Congratulations, New York !!!

[Guest Bauer]

Dignity may.

 

The thing is, insofar as caprices go, this is really something for New York, which once was called simply, New Amsterdam.

 

With the laws being so open, I don't think it would be far fetched to even imagine a royal marriage. One of the Dutch children marrying a same-sexer.

[colbyjansen]

This is pretty amazing. I thought California would have gay marriage before NY would. I'm happy on so many levels, hopefully this starts getting approved in other states.

[+ deej]

This is pretty amazing. I thought California would have gay marriage before NY would.

 

Technically speaking, it did. Then it got taken away.

[uwsman2]

It has been approved in other states before NY: Massachusetts, Iowa, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, and the District of Columbia.

 

A side effect that people hadn't anticipated: According to the Wall Street Journal this morning, some New York employers that had domestic partnership benefits programs for their employees' same-sex partners are considering ending those programs, since the partners can marry if they want benefits.

[Rick Munroe]

What a wonderful development following the LGBT fundraiser for the President. It is truly a feather in the cap for those who shook the President's hand and had their photo taken with him, as they handed over their check..

 

But that fundraiser and the President had absolutely nothing to do with this. He doesn't support marriage equality and specifically did not endorse it in NY. He's been a huge disappointment.

[Rick Munroe]

I can't wait to see Munroe walk up the aisle in a WHITE leather jumpsuit, to a hymn of mass hysteria!

 

Walk?? In that outfit, I'd crawl on my hands and knees. Gotta always work the ass!

[Rick Munroe]

Munroe, you no-good, two-timing, low-life slut. You promised ME your hand. AND after I swallowed'n'all.

 

You need to listen carefully! I promised you my hand on your ass with you over my knee.

[Guest Rich.]

You need to listen carefully!

 

Damn. OK, that's the last pair of hearing aids I buy with Siemans on them.

 

Richard

[uwsman2]

Rick, I don't think he's been a huge disappointment. In 2-1/2 years, we got the Hate Crimes Law, the DADT Repeal Act, and lots of executive administrative action supporting same-sex partners where it was possible by regs. We got the renunciation of defending DOMA, and this week we got the exercise of discretion to avoid deporting non-citizen same-sex partners. When he says marriage is a question of state law and politics, he's correct. While it would be nice to have his endorsement, it's not necessary. Getting 95% of what you want is only a huge disappointment if you insist on being a perfectionist, and in politics that's unrealistic.

 

But I understand that we're supposed to keep politics out of this discussion board, so I'll desist. But you started it!

[Rick Munroe]

Rick, I don't think he's been a huge disappointment. In 2-1/2 years, we got the Hate Crimes Law, the DADT Repeal Act, and lots of executive administrative action supporting same-sex partners where it was possible by regs. We got the renunciation of defending DOMA, and this week we got the exercise of discretion to avoid deporting non-citizen same-sex partners. When he says marriage is a question of state law and politics, he's correct. While it would be nice to have his endorsement, it's not necessary. Getting 95% of what you want is only a huge disappointment if you insist on being a perfectionist, and in politics that's unrealistic.

 

I couldn't disagree more. We have not gotten 95% of what we were promised, not by a long shot. He signed Hate Crimes but there hasn't been a single prosecution. DADT has not been repealed yet and we are continuing to discharge gay soldiers. He promised us ENDA but did not lift a finger to get it done so it was dead on arrival. He defended DOMA for 2 years, comparing our relationships to pedophilia and incest, and while he's no longer defending it in court, he is still enforcing it, after promising to get it fully repealed. And foreign, gay, legally married spouses are still being deported, in spite of this victory today. And marriage equality and civil rights are NOT a matter of state law. Liquor laws that vary from state to state are not the same as denying citizens basic rights as they travel from state to state. With that state's rights excuse, his parents (a black man and a white woman) would not have been able to get married. It's amazing that he'd use that tired old excuse on us now.

[Guest Bauer]

NEW YORK SAYS "I DO"

 

"In a historic vote with far-reaching implications, the New York state Senate passed the marriage equality bill on Friday,

making New York the sixth and most populous state in addition to Washington, D.C. to offer civil marriage for same-sex couples."

 

http://www.advocate.com/uploadedImages/ADVOCATE/NEWS/2011/2011-06/2011-06-22/NYMarriage_Passes.jpg

 

[/color]

And the news this Monday?

 

His Imperial and Royal Highness Archduke and Prince Imperial Otto of Austria, Prince Royal of Hungary, Croatia and Bohemia died, July 4, 2011.

 

On the 35th anniversary of the US Bicentennial.

 

He was born "Emperor".

 

Devil of a way to cap off a puppet show.

[Phil_musc]

I hear the anger and frustration in your voice, Rick. But nevertheless, the laws for marriage are determined by the individual states. You mention the miscegenation laws that have been struck down as unconstitutional. While this is a valid point, the courts have yet to extend equal protection of the law to homosexuals. I don't say that that's right - it is just how it is at this point in time. If you really want to win this battle (and it will have to be won in the courts I think), then start making donations to Lambda Legal - they've been representing us in the courts and slowly winning the battles.

[Guest Bauer]

Oh Steven . . . . about the "Victory in New York" photo.

 

It says so much more than I bet even you know. It's ironic, and campy, and so so SO much.

 

Thanks for making my and everybody's day.

[uwsman2]

Looks like DADT is dead in the water. The 9th Circuit revived last fall's injunction and the Pentagon announced compliance, suspension of discharges, and instruction to recruiters to take gay applicants. So, that's done. (And you can bet the Pentagon would not have fallen into line without the permission of the President.) Also, the administration filed a brief in a pending case in California strongly arguing that DOMA is unconstitutional. Rick, he's doing what he can do.

[orbital sander]

Looks like DADT is dead in the water. The 9th Circuit revived last fall's injunction and the Pentagon announced compliance, suspension of discharges, and instruction to recruiters to take gay applicants. So, that's done. (And you can bet the Pentagon would not have fallen into line without the permission of the President.) Also, the administration filed a brief in a pending case in California strongly arguing that DOMA is unconstitutional. Rick, he's doing what he can do.

 

No he is waiting for the courts to do the work so he does not have to take a stand...and he has been very consistent about this.

Political cowardice.

[Guest Bauer]

I hear the anger and frustration in your voice, Rick. But nevertheless, the laws for marriage are determined by the individual states. You mention the miscegenation laws that have been struck down as unconstitutional. While this is a valid point, the courts have yet to extend equal protection of the law to homosexuals. I don't say that that's right - it is just how it is at this point in time. If you really want to win this battle (and it will have to be won in the courts I think), then start making donations to Lambda Legal - they've been representing us in the courts and slowly winning the battles.

Marriage is an institution of the Catholic Church.

 

Separation of Church and State are clearly at issue.

[+ deej]

Marriage is an institution of the Catholic Church.

 

In a word, no. Marriage well pre-dates the Catholic Church. (If you think it's a Catholic thing, why do Jews marry? Or Muslims?)

 

Marriage was a business arrangement governing the ownership of property (wives, livestock, slaves, land) until relatively modern times.

[Guest Bauer]

Yes HRH Prince Charles hasn't even hinted as having a position. He after having lost his functional equivalent having taken as his Bride, his "bowels".

 

His darling Camila Parker Bowles.

 

Of course, New York made its history .... so.