Right Wing British Party Big Winner In Local Elections; Could Impact Marriage Equality

 

 

 

The United Kingdom Independent Party (UKIP) a right-wing anti-Europe party was the big winner in elections this week. In early returns , the Conservative Party and their coalition allies the Liberal Party lost a total of 81 seats in local elections. The opposition Labor Party gained 30 seats and the Green Party gained 2 seats.

The big news of the evening was the emerging UKIP which will set British politics upside down by gaining 42 seats! In wards where the UKIP made a run, they are averaging 26%!

The British version of the Tea Party will force the Conservatives toward the right. What impact it will have on the marriage equality legislation is at the moment unclear but the UKIP is opposed to it. 

Expect a referendum on if Britain should remain the European Union and a much tougher stance on immigration.

Vote share in key wards so far

For wards won by the Conservatives in 2009:

UKIP +21%
Lab +6%
Con -10%
Lib Dem -12%

For wards won by Labour in 2009:

UKIP +16%
Lab +13%
Con -10%
Lib Dem -12%

For wards won by the Lib Dems in 2009:

UKIP +17%
Lab +6%
Con -9%
Lib Dem -12%

Unionists In Northern Ireland Kill Sinn Fein's Marriage Equality Bill

 

 

The pro-British Unionist Party blocked marriage equality from becoming a reality in Northern Ireland. The Sinn Fein Party sponsored the equality legislation which also was supported by The Green Party, SDLP and the Alliance Party.

Irish Central reports:

However the combined unionist vote of the Democratic Unionist Party and the Ulster Unionist party defeated the bill by 50 to 45.

Pro-gay marriage advocates now expect a court challenge against the ban in both Britain and at the European Court on the grounds that it is allowed elsewhere in the United Kingdom, reports the Guardian. Amnesty International stated the prospects of a gay couple taking a legal case to the European Court of Human Rights is now a distinct possibility.

Sinn Féin Assembly member for South Down Caitriona Ruane stated: "Attitudes in Ireland are changing because people do not want to see people discriminated against.

"The gay community has said enough is enough. They are standing up for themselves and their communities."

She claimed young gay people were turning to suicide because of rampant discrimination and bullying. "If they don't have an alternative voice to the vitriolic gay-bashing they will internalise it," she said.

All the main churches, Protestant and Catholic, opposed the bill. But the gay Christian lobby group “Changing Attitudes Ireland” condemned the unionist veto.

Church of Ireland minister Canon Charles Kenny, the secretary of Changing Attitudes Ireland, stated: "The year is drawing nearer when the love and justice expressed in the gospels will win out and sweep away the faith-based prejudice against gay and lesbian couples."

Democratic Unionist finance minister Sammy Wilson said the unionist parties would always vote to defeat "reckless" legislation.

HUMOR: Horrible Engagement Photographs!

 

 

 

MailOnline has published a long page of horrible and embarrassing engagement photographs. Looking at them, it is hard to believe these couples ever let these photographs out of their hands. Most likely they will spare their children in the future from looking at them. Here are some of my favorites!

American Unity Fund Mobilizes Republicans For Marriage Equality

 

 

 

 

 

In a New York Times Article By Nicholas Confessore, plans were reported of the Republican Unity Fund's efforts to pass marriage equality across America. They were instrumental in lining up all five Republican State Senators in Rhode Island and now focusing on Delaware and Illinois. The journalist reported:

When the Rhode Island State Senate tallied up the votes against a same-sex marriage bill passed there on Wednesday, something was missing: Republicans.

All five of the chamber’s Republican lawmakers had voted for the bill, stunning opponents and sending the measure to the governor’s desk and almost-certain victory next week.

The vote reflected not only the rapidly shifting tides of public opinion on same-sex marriage, but also the influence of a new Republican advocacy group called the American Unity Fund, which spent weeks helping the state’s gay rights organization cultivate Republican senators.

Now the group is preparing a major push in Washington and in state capitals intended to reshape the Republican Party, by building support for same-sex marriage and bolstering its acceptance among candidates and party activists around the country.

Founded and financed by some of the country’s leading Republican fund-raisers and strategists, the fund expects to raise up to $7 million this year, officials said. The fund’s organizers include Paul E. Singer and Clifford S. Asness, libertarian-leaning New York investors; David Herro, a prominent Chicago money manager; and Seth Klarman, a billionaire Boston philanthropist and hedge fund manager.

“The concept of gay unions fits very well within our framework of individual liberty and our belief that strong families make for a stronger society,” Mr. Singer said in an e-mail. “The institution of marriage is in very bad shape in this country, yet gay and lesbian couples want very much to be a part of it, to live as committed husbands and wives with their children in traditional family units. This should be what we want as conservatives, for people to cherish and respect this model and to want it for themselves.”

