Wisconsin: Illegal to marry.

upi.com

MADISON, Wis., July 3 (UPI) -- Gay couples in Wisconsin have been warned that they could face jail time and fines if they marry outside the state.

Under a little-known state law, Wisconsin residents can be prosecuted if they enter a marriage outside the state that would be illegal in Wisconsin, with penalties that include a $1,000 fine and up to nine months in prison. In 2006, voters approved a constitutional amendment that defines marriage as being between a man and a woman.

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Humerous wanderings

In my wanderings today I ran across an article regarding gay marriage.

The comment section gave me a good chuckle when I saw:

I wish they would of had a law against opposite-sex marriage. It would of saved me a lot of money!

Mayor Newsom wants to move on up to the governor's place

by Carla Marinucci, John Wildermuth, Chronicle Political Writers
San Francisco Chronicle

Democratic San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom jumped into the race for governor Tuesday, taking the first steps toward succeeding Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2010.

Newsom opened a gubernatorial campaign committee so that he can start gathering campaign contributions for a race that is more than two years away. Supporters can give him up to $24,100 each for the 2010 Democratic primary and general election. The next race for governor is expected to be a highly competitive contest that could cost each major party candidate upward of $30 million.

The action by the mayor of the liberal Democratic bastion of San Francisco - who has made national news with his support of same-sex marriage, universal health care and strong environmental programs locally - puts him a step ahead of a potentially crowded field of opponents.

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Gay Marriage Would be Financial Windfall in N.J.

In The New England Blade, Zachary Violette writes;

The Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law released a new research study last week analyzing the economic gains that same-sex couples’ weddings would bring to New Jersey. Presently California stands as the sole recipient of the same-sex tourism and wedding windfall; if New Jersey extended marriage to same-sex couples it could share in that windfall. Massachusetts can’t benefit as current laws prohibit the state from performing same-sex weddings for out-of-state couples.

He continues by saying it would be a quarter of a billion dollar boost to the New Jersey economy over the next three years. Also, 800 new jobs would be created.

Modesto, Calfornia resident submits constitutional challenge

A Modesto, California resident, Ben Mesches, submits a challenge to readers of the Modesto Bee.

I have a challenge for Bee readers: to provide a constitutional argument for a ban on gay marriage. This means that the basis for your ban must not be, "because the Bible says so," or, "because that's what my pastor told me." Make sure that your ban follows the provisions of the Constitution.

Feel free to post your constitutional legal arguements here, or better yet, visit the Modesto Bee article to make sure Ben has the benefit of your wisdom.

Video: Gay Marriage 2008 II

A celebration of California Gay Marriages' (2008). This is a extended version with some audio changes.

Video: Gay Marriage 2008

In celebration of California Gay Marriage on June 16, 2008, I created the following video:

At least the rappers are up front!

Throughout my life I’ve had more appreciation for the outspoken.

Even if I didn’t like what they said, at least I knew where they stood.

Not so long ago I noticed a singer dedicating a song to same sex marriage. Her name is Larkin Gayl and she tells a story about how she was moved to write the song after seeing Gavin Newsom marry gay couples in San Francisco (2004).

I was very impressed with her gesture to celebrate California Gay Marriage with us and in turn I created a video with her song.

People shown in the video contacted me which prompted me to place the video on YouTube so more folks could see it.

Larkin Gayl visited my blog and thanked me for creating it. She said how wonderful it was to be a part of all this.

Yesterday I wandered over to her myspace and was shocked to see her say;

I hope "I Do" is not only known as a "gay wedding song" but as a song that promoted love and acceptance in a time that needed it it desperately..

I was further shocked to see a video associated with the song which showed straight marriages as well as gay marriages. Some how John Lennon and Yoko Ono and many others are related to gay marriage! [www.larkingayl.com]

Ms. Gayl, in case you forgot, straights have been able to marry for many years, gays have not!

You claim to dedicate the song to same sex marriage and then you expand upon that dedication [after the fact] to cover all non-cookie-cutter marriages.

