Star-studded L.A. premiere of ’8′ made history last night with worldwide online live-stream [VIDEO]

Last night the American Foundation for Equal Rights hosted a historic night of theater when they live-streamed the West Coast premiere of the Dustin Lance Black play “8,” based on the Proposition 8 trials in Los Angeles, which sought to reverse a 2008 state-wide vote the declared same-sex marriage illegal in the state.

The premiere last night at the Wilshire Ebell Theater in Los Angeles was directed by Rob Reiner and the cast featured the likes of  George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Martin Sheen, Kevin Bacon, John C. Reilly, Jamie Lee Curtis, Chris Colfer, Matthew Morrison, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Matt Bomer and George Takei.

Here’s a brief description from 8theplay.com:

Uncover the truth about marriage for gay and lesbian Americans. “8″—a new play by Academy-award winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black (Milk, J. Edgar)—demystifies the debate around marriage equality by chronicling the landmark trial of Perry v. Schwarzenegger. Learn about the historical context of marriage from expert testimony. See the human cost of discrimination. Uncover the arguments used to justify bans on marriage for gay and lesbian couples. Using the actual court transcripts from the landmark federal trial of California’s Prop. 8 and first-hand interviews, “8″ shows both sides of the debate in a moving 90-minute play.

And here’s the “8″ trailer:

The play saw a star-studded staged reading (Morgan Freeman, Cheyenne Jackson, John Lithgow, Rob Reiner, Ellen Barkin) on Broadway back in September to rave reviews, which has subsequently spawned a national phenomenon of sorts. Over the past few months AFER (the organization behind the plantiff’s lawyers during the Prop 8 trials) has been at the forefront of a nationwide marketing effort to promote the West Coast premiere that live-streamed on their website and YouTube.

Here’s a video of Reiner previewing the big night:

The big event last night was the kick-off to the “8″ national tour. AFER is also sponsoring staged readings at colleges and universities across the country. If you want your city to host a reading visit 8theplay.com for more information.

Now do yourself a favor and take the time to watch the full all-star West Coast premiere below:

Ohio Queers: 400+ pack downtown Cincy for marriage equality rally…is Columbus next? [PHOTOS] [VIDEO]

Local news reports, photos and video are pouring in all over the Web from Saturday’s pro marriage equality protest in Cincinnati. The event was heavily covered by the local news and the final number of participants was a whopping 417.

As planned, Ed Mullen of Equality Ohio and openly gay candidate for Cincinnati City Council Chris Seelbach were the event’s main speakers. The protest mostly took place at the Four Square Plaza in downtown Cincinnati. Here’s a quick Facebook video of the massive crowd. Marchers at one point did go past Occupy Cincinnati protesters, which produced this pretty powerful moment. (If you’re interested in a minute-by-minute breakdown of the day visit Tom Morgan’s Facebook page. He’s GetEQUAL‘s State Lead Organizer in Ohio and he has literally documented every moment of yesterday’s festivities.)

It looks like Columbus may be next on the list for a horde of marriage equality love. A Facebook event page already has nearly 300 “attendees” and it looks like the speakers will be Michael Loch, president of NKY Equality Now at Northern Kentucky University, and GetEQUAL Ohio’s Tom Morgan.

Check out more photos and video from Facebook and YouTube below.

Here’s a YouTube slide show of photos taken by a participant:

This is a speech by Michael Loch, president of NKY Equality Now at Northern Kentucky University:

Ed Mullen of Equality Ohio

Tom Morgan of GetEQUAL Ohio

Chris Seelbach

Ohio Queers: ‘Gay in America’ book signing in Columbus Nov. 9

Scott Pasfield will be bringing his popular book tour for “Gay In America” to Columbus Wednesday, Nov. 9!

Released Sept. 27, the book of portraits highlights gay men from around the country, from the ordinary to the extraordinary. One of the portraits features a couple from Columbus, named only as Jonathan and Paul. Pasfield has been making his rounds in the press and traveling around the country for the past couple of months publicizing the book, which has been getting quite a bit of attention nationally.

