Brazil Senate committee OKs gay civil unions
by The Associated Press
A measure allowing same-sex civil unions passed its first legislative step in Brazil’s Congress, where it has lingered for 16 years.
Click the link above to read the full article.
Colorado legislators kill civil unions bill
In the closest the state has come to legalizing civil unions, a special session in Colorado’s legislature effectively killed a bill that would have granted the right to same-sex couples before it even reached the House floor:
A measure allowing same-sex civil unions that prompted Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper to call a special session after Republicans killed it last week may be defeated again later today.
On the first day of the new session, Colorado Republican House Speaker Frank McNulty assigned the bill to the State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee, a panel dominated by conservative members.
McNulty “sent it to state affairs, unfortunately known as his ‘kill’ committee,” said Democrat House Minority Leader Mark Ferrandino, the bill’s sponsor. “I’m going in knowing we don’t have a committed ‘yes’ vote.”
McNulty said the reason why he sent it to the kill committee was to “dispense with divisive issues as quickly as possible so we can get back to the business of creating jobs.” Additionally, GOP Rep. Don Coram said the reason why he voted against the bill (he has a gay son) was because, ”I’m concerned that the gay community is being used as a political pawn.”
So you’re voting against a bill granting rights to the gay community…for their own well-being? This kind of argument by the right that civil liberties for gay couples (or Obama’s support for marriage equality) is some kind of political ploy or diversion from the “real issues” is a political ploy in itself (not to mention completely trivializes LGBTQ rights) — and not one that will work come November.
Source: feministing.com
The first gay civil union in Delaware
Drewry Fennell and Lisa Goodman, lawyers who have been together for 14 years, were the first same-sex couple to enter a civil union in Delaware when the state’s new civil unions law went into effect on January 1.
Their ceremony was attended by 400 people, “including U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del., who delivered a sermon) and Lt. Gov. Matt Denns (who read a scripture).”
AP reported that Goodman helped lead Equality Delaware’s fight for state’s new law while Fennell heads the state’s Criminal Justice Council. The New Castle County Clerk of the Peace, Ken Boulden Jr., had opened his office on a Sunday, New Year’s day, so that eight couples — including the Goodman-Fennells — could get their licenses on the first day they were legally available.
Civil unions also took effect in Hawaii on New Year’s Day. Such a happy start to the year. So excited to hear more stories like this.
Source: gaywrites
Colo. GOP Group Forms to Back Civil Unions
A new Republican group, Coloradoans for Freedom, has formed to advocate for civil unions in that state.
The group’s purpose is “to provide resources to people interested in the conservative argument for civil unions,” spokesman Mario Nicolais (pictured), a lawyer and self-described “hard-core partisan Republican,” told The Denver Post.
It will hold a reception Thursday at a private home in Denver, and the keynote speaker will be former state representative Rob Witwer, a straight Republican who supports civil unions.
“In my mind, there’s nothing inconsistent with being a Republican and supporting the rights of gay people to live as they choose,” Witwer told the Post. “I would like gay people who believe in limited government and fiscal responsibility to know they still have a home in the Republican Party.”
Legislation to establish civil unions for Colorado gay couples passed in the state Senate last year, but it died in a House committee, where every Democrat voted for it and every Republican against it. Lawmakers are expected to consider a similar bill in the new legislative session, which starts January 11.
Gay parents discover limits of partnership
by Clare O’Dea, swissinfo.ch
More than 10,000 people have tied the partnership knot in Switzerland since a new law made civil partnerships possible for homosexual couples five years ago.
The trip to the register office has been a life-changing event for many, giving official recognition to their union and securing rights that married heterosexual couples take for granted.
Hawaii Prepares for Civil Union Couples | advocate.com
Hawaii is preparing for the arrival of thousands of same-sex couples planning to welcome 2012 by taking advantage of the state’s new civil unions law, which goes into effect January 1.
Wedding planners and other businesses are putting together special offerings for gay couples, notes The Bay Area Reporter. Civil unions are expected to be an economic boon to the state.
Read the full report here.
