samesex marriage in the united states

Big Tobacco and the Lessons of California’s No on Prop 29

Randy Shaw: In a tribute to the success of the generic No campaign, a Public Policy Institute poll released May 23 found support for Proposition 29 dropping 14 points among likely voters since March.

Why “Narrow” Prop 8 Decision is Good for Marriage Equality

By Paul Hogarth

Paul Hogarth: While it would have been great to have the Court rule sexual orientation a “suspect class” and put Prop 8 under a strict scrutiny test, that would have made the decision far more likely to be reversed.

Congressional Candidate’s Husband May Face Deportation

By Paul Hogarth

Paul Hogarth: As the Administration now refuses to defend DOMA – again, thanks to activists giving him heat – the anti-gay legislation is still used as a basis for deporting immigrant spouses of U.S. citizens.

DHS and Gay Bi-National Couples

By Seth Hoy

Seth Hoy: There are currently 36,000 same-sex bi-national couples in the United States, many of whom are routinely denied applications for lawful permanent residence and other relief from deportation due to the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

New York Victory Re-Ignites Momentum for Marriage Equality

By Paul Hogarth

Paul Hogarth: Inevitably, we will have to go back to the ballot – especially in states where there has been a concerted effort to learn from past mistakes, and help change hearts and minds.

Using Blacks For Saving America from Gay Marriage

By Rev. Irene Monroe

Irene Monroe: As African Americans, we continue to experience the harm that religion-based bigotry causes, especially concerning the civil rights issue of same-sex marriage.

Defense of Marriage

By Carl Matthes

Carl Matthes: Boehner has a secret plan: hiring the unemployed to defend marriage. Makes perfect sense. With over 60 million marriages in the United States and 13 million unemployed, each unemployed person would end- up defending five-and-a-quarter marriages.

Election Results March 2011

By admin

Election results for the March 8, 2011 election in Los Angeles are almost completely tallied. The results shown here were obtained from the Los Angeles City Clerk’s office. As newer information becomes available, this post will be updated. Check here for continuing updates.

Save Libraries? Tax Oil Producers? Stop Pay to Play?

By Wendy Block

Wendy Block: Here is one conglomerated guide, the result of studying the few remaining newspapers, endorsements from the LA County Democratic Party, DPSFV, the League of Women Voters, the Courage Campaign and LA Progressive; plus analysis from several progressive Dem clubs and recommendations from electeds.

Three Overlooked Propositions

By Paul Hogarth

Paul Hogarth: California voters are already filling out their absentee ballots. While they vote to pass Prop 19 and “no” on Prop 23, it’s important for them to also vote “yes” on Prop 24 and 25 – but most importantly, “no” on Prop 26. If we don’t get the word out, it could pass.

Latinos and Gays Face Same Foe on November 2nd

By Luis Lopez

Luis Lopez and Dolores Huerta: Few groups in California have felt the sting of contradiction more sharply than Latinos and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. The statewide election on November 2 is a perfect chance for both populations to send a message that picking on us will be punished.

Gay Marriage: The Tide Is Turning

By Peter Dreier

Peter Dreier: Although nobody believes that homophobia has disappeared, polls show that public support for gay rights – including marriage – has increased dramatically in the past decade, especially in the last few years.

Killing Prop Hate: What Republicans Fear

By Tom Hall

Tom Hall: A conservative Republican judge, appointed by George H.W. Bush has done what the Tea Party activists have been demanding – he restored the Constitution. Judge Vaughn Walker held that the U.S. Constitution, and its provisions requiring equal protection of the laws, required that Proposition Hate be stricken down.

“Facts are Stubborn Things” – The Value of Judge Walker’s Decision

By Paul Hogarth

Paul Hogarth: What taking this case to trial – rather than expedited summary judgment hearings – allowed us to do was to set up a factual framework, which cannot be reversed on appeal.

Prop 25 Most Essential Part of November Ballot

By Paul Hogarth

Paul Hogarth: Proposition 25 was put on by labor unions and the Democratic Party, and political consultant Roger Salazar has been retained. Liberal bloggers and other progressives are skeptical, with some going so far as to claim it doesn’t make sense to get a majority for the budget – if raising taxes we need would still require a two-thirds vote.

Religion’s Ugly Head

By Carl Matthes

Carl Matthes: After speaking directly with God, the current Leading Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 86-year-old Boyd Packer revealed last year that Mormons must form an alliance with Catholic Bishops in California to stop the desecration of Christian teaching. The aim of this unholy alliance? Stop same-sex marriage.