Footage of Billie Jean
She's Overjoyed at the renaming of the tennis centre!
(thanks to towleroad)

Tennis legend Billie Jean King knows now that it's official. The USTA facility has, in fact, been renamed to include her. You can watch the packet below for an overview.

Who is the victim of a gay marriage?
An Op/Ed in this morning's The Argus
by Ron Galbreath of Hayward

"My daughter, in a wheelchair, and I went to the Gay Pride Fair in downtown Hayward, where she was completely accepted. I saw something very disturbing, though: a young couple, their marriage license on the T-shirt one of them wore, with "VOID" stamped across it. Both were male. They had been in the group that had experienced one heady moment of hope and fulfillment only to have it dashed by those seeking to "protect" — what? The Sanctity of Marriage? Tell that to Laci Peterson's parents, or the battered wives in the women's shelters! Sanctity is conferred upon marriage by the love and commitment of the partners, not by whether the partners are the right sex or race. What is being affirmed now is the right of one group to dictate to others what they can or can't do. Laws make sense when there is a victim. But in this case, who is the injured party?"...continue at insidebayarea/The Argus?

Charles Barkley Supports Gay Marriage?
"Thank you (I think)"
Special to the blog by MW Savant, CEO, savvyplanners.com

In a feature on AOL this morning it was revealed that Charles Barkley, a candidate for Governor of Alabama, supports gay marriage. How interesting. The former NBA star had this comment to make about same-sex marriage:

"I think if they want to get married, God bless them," Barkley said. "Gay marriage is probably 1 percent of the population, so it's not like it's going to be an epidemic. Hey, trust me, I'm never going to kiss you and say, 'Chris, you're sexy."'

I asked myself many questions: Is this comment a good natured, sincere indication of true support for GLBTI marriage equality or did it somehow become something far less with the use of the word "epidemic"? Did it lose some value when he seemed to assert his irrevocable heterosexuality with the "trust me" line? Am I just too sensitive to his words? Were his words merely those of an individual with questionable media savvy and self expression skills? Hmmmmm.

I was further stunned by this comment:

"Religious people in general are so discriminatory against other people, and that really disturbs me," he said. "My idea of religion is we all love and respect. We all sin, but we still have common decency and respect for other people. So right now I'm struggling with my idea of what religion is."

I am heartened, naturally, by those who will stand up and state clearly that they are opposed to the oppression of GLBTI people in America. I am equally so when people stand up and take a stand on the supression of GLBTI people's rights.

In this case, however, I am still perplexed as to whether the erstwhile champion and NBA legend is a friend or not. Was his comment about not kissing the interviewer...well...what WAS it? Compared to his, seemingly, "equalist's" position on religious discrimination, what am I to take his position to be?

My gut reaction was that of a bit of a "Punch-Hug", actually. I felt a slight tinge of homophobic zinger in his apparently supportive comment about gay marriage. It would be very interesting to see how his "people" manage to spin this, particularly as a potential political run approaches.

I feel a bit like I should say to Mr. Barkley: "Thank you (I think).

You can read his comments and the story at AOL Sports (via AP) and decide for yourselves.

INSPIRATION ABOUNDS!

Oakland lesbian couple redefines family
As women prepare for Dyke March Saturday, minds on national debate
By Momo Chang, STAFF WRITER

OAKLAND (California) — Women who love women are gearing up for an annual celebration around Lake Merritt Saturday: the 5th annual Sistahs Steppin' in Pride East Bay Dyke March and Festival.

It's no wonder the festival takes place in Oakland, which has more lesbian couple households per capita than San Francisco, according to the 2000 U.S. Census.

MEIBECK AND MAYA SCOTT-CHUNG with their daughter Luna, almost 2, of Oakland. They plan on participating in the Sistahs Steppin' in Pride parade and festival Saturday at Lake Merritt. (Nick Lammers - Staff)

While one associates lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender parades with San Francisco, during the last few decades same-sex couples, particularly lesbian couples, have been quietly moving to Oakland because of affordability and space issues.

