GLAD Web site launches gay marriage resource page
The Massachusetts-based Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders launched a resource section on its Web site Wednesday to assist gay and lesbian couples with the marriage application process in the Bay State, where same-sex marriages are set to begin May 17. "Same-sex couples can use our lookup system for one-stop shopping to get information they need about their town clerks and the marriage application process," said Gavi Wolfe, public education director for GLAD. "It's easy, and it includes information specific to all 351 town clerks' offices." By providing basic contact information, same-sex couples can receive town clerk office locations, contact information, hours of operation, and a description of the fees associated with obtaining a marriage license. Couples can also find additional resources on the site, including an extensive step-by-step guide on how to get married in Massachusetts and information on how same-sex couples can support local and national efforts for marriage equality.

For more information visit www.glad.org.


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Canada Bans Homophobic Speech
by Ben Thompson
365Gay.com Newscenter
(Ottawa) The Canadian government passed legislation Wednesday to include sexuality in the country's hate-crimes law but the gay politician who introduced the measure was not around to savor the victory.

Physical attacks based on sexuality are already illegal in Canada, but, until now gays were not including in a separate act that protects minorities against "promotion of hate" speech.

That the bill ever made it to the floor of the House of Commons was something of a miracle. The legislation was not proposed by the government, but came as a Private Members Bill by New Democrat Svend Robinson. That it was passed by the Commons was considered nothing short of a miracle. But, Robinson remained in seclusion Wednesday following his announcement he would not seek re-election after a shoplifting scandal involving an expensive engagement ring he wanted to give his longtime boyfriend.
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NYC forum explores economic sanctity of marriage, April 29

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center in New York City will host a town forum on Thursday, April 29, to discuss the economic ramifications of President Bush's gay-marriage initiatives and "healthy marriage" welfare reform proposals. A panel of community activists will consider and debate the effectiveness of the marriage model as it currently stands in the United States. Speakers will include Michael Adams of the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund; Rod Colvin of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force; Lisa Duggan of the Center for the Study of Gender and Sexuality at New York University; and Glenn Magpanthy of Gay Asian and Pacific Islander Men of New York. The forum begins at 6:30 p.m. and is free to the public. The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center is located at 208 W. 13th St. in New York City.

For more information go to www.gaycenter.org.

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France's justice minister says gay marriage is illegal

A gay wedding set to be performed in June by Noel Mamere, mayor of the French town of Begles, will not be recognized by the government because same-sex marriage is illegal in France, said justice minister Dominique Perben on Wednesday. "This wedding will be purely and simply null and void, because it's against the law," Perben told Le Figaro newspaper. Perben said France's civil code governing weddings specifically mentions "husband and wife." "Claiming that the difference of genders between the spouses isn't written in the civil code is therefore a lie," he said.

Mamere, a Green Party lawmaker, said he plans to perform the wedding even if he risks sanctions. "I think it would be really sensible if he changes his mind before then," the justice minister said. "It's obvious that [Mamere's plan] is motivated more by a desire to provoke and attract media attention than to respond to the real problems of homosexual people," such as homophobia, he said. A 1999 French law gave unmarried couples, both gay and straight, extensive legal rights if they register their unions with the state. Called PACS, it was pushed through by the former leftist government and created a fierce public debate in France, with opponents claiming it would undermine traditional family values.