Just to keep this thread up to date.
On Wednesday the Massachusetts State Constitutional Convention voted to approve the amendment that would bar Gay Marriage in Massachusetts. The requirement for passing is incredibly low (25%, 50 of 200) but most in the state had considered the matter settled (in Gay Marriage's favor) when the Convention voted to delay the Convention until 3 Jan 2007. It was expected that the Convention would close without a vote. However, they did vote and met the requirement for the amendment to continue.
Notes: The amendment would not nullify existing same-sex marriages; only prevent new ones from forming. This concession is mainly to avoid due process challenges to the law and make the amendment more palatable to liberal Massachusetts.
A second Constitutional Convention must also approve the measure (again with the low requirement of 25%)
If approved, the amendment would appear on the 2008 ballot.
Full Version: Gay Marriage
Alan Cumming marries in England.
QUOTE
Alan Cumming and graphic artist Grant Shaffer tied the knot Saturday in a civil ceremony at the Old Royal Naval College near London, E! Online's own Marc Malkin reports.
* * *
According to Cumming's rep, the celeb-studded guest list included Sir Ian McKellen, Geri Halliwell, Rufus Wainwright and Mary-Elizabeth Mastrantonio.
The couple walked down the aisle to the theme song from 1994's Circle of Friends, Cumming's first big film, and then took to a nearby rented ice rink for a newlywed skate to the tune of Queen's "You're My Best Friend."
* * *
"Not only are we so happy to be able to celebrate our love for each other, but also to be able to do it in a country that properly recognizes the rights of same-sex couples," Cumming, who shares a New York apartment with the American-born Shaffer, said in a statement.
"As residents of America we would have loved to marry there, but we hope that soon the civil rights that we have been afforded in the U.K. will be available to all gay Americans, and we look forward to celebrating not only our marriage, but the end of prejudice."
* * *
According to Cumming's rep, the celeb-studded guest list included Sir Ian McKellen, Geri Halliwell, Rufus Wainwright and Mary-Elizabeth Mastrantonio.
The couple walked down the aisle to the theme song from 1994's Circle of Friends, Cumming's first big film, and then took to a nearby rented ice rink for a newlywed skate to the tune of Queen's "You're My Best Friend."
* * *
"Not only are we so happy to be able to celebrate our love for each other, but also to be able to do it in a country that properly recognizes the rights of same-sex couples," Cumming, who shares a New York apartment with the American-born Shaffer, said in a statement.
"As residents of America we would have loved to marry there, but we hope that soon the civil rights that we have been afforded in the U.K. will be available to all gay Americans, and we look forward to celebrating not only our marriage, but the end of prejudice."
My latest though on the word: Let the breeders have "marriage"; we'll take "fabulous". EX: We have been fabulous of 4 years.
QUOTE(canmark @ Jan 9 2007, 06:42 AM) 
Alan Cumming marries in England.
Actually, no, I don't think Alan Cumming married in England. Just like Elton John didn't marry in England. England offers civil unions, not marriages, to gay couples. It may be a distinction without a difference, but it's still a distinction.
I'm not one for being overtly political about things, but England's civil unions law is no broader than that in many other places'. Only a small handful of places offer full marriage rights to gay couples (Holland, Canada, Massachusetts and Belgium, I believe... maybe one or two other places). England does not give marriage equality to gay couples.
I am happy for the thousands of Alan Cummings who have entered a legal union in England, but please do not mischaracterize what they've got. You should want to celebrate the couples who get state-sanctioned civil unions in much less glamorous places like Burlington, VT or Cheshire, CT just as much. I don't see why we should pray at the altar of some celebrity whose fame and importance has already given him and his partner access to better legal coverage than most other gay men.
Yes, I am in a sourpuss mood.
I totally hear you aquaman, but I think it's not only fine to use the "married" term even for civil unions, I think it's a great form of civil protest against the inherent inequality of the "civil union" concept. As I understand the British law, since the churches control access to "marriage," the government could only confer the legal recognition of the government on gay and lesbian unions, so they have the same legal rights as married couples (I could be wrong on the particulars, though), so only the name of the institution is "protected" for hets. I thought it was interesting, though, that almost immediately the media in England was calling the civil partnerships marriage, and the public seems to be doing the same. With any luck that does show that people consider the gay/lesbian relationships equal to het ones, regardless of naming conventions.