The book signing is a Network Columbus event presented by Outlook Media from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Thurber House (91 Jefferson Ave., Columbus). This is a FREE event!

Check out this prior post about the book’s release for Jonathan and Paul’s photo, an interview with Pasfield from GLAAD and the book’s promo video.

Ohio Queers: Columbus couple featured in groundbreaking photo book ‘Gay in America’ – RELEASED TUESDAY!

Columbus natives Jonathan and Paul are featured in the the portrait book “Gay in America” by Scott Pasfield that’s being released nationally tomorrow.

Here’s an except from the book about Jon and Paul:

“I’ve lived in Ohio since I was fourteen, and have been out and proud since I was eighteen. I’m forty-four and a sober alcoholic. My partner Jonathan and I have been together twenty-one years. We have three boys with a lesbian couple from Columbus—six-year-old twins and a ten- year-old. My partner Jonathan is the biological father of the twins.” – Jonathan and Paul, Columbus, OH

You can purchase the book on Amazon.com.

And here’s an interview with Pasfield from GLADD. (Posted with permission from “Gay in America’s” publicist, Popular Publicity.)

GLAAD Interviews Scott Pasfield Creator of  GAY IN AMERICA
by Aaron McQuade, Deputy Director Of News And Field Media for GLAAD

Aaron McQuade: Where did the idea for this book come from?

Scott Pasfield: People always tell you to shoot what you love. You have to start with yourself. The epiphany came one night at home. I was surfing the web and realized what a powerful tool it had become for connecting gay men across the country, from all over, and it just dawned on me. I decided that I would meet men from every state, and photograph them in the hopes that I could do a book that would change opinions and educate. And that started with shooting who I was and what my passions were.

AM: Why gay men?

SP: That goes back to shooting what I am, and what I know. I originally thought that I would like to try and shoot men and women from every state, but I really think that a woman, or a lesbian, has to go out and do that project, to make it as strong, to be one of them, as this project is for me and gay men. I tried at first, but it became obvious terribly fast that I would’ve had to masquerade as a lesbian to do the same project.

AM Would a book like this have made a difference to your own coming out story?SP: Absolutely. I wish there was a book like this when I was growing up and that is why I did it, really. I wanted to know that I could live wherever I chose, in any place, in any state, in any situation, in any city, in any town, and do whatever I wanted. I think there’s a tendency today for people to stereotype gay men and while some of those creative and flamboyant qualities might ring true, we are more than that. There is as much diversity within the gay community as there is the heterosexual one. If I knew earlier all the options one has as a gay man, it would have made a difference to me in accepting myself earlier and in knowing that I’m not alone.AM: What is your favorite photograph in the book?SP: I think, having made a point of never leaving a shoot until I had a photograph or portrait worthy of being in a book, really makes them all favorites. I love them all.

AM: Tell me what you want people to get out of this book. You mentioned your story, and obviously gay people who aren’t out themselves are going to get one thing out of it, but what about somebody who’s never met a gay person?

SP: I want the book to be an introduction to gay people for those that need it. I want it is a voice for the gay community. I want people to know that gay men are everywhere, and in many instances, live quietly under the radar, contributing to society. I want young people to have it as a resource as they move forward in their lives. I want people to understand us better and I want us to understand ourselves better.  This is hopefully what this book will do

AM: Tell us about your cover choice?

SP: Up until this last year, having a uniformed gay soldier on the cover would not have been possible. Today it is, thanks to people like Dan. His stand against Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and the injustice that it is/was is admirable. He helped right such an incredible wrong that was the basis for so much hatred. When I shot him in his uniform out on that snow-covered street in Cambridge, I saw a man that was proud of all he was and all that he had accomplished and just happened to be gay. Like every man that is in the book. What the image does though is makes you take a second look. It made you question your preconceived beliefs on what a gay American is.

AM: This book is a collection of essays in addition to a collection of portraits; each portrait coincides with an essay. Which should people look at first?

