NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE
MEDIA RELEASE

http://www.TheTaskForce.org

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-President Bush's Hypocrisy

-A Statement by Matt Foreman, Executive Director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force:

Today, President Bush sullied the commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of Brown vs. Board of Education by renewing his support for amending the U.S. Constitution to enshrine discrimination against a minority.

On a day in which we celebrate the role of the independent judiciary in American democracy, the President said, "The sacred institution of marriage should not be redefined by a few activist judges." I say, Mr. President, you would not be living in the White House but for a "few activist judges." Likewise, without an independent judiciary, segregation would still be the law of many states, abortion and interracial marriages would still be illegal, and indigent persons accused of crime would have no have right to legal counsel.

Fortunately, the President's proposed amendment is dead on arrival in the U.S. Senate and he knows it. The only reason for this renewed call for Congress to act is to continue to use the lives of committed same-sex couples to divide America for partisan gain.

[for transcript of Bush's speech and today's statement, go to:
http://www.thetaskforce.org/news/release.cfm?releaseID=682]
http://www.thetaskforce.org/news/release.cfm?releaseID=682]

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Recall efforts against San Jose mayor intensify

SAN JOSE-- A Republican political consultant who helped organize the recall campaign against Gov. Gray Davis thinks that San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales might be vulnerable to a similar effort to remove him from office.

Sal Russo, who has been hired by opponents of the mayor's support of same-sex marriage rights, said his clients will probably decide in a few weeks whether to attempt a recall.

"It's not that hot in San Jose. But I would say there's a general disillusionment with City Hall on a wide range of issues. And the current mayor compares unfavorably with the last two mayors," said Russo, who has conducted polls and focus groups as part of his research.

Russo is working for a group upset about the City Council's March vote to recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere, but said that issue alone would not be enough to persuade voters.


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New Paltz Mayor Defends Gay Nups In Court
(KINGSTON, N.Y.) With gay couples getting married in Massachusetts, the mayor of a Hudson Valley village was in court today to fight for the right to resume same-sex weddings in his upstate community.

New Paltz Mayor Jason West was sued after performing more than two-dozen same-sex weddings in on February 27th. The civil lawsuit brought on behalf of a village trustee argues that the mayor violated state law by officiating at ceremonies for couples without marriage licenses.

During this afternoon's proceedings in Ulster County Court, a lawyer for West argued that the mayor had a duty to abide by his oath of office when he married same sex couples in February.

The lawyer for the Liberty Council - which is opposing West - said the mayor had no authority to marry couples who lacked a license.


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P'Town Defies Romney; Out-Of-State Couples To Wed
Romney Orders Mass. Resident Marriages Only


PROVINCETOWN, Mass. -- Thousands of out-of-state couples are expected to flock to Provincetown to get married, despite the governor's order to deny licenses to couples who are not Massachusetts residents.

NewsCenter 5's Rhondella Richardson reported that 110 same-sex couples had appointments with the town clerk to apply for marriage licenses.

Sandi and Bobbi Cote-Whitacre joined into a civil union four years ago in Vermont, and 37 years into their relationship, they married in Massachusetts Monday, regardless of the implications at home.

"When we get back we will talk with people and find out how we go about having our marriage license that we have here in Massachusetts -- we are going to get it recognized in the state of Vermont," said Sandi Cote-Whitacre of Essex Junction, Vt.