Activists ‘seeing red’ over HRC antics at SCOTUS hearings

as the Human Rights Campaign exhibits their typical lack of inclusivity… By Cathy Kristofferson, March 29, 2013. During the SCOTUS trials the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) convinced many in the Facebook world to change their avatars to red.  Following the hearings many activists are seeing a different red now that two incidents – insulting both the … More Activists ‘seeing red’ over HRC antics at SCOTUS hearings

Photo-blog of the Prop8 the day of the SCOTUS hearings

Photo impressions from the first day’s activities.. I sure hope NOM comes back tomorrow, they were fun! By Cathy Kristofferson, March 26, 2013 This blog piece should really be titled ‘O-Blog-Dee goes to Washington, too busy to blog…’!  Both Melanie and I are here in Washington D.C. trying to keep up with all that’s going … More Photo-blog of the Prop8 the day of the SCOTUS hearings

Historic Marriage Equality events underway across the United States

172 events start in all 50 states, with all eyes on Washington, D.C., as people start record breaking queue outside SCOTUS By Melanie Nathan & Cathy Kristofferson, March 24, 2013. 3/25 UPDATE:  over 2500 people have gathered at events ranging from Casper, Wyoming, to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to Cleveland, Ohio already.  And tonight is the big “night … More Historic Marriage Equality events underway across the United States

Headline Speakers Announced for Tuesday, March 26 Marriage Equality Gathering at Supreme Court

Civil rights,  religious,  Republican, military leaders and families to speak at historic event By Cathy Kristofferson,  March 23, 2013 Supporters of marriage equality will gather at 8:30am Tuesday morning on the steps of the Supreme Court before the first of two marriage equality hearings. The speakers will include an impressive collection of civil rights activists, … More Headline Speakers Announced for Tuesday, March 26 Marriage Equality Gathering at Supreme Court

Changing America and Bayard Rustin as we head to D.C. to rally for marriage equality

VISIT SMITHSONIAN EXHIBIT AND ASK PRESIDENT OBAMA FOR A MEDAL OF FREEDOM FOR BAYARD RUSTIN Posted by Melanie Nathan, March 18, 2013. On Bayard’s 101st birthday (March 17), we are well into the 50th anniversary year of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.  Many consider the March the highpoint of the African-American civil … More Changing America and Bayard Rustin as we head to D.C. to rally for marriage equality

Obama Administration’s Historic Amicus Brief to the U.S. Supreme Court Opposing Proposition 8

By Melanie Nathan, February 28, 2013. Marriage Equality USA© (MEUSA™) and GAY U.S.A. the Movie, as well as other LGBTI activists are hailing the Obama Administration’s historic amicus brief which will be filed later today with the U.S. Supreme Court, urging the Court to end Proposition 8’s exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage. Prominent Republicans … More Obama Administration’s Historic Amicus Brief to the U.S. Supreme Court Opposing Proposition 8

Same-sex couples and LGBT activists arrested at Valentines Day sit in at San Francisco City Hall

WATCH VIDEO Below – “I could have chosen to attend my children’s Valentine events at their elementary school — but I chose instead to get arrested in an act of nonviolent civil disobedience to take a stand for LGBTQ equality” Robin McGehee, Director, GetEQUAL! By Melanie Nathan, February 14, 2013 (Photos: Melanie Nathan) San Francisco City … More Same-sex couples and LGBT activists arrested at Valentines Day sit in at San Francisco City Hall

Immigration reform and the complexities for same-sex binational couples

By Melanie Nathan, February 07, 2013. The Defense of Marriage Act  (DOMA) defines marriage as between a man and woman only, and so a same-sex American spouse (citizen or resident) cannot petition for a foreign spouse to obtain a green card and citizenship.   That means that married same-sex couples cannot benefit from the same Federal … More Immigration reform and the complexities for same-sex binational couples

California Prop 8 on the Way to Victory Revisiting My Child’s Wounds

by Melanie Nathan, June 05, 2012 We are on  the home stretch of Proposition 8’s wild ride through the Courts with a set of victories that will either reinstate same-sex marriage for Californians or result in the Supreme Court of the United States hearing the case. I wrote a very personal article back in 2009 … More California Prop 8 on the Way to Victory Revisiting My Child’s Wounds