SP: Each spread has one essay and one photograph. You can’t help but look at the photography first. And then you read the story. They are so beautifully written. I chose everyone for their stories, and once I started the ball rolling, I tried never to repeat something. Even now, after having familiarity with these stories for years, as I read them, they’re so honest, beautiful and powerful; they’re so emotional for me. Hopefully that will resonate with people, too, because it is the stories that I think are going to have the most effect.

AM: Why the focus on every state?

SP: It was a goal I set for myself. I said: fifty states, I have to go to them all. It became an obsession. I had done a lot of traveling before, but there were many states that I had never been to and I saw it as a great opportunity to see what gay life is really like, especially outside of the big cities. I think as a collection, it really proved to be fascinating.

AM: Were there certain places that surprised you? Did you find somebody in Boston who you would have expected to see in Montana?

SP: Oh, absolutely. You’d always get big cowboy types coming from real urban areas, or the Midwest, but there would also be the guys more typical of the area. In the West I got a lot of farmers and ranchers, and cowboys writing to me. I was always surprised to see who wrote.

AM: Did any of the stories make you laugh out loud?

SP: I think they made me cry more than anything. So many gay men have such a tough time growing up in our country. It’s not easy. Things are changing, there’s hope, but more often than not, it was giving men a great opportunity to tell their story. And a lot of them had hard stories to tell, or tough things to say.

AM: Did the instructions specifically lead people to go down that road, or is that what naturally came about? Did you say, “Tell me your story?”

SP: Usually I did use the word “story.” And I did say that I was traveling the country. The ad went something like, “looking for great, out men who live their lives without second guessing, and are proud of who they are, and happy with where they live. I’m looking for men to share their stories about that, to some degree. I’m also looking for your path – where you’ve come from, stories of coming out, or growing up, or your family, or careers, things that define you, in addition to being gay.”

AM: What is it about this project that speaks to you as an artist?

SP: It was a way to really push myself and my art; you show up and have the person that you’re going to be photographing with you the whole time, you have to engage them, keep them involved in the process without boring them, and move fast so that it can happen quickly. Usually two to three hours is what it takes me to do one of these shoots, so somebody has to dedicate a little bit of time to it. But I think the challenge is just never knowing what you’re walking into and really pushing yourself to try and get something to happen in front of the camera that is an insight into that person.

AM: Was the choice to shoot these on the home turf of your subjects a storytelling choice or was it an artistic challenge choice on your part?

SP: Both. To truly give viewers an honest glimpse into these men’s worlds, I felt that photographing in or near their homes was needed.

AM: Any last thoughts?

SP: I think it’s needed in our time and culture. With what’s going on in our country with gay rights, the voting bloc, with issues being decided for us and how we live our lives, every one of us needs to do what we can to make life better. I think if more people did that and chose to take their love, and do something good with it, we’d make the world a better place. There needed to be a book that America could understand. I’ve become an unintentional activist with this project, and I think it’s a great thing. I think more people should do it if they can.

AM: Do you think of your subjects as activists?

SP: Many of them are, absolutely. Just by coming forward, they become activists, even if many of them never stepped foot in a gay and lesbian center, or marched in a parade, or wanted to change anybody’s opinion. They’re just living their lives out and proud and by doing so, they are in a position to change people’s minds.

Marriage Equality Roundup #9: Minnesota, Rhode Island, New York, Judge Walker, Brazil

The big news this week will be coming out of Minnesota as the state’s House voted late Saturday to pass an anti-gay amendment with a vote of 70-62, and it will now be put to the voters in 2012. The bill passed a the Senate level a couple weeks ago and, though a fierce fight was  mounted by Democrats and gay lobbying groups, the bill was expected to also pass in the Republican-dominated House. The saddest part about all of this is that Minnesota already has a law on the books that defines marriage between one man and one woman, however, this new bill would make it so the law can’t be overturned by the judicial system, like it was in Iowa. Below is a video of a speech given by the lone Republican who voted against the bill, and video of protests at the Statehouse before, during and after the bill was passed.

Now for some good news. Last week the Rhode Island House overwhelming passed a bill that would legalize civil unions in the state. The bill is set to head to the Senate next where it is expected to pass. This comes after a fight for gay marriage was lost recently. If this does pass, at least gays will have the same rights as married couples event if it’s not called marriage, which is more than can be said for most states.