You use gay marriage as a springboard to benefit yourself and then dilute your dedication at the expense of the gay community.

I have removed the video.

San Francisco: Mayor Newsom marries Phyllis Lyon and Dell Martin at city hall

In San Francisco, at 5:01 PM Mayor Newsom officiated a private marriage for Phyllis Lyon and Dell Martin at city hall.

Afterwards Phyllis, Dell and the Mayor entered the public reception area as rose petals were tossed from the second floor of the rotunda.

Phyllis and Dell cut a wedding cake at the public reception and remarked how they couldn’t have imagined this back in 1953, on Valentines Day, when they became lovers. Phyllis said they were so happy and hoped this would be the last time they have to cut a wedding cake.

“I can think of no greater example of commitment after 55 years together [Dell and Phyllis]. Today marriage as an institution has been strengthened. Today marriage has been affirmed. Today in California we are providing marriage equally, denying no one their right to live their lives out loud,” remarked Mayor Newsom.

A group of protestors assembled in front of San Francisco city hall. Carrying banners and signs. One rather large yellow banner read “Re-criminalize sodomy” and was held high by petitioners.

Video: Gay Marriage - I Do

She dedicated the song to "same sex marriage" then Larkin Gayl says (on her myspace site)

I hope "I Do" is not only known as a "gay wedding song" but as a song that promoted love and acceptance in a time that needed it it desperately.."

Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums to officiate Alameda County gay marriage

San Francisco Sentinel

Mayor Ronald V. Dellums will officiate Alameda County ’s first gay and lesbian wedding ceremonies on Monday, June 16th starting at 6:00 p.m. at Oakland City Hall. Congresswoman Barbara Lee and other elected officials will stand as witnesses to these ceremonies.

“Marriage is a confirmation of the importance of love and commitment in a healthy society,” said Mayor Dellums.

“It is a fundamental right to which all people are entitled and I am proud that I can officiate the eternal unions of these Oakland couples. Our city is one of the most diverse cities in the country and we join in the celebration of this historic day of human rights for all people.”

130 Same-Sex Marriage Appointments Made

Mari Payton, NBC 7/39 Reporter
NBCSanDiego.com

SAN DIEGO -- There are only about 20 appointments left for same-sex couples looking to tie the knot at the San Diego County clerk's office next week.

County clerk Gregory Smith said, "There's going to be a lot of media here. There's going to be a lot of crowds. If you don't have an appointment, it's going to be a long wait."

In preparation, the office has opened up four extra license windows to accommodate walk-ins.

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Judge raises constitutional issue in R.I. gay divorce case

The Associated Press

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A Superior Court judge has refused to hear the divorce case of a lesbian couple, but questioned whether the law that barred the women from ending their marriage unconstitutionally denied them a right enjoyed by heterosexual Rhode Islanders.

The Rhode Island Supreme Court last year ruled that the state's family court could not grant a divorce to Margaret Chambers and Cassandra Ormiston, who wed in 2004 in Massachusetts soon after same-sex marriage became legal in that state.

The justices said the state statute that created the family court recognized marriage as between only a man and a woman and the court, therefore, could not divorce a same-sex couple.

Chambers then sought a divorce in Superior Court. Judge Patricia Hurst denied the request on Wednesday, saying her court does not have jurisdiction to handle divorce.

But she also questioned the constitutionality of the statute relied on last year by the Supreme Court.

"It seems to me that this is a matter needing immediate attention and one that very plainly belongs in the hands of the legislature and the executive branch," Hurst said.

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Gay-marriage opponents are divorced from reality

by ALBERT R. HUNT
The Seattle-Post Intelligencer

Desperate times, it is said, call for drastic measures.

In the U.S., the Republican Party is certainly desperate; it's in fundamentally worse shape in 2008 than in any election since Watergate. It's not surprising, therefore, that some conservatives want to capitalize on the recent ruling by the California Supreme Court overturning a ban on gay marriage to galvanize voters in the national elections.

