Coming Out Journal

It's official! Marriage equality becomes law in France

French President François Hollande officially signed a marriage equality bill into law this morning, making France the 14th country to legalize same-sex marriage. In addition, all married same-sex couples will now be able to adopt children.

Hollande is not doing well in terms of public opinion lately, and opponents of LGBT rights have retaliated against the marriage movement with violent protests and attacks. In the face of such adversity, the passing of the law is all the more significant.

Mr. Hollande signed the bill a day after the Constitutional Council dismissed a legal challenge by the right-wing opposition. “I will ensure that the law applies across the whole territory, in full, and I will not accept any disruption of these marriages,” he said.

Gay rights advocates praised the law, while a watchdog group, SOS Homophobie, said that France “has taken a great step forward today, although it is regrettable that it was taken in a climate of bad faith and homophobic violence.”

Félicitations, mes amis!

3 days ago · 299 notes · Reblogged from gaywrites

From Towleroad:

Gallup has revealed the results of a recent poll showing support for marriage equality at 53 percent, the third consecutive reading of 50 percent or higher in the past year.

Another poll shows the largest-gap ever measured between those who favor ‘nature’ over ‘nurture’ when it comes to sexuality.

Gallup states that, currently, 47% of Americans view being gay or lesbian as a sexual orientation individuals are born with, while 33% instead believe it is due to external factors such as upbringing or environment. That 14-percentage-point gap in favor of “nature” over “nurture” is the largest Gallup has measured to date. As recently as two years ago, the public was evenly divided.

Read more at the Gallup here.

5 days ago · 14 notes · Source

MISSING HUSBAND
David and Jason’s story, shared by The DOMA Project.

From The Advocate:

David and Jason first met in a Los Angeles restaurant seven years ago. On September 7, 2012, they were legally married in New York, but since Jason is from the United Kingdom, it is nearly impossible for him to obtain legal citizenship, because the federal Defense of Marriage Act prohibits gay and lesbian Americans from sponsoring their foreign-born spouses for citizenship. Heterosexual couples in this country are readily allowed to sponsor a spouse for full citizenship.

Since they met, David and Jason have been separated 17 times. Each time Jason is allowed to enter the country, it is only as a tourist, with a 90-day visa. Together, the couple has been through enough tearful goodbyes to last them a lifetime.

For decades, same-sex couples have been separated due to DOMA, being forced out of the U.S once their visa expires, then laid at the mercy of their home country to approve their next visa. Many never even get that chance.

Before they were separated for the last time, Jason was hoping to file the H-1B three-year work visa. Days before their anniversary, he found out that he wasn’t approved. They still have no idea when they are going to see each other. They’ve spent nearly every anniversary apart.

This is incredibly strong and heartfelt; I couldn’t hold my tears. Make sure to not miss this and watch the video above.

6 days ago · 29 notes · Source

Picture from City of Minneapolis’ Facebook Page

The I-35W bridge was lit like last night in recognition of marriage equality in Minnesota, according to city’s facebook page.

1 week ago · 37 notes · Source

Nevada: 3 Great Testimonies For Marriage From Young People

From Advocate:

The Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada released a handful of videos from last week’s testimony regarding a resolution that would repeal language from Nevada’s constitution that excludes same sex couples and replaces it with language recognizing all marriages, regardless of the couple’s gender.

Senate Joint Resolution 15 must pass the legislation in 2013, again in 2015, and then by a referendum vote by Nevadans in 2016.

Click on the link to watch testimonies on Advocate.com

1 week ago · 0 notes

buzzfeedlgbt:

Power Images From The Day Minnesota Legalized Same Sex Marriage

1 week ago · 402 notes · Reblogged from buzzfeedlgbt

alloutorg:

BREAKING: Brazil’s National Council of Justice just ruled that ALL couples have the right to marry.

It’s a beautiful day for Brazil - no one should have to face discrimation because of who they are or who they love. Spread the word!

1 week ago · 6,382 notes · Reblogged from alloutorg

From Huffington Post:

On Twitter, Coleman announced he’d renamed the city’s Wabasha Street Bridge in honor of the big vote, which will take place May 13.

As Reuters reports, the Minnesota Senate is expected to approve the same-sex marriage bill. Following Rhode Island and Delaware, Minnesota would become the 12th U.S. state to allow same-sex couples to tie the knot.

Woohoo!

1 week ago · 63 notes · Source

BREAKING: Minnesota House Approves Marriage Equality 75-59

From Advocate:

The Minnesota House of Representatives approved a bill legalizing marriage equality Wednesday afternoon by a vote of 75-59, earning “aye” votes from two Republicans. The bill will likely be heard by the full state Senate next week.

The legislation, House File 1054, provides for marriage between any two adults, but would not require religious institutions or individuals to perform or recognize same-sex marriages.

The House spent a good deal of time debating an amendment proposed by Republican Rep. Tim Kelly, which would have created civil unions for same-sex couples, rather than full marriage equality. The amendment was rejected by a vote of 22-111.

“In Minnesota, we don’t turn our backs on family,” said out lesbian Rep. and bill sponsor Karen Clark during the three-hour debate, during which supporters and opponents could be heard chanting outside the closed chamber doors.

Governor Mark Dayton has promised to sign the bill if it reaches his desk

Great news!

1 week ago · 817 notes

Krista Siegfrids performed her song ‘Marry Me’ at Eurovision In Concert in Amsterdam, and kissed her back up in protest against Finland’s ban on gay marriage

From her interview with The Independent:

“I don’t think ‘Marry Me’ is political, it’s about love and tolerance. But gay marriage is not allowed in Finland and that’s wrong. I wanted to make a statement about that.”

The European Broadcasting Union may ban the controversial conclusion to Siegfrids’s performance – a “gay kiss” with her female dance team – to appease broadcasters in Eastern Europe, where homophobia still thrives. The Russian parliament passed a bill outlawing “homosexual propaganda” in March.

Siegfrids said: “Homophobic people are angry with me for doing this. But I’m planning a surprise at the end of my performance. It’s live on TV, so nobody can stop me.”

You can watch the video of the live performance here.

1 week ago · 90 notes · Source