal in their appeal.

When the AIDS crisis brings the free spirit of the 70s to a crushing end, the book’s characters are forced to navigate the turmoil of an era where beauty, youth, wealth and life itself seem unimaginably fragile. It’s a personal tale for Sharlach whose own partner’s life was claimed by the disease in 1994 after they had been together as a couple for nearly 13 years.

“Running in Bed is mostly a love story,” Sharlach explained. ”But it was also important for me to try to capture that remarkable time in our history for future generations. This isn’t something most young people learn about in social studies class.”

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Washington, U.S.A. – Family Research Council (FRC) said that President Barrack Obama’s endorsement of same-sex “marriage” is disappointing but not surprising.

In an interview with ABC News, Obama announced that he now supports legalizing same-sex marriage. It was the second time in his career that Obama has appeared to reverse course on the issue. In 1996, as a candidate for the Illinois State Senate, Obama endorsed same-sex marriage. But since winning national office – first as a U.S. Senator, and then as President Obama had said that such couples should have access to all the legal rights and benefits of marriage through “civil unions,” but that “marriage” should remain defined as the union of a man and a woman.

“The President’s announcement that he supports legalizing same-sex marriage finally brings his words in sync with his actions.  From opposing state marriage amendments to refusing to defend the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DoMA) to giving taxpayer funded marriage benefits to same-sex couples, the President has undermined the spirit if not the letter of the law,” FRC President Tony Perkins stated.

“As demonstrated by yesterday’s overwhelming vote in North Carolina, redefining marriage remains outside the mainstream of American politics, especially in the critical battleground states and among minority voters. In North Carolina, the amendment received more than 60% of the vote in majority-black counties.

“Considering that ten of the sixteen battleground states have marriage amendments that could be overturned by the President’s new policy position on marriage, the announcement almost ensures that marriage will again be a major issue in the presidential election.

“The President has provided a clear contrast between him and his challenger Mitt Romney.  Romney, who has signed a pledge to support a marriage protection amendment to the U.S. Constitution, may have been handed the key to social conservative support by President Obama.”

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The North Carolina state senate approved on Tuesday legislation that would add an amendment to the ballot in 2012. North Carolina voters will vote to decide whether to amend the state constitution, banning same-sex marriage.

The amendment would prohibit legal recognition of any union besides marriage between one man and one woman, including civil unions and domestic partnerships for gay and straight couples. Local business leader Martin Eakes was at the capitol in Raleigh on Tuesday trying to argue against the amendment.

“This was one of the worst days that I’ve ever seen in my home state, and I’ve seen some pretty bad days over the past 25 years,” Eakes said of the vote to advance the amendment. Republican leaders in the state did not allow any public comments about the proposed legislation, speeding up the process of approving the ballot initiative.

The legislation was passed just 24 hours after it was introduced.  The bill passed by a 30-16 vote in the state Senate, in which Republicans hold a 31-19 majority. Constitutional amendments do not have to be signed by the governor. North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue, a Democrat, likely would have vetoed the legislation if she were able to.

As it stands, the measure will be voted on during the 2012 primary election. “This is deeply disappointing and hurtful to thousands of North Carolina same-sex couples who simply want to be able to care for each other and their families, as all families do,” said Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force in a statement.

Although same-sex marriage is already banned in the state, a constitutional amendment would block any court challenges of the law on constitutional grounds. During floor debate, several Republicans stated that the amendment was required to prevent “activist judges” from overturning the marriage ban.

“Moms and dads are not interchangeable,” said the bill’s sponsor, state Sen. James Forrester (R-Gaston), during floor debate. “Two dads don’t make a mom. Two moms don’t make a dad. Children need both a father and a mother.” The law could have unintended consequences for many unmarried couples, both gay and straight.

Maxine Eichner, a professor at the University of North Carolina School of Law, and some of her colleagues prepared a report on the proposed amendment in June that outlined potential problems.

