December 27, 2011 – 10:00 am
The Washington Blade (a gay newspaper):
In a little noticed development, D.C. Council member Phil Mendelson (D-At-Large) introduced a bill in October that would allow same-sex couples who marry in D.C. but live in states that don’t recognize their marriage to return to the District to get a divorce.
Supporters say the bill, the Civil Marriage Dissolution Equality Amendment Act of 2011, is needed because states that don’t recognize same-sex marriage have no legal mechanism to issue a divorce to gay or lesbian couples who wish to dissolve their D.C. marriage through a divorce.
Under the city’s existing marriage law, which allows same-sex couples to marry, one or both parties to a same-sex marriage performed in D.C. would have to become a city resident for six months before the city would grant the couple a divorce.
December 6, 2011 – 11:00 am
Mark Lee writes in the Washington Blade (a gay newspaper):
...[The District of Columbia] Council testimony and media reports during consideration of the modern marriage bill touted extraordinary local economic benefits to come once gay and lesbian couples were permitted to marry in Washington.
Unfortunately, although no commercial benefit was — or should be — required to justify the expansion of the civil right to marry, those projections have proven overstated and the level of anticipated revenue for local businesses has not materialized.
The shortfall is due to both unrealistic economic forecasting by some marriage equality advocates and a notably lower number of same-sex marriages performed in the District than projected.
September 26, 2011 – 10:40 pm
An update through the local Catholic Matters radio show on WMET 1160AM:
Tune in to Catholic Matters tomorrow, Tuesday, September 27, 2011 at 8 am. It's a great way to begin your day! We'll be speaking with Rick Kramer, the Associate Director of the Office of Evangelization and Family Life at the Archdiocese of Washington about a marriage summit this weekend. The one day conference, titled "Tackling the Tough Questions: Is Forever Possible?" covers just about every aspect of marriage, from dating to what it takes to make marriage last and even how to cope with failed marriages. The political debates over marriage are also topics that will be addressed.
Tomorrow morning, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on Senate Bill 598, Senator Feinstein's "Respect for Marriage Act." Contrary to its misleading name, S.598 would abolish federal protections for marriage and repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
Overwhelmingly adopted by Congress in 1996, and signed into law by President Clinton, DOMA has been under increasing attacks in recent months, as bills in both the House and Senate seek to repeal the law, President Obama has openly advocated for its repeal, and earlier this year, the Obama administration announced that it would no longer defend the law in court.
On the docket to testify in defense of marriage are national experts including Ed Whelan of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, Tom Minnery from Focus on the Family, and Austin Nimocks from the Alliance Defense Fund.
Due to the large crowds expected, the hearing has been moved to Room 216 in the Hart Senate Office Building tomorrow morning, beginning at 9:45am. If you can possibly come, please do, and bring a friend to help fill the room with marriage supporters. You'll want to come early (no later than 8am) to be sure you get a seat.
Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on S.598
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at 9:45am
Hart Senate Office Building, Room 216
Constitution Avenue and 2nd Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
He says the GOP should honor their promises to voters:
Jim Jordan, chairman of the 176-member Republican Study Committee, is leading an effort by conservatives to press House leaders for floor votes in opposition to gay marriage.
“We want to advance marriage. That’s the pledge. Our party should be all about defending marriage as it has always been defined,” he said.
February 7, 2011 – 10:31 am
A good interview to begin the week:
"Georgene Rice of KPDQ-FM interviews Maggie Gallagher with the National Organization for Marriage in California. She discusses the Supreme Court’s recent decision to deny an appeal to the D.C. same-sex marriage decision. They discuss whether it was a procedural decision or if it goes to the merits of the question of same-sex marriage. She also outlines the other defense of marriage actions that are being considered in the courts all across the nation."
January 12, 2011 – 1:23 pm
Will D.C. voters get their right to vote on marriage restored? The case Jackson v. D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics, appears on the Supreme Court's docket for private discussions on Friday, meaning we can expect to hear next week whether or not the Supreme Court will take up this case.
The Charter granted to residents of D.C. by Congress gives them a right to pass laws via referendum. The City Council has refused to permit the people to vote on marriage, which they say is now part of the human rights code. Can the legislature (city council) overturn a right given in a state constitution (the Charter)? That's the legal question.
