"UnMarriage Until Gay Marriage" in NYC's Central Park

Activist 'Reverend Billy' is holding a Valentine's Day unmarriage mass ritual to support marriage equality. The protest will include hundreds of couples who will suspend their wedding vows in a mass ritual and disavow the institution of marriage until it embraces same-sex couples.

The Reverend Billy will conduct a mass sermon and tragic and hopeful love songs will be sung. Participants will receive an official unmarried certificate.

Sunday, February 14th, 2010
1pm sharp
Bethesda Angel
Central Park, 72nd st
New York, NY

All are welcome gay, straight, single or partnered. Please email unmarriage4gaymarriage@gmail.com to sign up!

Queer Rising to Protest New York City Marriage Bureau

Recently formed direct action activist group called Queer Rising will engage in civil disobedience at the New York City Marriage Bureau on Friday, February 12th.

Inside the bureau couples will attempt to apply for marriage licenses and those who support marriage equality will be rallying outside. There will also be a marriage between a gay man and lesbian to highlight the absurd notion of restricting marriage to opposite-sex couples.

Below is a video of Queer Rising's last action during MLK Day.


The protest at the New York City Marriage Bureau is on Feb 12th:

Manhattan Marriage Bureau
8:00-10:00 AM
141 Worth St.
New York, NY

For more information on the protest or to attempt a marriage license email queerrising@gmail.com

Sarah Silverman: "Until Equal Marriage, No Marriage!"

Comedian Sarah Silverman has been running around promoting her new show picked up by the queer TV channel LOGO. In several appearances she has spoken positively of gay people and more specifically marriage equality.

On a recent interview on ABC's The View she said:

"I can not imagine wanting to get married right now at this time in America. If you’re for equal rights, why would you get married right now? It’s like joining a country club that doesn’t allow blacks or Jews. There’s no difference. Why would I wanna join that club? It’s gross.”



Thank Sarah Silverman via Twitter for her affirming public comments.

*Photo courtesy of TV Squad Julia on Flickr.

Radio Host Don Imus Supports Marriage Equality

American radio host and philanthropist Don Imus of the Imus in the Morning show has endorsed marriage equality for same-sex couples. Imus is no stranger to controversy but this is certainly a move we can applaud.

In response to his guest David Boies one of the trial lawyers representing same-sex couples seeking to overturn California's proposition 8 marriage ban he says:

"I support on it the basis of the philosophy of my friend Kinky Friedman who thinks they have the right to be as unhappy as anyone else"

You must be a member of his website to contact Don Imus.

Hawaii Senate Approves Civil Unions

The Hawaiian Senate has voted in favor of the civil union legislation by a veto-proof majority of 18-7. The bill now heads to the State House which approved a similar measure last year. It is widely expected to pass but may fall 1-2 votes short of veto-proof. Republican Governor Linda Lingle has not signaled whether she would sign the legislation into law.

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The Hawaii Senate is expected to debate and pass legislation to allow civil unions for same-sex couples. The legislation debated last year stalled and it is unknown whether they will get the veto proof majority needed to override a possible veto by Republican Governor Linda Lingle.

Governor Lingle has a mostly pro-gay rights record, but she has been mum on whether she would veto the legislation. She has repeatedly said that the Senate should focus on the economy and push this legislation to the side.

Contact your state Senator and urge them to vote for marriage equality.

Committee to Unseat Anti-Gay NJ Senator Sean Kean

The Committee to Unseat Sean Kean campaign has begun against the New Jersey Republican Senator who voted against marriage equality. The Senator represents heavily gay sections of the state including Asbury Park and the Ocean Grove section of Neptune.

LGBT constituents are outraged at the way the Senator presented his argument before the Senate and his ultimate vote against equal rights.

Below is audio of his anti-gay tirade before the floor:


Contact Senator Kean directly and let him know that his vote was unacceptable and will not go unnoticed in his reelection bid.

Senator Sean T. Kean
11th Legislative District Office
1955 Route 34
Bldg. 2A
Wall, NJ 07719
Phone: 732-974-0400
Fax: 732-974-2564
senskean@njleg.org

The campaign has not yet endorsed an opponent but is seeking contributions and volunteers to assist in unseating Kean.

Please visit the website and email them at info@unseatseankean.com

Where New Jersey Senators Stand on Civil Marriage

Yesterday the New Jersey Senate defeated The Freedom of Religion and Equality in Marriage Act by a vote of 20-14. The roll call list is now available courtsey of Good As You.

13 Democrats and 1 Republican voted for marriage equality,
6 Democrats and 14 Republicans voted against civil rights,
3 Democrats abstained from voting, and 2 Republicans were absent.

