Spread the word to help repeal DOMA

Although we are thrilled about our victories allowing tens of thousands of same-sex couples across the US to finally be able to join in marriage, we are far from true marriage equality.

The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), a law enacted in 1996, prevents the federal government from recognizing any same-sex marriage.

Spread the word to help repeal DOMA

Just click the link below to send a message urging Congress and the president to advance legislation to repeal this backwards law.
http://www.RepealDOMAnow.org

This hurtful and discriminatory law is denying millions of Americans the full federal rights of marriage including Social Security survivors' benefits, equal treatment under U.S. immigration laws, the right to take family and medical leave to care for a spouse, and much more.

There's no time to lose! Legislation to repeal DOMA is closer than ever to being introduced.
Now is the time to let Congress and President Obama know that DOMA must go. Please join me in sending a message urging them to push forward legislation to repeal DOMA.
http://www.RepealDOMAnow.org

Once you've sent your message to Washington, please help get the ball rolling by forwarding this message to your friends and family and asking them to join you.
Thanks for your help!

Take the 2009 LGBT Consumer Index Survey

Please take a few minutes to complete CMI's annual LGBT Consumer Index Survey. Participating in this study helps open minds and doors around the world, and influences positive changes for our community.

Community Marketing, Inc. is a proudly gay-owned, independent market research company, founded in 1992, and based in San Francisco. Your answers are completely confidential, and will never be used for any direct marketing or solicitation purpose. Plus, everyone who completes the survey by September 15th will be entered into a drawing to win one of 10 gift cards (iTunes or Amazon) or the grand prize of one $500 Visa gift card.

This survey should only take about 15 minutes to complete. And don't forget to forward this survey to all your LGBT friends, we want to make sure everyone has the opportunity to be heard.

Click Here to take the survey. (You may need to scroll down to see the questions.)

Uncensored Release of Angelina's Lesbian Movie Gia

Angelina Jolie is all the buzz this week, ever since the film directors decided to release an uncensored and unedited version of the 1998 true-life lesbian film Gia in high definition.

The film tells the true story of Gia Carangi, a lesbian supermodel who got addicted to heroin and contracted HIV due to the use of an infected needle that claimed her life at the age of 26 in 1986.

This version will include Jolie bearing all for an on screen lesbian romp with Lost actress Elizabeth Mitchell.

In New York Republican Candidate Backs Same-Sex Marriage, Democrat Oppose It

The Washington Blade reported today that Gay Republicans are rallying behind a New York GOP candidate who favors same-sex marriage in her bid for the U.S. House against a Democratic contender who opposes marriage rights for gays.

Diedre “Dede” Scozzafava, a Republican New York state Assembly member, is seeking to represent her state’s 23rd congressional district. A member of the Assembly since 1999, Scozzafava voted in 2007 and again earlier this year in favor of bills to legalize same-sex marriage in New York.

She’s facing off against Democrat Bill Owens, a Plattsburgh, N.Y., attorney, who last month said in a radio interview that he doesn’t support same-sex marriage. Doug Hoffman, a Lake Placid accountant, is running on the ticket for New York’s Conservative Party.

The seat will become vacant after the U.S. Senate confirms Rep. John McHugh (R-N.Y.) as Army secretary. Lawmakers are expected to confirm McHugh to the position shortly after they return from the August recess.

McHugh must resign his congressional seat before New York Gov. David Paterson (D) can call for a special election, but some media outlets have speculated that the election would take place on Election Day in November.

Charles Moran, a Log Cabin spokesperson, said Scozzafava represents the views of New York’s 23rd congressional district because “she fiscally is fairly conservative, but … on the social issues she’s very much mainstream in what the district believes in and also what America believes in with marriage equality.”

“We love Dede,” he said. “This is a district where Dede has represented and lived for many years and this is just another example of Republicans continuing to push for an inclusive message.”

Scozzafava, who was unavailable for comment for this article, was quoted in a July 24 article in the Politico voicing support for same-sex marriage.

“I’m pro-choice, and I also support gay marriage,” she said. “The leadership might not like that — but the people that I’m closest to have voted for me, know me, and they’re very supportive.”

But one group opposed to same-sex marriage is infuriated over Scozzafava’s position. Brian Brown, executive director of the National Organization for Marriage, said his organization contacted New York Republican officials and asked them to remove Scozzafava as their nominee in the race.

