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Magic Johnson speaks out against Prop. 8
Great to add this voice to the chorus against Prop. 8: Magic Johnson is urging voters to defeat the measure that wants to eliminate marriage rights for same-sex couples.
In a recorded telephone call to California voters, Johnson says: "This is Magic Johnson calling to ask you to join me and Barack Obama in opposing Proposition 8. Prop 8 singles out one group of Californians to be treated differently - including members of our family, our friends, and our coworkers. That is not what California is about. So this Tuesday, vote no on Proposition 8. It is unfair and wrong. Thanks."
http://www.insidesocal.com/outinhollywood/2008/11/magic-johnson-speaks-out-again.html
November 4, 2008 01:15 AM EST
Obama Wins Dixville Notch, NH, The First Place To Vote
Barack Obama came up a big winner in the presidential race in Dixville Notch and Hart's Location, N.H., where tradition of having the first Election Day ballots tallied lives on.
Democrat Obama defeated Republican John McCain by a count of 15 to 6 in Dixville Notch, where a loud whoop accompanied the announcement in Tuesday's first minutes. The town of Hart's Location reported 17 votes for Obama, 10 for McCain and two for write-in Ron Paul. Independent Ralph Nader was on both towns' ballots but got no votes.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/04/obama-wins-dixville-notch_n_140790.html
The part about there being many kinds of "like" is very clear - I figured that one out even when Ted first mentioned it. Dont understand why people did not get it in the first place. The second part implies the relationship with Austin is the equivalent of a marriage. They'd have to be very committed to each other to put up with all this. Still, it's a lot to ask of any partner. I do not understand how Jake can put Austin (or Chris if that's who it is) through this.
Ted talk is tricky. I'm not sure about the "equivalent of a marriage" bit:
"Den's a happily married man, as he squacked to us. T.T. can't say the same about his relaysh — or won't."
Fingers crossed for 'No on 8' and Obama.
Oscar trophy trend, fact or fiction?
Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt almost certainly are strong contenders in the best actor category -- shining, word has it, in their respective upcoming movies, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and "Revolutionary Road."
But they and others might be up against a subtle force they can do little about in the best actor race: Oscar voters tend to favor actors playing real people.
In the past six best actor races, there were three years in which an actor playing a real person was nominated alongside actors portraying fictional characters, and each time the actor playing a true-life person won. You have to go all the way back to the awards for 2001 to find a counter-example: Denzel Washington's victory for playing Alonzo Harris in "Training Day," which bested Will Smith as Muhammad Ali and Russell Crowe as John Nash. Otherwise, it was actors playing real-life figures -- Ray Charles, Idi Amin, Truman Capote -- who took the statue.
This year that means if even one from among the stellar group that includes Frank Langella (as Richard Nixon), Sean Penn (as Harvey Milk) and Josh Brolin (as George W. Bush) lands a best actor nomination, everyone else will have to weigh that added factor.
Best actress favors real personnages even more; the statuette has gone to women playing real people six of the eight years this decade. But with frontrunners such as Meryl Steep, Nicole Kidman and Sally Hawkins taking on fictional roles this go-round, this year may break form.
It's hard to pinpoint what makes Oscar voters tilt this way. But one likely factor is a frame of reference: Philip Seymour Hoffman acting and sounding like Capote probably will move the voter more than Terrence Howard's acting and sounding like Djay from "Hustle & Flow," a person the Academy member has never seen outside the movie (and hasn't seen at all if they've never seen the movie).
Plus, there's the impersonation factor: How could a voter not think Jamie Foxx is good; he even looks like Charles.
It wasn't always this way. In the 1990s, fictional characters bested real people in the best actor category seven out of nine times they went up against one another. And an actress playing a real person won only twice in the 1990s.
So what's changed?
For one thing, the rise of celebrity culture. The TMZs of the world have made it harder to separate actors from their roles since we now know them as real people -- unless they're playing other real people, in which case voters can identify with the person they're playing.
Even if DiCaprio and Pitt are unable to buck the recent trend favoring real-life portrayals, they can take solace in the likelihood they'll have other shots at the top prize. But the seeming voter bias toward real-life bios could also impact a few once-in-a-lifetime performances. Those include the comeback for Mickey Rourke, whose Randy the Ram in "The Wrestler" is a tragic figure to rival Willy Loman; Richard Jenkins, whose understated Walter Vale in "The Visitor" is exquisitely subtle; and Christian Bale, whose Batman in "The Dark Knight" is so darkly evocative.
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
Oscar voters tend to favor actors playing real people.
Can't wait for the Joe Namath project!
Oscar talk for 'Milk' heats up with rave reviews
Last week, "Milk" unspooled at both a gala premiere in San Francisco and press screenings in L.A. While the early word then was good, the first official reviews from the trades out now are great. In his rave review, Kirk Honeycutt of the Hollywood Reporter notes, " 'Milk' is the first great film to look at civil rights from the perspective of the gay movement. The subject, of course, is the late, charismatic San Francisco gay activist and politician of the 1970s, Harvey Milk, played with extraordinary depth and wisdom by Sean Penn."
Todd McCarthy of Variety says, "The show belongs squarely to Penn. Made to more closely resemble Milk via an elongated nose, which also makes his face look narrower, the actor socks over his characterization of a man he's made to seem, above all, a really sweet guy, but who crucially possessed the fearlessness and toughness to be a highly successful political motivator, agitator and, ultimately, figurehead of a movement. Penn's Harvey is a man with a ready laugh, alive to the moment, open to life regardless of neuroses and past tragedies, and acutely aware of one’s limited time on Earth. The explosive anger and fury often summoned by Penn in his work is nowhere to be seen, replaced by a geniality that is as welcome as it is unexpected."
As the film does not open till Nov. 26, it will be several more weeks till we know whether the mainstream critics are in agreement with Honeycutt and McCarthy. However, based on the buzz, today's roundup of pundit predix puts Penn out front of the other best actor contenders, considering he was the only one who all six Oscarologists thought would nab a nod. Clint Eastwood ("Gran Torino"), Frank Langella ("Frost/Nixon") and Mickey Rourke ("The Wrestler") were picked by five of the six. In our two previous surveys (HERE and HERE), Penn was a pick for everyone but Anthony Breznican of USA Today and Jeff Wells (Hollywood-Elsewhere.com).
It's still unclear how the film will do in the best-picture derby. Our pundits' predix vary dramatically. Plus Oscarologists like myself fear that academy voters — regardless of how great a gay film is — may shrink from embracing the subject matter enthusiastically in the top race. Just three years ago "Brokeback Mountain" seemed like a shoo-in to win best picture after previously claiming an unprecedented 26 best-prizes from precursor awards, but got upset by "Crash" after some academy members like Tony Curtis and Ernest Borgnine boasted publicly that they refused to watch it because of its gay theme. When Gold Derby contacted academy executive director Bruce Davis for comment, he said, "The ballot contains a very clear instruction that you're not supposed to vote in the categories in which you haven't seen every nominee." Among outraged observers was film critic Roger Ebert, who said, "I am awaiting apologies from Tony Curtis and Ernest Borgnine, who shamelessly went public with their refusals." After the "Crash" upset, more than a dozen academy members told me that they didn't watch "Brokeback" either.
But at least "Brokeback" got nominated, eh? That's a hopeful sign for "Milk."
http://goldderby.latimes.com/awards_goldderby/2008/11/oscars-milk-new.html
"After the "Crash" upset, more than a dozen academy members told me that they didn't watch "Brokeback" either."
While I don't agree with it, I understand why an actor who wishes to have a big career would beard. No matter what alot of those old timers in HW still hold power-they are the financers, directors, producers-and if they are so homophobic, a publicly gay actor would never get hired. Hopefully as those old assholes die, they will be replaced with opened minded people.
A lot of those financiers, directors and producers are gay or gay friendly, but business is business!
Among outraged observers was film critic Roger Ebert, who said, "I am awaiting apologies from Tony Curtis and Ernest Borgnine, who shamelessly went public with their refusals.
Tony Curtis, the father of Jamie Lee Curtis.
After Elton
Q: I heard Paul Newman was planning on making a film based off a book describing a coach’s homosexual attraction to a player he was training back in the 70's. Is this true, and if so what happened and where is the project now?—Maxwell, Connecticut
A: Let’s have a moment of silence, and raise a shot of salad dressing, for the late, great Paul Newman, shall we?
Yes, Newman was the first to option the film rights to Patricia Nell Warren’s 1974 best-selling novel The Front Runner, about the relationship between an Olympic athlete and his male coach. Newman intended to direct and star, but was unable to get financing (not surprising, given that it was 1975). In addition, Warren was unhappy with the script, which she thought underplayed the gay element. Newman later expressed regret that he wasn’t able to get the movie made.
The project, which is notorious in Hollywood for the obstacles it’s faced, went through a long string of producers before Warren herself got the rights back in 2003. She wrote her own screenplay and has been trying, without success, to get financing for the project ever since.
http://www.afterelton.com/askmonkey/11-04-08
Posted on OMG
Interview : Jessica Biel
...
Q: Is it true that your next role is playing a woman who goes sex mad because she has a nail in her head?
JB: "Yeah due to the nail being in her head she experiences rage, she experiences extreme passionate motivation, wanting to get this goal, and then getting really motivated about it. She goes through very crazy, aggressive sexual behaviour."
Q: So you play a bit of a nymphomaniac?
JB: "Not quite, but I guess it's along those lines. She just starts to get really uncontrollably excited about like a lamppost (laughs). It could be any inanimate object but for some reason that is turning her on at that moment and then she races you know, and it kind of goes back and forth."
