Gay New England Daily Blog

Providence Mayor David Cicilline is the guest on the public affairs show 10 NEWS CONFERENCE this week. The Mayor discusses the possibility of Providence
City Hall issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. The show airs on Channel 10 (NBC), Sunday, February 29th at 6:30am.

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[b]1. All Things(Just Keep Getting Better)
Widelife Feat. Simone Capitol[/b]
2. Janet Megamix '04 Janet Jackson Virgin
[b]3. Toxic Britney Spears Jive[/b]
4. Signed,Sealed,Delivered
Colton Ford & Pepper Mashay Centaur
5. Not In Love Enrique Iglesias Feat. Kelis
Interscope
6. It's My Life No Doubt Interscope
7. Where Love Is Trinity Feat.Revi Commision
[b]8. Love Profusion (Remixes) Madonna
Maverick/Warner Bros.[/b]
9. Amazing George Michael Sony UK
10. Free Sarah Brightman Angel

[b]BREAKOUTS -------------------- POWER PICKS[/b]

1. Save My Soul (Remixes) Kristine W.
Tommy Boy
2. Broken Wings Thea Austin Jifa
3. Straight Ahead Tube & Berger Artemis
4. Friday Marshmallow Samba La Casa
Music Plant

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http://www.ahouse.com" title="http://www.ahouse.com" target="_blank"http://www.ahouse.com

[b]I am completely disgusted in our choices for President. Your thoughts?[/b]

(Boston, Massachusetts) Sen. John Kerry has made his strongest statement yet on amending the constitution to prevent same-sex marriage.

In an interview with the Boston Globe Kerry, the frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nomination, said that while he opposes a federal amendment he supports a change in the Massachusetts constitution to bar gays from marrying.

http://www.365gay.com/newscon04/02/022604ke rryAmend.htm" title="http://www.365gay.com/newscon04/02/022604ke rryAmend.htm" target="_blank"http://www.365gay.com/newscon...

[image]gaynewengland_1003 792213.jpg[/image]

(San Francisco, California) Rosie O'Donnell and longtime partner Kelli Carpenter O'Donnell swept into San Francisco Thursday afternoon to marry, the highest profile lesbian couple to take advantage of the city's decision to allow same-sex couples to marry.

http://www.365gay.com/newscon04/02/022604ro sieWeds.htm" title="http://www.365gay.com/newscon04/02/022604ro sieWeds.htm" target="_blank"http://www.365gay.com/newscon...


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[b]Same-Sex Marriage in America?[/b]

Britney Spears and high school friend Jason Allen Alexander, 2 days; Dennis Rodman and Carmen Electra, 9 days; Gregg Allman and Cher, 9 days; Rudolph Valentino and Jean Acker, 6 hours; Robert Evans and Catherine Oxenberg, 12 days; Jeremy Thomas and Drew Barrymore, 29 days; Ethel Merman and Ernest Borgnine, 38 days; Janet Jackson and James DeBarge, 4 months.

These are the lengths of only a few short-lived celebrity marriages according to Entertainment Weekly Magazine.

It seems these days celebrities are swapping husbands and wives like handbags. At first glance it may seem like a stretch to use celebrity public relation stunts as an example of the lack of respect for the sanctity of marriage between heterosexuals, but these are the individuals our children idolize. Or perhaps they are only role models when convenient, as apparent after the Janet Jackson/Justin Timberlake exposed breast episode during the Super Bowl half time show? We celebrate and gossip when our favorite star gets married and divorced days later, but harshly criticize their actions when they expose skin. The length of marriage is rarely a hot topic.

With wide-spread role models applying for frequent visitors cards at local Las Vegas chapels and an American divorce rate of 4 per 1,000 people according to the United States Center for Health Statistics, who's really ruining the sanctity of marriage and "traditional" family? Furthermore, how can same-sex marriages possibly corrode a traditional symbol of commitment that's already a joke? In fact, it's the exact opposite with thousands of gay and lesbian couples flocking to wed. Often these same-sex couples have been in committed relationships for many years and are motivated by more than convenience, money or entertainment. The facade of traditional family values is merely a shell of what it is supposed to be (and one can't help but wonder exactly who defines such values).

Are conservatives afraid that same-sex marriage will add to the existing divorce statistics or is it the fear that gays and lesbians will be an ideal example of what marriage should be? Anti-gay activists and conservative politicians should loosen their belts and allow legal same-sex marriages throughout the country, while at the same time use their political power to clean up their own tarnished perceptions of tradition.

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[b]R.I. religious groups back same-sex marriage[/b]

Religious leaders from six denominations voiced their support for legalizing same-sex marriages in Rhode Island at a news conference Feb. 24.