More insurance companies provide benefits to same-sex couples
Esurance and other insurance companies are now allowing policyholders to qualify for a discounted rate by indicating they’re in same-sex marriages, partnerships or civil unions.
Married couples can usually save 10% off auto premiums. From the Advocate:
Though State Farm and Allstate already give reduced rates to gay couples in states that recognize same-sex marriage equality, civil unions, or domestic partnerships, Esurance is also offering the same benefit in a handful of states (California, Illinois, Oregon, and Washington). The small company is also exploring that option in other states. State Farm spokesman Dick Luedke said that married drivers are also less likely to get into accidents, part of the reasoning behind a reduced rate for married drivers. ”Marriage is marriage,” Luedke said. “It doesn’t matter if you are married to someone of the same sex.”
Couldn’t have said it better - marriage is marriage.
Source: gaywrites
Chile considers gay civil unions
A Chilean newspaper recently reported that the country is seriously considering a bill that would legalize civil unions for same-sex couples.
The paper said the bill could be presented to Congress as early as next week and would grant new legal rights to gay couples living together for more than a year.
From the Advocate:
Despite the heated debate the issue has caused in the predominantly Catholic country, last month Chilean president Sebastian Pinera was quoted by the newspaper El Mercurio as saying he wanted to safeguard “the dignity of those couples, whether of the opposite or even the same sex.”
If the legislation passes, Chile will be the fifth South American country to legalize same-sex civil unions, joining Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Uruguay. Argentina offers marriage rights to gay couples.
Go go gadget progress! Let’s get some momentum going for this.
(via forqueersbyqueers)
Source: gaywrites
Illinois civil unions to take effect Wednesday
After months of waiting, LGBT couples in Illinois will finally have a chance to legally recognize their relationships. Civil unions in Illinois will take effect on Wednesday.
Couples will be allowed to apply for civil unions Wednesday and will be required to wait one day before holding a ceremony. Tons of ceremonies are already scheduled for Thursday, including dozens in Chicago’s Millennium Park. Governor Pat Quinn, who signed the law in January, is expected to attend.
The AP article linked above has more details, including some touching stories of same-sex couples whose lives will truly change forever on Wednesday. Churches won’t be required to hold any ceremonies, though some people are saying this may lead to laws mandating that religious adoption services include same-sex couples.
Couldn’t be more thrilled about this. I’m legitimately considering canceling all my plans Thursday to go to Millennium Park and share in people’s joy. Chicago friends, anyone with me?
Source: gaywrites
"Judge Voids Wisconsin Law Curbing Unions"
Score! Now it’s headed to the state Supreme Court
Source: bencrowther
Withers: Brazil approves civil unions
The Brazil Supreme Court granted gay couples the same rights as their straight peers. While the ruling shies away from marriage, civil partnerships will have the same rights when it comes to pension and inheritance. All the rights of marriage, minus the word.
“The freedom to pursue one’s own sexuality is part of an individual’s freedom of expression,” said Justice Carlos Ayres Britto, the writer of the opinion.
The vote was 10-0. One justice abstained due to previous statements in favor of same sex civil unions. A few here in the States will argue this ruling is nothing but separate and equal. Advocates in Brazil are having none of that.
“There is something to celebrate this result,” said Cleber Vicente, project coordinator for the Rainbow Group in Rio de Janeiro (as reported by the country’s state run the state-run Agencia Brasil). “It is a struggle that stretches for over 15 years.”
This decision makes Brazil and Argentina as the two South American countries to recognize gay relationships. [UPDATE: As Jay reminded in the comments, Uruguay passed civil union legislation in December of 2007]
The separate but equal debate is worth having, but this decision is all success. Sure the word marriage is missing, but please consider this: a country, with an extremely large Roman Catholic population, just gave legal recognition/rights to gay families. If this isn’t a win, then the word is meaningless.
Making It Legal: A Guide to Same-Sex Marriage, Domestic Partnerships & Civil Unions, by Frederick Hertz and Emily Doskow was reviewed at the feminist librarian.
(via the Lesbrary)
Source: fuckyeahlesbianliterature
