Gay Marriages

Gay Marriage Defeated Again in Maine
Losing once again in a popular vote on the state level, gay-marriage advocates are left to ponder a new approach to swaying voters.

California Court Upholds State Ban on Gay Marriage
The gay marriage ban in California that has caused havoc from the streets of that state to the Miss USA pageant was upheld by the state supreme court yesterday.

Miss California Defends Anti-Gay Marriage Views on Today Show
Miss California Carrie Prejean probably lost the Miss USA pageant because of her lack of support for gay marriage, but she won’t take back her opinion or her comments.

California Gay Marriage Ban Spawns Spate of Legal Actions
The recent passing of California Proposition 8 added an amendment to the California Constitution banning gay marriage, but now it remains to be seen if 18,000 past marriages will be nullified.

Connecticut Supreme Court Says Gays Can Legally Marry
In a landmark decision by Connecticut’s Supreme Court this week, gay citizens can now be legally married in the state.

Californians Lean Toward Supporting Gay Marriage, Poll Finds
A poll released this week showed that likely California voters would say no to a constitutional ban on gay marriage.

First Gay Marriages in California Proceed Smoothly
Gay couples lined up at clerks’ offices to become the first legally married gay spouses in California, while very few protesters showed up.

First Gay Couple Marries in California
Thousands of gay couples across California gathered to exchange vows on the first day of legal same-sex marriages.

California High Court Refuses Stay; Gay Marriages to Proceed
California’s State Supreme Court refused to put their earlier ruling on gay marriage on hold, prompting hundreds of gay couples to plan weddings.

New York to Recognize Out of State Gay Marriages as Legal
After California’s decision to legalize gay marriages, New York governor David Paterson orders all state agencies to comply in recognizing out-of-state gay marriages.

Californians Turn Tide to Support Gay Marriage
A recent poll shows that the majority of California voters now support gay marriage and oppose a constitutional ban against it.

‘Dear Abby’ Supports Gay Marriage
National gay rights and information group PFLAG honors syndicated ‘Dear Abby’ columnist Jeanne Phillips with the first ever Straight for Equality award.

California Landmark Bill Grants Legality for Gay Marriage
On Tuesday the California State Assembly voted to approve same-sex marriage, the first bill of its kind, putting governor Schwarzenegger in the hot seat: will he veto?

NY Gay Marriages Declared Legit by Massachusetts Judge
A Massachusetts judge has ruled that despite New York’s 2006 law banning gay marriage, all the gay couples from New York who were wed in Massachusetts before the New York law took effect are still legally married in Massachusetts.

Robertson’s Christian Coalition Stumbles Again
The president-elect of the Christian Coalition of America has declined to take the job because the group wanted him to focus on only opposing gay marriage and abortion, and they refused to let him expand its agenda to include addressing issues such as poverty and the environment.

South African Parliament Legalizes Civil Unions
In the country at the southern tip of Africa—a continent where homosexuality is taboo—the South African Parliament passed legislation that recognizes gay marriages.

Evangelical Minister in Gay Sex Scandal Admits "Indiscretions"
The president of the National Association of Evangelicals, Rev. Ted Haggard, who has been an outspoken opponent of Gay marriage, stepped down from his post because of accusations that he paid a male escort for sex and drugs.

NJ Supreme Court: Same-Sex Couples Entitled to Equal Rights
New Jersey's Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that same-sex couples should be given the same legal rights as heterosexual couples, but it is up to lawmakers to decide whether the state will honor gay marriage.

California Court Supports Ban on Gay Marriage
A court in California ruled Thursday that the state’s existing ban on gay marriage does not violate the constitutional rights of homosexuals.

House Rejects Constitutional Amendment to Ban Gay Marriage
On Tuesday the House rejected a controversial proposal for a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage.

New York, Georgia High Courts Rule Against Gay Marriage
Two years ago gay and lesbian couples in New York and Georgia sued for the right to marry legally, and the high courts in those states ruled against them on Thursday.

Senate Rejects Constitutional Amendment Banning Gay Marriage
As expected, the Senate on Wednesday rejected a constitutional amendment to define marriage as being the union between a man and a woman.