About 15 clergy from the Episcopal, United Methodist, United Church of Christ, Presbyterian and Unitarian Universalist churches, as well as Reform Judaism, spoke out in favor of equal marriage legislation pending in the Rhode Island General Assembly. About 60 people, including Sen. Rhoda Perry, D-Providence, who introduced the bill in the Senate Feb. 24, attended the session at the Westminster Unitarian Universalist Church in East Greenwich, the hometown of gay marriage foe Gov. Donald Carcieri.

Rev. Mary Beth Hayes, executive director of the Chaplaincy Center, an interfaith church in Providence, said legalizing gay marriage is about basic human rights. She and her partner have a four-year-old daughter. "It is about the future of our children, our country and our world," said Hayes, who is raising a daughter with her partner. "It is about your neighbor, your coworker, your minister, your friend."

The group of clergy is the core of what is hoped will become a coalition of religious leaders that will support same-sex marriage, according to Dan Dupuis, a member of the steering committee of Rhode Island Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice, the group that organized the news conference.

"One of the main objectives for the coalition is to provide a public witness that the religious community is not of one mind [on same-sex marriage] and our moral and religious traditions stand for equal rights and dignity," David Gleicher, the organization's co-chair, told Bay Windows.
http://www.baywindows.com" title="http://www.baywindows.com" target="_blank"http://www.baywindows.com


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Check out the Editorial section of the site this week for a great article on being gay and a Christian.

http://www.GayNewEngland.net" title="http://www.GayNewEngland.net" target="_blank"http://www.GayNewEngland.net

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I was almost speechless on Tuesday morning when I woke to President Bush openly opposing same-sex marriage. What disgusted me the most was that his homophobia is so deeply rooted that he proposes to alter the document Americans hold most true- The Constitution. How can an individual repeatedly speak of liberties and freedoms that citizens in other countries are denied while publicly oppressing citizens of his own? I think now would be a good time for the head of an oil company to come out of the closet! I started off by saying that I was almost speechless, because after hearing the speech I wrote my senator, representatives and dozens organizations expressing my concern about this issue. I cannot urge you enough to vote this upcoming election. Though I can't force Americans not to vote for Bush, I do urge you to consider the future of the LGBT community. We've come too far to back down now!

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Oscar-nominated actress Charlize Theron says people like Arnold Schwarzenegger who oppose gay marriage are "prehistoric." Theron's Oscar nod is for "Monster," in which she plays prostitute Aileen Wuornos, who kills customers to support herself and her girlfriend. Anyway, Theron says she grew up around gay and bisexual people in South Africa and she's appalled by the current debate in the U.S. "I just don't understand that at all. It's so unbelievably frustrating. ... I mean, love is such a hard f**king thing - to find somebody who's willing to go through anything with you and stand by you that, on its own, is so hard to find. The fact that people want to complicate it even more just absolutely baffles me."

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It seems the battle over gay rights and equality is far from over. Institutions that have embraced gay culture are holding their positions, but pressure from right-wing conservatives continues to build.

Here's how to join the fight and make your voices heard:

[b]1) Register To Vote! [/b]
The best way to tell our government how you feel is to vote! Be sure to update your address if you are registered to vote or sign up if you are not.

[b]2) Sign a Petition for Same-Sex Marriage [/b]
Your single signature may at first seem irrelevant, but among millions change happens. One good example is the recall vote in California.

[b]3) Fax Your State Senator or Representative [/b]
Your State Senators and Representatives were elected by you and act on your behalf. Let them know how you feel.

[b]4) Contact the White House [/b]
The Bush Administration opposes equal gay rights. Send letters supporting gay equality directly to our leader. Let's keep the upper hand by expressing our opinions in a manner of respect and professionalism.

[b]5) Support Gay Schools [/b]
Help the Hetrick-Martin Institute alleviate queer youth from the perils of harassment and violence by contacting the New York City Department of Education or by providing funding to The Harvey Milk School.

[b]6) Write the Church [/b]
A simple email to the Episcopal Church can go a long way towards the confirmation of other gay clergymen.

[b]7) Support the Servicemembers Legal Defense Fund [/b]
The SLDF needs your support as the leading advocate for gays in the military. Not only do they educate servicemembers on the current "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policies, but they provide free legal advice.

[b]8. Watch Gay Television Shows [/b]
Despite what your parents said, watching television is good for you- especially if you're gay! By watching gay-theme television shows you increase their ratings. Increased ratings make the high-power networks and advertisers very happy. Hopefully, happy enough that they can't afford not to have gay programming. Also, this may be a stretch but showing Americans gay life on television may lessen the fear of gay equality.

[b]9) Volunteer for a Gay Rights Organization [/b]
There are several organizations that help promote gay rights and safety. Find the one that best suits your lifestyle.

