Weddings held to defy state
Same-sex couples' nuptials acts of civil disobedience
Michael Kiefer
The Arizona Republic

"I present to you, as spouses, Tom and Karl," the pastor said to the wedding guests.
"You may seal your vows with a kiss."

That's how the Rev. Brad Wishon ended the wedding he solemnized for Tom Mischnick and Karl Monical in one of 40 same-sex nuptials he and three other pastors performed illegally Saturday in Phoenix.

The ministers intend to take signed and notarized affidavits confirming the weddings to the Superior Court clerk Tuesday as a protest and act of civil disobedience timed to coincide with the first legal same-sex marriage licenses that will be issued Monday in Massachusetts.

"I'm having a blast," said the Rev. Charlotte Strayhorne, one of the ministers performing the services. "The special part is when I get to say, 'By the power vested in me by the state of Arizona.' "


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Two DAs say they won't prosecute town clerks
The Associated Press

BOSTON -- Two district attorneys said they have no plans to prosecute city and town clerks who defy a 1913 law that prohibits out-of-state same-sex couples from marrying in the state.

Middlesex County District Attorney Martha Coakley, a Democrat, said Republican Gov. Mitt Romney's interpretation of the law was politically motivated and that it would not be a wise use of her office's resources to prosecute clerks for a criminal violation.

"It seems to me that it's unfair," Coakley told The Boston Globe. "The statute has never been enforced and now there's an effort to enforce it, in my view, to pursue a particular political agenda."

Gay marriages becomes legal Monday. Romney, who opposes gay marriage, has said couples from the 49 other states could only marry if they planned to move to Massachusetts, according to the 1913 law.


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Supporters of gay marriage rights rally in Los Angeles
MASON STOCKSTILL
Associated Press


LOS ANGELES - Days before the state of Massachusetts is set to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, about a hundred supporters of gay marriage rights rallied in Los Angeles to show their support.

Several states, including California, have passed legislation or referendums declaring that they will only recognize marriages between a man and a woman, but those gathered said they believed California will eventually reverse its stance on the issue.

"I think that in my lifetime I will be able to be married" in California, said Louise Moore, 51, who came to the rally in the upscale Silver Lake neighborhood with her partner.


"Eventually California will come around," agreed Joe Altepeter, 40, of Los Angeles.



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Gay-rights supporters protest proposed marriage amendment
Some believe recent action in Massachusetts will help their cause
By SARAH POST / The Dallas Morning News

More than 500 gay rights supporters demonstrated Saturday in Uptown Dallas against a proposed constitutional amendment that would deny same-sex marriages.

StandOut! NorthTexas Coalition organized the peaceful demonstration in Lee Park to voice opposition to the proposed Federal Marriage Amendment that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

StandOut! founder Carol Williams said her coalition hoped to send a strong message to elected officials that "we simply will not tolerate discrimination being written into our country's most sacred document."

"Our Constitution was written to guarantee equal rights and freedom for all people, not just select people," she said.



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Gay Couples in N.Y. should not rush to Massachusetts

Massachusetts is set to issue same-sex marriage licenses Monday, but a local gay rights group is telling New York couples to wait before rushing to there. Chuck Bowen of the Gay Alliance of Genesee Valley says a 1913 Massachusetts law prohibits couples from marrying in Massachusetts if the marriage is not legal in their home state. The New York State attorney general has sent the Massachusetts governor his opinion. It states that marriages lawfully performed in other states should be recognized in New York. Bowen says it's not clear whether the Massachusetts governor has replied to that.  On Sunday the Gay Alliance will host a town meeting on same sex marriage. The meeting will happen at the Auditorium Center from 3 to 5.



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33rd District primary may hinge on gay marriage stance
Maria Carl is challenging Leon Drolet by focusing on his opposition to amending the state constitution.

The hottest House race in Macomb County pits the widow of a prominent state senator against a controversial incumbent state representative in a north Macomb Republican primary contest that could determine the November outcome.

The Aug. 3 GOP primary battle between Rep. Leon Drolet of Clinton Township and challenger Maria Carl of Macomb Township will contrast Carl's emphasis on conservative social issues with Drolet's focus on conservative fiscal issues.

Carl, wife of the late Doug Carl, is sharply critical of Drolet's opposition to a state ban on gay marriage and his co-sponsorship of legislation that would remove anti-sodomy laws from the books.

"There are many, many issues but this (gay marriage) will be No. 1," said Carl, making her fourth bid for the Legislature. "My theme is going to be, 'Maria for marriage: one-man, one-woman.' ''



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GOP candidate sees gays, lesbians as threat

It wasn't Florida House candidate Ed Heeney's call this week to abolish the Internal Revenue Service -- over which the state Legislature has no say whatsoever -- that was most unusual.

It was Heeney's need to sound the clarion call about a threat he sees coming from Broward County to Palm Beach County: gays and lesbians.

During time at the microphone granted to all candidates at the Palm Beach County Republican Party's monthly meeting, Heeney explained he's not homophobic, meaning someone who dislikes or fears gays and lesbians.

Rather, he said, he's "homo-nausic," evidently meaning he's sick of them.


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Baylor student disciplined for gay rights rally
5/15/2004 9:00 PM
By: Associated Press

WACO -- A Baylor University student disciplined for violating the Baptist school's conduct code by organizing an off-campus gay rights rally graduated Saturday.

Darrin Adams, 22, said he doubts he would have received his diploma if he hadn't admitted his wrongdoing.

Adams discovered last month that Baylor was charging him with misconduct for organizing the March rally in downtown Waco.

A letter from an administrator said the event was "part of an advocacy group that promotes understandings of sexuality that are contrary'' to biblical teachings, Baptist beliefs and Baylor's Christian mission.