YES (14)

Sen. Jim Whelan (D-Atlantic)
Sen. Bob Smith (D-Middlesex)
Sen. Barbara Buono (D-Middlesex),
Sen. Raymond J. Lesniak (D-Union), co-sponsor
Senate President Richard Codey (D-Essex)
Sen. Teresa M. Ruiz (D-Essex)
Sen. Sandra B. Cunningham (D-Hudson)
Sen. Brian P. Stack (D-Hudson)
Sen. Nia H. Gill (D-Essex)
Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen), co-sponsor
Sen. Robert M. Gordon (D-Bergen)
Sen. Nicholas P. Scutari (D-Union)
Sen. Joseph F.Vitale (D-Middlesex)
Sen. Bill Baroni (R-Mercer)

NO (20)
Sen. Jeff Van Drew (D-Cape May)
Sen. Ronald L. Rice (D- Essex)
Sen. John A. Girgenti (D-Passaic
Sen. Nicholas Sacco (D-Hudson) .
Sen. Fred H. Madden (D-Gloucester)
Sen. Shirley K. Turner (D-Mercer)
Sen. Robert W. Singer (R-Ocean)
Sen. Joseph Pennacchio (R-Morris)
Sen. Christopher Bateman, (R-Somerset)
Sen. Tom Kean Jr. (R -Union)
Sen. Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth )
Sen. Joseph M. Kyrillos (R-Monmouth)
Sen. Gerald Cardinale (R-Bergen)
Sen. Michael Doherty (R-Hunterdon)
Sen. Kevin J. O'Toole (R-Essex)
Sen. Philip E. Haines (R-Burlington)
Sen. Christopher J. Connors (R-Ocean)
Sen. Anthony R. Bucco (R-Morris)
Sen. Steven V. Oroho (R-Sussex)
Sen. Sean T. Kean (R-Monmouth)

ABSTENTIONS (3)
Sen. Paul A. Sarlo (D-Bergen)
Sen. Stephen M. Sweeney (D-Gloucester)
Sen. James Beach (D-Camden)

DID NOT ATTEND SESSION (2)
Sen. Diane B. Allen (R-Burlington)
Sen. Andrew Ciesla (R-Ocean)

Be sure to contact your senator to thank or criticize them for their vote or lack of one.

Take Action: New Jersey Senate to Vote on Marriage Equality Today!

The New Jersey Senate is scheduled to begin debate about marriage equality at 2 pm EST today. Insiders say the votes are likely not there, but nevertheless activists need to push their senators to be on the right side of history. Regardless of whether the bill passes or not it is important to know the position of the senators so that we can support/oust them in their next re-election bid.

Please contact your state representative and urge them to vote in favor of full marriage equality.

Washington D.C. Legalizes Gay Marriage!

The Washington D.C. city council has finalized a bill legalizing same-sex marriage by a vote of 11-2. The two councilmembers who opposed the measure were Marion Barry, and Yvette Alexander.

The bill now goes to Mayor Adrian Fenty who has promised to sign the bill into law. Following that congress has 30 days to veto the bill, but the Democratic majority is likely not to interfere with the districts ruling.

Washington D.C. joins Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, New Hampshire, and Vermont in affirming their LGBT residents right to marriage.

Urge NJ Senate Judiciary Committee to Approve Marriage

The 13 member New Jersey Senate Judiciary Committee is voting today on whether to let the same-sex marriage bill go to a vote before the entire senate this Thursday.

Please contact the members of the committee below and urge them to vote in favor of marriage equality!

Sen. Paul Sarlo (Chair): (201) 804-8118
Sen. John Girgenti (Vice-Chair): (973) 427-1229
Sen. Bill Baroni: (609) 631-9988
Sen. Christopher Bateman: (908) 526-3600
Sen. Jennifer Beck: (732) 933-1591
Sen. Gerard Cardinale: (201) 567-2324
Sen. Nia Gill: (973) 509-0388
Sen. Joseph Kyrillos: (732) 671-3206
Sen. Raymond Lesnick: (908) 624-0880
Sen. Nicholas Scutari: (908) 587-0404
Sen. Bob Smith: (732) 752-0770
Sen. Brian Stack: (201) 861-5091
Sen. Loretta Weinberg: (201) 928-0100

H/T to Good as You for the senate contact numbers.

Sign the New Jersey Marriage Equality Open Letter!

The open letter in support of marriage equality has made big news across New Jersey state, prompting the legislature to promise to take up the issue this week. Over 200 influential democrats and ordinary citizens have signed the petition demanding marriage equality.

Please join with Mayor Cory Booker, and the Progressive Change Campaign Committee to sign this petition to push lawmakers to vote on and approve marriage equality in NJ.

Spare 3 Minutes for Marriage Equality in New Jersey?

Garden State Equality is urging Democrats to bring the long awaited marriage equality bill to the floor for a vote. It is critical that the bill be voted on passed now while Democrat Jon Corzine who promised to sign the bill finishes out his term. The incoming republican Governor Chris Christie is vehemently opposed to marriage rights.

If you can spend weekdays calling your legislator once a day anytime, anywhere from 9-5 pm to vote on marriage equality, please fill out this form!