[b]10) Lobby for Gay Adoption [/b]
The American Bar Association had recently agreed to endorse and lobby states for equal adoption rights for same-sex couples. Join the fight!

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Teresa Heinz Kerry, wife of Democratic presidential front-runner John Kerry, said today that she believes the country will eventually move toward acceptance of gay marriage. "I think with time and without a lot of politicization of this, we'll get there," said Heinz Kerry, who is on a three-day campaign swing through California, which holds its primary next week. "I think our country is basically a tolerant country." Heinz Kerry was campaigning for her husband Tuesday in San Francisco, which has become the epicenter of the gay marriage debate since the city began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

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With California [b]Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's [/b]assertion that same-sex marriage licenses would inspire divisive and unruly protests in San Francisco from conservative groups, only a small contingent of protesters gathered outside City Hall yesterday to fulfill the prophecy. We'll give you one guess which church they came from. Hint: It's in Kansas. Meanwhile activists supportive of same-sex marriages milled around as well carrying placards that read, "Schwarzenegger, go back to Austria," and "Arnold wants the right to be President but he wants to take away my basic civil right to marry the man I love." Which makes for a very long sign indeed. SF Mayor Gavin Newsom said, "The process has gone extraordinarily well when you consider that literally thousands and thousands of people are converging on City Hall." Secretary of State Kevin Shelley lavished praise on the mayor.

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Patti Davis, daughter of former President Ronald Reagan, shares her opinions in a piece called "Wedded Bliss" for Newsweek, exclusively online. "In the early 1970s, I was living with my boyfriend and our out-of wedlock arrangement was regarded as rather scandalous by both of our families. When I went to a wedding ceremony of a lesbian friend of mine, I was struck by the obvious irony. Here were two women who could not be legally wed, but who were happily celebrating their commitment to each other. They seemed to have a better understanding of the importance of ceremony, ritual, public declaration than people like me who tossed off the institution of marriage as unnecessary."

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King Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia, an 81-year-old father of 14, recently published a statement on his website supporting same-sex marriage. Yesterday, he surprised his subjects by pointing out that he is not gay. We figured. His comments came as he underlined his support for same-sex marriage, having seen television coverage of such weddings in California. In a statement on his website, the king said: "I am not gay, but I respect the rights of gays and lesbians. It's not their fault if God makes them born like that." He said the statement, posted yesterday, was made in response to an "insulting" email he received from some guy named Tom Adams.


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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush said Tuesday that he supports a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage to "prevent the meaning of marriage from being changed forever."

Criticizing San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, judges of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, and county officials in New Mexico who moved to let same-sex couples receive marriage licenses, Bush said that in recent months "some activist judges and local officials have made an aggressive attempt to redefine marriage.

"And unless action is taken, we can expect more arbitrary court decisions, more litigation, more defiance of the law by local officials, all of which adds to uncertainty.


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The church that covers up sexual abuse, fights birth control, gay marriage, and would make masturbation against the law...wakes up this morning with yet more [b]blood on their hands....[/b]

BOSTON -- Patrick McSorley, a victim of pedophile priest John Geoghan and one of the most outspoken critics of the Boston Archdiocese during the clergy sexual abuse scandal, was found dead Monday.

Police did not immediately announce the cause of death. McSorley, 29, nearly drowned in a river last year but denied he had attempted suicide.

His attorney, Mitchell Garabedian, said he was notified by Boston police early Monday morning that McSorley's body had been found in a friend's apartment in the city's North End.

The state medical examiner's office performed an autopsy Monday. Spokesman John Cronin said the cause and manner of McSorley's death will not be made public until after toxicology tests return, which could take up to three months.

McSorley said he was sexually abused by Geoghan in 1986, at age 12, when Geoghan stopped by his family's home to offer condolences on the death of his father. McSorley said Geoghan took him out for ice cream and then molested him.
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[i][b]Whatever happened to seperation of church and state I ask? [/b][/i]

[b]Schwarzenegger says weddings may cause violence in San Francisco[/b]

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said on Meet the Press Sunday that he fears outbreaks of serious civil unrest if same-sex wedding ceremonies continue at San Francisco City Hall. "All of a sudden, we see riots, we see protests, we see people clashing. The next thing we know, there is injured or there is dead people. We don't want it to get to that extent,'' the Republican said in his first appearance as governor on a Sunday talk show. An aide to Mayor Gavin Newsom said of the marriages, "It's been largely peaceful, and we don't see that changing."
SF Gate

[b]Strangers send bouquets to SF for same-sex couples' weddings[/b]