“It is a slap in the face to the voters of this district,” he said. “This is a socially conservative district and we hope that the nomination will be removed and someone else will be put in her place because this is not a good move for the Republican Party by any stretch.”

Scozzafava’s marriage position contrasts with that of her Democratic opponent. Owens, the Democratic contender for the House seat, told North County Public Radio on Aug. 12 that he doesn’t support marriage rights for same-sex couples.

“People who are seeking civil unions should have that option,” Owens said. “However, I think that the word ‘marriage’ has some very important religious connotations and I would not be in support of a bill that addressed it in that fashion. But I certainly fully support civil rights for everyone in every area.”

The National Stonewall Democrats didn’t respond to a request for comment on Owens’ marriage stance.

Moran said Owens’ position shows that Democrats aren’t “necessarily in lockstep” on LGBT issues, such as same-sex marriage rights.

Log Cabin’s political action committee, Moran said, can’t endorse Scozzafava until Paterson officially calls for a special election. But once that takes place, Moran said Log Cabin’s endorsement would “come out … swiftly.”

“Our New York operation is primed and prepared to send Dede Scozzafava to Washington, D.C.,” he said.

Log Cabin’s PAC will contribute to Scozzafava’s campaign, Moran said, and will bundle checks with a goal of reaching a combined contribution of somewhere between $25,000 and $50,000. Moran said he expects Scozzafava to win her bid for the U.S. House seat and that New York’s 23rd congressional district would stay in Republican hands.

Trevor Thomas, a Human Rights Campaign spokesperson, said his organization was seeking more information before making an endorsement decision.

“While the seat is not yet vacant, we have been in contact with both campaigns and have provided our questionnaire to learn more on their positions,” he said.

Brown said the National Organization for Marriage “will work to highlight Dede Scozzafava’s record” on marriage. He said NOM hasn’t determined whether it will endorse Owens or Hoffman, the Conservative Party candidate.

“We’re determining how involved we are going to be, but are definitely going to be involved,” he said.

By Chris Johnson

Ben and Jerry's Show Their Support for Gay Marriage

In celebration of the beginning of Gay marriage in Vermont, Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream are celebrating by renaming of one of their most popular ice cream flavors, “Chubby Hubby” to “Hubby Hubby.”

In partnership with Freedom to Marry, Ben & Jerry’s hopes to raise awareness of the importance of marriage equality and, to show their support, they will serve “Hubby Hubby” sundaes in Vermont Scoop Shops throughout the month of September.

Ben & Jerry’s has a long history of commitment to social justice, including gay rights. Its partnership with Freedom to Marry, a national leader in the movement for marriage equality, aims to raise awareness of the importance of marriage equality and to encourage other states to follow the blazing trails of Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, and Maine. Freedom to Marry promotes the national conversation about why marriage equality matters and brings together partner organizations into a larger whole – a shared civil rights campaign.

“At the core of Ben & Jerry’s values, we believe that social justice can and should be something that every human being is entitled to,” said Walt Freese, Chief Executive Officer of Ben & Jerry’s. “From the very beginning of our 30 year history, we have supported equal rights for all people. The legalization of marriage for gay and lesbian couples in Vermont is certainly a step in the right direction and something worth celebrating with peace, love and plenty of ice cream.”

To kick off the celebration, Ben & Jerry’s and Freedom to Marry will be publicly supporting the first marriages of gay and lesbian couples in Vermont and raising awareness for marriage equality and how to take action by driving consumers to freedomtomarry.org. By logging onto the site, people can show their support, sign a Marriage Resolution Petition, have conversations about why marriage matters and learn more about how they can support the cause.

“It’s not polite to talk with your mouth full, but the most important thing that all us ice cream lovers can do to support the freedom to marry is speak with the people we know about why marriage matters and the need to end marriage discrimination in every state”,” said Evan Wolfson, executive director of Freedom to Marry. “Thanks to Ben & Jerry’s, starting those needed conversations has never been sweeter – and thanks to Freedom to Marry, we all now have a great excuse to eat more ice cream.”

For more information on why marriage equality matters and to take action in your state, please log on to freedtomarry.org. To find your local Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shop or learn more about Ben & Jerry’s social mission, log onto www.Facebook.com/benjerry. Also, don’t forget to visit us on http://www.benjerry.com/.