And that's why I actually agree with the fanatical anti-gay Right on the issue of civil unions. They argue that giving gay/lesbian relationships all the rights, but not the name, of marriage is just as dangerous, because people will consider (either now or in the future) the relationships the equivalent of marriage. Now, I don't happen to think such a result is dangerous, but I think they are right that civil unions will morph into marriage within a generation, if not less, because people will come to see them as equivalent and will also see that they pose no threat to "real" marriage.
One way we can help that happen is to use the terms of marriage - and husband, wife, spouse, etc. - to describe the relationships, even if they are legally distinct from marriage. That helps change the social understanding, and makes more people comfortable with gay/lesbian relationships and makes it clear that the only difference in same-sex and opposite-sex relationships amounts to legal semantics.
In fact, I think that sounds like a great strategy to advance the gay agenda and undermine the institution of marriage - but shhh, don't tell Pat Robertson or his buddies
And that's why I actually agree with the fanatical anti-gay Right on the issue of civil unions. They argue that giving gay/lesbian relationships all the rights, but not the name, of marriage is just as dangerous, because people will consider (either now or in the future) the relationships the equivalent of marriage. Now, I don't happen to think such a result is dangerous, but I think they are right that civil unions will morph into marriage within a generation, if not less, because people will come to see them as equivalent and will also see that they pose no threat to "real" marriage.
One way we can help that happen is to use the terms of marriage - and husband, wife, spouse, etc. - to describe the relationships, even if they are legally distinct from marriage. That helps change the social understanding, and makes more people comfortable with gay/lesbian relationships and makes it clear that the only difference in same-sex and opposite-sex relationships amounts to legal semantics.
In fact, I think that sounds like a great strategy to advance the gay agenda and undermine the institution of marriage - but shhh, don't tell Pat Robertson or his buddies
I have to agree. Married just rolls off the tongue better than civil-unified.
I agree absolutely on the use of the term. I also agree with the use of the term 'husband'/'wife' in the context of a same-sex partner. I did feel uncomfortable with that use in the past, but not any more.
It is ironic that in many juristictions, such as Ireland, even if the legislation is the discriminatory Civil Union, the prior debate is about gay marriage, and therefore the unions are being referred to in the media, popular culture etc as marriage. It is also the case that simply having the debate, no matter what the outcome, is advancing the cause. Surveys may reveal that only 40% or whatever support the introduction of gay marriage, but 99% of the population, [of the world I would postulate], know that there are gays, that they form relationships, and that they want to get married. That is good.
That is a positive and uplifting article that is quoted.
It is ironic that in many juristictions, such as Ireland, even if the legislation is the discriminatory Civil Union, the prior debate is about gay marriage, and therefore the unions are being referred to in the media, popular culture etc as marriage. It is also the case that simply having the debate, no matter what the outcome, is advancing the cause. Surveys may reveal that only 40% or whatever support the introduction of gay marriage, but 99% of the population, [of the world I would postulate], know that there are gays, that they form relationships, and that they want to get married. That is good.
That is a positive and uplifting article that is quoted.
I think this is a great response to the WA state marriage decision, which held that there was a "legitimate state interest" for the legislature to limit marriage to couples able to have and raise children together. Now equal marriage advocates are proposing legislation that would require all het couples to reproduce or have their marriages annulled
From the Advocate:
Advocate Magazine
The people proposing this know it has no chance, but that's the point - to cause discussion about the decision, and how ridiculous it would be for this limitation to actually be imposed, although under the legal decision it would be Constitutional.
From the Advocate:
QUOTE
The measure would require couples to prove they can have children to get a marriage license. Couples who do not have children within three years could have their marriages annulled. All other marriages would be defined as ''unrecognized,'' making those couples ineligible for marriage benefits.