And in addition to couples, individuals and friends, there will be children.

Maya Scott-Chung, 40, of Oakland, says she plans on bringing her nearly 2-year-old daughter, Luna, to the march and festival.

Maya, a lesbian of Irish and Scottish descent, said it's important to speak out about today's social, cultural and political challenges around same-sex marriage.

"Our family right now is at the center of this national debate around human and civil rights," she said, adding many couples she knows are hesitant to talk to the media...Read more about this inspiring family via insidebayarea.com?

Actor Tomlin slams same-sex opposition
By Jonathon Moran

ACTOR Lily Tomlin has criticised the United States and Australian governments over their opposition to same-sex marriage, saying everyone should have the right to wed.

The openly-gay Hollywood veteran, 66, has been with her female partner, Jane Wagner, a writer and producer, for 35 years.

While she and Wagner have no plans to marry, Tomlin feels all people should have the choice.

US President George W Bush and Australian Prime Minister John Howard have both spoken out against same-sex marriage, and the Federal Government recently quashed ACT legislation allowing homosexuals to create civil unions.

"I am happy for anybody who wants to get married and I think they should have every right to," Tomlin said today. "It is an aggressively negative rejection," she said of the governments' responses to the issue.

"You have had an amendment here against same sex marriage. We have, too, in many of the states (in the United States) and I expect it will get more." continue at The Australian?

Gay Nuptials in Nepal Stuns the Media
UK Gay News

KATHMANDU– In a colourful ceremony, two gay(s) were married today, watched by the media, community activists and a few family members.

It was the first public “same-sex marriage” in Nepal and challenges the culture, tradition, family values and constitution of the country.

With the Nepali popular music, beautiful metis (effeminate cross-dressing males), young gay men, cheerful women and children, Diya as a bride and Anil as a groom exchanged rings, were garlanded to each other and kissed in front of a curious – and stunned – media.

Cheerful and courageous Diya Kashyap (21) and Anil Mahaju (31) hope Nepalese society will accept their relationship and love – and the country’s new constitution will recognize their union...

continue at UK Gay News?

Related:
Score's attend first gay marriage in tradition-bound Nepal
The Irish Examiner

Same-Sex Marriage: Mental Health Perspectives

How denial of same-sex marriage impacts mental health
By Arline Kaplan (A Psychiatric Times exclusive)

A strong link exists between discrimination and psychological distress, according to Robert Kertzner, MD, and Gilbert Herdt, MD, who recently published an article on the topic in the journal Sexuality Research & Social Policy.³ Their research, supported by the Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund, was an analysis of 150 studies and articles published during the past 30 years on marriage, discrimination, and denial of marriage to same-sex couples.

...Asked about the mental health effects of the ban, Haller said, “Being treated as a second-class citizen conveys the message that one is less worthy than others. Lack of equal civil rights can degrade people's self-esteem and can ultimately lead to a sense of negative self-worth, and possibly depression and substance abuse.”

Continue at Psychiatric Times?

Sweden Considers Gay Marriage
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

(Stockholm) The Swedish government will consider next year whether to abolish its civil partnership law and replace it with full marriage.

The civil partnership law was enacted in 1995 and gives most of the rights and obligations of marriage to same-sex couples who register. But the country's LGBT community has recently stepped up lobbying to have the law amended to permit gays and lesbians to marry.

A parliamentary committee studying the issue calls civil partnerships outdated and is recommending Parliament allow same-sex marriage. It also would allow gay couples to marry in churches.

The head of LGBT rights group Riks-Ekho welcomed the recommendations. "Those of us who have entered a civil union would have chosen to marry if the opportunity had existed,” Arthur Thiery told Swedish broadcaster SVT. “The important thing for us is that marriage in church is upheld. We don’t want to do away with the church ceremony.”

continue reading at 365Gay.com

INTERESTING OPINIONS:

Ruling upholding gay-marriage ban throws logic in reverse
ELLEN GOODMAN - Home News Tribune Online

Now I got it. After hours spent poring over Washington state's Supreme Court decision upholding the ban on same-sex marriage, I've finally figured it out. The court wasn't just ruling against same-sex marriage. It was ruling in favor of "procreationist marriage."

