Proposition 8 backers attack Brown’s efforts to keep gay marriage

The legal filing comes in response to a brief two weeks ago from the attorney general in which he surprised legal experts by putting forth an unusual theory to argue that Proposition 8 should be invalidated, saying that the measure undermines fundamental liberties guaranteed by the Constitution.

His theory surprised experts because he had pledged to argue in favor of Proposition 8 — as the attorney general, it is his job to defend the state's laws. But it also advanced an unorthodox interpretation of the Constitution.

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Gays asking Washington lawmakers to expand rights Seattle Times - United States

State Sen. Ed Murray of Seattle and five other gay members of the Legislature are working on a bill that would expand the rights approved in the 2007 domestic-partnership law.

Nearly 5,000 couples have registered to claim rights such as hospital visits and community property. Murray wants to add pensions and parenting and tax issues.

Murray also told The Olympian he also plans to introduce a same-sex marriage bill but thinks it's too early to push for full marriage rights for same-sex couples.

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Seattle Times - United States

Proposition 8 Gives Rise to New Generation of Gay Leaders

After state voters passed Proposition 8 on November 4, gays, lesbians and their straight allies took to the streets in Los Angeles and West Hollywood, demanding the repeal of the ballot measure that bans same-sex marriage in California. The outrage over the vote also brought about several boycotts that forced “Yes on 8″ contributors like L.A. Film Festival director Richard Raddon out of a job.

But one of the more interesting and sometimes overlooked post–Prop. 8 developments has been a shakeup within the gay establishment and the rise of younger activists looking for a seat at the power table. Dave Valk, a 21-year-old senior at UCLA, and Joe Townley, a 30-year-old Internet entrepreneur, founded, with others, an activist group called Demonstrate Change. Vincent Jones, a 32-year-old staffer at Common Cause, expected to do more outreach in the African-American community, which mostly voted for Proposition 8.

In the meantime, the California State Supreme Court will hear arguments from gay-rights lawyers probably in March, asking the court to overturn Prop. 8 and legalize same-sex marriage in this state once again. To keep the “No on 8″ cause alive, Valk, Townley and people like them have been gearing up for protests in January and February, as well as a possible March on Washington in April. Other gay activists in Los Angeles — young and old, rookies and veterans — are also organizing a more grassroots-oriented gay-rights movement, with Rick Jacobs of the Courage Campaign providing support.

In our article published shortly before the election, polls showed voters who opposed same-sex marriage gaining ground on voters who backed same-sex marriage. The article, “Riding the Cultural Divide with Proposition 8,” explained the national consequences of either outcome, as well as the mounting turmoil and trouble unfolding inside the campaign to defeat the measure.

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LA Weekly, CA 

‘HomoRadio’ gives voice and support to Capital Region’s gay community

In 1994, Sean McLaughlin was a 15-year-old who hadn't yet revealed to his friends and family he was gay. Although he felt alone, every Sunday he could sneak up to his bedroom, put on headphones and listen to "HomoRadio." "Listening to the program connected me to the gay community, kept me abreast on news and gave me a lot of information," said McLaughlin, 29. It also gave him the strength to come out to his parents and friends, and to find his place in the world. He has hosted the program for the past 11 years.

"HomoRadio" has been a bastion of the Capital Region's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community for 16 years. It stands as a rallying point for gay rights, which often seem to be under attack.

In November, for example, the passing of California's Proposition 8, which denied same-sex couples the right to marry, spurred the gay-rights movement to action. And "HomoRadio" was there, calling for California, New York and other states to recognize the rights of gays by allowing same-sex marriage.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Sunday, the show on WRPI features activists, performers and organizers. McLaughlin often chats about the serious and silly with co-hosts Ray Werking, Heidi Davis, Ulysses D'Armis and Joe Laux.  See 'HomoRadio' gives voice and support to Capital Region's gay community
Albany Times Union, NY

Gay-marriage backers target New England

Two New England states have already legalized same-sex marriage, and a Boston-based advocacy group wants to see the other four join them.

Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders, known as GLAD, has launched a first-of-its-kind regional campaign aimed at winning approval for same-sex marriage in the six-state New England region by 2012.

Same-sex marriage is already legal in Connecticut and Massachusetts, a result of court decisions in cases brought by GLAD lawyers. The 2003 Massachusetts decision was the first in the nation, while the Connecticut ruling went into effect Nov. 12.

"We can make New England a marriage-equality zone by strategically combining existing legal, electoral and on-the-ground know-how to fast-track marriage in every New England state," GLAD Executive Director Lee Swislow said.

"By 2012, we not only can have marriage equality throughout New England, we can have a road map for the rest of the country," she said.

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Washington Times - Washington,DC,USA

Portland: Largest US city with openly gay mayor

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