Robert Yamaguchi and Raymond Mungo were waiting outside San Francisco City Hall Friday morning when a florist clutching wedding bouquets handed them one. The outside of the accompanying envelope read, "To The Happy Couple," and the card tucked inside said simply, "With love from Minneapolis, Minnesota." "Oh, my heart just burst with joy when he handed up those flowers!" Mungo exclaimed. "Some stranger who doesn't even know us is helping celebrate the event - it's very touching." The couple's gift has been replicated hundreds of times throughout the week as part of a grass-roots movement called Flowers in the Heartland. Fueled by one oft-forwarded e-mail and a weblog, callers from across the country have flooded San Francisco's flower shops, asking for bouquets to be donated to random same-sex couples waiting in line to get hitched.
SF Gate, LiveJournal entry

[b]Massachusetts governor once opposed gay marriage ban[/b]

Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney appears now to be tacking hard to the right on gay marriage, fast becoming the darling of the Bush White House. But only two years ago, he ran for governor opposing a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. "It's hypocrisy of the worst kind," said Phil Johnston, chairman of the Massachusetts Democratic Party. Gay Republicans are equally outraged. "The baseline is he ran a campaign to earn support from people like me," said Patrick Guerriero, executive director of Log Cabin Republicans, and a former Republican candidate for lieutenant governor. "He was elected to be inclusive and not to turn back the clock." Boston Herald

[b]SF same-sex marriages cause tiff between governor and attorney general[/b]

Although both California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Attorney General Bill Lockyer agree that the same-sex marriages being performed in San Francisco are illegal, Lockyer complained loudly that the governor was trying to force his hand to stop the marriages. "The governor can direct the Highway Patrol. He can direct the next 'Terminator 4' movie if he chooses. But he can't direct the attorney general in the way he's attempted to do," said Lockyer of the governor's insistence that it is Lockyer's responsibility to stop the marriages. Lockyer says Schwarzenegger is simply playing to his conservative base.
SF Gate

[b]Argentina may pass civil union bill[/b]
After the success of civil unions for same-sex couples in Buenos Aires, Argentina, a bill has been proposed in the government to allow for civil unions within the whole country. The Community of Argentine Homosexuals (Cha) lobbied hard for the Buenos Aires law and will do the same for the national law, hoping to continue a tradition of separation of church and state. Since the civil union law was passed, Buenos Aires has had a large increase in tourism, from within the country as well as from other countries. Newsday

[b]Massachusetts Speaker will support civil unions[/b]
Massachusetts Speaker of the House Tom Finneran now says he will support an amendment to the state constitution that allows for same-sex civil unions instead of simply banning marriage. Many of his colleagues have questioned the truthfulness of his statement because of his repeated blocks in the past decade to allow for any civil union bills. Finneran says that the Legislature must control the benefits given to those civil unions, and not written into the constitution. Opposition to the idea comes from both sides, gay groups who want full marriage benefits and conservative parties who want to deny all benefits.
Boston Globe

Bill Maher, comedian and social critic, had this to say on his most recent HBO show, Real Time With Bill Maher.

The piece is called Bi-Definition and is referring to the recent headline, "Bush Plans $1.5 Billion Drive For Promotion of Marriage."

"You can't claim you're the party of smaller government and then make laws about love. On this Valentine's Day, let's stop and ask ourselves, "What
business is it of the state how consenting adults choose to pair off, share expenses, and eventually stop having sex with each other?"

And why does the Bush administration want a constitutional amendment about weddings? Hey, why stop at weddings? Birthdays are important; let's put
them in the great document. Let's make a law that gay people can have birthdays, but straight people get more cake. You know, to send the right message to kids.

Republicans are always saying we should privatize things like schools, prisons, social security -- hey, how about we privatize privacy! Because
if the government forbids gay men from tying the knot, what is their alternative? They can't all marry Liza Minnelli.

You know, the Republicans used to be the party that opposed social engineering, but now they push programs to outlaw marriage for some people
and encourage it for others. If you're straight, there's $1.5 billion in the budget to promote marriage, but gay marriage is opposed because it threatens or mocks or does something to the sanctity of marriage, as if
anything you can do in Vegas drunk off your ass in front of an Elvis impersonator could be considered sacred.

Half the people who pledge eternal love are doing it because one of them is either knocked up, rich or desperate. But in George Bush's mind,
marriage is only a beautiful lifetime bond of love and sharing, kind of like what his dad has with the Saudis.

But at least the right wing aren't hypocrites on this issue. They really believe that homosexuality is an abomination and a dysfunction that's curable. They believe that if a gay man just devotes his life to Jesus,
he'll stop being gay, because that worked out so well with the Catholic priests.

But I have to tell you that the greater shame in this story goes to the Democrats because they don't believe homosexuality is an abomination, and,
therefore, their refusal to endorse gay marriage is hypocrisy. Their position doesn't come from the Bible; it's ripped right from the latest poll, which says that most Americans are against gay marriage.

