marriage rights

18 Stories

'Virgin' Category Scrubbed From Bangladeshi Marriages

High court says women can identify as 'unmarried'

(Newser) - Women in Bangladesh no longer need to declare if they are virgins before heading to the altar. The country's high court has ordered two major changes to marriage forms, which previously required women to choose one of three options to describe themselves: divorced, widowed, or the Bengali word "...

Hong Kong Transsexual Gets Right to Marry

City to alter marriage laws following case

(Newser) - A transsexual's marriage battle is changing the laws of Hong Kong. After a series of appeals, a court granted the woman, known in documents as "W," the right to marry her boyfriend. Prior verdicts said couples had to be opposite sexes at birth to marry, AFP reports...

Texas GOP Aims to Squash Transgender Marriage Rights

Gov. Perry: I never meant to grant them

(Newser) - In 2009 Texas became one of the last states to allow transgendered people to marry by allowing them to obtain a marriage license if they showed proof of their sex change—but now GOP lawmakers want to roll back that law. Some Republicans say they are simply trying to clear...

Ariz. Bills Would Bar Illegals From Driving, Marriage

Committee also peels back 'birthright' citizenship

(Newser) - An Arizona Senate committee passed a new immigration bill yesterday that would prevent illegal immigrants from driving or buying a car, getting married, or sending their children to school. They also passed a bill ending “birthright citizenship,” in defiance of the 14th Amendment. Under that bill, Arizona will...

Pope: Marriage Is Not a Right
 Pope: Marriage Is Not a Right 
Jan 23, 2011 8:07 AM CST

Pope: Marriage Is Not a Right

Benedict wants better pre-marital counseling to reduce annulments

(Newser) - Marriage isn't a God-given right and it's not just for any schmuck, Pope Benedict said yesterday in an annual speech to the Vatican's tribunal that rules on annulments. "No one can make a claim to the right to a nuptial ceremony," he said. The pontiff also urged priests...

Prop. 8 Fix: Dump Legal 'Marriage' Altogether

Gov't could create civil unions, while marriage would be religious

(Newser) - Confirmations, bar mitzvahs—religious institutions mark a number of rites of passage, but marriage is the only one the government has mucked with. As the heated debate over gay marriage continues, two professors ask: Why not take the government out of the equation? Officially, any couple could have a civil...

Iowa High Court Takes Up Gay Marriage Ban

Capital expects large crowds for landmark decision

(Newser) - Iowa's Supreme Court begins hearing a same-sex marriage case this week that could give gay activists their first heartland victory, reports the Des Moines Register. The state capital was abuzz with preparations for watch parties, town hall meetings, and court overflow rooms to accommodate the large crowds expected for this...

Clooney Slams Gay Marriage Ban

(Newser) - George Clooney is none too happy with residents of California for passing Proposition 8, reports E! Online. The actor says he looks forward to the day when opponents of gay marriage “will look as outdated as George Wallace standing on the school steps keeping James Hood from entering the...

'Til Voters Do Us Part: What Happens to Gay Marrieds if Ban Passes?

(Newser) - If California’s gay marriage ban passes, “legal chaos” will ensue for those who tied the knot since it became legal to do so in June, lawyers warn. With no court precedents, experts are left guessing whether those marriages would remain valid, the Los Angeles Times reports. Ultimately, the...

California Readies for Wave of Gay Weddings Today

But conservative ax looms over ceremonies

(Newser) - San Francisco officials are preparing for an expected tidal wave of weddings this evening as gay marriage officially becomes legal in California at 5pm. But celebrations could be short-lived if a November initiative blocks the court decision that paved the way for the marriages. The San Francisco Chronicle takes a...

Calif. Court Won't Stop Parade to Altar

Gay couples can wed on June 17; call to wait for Nov. ballot rejected

(Newser) - The California Supreme Court shot down a request today to suspend its decision allowing same-sex marriages until after a November vote on a constitutional amendment that would overturn the May 15 ruling, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Couples can marry starting June 17, as scheduled.

New York State to Recognize Gay Marriages

Out-of-state same-sex unions win equal treatment

(Newser) - New York's governor has directed all state agencies to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states and countries, the New York Times reports. Terms like "spouse," "husband," and "wife" will now legally apply to same-sex partners in state regulations concerning everything from income tax filings...

Mr. Sulu Will Finally Tie Knot With Gay Lover

Calif. ruling leaves Takei free to marry partner of 21 years

(Newser) - Less than a week after California lifted its ban on gay marriage, Star Trek actor George Takei plans to beam up to the altar and marry his longtime partner Brad Altman, BBC reports. After 21 years together, the couple is suddenly facing the “delicious dilemma” of deciding where to...

Gay Marriage Gives Pause to Calif. Faithful

Conservatives voice opposition; other sects ponder next steps

(Newser) - Across California, congregations of all faiths are adjusting to last week's ruling allowing same-sex marriages—even as they attempt to reconcile state laws with those of their religions, the Los Angeles Times reports. Many churches and synagogues are working to fit the ruling into their offerings; others see a direct...

Calif. Judge: Gay Marriage Decision My Toughest

Conservative cast vote for 'doing the right thing'

(Newser) - Long characterized as cautious, California’s Chief Justice Ronald George shocked his peers when he joined the majority to overturn the state’s ban on same-sex marriage. “I think there are times when doing the right thing means not playing it safe,” the moderate Republican said, calling the...

Gay Marriage Foes Mobilize California Fight

Conservative groups aiming to have ban back in November

(Newser) - Organizations staunchly opposed to same-sex unions are already mobilizing to reinstate a ban on gay marriages that was struck down yesterday by California's Supreme Court, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. The coalition intends to hammer home the fact that  four judges have "overturned the will" of millions of voters...

Spain Gets on Divorce Express
Spain Gets on Divorce Express
Feb 28, 2008 11:06 AM CST

Spain Gets on Divorce Express

Church leaders say marriage contract is now 'trash'

(Newser) - Marriage has become a battleground in Spain, where divorce has been legal for 20 years, but a recent reform accelerating the process led to a 74% spike in the divorce rate. With 1 in every 2.3 married couples now parting, the Catholic Church is accusing the socialist government of...

Marriage and State Should Get a Divorce
Marriage and State Should Get a Divorce
OPINION
Nov 26, 2007 8:44 PM CST

Marriage and State Should Get a Divorce

Laws out of sync with modern love, writes marriage historian

(Newser) - Modern love has snubbed its nose at the state, writes Stephanie Coontz in an op ed piece in the New York Times, with 40% of US children now from unmarried parents. So it's time for the law to follow suit, and get out of the marrying business. Marriage licenses—a...

18 Stories