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As New York Marries, Al Franken Catches a Fibber
July 26, 2011
After a hiatus, please welcome back Matt Baume, who just joined the team of the American Foundation for Equal Rights (lucky to have him!), for his weekly posts on marriage equality! -Adam
By Matt Baume
Pretty quiet week, nothing too exciting — except everyone in New York getting married! Plus hearings on DOMA repeal, with Al Franken calling out an anti-gay liar. Plus more news from Maryland to Washington state.
Here’s Kitty Lambert and Cheryle Rudd getting married at midnight at Niagra Falls on Sunday. It’s huge that we now have marriage in New York. But it’s also important to recognize what we still don’t have: recognition in the vast majority of states, or from the federal government.
In fact, for some gay and lesbian couples, getting married carries special gay-only penalties. Under some circumstances, it could become harder for those couples to adopt. They could take on an extra federal tax burden. And if one of them is in the Army, they can still be discharged under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
So gay couples can get married — but even in New York, we still aren’t treated the same way as straight couples.
For now.
The other big news last week were the hearings on DOMA in Washington DC. Congress is still a long way off from repealing the law — that is, if a legal challenge doesn’t invalidate it first. At this point, getting witnesses to speak on the record about DOMA’s effects is a significant step.
The best highlight from the hearings was when Al Franken caught anti-gay activist Tom Minnery in a big lie.
FRANKEN: You cite a Department of Health and Human Services study that I have right here. … And it actually doesn’t say what you said it says. It says that nuclear families, not opposite-sex married families, are associated with those positive outcomes. Isn’t it true, Mr. Minnery, that a married same-sex couple that has had or adopted kids would fall under the definition of a nuclear family in the study that you cite?
MINNERY: I would think that the study, when it cites nuclear families, would mean a family headed by a husband and wife.
FRANKEN: It doesn’t. … And I frankly don’t really know how we can trust the rest of your testimony if you are reading studies these ways.
They do this all the time. The truth is that when studies compare gay parents and straight parents, they’re pretty much indistinguishable. That’s why so many professional organizations like the American Medical Association and the American Psychological Association have endorsed marriage equality. So if you hear someone say otherwise, don’t be afraid to tell them that you know they’re lying.
It’s kind of amazing how much has changed since DOMA was signed. The think tank Third Way has a new study out documenting our advancements. One of the most important changes: the number of people who say that they know a gay or lesbian person has gone up by 35 percentage points, from 42 to 77 percent. Of course, everyone knows an LGBT person, since we’re everywhere — in every town, every company, every family. All that’s changed is that more of us are open and honest than ever before.
So. What’s next?
Maryland. This week Governor Martin O’Malley committed to making marriage a top legislative priority in 2012. His tepid support during this year’s legislative session was partially blamed when a marriage bill failed to pass, so we have a very good chance of winning Maryland, possibly in a special session as early as October of this year.
And then there’s Washington state. This week Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown pledged to make a “serious effort” to pass a marriage equality bill within the next year.
So 2012 is shaping up to be an extremely busy year, with marriage fights all over the country. Oh, and also there’s going to be a presidential race, so clear your calendar. We’ll see you next week.
Filed under: DOMA Repeal,Marriage equality,Videos
26 Comments Leave a Comment
1.
Alan_Eckert | July 26, 2011 at 8:35 am
Wow, onto AFER?! What are you doing there now? Congrats!
2.
Ann S. | July 26, 2011 at 8:44 am
Thanks, Matt!
3.
Kathleen | July 26, 2011 at 8:45 am
He joins the staff as Research & Communications Manager
jhttp://www.afer.org/about/leadership/
4.
AnonyGrl | July 26, 2011 at 8:45 am
Everyone in New York is getting married!
You know, I think it is going to take a while before reading something like that stops making me grin or tear up or both.
I know a lot of you folks out there living in states that do not have equality have been enjoying the fact that we do, but let me tell you, when we finally get it worked out in YOUR state, you are going to realize it is about 7,000 times better to know that you can go down to the county clerk's office in YOUR area, any old time you want, and get that piece of paper.
Personally, I am not looking to get married. I am not dating anyone, and the chances are even that if I were, it would be a man and I could have married him before. But just to know if I do find the right partner, and she happens to be a woman, that I could walk into that office with her, my id and $40 just like anyone else is really a wonderful feeling.