About Ben & Jerry’s

Ben & Jerry’s produces a wide variety of super-premium ice cream and ice cream novelties, using high-quality ingredients including milk and cream from family farmers who do not treat their cows with the synthetic hormone rBGH. The company states its position on rBGH on its labels. Ben and Jerry’s products are distributed nationwide and in selected foreign countries in supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, franchise Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shops, restaurants and other venues. Ben & Jerry’s, a Vermont corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Unilever, operates its business on a three-part Mission Statement emphasizing product quality, economic reward and a commitment to the community. Contributions made via the employee led Ben & Jerry’s Foundation in 2008 totaled over $1.9 million. Additionally, the company makes significant product donations to community groups and nonprofits both in Vermont and across the nation. The purpose of Ben & Jerry’s philanthropy is to support the founding values of the company: economic and social justice, environmental restoration and peace through understanding, and to support our Vermont communities. For the full scoop on all Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shop locations and fabulous flavors, visit http://www.benjerry.com/.

About Freedom to Marry

Freedom to Marry is the gay and non-gay partnership working to win marriage equality nationwide. Launched in 2003, Freedom to Marry is headed by Evan Wolfson, nationally recognized as a central "architect of the marriage equality movement." Freedom to Marry guides and focuses this social justice movement on a nationwide level, serving as a strategy and support center for national, state, and local partners, a catalyst that drives and shapes the national debate on marriage equality, and an alliance-builder fostering support from non-gay allies.

Will Maine Lose Gay Marriage Rights?

Maine's election officials announced today that they had received enough signatures to put an anti-gay marriage law on the November ballot, setting the stage for a two-month campaign that'll determine whether the number of states allowing same-sex marriage will shrink to five.

Maine's gay marriage law was to go into effect on Sept. 12, but it was put on hold while the secretary of state's office verified the number of signatures. With the signatures validated, Gov. John Baldacci on Wednesday signed a formal proclamation putting the gay marriage law to a statewide vote Nov. 3.

"I fully support this legislation and believe it guarantees that all Maine citizens are treated equally under our state's civil marriage laws," Baldacci said. "But I also have a constitutional obligation to set the date for the election once the secretary of state has certified that enough signatures have been submitted."

The announcement was anticipated.

Gay marriage opponents needed at least 55,087 registered voters signatures for the "People's Veto," and they turned in almost 100,000 signatures. Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap said officials stopped counting once they found that 60,391 of the submitted signatures were valid.

Election officials were facing a deadline of Sept. 4 -- 60 days before the election -- to certify the signatures. Otherwise, the vote would've had to wait until June.

Jesse Connolly, campaign manager for NO on 1/Protect Maine Equality, said it's no surprise that so many signatures were collected because professional signature gatherers were used. "Theirs is a cynical, pay-for-every signature approach that doesn't reflect the homegrown values of our state," he said in a statement.

The Rev. Bob Emrich, who supports the repeal of the gay marriage law, brushed aside the criticism.

"The facts are that tens of thousands of Maine citizens signed the petition," said Emrich, the minister at Emmanuel Bible Baptist Church in Plymouth. "Now we'll be on the ballot and we'll let the people of Maine make the decision."

Maine became the fifth state to allow gay marriage when Baldacci signed the bill on May 6, and New Hampshire became the sixth when Gov. John Lynch signed a bill less than a month later. New Hampshire's law goes into effect Jan. 1. Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont and Iowa also allow same-sex couples to marry.

Sorce: Boston Globe

BBC Commissions New Lesbian Drama, Will it Be the British L-Word?

The BBC has commissioned a new lesbian drama series that will film later this year in Glasgow.

This six-part drama, called Lip Service, will focus on the sex lives and relationships of a group of twenty-something women.

Writer Harriet Braun says Lip Service will be a “sexy, funny and irreverent drama that reflects what it is to be a young gay woman living in Britain today”.

Braun, who has previously worked on the TV series "Mistresses" and "Attachments", says the series will be partly based on her own experiences.

Anticipating the obvious and predictable comparison to The L Word, Braun said “I loved The L Word but it’s high time we saw some contemporary British lesbians, with all the bad weather, trips to the pub and repressed emotions that go with that.”

“It will be as funny as it is pathos-filled, because in my experience that’s how life is.”
Filming for Lip Service will begin later this year. A cast for the drama has not yet been confirmed.