Q: I assume you're still sticking to your policy of no nudity in the film? I heard you picked out your own body double for Nailed.
JB: "Yeah I did pick out my own body double. That was bizarre, that was very bizarre. It's very hard to be a woman and sort of be looking at women kind of like they're just objects. I was like, ‘I'm kind of having a male experience right now.' It was weird. It wasn't the best thing I've ever done. Anyway, I actually didn't stick to that policy in this other film I did called Powder Blue.
...
http://www.movies.ie/html/article.aspx?articleid=3448
"Leo and I were always aware that if we were going to do something together again that there would be a sense of expectation. It was going to have to be the right thing. There's an emotional shorthand that Leo and I have and a physical ease because we've known each other so long… Leo and I, you know, are sort of kindred spirits — we're cut from the same cloth." — Kate Winslet, on her Revolutionary Road costar, Leo DiCaprio. [MSNBC]
Het BI
"They have been together for several years, and enjoy the prestige and perks that come from being part of a famous couple. The only problem is that they can’t stand each other. They essentially lead separate lives, but are photographed together at red carpet events to allay suspicions, and to allow each of them to continue to command top dollar for their respective projects. However, she doesn’t know that he is sleeping with one of her closest friends." [Blind Gossip]
Happy Birthday Matthew McConaughey!
Yeah I did pick out my own body double.
Aww, Jessica is shy.
Ok, so it's not Jessssssssica fucking Jake in "Nailed". Who is it then?
"Aww, Jessica is shy."
or maybe she can't get it on with gay guys. . .
11:01 AM, you are bad! lol
Ok, so it's not Jessssssssica fucking Jake in "Nailed". Who is it then?
We'll never find out. Tragic.
I know you're glad that I'm not shy.
Slut.
Ok, so it's not Jessssssssica fucking Jake in "Nailed". Who is it then?
Did Jake had a body double too?
He said he didn't in "Jarehead" but i think that's a LIE!
From yesterday
Dear Ted:
Is Shoshanna Lonstein, Jerry Seinfeld's ex-girlfriend, such an obvious choice that no one would even name her as a possibility for One Sneaky Dame Blind Vice? Or are your readers too young to even remember her?
—Sofia
Dear What's The Deal:
She's not that obvious to us—and we ain't that young. Try again, babe, someone much more in the spotlight.
He said he didn't in "Jarhead" but i think that's a LIE!
Why? His ass didn't look right?
He's a funny guy only shy about showing his manly tool - which just makes us even crazier to view the same. Well bless his heart: whatever. I can deal with it. Not.
^^Oh please stop! ;)
He's a funny guy only shy about showing his manly tool - which just makes us even crazier to view the same.
Not me, Jake should keep it covered.
^I agree. His peen doesn’t interest me at all. Before you jump at my throat I’m not a lesbian or a virgin.
^^^
I second that. When a celebrity shows their parts, it's like they loose mistery.
It's like: "He/She has genitals!! it's normal like us!!!
I do wonder how Jake's looks like,though (i can't help it)
Dennis Hopper: I Voted For Obama Because Of Palin (VIDEO)
Dennis Hopper stopped by "The View" on election day to promote his tv series "Crash." Before that though, they asked if he voted. He did, for Obama.
Hopper said that he had been a Republican since Reagan, but the choice Sarah Palin pushed him over the edge and he voted for Barack Obama instead. He then told a lovely anecdote of Obama saying kind words to him about his mother's death once. Hopper previously said he prayed for an Obama victory, but didn't say why. Palin!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/04/dennis-hopper-i-voted-for_n_140940.html
I do wonder how Jake's looks like,though (i can't help it)
Watch Jarhead Blu-ray - you'll get the idea.
Morning Piss: Prop 8, the Osmonds and Me
Obviously, I've been against Prop. 8 since its inception. It's a no-brainer that it's discriminatory, and, I think, illegal and unconstitutional. It's also no secret that the Mormon Church has contributed many tens of millions of dollars in support of the prop., which would reverse the right for gay marriage in California.
Firstly, could that money, especially from a church, perhaps been better spent feeding the hungry? Maybe like Jesus would have done? Silly question, I know.
Secondly, Mormons have a pretty damn insidious record with marriage, girlfriends. What if I commandeered a proposition saying Mormonism should be outlawed? Nah. Live and let live, I say.
But isn't it ironic that my husband, Jon (who's a recovering Mormon), and I picketed some Mormon churches this weekend—he put the pics up on Facebook—and next thing you know, a member of the most famous Mormon family of them all, the Osmonds, contacted Jon and said right on, complaining about how intolerant her own clan is?
This, while on the official family Osmond blog, it's clearly stated to vote yes on Prop 8. Just goes to show, don't believe everything you read.
Jon (who's a recovering Mormon)
Poor Jon.
Yes!
Fox Brings 'Donnie Darko' to Blu-ray
Fox has announced an early-February Blu-ray release for the cult classic 'Donnie Darko,' which will come to high-def with both the theatrical and unrated versions. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal and directed by Richard Kelly, 'Donnie Darko' failed to generate big grosses during its original theatrical run, but has since go one to amass a devoted following on video.
Fox will give 'Donnie Darko' its high-def premiere on February 10 (the studio previously released a special edition DVD in 2005.)
There are no tech specs or supplement details as of yet, but Fox is billing the Blu-ray as a Collector's Edition, so we expect plenty of extras. We'll keep you posted. Suggested retail price for the Blu-ray has been set at $34.95.
You'll find the latest specs for 'Donnie Darko' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under February 10. See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
Blu-ray DD news
New Donnie Darko cover
^^^ Cool cover art.
You are all voting for Obama, right?
you and us, Jake babe. . .
I am running out of fingernails.
First exit polls
right now on CNN - Obama leading in Indiana by 55-44
'Change has come to America'
Obama 338
McCain 159
Dear America,
Don't fuck this one up.
Sincerely,
The World
We didn't.
I think it's only appropriate that we also receive letters of thanks & congratulations from The World. ;)
^ Dear America,
Thank you and well done!
Sincerely,
A Brit(on behalf of the world)
Fingers crossed now on Prop 8
:* Thanks very much! We can't do it without you, World! Fingers crossed as well for No on Prop 8.
Bad news:
Early Polls Show California's Prop 8 Gaining
Early poll results Tuesday night showed California voters leaning toward overturning same-sex marriage in the state in a decision that could impact how the issue plays out elsewhere in the nation. Approval of Proposition 8 would be a stunning upset in a $70-million campaign that just weeks ago looked to be running in favor of preserving gay marriage rights.
By 12:34 a.m. in California, 53.1% of voters favored passing Prop 8, as the measure is known, and 46.9% were against it, with 60% of precincts voting, according to the Secretary of State. However, both sides cautioned the vote could be very close and that it might still be early to declare a winner.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122586056759900673.html?mod=special_page_campaign2008_mostpop
Shit.
Bitch-Back! Dreaming of Jake
Dear Ted:
I've been wanting to email you for years, and I finally have a reason. Last night I dreamed that Jake Gyllenhaal was a half dog/half man, and he was trying to have sex with my dog (a boxer). What does it mean?
—M from D.C.
Dear Jakey Dream:
You have one lucky boxer.
Dear Ted:
I know this one! Shafterella Shoshstein from One Sneaky-Dame Blind Vice is Jennifer Garner!
—spyfan
Dear Jonesing on Jen:
No, no, no on Garner—both for this blind vice, and in general. This babe's far less outwardly bitchy to us, more inwardly, excellent WASP behavior, you know.
Dear Ted:
Is Shafterella Shoshstein Uma Thurman?
—Athena, Greece
Dear Greek Guess:
Nowhere near as statuesque as U.T.
Dear Ted:
I finally got one blind vice right! Shafterella Shoshstein is Oprah Winfrey!
—Gabby
Dear Nope-rah on Oprah:
Wrong race, wrong figure...completely wrong on Winfrey.
Dear Ted:
I got hooked on hot actor Austin Nichols watching One Tree Hill. Is he single?
—Mara
Dear Up the Wrong Tree Hill:
Don't believe so.
Dear Ted:
Toothy Tile is John Travolta, and his man is Tom Cruise. Correct?
—Becky
Dear John 'n' Tom:
Dream on, babe. Just because Johnny kisses his boy companions goodbye on the lips hardly means he's Toothy. Too obvious.
Dear Ted:
Why did Jake Gyllenhaal choose to become a dull, vanilla, manufactured tabloid product with weekly, PR-friendly illustrated fictions of his very public/private life instead of being an intelligent actor with substance, opinions and personality following his own individual path in quality projects like he used to be? What is your opinion?
—Monica
Dear Run-On:
Yours.
Dear Ted:
Is Shafterella Shoshstein Alanis Morissette? I hope not, because I adore her, anywhere near close on this one?
—Amy
Dear You Oughta Know:
Alanis can hold off her angst on this one, 'cause she's not S2. Our sneaky blind vice babe seems to be all smiles, while our girl 'Lanis has no trouble getting moody.
"Biggest Voter Turnout In 90 Years, Since Women Won Right"
Well done, America!
Last night I dreamed that Jake Gyllenhaal was a half dog/half man, and he was trying to have sex with my dog (a boxer). What does it mean?
LOL
Dear Ted:
Why can't a celebrity come out and be happy about it without dancing around the issues? Talent is what counts above all, regardless of one's sexuality.
—sweetdetermination
Dear Fagola Dance:
Tell that to certain stars' business managers. You won't get very far.
...instead of being an intelligent actor with substance, opinions and personality...
Natalie Portman Works Phones For Obama
Natalie Portman volunteered for the Obama campaign through the end. She spent her Tuesday, election day making calls at a phone bank in New York on behalf of the Democratic nominee.
