Domestic partner registry kicks off
BY ALFONSO A. CASTILLO


There were hugs, kisses and "Congratulations!," formal attire and posing for pictures. There were even a few tears.

"It's like being born again," said an emotional Bob Titus as he got his first look Monday at the laminated card bearing his name and that of Mac Speights, his partner of 15 years.

Speights brought him to Huntington Town Hall for Titus' 80th birthday Monday. "I was an old man when I met him," Titus said. "I'm rejuvenated."

But despite having many of the same ingredients, the handful of couples who lined up outside the town clerk's office on the first day of the town's domestic partnership registry said the event was far from an actual wedding.


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Same Sex Couples Prepared for Long Legal Battle Over Gay Marriage
Gina Baleria for KCBS-740 AM


(KCBS) - Gay married couples in San Francisco are preparing for a long summer of legal limbo, adjusting to married life while keeping one eye on what the courts are going to do about their same-sex unions.

KCBS reporter Doug Sovern says a same-sex wedding reception was held over the weekend at a San Francisco church for several dozen couples.

Newlywed Emily Moore said she cannot help but ponder her uncertain legal status.

"I definitely feel like it's legal limbo. I'll feel really happy if and when it gets a positive response," she said. "Are we married? Are we not married? I assume that we'd get kicked back if we tried to do anything like file a joint income tax return or something like that."



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Catholic Bishops Meet To Consider Penalties Against Pro-Gay Politicians
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff


(Englewood, Colorado)  Roman Catholic bishops from across the country meet this week in Colorado to consider what sanctions, if any, they should impose on candidates who do not follow church teachings on gay marriage and abortion.

The meeting comes just days after President George W. Bush met with the Pope and called on the Pontiff to encourage bishops to take a hard-line stand on same-sex marriage. Bush reportedly implored the Pope to increase Catholic condemnation of gay marriage in the weeks leading up to the election.

Bishops are divided on what punishment should meted out to Catholic politicians who do not support amending the Constitution to ban gay marriage or would approve of civil unions.

The most important of these is John Kerry.  The Massachusetts senator who will face Bush in November opposes the proposed amendment but supports civil unions.