Gay Marriage Watch this Week

  USA: President Obama Issues Proclamation for Gay Pride Month (LGBTQ Nation) The White House on Friday issued this proclamation by President Barack Obama, declaring June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, calling on Americans to “eliminate prejudice everywhere it exists, and to celebrate the great diversity of the American people.” http://purpleunions.com/blog/2012/06/usa-president-obama-issues-proclamation-for-gay-pride-month.html USA: … More Gay Marriage Watch this Week

President Obama’s Support for Marriage Equality Applauded

By The National Black Justice Coalition Washington, D.C. – May 9, 2012 – Today, President Obama affirmed his support of marriage for loving and committed same-sex couples.The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), the nation’s leading Black LGBT civil rights organization, applauded the President for this historic endorsement of the freedom to marry:- “It is an … More President Obama’s Support for Marriage Equality Applauded

Melanie Nathan’s Response to Dustin Lance Black’s Threat Against Support for President Obama

By Melanie Nathan, April 29, 2012 It was difficult for me to read Dustin Lance Black’s outlandish article on the Hollywood Reporter.  I found it to be irresponsible, unsophisticated  and quite poorly written. I sent my detailed response to the piece to  both ‘The Advocate’ and ‘LGBTQ Nation’ which are publications I have written several … More Melanie Nathan’s Response to Dustin Lance Black’s Threat Against Support for President Obama

Rick Santorum Stands by as Violence Erupts at Rally – Marriage Equality Filmmakers Attacked

By Melanie Nathan,  February 18, 2012. After an exhilarating morning at the historic signing of WA State’s Marriage Equality Bill by Governor Christine Gregoire, Kristina Lapinski of GAY USA the Movie, and I attended the Rick Santorum rally held in Tacoma, at the Washington Historical Museum’s outdoor amphitheater.  Little did we know that we would … More Rick Santorum Stands by as Violence Erupts at Rally – Marriage Equality Filmmakers Attacked

AFER VIDEO | Prop 8 Unconstitutional AFER Press Conference Highlights

By Melanie Nathan, February 10, 2012. Proposition 8, the 2008 measure that stripped same-sex couples of the right to marry in California, has now been found by two Federal Courts to be unconstitutional! Prop 8 discriminates against same-sex couples in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution. This week a majority from … More AFER VIDEO | Prop 8 Unconstitutional AFER Press Conference Highlights

California Braces for Prop 8 Ruling | List of Pro Same-sex Marriage Events

Breaking News Prop 8 Ruling TOMORROW morning | Events Planned . February 6th, 2012 COMMUNITY EVENTS IN SAN FRANCISCO ON DAY NINTH CIRCUIT ANNOUNCES PROP 8 DECISION Please join same-sex couples, LGBTIQ people, friends, family, and clergy for 2 events on the day that the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals announces its decision regarding Proposition … More California Braces for Prop 8 Ruling | List of Pro Same-sex Marriage Events

Marriage Equality Bill Introduced into Washington State Senate with 2 Republicans Sponsoring

Today, the Washington state senate filed a bill that would make the State seventh in the union to legalize marriage equality.  If the bill passes the Senate and is signed into law, anti-LGBT groups are likely to try and overturn it at the November ballot. The senate bill which is supported by Gov. Christine Gregoire … More Marriage Equality Bill Introduced into Washington State Senate with 2 Republicans Sponsoring

Petition New Hampshire: Hands off Marriage Equality Rights

by Melanie Nathan, January 12, 2012, New Hampshire wants to reverse two year old marriage equality law and we cannot let that happen. The U.S. is turning toward marriage equality and not away from it. If you have not signed this petition please consider doing it now. The entire country is impacted by marriage equality … More Petition New Hampshire: Hands off Marriage Equality Rights

LGBT Foreign Policy Applauded AND Human Rights should Start at Home with Fiance Visas and Greencards for Same-sex Couples

Pro-Gay Foreign Policy Applauded,  YET Obama Administration Fails Binationals at home; surely being separated from fiance’s and spouses is a human rights issue too? Melanie Nathan by Melanie Nathan, Dec 06, 2011 Building on pro-gay policies put in place by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, President Obama today ordered overseas federal agencies to fight local … More LGBT Foreign Policy Applauded AND Human Rights should Start at Home with Fiance Visas and Greencards for Same-sex Couples