Natalie for Obama
Half dog/half man and Dear Up the Wrong Tree Hill :)
But What About Gay Marriage?
DEVELOPING — The outcome of California's Prop 8, which would amend the state constitution to ban gay marriage, has yet to be decided. In Florida, where gay marriage is already outlawed, a bill to amend the state constitution to ban gay marriage and gay civil unions is expected to narrowly pass, making the state the 27th to have such a law in their constitution. In Arizona, voters are expected to pass Proposition 102, which would ban gay marriage, but unlike previous measures that were defeated, it does not include language regarding gay civil unions. — See the returns from California's polls here. — CNN's latest exit polls show a hopeful, albeit slim, possibility of Californians defeating Prop 8.
http://www.queerty.com/
Carrie Underwood and Reese W. are very lok alike
just saying...
Why did Jake Gyllenhaal choose to become a dull, vanilla, manufactured tabloid product with weekly, PR-friendly illustrated fictions of his very public/private life instead of being an intelligent actor with substance, opinions and personality following his own individual path in quality projects like he used to be?
It's hard to be a maverick. *sigh*
The old Jake, the one that did SNL is dead. He's been replaced with "a dull, vanilla, manufactured tabloid product with weekly, PR-friendly illustrated fictions of his very public/private life". Unfortunately, I don't think we'll ever see that Jake again.
Unfortunately, I don't think we'll ever see that Jake again.
I believe Ted&Lisa are right (Jake didn't really change), so I'm still optimistic.
"While the Yes on 8 campaign claimed victory just before midnight, advocates of same-sex marriage were clinging to hopes that a surge of support from uncounted votes in coastal counties could still overcome the ban.
With 90.8 percent of the precincts reporting as of 4:25 a.m., Proposition 8 has 51.9 percent of the yes votes."
Obama Wins!
Pictures of hope - Chicago, Tampa, Geneva, Harlem
Blab Blab Blab: Jodie Foster's Flameout
"She's fine. She'll be very well taken care of."
—Jodie Foster chum, sniffing that everything's just peachy with J.F.'s dumped darling of 14 years, Cydney Bernard. But does Cyd get to keep one of Jodie's Oscars? She can prolly sell it to Kate Winslet, who has been so vocal about getting her own one day.
While watching Today this morning, I saw 3 commercials for Four Christmases, the Chin's new movie. Doesn't look very interesting and doesn't look funny and it's supposed to be. Also, her chin has gotten so pointy it looks like it could cut diamonds. Catty, I know.
Jake, you dull-vanilla tabloid celebrity, I hope you’ll get pimples for making us notice and discuss Greasy Reese.
What, no Jakey?
Jude's desired by Brit gay men
According to the poll, 36 percent of Britain's gay single men expressed a desire for a romance with the ''Cold Mountain'' star. Following Law is Robert Downey Jr, who bagged 24 percent votes in the poll conducted by gay-PARSHIP.com.
Colin Farrell came third with 22 percent while Brit pop crooner Liam Gallagher landed the fourth spot with 7 percent. Russell Crowe stood fifth with 6 percent and Pete Doherty came sixth with 4 percent.
Naughty Celebrities Most Desired by Brit Gay Men are:
1. Jude Law - 36 percent
2. Robert Downey Jr- 24 percent
3. Colin Farrell - 22 percent
4. Liam Gallagher - 7 percent
5. Russell Crowe - 6 percent
6. Pete Doherty - 4 percent
Queerty
California Votes to Put Discrimination in the Constitution
Alas, it looks like California will strip away the rights of gay men and women, and amend the state constitution to ban gay marriage. The latest poll results, with all but 5 percent of precincts reporting, show Proposition 8 passing by a margin of some 400,000 votes. 52% - 48%
I'm very happy about Obama!
I'm very sad that Prop 8 appears to be winning.
Gays are second class citizens. Sad, but true.
A huge 69 - 31 percent African-American margin against marriage equality:
The CA proposition to ban gay marriage passed 58-42 because a huge chunk of Obama voters voted for it. Obama won California 60-40 which means the Obamas denied gays and lesbians their civil rights.
Voters who voted to ban gay marriage also voted to protect farm animals against overcrowding.
Bill Clinton made calls to Californians to vote against 8 but they did not get any calls from Obama himself.
The only time Obama said something was in a TV commercial about how marriage should only be between a man and a woman.
^^Don't try to stir, please. We know you don't give a rats about gay marriage, just are anti-Obama. You don't know who voted for what. Mr. Obama said he was against using the constitution to take rights away from people. Don't give up, sometimes change takes time, as MLK, Jr., President Elect Obama, Colin Powell, and many, many other ethnic minorites can attest to. It will happen, and this issue will just be brought back again in CA. Mr. Obama is the best hope we have.
^^I don't think the issue is over; they can take it back to court again.
back to court again
Yeah. Sad it has to come to this.
I'm more down about Prop 8 than I am up about Obama, because I was already expecting Obama to win. Now I'm feeling glum on what should be the greatest day in years.
Yes, it's very disheartening to think that people still hold these archaic views of marriage. But don't give up! :*
Nov 3, 2008
Obama: Prop 8 "Unnecessary," But Doesn't Believe In Gay Marriage
Barack Obama's walking a fine, gay line.
The Democratic Presidential candidate appeared on MTV this weekend to come out against California's Proposition 8, which would overturn gay marriage in the Golden State. At the same time, however, Obama reiterated his belief that marriage is between a man and a woman. Said the Senator from Illinois:
"I've stated my opposition to this. I think [Prop 8 is] unnecessary. I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. I am not in favor of gay marriage. But when you start playing around with constitutions, just to prohibit somebody who cares about another person, it just seems to me that's not what America's about. Usually, our constitutions expand liberties, they don't contract them."
On a related note, the New York Times this Saturday ran an article highlighting the differences between Obama and rival John McCain's same-sex marriage opposition. While Obama's motivated more by religious elements, McCain's a victim of his time. Writes homo-journo Patrick Healy:
"As a Christian — he is a member of the United Church of Christ — Mr. Obama believes that marriage is a sacred union, a blessing from God, and one that is intended for a man and a woman exclusively, according to these supporters and Obama campaign advisers. While he does not favor laws that ban same-sex marriage, and has said he is “open to the possibility” that his views may be “misguided,” he does not support it and is not inclined to fight for it, his advisers say."
Senator John McCain also opposes same-sex marriage, but unlike Mr. Obama’s, his position is influenced by generational and cultural experiences rather than a religious conviction, McCain advisers say.
What's interesting, we think, is that Obama consistently frames his opposition of Proposition 8 in terms of constitutionality, rather than whether or not gay marriage is right - a tactic that's quite popular among the center and conservative set. That helps explain Obama's later comments in which he says he believes in strong civil unions that provide marital rights, like hospital visitations. That believe, he insists, provides a great example of his style of governance:
"If they've got benefits, they can make sure those benefits apply to their partners. I think that's the direction we need to go in. I think young people are ahead of the curve on this for the most part. Their attitude, generally, is that we should be respectful of all people, and that's the kind of politics I want to practice."
Watch the MTV Prop 8 video after the jump…
Obama and Prop 8
Thanks for the encouragement. I'll keep reminding myself that things are getting better, even with setbacks now and then. :)
What's interesting, we think, is that Obama consistently frames his opposition of Proposition 8 in terms of constitutionality, rather than whether or not gay marriage is right - a tactic that's quite popular among the center and conservative set.
Gay marriage is right, but it is an issue of constitutionality as well. Something legal and tangible, not a religious edict. I would think that anyone who considers who considers it from a civil rights point of view, no matter where they stand on same-sex marriage, would see it as not only the right thing to do, but the legal thing to do. It gives more powerful support that way, not undermining gay marriage. I would have thought the conservative and center ground would fall back on religion and culture to defend their views, not the law. It is about marriage firstly, but constitutionality as well. I'm married to a man of another race, and at one time we weren't allowed to marry either, but in time was changed.
^^In other words, you have a better chance of maintaining and ensuring a group of people's rights if you approach it from a legal standpoint, tather than trying to change many years of cultural and religious beliefs. That may or may not happen, and cultural change can be ongoing and chipped away at, but if it does happen, will take time, won't happen overnight. Progress is better made with the courts and the constitution. JMHO.
^^sorry, rather. And I'm a liberal democrat, btw. But sometimes to make any real, practical social change, you have to work toegether with those who don't see things the way you do, find common ground, and constitutionality is the common ground, we hope. Apparently not for CA, AZ and FL, but don't give up. I think Obama is the best hope we have.
October 29, 2007, 8:46 am
Obama’s Gospel Concert Tour
At Barack Obama’s gospel concert here last night...
Mr. McClurkin.. the preacher who had said he was gay but was “cured” through prayer and tonight he was the star act ...
The Obama campaign had appeared to be caught off guard by the reaction to inviting Mr. McClurkin...
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/29/obamas-gospel-concert-tour/
Obama is a homophobe. Period.
"The marriage is between a man and a woman".
John McCain McCain says marriage should be between a man and a woman and should be regulated by the states. He opposed a federal constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage because "it usurps from the states a fundamental authority they have always possessed." McCain endorsed a 2006 Arizona ballot initiative to limit marriage to be between a man and a woman and said, "I'm proud to have led an effort in my home state to change our state constitution and to protect the sanctity of marriage as between a man and woman." He also supported the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which banned federal recognition of gay marriage and domestic partnerships. He supports the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy and says that to "even reopen the issue" would be a "terrific mistake."
