While tech giants Apple and Microsoft may be night and day in the tech world, the two companies seem to at least agree on some things in the world, including support for Same Sex marriage. MacObserver reports that this past Thursday, Microsoft issued a statement on their official blog in support of two bills currently in the Washington state legislature that address civil marriage and domestic partners. According to the site Microsoft joins five other major corporations including Nike, Vulcan, RealNetworks, Group Health Corporation, and Concur in support of the state bills.
Check out what Microsoft had to say about the importance of gay marriage in the state of Washington, which is where Microsoft is headquartered. Read the full story
As reported by LOLDarian, Karen Clark Sheard was scheduled to perform today in Washington, DC at the National Organization Marriage (NOM) tour for the grand finale of the march against gay marriage but it looks like Karen had a change of heart or maybe a “schedule conflict” (a term overused in the music industry). No official word was given from NOM or by Karen’s PR on why she did not perform.
Fourteen year married gospel recording artist couple Deitrick and Damita Haddon took up Karen’s slack at the event and performed proclaiming sacred marriage for a man and woman. During their performance of ”I Gotta A Praise”, Deitrick shouted to the crowd to grab someone of the opposite sex and do the praise dance with him and his wife. Watch below.
Prop 8 was overturned on August 4th by District Chief Judge Vaughn R. Walke with a temporary stay to allow suspension of the ruling pending appeal. On August 12th, Judge Walker allow announced his decision to lift the stay as of August 18th. Gay couples in California will be allowed to marry again come August 18th.
Today Judge Vaughn Walker issued a decision that denied an extension on the stay of gay marriages. Beginning, August 18th, gay couples in the state of CA will be able to marry again! Check out this excerpt from CNN.com:
A federal judge ruled on Thursday to allow same-sex couples to marry in California, starting on August 18, handing another victory to supporters of gay rights in a case that both sides have said is likely to end up in the U.S. Supreme Court.Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker in San Francisco struck down the state’s ban on same-sex marriage last week, ruling that voter-approved Proposition 8 violates the U.S. Constitution. Walker had issued a temporary stay on his decision, which on Thursday he said he would lift.
We’ve definitely had our days of “WTF…is everbody against us!”, but today is not one of those days! In DC, the D.C. Court of Appeals upheld the District’s same-sex marriage law, ruling in a 5-4 decision that marriage equality opponents cannot put the issue on the ballot - which ballot. In response to today’s court victory, Sharon J. Lettman, Executive Director of the National Black Justice Coalition, released the following statement:
“The long and arduous road to marriage equality in the District culminated with a decided win at the D.C. Court of Appeals today. This is an incredible victory over a dogged, overzealous, and well-funded anti-gay opposition. This ruling comes after many years of hard work by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender activists, allies and legislators who sought the family protections that marriage confers for their loved ones. Today, we can truly celebrate the unchallenged joy and happiness of the thousands of couples who will flock to Washington, D.C. to marry.”
And in Argentina yesterday, Salon.com reports that the Senate approved a bill to recognize same sex marriage making Argentina the first country in Latin America to recognize full-fledged same-sex marriages.
First Lady Laura Bush is promoting her new book “Spoken from the Heart” and was special guest a few days ago on The Larry King Show. When asked about gay marriage she stated, “It will come”. She explained how she has always disagreed with her husband on gay marriage since the beginning but of course you know while in the office it was just an “agree to disagree” type thing.
As some of you know, Vice President Dick Cheney own daughter, Mary, is an out lesbian. Read this excerpt from Laura Bush’s new book and watch the video clip below.
”In 2004 the social question that animated the campaign was gay marriage. Before the election season had unfolded, I had talked to George about not making gay marriage a significant issue. We have, I reminded him, a number of close friends who are gay or whose children are gay. But at that moment I could never have imagined what path this issue would take and where it would lead.”
Over the weekend, Mariah Carey performed at the Pearl at the Palms in Las Vegas. During her performance, Mariah also played host to a surprise marriage proposal for Mathew Almeida from his fiance Maurie Sherman.
According to VegasBlogs, Maurie had spoken with Mariah’s management to arrange the stage proposal and did not know whether it was going to happen until 5 minutes before the show.
While it is not legal for gay couples to marry in Vegas, there is no law that does not say you can’t make a proposal in Vegas. The Couple will officially tie the knot in Toronto, Canada where gay marriage is legal.
How sweet! Let me get in contact with Mary J Blige for my proposal! Hmmmph…
Last night was a big night in Washington, DC for the LGBT community as two of the biggest stars, Lady Gaga and President Barack Obama, were guest at the Human Rights Campaign’s 13th Annual National Dinner.
President Obama was tapped as the guest speaker of the night and in his first address to a big gay rights group since his Presidency, Obama vowed to end the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” military rule and also reiterated his support to eventually repeal the marriage act. Obama’s speech was met with a standing ovation although many of the LGBT supporters who voted him in office had lost confidence in President Obama since his presence in the Oval office. With issues like the economy, health care, the Afghan war, and climate control, many feel that President Obama has put Gay and Lesbian agendas on a backburner. The dinner last night was partially aimed in pressuring Obama and congress to start taking action.
Before making his speech, President Obama joked, “It’s a priveledge to open tonight for Lady Gaga, I’ve made it”. Hmmmm, damn Kanye, I guess you’re really not needed for real!!! Lady Gaga performed John Lenons “Legend” last night in honor of the night. (Video Below)
President Obama’s speech was aired last night on CNN. Check the videos out below.