This is the heart of the opinion written by Justice Barbara Madsen: "Limiting marriage to opposite-sex couples furthers procreation, essential to survival of the human race, and furthers the well-being of children by encouraging families where children are reared in homes headed by the children's biological parents."

This is the heart of the opinion written by Justice Barbara Madsen: "Limiting marriage to opposite-sex couples furthers procreation, essential to survival of the human race, and furthers the well-being of children by encouraging families where children are reared in homes headed by the children's biological parents." In short, the state's wedding bells are ringing for procreators. Continue at Home News Tribune (NJ)

South Africa's cabinet gives nod to gay marriage
By Rebecca Harrison

...Government spokesman Themba Maseko said on Thursday the cabinet had approved the bill -- which must still be adopted by parliament -- after the country's highest court ruled it was unconstitutional to deny gay people the right to marry.

READ at Boston.com World News/Boston Globe

Aguilera Slams Gay Marriage Ban
contactmusic.com

CHRISTINA AGUILERA has attacked the US laws that ban her pal LANCE BASS from marrying his gay partner. The former 'N SYNC singer recently revealed his sexuality and confessed to a relationship with AMAZING RACE reality TV star REICHEN LEHMKUHL. Aguilera was amazed the news made headlines, stating, "I'm shocked that it's a big deal! I'm shocked that people are shocked." But she is more outraged that, under California law - and in most US states - Bass and Lehmkuhl couldn't marry.

The newlywed says, "I think it's really unfair that there has to be some kind of standard for marriage. Marriage should be about celebrating two people's love for each other."

[read via contactmusic.com]

Gay pride week kicks off Sunday with a blessing
PATRICK VILLANOVA, The Jersey Journal

The Jersey City Lesbian and Gay Outreach, Inc. and Grace Church Van Vorst will kick off Jersey City Pride Week Sunday by hosting a ceremonial blessing ceremony for same-sex couples.

The Rev. Gregory Perez will conduct the service, which will consist of hymns, songs of praise, scriptural and non-scriptural readings, prayer and a special blessing of relationships. Lesbian and Gay couples, their families and friends are all invited to the blessing.

City Pride Week will culminate with the Jersey City Pride Festival on Aug. 26 from noon to 8 p.m. at Exchange Place.

For more information, visit www.jclgo.org or www.gracevanvorst.org or call Grace Van Vorst Church at (201) 659-2211, ext. 4.

Historic Provisions for GLBT Families Signed Into Law TODAY!

By Human Rights Campaign

Working without fanfare and very closely with members of Congress for more than three years, the Human Rights Campaign secured two important protections that assist gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans in the Pension Protection Act signed into law on Aug. 17, 2006. The act includes provisions allowing non-spouse beneficiaries to roll over retirement benefits, and adding non-spouse beneficiaries to the retirement plan hardship distribution rules. The two provisions extend important financial protections to same-sex couples and other Americans who name non-spouses as their retirement plan beneficiaries.

Allowing Non-spouse Beneficiaries to Rollover Pension Funds (Sec. 829)
The first provision allows the transfer of an individual's retirement plan (401(k), etc,) benefits to a domestic partner or other non-spouse beneficiary (sibling, parent, child, etc.) when the individual dies. Specifically, the surviving partner (or other non-spouse beneficiary) will now be able to transfer his or her deceased partner’s retirement funds into an Individual Retirement Account and either draw down the benefits over a five-year period, or over his or her own life expectancy. In the past, surviving same-sex partners and other non-spouse beneficiaries were typically forced to withdraw the entire amount as a lump sum and incur immediate tax charges. In addition, this action often bumped the survivor into a higher tax bracket because the withdrawal was counted as taxable income to the beneficiary.