Barack Obama Obama says that he personally believes that "marriage is between a man and a woman" but also says that "equality is a moral imperative" for gay and lesbian Americans. He advocates the complete repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) because "federal law should not discriminate in any way against gay and lesbian couples, which is precisely what DOMA does." He supports granting civil unions for gay couples, and in 2006 he opposed a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. In March 2007, Obama initially avoided answering questions about a controversial statement by a U.S. general that "homosexual acts" are "immoral," but Obama later told CNN's Larry King, "I don't think that homosexuals are immoral any more than I think heterosexuals are immoral."
Hillary didn't support gay marriage either.
It's an issue of discrimination. Obama is the best hope we've got.
Obama is the best hope we've got.
I agree.
Gays need someone like Harvey Milk to lead the fight for their civil rights.
Michael Crichton, Jurassic Park author, dead at 66.
I agree - Harvey Milk is like MLK, Jr. Obama may have his personal beliefs, but the difference is, he doesn't appear subject others to his personal beliefs. We'll see. I have high hopes.
Morning Piss: Back of the Bus, Again
What I should really be peeved about is that hideous Narciso Rodriguez victory dress Michelle Obama chose to wear next to her fabulously historic and much needed newly elected husband, Barack. What was she thinking? Doesn't she have any fashion-conscious girlfriends, any gay buds who could have advised her better?
Maybe they were all otherwise engaged trying to help defeat Prop 8, which makes gay marriage illegal in California? Very happy for the Obamas, truly I am. Hard to be ecstatic, though, right now.
Do you have any idea how demoralizing it feels to reside in a state where residents have voted to improve the rights of farm animals but lessen those of gay men and women? Say baaahh if you love Jesus!
And no, I have no intention of moving; the fight has only begun. Get ready for it, everybody. This will change. Just ask Ellen and Portia—and more than a few legal types—if you don't believe me.
^
I agree about Michelle's dress, terrible.
But a fantastic result, thanks guys.
A huge 69 - 31 percent African-American margin against marriage equality
That's a real shame.
In other words, you have a better chance of maintaining and ensuring a group of people's rights if you approach it from a legal standpoint, rather than trying to change many years of cultural and religious beliefs.
ITA.
I hope someone will ask President Obama what's more important: what some people believe or the fact that gay people are denied their civil rights.
Page Six
SUIT RIPS AGENT'S NUDE ANTICS
A TOP Hollywood talent agent - whose roster includes Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Aniston and Matthew McConaughey - repeatedly insulted his clients, stole gifts sent to them, and discussed their private parts, a bombshell lawsuit alleges.
Former assistant Heather Devlin charges in a sexual harassment suit filed yesterday in LA Superior Court that Todd Shemarya, co-founder of Todd Shemarya Associates, created a hostile working environment by "parading naked" in front of her, forcing her to take dictation as he used the bathroom, and exposing her to computer porn - including a woman with a horse.
The suit also claims Shemarya:
* Took a pair of vintage Cartier watches meant as gifts for Pitt and Aniston and had them engraved to a pal as a wedding present, and used Pitt's name to get free swag for himself from Coach and TAG Heuer.
* Showed Devlin photos of a nude Pitt from a banned 1997 issue of Playgirl, "ridicule[d] the size of Pitt's penis," called him a "fag" because of his "extensive enthusiasm for clothes and architecture," and referred to Aniston as "an ugly bitch."
* Said he was disgusted that Djimon Hounsou was dating Kimora Lee Simmons because she was a "cheap dirty whore."
* Gave "preferential treatment" to "gay men who slept with him" and fired Devlin after nine years, months after hiring his gay lover and giving him some of her accounts.
"Ms. Devlin was exposed to a constant barrage of offensive sexual, racial and religious comments. TSA's celebrity clients would usually be the center of his ridicule," Devlin's lawyer, Keith A. Fink, told Page Six.
Shemarya responded: "These are false accusations. This is a disgruntled employee who I fired about a year ago. And now she's trying to extort money." Pitt's lawyer had no immediate comment.
Page Six
WHICH screen god isn't as happy as he and his paramour would like the world to think? Whenever the couple and their children are in LA, he "goes to a bar in a Beverly Hills hotel and drinks for hours before going home"
Showed Devlin photos of a nude Pitt from a banned 1997 issue of Playgirl, "ridicule[d] the size of Pitt's penis," called him a "fag" because of his "extensive enthusiasm for clothes and architecture," and referred to Aniston as "an ugly bitch."
LOL
Bad gay!
Prop 8 May Still Have Chance
All may not be lost in terms of Proposition 8, the California ballot measure that seems to have overturned gay marriage.
According to DailyKos, California Supreme Court Justice Ronald George, who wrote the majority opinion based on his state's precedent, not the Supreme Court, did not create a suspect class for gay folk, thereby leaving some wiggle room for debate:
"There is ample precedent under CA law that alterations of fundamental rights cannot to done with a mere amendment via majority vote of the electorate. This would constitute a "revision" of the CA Constitution would requires 2/3 vote of both Houses of Legislature AND a 2/3 vote by the electorate or alternatively a State Constitutional Convention called by 2/3 vote of both houses."
Activists are also hoping the 3-4 million uncounted ballots can help swing the polls back in our direction.
Queerty
Whenever the couple and their children are in LA, he "goes to a bar in a Beverly Hills hotel and drinks for hours before going home".
Ha! Can't say as I blame him. ;)
"There is ample precedent under CA law that alterations of fundamental rights cannot to done with a mere amendment via majority vote of the electorate. This would constitute a "revision" of the CA Constitution would requires 2/3 vote of both Houses of Legislature AND a 2/3 vote by the electorate or alternatively a State Constitutional Convention called by 2/3 vote of both houses."
I was curious about this; it seemed too easy to wipe out rights with a proposed amendment like this. The process of amending the state constitution is easier to do in CA's constitution than in other states; at one time in their history, they had 500 amendments!
Posted on OMG
I was going to save it for tomorrows post but Kate at WDW has it up already.
It looks like we will get a sneak peak of Jake and the Prince of Persia tomorrow on Entertainment Tonight. Check you local listings. This and the mention on the blog about being at Pinewood and the PoP sounds like they were doing the on set PR interviews and extras for PoP when it comes out in 2010.
---
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
set visit!
the most exciting thing I've done here at Disney so far...for two days I went on a set visit to Pinewood Studios just outside of London where they are filming Prince of Persia. I got to tour the sets, see the costumes and weapons, watch them film a couple of scenes and do some stunts, as well as conduct a group interview with Jake Gyllenhaal, Ben Kingsley, Jerry Bruckheimer and tons of other people working on the film! All the other journalists were cool and matter of fact, but it's my first time so I'm still pretty star struck and excited!
Being on the huge amazing sets, I really do miss filmmaking. It's a lot of sweating, waiting around, physical labour and all about playing a small tiny part of a really big machine, but still to be a part of such a project like this would be so great.
Oh and I got to hold the Dagger of Time for a good whole five minutes. I didn't want to put it down, I kept sidling back and picking it up again as discreetly as I could. It was the hero version, the proper heavy metal one used for closeups. It does look like the one in game and is absolutely gorgeous!
...
http://roarke80.blogspot.com/2008/11/set-visit.html
Prop 8 May Still Have Chance
Fingers crossed!
Very interesting about PoP. :)
Will the clip be online?
ETonline.com
IHJ gallery - new old pictures
2004 - Democratic Rally At Michigan State University
Moonlight Mile (2002) > Publicity Stills
Wonder why Disney has decided to do PR for POP 2yrs before it comes out. Maybe Disney has been reading online, cause the only glowing and exciting write-ups about POP are by Disney sanctioned press. Otherwise, everybody else is saying POP will probably be campy not blockbuster material.
Given that PoP's campaign so far seems to revolve around Reeke, which is roundly slammed around the internet, they probably decided they had to do something.
If Disney really wanted to do something, they would tell Jake to ditch the Chin. She's ruining his rep and his career.
If you read the blog entry, the blogger works for disney, so they interviews are sanctioned by Disney.
What career or rep is she ruining? He is doing that all by himself, if it wasn't for her or the fanboys excited over that crapfest pop, he would get zero attention,
Dan Savage, author and sex advice columnist
Tuesday night I was overjoyed.
But Wednesday morning, reading the papers and listening to the news on the radio, my boyfriend and I -- we're boyfriends in the USA, husbands in Canada -- sat at our kitchen table and had the exact same discussion we had the morning after the 2004 election: When the hell are we moving to Canada?
The anti-gay politicking that goes on in this country is a bit like a dog whistle: Straight people can't hear it, but it drives gay people absolutely around the bend. The importance of Obama's victory can't be overstated; I'm as moved as anyone else. But the passage of anti-gay marriage amendments in Arizona, Florida and, most heartbreakingly of all, California (and with overwhelming support from African-American voters), along with the passage of an anti-gay adoption amendment in Arkansas, left us both feeling shell-shocked, betrayed and angry.
It really was quite shocking to realize the anti-gay sentiment that is still out there, even today. :( I really expected more from California. But let's see what the results are from the review by the CA Supreme Court, filed today by a coaltion of gay-rights groups.
if it wasn't for her or the fanboys excited over that crapfest pop, he would get zero attention
Not true. Jake Gyllenhaal did exist in the media before bearding.
Dlisted
Prop 8 Passed....
Look at these two precious lesbians being all smiley and married. Well, Prop 8 has come along and stomped all over their pure happiness. They're just two sad lesbians now and that is a sin! Gayelles should never be sad.
Prop 8, which re-bans gay marriage, will most likely pass. Right now 95% of the votes have been counted. 52% are for and 48% are against. There's still around 4 million absentee ballots that need to be counted, but it's probably not enough to turn things around. The state is no longer marrying the gays as of today. It's looking grim and gross.
