Lesbian councilmember opposes pro-gay resolution
Mount Rainier lawmaker refuses to explain position
By JOE CREA


MOUNT RAINIER, Md. — A lesbian City Councilmember here has refused to support a resolution that calls upon public and private entities to support marriage rights for same-sex couples, according to city officials.

City Councilmember Carol Gandee (Ward 1), who voiced her support for the resolution on two occasions after fellow councilmember Pedro Briones (Ward 2) introduced it, has since changed her mind but refused to explain why.

The resolution condemns the denial of marriage licenses to gay couples, acknowledges the city’s commitment to equal rights for gays, calls upon insurance companies and other benefits providers to recognize gay marriage and urges the repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act.

The resolution was discussed briefly last week and the council took public comment on Friday but decided not to take action. Briones said the measure would likely be brought to a vote sometime in the fall.


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Same-Sex Marriage and Civil Rights
All Things Considered audio
July 15, 2004

Advocates for same-sex marriage often describe their work as a civil rights struggle. But commentator Robert Franklin would like to point out that the term "civil rights" has special meaning to African Americans -- and that many of them feel like same-sex marriage does not qualify for the title of "civil rights movement." Robert Franklin is a professor at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University.


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Lesbian couple recognized as parents
By Casey Ross / Boston Herald


In a milestone for same-sex parents, a married lesbian couple from Jamaica Plain is believed to be the first homosexual pair recognized as parents on their child's birth certificate.

     Cora Roelofs and Liz Steinhauser are named as mother and "second parent" on a certificate issued by the town of Wellesley and approved by the state Department of Public Health.

     "We hope people realize this is both justice and a joy, and we hope they support our family," said Roelofs, who gave birth June 4 to a boy who was conceived through artificial insemination. The birth certificate was issued June 29.

     The milestone became possible when same-sex couples gained the right to marry in Massachusetts on May 17. Under state law, married couples that have a child through artifical insemination are automatically recognized as parents.