Well, you know what? Sometimes most Americans are just wrong, and where is the Democrat who will stand up and go beyond the half-measures of civil
union and hate-the-sin-love-the-sin ner and say loud and clear, "There is no sin. It's not an abomination and no one can control how cupid aims his arrows, and the ones who pretend they can usually turn out to be the
biggest freaks."

The law in this country should reflect that some people are just born one-hundred-percent outrageously, fabulously, undeniably Fire-Island gay.
And they do not need re-programming -- they need a man with a slow hand."

Bill Maher

http://www.markfiore.com/animation/agenda.html" title="http://www.markfiore.com/animation/agenda.html" target="_blank"http://www.markfiore.com/anim...

Send emails to Michael Savage at http://www.michaelsavage.com, or at least partake in his online polls, to let him know we will not stand for his bigotry!!

Come on people, a few years ago we gave Dr. Laura a rainbow spanking, Savage is far worse.

Listen to talkradio or see his website to taste the hatred he is sending our way!

Thanks!

Remind him that HATRED is not a family value!!

http://www.michaelsavage.com" title="http://www.michaelsavage.com" target="_blank"http://www.michaelsavage.com

1. Love's Divine Seal Warner Bros.
2. All Things(Just Keep Getting Better)
Widelife Feat. Simone Capitol
3. Janet Megamix '04 Janet Jackson Virgin
4. Toxic Britney Spears Jive
5. Signed,Sealed, Delivered
Colton Ford Feat. Pepper Mashay Centaur
6. Find Myself Presta & Stakey Star 69
7. Not In Love Enrique Inglesias Feat. Kelis
Interscope
8. It's My Life No Doubt Interscope
9. Where Love Is Trinity Feat. Revi Commision
10. Hole In The Head Sugarbabes Interscope

[b]BREAKOUTS ------------------- POWER PICKS[/b]
1. Love Profusion (Remixes) Madonna
Maverick
2. Amazing George Michael Sony UK
3. Make Me Dance All Night 3 Speaker High
PAS
4. Free (Remixes) Sarah Brightman Angel

http://www.ahouse.com" title="http://www.ahouse.com" target="_blank"http://www.ahouse.com

• Carson Kressley from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy

• Jai Rodriguez from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy

• Kyan Douglas From Bravo's Queer Eye for the Straight Guy

• Ted Allen From Bravo's Queer Eye for the Straight Guy

• Thom Filicia From Bravo's Queer Eye for the Straight Guy

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=http://www.gaynewengland.net target=_blank [image]gaynewengland_1365 993119.jpg[/image]

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin (CNN) -- After a disappointing third-place showing in the Wisconsin primary, former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean plans to suspend his presidential campaign on Wednesday, a Dean official told CNN.

=http://www.gaynewengland.net target=_blank [image]gaynewengland_1365 993119.jpg[/image]

[b]Two Judges Delay Gay Marriage Rulings -- Marriages To Continue [/b]
(San Francisco, California) Two San Francisco judges Tuesday delayed hearings on applications by conservative political action groups to stop the city from issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

[b]Lawyer Demands SF Mayor's Arrest[/b]
(San Francisco, California) A law firm with ties to conservative religious groups is calling for the arrest of San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom.

[b]Gay Marriage Bill For Rhode Island[/b]
(Providence, Rhode Island) Legislation to legalize same-sex marriage will be introduced in the Rhode Island Senate when it Senate reconvenes on Feb. 24.

[b]Kansas Moves To Amend Constitution To Ban Gay Marriage[/b]
(Topeka, Kansas) Legislation to amend the Kansas state constitution to ban same-sex marriage was approved Tuesday by in committee.

[b]Gay Couple In Spain Win Right To Adopt[/b]
(Madrid) A Spanish court has ruled that the same-sex partner of a mother of twins can adopt her children. It is the first time same-sex couples in Spain have been allowed to co-parent.

[b]Anglican Leader Calls For Restraint[/b]
(London) The Archbishop of Canterbury has criticized both sides battling over a gay bishop in the United States.

[b]Jesse Jackson: Gay Rights Not Civil Rights[/b]
(Boston, Massachusetts) In speeches at two Boston area universities Monday the Rev. Jesse Jackson said he supported equal protection for gay couples, but told students not confuse gay rights with civil rights.

Our friends over at HERE-Boston received a bomb threat and are unable to open their club tonight. We want to wish Tim and his team the best and please know our good wishes are with them. Sick, truly sick that someone would do that.

To visit Here Boston:
http://www.hereboston.com" title="http://www.hereboston.com" target="_blank"http://www.hereboston.com

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/995578872" title="http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/995578872" target="_blank"http://www.thepetitionsite.co...


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Good Morning New England!

When visiting the blog, don't forget to check out the other sections of GayNewEngland.net by clicking on one of the many links to the left.

Have a great day!