The fund is one of several advocacy organizations backed by wealthy Republicans and business leaders to shift their party’s stance in recent months on issues like immigration and same-sex marriage. And the new effort traces a rift between Republican elites and grass-roots voters over a handful of hot-button social issues that one group views as handcuffing the party and the other sees as essential to its identity.

“We were fighting for years on the life issue, with the same group of people,” said Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, referring to abortion rights. Mr. Perkins attended the Republican National Convention last year as a delegate and wrote the party’s marriage plank, which states that “the union of one man and one woman must be upheld as the national standard.”

Mr. Perkins added: “They have money, but they’re small in number. It’s still a tension between those who care about social issues and those who would rather not deal with them.”

Those involved with the American Unity Fund said its initial efforts would be focused on more socially liberal states, like Illinois and Delaware, where a handful of Republican votes could enable advocates to win passage of same-sex marriage legislation in the coming months. The group has already set up shop in Minnesota, where the Legislature may vote as early as next week on a same-sex marriage bill that advocates do not yet have enough votes to pass.

But the group is also beginning a long-term push in more conservative states like West Virginia and Utah, seeking to build conservative support for nondiscrimination laws that could help pave the way for same-sex marriage in coming years. A critical part of the effort, fund strategists said, is building lists of Republican supporters of same-sex marriage around the country that could be used to pressure lawmakers in Washington and elsewhere. That could prove critical at the state level, where Republicans now control majorities or supermajorities in more than half the state capitols.

READ ALL OF IT HERE.....

Every Republican In Rhode Island Senate To Support Marriage Equality!

 

 

What has to be a historic first every single Republican member of the Rhode Island State Senate plan to vote for marriage equality. The five members, including the Republican Minority Leader, votes make it very likely that Rhode Island will become yet one more state to join the freedom column in the struggle for full equality.

Here is an article by Ian Donnis on the Rhode Island NPR site:

All five Republicans in the 38-member Rhode Island Senate - including Minority Leader Dennis Algiere of Westerly - plan to support the same-sex marriage bill backed by supporters of the issue, RIPR has learned.

Algiere and Senator David Bates of Barrington plan to announce their support Tuesday morning for S 38, the bill introduced by Senator Donna Nesselbush (D-Pawtucket). The three other GOP senators - Dawson Hodgson of North Kingstown, Nicholas Kettle of Coventry, and Christopher Ottiano of Portsmouth -- have already expressed their support for the Nesselbush bill. They call their support consistent with the Republican values of freedom and small government.

A bill to legalize same-sex marriage in Rhode Island is gaining momentum among Republicans.

The unanimous support among Senate Republicans reflects how GOP lawmakers are not uncommonly more socially liberal than the Democrats who control the General Assembly. It is also reportedly marks the first unanimous backing from a partisan legislative caucus in the US for same-sex marriage.

Algiere has been the subject of an active lobbying campaign by the two leading advocacy groups on each side of the issue, the National Organization for Marriage's RI chapter and Rhode Islanders United for Marriage, as David Pepin recently described in the Westerly Sun.

Calling the upcoming vote “one of the top five” he’s faced in terms of lobbying intensity over his 21 years in the Senate, [Algiere] said he has been bombarded by phone and email messages from both sides of the issue in the nearly three months since the House approved same-sex marriage, with strong backing from Speaker Gordon Fox and his leadership team, by a 51-19 vote.

“I’m getting a lot of messages, about 100-plus phone calls and 100-plus emails each day. Some days, it’s been a few hundred,” he said, adding that the totals don’t tilt strongly in favor of either side.

The Senate Judiciary Committee is slated to vote on competing same-sex marriage bills, including one that would make legalizing it subject to a statewide vote, at 3 Tuesday afternoon. Hodgson is the only Republican member of the 10-member committee, although Algiere is an ex officio member.

TWO VIDEOS: Fantastic And Hilarious Speech And Parliament Breaks Into Song As Marriage Equality Passes In New Zealand

 

 

Thanks to Towleroad.com for bringing to my attention this marvelous video. Many of you have already seen it but for those of you who haven't seen it, watch it now.

The second video shows the legislature breaking into an indigenous Maori love song in the New Zealand Parliament after the vote.

Thank you to all of our straight allies around the world!

Marriage Equality Update: The Sweep Is International Now

 

 

 

Advocates in New Zealand

After sweeping changes in the United States, the marriage equality movement has gained momentum around the globe. Here are the latest updates:

-Uruguay has passed full marriage equality.

-New Zealand beats Australia and passes full marriage equality. Over 1,000 Aussie couples are heading to its rival nation to marriage.

-Next week should see the final vote and marriage equality become the law of the land in France. (Also that includes adoption rights).

-Columbia is voting on marriage equality this week.

<-The Irish Constitutional Convention passed a resolution setting up a referendum in Ireland on marriage equality where over 70% of the people currently support it.!

-In Illinois, the efforts are focused on the final vote in the State House in an efforts to get the remaining four or five votes needed. An all out effort is taking place to convince legislators to get on the marriage equality train.

