Archive for the ‘Marriage & Relationships’ Category

Today, the Texas Court of Appeals for the Fifth District, located in Dallas, ruled that a same-sex couple that had married in Massachusetts could not legally seek a divorce, following their move to Texas. The case, entitled In re the Marriage of J.B. and H.B., was appealed by the state following a victory in the lower court in which the judge had granted the two men a divorce and declared Texas’ mini-Defense of Marriage Act (mini-DOMA) as violating the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The state argued that since Texas did not recognize the men’s marriage as valid, they were not eligible for the remedy of divorce. Specifically, Texas claimed that the courts did not have jurisdiction, or the right and power, to even hear the case and thus it should be dismissed.

One of the best opportunities for a marriage vote in the NY state Senate is Westchester County legislator Mike Kaplowitz. Meeting with Mike Kaplowitz at an event in Westchester recently, I got to hear directly from him how deep his commitment is to marriage equality and fairness for all.

Last week, the Pentagon sent out 150,000 surveys to the heterosexual spouses of service members for their opinion on a repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”. With this family survey now in the field, our friends at Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, will release a letter each day this week from family members and spouses of former service members impacted by DADT. As the Pentagon reaches out to 150,000 straight couples on how their lives are impacted, these letters will share the perspective of those forced to serve under this law alongside their loved ones.

Today’s letter comes from Lee Quillian,a retired Chief Petty Officer whose partner was discharged by DADT:

Last week, the Pentagon sent out 150,000 surveys to the heterosexual spouses of service members for their opinion on a repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” With this family survey now in the field, our friends at Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, will release a letter each day this week from family members and spouses of former service members impacted by DADT. As the Pentagon reaches out to 150,000 straight couples on how their lives are impacted, these letters will share the perspective of those forced to serve under this law alongside their loved ones.

Today’s letter comes from Lynne Kennedy, the partner of an Navy officer who was forced into silence by DADT:

On a summer Sunday evening, dozens of Long Islanders shared food, drink and a great view of the Long Island Sound at the North Shore home of Nassau County legislator Jon Cooper.

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Donate to the HRC Minnesota PAC now to support marriage equality in these key races.

In a disappointing move last night, the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals put the historic decision overturning Prop 8 on hold. So for now, marriage equality remains unavailable for same-sex couples in the Golden State. You may recall last week Judge Walker had set tomorrow as the day when his stay would expire, opening the possibility that same-sex couples might be able to marry. However supporters of Prop 8 appealed his stay decision to the 9th Circuit which issued their decision last evening.

On August 4th, Judge Vaughn Walker of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, a federal trial court, issued his decision in Perry v. Schwarzenegger concluding that Proposition 8 violates the protections of the U.S. Constitution. Proposition 8, a state constitutional amendment adopted by California voters in November 2008, stripped same-sex couples of the right to marry. By declaring Proposition 8 unconstitutional, it seems that Walker has taken the first steps toward the return of marriage equality in California.

But what has happened and what’s next? Below are answers to a few frequently-asked questions about this historic case.

This past Sunday, the National Organization for Marriage made a stop in Orlando, Florida as part of their 2010 Summer Marriage Tour. Now, I’ve lived here in Orlando for almost four years and have learned that, according to voting polls, Orlando is much like the state of Florida in that it swings both left and right equally. It’s no surprise to me that they came all the way down here — but I wondered if they knew what they were in for?

Today Judge Vaughn Walker announced he will lift the stay on his decision in Perry v. Schwarzenegger on August 18, allowing California to once again issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples barring an appeal. With today’s decision, there remain many steps – and unanswered questions – in this case. Prop 8 supporters are likely to appeal the stay decision to the Ninth Circuit, which could issue its own stay and stop marriage licenses from being issued. Additionally, supporters of Prop 8 have already filed their appeal of the entire case with the Ninth Circuit.