"This is the equivalent of authorizing homosexual marriage in Brazil.” Raquel Pereira de Castro Araujo, who heads the human rights committee of the Brazilian Bar Association, responding to today’s ruling by the country’s National Council of Justice that same-sex couples cannot be denied marriage licenses. The council, headed by the chief justice of Brazil’s Supreme Court, oversees the country’s ... [Read]

"The April 23, 2013, vote marks a new step toward equality for all couples and all families." Inter-LGBT, an umbrella organization of several French LGBT groups, from a statement released after the French National Assembly passed marriage equality 331-225, with 10 abstentions, amid increasing opposition demonstrations. According to the BBC, President Francois Hollande, a backer of the bill, is expected ... [Read]

"In our society, the meaning of marriage is universal -- it's a declaration of love and commitment to a special person. Nothing could make me more proud to be a New Zealander than passing this bill." New Zealand Member of Parliament Louisa Wall, sponsor of a bill legalizing same-sex marriage in New Zealand. It's the 13th nation in the ... [Read]

Pro-Gay United for Marriage Rally On Tuesday, March 26, a large rally is set to take place at the Supreme Court at 8:30 am. The address is 1 First Street NE, in Washington, DC. The rally was organized by United for Marriage (Light the Way to Justice), a coalition of diverse entities which, according to their website, began as ... [Read]

“Regardless of sexual orientation, 'husband' or 'wife' is acceptable in all references to individuals in any legally recognized marriage. ‘Spouse’ or ‘partner’ may be used if requested.” Associated Press, announcing today that its AP Stylebook, used widely as a media guide, will include an inclusive entry for “husband, wife” in its next edition, which counters a recent AP memo ... [Read]

Hawaii News Now reports that actor Jim Nabors married his partner, Stan Cadwallader, in Seattle two weeks ago. "I'm 82 and he's in his 60s and so we've been together for 38 years and I'm not ashamed of people knowing, it's just that it was such a personal thing, I didn't tell anybody." Nabors is famous for his work in ... [Read]

UPDATE (Sun, 3:00 am): Mike Burbach, editor for the Pioneer Press, responded to a wave of criticism his news site received over the weekend. He said that they "failed to deliver" on a promise to be impartial about Minnesota's pending constitutional ban on same-sex marriages. He added, "we should have made our respect for the anti-amendment arguments more evident." Burbach ... [Read]

The National Organization for Marriage released another horrible video this week that claims that "natural marriage" offers numerous benefits for society, while same sex marriage offers "no benefits for society as a whole." The speaker then states, "In fact, it hurts us." The slick motion graphic is voiced over with a British-sounding female who says that legalizing marriage for gay ... [Read]

Arnold Schwarzenegger, former Governor of California and mega-movie star, spoke openly with "60 Minutes" this Sunday. He told the interviewer, Lesley Stahl, that his mother once consulted a doctor over his obsession with male bodybuilders. As an adolescent, Schwarznegger had adorned his room with photos of stripped-down, muscled-up men instead of girls: "I don't know if she thought it was gay, ... [Read]

"Archbishop Mansell informed Father DeVito that his participation in this ceremony was understandably perceived by many Catholics as an implicit endorsement of same-sex marriage, which is contrary to Church teaching. As a consequence, and in accordance with canon law, the Archbishop formally rebuked Father DeVito and informed him that the rebuke would be a permanent part of his record. Fr. ... [Read]

"I can assure you that gay people getting married will have zero effect on your life. They won't come into your house and steal your children. They won't magically turn you into a lustful cockmonster. They won't even overthrow the government in an orgy of hedonistic debauchery because all of a sudden they have the same legal rights as the ... [Read]

Right Wing Watch, part of People for the American Way, is bringing attention to an email from Tea Party Nation founder Judson Phillips sent today to members of his organization, which blames liberals for African-American poverty and incarceration disparities, and considers marriage equality a "freak show." "According to liberals, blacks are over represented on welfare rolls and in the criminal ... [Read]

According to a press release from Washington United for Marriage, $2.5 million dollars has been donated toward the fight for marriage equality by the head of Amazon.com, Jeff Bezos, and his wife MacKenzie. WUM's Jennifer Cast is said to have held "senior positions" at Amazon, and the release quotes her as saying: "I am thrilled by Jeff and MacKenzie’s staggeringly ... [Read]

Two hundred people of faith gathered in the city of Frederick yesterday to tell legislators the time has come to legalize civil marriage for gay and lesbian couples. Several Maryland officials attended the packed meeting including Attorney General Doug Gansler, Delegate Galen Clagett (D-Frederick Co.), Senator Ron Young (D-Frederick & Washington Cos.) and Senator Rob Garagiola (D-Montgomery Co.). They were given standing ovations by a diverse ... [Read]

Three important state legislators helped to rally support for Maryland's same-sex marriage bill on Sunday, Jan. 29, at a church in the city of Frederick. Delegate Galen Clagett, Senator Ron Young, and Senator Rob Garagiola (all Democrats) were joined by Attorney General Doug Gansler. Together they addressed a capacity crowd of 200, most of whom were there to represent a ... [Read]

Maryland's Attorney General, Doug Gansler, joined a standing-room only crowd at a church in Frederick on Sunday to support gay marriage. Gansler called Maryland's current ban against same-sex marriage "unconstitutional." He then explained his reasoning for supporting equality for gay and lesbian couples. Gansler also offered his take on the nature of negative feedback from Republicans and religious leaders. And ... [Read]

Edwin O'Brien, Baltimore's soon-to-be Cardinal, used a speech this week to denounce marriage rights for Maryland's gay and lesbian couples. He angrily attacked the pending passage of marriage bills in the House and Senate. Maryland's Governor, Martin O'Malley, is a strong supporter of marriage equality and he helped to introduce the bills this past Tuesday. On Wednesday, O'Brien put his own spin ... [Read]

A number of major corporations are stepping forward to show their support for marriage equality in Washington state. The Seattle Times has reposted a message today from Starbucks executive vice president, Kalen Holmes, that reads, in part: Starbucks is proud to join other leading Northwest employers in support of Washington State legislation recognizing marriage equality for same-sex couples.... This important ... [Read]

MSNBC host Rachel Maddow took a look tonight at President Barack Obama's trip to New York today to raise funds for his presidential campaign. He appeared at a dinner with LGBT rights advocates during a week when the legalization of gay marriage may become reality or may find itself defeated by that state's Senate for the second time in two ... [Read]

''What they argued,  when Prop 8 was passed two years ago, was "religion" -- and they're still arguing that. And I respect their right to their religion. But we have many, many faiths in this state and this country. and no faith has the right to write their religious beliefs into civil law. That's what we're talking about, civl ... [Read]