Advocate Magazine
The people proposing this know it has no chance, but that's the point - to cause discussion about the decision, and how ridiculous it would be for this limitation to actually be imposed, although under the legal decision it would be Constitutional.
I read the story on MSN this mornng at the office and laughed out loud. I think it is a terrific response to the old arguement that marriage is only about procreation and the raising of children.
Big story in today's Toronto Star about Ontario's Health Minister George Smitherman gettting gay married this summer. His husband-to-be is the manager of retail operations for Lindt chocolates--yum!
Those slippers are priceless!
A San Francisco radio station has a contest where you can win a trip to Toronto to have a gay wedding.
QUOTE
In celebration and support of National Freedom to Marry Week, February 11 – February 17, Energy 92.7 and Tourism Toronto are giving you and your partner the chance to get married in Toronto, Canada. We will be flying one lucky couple with the best “plea” to Toronto; the city that celebrated the first North American same sex marriage.
In 100 words or less, tell us why you and your partner deserve the trip to Toronto to get married.
In 100 words or less, tell us why you and your partner deserve the trip to Toronto to get married.
Florida Republican Gov said yesterday that he thought the funds being used to fund the anti-gay marriage ammendment would be better spent on real pressing issues for the state, and that he didn't feel this was an important issue....
Further fueling speculation that he too is a friend of Dorothy.
Even if he's not,what he said is true!
N.J. civil unions to take effect Monday
QUOTE
The civil unions law takes effect Monday and some same-sex couples are planning ceremonies. For couples who are not already in civil unions from other states, however, there is a 72-hour waiting period after applying for a license — just like with marriages. A few town halls around the state planned to open at 12:01 a.m. Monday so couples could filed their applications.
Congratulations and best wishes to all our newly-unionized friends in New Jersey! 
Meanwhile,
Meanwhile,
QUOTE
Stuart J. Rabner, the state attorney general, said that couples who exchanged vows in states that have existing civil union laws were automatically entitled to the same rights in the Garden State. In addition, Mr. Rabner said that gay couples married in Massachusetts, Canada, the Netherlands, South Africa and Spain would also receive civil union rights in the state.
- As New Jersey Opens Door to Civil Unions, Couples Rush In, NY Times, 2/19/07
I'm not aware that the other states with same-sex union / partnership / marriage have specifically stated such reciprocal recognition, so that's good to hear. It's happening, folks.
- As New Jersey Opens Door to Civil Unions, Couples Rush In, NY Times, 2/19/07
Bravo New Jersey!!
Illinois Gay Marriage Bill Introduced to House Interesting indeed.
Has any pundit or commentator pointed out MTV's new show "Engaged & Underaged"?
Teenagers and twenty-somethings with the maturity of gnats fighting, shrieking, abusing each other and their families, and being horrific in general ...and THEY can get married.
Just another counterpoint to the "sanctity of marriage" argument...
Teenagers and twenty-somethings with the maturity of gnats fighting, shrieking, abusing each other and their families, and being horrific in general ...and THEY can get married.
Just another counterpoint to the "sanctity of marriage" argument...
QUOTE(Illini_fan @ Feb 22 2007, 10:00 PM)
Bill out of Committee as a Civil Union Bill, will go to vote in the next few months. Local Republicans are pissed.
Another one hops on the bandwagon: The New Hampshire House has passed a civil union bill by almost two-to-one. If the Senate agrees, which appears likely, and the Governor signs it, which is uncertain, the only New England states without legal recognition and protections for same-sex partners will be Maine and Rhode Island.
[Factiod: New Hampshire's House of Representatives has 400 members, one for every 17.5 moose.]
[Factiod: New Hampshire's House of Representatives has 400 members, one for every 17.5 moose.]
Shock of all shocks...the backward state of Indiana couldn't manage to pass a ban on gay marriage. I was genuinely surprised. Hope springs eternal.
The New Hampshire state Senate has passed the civil unions bill which the House had approved only three weeks ago. Governor John Lynch has committed to signing it into law.
Awesome!
Awesome!
Now comes Oregon: "domestic partnership" law takes effect on Jan 1, 2008.