Dave

=http://www.gaynewengland.net target=_blank [image]gaynewengland_1314 58229.gif[/image]

1. Love's Divine Seal Warner Bros.
2. Me,Myself and I Beyonce Columbia
3. All Things (Just Keep Getting Better)
Widelife Feat. Simone Capitol
4. Janet Megamix '04 Janet Jackson Virgin
5. Haru (Junior Remix) Haru Romain
6. Signed, Sealed, Delivered
Colton Ford Feat. Pepper Mash Centaur
7. Toxic Britney Spears Jive
8. Find Myself Presta & Stakey Star 69
9. Not In Love Enrique Inglesias Feat. Kelis
Interscope
10. It's My Life No Doubt Interscope

BREAKOUTS ---------------- POWER PICKS
1. Where Is Love (Junior Mix)
Trinty Feat. Revi Commission
2. Sex Bomb (Remxes) Tom Jones UTV
3. Hole In The Head Sugarbabes Interscope
4. Changes Kelly & Ozzie Ozbourne
Sanctuary

http://www.ahouse.com" title="http://www.ahouse.com" target="_blank"http://www.ahouse.com

=http://www.gaynewengland.net target=_blank [image]gaynewengland_1365 993119.jpg[/image]

Gay couples unsuccessfully apply for marriage license
2/14/2004

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. -- Several gay couples around Connecticut pressed the issue of same-sex marriages by applying for a marriage license at their local town halls.

All were turned away.

The Connecticut action on Friday was symbolic of what has been going in the nation the past several days. The Massachusetts state legislature is debating civil unions versus marriage, and San Francisco has begun issuing marriage licenses to gay couples.

In Middletown, Shannon Eammons and Mary Roche called ahead to city officials to let them know of their intentions. Roche said they didn't want to embarass the license clerk, but they felt it was important to make a statement.

Partners the past five years, Eammons and Roche were married by an Episcopal priest at Metropolitan Community Church in New Haven two years ago. Their pastor accompanied them to City Hall.

(Toronto, Ontario) Taking a page out of African American history, five same-sex couples are traveling the Freedom Trail, the route taken by former slaves, to Toronto and "marriage freedom". :idea:

NEW YORK — One of America's most famous couples is calling it quits. Are you sitting down?

After 43 years together, Barbie and Ken (search) — as in the dolls — have decided that breaking up is hard to do, but do it they must.

Since they're dolls — and famous — Barbie and Ken had no direct comment about their split at the International Toy Fair (search), where the bombshell was dropped. The news predictably came from their spokespeople during a press conference Thursday.

"This is an announcement we thought we’d never make," said Barbie’s publicist, Ken Sunshine (search). "I will confirm that Ken and Barbie are going to go their separate ways."

Click here for a video of the couple in happier times.

The circumstances surrounding the famous couple's break were hazy, though their spokespeople assured the press they split up on good terms.

"The flame of love has gone out," said Ken's publicist, A. Russell Arons — who doubles as Mattel Inc.'s (search) vice president of marketing for Barbie. "The tolls of Hollywood romance are well known."

Arons and Sunshine described it as a "sad" and "reflective" day.

Devastated Barbie-and-Ken-friendly homes across the country were suddenly faced with the task of explaining the breakup to their children — and finding separate toy boxes for the pair. Sunshine said he'd been barraged with e-mails from fans.

Arons suggested moms and dads handle it "much like a parent may someday have to explain a divorce" and assure their little girls that Barbie and Ken would always care for each other and be friends.

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Stall tactics featuring rambling speeches by pro-gay marriage Massachusetts legislators prevented a vote on an amendment barring gay marriages in the state before the midnight close of the constitutional convention. Representative David Linsky, a Democrat who opposes a constitutional ban on gay marriage, said the debate hardly amounted to a filibuster: "That was not a filibuster. A filibuster lasts for days. This was an hour and a half." Nevertheless, it was a success and the frenzied battle to devise something to interfere with or stop the state Supreme Court ruling has ended in a stalemate - for now. Debate is scheduled to resume March 11.

Bravo's "Queer Eye For The Straight Guy" returns with all new episodes beginning Tuesday, February 17 at 10pm - and Kylie Minogue will be making a special guest appearance. Who is on the upcoming show roster? Ralph: a hard rockin', head-banging radio show host and strip club DJ. Kevin: a stand-up comic with OCD who still manages to be a slob. Mark: who thinks it just might be time to lose the 10-year-old mullet, muttonchops and handlebar mustache. And as if anyone in figure skating needed any help, Olympic Figure Skater John Zimmerman will be the first athlete to get a Queer Eye makeover. Be on the lookout for appearances by Motley Crue's Vince Neil, too.

Well, we wait on the edge of our seats to see if open-mindeness and freedom wins today or homophobia and backwards thinking.