Mazeltov New York City

By Melanie Nathan July 24, 2011 – 12.01.am My friends are getting married today, my community is getting married today and we all rejoice… SPEAKER QUINN, MAYOR BLOOMBERG, AND NEW YORK CITY CLERK MCSWEENEY ANNOUNCE ALL CITY CLERK OFFICES WILL BE OPEN FOR BUSINESS ON SUNDAY JULY 24 – THE FIRST DAY OF MARRIAGE EQUALITY … More Mazeltov New York City

First-Ever Congressional Hearing on Repeal of DOMA Marriage Discrimination Law

July, 20, 2011, by Melanie Nathan, (WASHINGTON, DC) – At today the US Senate Judiciary Committee held the  first-ever hearing on repealing the so-called “Defense of Marriage Act, ” highlighting the harms that the so-called “Defense of Marriage Act” causes loving, committed same-sex couples and their families. The Respect for Marriage Act, sponsored by Senator … More First-Ever Congressional Hearing on Repeal of DOMA Marriage Discrimination Law

Senator Patrick Leahy Announces DOMA Repeal Hearing

July 12, 2011, by Melanie Nathan, Today, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, announced a hearing on the Respect for Marriage Act, the bill that would overturn DOMA, scheduled for Wednesday July 20th. The hearing will be the first time Congress has heard testimony on legislation that would end federal marriage … More Senator Patrick Leahy Announces DOMA Repeal Hearing

NOM Rally for Hate in New York against Same-Sex Marriage

Whining about “lost” rights – the anti-gay group NOM simply cannot stand that Equality is an American value! So they have decided to protest  same-sex marriages  which will start in New York  State on July 24th. Imagine the thinking my equality is Maggie Gallaghers’s lost right! Via Joe My God: “NOM has announced that it … More NOM Rally for Hate in New York against Same-Sex Marriage

Gillard Government blocks Marriages of Gay Australians in New York.

July 09, 2011, by Melanie Nathan, When New York state’s new equal marriage law takes effect on July 27th same-sex couples from other countries will be able to marry there if they provide a Certificate of Non-Impediment to Marriage (CNI) to show they are not already married in their home country. But the Australian Government refuses … More Gillard Government blocks Marriages of Gay Australians in New York.

Same-Sex Marriage License Applications Available for NYC Couples

07/05/20011, by Melanie Nathan As of today the New York Times reports that the marriage license application form, in the City of New York,  still asks for the “groom info” and “bride info.”  However that is not likely to stop a whopping $140 million dollar surge (estimated) for the City as it braces for the … More Same-Sex Marriage License Applications Available for NYC Couples

Calling on President Obama to Stand up for Full Marriage Equality Now

June 24, 2011, Melanie Nathan, The venue and current battle ground for marriage equality is New York State and as it happens, President Barack Obama is in New York  fundraising for the Democratic National Committee (DNC).  The Mammoth in the room is marriage equality, in New York, specifically, because the President is present and has … More Calling on President Obama to Stand up for Full Marriage Equality Now

CA Legislation to Close Gap between Marriage and Domestic Partnership Advances

06/02/2011, by Melanie Nathan Sacramento – Yesterday, the California State Senate passed legislation that would eliminate a statutory difference and inequity between marriage and domestic partnerships. Authored by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) and sponsored by Equality California, the Domestic Partnership Equality Act (SB 651) passed in a 23-15 vote. Specifically, the bill would eliminate … More CA Legislation to Close Gap between Marriage and Domestic Partnership Advances

Judge refuses to throw out Prop 8 Challenge- while arraigning anti-same sex marriage Rhetoric

a Federal Judge in San Francisco asked the backers of California’s voter-enacted ban on same-sex marriage to explain how allowing gay couples to wed threatens straight marriages. Much to my personal delight the lawyer for the supporters of Prop 8, Charles Cooper acknowledged he did not know. … More Judge refuses to throw out Prop 8 Challenge- while arraigning anti-same sex marriage Rhetoric

reBlog ALERT- California Cry – Time is of the Essence – Help needed- Call Now

 Melanie on Lez Get real:- The very same culprits who passed Proposition 8, with all their Mormon funding, individual hate and corporate dollars threatening yet again, are now flooding the Governor with calls to block the Marriage Recognition and Family Protection Act.  Co-sponsored by our colleagues at Equality California and Sen. Mark Leno, SB 54, … More reBlog ALERT- California Cry – Time is of the Essence – Help needed- Call Now