To review the roll-call of the 10 states with some form of same-sex marriage, civil union or DP: California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Vermont, Washington
Cool
To review the roll-call of the 10 states with some form of same-sex marriage, civil union or DP: California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Vermont, Washington
Cool
This is great. One state at a time, we'll get there. But I'll continue to hold my breath until Texas, Utah and South Carolina pass their form of the law. I'm not worried. 
I thought '...life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,' even applied to us queers. Wanting to get married would certainly fall into this catagory.
I thought '...life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,' even applied to us queers. Wanting to get married would certainly fall into this catagory.
Timing is everything. 170 New Yorkers' gay marriages upheld
QUOTE
The marriages of more than 170 gay couples from New York who wed in Massachusetts before last July are valid because New York had not yet explicitly banned same-sex marriages, a Massachusetts judge ruled.
* * *
A spokesman for New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo indicated that his office considers the marriages at issue valid.
"Since 2004, it has been the position of the attorney general's office that New York law presumptively requires the recognition of marriages validly performed in other jurisdictions," John Milgrim said. The opinion he cited came from Cuomo's predecessor, Gov. Eliot Spitzer.
* * *
A spokesman for New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo indicated that his office considers the marriages at issue valid.
"Since 2004, it has been the position of the attorney general's office that New York law presumptively requires the recognition of marriages validly performed in other jurisdictions," John Milgrim said. The opinion he cited came from Cuomo's predecessor, Gov. Eliot Spitzer.
USAToday: N.H. govenor signs civil unions bill
QUOTE
We in New Hampshire have had a long and proud tradition taking the lead in opposing discrimination," Lynch said. "Today that tradition continues."
Couples who enter civil unions will have the same rights, responsibilities and obligations as married couples. Same-sex unions from other states also would be recognized if they were legal in the state where they were performed.
Legislators who gathered for the bill signing packed the governor's chambers and overflowed into an adjoining sitting room. They snapped photos and burst into applause as he signed it.
* * *
Massachusetts alone among the U.S. states allows gay marriage. Connecticut, Vermont, New Jersey, Maine, California and Washington allow either civil unions or domestic partnerships, and Oregon will join the list with New Hampshire in January. Hawaii extends certain spousal rights to same-sex couples and cohabiting heterosexual pairs.
Couples who enter civil unions will have the same rights, responsibilities and obligations as married couples. Same-sex unions from other states also would be recognized if they were legal in the state where they were performed.
Legislators who gathered for the bill signing packed the governor's chambers and overflowed into an adjoining sitting room. They snapped photos and burst into applause as he signed it.
* * *
Massachusetts alone among the U.S. states allows gay marriage. Connecticut, Vermont, New Jersey, Maine, California and Washington allow either civil unions or domestic partnerships, and Oregon will join the list with New Hampshire in January. Hawaii extends certain spousal rights to same-sex couples and cohabiting heterosexual pairs.
New news on an old issue:
The Massachusetts legislature killed the same-sex marriage ban amendment today 45-151. I was quite surprised by the outcome. The bar for approval is so very low (25%) that I expected it to pass. But the state that brought you the first legal marriages in the country stuck to freedom and equality for all and rejected the bigoted amendment!
The earliest a new challenge to same-sex marriage rights can occur on the MA state constitution is 2012 - a very doubtful proposition.
The Massachusetts legislature killed the same-sex marriage ban amendment today 45-151. I was quite surprised by the outcome. The bar for approval is so very low (25%) that I expected it to pass. But the state that brought you the first legal marriages in the country stuck to freedom and equality for all and rejected the bigoted amendment!
The earliest a new challenge to same-sex marriage rights can occur on the MA state constitution is 2012 - a very doubtful proposition.
Thank you, Orsino, I hadn't heard the news. That's a very hartening development -- what a relief!
Had the amendment passed this legislative hurdle, the anti-gay marriage loonies would have made it a really ugly year-and-a-half between now and the referendum vote. Yippee!!
Had the amendment passed this legislative hurdle, the anti-gay marriage loonies would have made it a really ugly year-and-a-half between now and the referendum vote. Yippee!!
