gay marriage

It's a common refrain of politicians (and some lobby groups) to say that while they are not against equal civil marriage, it is not clear how many gay people actually want it.
A poll by pinknews.co.uk - conducted over two days with almost 800 responses – shows otherwise. LGBT people demand marriage equality.

They see Argentina, Mexico City and other countries in Europe making the move and question why the UK – a supposed world leader on LGBT rights – hasn't yet got that far.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/08/12/federal-judge-allow-gay-marri...

"A federal judge has ruled that gay marriages in California should remain on hold until at least Aug. 18.

Judge Vaughn Walker set the deadline Thursday to give gay marriage opponents time to appeal to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. If the appeals court fails to act by 5 p.m. local time next Wednesday, then gay marriages can go forward.

Walker struck down the state's voter-approved gay marriage ban last week in a case many believe is destined for the Supreme Court.

Update - Court Rules:

Court Ruling Here: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/acrobat/2010/08/04/Prop-8-Ruling-FINAL.p...

"After years of protests, ballot box fights, and legal wrangling, today wraps up a landmark case: the first federal trial to decide whether states can prohibit gay and lesbian couples from legally tying the knot.

The judges ruling is imminent and then we will know whether, Proposition 8, California's ban on gay marriage, will stand.

Argentina legalized same-sex marriage, becoming the first country in Latin America to grant gays and lesbians all the legal rights, responsibilities and protections that marriage gives heterosexual couples.

The AP reports victory came despite a concerted campaign by the Roman Catholic Church and evangelical groups, which drew 60,000 people to march on Congress and urged parents in churches and schools to work against passage.

Teresa Pires and Helena Paixao - divorced mothers in their 30's - were united in marriage in Portugal's first same-sex ceremony since the predominantly Catholic country introduced a law allowing marriage equality last month. The couple - who have been together since 2003 - married in a 15-minute ceremony in Lisbon. The union came less than a month after Portugal's conservative president ratified a marriage equality law passed by Parliament in January.

First, let's start out with a moment of silence for all of the people of Haiti. Please make donations via www.whitehouse.gov.

TGIF! Now, let's start out with our updates:

1.New York - Abortion foes are challenging the payment of $10K to egg donors for use in research by the NY Stem Cell Board. Interestingly enough, no donor has donated through this program. The Board argues that the case lacks merit; however, the group believes that the offer of money for the donation of eggs exploits women. What do you think? The Board also argues as follows:

Good morning....wanted to update everyone on the televised proceeding for Prop 8 here as follows: http://www.equalrightsfoundation.org/live-updates/

In addition, a surprising admission by a Utah lawmaker. She is carrying a child for a gay couple as a traditional surrogate.

"Rep. Christine Johnson will serve an additional role when the Utah Legislature convenes this month. The lesbian lawmaker announced she's a surrogate mother, carrying a baby for two gay men.