Archive for December, 2009
Irish civil-partnership bill to pass this month
Ireland's Parliament is widely expected to pass a same-sex civil-partnership bill before the end of the year. It will extend marriage rights in areas such as inheritance, health care, property, alimony and pensions. Some gay groups have denounced the bill as creating a discriminatory second-class status for gay couples. They have [...]
Creep of the Week – Donald Carcieri
Since gays and lesbians aren’t allowed to legally vow “’til death do us part” in Rhode Island, it’s only fitting that they not be allowed to take care of each other after death. So says Rhode Island Governor Donald Carcieri, who vetoed a bill that allowed domestic partners to make funeral arrangements for each other. A domestic [...]
Austria passes registered-partnership law
Austria's Parliament passed a registered-partnership law for same-sex couples Dec. 10. The vote was 110-64. It takes effect Jan. 1. Homosexual Initiative Vienna (HOSI Wien) said the law grants 95 percent to 98 percent of the rights and obligations of marriage, including in the areas of immigration, social insurance, inheritance and [...]
Same-sex marriage begins in NH on Jan. 1
New Hampshire becomes the fifth state where same-sex couples can marry starting Jan. 1. A bill opening marriage to gay couples was passed by the General Court (legislature) and signed by the governor in June. The bill also cancels New Hampshire's civil-union law. On Jan. 1, 2011, all civil unions will convert into marriages. There is [...]
Vote only for 100 percent equality
"As a community, we have to support only candidates who are 100 percent for equality ... and this includes support for marriage equality and for coverage for transition-related health care for transgender people. As a community, we must help to advance those candidates who support us all the way, and refuse to give to those candidates who [...]
DC legalizes gay marriage
The Washington, D.C., Council voted 11-2 Dec. 15 to legalize same-sex marriage. Mayor Adrian Fenty is expected to sign the bill into law this month. His signature will send the measure to Congress for a 30-day "review" period. Congress is not expected to block the law, multiple sources said. Gay couples should be able to begin marrying [...]
CA Assembly elects openly gay speaker
Californians don't have gay marriage anymore but they do now have an openly gay speaker of the Assembly. John A. PĂ©rez was selected unanimously by Democratic members of the house on Dec. 10. He is believed to be the first openly gay person to head a state legislative house since Allan Spear's groundbreaking 1992-2000 tenure as Minnesota [...]
Lesbian bishop elected in L.A. Episcopal diocese
Convention delegates in the Episcopal Church's Los Angeles diocese elected an openly lesbian priest, the Rev. Canon Mary D. Glasspool, as assistant bishop Dec. 5. She will become the second openly gay bishop in the worldwide Anglican Communion after the Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson, the Episcopal bishop of New Hampshire. Before Glasspool can be [...]
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