Just in case you got too caught up in the news, don't forget that Saturday is Valentine's Day and today is the last possible day you can order flowers online for the special person in your life. :wink:

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[b]Emotions High As Thousands Await Final Anti-Gay Amendment Vote[/b]

Posted: February 11, 2004 5:03 p.m. ET
Updated February 11, 2004 7:14 p.m. ET

(Boston, Massachusetts) Wearing knit hats and bundled in parkas several thousand gays and their supporters huddled in front of the Massachusetts State House Wednesday night waiting word on the future of same-sex families.

Not far away, an equal number of people from conservative religious groups prayed.

Inside the historic legislature a joint session of the House and Senate was working its way through a series of proposals to amend the commonwealth's constitution to bar same-sex marriage.

The special Constitutional Convention began shortly after 2 pm with a proposal by House Speaker Thomas Finneran (D-Boston) and backed by Republican Gov. Mitt Romney, to define marriage as a union of a man and a woman and carry a provision to allow the legislature to establish civil unions when it feels it to be appropriate.

Despite assurances by Finneran that he would put civil unions before the House within two weeks, the measure was voted down.

A so-called compromise bipartisan amendment also defines marriage as between a man and woman but adds language establishing civil unions and says that same-sex marriages performed between May when they set by court order to begin, and 2006 the earliest the constitution could be amended would then be officially called civil unions.

That version is still being debated.

The original amendment offered by state Rep. Philip Travis (D-Rehoboth), simply defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

It is scheduled for a vote late tonight.

Going into the session it was impossible to tell which way the political winds were blowing. Polls as late as Tuesday night showed many members had not made up their mind, and others refused to say where they stood.

Democrats hold 170 of Legislature's 200 seats. There's currently one vacancy - Sen Cheryl Jacques resigned last month to head up the Human Rights Campaign in Washington.

Debate has been emotional on both sides of the issue.

Breaking down in tears several times, state Sen. Dianne Wilkerson (D-Boston) gave an emotional address. After recalling her family's past history as slaves in the South, she declared that the gay marriage issue is a civil rights matter. "Separate is never equal," she said. "I know the pain of being less than equal, and I cannot, will not, impose that state on anyone else."

Outside the gold domed State House some five thousand people demonstrated on both sides of the marriage issue. Security around the capitol and in the Boston Common was unusually tight.

Busloads of people from conservative political groups and churches began arriving at the State House early this morning. Shouting "let us vote" they quoted from the Bible and sang hymns.

Gay advocates from across the state staked out their own section of the Common and in front of the legislature. Police report several "tussles" but no serious problems. The crowds were divided by a police line and were about evenly split.

Amending the state constitution gained considerable support following the Supreme Judicial Court's ruling last November that declared the state's denial of marriage licenses to same-sex couples violates the constitution's equal protection provisions. In a second ruling Feb. 4, the same justices said a proposed civil unions law would create an "unconstitutional, inferior, and discriminatory status for same-sex couples." (Full Coverage)

The Massachusetts Constitution, adopted in 1780, is the oldest still-governing written constitution in the world. It was the model for the U.S. Constitution, which was drafted seven years later.

It has been amended 120 times, most recently in 2000, when voters endorsed making the federal census the basis for legislative redistricting and also stripped voting rights from incarcerated felons.

A proposed amendment must be passed by two consecutive sessions of the Constitutional convention in two separate sessions of the legislature and then be put to the electorate. The earliest that could be done is 2006.

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that same-sex couples could begin marrying in May.

(Boston, Massachusetts) Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney was unmoved Friday by a tearful meeting with several of the same-sex couples who won the landmark court ruling in favor of same-sex marriage.

The group met the Romney in a effort to convince him to drop his support for an amendment to the state constitution to nullify the ruling and ban gay marriage.

In other GLBT news...

Senate Begins Work On Anti-Gay Amendment
(Washington, D.C.) The Senate has begun work on a bill to amend the US Constitution to prevent same-sex marriages and playing a key role will the former Texas Supreme Court justice who dismissed challenges to the state's sodomy law.

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1. All Things (Just Keep Getting Better)
Widelife Feat. Simone Capitol
2. Me,Myself and I Beyonce Columbia
3. Love's Divine Seal Warner Bros.
4. Haru Haru Romain
5. Janet Megamix "04 Janet Jackson Virgin
6. Powerless (Say What You Want) Nelly Furtado Dreamworks
7. Good Boys Blondie Sanctuary
8. Free Sarah Brightman Angel
9. Signed,Sealed,Delivered Colton Ford & Pepper Mashay Centaur
10. Not In Love Enrique Inglesias Feat. Kelis Interscope

BREAKOUTS ------------------- POWER PICKS
1. Toxic Britney Spears Jive
2. Find Myself Presta & Stakey Star 69
3. Personal Jesus Oba' Frank Lords Music Plant

The Atlantic House, also known as the A-House, is Provincetown's most popular and only year-round dance club. This complex consists of the Little Bar (cruise bar with juke box) - The Macho Bar (Provincetown's original leather and Levi bar) & the Big Room (Provincetown's #1 Dance Club!)