A few of the 18,000 couples that were married will file lawsuits. Civil rights groups are also challenging the measure by asking the Supreme Court to strike it down based on the argument that you can't just take shit away from one certain group.
I don't get this shit. I'm a tax-paying dumb bitch like everyone else. I should have the right to fly to California, catch a sugar daddy on his death bed, marry him, wait a couple of months for him to kick it and then collect all his cash. Seriously, that's my lifelong goal and now a bunch of fun killers in California have stopped me from being able to achieve this!
http://www.dlisted.com/node/29137
IHJ gallery - new old pictures
2004 - Democratic Rally At Michigan State University
Aww!
Three Suits Filed Over Prop 8 as Californians Protest, Hold Vigils
Our reader Joe Rodriguez sends us these photos of the candlelight vigil held tonight at San Francisco City Hall in reaction to Proposition 8, although not all votes have been reported.
Three lawsuits have now been filed asking the Supreme Court to overturn Proposition 8, the L.A. Times reports:
"Lawyers for same-sex couples argued that the anti-gay-marriage measure was an illegal constitutional revision -- not a more limited amendment, as backers maintained -- because it fundamentally altered the guarantee of equal protection. A constitutional revision, unlike an amendment, must be approved by the Legislature before going to voters. The state high court has twice before struck down ballot measures as illegal constitutional revisions, but those initiatives involved "a broader scope of changes," said former California Supreme Court Justice Joseph Grodin, who publicly opposed Proposition 8 and was part of an earlier legal challenge to it. The court has suggested that a revision may be distinguished from an amendment by the breadth and the nature of the change, Grodin said Still, Grodin said, he believes that the challenge has legal merit, though he declined to make any predictions...
With regard to the three suits, "The first action was filed by the ACLU, the National Center for Lesbian Rights and Lambda Legal. Santa Clara County and the cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles also filed a suit, and Los Angeles lawyer Gloria Allred filed a third suit on behalf of a married lesbian couple. All the lawsuits cited the constitutional revision argument, and two of them asked the court to block Proposition 8 from taking effect while the legal cases were pending."
No on 8
Los Angeles lawyer Gloria Allred filed a third suit on behalf of a married lesbian couple
Ellen and Portia?
Black Bond
Daniel Craig, 40, sang the praises of Barack Obama, America’s president-elect. “If we can have a black U.S. president we can have a black James Bond,” he said. “This is as significant as when man landed on the moon. The Obama election is a wake up call for the whole world.
Craig added, “I’m a real fan of Obama because I like his political ideas. And I think it’s the right moment for a black James Bond.”
RYAN GOSLING and RACHEL McADAMS' on-off romance is off again, just four months after they sealed their reunion with a public kiss.
The pair began dating first time around after meetingon the set of 2004 movie "The Notebook". They split in 2007, but reconciled in July (08) and were soon spotted smooching at a restaurant in Toronto, Canada. But friends claim the relationship has hit the rocks again. A source tells Us Weekly, "Rachel is too controlling. They broke up the first time because of their busy schedules - and that's the problem again."
E!
Ellen DeGeneres on Barack Obama, Prop. 8
Ellen DeGeneres just released a statement about the election of Barack Obama, as well as the passage of California's Proposition 8.
DeGeneres fought against the ballot measure, which sought to overturn a state Supreme Court ruling that allowed same-sex unions, blogging on her official website to urge voters to reject it, and paying for her own public service announcements to run on television.
Here's what she had to say:
"Watching the returns on election night was an amazing experience. Barack Obama is our new president. Change is here. I, like millions of Americans, felt like we had taken a giant step towards equality. We were watching history.
"This morning, when it was clear that Proposition 8 had passed in California, I can’t explain the feeling I had. I was saddened beyond belief. Here we just had a giant step towards equality and then on the very next day, we took a giant step away. I believe one day a 'ban on gay marriage' will sound totally ridiculous. In the meantime, I will continue to speak out for equality for all of us."
I should have the right to fly to California, catch a sugar daddy on his death bed, marry him, wait a couple of months for him to kick it and then collect all his cash. Seriously, that's my lifelong goal and now a bunch of fun killers in California have stopped me from being able to achieve this!
Bad, bad Michael! lol
He's crass, but sometimes I find him so crass he's hilarious. ;)
I'm hilarious all the time.
That 'screen god" mentioned earlier does not sound like Jake - maybe Brad Pitt. I dont think Jake is perceived as a screen God.
Huh? Why would anyone think that "screen god" BI has anything to do with Jake?
November 5, 2008
Bruckheimer on Pirates 4, Lone Ranger and National Treasure 3
Back in September, Walt Disney Pictures threw a huge presentation for all their upcoming movies, which culminated in big announcements about new installments of two of the studio's biggest franchises done in collaboration with Jerry Bruckheimer Productions, Pirates of the Caribbean 4 and a third "National Treasure," as well as their intentions of reinventing The Lone Ranger. (You can read part of our report on that presentation here.)
Since the announcement, there's been a lot of rumors especially about that fourth "Pirates" movie, but earlier today, ComingSoon.net and a group of journalists had some time to sit down with Jerry Bruckheimer on the set of potentially his next big Disney franchise, based on the video game Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, to get some first-hand info about these projects.
As far as getting all of these new projects off the ground, Bruckheimer joked, "That's why I can't spend a lot of time here. We have a lot of things," and mentioned some of the projects he's actively working on. "We're doing another 'National Treasure' so we're working on that, we're preparing 'Sorcerer's Apprentice' right now—it's going to be shot in New York—we have another picture that's in post-production that we're finishing called 'Confessions of a Shopaholic' with Isla Fischer and Hugh Dancy, so that comes out in February."
As far as approaching the sequels for "National Treasure" and "Pirates of the Caribbean," Bruckheimer says that both are having scripts written. "We've sat with the writers and we're working up the story and plotlines right now. They're in the process of finishing 'The Lone Ranger' so they're working on both of those simultaneously, same set of writers, Elliot and Rossio, who did all three 'Pirates' and worked on 'National Treasure (2)'"
When asked whether they might consider gearing another "Pirates" movie to IMAX, based on the success Warner Bros. had with The Dark Knight, Bruckheimer responded, "Absolutely. I'd love to do it, so let's just see if we can work it through the production schedule with everything else."
"I think they're pushing towards 2012," Bruckheimer told us about the possible release date for this fourth "Pirates" movie. "Hopefully we can make it we'll see."
In other Bruckheimer project news, it was confirmed at the Disney event that Johnny Depp would also play Tonto in Bruckheimer and Disney's new version of The Lone Ranger, but when Bruckheimer was asked about the rumors of George Clooney playing the title character, he denied that it was confirmed. "We haven't decided who is going to play the Lone Ranger yet. Get a director first and then figure it out."
Look for more on ComingSoon.net's visit to the set of Prince of Persia sometime next year, since it doesn't open until Memorial Day weekend 2010.
http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=50225
We haven't decided who is going to play the Lone Ranger yet.
Depp and Clooney would make a good couple :)
Wonder why Disney has decided to do PR for POP 2yrs before it comes out.
PoP is an expensive product and Disney is doing it's best to market and sell it.
Jake is a screen demi god to me. ;)
It's going to be "Made it, Ma! Top of the world!" after PoP.
Hope so. :) Then he can do whatever he wants.
Make PoP 2 :)
I still can't imagine Jake with an English accent, looking like the Hulk (hair included), running around as a prince who sword fights. Sorry, I love Jake, but this just doesn't gives me the image of him looking like a debounair superhero. Depp can do tongue in cheek, I don't think Jake can.
I'm a versatile boy.
Well, we'll have to see how it goes.
the passage of anti-gay marriage amendments in Arizona, Florida and, most heartbreakingly of all, California (and with overwhelming support from African-American voters), along with the passage of an anti-gay adoption amendment in Arkansas, left us both feeling shell-shocked, betrayed and angry.
Yeah. I am SERIOUSLY not gonna get over this. I've had it with this crap. GLBTs are full citizens and full human beings and we demand full rights now.
No DADT, no marriage bans, no exceptions, no nothin! >:(
"Milk" and No on 8
As The Gays Prepare For Battle, Could 'Milk' Have Made The Difference?
Here's a warning to anyone who voted to strip gay Californians of their rights to wed, and 18,000 already-married same-sex couples of their licenses: You don't want to see a ticked-off Mr. Defamer. His eyebrow arches even higher than usual, and he's been known to accidentally fumble that intern-monitored mug of 140 degree chai latte into a nearby face. We, meanwhile, are busily polishing our pitchforks and stocking up on 99 Cents Only-brand torches for tonight's Prop 8 protest rally (7 p.m. on San Vicente Blvd between West Hollywood Park and the Pacific Design Center).
Could an earlier Milk release have made the difference?
L.A. county has already suspended the issuance of marriage licenses and civil marriage ceremonies for gay couples, saying in a statement "based on the Secretary of State's Semi-Official canvass results from Election Night and the California State Constitutional provision that states '(a) proposed amendment or revision shall be submitted to the electors and if approved by a majority of votes thereon takes effect the day after the election.'" The war, however, has already begun. Multiple legal challenges have been filed to subvert the measure—including one from high-volume feminist firebrand Gloria Allred on behalf of Couple Zero, Robin Tyler and Diane Olsen—arguing that this vote amounts to nothing more than an illegal constitutional revision.
In Contention, meanwhile, asks a very good—if difficult to hear—question regarding Milk. The movie itself is about the legendary SF board supervisor's crusade against 1978's Prop 6, which would have banned gays from teaching positions. The parallels are impossible to ignore. Couldn't an earlier release of Gus Van Sant's film have pushed public opinion in this incredibly narrow vote onto the No side?