5.
David Henderson | July 26, 2011 at 8:59 am
"And if one of them is in the Army, they can still be discharged under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell."
Not any more, with the injunction against discharges in place (at this point, it seems likely it will remain in place until repeal actually occurs).
But if one of them is in the Army, they could still get transferred and not get a moving allowance for their spouse, and face other discrimination that opposite-sex married couples don't.
6.
LCH | July 26, 2011 at 8:59 am
♀♀=♂♂=♀♂=∑♡
7.
Mark M. (Seattle) | July 26, 2011 at 9:01 am
And then there’s Washington state. This week Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown pledged to make a “serious effort” to pass a marriage equality bill within the next year.
It will be a VERY long and hard fight to get our states DOMA repealed to even allow for a marriage equality bill to be introduced. Not saying it won't happen, but also not holding my breath.
When the people, the voters of Washington state passed into law the 'Everything BUT Marruage' bill Ref 71 it was by clearly making the distinction that is was NOT marriage.
We are a very mixed state…west is blue, east is red…never really know which way the state will swing.
Keeping my fingers, toes, and eyes crossed
8.
Gregory in SLC | July 26, 2011 at 9:02 am
@ "know that you can go down to the county clerk's office in YOUR area, any old time you want, and get that piece of paper."
I would be very glad if Utah (or a neighboring state) would at least acknowledge marriages performed elsewhere. As it stands, when DOMA falls me and my husband will look toward relocating to another state….away from kids, jobs(jeopardize retirement), and extended families. It really is unfair that we have to do this to get same advantages as straight couples. : /
p.s. so VERY happy for New York! Much "tearing up" here too over the NY wedding celebrations!
9.
jpmassar | July 26, 2011 at 9:12 am
"Schneiderman filed the papers in federal court in support of the plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment in the case of Windsor v. United States. The plaintiff, Edie Windsor, was married in Canada in 2007 to her partner, Thea Spyer, who died two years later.
Schneiderman in his brief argues that redefining the term marriage violates the equal protection guarantees, is an improper tampling of states' rights, and discriminates based on sex and sexual orientation. He adds that DOMA fails any level of scrutiny because it does not advance any legitimate federal interest."
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/20…
10.
jpmassar | July 26, 2011 at 9:12 am
Schneiderman is NY's Attorney General.
11.
Seth from Maryland | July 26, 2011 at 10:00 am
from what i hearing the special session in October in Maryland is mostly likely just going to take up redistricting, chances are they take up marriage equality early in January of 2012, then if it passes(most likely it will now pass) most likely we will face the referendum in November to protect marriage equality. I hate the idea of prop8/prop1 coming to our state , but if it does come , me and and my wife and the rest of my family will be ready to fight for marriage equality
12.
Ronnie | July 26, 2011 at 10:08 am
Subscribing & sharing….3gay couples were married last night on the stage of the St. James Theatre on Broadway after a performance of "Hair".
http://www.towleroad.com/2011/07/hairmarried.html
"Those married were actress and singer Terri White (Finian's Rainbow; Follies) and her partner, jewelry designer Donna Barnett; actor Ryan Dietz (The Actor's Fund's Chess) and his partner, playwright Josh Levine (who also works at the Theatre Communications Group); and Broadway stage doorman John Raymond Barker and his partner, Jujamcyn theatre usher Jared Pike."
Congratulations to the happy couples.
Here is the video…………<3…Ronnie:
[youtube Xhwmb4yeeMg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xhwmb4yeeMg youtube]
13.
peterplumber | July 26, 2011 at 10:24 am
Yeah, but we are lucky that the population of King County is greater than the rest of the state combined.
14.
peterplumber | July 26, 2011 at 10:26 am
Carlson & I go to New York every year at Thanksgiving time to visit with my extended family. Last night, we talked about getting married in New York this year. We didn't make solid plans to do it, but we still have time to work out details.
15.
Gregory in SLC | July 26, 2011 at 10:27 am
AWESOME!
16.
AnonyGrl | July 26, 2011 at 10:31 am
Which means NY State stands against the federal govt. on DOMA. Yay!
17.
jpmassar | July 26, 2011 at 10:35 am
Stands against Boehner and the House. Not against the DoJ and the admin (any more).
18.