-Delaware has taken the first moves to pass marriage equality and the Governor is strongly backing its passage.

-Rhode Island will hold its first hearings in the Senate side after passage by the House. There could be a vote in the State Senate within the month. The Governor has promised to sign it.

-In New Jersey, a new Rutgers/ Eagleton Institute Poll shows an amazing 62% of the voters of the Garden State supporting marriage equality. Are you listening Governor Christie? -

The map below is from Freedom to Marry.

Marriage Equality: The Storm Has Yet To Hit.....

 

 

 

Hate Crime Victim In France 

While there is little doubt in my mind of ultimate victory in our struggle for marriage equality, there is no question that as we used to say back home, 'it is gonna get real ugly here'. The closer that LGBT Americans come to gaining their full freedom, the behavior of our opponents will become more disturbing, violent and unstable.

The outrageous lies and rhetoric has reached a fever pitch as the radical and religious right desperately attempt to slow down the momentum.

LGBT Americans should expect a rise in hate crimes as that passionate out-of-control fear takes hold among those afraid of change. In the history of previous movements, as they got closer to the goals of freedom we have seen such frightening unstable behavior by individuals driven by the careless rhetoric of organizations and leaders.

One only has to look to the intense and divisive debate in France. Hate crimes have reached a record level in the last weeks with a rise of at least 200%. Right-wing members of Parliament has promised 'civil war' and 'violent confrontation' if the marriage equality legislation passes and is signed into law.

Here in America, the anger is rising with each new victory for marriage equality. Leaders of the opposition issue one outrageous warning after another of dire consequences if there is marriage equality The anger grows and the threats are increasing. LGBT Americans should expect an increase in hate crimes.

Our response must be measured, non-violent (both in words and deeds) and assured of our own journey. Their anger must not incite us to sink to their levels. Our words must be filled with love and inclusiveness and not bitterness and anger.

In this process, LGBT Americans can show their fellow citizens a new way that builds a country based on love and not hate and anger.

Hell's Kitchen Journal: Meeting Edie

 

 

 

Over the years, I have met Prime Ministers, Presidents, major movie stars and a series of brave and courageous people who names are unknown. Never have I been more excited than the other night when I met our beloved Edie Windsor. She did not disappoint her many fans.

The New York Center held its 30th Anniversary dinner on Saturday night (April 13) and unlike most similar evenings it was magical. They had chosen to honor two remarkable human beings in Edie Windsor and Terrence Meck. The Center knew that they had a special moment for the community and they did not disappoint the well over 700 in the room. They kept the evening brief, informative and inspiring. If only organizations all could follow their model.

That is where I met Edie.

Let's face it, the LGBT community is so damn lucky to have her as face of this epic battle for full equality. She is smart, poised, funny and looks like everyone's mother. Edie is gracious in her time with those who she has inspired and passionate about her journey and case before the Supreme Court.

Like Rosa Parks who refused to give up her seat on the bus in Montgomery, Alabama in 1955, Edie Windsor has shown the same kind of courage. When her beloved wife, Thea Spyer, passed away in 2009 after over 40 years of being together, Edie was totally heart broken. In the mist of her grief, the government said that their relationship was not a real one and taxed her $363,000 on the estate. No straight married couple would have had to pay this 'LGBT Tax'!

Instead of becoming a victim, she sued her government and fought back. Through court after court Edie's powerful story of discrimination won and with each victory her legend has grown around the world. The entire world was watching when her case reached the Supreme Court. The power of one individual determined to be free creating change was proven with Edie.

At the dinner, I approached her with caution but suddenly she was not surrounded by people. I slowly went up and introduced myself and expressed my deep admiration and gratitude. She made my night by reaching up and hugging me and saying 'thank you David, without you I would have never done it." Her gracious and kindness in the moment not only made my year but suddenly made my journey have value.

That is Edie. She constantly gives joy and hope to others. She has honored Thea by honoring us with her fight, determination and love of justice. Thank you Edie. Thank you from all of us

(Thanks to Joe Jervis of JoeMyGod for the photograph)

So Much For The 'New Republican Party'......

 

 

 

Over the last weeks we have heard about the 'New Republican Party' that is going to make outreach to new constituencies, avoid divisive issues and focus more on traditional conservative issues like the economy. Well, you can hang that fantasy up.

The National Republican Party at a three day meeting in Los Angeles made one of its first actions to pass a resolution against marriage equality. Very little debate took place and there was not one dissenting vote on the resolution. So the message is very clear to LGBT Americans. The Democrats support marriage equality and the Republicans will continue to fight it tooth and nail. The choice could not be any clearer.

Shame on them for rushing in to oppose marriage equality when a vast majority of Americans now support it. Even the young members of their Party support it. The pandering to the religious right and Tea Party must stop or it will soon see a new party of emerge from the ashes of this one.