I can’t help but wonder what “Milk” might have meant for today’s cause, if anything, had it landed in the marketplace last month...Consistently, Harvey Milk (Sean Penn’s career-best portrayal) makes the point, to paraphrase, “We have to make them understand that they know us.” That message, I think, might have carried a lot of heft if voters had made it to the polls four weeks later.
But I’m not a studio head and I don’t make these decisions. A studio’s priority is, of course, to shareholders, and “Milk” is likely to make more money in its current release plan than something earlier in the season. But you can’t help but wonder what might have been. And you can’t “give ‘em hope” after the fact.
Focus president James Schamus has already defended his efforts in his angry rebuttal of THR's slam-piece on the Milk marketing campaign. But the question remains: Could this have been pushed back to October? From a business standpoint, it was a month overstuffed with other releases, and a November bow would have given Penn some nice breathing room from his Oscar competition. In any case, there's no point in looking backwards now, and the movie will do a lot more for the cause in the long run than Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa ever will.
Defamer
“We have to make them understand that they know us.” That message, I think, might have carried a lot of heft if voters had made it to the polls four weeks later.
Can't say it any better - we're you're sisters, brothers, parents, teachers, coworkers, entertainers - and deserve equal treatment and respect. You go, gay Californians, at tonight's protest! :*
GLBTs are full citizens and full human beings and we demand full rights now.
It's still too early for the US.
"The Netherlands was the first country to allow same-sex marriage in 2001. In 2005, Spain became the first country in the world to recognize same-sex marriage (including adoption rights) on equal terms and under the same law."
I just find it questionable that a CA Supreme Court decision giving the right to gay marriage can be erased by the stroke of a pen of popular vote. I never could understand why people are so threatened by same-sex marriage - even if they don't personally agree, they don't have the right to speak for all people or discriminate, and it's not their business.
Prop. 8 aftermath: let the lawsuits begin...
Robin Tyler and Diane Olson, the first plaintiff couple named in the historic lawsuit that overturned California's ban on gay marriage and the first same-sex couple married in Los Angeles County in June, are leading the legal fight again.
The Advocate reports that the couple wasted no time filing a new lawsuit with California's supreme court Wednesday morning.
Though the fate of Prop. 8 -- which would constitutionally ban same-sex marriage in the state of California -- remains uncertain, with 3 million provisional and absentee ballots still uncounted, Yes on 8 claimed victory Wednesday morning. Tyler, Olsen, and their Hollywood power attorney Gloria Allred announced at a press conference at Allred's Wilshire Boulevard office that afternoon that they would file a new lawsuit challenging Prop. 8's constitutionality.
^^Wonderful! :) Plus, all of the votes aren't in yet! It's so sad that these "Defense of Marriage" groups put so much money, time and effort into this foolishness, when it could be better spent elsewhere, helping people instead of discriminating and spreading hatred.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.
The Declaration of Independence
Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
The first section formally defines citizenship and protects people's civil rights from infringement by any State.
Section 1 of the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution
U.S. Supreme Court
MEYER v. STATE OF NEBRASKA, 262 U.S. 390 (1923)
Mr. Justice McREYNOLDS delivered the opinion of the Court.
...
While this court has not attempted to define with exactness the liberty thus guaranteed, the term has received much consideration and some of the included things have been definitely stated. Without doubt, it denotes not merely freedom from bodily restraint but also the right of the individual to contract, to engage in any of the common occupations of life, to acquire useful knowledge, to marry, establish a home and bring up children, to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience, and generally to enjoy those privileges long recognized at common law as essential to the orderly pursuit of happiness by free men.
http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=US&vol=262&invol=390
Bearding?
Terri Seymour Got Paid
A few days ago, I wrote about my disappointment in Terri Seymour for not completing her gold digging mission. I now kiss her newly rich feet, because not only did Simon Cowell give her $4.6 to buy a mansion, but he also handed her $5 million in cash money. That's not a bad paycheck for massaging Simon's manchichis and scrubbing Gaycrest's dried-up jizz from hair for 6 years.
Of course, it's "shut the fuck" money. But I'm hoping Terri knew her cash COWell (sorry) was about to go out to pasture, so she quietly put together an incrimiGAYting (sorry again) case against him. When it came time to part, she sashayed into his black t-shirt closet room like Alexis Carrington, threw down the pictures and said, "It's not going to be cheap!"
That dumb bitch Sarah Larson probably only walked away with an autographed copy of "Ocean's Eleven" and a "You've Been Clooney-d" t-shirt.
Dlisted
If Proposition 8 passes, the question will arise as to whether it can be overturned by the courts on the ground that it is unconstitutional. A constitutional amendment approved by the voters can be ruled unconstitutional. A constitutional provision can be held unconstitutional if the courts find that it violates the U.S. Constitution. For example, in the 1960s, both the California Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated Proposition 14, a constitutional amendment passed by the voters which would have overturned the Rumford Act’s fair-housing laws. The courts found that the amendment violated the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution. In the 1990s, on the same grounds, both the Colorado Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a voter-passed amendment to the Colorado Constitution that would have prevented local governments from enforcing policies prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
The right to marry in California has been decided; the amendment is what is in question, whether it is constitutional or not.
Colin Firth on his director, Tom Ford: "If he turns his hand to this with the brilliance that he's turned his hand to everything else that he's ever done in his life, it'll be a masterpiece." [VogueUK]
A little shout-out to the gays?
bittersweet
I was hoping this would be the first major election in eight years that didn’t make me cry—and for a few minutes, I was just crying because I was happy. Seeing Obama up there, looking thrilled and tired, thin-necked, big-eared, shockingly human under the weight of all that history and all those hopes; thinking about Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King, Jr. and his grandma looking down on him…for a few minutes, America was everything I needed it to be.
When Obama talked about how his election isn’t the change we seek but just the opportunity to continue seeking it, when he gave a little shout-out to the gays (and how many presidents have done that in their acceptance speeches?)…for those minutes, I thought, “Yes we can.”
And then California decided it was all about deciding who exactly got to be included in “we.” As in, “We can get married, but you can’t.” As in, “We can use the constitution, which should be sort of a secular bible, to put into practice all the whimsical and shitty things we’ve exploited the actual Bible for.” Arkansas did it too, only worse. Arkansas decided, “It’s not enough to fuck the gays with this proposition—let’s screw over kids in foster care too.”
...
http://breadandbread.blogspot.com/2008/11/bittersweet.html
^^They won't be able to use the Constitution - the CA Supreme Court decided that gays and lesbians have the right to marry, and that's the law. Just watch, this amendment will be overturned as unconstitutional.
Who's talking trash about Jake Gyllenhaal?
Truth, Lies & Ted, Nov. 6
I hope that AK and FL will be able to overturn their amendments too.
I'm at work & can't play Ted. What does he say?
^ ^ ^
How boring and bored he was, when at Columbia Univ.
How Jake talked about buddhism ... a lot. And something about enjoyable relationship with his hand :)
Change.
Barack Obama and Joe Biden are laying it all out there with their new website, Change.gov, "the official website of the US Presidential transition." In addition to have biographies of the new White House power couple, the site contains some policy initiatives, including civil rights-oriented pledges. Here's what they say about hate crimes: "Obama and Biden will strengthen federal hate crimes legislation, expand hate crimes protection by passing the Matthew Shepard Act, and reinvigorate enforcement at the Department of Justice's Criminal Section."
2:43, I hope you're right. My skins is burning from the sense of being hated by "the majority." California, Florida, Arizona, Arkansas? Garbage.
I supported Obama and Biden, and I'm glad they won. But there's no doubt: Obama and Biden let us down. They could have said what Kerry and Edwards said: "it should be left up to the states." But they didn't leave it at that. They said "we oppose gay marriage."
Biden went back later, but too little, too late. They owe us more than hate crimes legislation. They owe us equality.
Ted and his interns are getting info from here again. Did'nt someone here joked that Jake wasn't having sex with anyone and was jerking off to satisfy himself? Ted says that his relationship with Reese is ridiculous and he wuld have a more lasting and satisfying relationship with his hand=mastrubation/he isn't sleeping with Reese, again someone posted that here more than once.
Question if he is in a relationship and it's not Reese as he implies then why would he need to mastrubate? He is implying he has he isn't sleeping with anyone.
Is he celibate now? And why would someone be passing along almost 10 year old "gossip" about Jake from Columbia? "Gossip" that has been posted about him on sites like IHJ for years.
It's bad enough that he has no new info or keeps reapeating the same stuff: jake and Reese are fake, blah, blah, but his interns are now gleaming decade old "gossip". Does Ted actually think Jake and Reese and the rest of HW payshim any mind or is he just catering to a certain audience?
Makes me think he got wind of the marriage rumors.
:D only one skin, not more than that.
^^I hate that this happened in CA too; I want to find out every bit of info I can on this, to help ensure that it gets overturned, and I hope and pray that it will be overturned. :)
4:05 PM #2
At least Ted managed to upset you. LOL
But oh my, such a yummy vision! ;)
Ted is implying Jake isn't sleeping with anyone.
No, Ted said that Jake "would have a more lasting and satisfying relationship with his hand", that's all.
Ted and his interns are getting info from here again. Did'nt someone here joked that Jake wasn't having sex with anyone and was jerking off to satisfy himself?
Jake would never do that, masturbation makes hair grow on your palms.
Gay Bishop Barack's "First"
Barack Obama called on Gene Robinson three times this year to ask him advice on being "the first."