I think the Mass vote is great, and I agree about keeping the lunatic fringe from creating an ugly divisive debate. Lou Dobbs of CNN disagrees calling the vote another assualt on democracy in America. Guess he doesn't believe minority rights should never be subject to public votes....wonder how he felt about votes to end segregation...you guys didnt vote on that did you?
What is Dobbs braying about? The Massachusetts legislators are the DIRECT REPRESENTATIVES of that state's voters! They are democrats with a little "d." They rejected this hateful, divisive ban. They were doing their job, the voters' will. Dobbs should get a grip and stop slagging off on gays and democracy!
boston.com has an interesting article about the key vote switchers whose open-mindedness brought this victory. It really shows that having three years of open, honest marriage can really change minds. Not just of the lawmakers, but their constituency as well. The anti-marriage crowd is very much a minority now. It makes me think that even if the amendment went to the ballot, it would lose.
Personal Stories Changed Minds
Personal Stories Changed Minds
Awesome comment from a local citizen:
QUOTE
I DON'T know how it feels to be gay, but for 70 years I have known how it feels to be black. And I do know that it feels better today than it did yesterday thanks to the courageous decision of our Legislature to affirm the equality of our gay friends and fellow citizens -- on Flag Day, no less!
HARRY JOHNSON
Brookline
- Letters, Boston Globe, 6/15/07
HARRY JOHNSON
Brookline
- Letters, Boston Globe, 6/15/07
I thought this was a nice story, which I read in today's Toronto Star. A very auspicious start to Pride Week in Toronto (which has now become 10 days).
A lesbian couple from Philadephia came to Toronto to get married at city hall. They had no witnesses, though, and so made a posting on Craigslist asking for volunteer witnesses to their gay nuptials. Four people showed up, including a local blogger and his wife, Michelle, a local law firm employee and Allison, a visiting law student from California.
A lesbian couple from Philadephia came to Toronto to get married at city hall. They had no witnesses, though, and so made a posting on Craigslist asking for volunteer witnesses to their gay nuptials. Four people showed up, including a local blogger and his wife, Michelle, a local law firm employee and Allison, a visiting law student from California.
That blog report is wonderful, Mark. 
Thank you!
Thank you!
Elizabeth Edwards supports gay marriage and John supports the Constitution.
Maybe we she can get John to see that supporting the former is not inimical to supporting the latter.
Maybe we she can get John to see that supporting the former is not inimical to supporting the latter.
From Reuters in Toronto:
Read the whole thing here:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070622/wl_can...ex_weddings_col
QUOTE
TORONTO (Reuters) - In the city that was home to Canada's first legalized gay wedding -- and the host of the country's biggest and brashest Pride Week celebrations -- so far this year only one marriage license has been issued to a Canadian same-sex couple.
Read the whole thing here:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070622/wl_can...ex_weddings_col
Scott Brison is about to be the first Canadian Member of Parliament to be gay married. This follows the gay marriage of George Smitherman, the Ontario Minister of Health.
QUOTE
Liberal MP Scott Brison is set to become the first federal politician to tie the knot in a same-sex ceremony since MPs made gay marriage the law of the land just over two years ago.
Mr. Brison, 40, will marry partner Maxime St. Pierre next Saturday in his Kings-Hants riding, a bucolic corner of Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley.
He follows Ontario cabinet minister George Smitherman in smashing one of elected politics' last social taboos. Mr. Smitherman exchanged vows last week with partner Christopher Peloso at a northern Ontario resort.
Mr. Brison, 40, will marry partner Maxime St. Pierre next Saturday in his Kings-Hants riding, a bucolic corner of Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley.
He follows Ontario cabinet minister George Smitherman in smashing one of elected politics' last social taboos. Mr. Smitherman exchanged vows last week with partner Christopher Peloso at a northern Ontario resort.
QUOTE(canmark @ Aug 10 2007, 09:10 PM)
Scott Brison is about to be the first Canadian Member of Parliament to be gay married.
I know it's innocent linguistic shorthand, but the frequent use of the phrase "gay marriage" has planted the idea among many, including my (expletives deleted) brother, that a special form of something-like-marriage-but-for-queers has been created by the Canadian and Massachusetts laws. Morphing the term into a verb strongly reinforces that falsehood.