Resident D.J. and Billboard Magazine reporter David LaSalle embarks on his 22nd season as Provincetown's longest running D.J. playing the most current music and progressive tracks in town.

The A-House's infamous Friday night parties continue with a different theme offered each week with a cash prize awarded for the best costume or presentation. The A-House is also the only bar that is consistantly busy 7 nights a week unlike other establishments that offer 1 or 2 special nights. The bar of choice for most locals and visitors alike, the A-House also lays claim to being one of the oldest historical buildings in town (built in 1798) and possibly one of the first discos in the country.

No attitude or pretense here. A bar where everyone is welcome, gay, lesbian, straight, CD, whatever. Stop by and enjoy the experience!

http://www.ahouse.com" title="http://www.ahouse.com" target="_blank"http://www.ahouse.com

[b]Young Americans Show Overwhelming Support For Gay Marriage [/b]

Posted: February 6, 2004 12:02 p.m. ET

(Washington, D.C.) A new survey shows that younger Americans are the most willing to support gay marriage and other LGBT issues.

The survey, of 15-25 year olds, indicates that 56 percent would give same-sex couples the right to marry, while 39 percent are opposed. When the question was changed to civil unions, the support grew to 63 percent.

When asked about housing and employment, 85 per cent were in favor of equal rights legislation for gays and lesbians. The same number said gays and lesbians should be protected from hate crimes.

Those sentiments were held by all ideological, partisan, racial, geographic, and religious groups. One out of two respondents said they know someone who is gay.

“The breadth of overall support demonstrates that young adults are doing more than showing simple support for fairness and tolerance toward homosexuals,” according to a report on the survey issued by pollster Lake Snell Perry, which conducted the survey.


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I am proud to be from Massachusetts this morning as I feel civil rights have taken another step forward. Another set-back for narrow minded ignorance and homophobia has taken place. And when did it become so many str8 persons (not my friends or family, thank God!) battle to not allow two people to share their love? This baffles me.

Whatever happened to the phrase, and they will know we are Christians by our love? Where is the love...I see only hate.

David Goulart
Editor, GayNewEngland.net

First Gay Weddings In America May 20
(Boston, Massachusetts) The first same-sex couples to legally wed in the United States will lineup in Massachusetts to get marriage licenses on May 17 and marry three days later, following Wednesday's ruling by the state's highest court upholding its decision last year that gay marriage was valid.

Damn The Court Full Speed Ahead To An Amendment Mass. Gov Says
Bush 'Deeply Troubled'
(Boston, Massachusetts) Massachusetts Republicans say today's court ruling that civil unions are not good enough for same-sex couples has only solidified their opposition to gay marriage and their support for a constitutional amendment.

Gay Civil Rights Groups Praise Mass. Court Ruling
(Washington, D.C.) LGBT civil rights organizations across the country Wednesday hailed the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruling upholding the right of same-sex couples to marry.

Mass. Court: Only Marriage Will Do!
(Boston, Massachusetts) The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Wednesday declared that civil unions will not suffice for the full right of marriage for same-sex couples.


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[b]Supreme Judicial Court rules civil unions aren't enough, same-sex couples entitled to marriage[/b]


BOSTON -- The Massachusetts high court ruled Wednesday that only full, equal marriage rights for gay couples -- rather than civil unions -- would meet the edict of its November decision, erasing any doubts that the nation's first same-sex marriages would take place in the state beginning in mid-May.

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President Bush has proposed a $2.4 trillion election-year budget that boosts defense spending and freezes spending for most AIDS programs. The budget gives $696 million to programs at the National Center for HIV/STD and TB Prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, $4 million less than in 2003, and funding for treatment programs within the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act would not be increased, despite a continuing rise of approximately 40,000 new infections each year in the U.S. Funding for the Ryan White CARE Act was increased from $2.02 billion this year to $2.055 billion next year, including a $35 million increase being recommended for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). It means funding for the other critical programs within the CARE Act will remain flat. The president also proposed doubling the amount of money available in his budget for scientifically unproven abstinence-only-until-mar riage education programs to $273 million.

Janet Jackson loses her shirt during Super Bowl half time show.

Pop superstar Janet Jackson lost her chest plate during her Super Bowl XXXVIII half time performance, giving football fans an unexpected peep show. It appeared as though singer Justin Timberlake ripped it off as part of the show, revealing Jackson's right breast with a silver star on it.

[b]Did someone go too far?[/b]