Even with the revisions made in the last week, Eichner said in an email, the amendment could still interfere with existing child custody and visitation rights and invalidate trusts, wills and end-of-life directives in favor of an unmarried partner, no matter the genders of the unmarried pair.

“The Amendment still has the potential to invalidate domestic violence protections for members of unmarried couples, as an Ohio court did with even narrower language in its state’s marriage amendment,” Eichner warned.

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In a dramatic late night vote, New York State became the sixth state in the nation to legalize same-sex marriages. The state senate waited until around 10:30 p.m. on Friday night to hold the much anticipated vote. Governor Andrew Cuomo, a staunch supporter of the bill, signed the legislation into law just before midnight on June 24^th.

The timing could not be any better as New York City hosts gay pride weekend following the signing. With the new legislation in New York, the number of gays and lesbians that can legally marry in the United States has doubled. In addition, New York State has no residency laws to marry and gay couples from across the nation will be flocking to the state to marry in late July when the law takes effect.

A religious exemption was also built into the bill to assuage some opponents. “Whoever opposes the rights of gays and lesbians to marry – whatever religious institution, whether it’s the Catholic Church, Orthodox Jews, anyone else – they are not required to marry any couple they do not want to marry,” Elizabeth Cooper of Fordham University Law School explained.

Why this was so important to opponents is unclear to me. Can’t churches already decide who to marry? Catholics do not let non-Catholics marry in their church. But this sticking point delayed the vote while senators met in backrooms to negotiate the deal. Republican State Senator Stephen Saland was one of those that negotiated the deal and was also one of the last senators to support the bill. He reported that he agonized over the decision. “I have defined doing the right thing as treating all persons with equality, and that equality includes the definition of marriage, and I fear that to do otherwise would fly in the face of my upbringing.”

Both sides of the debate expressed their feelings regarding the monumental vote. Many gay rights proponents believe that the vote will build momentum toward same-sex marriage across the country. Gov. Cuomo talked about the important vote while signing the bill. “We made a powerful statement,” Cuomo said. “This state is at its finest when it is a beacon of social justice.”

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Gay pride parades were especially raucous this past weekend after New York’s historic vote that allows same-sex marriages beginning in late July in the state. Governor Andrew Cuomo attended the parade in New York City. He told the crowd that the vote in New York will be instrumental in other states. “I think you’re going to see this message resonate all across the country now. If New York can do it, it’s OK for every other place to do it,” Cuomo said to cheering applause.

“This is an immense win that brings giant momentum to the movement to end marriage discrimination in the U.S.,” said Evan Wolfson, president of national gay rights group Freedom to Marry. Many celebrities also cheered the decision. Neil Patrick Harris tweeted on Friday night right after the bill passed. “It PASSED! Marriage equality in NY!! Yes!! Progress!! Thank you everyone who worked so hard on this!! A historic night!!” Other celebrities such as Ellen DeGeneres, Alec Baldwin, Russell Simmons, Alyssa Milano, and Kathy Griffin also tweeted their support.

But, not everyone was celebrating. Opponents said they would go on the attack against the four senate Republicans who supported gay marriage. Brian Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage, said New York’s move was a “disaster for the Republican Party,” and that his group planned to spend $2 million over the next 18 months to defeat the legislators who supported it. “It’s the wrong thing to do,” said Maggie Gallagher, Chairman and co-founder of the National Organization for Marriage. “But it’s also incredibly politically stupid for the Republican Party to take responsibility for passing the gay marriage bill in New York.”

Sen. Mark Grisanti, a Buffalo Republican who had been undecided voted for the bill. Grisanti said he could not deny anyone what he called basic rights. “I apologize to those I offend,” said Grisanti, a Roman Catholic. “But I believe you can be wiser today than yesterday. I believe this state needs to provide equal rights and protections for all its residents,” he said.

Governor Chris Christie from neighboring state New Jersey stated he was not a fan of gay marriage and would not sign a law like the New York law. Presidential candidate Michele Bachmann took it one step farther, stating she would support a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages.