AnonyGrl | July 26, 2011 at 10:42 am
Well, that would be GREAT if it works out for you!
19.
AnonyGrl | July 26, 2011 at 10:42 am
Good point!
20.
KY Gay Dad | July 26, 2011 at 11:54 am
Not been a good past few days for Boehner. Looked like he was about to choke on his own lies last night in his rebuttal. Poor fellow.
21.
Alan_Eckert | July 26, 2011 at 11:58 am
Everyone needs to hit this AFA poll today, and fast! They even have basic Yes, No, and Not Sure responses, which is rare for them. Usually the possible responses are biased in themselves.
"Should New Yorkers be given the chance to vote on the definition of marriage?" http://www.onenewsnow.com/Poll.aspx?ekfrm=1399014
[Then, when you are done, go vote in the Pepsi challenge]
22.
Ronnie | July 26, 2011 at 12:14 pm
A few links about more happy newlyweds in New York… Congratulations all around……. <3…Ronnie:
'The Daily Show' Talks to Gay Newlyweds in NYC: VIDEO http://www.towleroad.com/2011/07/dsnewlweds.html
Wedding Album: Rhonda and Debra
Denver-based photographers and marriage equality supporters Jessica Bergthold and Kristy Rowe journeyed to New York to document some of the first same-sex ceremonies in that state. In a series of photo albums, they share stories of the couples they met. http://www.advocate.com/Society/Marriage_Equality…
Wedding Album: John and Mike
In a series of photo albums, we follow New York couples on their wedding day. John and Mike were bullied as kids and say that if their younger selves could have known they'd get married some day, and that their families would be there, "it would have made a world of difference." http://www.advocate.com/Society/Marriage_Equality…
23.
LCH | July 26, 2011 at 12:17 pm
Done!
♀♀=♂♂=♀♂=∑♡
24.
Ronnie | July 26, 2011 at 1:38 pm
More links & a video from New York……. <3…Ronnie:
Designs Chosen for Gay Wedding Chapels to 'Pop Up' in Central Park This Saturday: RENDERINGS http://www.towleroad.com/2011/07/designs-chosen-f…
(me) This Saturday Pop Up Chapel will be holding weddings for 24 same-gender couples in Central Park.
Gay Marriage New York! http://blog.picturefor1000voices.com/2011/07/gay-…
(me) an artist's renderings of the first day of Marriage Equality in New York… Beautiful.
'I Do' NY: Avenue Q's Rod & Ricky
[youtube aFynx80CnDk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFynx80CnDk youtube]
25.
Jon | July 26, 2011 at 4:09 pm
Yes in my opinion it is VERY IMPORTANT to expose scientific misquoting, misconduct, fibbing, and just plain bullshit dressed up as science.
A fine example: "research shows that children in same-sex couple homes are 11 times more likely to be abused sexually"
http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB11146160461591…
Now: Jon Stewart was visibly angry at CNN's Kyra Phillips for letting this bogus "study" pass unchallenged at the time (April 2005). Why? Because, as he pointed out, "you;re an anchor, for fuck's sake!" He's right. There's no way she gets off the hook. She let bullshit pass as vetted science, when it wasn't, when in fact it wasn't even close.
And this happens again and again and again. Nonsense is passed off as science and chiefly because no one challenges it. And don't depend on news organizations to do basic fact checking here. The public is bathed in a sea of this. What do you expect people to believe? Most people don't read scientific journals.
That's why it's absolutely critical to debunk this stuff. Al Franken understood this when he used his position (and time, and staffers who no doubt did the legwork here), to EXPOSE BULLSHIT.
26.
Ronnie | July 26, 2011 at 6:15 pm
A Gay NY Couple Talks About How Marriage Equality Will Affect Their Child: VIDEO http://www.towleroad.com/2011/07/nycouple.html
Gabriel says: “A key moment in our cultural history – when the state recognizes something that changes the culture on the ground and we were not going to allow ourselves or our son to grow up without that recognition and protection.”
Dylan says: “It makes us the same as all the straight families he goes to school with – the government sees us exactly the same. And that’s important.”
It was awesome to witness their ceremony in the park across the street from the Marriage Bureau on Sunday. More congratulations to this happy family…So many great stories…Here is the video… <3…Ronnie:
[youtube ierYVc2Sp6g http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ierYVc2Sp6g youtube]
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