The court decision will deliver a generation of children "straight into the arms of the homosexual activist community," warns James Dobson, the Christian evangelical leader. Dobson is calling on citizens in California and elsewhere to mount a protest.

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Calif. Court Won't Delay Gay-Marriage Ruling

The Washington Post

SAN FRANCISCO -- The California Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected petitions to delay its historic same-sex marriage decision, clearing the way for gay couples to marry later this month.

Acting in closed session, the court voted 4 to 3 to reject petitions by Christian groups that it reconsider its May 15 ruling. The court also refused to delay the effective date of the decision until after the November election, when voters will consider a constitutional amendment to reinstate the ban on same-sex marriage.

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Gay marriage a gift to California's economy

by Alana Semuels, Staff Writer
Los Angeles Times

Business is up for hotels, bakers and photographers as same-sex couples prepare to wed

Wedding planners, bakers and hotels began booking more business almost immediately after the state Supreme Court's May 15 decision overturning a ban on gay marriage. Citing pent-up demand, one UCLA study projects that same-sex unions could provide a $370-million shot in the arm to the state economy over the next three years.

"Being in West Hollywood, we've been inundated," said Tom Rosa, owner of the Cake and Art bakery on Santa Monica Boulevard. "After the ruling, the phone really picked up."

Rosa said couples who had waited for decades to legally marry were splurging on 5-foot-tall confections shaped like carousels and cakes featuring handcrafted birds of paradise.
Rosa, the baker, said a lesbian couple came to him for their cake after a bakery in San Bernardino said it was booked for the summer and couldn't make their wedding cake when a clerk saw the two women together.

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N.Y. Gov. Paterson wades into same-sex-marriage debate

by Jay Gallagher, Albany Bureau Chief
The Press & Sun-Bulletin

Albany, New York - When asked this week what he thought about same-sex marriage, Gov. David Paterson said, "I think it's beautiful. I think it's fine."

Paterson has directed that same-sex couples legally married elsewhere be treated the same by state agencies as their heterosexual counterparts.

That means, for example, that same-sex spouses of police officers or firefighters hurt on the job are entitled to full benefits, and the partner of a liquor-store owner who dies can keep the liquor license. And now gay spouses can submit proxy votes for their partners in elections, or collect workers' compensation benefits if a gay spouse died. They will be able to file joint state income-tax returns, taxes and have stronger rights in adoption and custody disputes. More than 1,000 state rules and regulations are affected.

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Top prosecutor moves to block first gay marriage in Greece by island mayor

The Associated Press

ATHENS, Greece: Greece's top public prosecutor on Friday moved to block a gay marriage ceremony after a mayor on a tiny Greek island said he was willing to perform one.

Supreme Court prosecutor Giorgos Sanidas is trying to stop a ceremony expected to take place this summer on the east Aegean Sea island of Tilos — issuing a directive to prosecutors saying same-sex marriages were illegal.

In March, a lesbian organization discovered a loophole in a 26-year-old law that does not specify gender in civil weddings. Two gay men in Tilos are trying to become the first pair to test it.
Sanidas' directive states that marriage between same-sex couples would be "automatically nullified and considered illegal."

Sanidas said the directive — forwarded to prosecutors on the island of Rhodes — was based on an article in Greece's constitution to protect family rights that defined marriage as being between a man and a woman. Rhodes is the administrative capital for an island group that includes Tilos.

California Marriage opposition names and numbers

The California Secretary of State, Debra Bowen, provides campaign finance information online.

The National Organization for Marriage is required to disclose contributions.

We should all know who our oppressors are.

