Philip Spooner on Maine Equality

Volunteer Vacation in Maine-Vote “no” on Prop 1

Sam Putnam: Vote “No” on 1-Support Maine Marriage Equality

Standing on the Side of Love

Hate Crimes

Join the final push to pass the Hate Crimes bill! This bill expands the coverage of existing hate crime laws to include crimes not only based on race, color, religion, and national origin, but also those based on the victim’s actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability. On Wednesday, July 15, please call your Senators toll free at 866-659-9641 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, and urge them to pass the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act. The Senate will likely to vote on this bill on Thursday morning, so please make the call on Wednesday!

A Little Something for the 4th!!

Gov. Paterson Statement on Dr. Tiller Murder

From the BNO Newsroom.

WICHITA, Kansas (BNO NEWS) — New York Governor David Paterson issued the following statement on the murder of Dr. George Tiller on Sunday.

“I was deeply saddened to learn that Dr. George Tiller, a well-known provider of and advocate for women’s health care, was gunned down this morning at his church in Wichita, Kansas. With his murder, we are robbed not only of a dedicated and courageous physician, but also of a husband, father and neighbor. On behalf of all New Yorkers, I would like to express my deepest condolences to Dr. Tiller’s family, friends and community. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.

“Dr. Tiller was targeted for his belief in the right of women to make their own health decisions. He protected that right and sought to ensure that his patients were provided with the medical, emotional and spiritual counsel they needed to make the right choice for themselves and their families. He continued this work despite the threat of harmful retaliation, physical attacks and the destruction of his clinic. We will forever remember his fearlessness, compassion and commitment.

“We in New York are no strangers to these types of attacks and cannot help but to recall Dr. Barnett Slepian, a Buffalo physician murdered in October 1998 for his own commitment to women’s rights. In this era of violence, we must recall the teachings of tolerance and peace and use these lessons to overcome such acts of hatred and desperation.”

letting the days go by–once in a lifetime

I haven’t felt like posting lately, trying to figure out if Obama is who I hoped he was or merely a smoother version of his predecessors. The only solution is to let the days go by to see if it is the same as it ever was. Thanks to Chris in Paris from AMERICABlog for reminding me of how much I love this song.

WMG, Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid

It hard to imagine what genius at WMG decided to mess with YouTube; but it has incurred the wrath of millions and created an army of avenging angels. Here is their leader:

FINDLAW: Challenge to California’s Same Sex Marriage Ban as Invalid Constitutional Revision

STRAUSS V. HORTON (Full Text of Petition)
(California Supreme Ct., Nov. 5, 2008) – Six same sex couples, along with Equity California, filed a petition for relief from the recently passed Proposition 8, which sought to change California’s Constitution by adding “only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.” The suit argues that Proposition 8 is an invalid revision, rather than an amendment of California’s Constitution, which cannot be enacted through ballot initiative. Petitioners seek an immediate stay against enforcement of Prop 8 until its validity is determined.

Related Resources
• California Constitution Article 18 on Amending versus Revising the Constitution
• Same-Sex Marriage: A Historical Introduction
• March 2005 California Supreme Court Opinion Recognizing Same Sex Marriage Rights
• FindLaw Special Coverage: Same Sex Marriage