Mr Brison and his fiancé are (today!) being married.
Just as if they were ordinary people. Not "gay married", just plain married. It's an important distinction.
Thank you. [/rant]
And congratulations to the happy couple!
Good point, fenwayguy. They are being married. Period.
Some gossip on the Smitherman wedding (thanks to that wag at the National Post, Shinan Govani):
Photo of the grooms from the Toronto Star:
Some gossip on the Smitherman wedding (thanks to that wag at the National Post, Shinan Govani):
QUOTE
That when Ontario Health Minister George Smitherman said a very gay "I do" in Elliott Lake last weekend, the wedding cake was made by his friend Barbara Hall, the former Toronto mayor!
And now I have late-breaking baking news! The cake, a spy reports, was carrot, and it came with some "very excellent carrot muffins."
All that orange seems very NDP to me. Could Ms. Hall have been trying to send a political message to the well-loved Liberal groom? The question clearly remains.
Smitherman and his man, Christopher Peloso, were married in a spiritual Ojibwa ceremony, by the way. And it was just as the Good Minister told me at a casual engagement party held at O'Grady's on Church Street the week before the Big Day.
"God," he said, "is welcome in the hearts and souls of our guests. He just doesn't have a speaking role."
And now I have late-breaking baking news! The cake, a spy reports, was carrot, and it came with some "very excellent carrot muffins."
All that orange seems very NDP to me. Could Ms. Hall have been trying to send a political message to the well-loved Liberal groom? The question clearly remains.
Smitherman and his man, Christopher Peloso, were married in a spiritual Ojibwa ceremony, by the way. And it was just as the Good Minister told me at a casual engagement party held at O'Grady's on Church Street the week before the Big Day.
"God," he said, "is welcome in the hearts and souls of our guests. He just doesn't have a speaking role."
Photo of the grooms from the Toronto Star:
I think Obama is playing the politician game, which is disappointing, considering his honesty in other areas....he won't condone gay marriage. He says Civil Unions are equal. They are not.
Why are they not equal to marrage? It is in the way that we comport ourselves socially. The issue is how others know about your relationship--whether they perceive you as in a commited relationship or not. In many social circles, if you don't have that inclusive label of "married," there is a degree of
uncertainty as to the exact nature of your relationship. Marriage makes it clear. 2 people, choosing commmitment and all the rights and responsibilities that go with that. Civil union? Could be any number of types of relationships.
I want marriage. I don't want to have to explain....when introducing, for
example, "This is my, well, my civilly united companion, partner, friend,
roommate, lover, boyfriend.... And I don't want to have to find where I fit on those forms that want to know of your "status." (Another word that can be understood improperly). I want to check "married." Not civilly united, or in a domestic partnership!
If you don't care, and choose C.U., great. But right now, we don't have a choice, and that is inequality.
Why are they not equal to marrage? It is in the way that we comport ourselves socially. The issue is how others know about your relationship--whether they perceive you as in a commited relationship or not. In many social circles, if you don't have that inclusive label of "married," there is a degree of
uncertainty as to the exact nature of your relationship. Marriage makes it clear. 2 people, choosing commmitment and all the rights and responsibilities that go with that. Civil union? Could be any number of types of relationships.
I want marriage. I don't want to have to explain....when introducing, for
example, "This is my, well, my civilly united companion, partner, friend,
roommate, lover, boyfriend.... And I don't want to have to find where I fit on those forms that want to know of your "status." (Another word that can be understood improperly). I want to check "married." Not civilly united, or in a domestic partnership!
If you don't care, and choose C.U., great. But right now, we don't have a choice, and that is inequality.
Brison Weds in Historic Ceremony
Scott Brison, Member of Parliament and former federal cabinet minister, wed his partner Maxime St Pierre in a small church near his country home in Cheverie, Nova Scotia.
The guest list included former Conservative Prime Minister Joe Clark, former Liberal Prime Minister Paul Martin, current federal Liberal Party Leader Stephane Dion, and a number of other current and former politicians. Congratulations Scott and Maxime!!