Robinson, you'll recall, is the Episcopal Church's first openly gay Bishop and received death threats before his ascension in 2004. Obama, you may have heard, had just been elected our nation's first black president, a position that's sure to be a bit stressful. Thus, in his quest for understanding and advice, Obama gave Robinson a ring:
"[Robinson] said That Mr Obama’s campaign team had sought him last year and he had the “honor” of three private conversations with the future president of the United States last May and June.
“The first words out of his mouth were: ‘Well you’re certainly causing a lot of trouble’, My response to him was: ‘Well that makes two of us'.” He said that Mr Obama had indicated his support for equal civil rights for gay and lesbian people and described the election as a “religious experience”.
…
The Anglican church’s first gay bishop and the United States’ first black President-elect discussed in depth the place of religion in the state.
Bishop Robinson said: “He and I would agree about the rightful place of religion vis-a-vis the secular state. That is to say, we don’t impose our religious values on the secular state because God said so. Our faith informs our own values and then we take those values into the civil market place, the civil discourse, and then you argue for them based on the Constitution. You don’t say to someone, you must believe this because this is what God believes."
Of Obama's personality, Robinson gushed, "He is impressive, he’s smart, he is an amazing listener. For someone who’s called on to speak all the time when he asks you a question, it is not for show, he is actually wanting to know what you think and listens." Sounds like the perfect date.
http://www.queerty.com/gay-bishop-baracks-first-20081106/
“The first words out of his mouth were: ‘Well you’re certainly causing a lot of trouble’, My response to him was: ‘Well that makes two of us'.”
I'm glad that joke was funny to them then, but I'm sorry, for me, today, it doesn't work. Obama should not have made the statement "I oppose gay marriage."
Yeah, prop 8 blows it for me. Better Obama than McCain, but I can't be happy now.
"Jake would never do that, masturbation makes hair grow on your palms."
true or false? false!
and Jake has said in interview that he has a good relationship with his wank bank.
Reposting
It looks like we will get a sneak peak of Jake and the Prince of Persia TONIGHT on Entertainment Tonight. Check you local listings.
Jake has said in interview that he has a good relationship with his wank bank.
Jake was talking about his baseball card collection.
November 6, 2008
Producer Bill Mechanic Talks ‘Torso’ Film & Matt Damon, Jake Gyllenhaal Rumors
So would Jake Gyllenhaal or Matt Damon be the main contender for the lead role in “Torso” — and what is that lead role? Both actors have been reported to be attached to the David Fincher film, an adaptation of Brian Michael Bendis and Marc Andreyko’s graphic novel, but filmmakers have suggested that the film and the novel are very different beasts. We caught up with the film’s producer Bill Mechanic at a “Coraline” sneak peek in New York recently and he cleared up a few things.
“They didn’t have the usual problems of adaptation, maybe because it’s a graphic novel,” Mechanic said. “We have an excellent script from Ehren Kruger,” who also wrote “Arlington Road,” “The Ring,” and “Skeleton Key,” “and it’s the best thing he’s written by far. Even the minor parts, there are places where real actors can score.”
Mechanic said that the two best parts are “the guy who leads you through the story,” and Elliot Ness. “It’s less about the ‘Torso Killer’ than the nature of a hero and Elliot Ness,” he said.
Could the square-jawed Damon be Ness then? Could Gyllenhaal be reprising his “Zodiac” fascination with the hunt for a serial killer as the story’s narrator? “Some of those rumors are true,” Mechanic said, “and some of those rumors are not true. But there are major people waiting to come aboard.”
Part of their attraction to the project, Mechanic said, is because of Kruger’s script — “It’s an Oscar-caliber script.”
“The graphic novel doesn’t give you the depth of character and things that make a movie work,” Mechanic said. “And part of the idea of the movie, the initial interest from David was, pre-’Sin City’ and ‘300,’ was to bring a graphic novel to life. It’s more about dimensionalizing that world, which means dimensionalizing the characters and the action so that it starts taking a life of its own. It’s more of a self-standing piece. And Marc and Brian see it the same way Chuck Palahniuk spoke about ‘Fight Club’: ‘It’s great because I didn’t want anything to do with it, it brings readers to my work, it’s not usurping what I did. It’s fairly different, but it’s great.’”
Mechanic is waiting for the green light — “we just need the studio to sign off,” he said.
“I would hope we’re shooting by spring,” he said. “If it doesn’t get made, it’s a sin.”
MTV Splash
"Jake has said in interview that he has a good relationship with his wank bank.
Jake was talking about his baseball card collection."
haha good line
AmericaBlog has some details about plans to challenge prop 8:
The state constitution provides that revisions to the constitution requires a 2/3 vote of the legislature or the convening of a state constitutional convention, and a proposition requiring only 50% is not available to the electorate to accomplish the revision to our equal protection clause.
Prop 8, if it passes, conflicts with the equal protection clause. If marriage is now limited to straight couples and excludes gay couples then it is inconsistent and in conflict with the equal protection clause. We will argue to the court that Prop 8 is a disguised revision to the constitution which cannot be imposed by the ordinary amendment process, which only requires a simple majority.
Both sides spent millions and millions of dollars. How come they didn't / couldn't check if Proposition 8 is legally sound?
^^If by legally sound, you mean litigation proof - nothing is litigation proof. You can always challenge a law, or sue. I think these groups have so much zeal that they'd try anything to interfere with gay marriage and influence people. It's wrong on so many levels - religious groups are barred from dictating civil matters and the lawmaking process through the separation of church and state in the First Amendment. Depending upon how involved they are, this is another violation. This is a civil rights violation, and I hope with all my heart will be overturned.
Bishop Robinson said: “He and I would agree about the rightful place of religion vis-a-vis the secular state. That is to say, we don’t impose our religious values on the secular state because God said so. Our faith informs our own values and then we take those values into the civil market place, the civil discourse, and then you argue for them based on the Constitution. You don’t say to someone, you must believe this because this is what God believes."
Hear, hear Bishop Robinson.
"He" being Barack Obama.
While waiting for a train to take me to D.C, I was out the Universal News outlet in the station and started rifling through the National Enquirer for kicks when LO and BEHOLD, there's a story there about Jake and Reese. Supposedly (according to NE), Jake has pulled the plug on Reese's marriage plans--telling her it's off now and in the future--the reason being--he's deeply upset about his parents getting a divorce. Reese wants a commitment and doesn't want to wait around forever.
Well, that makes more logical sense!
Also, the National Enquirer says that the reason why Jake flew into LA last week (or two weeks ago--whenever it was) during a break in filming was to break the news to Reese and tell her it was off.
Obama is a mediocre, fifth-rate political fraud who was forced down our throats just like the Iraq War war forced our our throats. Just like Shrub, another mediocre, fifth-rate political fraud, it's just a matter of time before the sh*t hits the fan. The beginning of the anti-Obama backlash was Prop. 8.
Get ready for more.
Re : The National Enquirer story
Just like the restaurant argument story, the NE story sounds like a pr plant. Better bad pr than no PR.
LOL @ the NE BS story.
For the sake of Gyllenspoon haters, I hope to God that the NE bit is the God honest truth.
Obama is the most unifying political figure of the last 30 years, and a vast improvement from the last four years. After 8 years of Bush, anyone is a step up. Thanks for being my generation's Dr. King-JFK combo, President Obama!
Whether they really are a couple or not, a recently divorced woman and a man who is deeply upset about his parents' recent divorce should not rush into marriage. They've got time.
What brought out the racist homophobes?
Gyllenbabble must be quiet tonight
Now, I've been very silent about the Prop. 8 situation, but will now add my 2 cents. Myself and my partner live on the east coast and had not paid that much attention to the bill / voting of Of prop. 8. Early on he and myself thought that voting yes meant that you would be voting for gay marriges in Calif.. I know, go ahead, but I did not that much about it. Please forgive my ignorance to this very important bill.
However I want you to know that I am gay! And, I know of gay people who thinks that marriage is for a man and a woman and I do too. I have absolutely no problem with civil unions of a male / male or female / female unions as long as (ALL) of the same rules and legal situations apply to the gay couples just as the straight couple. For me, it's just a word. If I can live my life with my partner or any other male partner under a union that matches the deffinition of the (WORD) marraige. I can live with that. I know my views are different than some gay people, but at this time in my life this is were I am at with the subject. I can let the hetros popuation have the "WORD" marraige.
The racist homophobes were alays here via the DC forum.
Anothe BS NE story the same week Us, Ok and the rest of the rags siad hhe came home for Deacon's b'day, i guess NE was bored with that fanfic and wrote their own.
Real or not I can't see Reese rushing into another marriage so soon, the marriage rumors are BS.
Reminds me of the planted Star having trouble story and the arguement in the resturaunt story, followed up by photo ops, made to make them sound more interesting.
Looking at the pics of her this week she sure looked happy, i guess she has come around to living together is a comittment, LOL!
Using his parents divorce for fanfic, how sad. BTW: There was no segment o Jake tonight on ET.
I can let the hetros popuation have the "WORD" marraige.
^^ I did not make this statement to undermine the sacred and important value of anyone who gets married. If I were to enter into a Civil Union with my partner, it would be just as Important and sacred to my partner and myself!
That's fine - but separate but equal is not equal. Marriage comes with certain rights, honor, esteem and respect that comes with saying "this is my wife/husband" that everyone deserves. There's a huge difference.
The National Enquirer is not ALL bullcrap--not at all. They do get somethings right--case in point--John Edwards cheating on his wife with a skank and knocking her up WHILE he was running for president. They were VERY right about that and they were right about Nicole Ritchie being pregnant back when she was 80 pounds and NO ONE thought she could ever get pregnant in that state but they knew.