Contact GSE for other ways to get involved at volunteer@GardenStateEquality.org or call (973) GSE-LGBT

The Kardashian Family Stands for Marriage Equality

The Kardashian family are a celebrity family with their own reality TV show 'Keeping Up With The Kardashians' that airs on E! The family has been in the spotlight for many years, and two of the daughters branched off with their own show called 'Kourtney and Khloé Take Miami'.

The sisters recently posed for the NO H8 campaign photo shoot and proudly say the whole family strongly supports marriage equality.

On Kim Kardashian's blog she states:

EVERYONE should have the right to choose who they marry and that we do have the power to make a difference. What I love about the NOH8 campaign is that it symbolizes more than just people's desires to bring down Prop 8... it's about promoting love in general! Stop the H8, people! (Kim Kardashian).

The family has also been active for LGBT rights in the past. After proposition 8 passed, Kim Kardashian responded to then Miss California Carrie Prejeans anti-gay statement with her own affirming message of equality. Khloé Kardashian has also been outspoken in favor of gay rights, taking on a gay basher on her radio show, and supporting SAVE Dade a South Florida LGBT organization which hosted a Khloé Kardashian crossdresser look alike contest.

Be sure to leave a comment on their NO H8 blog post thanking them.

You can also tweet the sisters @ KimKardashian, KhloeKardashian, KourtneyKardash.

New York to Vote on Marriage Equality Shortly

New York Governor David Patterson has promised that he will get the NY State Senate to vote on marriage equality in the coming days. The governor has been committed to getting this legislation passed and signed into law but the NY state senate has been a wrestling rink between republicans and democrats resulting in a stalemate on many issues that occurred this summer.

Now that the senate is in the hands of the Democrats by a slim 32-30 margin, there is a real chance for this issue to be voted on. While the issue may get a vote, the outcome is less than certain as some democrats will oppose it, and some republicans support it.

Be sure to contact your senator and urge their support!

Take action with this neat click-to-call widget I found over at Good As You.

Catholic Declaration in Support of Marriage Equality

The Religious Coalition for the Freedom to Marry has begun a petition for faithful Roman Catholics who believe what the court did on May 6th to legalize same-sex civil marriage in Maine was right and helped end discrimination in marital matters.

The group believes in the Catholic principles of diversity and social justice, as well as the crucial separation of matters between church and state. The group is not asking the church to change its policy on marriage sacrament, but to merely not interfere with attempts to create civil marriage recognition.

Sign the Catholic declaration in support of Marriage Equality.

Get a Maine Marriage License!

This election marriage equality is up to a vote in Maine, hopefully freedom prevails but in case it doesn't there is still time left to get your marriage license. There is no state residency requirement, any same-sex couple can get a Maine marriage license for $20!

The reason it's important to do this is because the state likely will not be able to deny marriages existing before any potential bans take place. Also, recognized same-sex marriages are an opportunity for court battles to re-open marriage equality to all couples.

If you are interested in purchasing a Maine marriage license go here.

No on 1 TV Ad: "All Families"

The No On 1 campaign by Protect Maine Equality, has released a new ad featuring Maine residents who support marriage equality.

Ice Cream Chain Ben & Jerry's Celebrate Marriage Equality in Vermont

Ben & Jerry's a large ice cream company has been making friendly gestures towards the gay community including renaming one of their famous flavors chubby hubby to "hubby hubby" for a month in honor of marriage equality. They will also have a wedding truck traveling the state handing out this new named flavor.

Walt Freese, chief executive officer of Ben & Jerry's said: "At the core of Ben & Jerry's values we believe that social justice can and should be something that every human being is entitled to. From the very beginning of our 30-year history, we have supported equal rights for all people."

The company was active in ensuring the passage of marriage legislation, back in April they stated their support for marriage equality and for an override of the governors veto.

Contact Ben & Jerry's to thank them for their support for LGBT rights and marriage equality.

E-comment box.

Give them a call at 802-846-1500 between 9:00 and 5:00 Eastern - Monday through Friday. Ask for Consumer Services.

Gratitude to Vermonters for Marriage Equality

Vermont Freedom to Marry is hosting county booths throughout the state to thank and celebrate with fellow Vermonters over the new marriage equality law set to go into effect on September 1st.

Upcoming opportunities:

* Aug. 29-Sep. 7 Champlain Valley Fair (Essex Junction)

* September 4-13 Vermont State Fair (Rutland)

* September 17-20 Tunbridge

For more information contact:

Sheryl Rapee-Adams, Field Director (802-353-7286 / Sheryl@vtfreetomarry.org)

Ashley Kaufmann, Deputy Field Director (802-777-1948 / Ashley@vtfreetomarry.org)

Sign Up to Support Marriage Equality in Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. took a historic step this summer in recognizing out of state same-sex marriages. Activists are now looking to make the next move towards a real possibility of legal marriage recognition of unions performed within the districts borders.

Pledge your support for LGBT equal marriage and assist in making that effort become a reality.