New York Democrats are decrying a bill that was introduced into the state’s Senate by Republicans that would invalidate out-of-state gay marriages in New York.

I’ve mentioned before that proponents on Prop 8 in California are now trying to have Judge Walker’s ruling against the proposition invalidated because he came out as gay recently. Earlier this month The New York Times put out an amazing editorial in support of the Walker’s ruling.

The Brazil Supreme Court has approved civil unions for same-sex couples!

Completely ignoring progress, Virgina Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) said recently that a new Washington Post poll showing that Virginians are closely divided over whether gay marriage should be legal doesn’t matter because voters overwhelmingly agreed to amend the state Constitution to ban gay marriage just five years ago. Yes, because nothing can change in five years.

The New York Times is reporting that major donors of the Republican Party in New York are also donating major dollars to the fight to legalize gay marriage.

The DeVote Campaign has released a powerful video that highlights Out4Immigration (an organization of volunteers fighting for immigration equality for LGBT families in the U.S.) and features same sex, bi-national couples who are being gravely affected by the government’s refusal to recognize their relationship. You can watch the full video above.

And speaking of same sex, bi-national couples, David W. Ross, an ex-boy bander that topped the European charts in the ’90s and star of the popular 2006 gay indie Quinceañera, has penned a new film called I Do, about a gay bi-national couple and the green card problems they face. The project recently celebrated reaching it’s funding goal on Kickstarter and filming should commence later this year.

Marriage Equality Roundup #8: Minnesota, Zach Wahls, DOMA, Prop 8, Kevin Smith

The Minnesota Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee passed a bill Friday afternoon that would put a ban on same-sex marriage in the the state’s Constitution if voters approve it during the November 2012 elections.

Zach Wahls is still fighting the good fight after his impassioned speech in front of Iowa’s Congress about his two moms in February against a law that could take away the marriage rights for lesbians and gays went viral. He’s been traveling all over the world talking about marriage equality and just last week he was given an award for his efforts by the Family Equality Council in NYC. Here he chats at length about his experiences with PATV in Iowa. And below you can see his chat on MSNBC about how his life has changed and the FEC award.

Last week a Montana judge ruled against six gay couples seeking the same legal protections as married couples.

Progress: Conjugal visits allowed for inmates and partners in same-sex marriages, civil unions.

The case to overturn Prop 8 in California is still slowly making it’s way through the courts. Opponents have already failed to prove their case in court and are in the process of appeal, but it looks like their running out of ideas because now they’ve filed a motion to throw out the original ruling that struck down California’s gay marriage ban because the judge who made the ruling is in a same-sex relationship. Former Chief Judge Vaughn Walker, how has since retired, recently came out of the closet and has been in a long term relationship with his partner for many years. The whole thing is ridiculous and I’m surprised the ruling is even being taken seriously by a judge. This is like saying a female can’t be the judge in cases that involve women’s rights. Here’s more on the topic from Washington Post columnist Adam Serwer.

DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) has been causing all sorts of controversy lately. First same sex, bi-national couples are still being routinely deported. Below you a can see a couple discuss their fears of being torn apart at a deportation hearing that set for them on May 6.

But the big DOMA news has been surrounding Atlanta based law firm King & Spalding. They recently made the very controversial decision to break their contract with the government to defend DOMA after gay rights groups protested the firm. The HRC lead the fight and have come under attack for the pressuring the law firm to drop the case, which HRC says is something they are firmly proud of. However, after backing out, one of King & Spalding’s key partners, Paul Clement, left the firm and has the joined the fight to defend DOMA. Glenn Beck is calling Clement a hero. (Of course he is.) And of course Speaker John Boehner (who originally hired K&S to defend DOMA) has been issuing statements of  “disapproval” since the firm broke their contract. I say kudos to King & Spalding. Twenty years from now you’re going to be in the history books for being on the right side of the issue.  Here’s a great comprehensive look at the whole K&S take down.

There is some good DOMA news. The Respect of Marriage Act (which would repeal DOMA) looks like its gaining momentum in Congress. It will likely garner enough votes to make it out of committee and on the Senate floor for debate an vote.