December 27, 2010 – 3:11 pm
Cardinal Wuerl defends the Catholic Church's teaching on marriage on Fox News Sunday.
December 6, 2010 – 11:15 pm
Tom Peters, the young blogger who created America Papist, sent out an email to friends--and he has a lot of friends--about the debate on Wednesday night between Maggie Gallagher and Andrew Sullivan at Georgetown University, which is sponsored by a new group: Catholics for Equality.
Well, actually he focused primarily on Cathlics for Equality's plan to organize "inside churches" to combat the authority of Catholic bishops and to rat out priests who speak up for the Church's teachings on marriage. Family Research Council and now Catholic.org have picked up his email, which allows us to share it with you. Tom Peters calls Catholics for Equality "a dangerous and unprecendented threat to the Church." Read more here, and tell us what you think.
And support Maggie at this event in person or online if you can.
EVENT DETAILS:
Wednesday, December 8
7:30 – 10:30pm
Georgetown University Intercultural Center Auditorium (ICC)
37th and O Sts, NW
Washington, DC
Details on Facebook
Moms? Dads? Stepdads? whatever.
"Nurturing families come in many forms, and children may be raised by a father and mother, a single father, two fathers, a step father, a grandfather, or caring guardian. We owe a special debt of gratitude for those parents serving in the United States Armed Forces and their families, whose sacrifices protect the lives and liberties of all American children. For the character they build, the doors they open, and the love they provide over our lifetimes, all our fathers deserve our unending appreciation and admiration."
Full text of Presidential Proclamation.
Dear Friends of Marriage,
Join us Tuesday at 9am in front of the DC Court of Appeals as we rally for marriage!
On Tuesday morning, the Court of Appeals will be hearing the appeal in the DC Marriage Initiative case. As the media covers the arguments inside, NOM is joining Bishop Harry Jackson (also lead plaintiff in the case) and the Stand4Marriage DC team in calling on all marriage supporters to come together in a public display of support for marriage and for the rights of DC voters. Read More »
Dear Friends of Marriage,
Late Wednesday night, the Senate went on record on marriage, rejecting an amendment introduced by Utah Senator Bob Bennett and refusing to block same-sex marriage in our nation's capital by a vote of 59-36.
All but two of the 38 Republican senators present voted for the Bennett amendment, while all 57 Democrats voted to block the measure (as they did every amendment to the health care reconciliation bill proposed last night). The amendment would have suspended the DC same-sex marriage law pending a referendum allowing DC voters to resolve the question.
Ironically, the only two Republicans to join with the Democrats in opposing the amendment were Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine, where just six months ago voters used the referendum process to reject a same-sex marriage bill passed by the Maine legislature.
Fifty-nine U.S. Senators are now on record allowing same-sex marriage in our nation's capital and refusing to protect the Charter rights of District residents.
Although disappointing, this outcome was not unexpected, and we are grateful for the hard work of Senator Bob Bennett of Utah, and of the Senate GOP leadership, in gaining the floor vote and putting the entire Senate on record on marriage. We're optimistic that the Supreme Court will ultimately vindicate the rights of DC residents to vote on an initiative on same-sex marriage, but today it's important that our voices continue to be heard in Washington.
Let your senators know you're watching their vote! Send your message today! Read More »
March 25, 2010 – 11:20 am
Early this morning, during "vote-o-rama," the Senate voted 59-36 to block the Bennett Amendment on DC Marriage Referendum that would have guaranteed DC residents the right to vote on same-sex marriage. Democrats voted as block to defeat all amendments to the health care reconciliation bill. With the exception of Senators Collins and Snowe of Maine, all Republicans present supported the rights of DC residents to vote on same-sex marriage. Five senators were absent for the late-night vote occurring shortly after 1am.
Details here.
March 24, 2010 – 12:13 pm
Dear Friends of Marriage,
I need your help today. The Senate is expected to vote as early as this afternoon on the DC Marriage Referendum.
We need to take action NOW! Click here to send an email to your senators, urging them to vote in favor of the Bennett Amendment on DC Marriage Referendum.
For weeks, we've been working to get a vote on the DC Marriage Referendum. And Senator Bob Bennett has championed the cause -- pushing for a floor vote that will put the entire Senate on record on marriage. We have just a short window of time. Please take action now! Read More »
