Gay Rights

Weeks after wedding bells began tolling for San Francisco's gay couples, revelers had extra reason to celebrate at today’s annual Pride Parade. Thousands watched a procession of kids, drag queens, politicians, and topless men shimmy along Market Street—where a small group of protesters demonstrated against California’s approval of gay marriage. More »

It’s been five years since the Supreme Court heard Lawrence v. Texas and handed down a landmark decision in effect decriminalizing homosexual activity and paving the way for gay marriage legislation in Massachusetts and California. The decision has been cited in numerous cases around the country challenging morals legislation, and triggered profound changes in law and society, Time reports. More »

Debates about gays in the military have focused on men, but new information reveals that lesbians have faced much greater "don't ask, don't tell" challenges. Although women make up only 15% of Army and Air Force personnel, nearly half of the soldiers and airmen discharged for open homosexuality were women. Both the military and gay rights groups are uncertain of what causes the disparity. More »

Some employees of the San Diego County clerk's office are being shuffled to other duties because they object to same-sex marriage, the Los Angeles Times reports. Fourteen workers initially posed "sincerely held religious objections," but sources said many had since changed their minds. Marriage-license business has approximately doubled since a ban ended Monday afternoon. More »

Scores of Anglican bishops are boycotting the church's once-a-decade conference next month in favor of a conservative counter-meeting, the New York Times reports. The rival gathering, beginning Sunday in Jerusalem, results from a serious division in the denomination over homosexuality—and could be another step toward an irreparable break in the 77-million-member Anglican church. More »

With a constitutional amendment on the November ballot that could dam the just-unleashed tide of same-sex marriage in the state, proponents believe California's $16 billion budget deficit could be the deciding factor for voters, Julie Bolcer writes in the Advocate . "I think this is a huge opportunity for businesses and the community as a whole," one chamber of commerce rep says. More »

Same-sex couples getting married in California are trying to avoid offbeat weddings that gay marriage opponents could use in a campaign against them, reports the LA Times. "We want everybody to be free, but the image does matter. They are going to try to make us look like freaks," says a soon-to-be-wed Californian. More »

Dozens of gay couples legalized their love in California today as the state embraced same-sex marriage, the Los Angeles Times reports. While small groups demonstrated outside county clerk's offices, activist couples got first dibs in San Francisco and Los Angeles. "We just love each other," said Robin Tyler, whose marriage to Diane Olson was the first gay marriage in Los Angeles County. More »

Gay newlyweds coming home from California this week will likely spark legal battles in their home states, the Arizona Republic reports. California is sure to hitch up more than Massachusetts did 4 years ago, and many will return to states that prohibit gay marriage, some by constitutional amendment. "It's uncharted legal territory," law professor Nancy Hunter said. More »

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 look at California’s support of gay marriage, which at 51% is higher than ever—but so is the vehemence of the opposition. More »

Scientists are examining how homosexuality may affect everything from penis sizes to how one navigates new cities, reports the Los Angeles Times . Innate differences between gays and straights rooted in biology could lead researchers to discover the biological origins of sexual orientation. More »

Gay couples should exchange vows warily in California this week, Joe Matthews writes in the Washington Post . “California—with its dysfunctional politics and government—may hurt the cause of same-sex marriage,” he warns. An upcoming state ballot on gay marriage could cast the issue into limbo for years, and leave couples in "an expensive, time-consuming quagmire—gay marriage's Vietnam." More »

It’s been four years since Massachusetts legalized gay marriage, and there are winners, losers—and everything in between, the New York Times reports. In what one gay married man calls “a mixed bag,” it appears that gays are more likely to rush into marriage, more likely to marry older, and more likely to sign pre-nuptial agreements. Pay attention, California. More »

Same-sex California couples will be able to tie the knot on Monday, but at least one county won't be performing any weddings, gay or straight. Kern County's clerk has announced that she will not solemnize any more vows, the Times reports. She cites budget constraints, but many think the decision is based on her rightward leanings. More »

New Yorkers favor their governor’s order to recognize out of-state same-sex marriages by a 13-point margin, a new poll reveals. By 53%-40%, state residents agree with David Paterson's order—though only 43% said gays should be allowed to marry, the Times reports, with 31% favoring civil unions and 21% rejecting recognition of homosexual couples altogether. More »

New Hampshire's openly gay Episcopal bishop has tied the knot with his longtime partner in a civil union. Undercover police were among the 120 guests at the private ceremony in case of trouble, reports the Concord Monitor . The civil ceremony by a justice uniting Bishop Gene Robinson and his partner of 20 years in St. Paul's Church in Concord was followed by a religious service of thanksgiving. More »

The coming fight over gay marriage in California is going to be "nasty and divisive," and it might not prove to be the boon Republicans think it will, Tim Rutten writes in the Los Angeles Times . "Any time one group of Californians uses the ballot box as a tool to have another group declared less or different," he notes, "people take it personally and things get rough." More »

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. More »

The battle lines have been drawn in California's fight over gay marriage, with an initiative banning same-sex unions drawing enough signatures to be on the state's ballots in November. California's Supreme Court struck down a gay marriage ban last month, but it's unclear if same-sex marriages performed before November will be valid if the amendment passes, reports the Los Angeles Times. More »

Lifting the ban on same-sex marriages could prove a boon to California’s economy, as couples waiting for years to tie the knot spend big on lavish nuptials, the Los Angeles Times reports. Wedding planners, bakers, and other related business have seen increasing activity since the May 15 ruling; one economist estimates gay weddings could mean a $370 million boost. More »