Texas Voters Approve Ban on Same-Sex Marriage
By an overwhelming margin, voters in Texas yesterday approved a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

Schwarzenegger Vows to Veto Gay Marriage Bill
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced Wednesday that he plans to veto a bill that would allow gay couples to be married.

Spain Becomes the Third European Country to Legalize Gay Marriage
The government of Spain passed a measure Thursday legalizing gay marriages across the country.

American Psychiatric Association Supports Legalizing Gay Marriage
On the first day of its annual meeting, the top psychiatric group in the country approved a statement calling for the legal recognition of gay marriage "in the interest of maintaining and promoting mental health."

Federal Judge Deems Nebraska’s Gay Marriage Ban Unconstitutional
Despite voters in Nebraska overwhelmingly adopting a unique ban in 2000 limiting the legal rights of homosexuals, a district judge has decided that 70% of the state's voters were wrong.

Gay Marriage
Why It Is Good for Gays, Good for Straights, and Good for America. A passionate and provocative case for gay marriage as the best way to preserve and protect society's most essential institution.

Civil Wars: A Battle for Gay Marriage
When three same-sex couples requested marriage licenses in their small Vermont towns, they simply wanted to declare their love and commitment. But the  debate they ignited over their right to marry led all the way to the state  Supreme Court.

Christianity, Homosexuality, and Gay Marriage
When we as a people give our blessing to gay marriage what does that say about our attitude toward God and his word? Have we become more loving and tolerant than God so that we are now able to teach him? Have we become God?

Gay Marriage Legalisation in Us States Signals Cultural Shift
• Vermont and Iowa legalized same-sex marriage within past week• Eight other states may vote on similar bills this year

Gay-marriage Ban Supporters in California Claim Victory
Early indications suggest voters in favor of a ban, but opponents say too many votes remain uncounted for the race to be called

Archbishops Criticise Gay Clerics' Ceremony
Archbishops of Canterbury and York express 'great concern' over wedding-style service between two gay priests

California Set for Summer of Love As Court Reverses Gay Marriage Ban
Businesses and city halls gear up for rush to tie knot as state becomes first to marry gay couples from anywhere

Same Sex Marriage is not about rights
Semantics are intolerable....

Divorced, Gay, Single: Labour Can Relax Over Marriage
Ministers may appear divided, but their own experiences show that Tory soundbites don't work for modern families. By Jackie Ashley

Pride and Prejudice
2006 has been a monumental year for South African gay rights. Following the legalisation of same-sex marriages, David Beresford looks back to where the fight began

Couple Celebrate First Gay Wedding in Africa
Two game rangers in South Africa have become the first gay couple in the continent to get married, writes Andrew Meldrum.

Evangelical Leader Quits Over Gay Sex Allegation
· Prostitute says pastor paid him for sex for three years · Preacher led campaign against same-sex marriage

LIBERATION RAMBLE: Social Policy Litmus Test
Do you qualify as a liberator? Random positions on gay marriage, abortion, embryonic stem cell research, flag burning, school prayer, legalization of drugs, immigration and open borders.

Senate Blocks Same-sex Marriage Ban
The US senate today rejected a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage which had the backing of President George Bush.

Bush Tries to Mollify Right By Backing Gay Marriage Ban and Outlawing Flag Burning
· Plan is to divert attention from Iraq war, say analysts · Slump in polls five months before congressional vote

Ban Gay Weddings, Says Bush
Beleaguered president seeks to rally religious right behind new legal moves to protect the institution of marriage.

Bush Calls for Gay Marriage to Be Outlawed
President Bush called yesterday for an amendment to the United States constitution to ban gay marriage, in what is seen as a move to shore up collapsing support among his conservative voter base.

Spain Legalises Gay Marriage
The Spanish parliament today voted to legalise gay marriage despite heavy opposition from the Roman Catholic church.

Gay Marriage Law Alarms Spain's Religious Leaders
Spain has become the third country in Europe to legalise gay marriage, with parliament also giving same-sex couples the right to adopt children.

