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Topic: Equal Marriage

The new items published under this topic are as follows.


Apr 01, 2008# News: European Court of Justice Rules in Favour of Gay Pensioneers
Equal Marriage (EU) - European Court of Justice (ECJ) in Luxembourg delivered its judgement in a landmark case on pension rights for registered same-sex partners (case of Tadao Maruko v. Versorgungswerk der deutschen Bühnen). The facts of the case are as follows: Mr. Maruko lived with his partner in a registered partnership. After his partner died the VddB, the pension scheme for German theatres, refused to pay him a survivor’s pension as such pensions were provided only for married partners. Mr. Maruko sued the VddB, and the Bavarian Administrative CourtMunich referred the case to the ECJ for interpretation of the 2000/78/EC Directive which established a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation.
# Read more...

Mar 31, 2008# Quickie Link: Media Frenzy at Warsaw Airport for Arrival of Gay American Couple
Equal Marriage (Poland) - Gay Americans Brendan Fay and Tom Moulton found a media frenzy when they arrived at Warsaw airport yesterday for a three-day visit. The couple, who were married in Canada, hit the international headlines when their wedding image was used in Polish President Lech Kaczynski’s televised prime-time address to scare the Polish people against supporting the Lisbon Treaty, arrived to Warsaw for a three-day visit. The trip is sponsored by TVN Television. Their first day in Poland was an opportunity to meet with Polish Gay rights leaders Tomasz Szypula and Greg Czarnecki from the Campaign Against Homophobia (Kampania Przeciw Homofobii – KPH) as well as other members of the LGBT community.
# Note: Read more on UK Gay News

Mar 06, 2008# Quickie Link: Gay Marriage Discussed at Council of Europe
Equal Marriage (Europe) - A Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) hearing on the legal recognition of same-sex partnerships will take place in Paris tomorrow. The 47-member Council of Europe predates the European Union. It promotes and protects democracy, educational and sporting co-operation and created the European Court of Human Rights. The hearing will involve representatives of the International Lesbian and Gay Association ILGA Europe as well as parliamentarians and academics. It will also focus on freedom of assembly and expression for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans people in the Council member states.
# Note: Read more on Pink News

Mar 05, 2008# Quickie Link: Iowa GOP Fails In Bid To Advance Anti-Gay Amendment
Equal Marriage (USA) - Iowa Republicans frustrated with the majority Democrats refusal to hold a vote on a proposed constitutional amendment to ban Gay marriage have failed in their last ditch effort to advance the measure. House Minority Leader Christopher Rants attempted on Tuesday to use a procedural motion to move the amendment out of committee where it has been stonewalled and onto the floor of the House for a full vote. On a 50-to-46 vote along party lines Democrats rejected the motion. That means the issue remains in committee where it will likely die by the end of the week. Republicans have been pushing the proposed amendment since last year when Polk County Judge Robert Hanson struck down a state law limiting marriage to straight couples. To amend the Iowa Constitution simple majorities are needed in both the House and Senate in two consecutive general assemblies and then it must be approved by a simple majority of voters in the following general election.
# Note: Read more on 365Gay.com

Mar 03, 2008# Quickie Link: Poll: Iowa Supports Civil Unions But No Gay Marriage
Equal Marriage (USA) - The majority of Iowa voters support restricting marriage to heterosexual couples but at the same time are divided on a constitutional amendment to put that in place, and most believe Gay couples should have the right to have civil unions a new poll shows. The survey, by the Des Moines Register, found that 62 percent of prospective voters believe marriage should be available only to heterosexual pairs. But when asked if the state constitution should be amended to block Gay marriage 48 percent said yes while 47 percent said no. Five percent had no opinion. Last year Polk County Judge Robert Hanson struck down a state law limiting marriage to heterosexual couples. Hanson ruled that a state law allowing marriage only between a man and woman violated the constitutional rights of due process and equal protection.
# Note: Read more on 365Gay.com

Mar 02, 2008# Quickie Link: Civil Unions Mulled In Illinois
Equal Marriage (USA) - Legislation that would create civil unions in Illinois has been introduced in the state Senate. The bill, filed by Sen. David Koehler (D) would include both same and opposite-sex couples. It is similar to legislation filed last year in the House by Rep. Greg Harris (D). That version has been approved by committee but has not been scheduled for a vote by the full House. Koehler acknowledges that the legislation is bound to encounter opposition from 'social conservative' groups and Republicans. The legislation would also recognize same sex marriages and civil unions from other states as civil unions in Illinois. Civil unions currently are legal in New Jersey, Vermont and Connecticut. Same-sex marriage is available only in Massachusetts, although legislation has been filed in Maryland and next week the California Supreme Court will consider Gay marriages.
# Note: Read more on 365Gay.com