This video of director Kevin Smith (Clerks, Dogma, Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back, Red State) marrying two hockey-loving bears was just too cute to pass up.

Marriage Equality Roundup #7: Maryland, Indiana, Colorado, Montana, Washington

This is old news at this point, but as I’ve reported before Maryland’s Congress pretty much killed a pro-gay marriage bill after it was making some big strides early on. Below is a video from Prop8.org with an interesting roundup about the fallout after the bill was killed in Maryland.

Indiana‘s Senate approved a gay marriage ban this week by a vote of 40-10 after the ban had already been passed in their House. The ban has to go through another round of votes in the state’s Congress before it’s put on a ballot for voters to decide.

Colorado’s civil unions bill cleared the Senate after two days of emotional debate. But was killed by a House panel after a party-line, 6-5 vote last night.

A hateful bill that was going through Montana’s Congress would have completely overturned all of the state’s pro-gay laws. Fortunately, the bill has stalled in the state’s Senate, and Democratic Senators there say it’s unlikely to make it to a full vote.

The Washington Legislature recently approved a bill that allows the state to recognize out-of-state same-sex unions. The bill passed in the Senate after already passing in the House and is on its way to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.

Good news for gays overseas. Liechtenstein parliament approves same-sex partner recognition.

There’s been a big hoopla this week about U.S. immigration officials putting a hold on deporting foreigners in bi-national, same-sex unions because of Obama’s announcement to no longer support DOMA. Well, after 48-hours of equality in this area, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has announced the “hold” is over.

Lastly, we end with some heartwarming news. I’ve mentioned this story before, about a gay Belgian couple who were involved in a surrogacy nightmare in the Ukraine that kept them from their son for over two years. Well, son and dads have finally been reunited, after a late intervention from the government there. Below is a moving follow-up on the family.

Queer Film Spotlight: ‘Sasha’

Tim Bergmann and Sasa Kekez in 'Sasha'

Sasha is a German film written and directed by Dennis Todorovic that’s been making it’s way through the LGBT film festival to critical acclaim.

Here’s a brief description of the film from Amazon.com:

Sasha (Sasa Kekez), confronted with the everyday prejudice of his homophobic immigrant family, struggles with his urge to come out. When his beloved piano teacher Gebhard Weber (Tim Bergmann) plans to leave the city, the young man is heartbroken. The only person in whom he can confide his feelings is his best friend Jiao. After a failed audition, Sasha swears never to play piano again, but a consoling telephone call from Gebhard changes his mind and causes a turn of events. The next morning all secrets are exposed and only his brother’s intervention prevents Sasha’s father Vlado from shooting Gebhard dead. But the gun still goes off…

The story definitely features the tired coming out arc that’s been done to death, but many are saying Todorovic’s stylistic portrayal adds new life to the genre. Sasha was released last year in Germany, but has just been given a DVD release in the U.S. You can purchase it here.

Here’s the trailer:

Speaker John Boehner on rampage against Obama’s DOMA decision

Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) has been on a press tour of sorts bashing President Obama for his decision to stop supporting the Defense of Marriage Act, which is a federal law that declares marriage can only be between one man and one woman.

First, right after Obama made the announcement, Boehner announced that he wasn’t having it and was starting measures to make sure Congress enforced the law. Here’s his official statement:

“While Americans want Washington to focus on creating jobs and cutting spending, the President will have to explain why he thinks now is the appropriate time to stir up a controversial issue that sharply divides the nation.”

He  then went on the Christian Broadcasting Network and railed against Obama, saying he was practicing “raw politics” and “pandering to the other side” in an effort to win his re-election.

In order to execute his plan to go over the president’s head, he created the Bipartisan Leadership Advisory Group (which actually isn’t bipartisan becasue the committee includes more Republicans than Democrats) in order to vote on whether the House will defend DOMA. And as was expected they did vote to defend DOMA on a 3-2 party-line vote. It’s still to be told what this vote means and how it affects Obama’s decision.