Scott Brison, Member of Parliament and former federal cabinet minister, wed his partner Maxime St Pierre in a small church near his country home in Cheverie, Nova Scotia.
The guest list included former Conservative Prime Minister Joe Clark, former Liberal Prime Minister Paul Martin, current federal Liberal Party Leader Stephane Dion, and a number of other current and former politicians. Congratulations Scott and Maxime!!
Have to admit after thinking about it for a while I get chills in hearing that TWO former Canadian Prime Ministers attended Brison's wedding. Never mind all the other polical guests including McKenna - a former Premier of New Brunsick who was formerly our Ambassador to the USA and Graham - our fomer Defence and Foreign Affairs Minister.
I can honestly say that if you asked me 5 years ago if I thought that was even remotely possible - my answer would likely have been no.
And perhaps an indication of how much gay marriage is no longer considered that big a deal anymore - I found the comment of the Mayor of the nearby town intersting in view of what Brison himself was quoted as saying.
After Mr. Brison's engagement to Mr. St. Pierre was first reported by The Canadian Press in October 2005, Brison played down the social significance. "I'm looking forward to the day when the idea of a gay or lesbian politician getting married is not a story at all," he said at the time.
Days before the wedding - Bob Stead, mayor of nearby Wolfville and a long-time friend of Mr. Brison's, said there is little talk of the event in his Kings-Hants riding. "I think for us it's kind of a so-what kind of thing," he said in an interview.
Maybe Brison's wish came true.
I can honestly say that if you asked me 5 years ago if I thought that was even remotely possible - my answer would likely have been no.
And perhaps an indication of how much gay marriage is no longer considered that big a deal anymore - I found the comment of the Mayor of the nearby town intersting in view of what Brison himself was quoted as saying.
After Mr. Brison's engagement to Mr. St. Pierre was first reported by The Canadian Press in October 2005, Brison played down the social significance. "I'm looking forward to the day when the idea of a gay or lesbian politician getting married is not a story at all," he said at the time.
Days before the wedding - Bob Stead, mayor of nearby Wolfville and a long-time friend of Mr. Brison's, said there is little talk of the event in his Kings-Hants riding. "I think for us it's kind of a so-what kind of thing," he said in an interview.
Maybe Brison's wish came true.
Affrerements: same-sex unions in medieval France?
QUOTE
Same-sex civil unions, while seemingly new and radical, appear to have existed 600 years ago in late medieval France, a professor writes in the September issue of the Journal of Modern History.
The term affrerement, or "brotherment," referred to a certain type of legal contract that provided a marriage-like foundation for non-nuclear households of many types, according to Allan Tulchin, an assistant professor of history at Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania.
The model for the arrangement was that of biological brothers who inherited the family home on an equal basis from their parents and continued to live together, Tulchin wrote.
But in cases where the affreres were single, unrelated men, the contracts provide "considerable evidence that the affreres were using affrerements to formalize same-sex loving relationships," he wrote.
"I suspect that some of these relationships were sexual, while others may not have been. It is impossible to prove either way and probably also somewhat irrelevant to understanding their way of thinking," Tulchin wrote. "They loved each other, and the community accepted that."
Before a notary and witnesses, the "brothers" pledged to live together sharing "un pain, un vin, et une bourse" -- one bread, one wine and one purse.
The "brothers'" goods usually became the joint property of both parties, and each commonly became the other's legal heir.
The term affrerement, or "brotherment," referred to a certain type of legal contract that provided a marriage-like foundation for non-nuclear households of many types, according to Allan Tulchin, an assistant professor of history at Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania.
The model for the arrangement was that of biological brothers who inherited the family home on an equal basis from their parents and continued to live together, Tulchin wrote.
But in cases where the affreres were single, unrelated men, the contracts provide "considerable evidence that the affreres were using affrerements to formalize same-sex loving relationships," he wrote.
"I suspect that some of these relationships were sexual, while others may not have been. It is impossible to prove either way and probably also somewhat irrelevant to understanding their way of thinking," Tulchin wrote. "They loved each other, and the community accepted that."