Now they're not always right but a lot of stuff they get correct (they also pay their sources which helps). When they were covering the OJ Trial (first one), they consistently outscooped all the major media outlets. It got to the point that were singled out and honored by Ted Koppel on Nightline. Also, when I was in journalism school (I went to Columbia by the way), they once held an all-day panel/conference on investigative reporting. Based on the scoops the National Enquirer had unearthed covering the OJ trial, Mike Walker, one of their editors/reporters was invited to be a speaker.
He was very overwhelmed and flattered to be there.
Yes, A LOT of celeb rags are full of crap but don't be too apt to dismiss the NE just because you don't like what they have to say about a celeb or a celeb couple.
By the way, the celeb rags depend on information fed to them by publicists; the NE doesn't--which is why their info is very often ten times more accurate than the nonsense in the rags.
NE isn't always right but trust me, they're right a lot.
They were also the first to report that Patrick Swayze was very ill (they were wrong about his having weeks to live but he was very ill--I think he may be in remission now; still, his form of cancer has a very high mortality rate).
Wasn't Mike Walker from NE the one that reported that Jake and Reese were engaged this past January, swore they were. I think Reese's rep. denied it.
The other rags have been flogging yes they are and no they aren't for months.
Don't think BB wold be so tacky to fly home the day before her son's b'day to tel her I don't want to get married because i'm upset about mommy and daddy. Could have called her to halt the "plans" or wait until a better time. Of course there were no plans to halt and if you believe to believe that crap then you must believe they are legit.
Bearding sometimes involves marriage, but Jake knew for awile his parents were headed for divorce so it came as no surprised when they filed and it doesn't explain the fanfic that was being spun about him begging her to marry him all the while his parents were headed for divorce.
Did he have a delayed reaction?Or is he taking a page from Maggie and Peter.
Bored interns, J&R don't even warrant the cover of NE, buried in the pageszzzzzzzzzzzzz
BB=Bubble boy
8:46pm, you are absolutely right. NE has been right on most of their stories. They were the first ones to also say Paul Newman had terminal lung cancer. I hope that Reeke story is the beginning of many they are breaking up stories til Reeke is finally over.
I have an exclusive story in next weeks NE about Jake and Reese's marriage plans on their ranch in Ojai! He may be pissed that his parents didn't stick it out but he's a big boy, he will get over it and it has no bearing on him and Reese because they will have a perfect marriage!!
Got to work to make those goofs interesting!
Obama's a mediocre political thug, and many people feel that way, including people of color like me. The next time you call me racist, you better have your boxing gloves on. Oh, and the next time you call an open queer like me a homophobe, you better have a baseball in your hand.
Re Enquirer : I agree that they got it the John Edwards story correct months in advance, unlike the more respectable media outlets that did everything they could to avoid any potential embarassment to Odumbo. So, NE sometimes gets it right. Most of the time, however, it's pr-fed pablum.
Obama is the best thing to happen to this country in ages.
So you are an open queer of color? Yeah right. I do believe you are a Log cabin rethug and you post on the DC forum. Why aren't you out protesting the passage of prop 8 instead of posting on some hag slash blog, have you no diginity???
Palin is a stupid whore that didn't know that Africa was a continent!!! And you pathetic, self-loathing log cabin queers voted for that ticket because all you care about is your wallets and that you didn't want an African-American in the WH.
Obama's a mediocre political thug, and many people feel that way, including people of color like me. The next time you call me racist, you better have your boxing gloves on. Oh, and the next time you call an open queer like me a homophobe, you better have a baseball in your hand."
Yes, you're queer and black just like I'm Sarah Palin. Go back to dogpatch Arkansas where you belong and launder your white KKK sheets. You're a liar and your lies disgrace truly honorable people like Barack Obama (and those who support him like myself).
"Yes, you're queer and black just like I'm Sarah Palin."
Hello Sarah.
Like I said before, I am a personal of color and openly gay and pro-gay marriage. Obviously you and your Odumbo-loving friends turned your brains off months ago because you overdosed on purple Koolaid and hopium. You conveniently ignore the fact that Obama coddled practically every Farrakhan-worshipping, neo-nazi black minister in the known universe, received more money from the now bankrupt Fannie Mae than practically any other senator, did absolutely *nothing* as an Illinois legislator and US senator, funded fraudulent vote registration scams, got in bed with homophobes in SC and refused to march in *any* gay pride parades.
Your social circle must also be limited because there are tons of people out there, some as gay as a goose like me, Democrat and Republican, black, white and everything else in between, who revile Odumbo and voted against him. We voted against Shrub for the same reason. Call us crazy, but we have an allergic reaction to mediocre, fifth-rate, corrupt flim-flam artists who are more interested in giving morality lessons and raising money than governing!
So *you*, a typically revisionist, crypto-racist Obama apologist, and I suspect, white liberal with a guilty streak as long as Kansas, go back to whatever hovel you hail from and keep drinking that purple Koolaid. I wish that you could take your mediocre, corrupt president-elect with you.
Now, let us return to a more worthy, and equally slippery, topic : Jake's Disney Closet.
The Difference between Gay Marriage and Civil Unions
by Kathy Belge
You hear the politicians saying it all the time. “I support Civil Unions, but not gay marriage.” What exactly does this mean? Some even say they support equal rights for gays and lesbians, but not gay marriage. Is this possible? And why do gays and lesbians want marriage so badly when they can have civil unions?
First of all, What is Marriage?
When people marry, they tend to do so for reasons of love and commitment. But marriage is also a legal status, which comes with rights and responsibilities. Marriage establishes a legal kinship between you and your spouse. It is a relationship that is recognized across cultures, countries and religions.
What is a Civil Union?
Civil Unions exist in only a handful of places: Vermont, New Jersey and Connecticut*. California and Oregon have domestic partnership laws that offer many of the same rights as civil unions.
Vermont civil unions were created in 2000 to provide legal protections to gays and lesbians in relationships in that state because gay marriage is not an option. The protections do not extend beyond the border of Vermont and no federal protections are included with a Civil Union. Civil Unions offer some of the same rights and responsibilities as marriage, but only on a state level.
What about Domestic partnership?
Some states and municipalities have domestic partnership registries, but no domestic partnership law is the same. Some, like the recently passed California domestic partnership law comes with many rights and responsibilities. Others, like the one in Washingtonoffer very few benefits to the couple.
What are some of the differences between Civil Unions and Gay Marriage?
Recognition in other states: Even though each state has its own laws around marriage, if someone is married in one state and moves to another, their marriage is legally recognized. For example, Oregon marriage law applies to people 17 and over. In Washington state, the couple must be 18 to wed. However, Washington will recognize the marriage of two 17 year olds from Oregon who move there. This is not the case with Civil Unions. If someone has a Civil Union in Vermont, that union is not recognized in any other state. As a matter of fact, two states, Connecticut and Georgia, have ruled that they do not have to recognize civil unions performed in Vermont, because their states have no such legal category. As gay marriages become legal in other states, this status may change.
Dissolving a Civil Union v. Divorce:
Vermont has no residency requirement for Civil Unions. That means two people from any other state or country can come there and have a civil union ceremony. If the couple breaks up and wishes to dissolve the union, one of them must be a resident of Vermont for one year before the Civil Union can be dissolved in family court. Married couples can divorce in any state they reside, no matter where they were married.
Immigration:
A United States citizen who is married can sponsor his or her non-American spouse for immigration into this country. Those with Civil Unions have no such privilege.
Taxes:
Civil Unions are not recognized by the federal government, so couples would not be able to file joint-tax returns or be eligible for tax breaks or protections the government affords to married couples.
Benefits:
The General Accounting Office in 1997 released a list of 1,049 benefits and protections available to heterosexual married couples. These benefits range from federal benefits, such as survivor benefits through Social Security, sick leave to care for ailing partner, tax breaks, veterans benefits and insurance breaks. They also include things like family discounts, obtaining family insurance through your employer, visiting your spouse in the hospital and making medical decisions if your partner is unable to. Civil Unions protect some of these rights, but not all of them.
But can’t a lawyer set all this up for gay and lesbian couples?
No. A lawyer can set up some things like durable power of attorney, wills and medical power of attorney. There are several problems with this, however.
1. It costs thousands of dollars in legal fees.
A simple marriage license, which usually costs under $100 would cover all the same rights and benefits.
2. Any of these can be challenged in court.
As a matter of fact, more wills are challenged than not. In the case of wills, legal spouses always have more legal power than any other family member.
3. Marriage laws are universal.
If someone’s husband or wife is injured in an accident, all you need to do is show up and say you’re his or her spouse. You will not be questioned. If you show up at the hospital with your legal paperwork, the employees may not know what to do with you. If you simply say, "He's my husband," you will immediately be taken to your spouse's side.
Defense of Marriage Law
Even with lesbian and gay marriages being performed and recognized in some states, the Federal Defense of Marriage Law prohibits the federal government from recognizing gay and lesbian relationships. This puts gay and lesbian couples who are married in a legal limbo. How do they file their tax returns? Do they have to pay the tax on their partner’s health insurance? How do they fill out legal and other forms, single or married?
Creating Civil Unions creates a separate and unequal status for some of America’s citizens. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial court ruled that creating a separate class for gay and lesbian citizens is not permissible and that is why they have voted that only marriage equals marriage. The precedent was set with Brown v. The Board of Education regarding segregation in public education. Ironically, Massachusetts marriage law went into effect on the 50th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education.
The United States Constitution guarantees equality for all. As you can see, marriage and civil unions are not the same. Creating equal access to marriage is the only fair way to ensure equality for gay and straight couples alike.
**The State of Connecticut now recognizes same sex marriage, in addition to Massachusetts. California did until Prop 8.
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