As you’ve probably gathered, Boehner’s anti-gay actions aren’t exactly popular, especially with liberals and gay rights supporters. Equality Ohio, GetEqual Ohio and Impact Cincinnati even held a protest outside of Boehner’s Ohio offices and have issued a call to action against the Speaker.

The main thing that bothers me about this whole thing is the fact that all of this hoopla over Obama’s DOMA announcement is based on lies. The main lie being that no president has ever done this before and Obama is required to defend the law. Many presidents have stopped supporting laws they believe are wrong, one main example being when Lyndon B. Johnson integrated the military.

The other lie that’s being perpetuated is the misconception that most Americans support DOMA and the President is going against the wishes of the people. Gallop Polls and CNN Polls have shown that 52 percent of Americans are are in support of same-sex marriage.

Get it together Boehner.

Here’s more from MSNBC’s Chris Matthews who chats with a couple political pundits about the issue.

And below Stop8.org‘s This Week in Prop 8 discusses more about the special committee Boehner created and the many instances where U.S. presidents have made similar decisions to not support a certain law they felt was unconstitutional.

UPDATE (2 p.m.): Senators are planning to introduce the Respect for Marriage Act into Congress for debate on Wednesday. It would completely repeal DOMA and was constructed by Democrats in response to Obama’s decision to not support DOMA as it stands.

UPDATE (10 p.m.): Here’s a YouTube video that captures some of the protest. Five people were arrested after staging a sit-in when Boehner’s staff refused to let the protesters deliver a petition urging him to stop defending DOMA.

Marriage Equality Roundup #5: Maryland, Wyoming, North Carolina, Britain

A quick look at the good, the bad and the ugly in recent gay marriage news…

The big news for gay marriage as of late has been the strides being made in Maryland. (I recently clued you in on the grip gay marriage legislation had on the water cooler conversations there.) The state’s gay marriage bill recently passed the Senate by the skin of its teeth with a 25-to-21 vote. The bill now heads to the House, but even with a Democratic majority it’s not looking like a shoe-in.

A anti-gay marriage bill recently passed in the Wyoming Senate, but luckily died a rightful death in the state’s House.

A New Hampshire House committee is planning to vote on an anti-gay marriage bill that will resend the state’s current gay marriage law. (N.H. is one of only six states that have legalized gay marriage.) The vote will decide if the bill should be considered in this session of Congress or be tabled until next year. We’re hoping for the latter. The vote should have come down yesterday. I’ll keep you posted as this story develops.

The city council in Asheville, N.C. approved a resolution supporting same-sex couples. If only the rest of the state would follow suit.

In DOMA news, a government lawyer told a federal judge in San Francisco the Defense of Marriage Act should still be enforced in a case regarding a gay lawyer and her partner who are in the midst of suing the government because of DOMA. Karen Golinski is suing because her employer refused to authorize family health coverage for her wife. They say Obama’s recent announcement that his administration would no longer defend DOMA is “irrelevant.” So, this whole this was B.S.?

Gay Muslims are fighting for the right to have gay Islamic marriages in the U.K. BBC News has a great investigative piece on the topic.

UPDATE (3/3): The New Hampshire House voted 15-0 to table the same-sex marriage repeal bill they’ve been considering until next. While Wyoming legislation banning recognition of out-of-state gay marriages was narrowly voted down (16-14) by their Senate Wednesday.

Hawaii becomes 7th state to legalize civil unions!

Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie made history today when he signed a law legalizing civil unions in his state. Hawaii becomes the seventh state to offer same-sex couples the full legal protections and rights as married heterosexual couples.

From the Star-Advertiser:

Less than a year after seeing the push for civil unions vetoed, gay rights advocates cheered as Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed into law a bill legalizing civil unions and making Hawaii the seventh state to grant such privileges to same-sex couples.

Abercrombie signed the legislation at a ceremony today at historic Washington Place.

“E Komo Mai: It means all are welcome,” Abercrombie said in remarks before signing the bill into law. “This signing today of this measure says to all of the world that they are welcome. That everyone is a brother or sister here in paradise.”