Before a notary and witnesses, the "brothers" pledged to live together sharing "un pain, un vin, et une bourse" -- one bread, one wine and one purse.
The "brothers'" goods usually became the joint property of both parties, and each commonly became the other's legal heir.
Results from the 2006 census are on the front page of the Toronto Star and Globe and Mail this morning, with some stats on same-sex couples in Canada:
Do same-sex numbers reflect reality?
QUOTE
Nationally, the number of same-sex couples grew 32.6 per cent between 2001 and 2006, to 45,300 couples. Of these about 7,500 or 16.5 per cent, were married. A little more than half of the couples were men (53.7 per cent).
Do same-sex numbers reflect reality?
QUOTE
There is little controversy over the total number of same-sex couples in Canada.
Their numbers jumped 32.6 per cent from 2001, when the question was first asked, to 2006 - they now represent 0.6 per cent of all couples in Canada. Similar spikes, some larger, were reported in the Australian and U.S. censuses, which experts attribute to changed social mores and greater comfort with the question.
Likewise, the percentage of same-sex couples to all couples mirrors numbers in Australia (0.6 per cent) and New Zealand (0.7 per cent).
Their numbers jumped 32.6 per cent from 2001, when the question was first asked, to 2006 - they now represent 0.6 per cent of all couples in Canada. Similar spikes, some larger, were reported in the Australian and U.S. censuses, which experts attribute to changed social mores and greater comfort with the question.
Likewise, the percentage of same-sex couples to all couples mirrors numbers in Australia (0.6 per cent) and New Zealand (0.7 per cent).
The Mayor of San Diego has changed his position on same-sex marriage after revealing that his daughter is a lesbian.
QUOTE
Mayor Jerry Sanders reversed his position on gay marriage Wednesday, supporting it in emotional remarks punctuated by pauses, shaking sips of water and his wife's hand resting one time reassuringly on his back.
Sanders' wife, Rana Sampson, stood next to him as he acknowledged publicly for the first time that his daughter, Lisa, is a lesbian.
“I've decided to lead with my heart, which is probably obvious right now, to do what I think is right and to take a stand on behalf of equality and social justice,” Sanders said.
Sanders' wife, Rana Sampson, stood next to him as he acknowledged publicly for the first time that his daughter, Lisa, is a lesbian.
“I've decided to lead with my heart, which is probably obvious right now, to do what I think is right and to take a stand on behalf of equality and social justice,” Sanders said.
Just read this humourous advice column response to a question about a gay wedding in The Globe and Mail.
QUOTE
THE QUESTION
After four years together, my same-sex partner and I got engaged and wanted to share the news with my family. But it did not elicit joy. Instead, I got "there will be no gay wedding" from my mother; my father said, "at this point, I do not know if I will participate"; and my tearful grandfather said, "I never want to hear about it again."...
THE ANSWER
Maybe it's a blessing in disguise.
Look at it this way: You have the world's first "self-weeding" wedding. All the crabby crustaceans who might otherwise have spoiled the ceremony with their pinched faces and snappish cracks have "outed" themselves in advance and declared they won't be coming.
"Beautiful! More smoked salmon and champagne cocktails for the rest of us! We'll send you a copy of the video and here's the address where you can send your presents and cheques!"....
After four years together, my same-sex partner and I got engaged and wanted to share the news with my family. But it did not elicit joy. Instead, I got "there will be no gay wedding" from my mother; my father said, "at this point, I do not know if I will participate"; and my tearful grandfather said, "I never want to hear about it again."...
THE ANSWER
Maybe it's a blessing in disguise.
Look at it this way: You have the world's first "self-weeding" wedding. All the crabby crustaceans who might otherwise have spoiled the ceremony with their pinched faces and snappish cracks have "outed" themselves in advance and declared they won't be coming.
"Beautiful! More smoked salmon and champagne cocktails for the rest of us! We'll send you a copy of the video and here's the address where you can send your presents and cheques!"....
No post yet on the fact that New York State now will recognize out-of-state gay marriages, whether from another state or another country? I think it's only a matter of time before New York legalizes gay marriage.
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