Feb 13, 2008# Quickie Link: Gay Couples to Stage St Valentine's Day Protest
Equal Marriage (USA) - Getting married has been a goal for long-time partners Robin Tyler and Diane Olson for each of the past six Valentine's Days, and this year will be no different. They'll be turned away, of course, since their home state of California doesn't allow same-sex marriages, but Tyler hardly seems heartbroken by that inevitability. "It's all about raising awareness," says the Los Angeles-based activist, comedienne and producer. Similar demonstrations will be happening all over California tomorrow, from Alameda County to Yolo County, according to Marriage Equality USA, all in the hopes of raising awareness about the six cases challenging the state's ban on same-sex marriage.
# Note: Read more on Pink News

Feb 12, 2008# Quickie Link: Arizona Mulls Gay Marriage Ban - Again
Equal Marriage (USA) - Republican lawmakers on Monday proposed asking voters in November to amend the Arizona Constitution to ban same-sex marriage in the state, which was the first to turn down such a measure. The proposal was backed by 16 of 30 state senators, and an identical proposal was introduced in the House. Both chambers would have to approve the measure in a vote for it to be included on the ballot. Under the amendment, "only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state." The proposal comes after Arizona voters narrowly rejected a similar measure in November 2006. The previous measure included the same definition but also contained wording that was interpreted as prohibiting government recognition of civil unions or domestic partnerships. Seven other states approved amendments that day.
# Note: Read more on 365Gay.com

Feb 08, 2008# Quickie Link: Gay Marriage Foes Attempt To Force Amendment Vote
Equal Marriage (USA) - Opponents of three measures that would give varying rights to same-sex couples in Maryland say they will attempt to force a proposed amendment to ban same-sex marriage and civil unions directly onto the floor of the House and bypass committees. Longtime Gay foe in the legislature, Del. Donald H. Dwyer Jr. (R) is circulating a petition that would all a full House vote on the amendment. Dwyer, who attempted to pass measures in the past limiting LGBT civil rights, needs the endorsement of 47 members of the House of Delegates to bypass the committee process and move the issue to a full vote. So far he has 34.
# Note: Read more on 365Gay.com

Feb 07, 2008# Quickie Link: Cuban Cabinet Minister Calls For Gay Marriage
Equal Marriage (Cuba) - Taking up Raul Castro's invitation to speak their minds without fear of reprisal, more Cubans have begun publicly complaining and challenging government policies on everything from Gay rights to limits on Internet access and travel restrictions. This week some leading figures called for change: Culture Minister Abel Prieto said that he supports Gay marriage, and famed folk singer Silvio Rodriguez said he believes all Cubans should be free to travel abroad and stay in the hotels reserved for foreign tourists. "I think that marriage between Lesbians, between Homosexuals can be perfectly approved and that in Cuba that wouldn't cause an earthquake or anything like that," Prieto, a member of the party's powerful Politburo, told reporters following a screening of a documentary on Rodriguez's career. Cuban lawmakers are considering a proposal to allow Gay marriages, though its progress in the legislature's closed-door sessions remains unclear.
# Note: Read more on 365Gay.com

Feb 06, 2008# Quickie Link: Romanian Family Code Excludes Gay Marriages
Equal Marriage (Romania) - Romanian Senators amended on Tuesday the Family Code applied at national level to specify that "the family" means "the heterosexual family" i.e. is based entirely upon the marriage of a man and a woman and not upon the reunion of the partners, as stipulated before. The initiative pertains to a senator from the far-right Greater Romania Party (PRM) and was accepted by all members of the Judicial Commission in the Senate. The amendment referred to the first article of the Family Code and leaves no room for interpretation. The text added refers that "the union between a man and a woman respects the Biblical requirements."
# Note: Read more on Hot News

Feb 02, 2008# Quickie Link: Civil Unions Get the Nod in Oregon
Equal Marriage (USA) - After years of emotion on the streets and in the Capitol, the fight for Gay rights boiled down to a quiet ruling in a federal courtroom on Friday. U.S. District Judge Michael Mosman's decision means that starting Monday, same-sex couples can start signing up for domestic partnerships, entitling them to most of the duties and benefits that married residents receive. Friday afternoon, Mosman rejected a lawsuit that sought to block the domestic partnership law passed by the Legislature and force a public vote. Mosman's decision was a major victory for Gay-rights advocates, who have fought for years to gain the rights and protections that married couples enjoy.
# Note: Read more on Oregon Live

Feb 02, 2008# Quickie Link: New York Appeals Court Rules State Should Recognize Gay Marriages from Canada
Equal Marriage (USA) - An appeals court has ruled that a Gay couple's marriage in Canada should be recognized in New York. The Appellate Division of state Supreme Court on Friday reversed a judge's ruling in 2006 that Monroe Community College did not have to extend health benefits to an employee's Lesbian partner. The couple formalized their relationship in a civil union ceemony in Vermont in 2001 and were married in Canada in 2004. The college refused to add Golden to the health care benefits because its contract with the Civil Service Employees Association did not address benefits for same-sex partners.
# Note: Read more on Winnipeg Free Press

