- Dan Savage says the Arkansas ban against adoption or fostering by unmarried couples is even more of a threat to LGBT equality than the marriage bans:
Most ominous, once “pro-family” groups start arguing that gay couples are unfit to raise children we might adopt, how long before they argue that we’re unfit to raise those we’ve already adopted? If lesbian couples are unfit to care for foster children, are they fit to care for their own biological children?
The loss in California last week was heartbreaking. But what may be coming next is terrifying.
- Tomorrow, November 15, will be an international day of protest against Prop 8 and other anti-equality measures. 365gay.com reports that all 50 states have at least one city hall location for the rally. They also interview Seattle activist Amy Balliett, the organizing force behind the protests.
- The California Supreme Court has asked the state Attorney General to reply by Monday to lawsuits challenging Prop 8.
- The San Francisco Chronicle breaks down the Prop 8 demographics even within San Francisco, showing that race, age, and education played a big part in determining voters’ positions. (And parenting status, I might add.)
- If you want a more comprehensive list of Prop 8 news, see the Mega Prop 8 Update at Towleroad.
- Same-sex couples can now legally wed in Connecticut.
- Religious leaders across Maine called on the state to create same-sex civil marriages. (Thanks, PageOneQ.)
- The Michigan House passed bills that expand the categories of hate crimes to include crimes committed on the basis of “sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression of gender.” The bill faces a fight in the Senate.
- Despite a ban in Ohio on same-sex unions of any kind, some in Cleveland are hoping to create a partner registry that, while conferring no direct benefits or rights, would offer a way for companies to see who is qualified for their domestic partner benefits.
- A man in Oregon has launched a Web site that “outs” people around the country who “have incurable sexually transmitted diseases.” Problem is, anyone can post anyone else’s name, and the burden of proof rests with the person accused. (Thanks, Mike.)
Around the world:
- Two lesbian moms in Oshawa, Canada, were attacked outside their six-year-old son’s school, with the son watching, in what appears to be a hate crime.
- The Church of Norway is trying to decide if it should create a new liturgy for same-sex couples. Starting in January, same-sex couples will be able to have a full civil marriages in Norway, although the Church ruled that it will not permit them to have church weddings. Now, the bishops are considering a new blessing for them. “In this way, homosexual matrimony is recognised, and homosexuals are received in a way that is honourable and shows equality,” said one. Nope. Sorry. Equality means having the same ceremony. Separate but equal isn’t equal.
- It’s National Adoption Week in the U.K., and a gay male couple hoping to adopt tells their story to the Times.
- A U.K. Labour MP has said a new House of Commons committee that will examine ways of making the House more diverse should include gay, lesbian and bisexual people as an under-represented group. (As reported, transgender people were not part of this list; that seems an unfortunate oversight.)