Life

Trials and tribulations of our writers / contributors lives

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Should Catholic Church Cut Ties to Civil Marriage?

If the American public is truly changing its mind on marriage, then it’s time for Catholic priests to start saying, “We don’t,” instead of continuing to endorse the government’s right to legislate who gets to say, “I do.” At least, that’s an option that Catholics, and by implication other religious traditionalists, must be willing to […]

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The State of Marriage Equality

Same-sex marriage initiatives scored big wins this month. In a historic turnaround that underscores America’s shifting attitudes about same-sex marriage, voters crossed party lines, age, race and faith. Marriage equality was the winner in four U.S. states — Maine, Maryland, Minnesota and Washington — ending a 31-state losing streak in the election that returned Barack

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HRC Releases New Index of LGBT Friendly Cities

The Human Rights Campaign has released The Municipal Equality Index (MEI), the first ever rating system of LGBT inclusion in municipal law: he MEI rates cities based on 47 criteria falling under six broad categories: non-discrimination laws; relationship recognition; the municipality’s employment practices; inclusiveness of city services; law enforcement; and municipal leadership. Key findings from

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The Effects of Marriage Equality Campaigns on LGBT Families

This November, four states (Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, and Washington) have marriage definition questions on their ballots. Within the LGBT community and society at large, we often think of the effects of these elections in terms of whether or not marriage equality will expand to another state, or whether yet another state will ingrain discrimination into

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Good Morning America’s Sam Champion Comes Out

Good Morning Americaweatherman Sam Champion has come out as gay and announced plans to marry his partner. Champion came out in a New York Times story published online today on the wedding of journalist Thomas Roberts and pharmaceutical executive Patrick Abner last weekend. Champion, one of about 170 guests at the New York City ceremony, “took

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The Future of Marriage Equality

The Prospect​ tells you what’s in store for election day, when three states are slated to consider allowing same-sex nuptials. If you’ve ever read an article about a gay marriage ballot initiative, you’ve almost certainly seen an anti-marriage-equality advocate proclaim confidently that every time the question has been on the ballot, “traditional marriage” has won, and

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Where Are The Gays in Marriage Equality Ad?

In one TV ad, a husband and wife talk fondly of a lesbian couple who moved into their neighborhood. In another, a married couple speaks of wanting fair treatment for their lesbian daughter. A third features a pastor talking supportively about gay unions. Each of these ads ran recently in states with gay marriage issues

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How DOMA Impacts Social Security for Gay/Lesbian Couples

Q. I am a 61-year-old gay man who is about to retire. I have a 60-year-old partner. We have been together now for 38 years. I have worked all my life. My partner has spent most of his life as a stay-at-home husband and father. (Yes, we raised a son and daughter, both of whom

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Singer-Songwriter Brandi Carlile to Marry Partner

For years, acclaimed singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile kept her personal life exactly that – personal. As other gay entertainers made pronouncements about their relationships, Carlile, while not hiding her sexuality, kept the public focus on her music. But with gay marriage embroiled in the political landscape, Carlile is taking a stand, and on Saturday, she will

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Is Marriage Equality Inevitable?

The greatest roadblock to marriage equality has been the ballot box. In less than two months, voters will determine the fate of marriage equality in Maine, Maryland, and Washington. Voters will also have their say on a state constitutional prohibition against same-sex marriages in Minnesota. For the first time, however, I have little doubt that