Jan 29, 2008# Quickie Link: Almost 500 Czech Gay Couples Married
Equal Marriage (Czech Republic) - The number of registered partnerships between Czech same sex couples reached 487 by the end of last year with homosexual male couples prevailing considerably, according to a poll the results of which were given to CTK by the Sidovsky Management agency today. The law on registered partnership that allows marriages between gay and lesbian couples has been valid in the Czech Republic since July 2006. Since then, legal registered partnerships were concluded by 353 homosexual male and 134 female couples. In 43 cases, one of the partners was a foreigner, especially from Slovakia, but also Azerbaijan, Taiwan, Israel, Mexico, Kazakhstan, Armenia, the Netherlands, the USA and Canada.
# Note: Read more on Ceske Noviny

Jan 25, 2008# Quickie Link: Petition to Impeach Judge Who Overturned Gay Marriage Ban
Equal Marriage (USA) - Petitions calling for the impeachment of a judge who overturned Iowa's ban on Gay marriages have been delivered to Legislature. The petitions, with over 6,000 signatures, were handed over today by a homophobe called Bill Salier. He says the goal is to "stop a runaway judiciary." Salier says Polk County Judge Robert Hanson overstepped his authority by legalizing Gay marriage last summer. Hanson stayed his ruling while it's under appeal to the Iowa Supreme Court. Impeaching a judge takes an act of the Legislature.
# Note: Read more on Washington Blade

Jan 22, 2008# Quickie Link: Argentine Gay Couple Defies Country's Civil Union Ban
Equal Marriage (Argentine) - Denied the chance to marry in Argentina, two Gay activists traveled to Spain to tie the knot on Monday. Once home from their honeymoon, they plan to campaign for legal recognition for their marriage in Argentina. “It's not going to be easy. ... But we're already married, Spain recognizes us,” Cesar Cigliutti, president of the Argentine Homosexual Community, told The Associated Press from Madrid. “We want Argentina to recognize us as well.” Cigliutti and Marcelo Suntheim were able to wed because Suntheim has dual citizenship in Argentina and Germany – allowing him to marry within the European Union. Spain began allowing same-sex marriages in 2005, granting Gay couples the same rights as heterosexual ones to marry, adopt children and inherit each other's property.
# Note: Read more on Sign On San Diego

Jan 21, 2008# Quickie Link: Swedes Support Gay Marriage
Equal Marriage (Sweden) - A large majority of Swedes are in favour of allowing Gays to marry, a new poll has shown. Seven out of ten respondents told pollster Sifo they would back moves to change the current legislation. Christian Democrat voters however deviated from the majority. "The proposal enjoys overwhelming support but it runs up against equally strong opposition in the Christian Democrats," Sifo's Toivo Sjörén told Svenska Dagbladet.
# Note: Read more on The Lokal

Jan 15, 2008# Quickie Link: Sweden Might Get Its Gay Marriage Bill
Equal Marriage (Sweden) - Sweden's opposition says it plans to force a bill legalizing Gay marriage through parliament, in a move that would seize the initiative from the government and threaten to drive a wedge between the four governing parties. A government inquiry last year proposed that the country allow same-sex couples to get married, instead of offering civil partnerships as at present. Of the seven parties in the current Swedish parliament, all but one are in favour of Gay marriage, but the continued opposition of the Christian Democrats, one of the three smaller governing parties, makes acting on the issue difficult for the goverment.
# Note: Read more on The Lokal

Jan 07, 2008# Quickie Link: Homophobic Registrar Sues City Council over Gay Weddings
Equal Marriage (UK) - A marriage registrar has sparked a major legal challenge to the acceptance of Gay weddings by refusing to carry out the ceremonies. The woman, a Christian fanatic, is taking action against Islington Council, saying the civil partnership ceremonies she has been asked to perform are against her religious beliefs. More than 300 Gay couples a year have been tying the knot in the North London borough since the ceremony became legal in 2005 – but the unnamed registrar has refused to take any part in them. Her stance has escalated into a full-scale dispute with her employers, who she is now taking to an employment tribunal, in the first case of its kind.
# Note: Read more on Mail on Sunday

Jan 05, 2008# Quickie Link: Irish Gay Partnership Law May Recognise Foreign Unions
Equal Marriage (Ireland) - The Government's planned civil partnership scheme for Gay and Lesbian couples is likely to provide for the automatic legal recognition of civil unions or weddings in certain other countries, it has emerged. Already, dozens of Gay and Lesbian couples are travelling to countries such as Canada and the UK to wed or obtain civil partnerships, in the hope their unions will be recognised in Irish law shortly. Senior sources say that civil unions or weddings will have the same legal recognition as new civil partnerships in Ireland, as long as they meet a number of conditions. Such a provision is contained in civil partnership legislation in the UK, which recognises unions in almost 20 countries, including the US, Canada and France.
# Note: Read more on Ireland.com