Adding Non-Spouse Beneficiaries to Retirement Plan Hardship Distribution Rules (Sec. 826)
The second provision, which addresses retirement plan hardship distributions, allows gay couples (and others who list non-spouse, non-dependent beneficiaries, such as siblings, parents, children, etc.) similar access to laws that permit people to draw on their retirement funds in the case of a qualifying medical or financial emergency. In the past, the federal law covered only the spouses or dependents of employees when it came to accessing retirement funds during an emergency.

Go to the HRC Website's page on this for information?

NY Wrongful Death Suit Dismissed
-No Legal Avenue For Same-Sex Couples

by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

(New York City) A New York judge has ruled that a Long Island lesbian cannot sue the man responsible for the accident that killed her partner because their relationship is not recognized by New York State law.

Victoria Sarafino, 56, was struck and killed by a car on March 25, 2003 as she crossed a busy street in Valley Stream. Her partner of 18 years, Linda Saegert filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Gerard Simonelli, the driver of the car.

Police ruled the death an accident and no criminal charges were filed against Simonelli. In the wrongful death suit his lawyer argued that Saegert was not legally entitled to sue since under state law unmarried couples have no status.

Acting New York Supreme Court Judge Daniel Palmieri agreed, dismissing the case.

In his ruling Palmieri noted previous court rulings in similar cases. Among them was the case of John Langan. His partner, Neil Conrad...continue via 365Gay.com?

Candidate compares gay marriage to bestiality

Democrats pounce on sheepish comment

DENVER (AP) | Aug 16, 1:14 PM via Washington Blade

Democrats are pouncing on Colorado's Republican gubernatorial nominee Bob Beauprez and his newly chosen running mate, Janet Rowland, for comments she made five months ago comparing same-sex marriage to bestiality.

Rowland is a Mesa County, Colo., commissioner who appeared in a March 17 broadcast of the Rocky Mountain PBS program "Colorado State of Mind." In it, she said homosexuality is an alternative lifestyle, and for some people, the alternative lifestyle is bestiality. Then she asked, "Do we allow a man to marry a sheep?"

Democratic nominee Bill Ritter's campaign called the remarks "insensitive, close-minded, derogatory and crude," and is demanding an apology.

Beauprez campaign manager John Marshall said Rowland regrets her remarks and...continue reading at Washington Blade?

Related: More at NBC11.com
More via DenverPost. com

NPR Song of the Day
Greek Myths in a Same-Sex Love Song
By John Murph

• 'Narcissus' by Patricia Barber (listen via NPR)

Patricia Barber won the prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship in the new category of songwriting.

NPR.org, August 14, 2006 · "I'm falling in love with her," Patricia Barber sings in the opening line of "Narcissus," from her splendid new Mythologies -- a song-cycle based on the Greek myths from Ovid's Metamorphoses. Given the ballad's title, it's clear that Barber is touching on themes of self-adulation, but the subtext of same-sex romance remains apparent throughout...continue at National Public Radio?

Note: Our CEO, MW Savant interviewed Ms. Barber on Renegade Talk Radio's "Queer Nation Show", of which he was the host heard in more than sixty countries. "Patricia Barber is one of the most sensuous, intelligent and communicative vocalists of our time. She is a prominent and highly regarded GLBT artist and a true gem! I am so glad to have had the pleasure of hearing her music. Get her music. ASAP! You'll be so glad you did!," said Savant today.

At Home in Two Worlds

By Dirk Johnson and Adam Piore

Newsweek
Photo: Sage Sohier for Newsweek

'Among straight moms, I still feel like an outsider,' says Craig Peterson (right) with Darrel Martin and daughter Mayacarol Martin-Peterson

These kids live with gay parents in a straight society. Now they're beginning to find their voices—and each other

Oct. 18 issue - The other kids in grade school talked about family life. Camping trips with Dad, hanging out with Mom at the mall. Kyle Michaels kept quiet. Nobody would understand. Not in her Texas suburb of Cedar Park. You talked about cool clothes, hip bands and cute boys. You cheered for the football team on Friday nights and you went to church on Sunday. "If you go around our neighborhood," she says, "everybody has a sign that says, 'We support God and our troops." If you didn't hew to traditional values, it seemed to her, you kept quiet...continue reading at Newsweek?