Arrests at Saudi 'gay Wedding'
The Saudi Arabian security forces have arrested 110 men at a "gay wedding" party in Jeddah, according to a Saudi online newspaper.

California Judge Rules Against Ban on Same-sex Marriage
Gay rights groups in California were celebrating victory in the latest round of the protracted struggle over gay marriage yesterday after a judge in San Francisco ruled that the state's ban on homosexual marriage was unconstitutional.

Franco Followers and Bishops Urge a Boycott of Eu Vote
Roman Catholics in Spain are being urged to boycott today's referendum on a European constitution as a way of censuring the socialist government for advocating gay marriage and wider access to abortion.

Come Out Swinging for Same-Sex Marriage
Liberal politicians in America should come out swinging on behalf of same-sex marriages, instead of converging on the centre in a misguided attempt to win votes. The left's desertion in the fight for gay marriage is shameful - it's a direct descendant of previous civil rights struggles. It's nigh-on impossible to reconcile opposition to it with being a liberal.

A Republican Hero, But Was Abe Lincoln Gay?
It is news guaranteed to make many Republicans squirm. Was Abraham Lincoln, founder of the party now seeking a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage in America, actually gay himself?

Canadian Court Backs Same-sex Marriages
Landmark ruling paves the way for legislation to to force conservative provinces to recognise unions.

Irish Judge to Rule on Gay Marriage Rights
A lesbian couple yesterday launched a high court challenge against the Irish government's refusal to recognise their marriage, in a case that could have implications for thousands of cohabiting couples in Ireland. Catherine Zapaonne and Louise Gilligan appeared in the high court in Dublin...

Spanish Church Prepares for Battle on Gay Marriage
Catholic leaders call for people to take to the streets to protest against new laws. In his vicarage overlooking the beet fields and pastures that stretch past the Church of Santiago de Sancobad, Father Antonio Seijas had clear opinions on Spain's socialist government as it prepared yesterday to introduce gay marriage.

California's Supreme Court Declares Gay Marriages Void
Ruling pushes issue to front of presidential campaign. The California supreme court yesterday declared the marriages of thousands of same-sex couples in San Francisco void, after ruling that the city's mayor exceeded his authority by granting them marriage licences.

Missouri Votes to Ban Same-sex Marriage
America's religious right claimed a victory yesterday in the campaign to cast November's elections as a struggle over public morality after a battleground state voted for a constitutional ban on gay marriage. Some 71% of voters in Missouri supported amending the state's constitution to...

Court Annuls France's First Gay Marriage
Couple vow to 'fight to the end' as issue causes political storm.

Love Will Tear Us Apart
In the first of a series on the issues dividing America, Matthew Wells goes to Ohio to see how the row over gay marriage is affecting the race for the White House.

Jon Henley on Noël Mamère
He was mobbed as a hero at last weekend's Paris Pride. Jon Henley on the mayor who conducted France's first gay wedding.

Mayor Suspended Over Gay Wedding
An official in a small provincial town is way ahead of Paris's Socialist mayor when it comes to same-sex marriages, reports Jon Henley.

French Mp to Conduct Gay Union
A maverick Green politician vowed yesterday to go ahead with plans to conduct France's first gay marriage ceremony this weekend despite a warning from government ministers that he would be breaking the law. As the tension mounted in traditionally Catholic France, Noël Mamère, MP...

Australia to Ban Gay Marriages
Australia is introducing legislation to ban gay marriage, in a move which puts the prime minister, John Howard, squarely alongside President Bush on the issue that may prove crucial to their respective attempts to gain re-election. "The commonly accepted definition of a marriage is a...

Bush Feels Pressure of Oil Barrel Politics
The Iraq war and gay marriage may grab the headlines, but rising petrol costs will be a key concern at the US election, says David Teather.

Massachusetts Performs First Gay Marriages
Hundreds of gay and lesbian couples will exchange wedding vows and obtain marriage licences today, as Massachusetts becomes the first US state legally to sanction gay marriage. In an election-year milestone, the clerk's office in Cambridge was due to open its doors at midnight last night...