New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan, who repeatedly spoke out against Same Sex Marriage before, did so again after Sunday Mass. “We don’t believe that marriage can be changed and radically altered to accommodate a particular lifestyle,” he said.

gary718 / Shutterstock.com

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The bill to permit same sex marriage was formally introduced by Governor Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday June 15, 2011 and passed by the State Assembly a day later. The bill provides the same legal rights for same-sex couples who marry as heterosexual couples. It also prohibits local clerks from nixing marriage license applications from gay couples.

Thirty one members of the Senate, including two Republicans, have already voted in favor of the bill. In order to officially be approved, there is only one more vote needed. This is the closest New York has come to making same sex marriage legal because of its failure to pass the Senate in recent years. Passing of the bill will make New York the 6^th largest state in the United States to legalize gay marriage and add fuel to the ongoing debate.

While many religious leaders including Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York have continued to speak out against gay marriage and campaign against legislation, Cuomo is working to find a balance between the principles of the state and those of religious institutions.

Republicans are reversing their opposition but have asked that Mr. Cuomo agree to amend the proposal and give greater protection to religious organizations. The bill will exempt religious institutions from any obligation to sanctify or provide facilities for same-sex weddings. It will also protect them from any repercussions from state agencies.

Governor Cuomo recently stated “This state has a proud tradition and a proud legacy as the progressive capital of the nation. We led the way, and it’s time for New York to lead the way once again.” This year more celebrities, renowned business and political leaders are showing support and advocating gay marriage. The governor and the Republicans described negotiations as cordial and productive and expect to extend the duration of the regular legislative session.

Image Courtesy of  http://www.flickr.com/photos/seeminglee/

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The critical gay marriage bill in New York State is not any closer to becoming law despite plenty of back room dealings on Monday. A three hour conference seemingly produced no results in Albany and the push to vote on the bill was delayed for another day.

Protesters from both side of the issue descended on Albany in relatively peaceful protests. The demonstrations Monday included a group saying the Rosary in the nearby Capitol Park. Inside the building’s marble halls, opponents chanted “God says no!” while supporters countered with “God is love!” They sang hymns such as “Victory is Mine” and songs like “God Bless America” and “This Little Light of Mine.” Religion was used on both sides but more often than not clergy opposed the bill. However, not all religious leaders believe that gay marriage should remain illegal.

“All of our faith traditions teach that all people are children of God, deserving of love, dignity and equal protection under the law,” said the Rev. Tom Goodhue, president of the Long Island Council of Churches. He was working with the New Yorkers United for Marriage, an advocacy group allied with the Governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo. “The governor’s bill specifically provides broad protection for religious freedom.”

Gov. Cuomo has been an outspoken supporter of gay marriage and some Republicans have also thrown their support behind the measure. If New York approves gay marriage, many believe that it could be the turning point for the entire nation. New York tried two years ago and the Senate voted it down.  Since then, efforts have failed in New Jersey, Rhode Island and Maryland. Advocates hope a “yes” vote in the nation’s third-most populous state will jumpstart the effort.

Democratic Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr., a Bronx minister who has led the opposition, said he now considers the legalization of same-sex marriage inevitable in New York, but he’s unsure how the Senate will vote. He said Cuomo is exerting unprecedented pressure to get Republicans to approve his bill.

The measure passed overwhelmingly in the state Assembly last week. It appears that it is one vote short of passing the Senate at this point. Republican State Senator Greg Ball asked on Twitter how he should vote on the bill. He posed the question to his followers Friday, saying, “Opening up the discussion! So, if you were me, how would you vote on gay marriage? Yes or No?”  On Monday, the Putnam County lawmaker said the feedback trended toward voting yes.  Ball has stated he refuses to budge until more religious exemptions are included.

Lawmakers will continue to scramble to pass the measure before the end of the legislative session. More debate is expected on Tuesday before a Senate vote.

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