List as of May 25, 2008 11:40 AM, Pacific Time:

JOSHUA BAKER, MANCHESTER, MO, 63011, BIOCOLD ENVIRONMENTAL, $50,000.00
LARRY SMITH, NEWPORT BEACH, CA, 92660, MHI REAL CO., $25,000.00
JUSTIN CASTER, EL CAJON, CA, 92019, ACTOR, $9,100.00
BRIAN CASTER, EL CAJON, CA, 92019, CASTER FAMILY ENTERPRISES, $9,100.00
BRIAN CASTER, EL CAJON, CA, 92019, CASTER FAMILY ENTERPRISES, $10,000.00
CHA CHA CASTER, EL CAJON, CA, 92019,NOT EMPLOYED, $9,100.00
CRAIG CASTER, EL CAJON, CA, 92019,FAMILY DISCIPLECHIP MINISTRIES, $9,100.00
CHRISTINA CASTER, EL CAJON, CA, 92019, ACTOR, $9,100.00
NICK CASTER, EL CAJON, CA, 92019,FAMILY DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES, $9,100.00
BARBARA CASTER, EL CAJON, CA, 92021,NOT EMPLOYED, $9,100.00
CANDICE CASTER, EL CAJON, CA, 92019,NOT EMPLOYED, $9,100.00
TERRY CASTER, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92120, CASTER FAMILY ENTERPRISES, $10,000.00 TERRY CASTER, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92120, CASTER FAMILY ENTERPRISES, $62,500.00
TERRY CASTER, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92120, CASTER FAMILY ENTERPRISES, $100,000.00
GARY DAVIDSON, ESCONDIDO, CA, 92029, CASTER FAMILY ENTERPRISES, $9,100.00 MECHELE KREMENSKY, EL CAJON, CA, 92019,NOT EMPLOYED, $9,100.00
KENNETH KREMENSKY, EL CAJON, CA, 92019,NOT EMPLOYED, $9,100.00
CALIF. STATE COUNCIL KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS, FONTANA, CA, 92335, $25,000.00
KELLY BURT, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92128, TRES-DAC, $10,000.00
MARGOT KYD, POWAY, CA, 92064, SAN DIEGO GAS & ELECTRIC, $5,000
TOM KYD, POWAY, CA, 92064, CATHOLIC EXCHANGE, $15,000.00
GERALD SIMONSEN, POWAY, CA, 92064, RM PROPERTIES, $50,000.00
DANIEL MULVHILL, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92186, PACIFIC SOUTHWET MORTGAGE, $20,000.00
ROBERT HOEHN, CARLSBAD, CA, 92009, HOEHN MOTORS, $25,000.00
RITA SOLOMAN-DAVIS, EL CAJON, CA, 92019, SOUTHLAND ENVELOPE, $5,000.00
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS HEADQUARTERS, NEW HAVEN, CT, 06510, $250,000.00
ROGER BENSON, LA JOLLA, CA, 92037, NOT EMPLOYED, $50,000.00
MICHAEL FARGUSON, LA JOLLA, CA, 92037, FARGUSON INVESTMENTS, $5,000.00
T.B. PENICK & SONS, INC., SAN DIEGO, CA, 92121, $20,000.00
INSTITUTE FOR MARRIAGE AND PUBLIC POLICY, MCLEAN, VA, 22102, $15,000.00
LAW OFFICES OF CHARLES S. LIMANDRI, RANCHO SANTA FE, CA, 92067, $10,000.00
ADAMO CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT CO., LAKESIDE, CA, 92040, $25,000.00
DOUG MANCHESTER, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92101, MANCHESTER FINANCIAL GROUP, $125,000.00
PETER LEPARULO, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92121, NOVATEL, $10,001.00

Federal Anti-Gay Amendment Returns In Wake Of Calif. Ruling

by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

(Washington) Republican Congressman Paul Broun has announced plans to reintroduce an amendment to the US Constitution to bar same-sex marriage.

Broun (R-Ga) said the California Supreme Court ruling recognizing same-sex marriage has made it an imperative to reign in what he called "activist judges".

"My amendment will preserve the original intent of the drafters of the Constitution, by ensuring that no state or federal judge can take it upon themselves to suddenly discover a right to homosexual marriage within the text of the document," Broun said in a statement.

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