French Mayor Announces Plan to Conduct First Gay Wedding
A former presidential candidate from the French Green party has said he will conduct what would be the country's first gay wedding ceremony this summer in the name of equal rights for homosexuals. Noël Mamère said he would marry two gay men in the town hall of Bègles, the...

Gay Marriage Rights Lead Spanish Pm's Drive for Sexual Equality
The incoming prime minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, set Spain on a radical course of social change yesterday by promising to legalise gay marriage and amend the constitution to give women the equal right of succession to the throne. In his first parliamentary speech since...

California Court Blocks Gay Marriages
The California supreme court last night ordered officials in San Francisco to immediately stop granting same-sex marriage licences, delivering a blow to gay rights advocates in the United States. The court did not rule on whether gay marriage was legal and said it expected to hear further...

Sex Warfare Breaks Out in Us Election
As the race hots up, gay weddings have triggered a bitter battle between liberals and the powerful morality lobby. Paul Harris in New York and Lawrence Donegan in San Francisco report.

Leading Evangelicals Down the Aisle
As a political stalemate looms over gay marriage in the Massachusetts state legislature, George Bush has taken a calculated gamble to use the issue to energise his conservative base - some 60 million evangelical Christians, reports Matthew Wells.

Kerry Lays Into Bush
The Democratic presidential front-runner, John Kerry, criticised President George Bush today for seeking to split Americans over the question of gay marriage and accused him of leaving "a trail of broken promises". Senator Kerry launched his attack in the wake of his latest primary...

Bush Backs Gay Wedding Ban
George Bush yesterday plunged headlong into America's culture wars, allying himself with the Christian right wing of his Republican party by endorsing a constitutional amendment to ban same sex marriage, and calling heterosexual marriage "the most fundamental institution of civilisation"...

Gay Couples Entitled to Equal Marriage Rights
The supreme court of Massachusetts rules that gays and lesbians are entitled to full, equal marriage rights and that civil unions are unconstitutional.

Hot Under the Dog Collar
Gay marriages threaten to drain Spain's coffers dry, according to the country's top bishop and ruling conservative party. Giles Tremlett reports.

Bush Backs Bar on Gay Marriage
President George Bush is to support a change in the US constitution to block same-sex marriage, overriding the legal advances towards gay rights made in the courts this year. He said he would "support a constitutional amendment which would honour marriage between a man and a woman, codify...

Jackson Saga and Gay Marriages Turn Us Media Focus From Visit
On a day when thousands of demonstrators protested at the US president's visit to Britain, and rescuers sifted through the the rubble in Turkey, looking for bodies, Americans were both outraged and intrigued. But their fury and interest was directed not at London or Istanbul, but Santa...

General: Gay marriages and sports
The Massachusetts SJC ruled in favor of same sex marriages. eSports Sinista1 ponders how this may effect his sports world.

US State to Allow Gay Marriage
Massachusetts could become first to allow same-sex union. Massachusetts is poised to become the only US state to allow gay marriage following a legal ruling yesterday which will have widespread political ramifications ahead of next year's presidential election.

Gay Marriages to Get European Passports
New rules endorsed by EU ministers aim to give same-sex married couples the same rights as heterosexual couples across Europe, writes Sophie Arie.

Pope Calls for Halt to 'evil' Gay Marriages
The Vatican yesterday urged Catholic politicians to actively campaign against legalising gay marriages which it said were evil, deviant and posed a grave threat to society. In a document which was immediately condemned by gay rights campaigners as shocking and inflammatory, Catholic...

Gays win the numbers game
When is the C of E going to realise that homosexuality is now more popular in Britain than Christianity? In the raft of things I don't understand about the disgraceful treatment of Canon Jeffrey John, someone explain to me this.

To Practise or Not to Practise
The readers' editor on a phrase the Guardian style guide describes as 'grotesque'. The following brief item appeared in the Guardian a little over a week ago: "Canon Jeffrey John, a prominent Church of England advocate of blessing gay marriages and the ordination of...

Gay couples win share of weddings page
The New York Times is to open its weddings pages to gay and lesbian commitment ceremonies and exchanges of vows, a decision likely to be seen as a milestone in the history of sexual politics.