“The legalization of civil unions in Hawaii represents in my mind equal rights for all people,” he said.

The ceremony was broadcast live on television and the Internet as Abercrombie, a Democrat who campaigned on a promise to sign the bill if it reached his desk, reversed the decision made by his Republican predecessor.

White House declares DOMA unconstitutional

Today Attorney General Eric Holder released a statement from President Obama ordering the Justice Department to stop defending the constitutionality of the controversial Defense of Marriage Act, which states marriage is legally only between one man and one woman.

According to the release:

“The president has concluded that given a number of factors, including a documented history of discrimination, classifications based on sexual orientation should be subject to a more heightened standard of scrutiny.”

Two cases are currently going through the courts that are taking DOMA to task. This new order doesn’t mean that DOMA is no more, the government still has to enforce it, but the attorney general no longer has to defend the law in court. It’s slightly confusing, but just know that this is a big step for gay rights and will hopefully eventually lead to the full repeal of DOMA.

In the below video the White House Secretary addresses Obama’s decision on this issue and also states he is still “grappling” with his views on same-sex marriage. A statement he repeated back in December. However, in 1996 he’s on record saying he’s for same-sex marriage. Today his position is providing gays with “a strong civil union that provides them the protections and the legal rights that married couples have.”

Apparently Speaker John Boehner doesn’t think it’s the “appropriate time” to stop discriminating against gays. He had this to say about Obama’s declaration on DOMA:

“While Americans want Washington to focus on creating jobs and cutting spending, the President will have to explain why he thinks now is the appropriate time to stir up a controversial issue that sharply divides the nation.”

Also Fox News of course decided to interview homophobic Maggie Gallagher of the National Organization for Marriage. She claims Obama has “unilaterally declared that gay is like Black.” (I think that’s the smartest thing I’ve ever heard her say.) You can watch Fox give a platform for her venom below:

Marriage Equality Roundup #4: Hawaii, Michigan, Indiana, Washington, Britain and much more

This week lawmakers around the world have been busy talking about gay marriage. Here’s a quick look at what’s transpired…

Hawaii is on the verge of being the seventh state to legalize gay marriage. The bill is just waiting for a signature from the governor who says he will sign it into law as soon as it come across his desk.

Across the pond, Britain‘s parliament will soon legalize same-sex marriage.

The Indiana House voted Tuesday to add a ban on gay marriages and civil unions to the state’s constitution.

Maryland is also getting closer to legalizing gay marriage in their state, with a majority of the state’s senators coming out in the press saying they’ll vote yes on a bill granting marriage rights to same-sex partners.

Washington lawmakers gave their gays and lesbians a pretty stellar Valentine’s Day present when the introduce a gay marriage bill Monday.

A Colorado senator also just introduced a civil unions bill to the state’s Senate this week.

Republican lawmakers in New Hampshire are trying very hard to repeal the state’s gay marriage law.

In related news…

Michigan lawmakers recently submitted second parent adoption bills that would include gay and lesbian couples.

Reports are coming in saying a Birmingham newspaper has printed the city’s (and maybe even the state’s) first gay wedding announcement in a major newspaper.

Apparently in Shanghai, China the fake marriage market is a booming industry for gays and lesbians there.

Hawaii House passes civil unions bill

Late Friday, the Hawaii House voted 31-19 to pass a bill that would legalize civil unions.

From KITV:

A large group of civil unions supporters and a smaller number of opponents gathered in the House chamber for the vote. The measure passed 31-19, one member, Rep. Rida Cabanilla, was not present.

The House voted on a version of Senate Bill 232, which was amended by the House Judiciary Committee to include clarifying changes recommended by the attorney general. The bill now goes back to the Senate, which is expected to accept the House amendments and send the bill directly to the governor as early as next week.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie has said he considers equal marriage rights for gays and lesbians to be a civil rights.

If singed, the bill could be in effect by Jan. 1, 2012.

Elton John on David Letterman

Elton John and Leon Russell performed a track from their Grammy-nominated album collaboration on Late Show with David Letterman last night. Afterward Letterman chatted with Elton about being a new father with his partner, David Furnish.