New Jersey conservatives plotting moves if court allows same-sex marriage

As they await a New Jersey Supreme Court decision on same-sex marriage in the Garden State, social conservatives say they are prepared to take the fight to the ballot box if they lose in the legal arena. "If we get to an imminent threat, if we get to the point where marriage is going to be decided by the court, shouldn't we get to weigh in an issue of such magnitude?" said Len Deo, president of the New Jersey Family Policy Council.

Like advocates for same-sex marriage, New Jersey's conservative lobbyists and lawmakers are gearing up for a political battle in the aftermath of the court's ruling in the landmark case of Lewis v. Harris, in which seven gay couples contend not letting them marry is a violation of the...continue reading at The Advocate?

Clergy urge support for gay marriage

Monday, August 14, 2006

BY CARRIE CASSIDY

of The Patriot-News/ SWATARA TWP.

There was a time in American history when the Rev. William G. Sinkford's marriage would have been illegal.

Sinkford, who is black, said he would have broken a law by marrying his wife, who is white. That changed in 1967, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of interracial marriages in the case of Loving vs. Virginia.

"Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people are facing the same challenge that interracial couples faced before the high court changed American culture," said Sinkford, president of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations.

The precedent-setting case was decided 19 years after California became the first state to permit interracial marriages...continue reading at The Patriot News?

Atlanta Gay Lutheran Pastor Faces Dismissal
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Photo: St. John's Lutheran Church, Atlanta

(Atlanta, Georgia) An openly gay pastor faces a church trial after telling his bishop that he is in a same-sex relationship.

The Rev. Bradley E. Schmeling could be disciplined or removed from his church.

Schmeling, of St. John's Lutheran Church in Atlanta, says that he never kept his sexuality a secret and made it clear when he came to the diocese six years ago that he opposed a ban on non celibate gay clergy.

This week, after he informed Bishop Ronald B. Warren that he was in a committed relationship with another man, Warren began proceedings against Schmeling...continue reading at 365gay.com?

Related: "Discipline sought against gay pastor" By JOHN BLAKE
The Atlanta Journal Constitution

Spain legalises gay marriage

8 Aug 2006
Jenny Sheen, 999 Today/999Network

The final details of the bill have been passed and gay marriage is now legal in Spain.

The bill legalising gay marriage in Spain cleared its last bureaucratic formality in...continue at 999 Network?

Photo: © Cameron Pashak

Sports legend Billie Jean King, with Mayor Bloomberg yesterday, beams during announce -ment that tennis center will bear her name.

The National Tennis Center in Flushing, home of the U.S. Open, will be renamed

Nearly 40 years after her first U.S. Open championship, tennis legend Billie Jean King will return to Queens later this month with a grand new reason to celebrate.

The National Tennis Center in Flushing, home of the U.S. Open, will be renamed in honor of King, Mayor Bloomberg and U.S. Tennis Association President Franklin Johnson announced yesterday.

"I still can't believe it," the 62-year-old gay tennis star said with tears in her eyes during a press conference at the stadium yesterday. "So rarely are women thought of in this way."...continue at Daily News?

More details at the New York Times (free registration)

Queer Eye star gets engaged
via canada.com

Queer Eye star Kyan Douglas is engaged to marry longtime boyfriend Greg Durham. The two plan to wed next May in front of family and friends, even though... continue reading via canada.com?

Photo via: Tszuj-it!

Congratulations guys!!

German Gay Marriage Law
Marks Fifth Anniversary

It was actually just over five years ago that one of Klaus Jetz's long-sought-after goals was realized. After long debate and much lobbying from the organization he directs, the Lesbian and Gay Association of Germany (LSVD), the German parliament passed the "registered partnership" bill, which gave gay and lesbian couples new status in the eyes of the state, one that had many of the advantages of marriage. The law he had fought so hard for went into effect on Aug. 1, 2001...
continue story at Deutsche Welle (Germany)?

Photo: Germany's first Gay Marriage in 2001 (Hannover)