Conn. Says "I Do" To Gay Marriage

After Election Measure To Ban Same-Sex Marriage Failed, Court Decision Allowing It Stands

(CBS/AP)  A judge cleared the way for gay marriage to begin Wednesday in Connecticut, a victory for advocates stung by California's referendum that banned same-sex unions in that state.

Outside City Hall in New Haven, bubbles and white balloons bounced in the chilly autumn air as well-wishers cheered the marriage of Peg Oliveira and Jennifer Vickery .

Despite the roaring traffic and clicking cameras, "it was surprisingly quiet," Oliveira said after the brief ceremony. "Everything else dissolved, and it was just the two of us. It was so much more personal and powerful in us committing to one another, and so much less about the people around us."

Gay marriage is legal now only in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The unions were legal in California until a statewide referendum to ban gay marriage narrowly passed last week. The vote has sparked protests and several lawsuits asking that state's Supreme Court to overturn the prohibition.

Gay marriage advocates said they were planning nationwide demonstrations this weekend in more than 175 cities and outside the U.S. Capitol. A Seattle blogger was trying to organize simultaneous protests outside statehouses and city halls in every state Saturday.

In New York City, several hundred demonstrators gathered Wednesday outside a Mormon Temple to protest the church's endorsement of the same-sex marriage ban in California. Several people held signs asking "Did you cast a ballot or a stone?" while other signs read "Love not H8."

"We're not trying to convey an image of persecution, we're not trying to attack any specific group," said Ryan McNeely, an organizer for the Join the Impact protest movement. "The point we need to be making is that we need to bring everybody together and to respect each other, and that hate breeds hate."

Gay rights groups said Wednesday they plan to ask California voters to overturn the ban if legal challenges to Proposition 8 are unsuccessful.

Constitutional amendments to ban gay marriage also passed last week in Arizona and Florida, and Arkansas voters approved a measure banning unmarried couples from serving as adoptive or foster parents.

Gay rights advocates are citing Massachusetts as an example at planned rallies this weekend to demonstrate why gay marriage is beneficial to families and children.

"In Massachusetts, in particular, we have a great story to tell, a great story to tell about marriage equality, that it works and that it's good," said Marc Solomon, executive director of MassEquality.

Kris Mineau of the Massachusetts Family Institute, which opposes gay marriage, said planned and past protests, some of which have been angry in tone and targeted churches, are meant to intimidate the California high court into invalidating Proposition 8.

"We are a nation that goes by the rule of law," he said. "No court should ever be intimidated by mob rule. And that's what our opponents right now are trying to do."

The California vote has sparked protests and several lawsuits asking that state's Supreme Court to overturn the prohibition.

Activists also are aiming boycotts and protests at businesses and individuals who contributed to the campaign to pass Proposition 8. Many of the donors are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which played a significant role in encouraging its members to support the California ban.

Mormon churches in several states have become the focus of protests and some vandalism since the vote.

Connecticut voters could have opened the door to ending gay marriage last week by voting for a constitutional convention to amend the state's constitution, but the measure failed.

The Connecticut Supreme Court ruled 4-3 on Oct. 10 that same-sex couples have the right to wed rather than accept a civil union law designed to give them the same rights as married couples.

Some of the eight couples who had challenged a state law prohibiting gay marriages last month wept as Judge Jonathan Silbert entered his judgment that opened the way to the issuance of licenses.

"Today, Connecticut sends a message of hope an inspiration to lesbian and gay people throughout this country who simply want to be treated as equal citizens by their government," said the plaintiff's attorney, Bennett Klein.

According to the state public health department, 2,032 civil union licenses were issued in Connecticut between October 2005 and July 2008.

But there was no comparison between civil unions and marriage for Robin Levine-Ritterman and Barbara Levine-Ritterman, who obtained a civil union in 2005 and were among eight same-sex couples who sued for the right to marry.

"We didn't do it with pride or joy," Barbara Levine-Ritterman said of getting the civil-union license. "It felt gritty to be in a separate line."

On Wednesday, however, she proudly held up the first same-sex marriage license issued in New Haven as about 100 people applauded outside City Hall. She and her betrothed, who held red roses, plan to marry in May.

"It's thrilling today," Barbara Levine-Ritterman said. "We are all in one line for one form. Love is love, and the state recognizes it."

Manchester Town Clerk Joseph Camposeo, president of the Connecticut Town Clerks Association, said clerks in the state's 169 communities were advised by e-mail shortly after 9:30 a.m. they could start issuing the licenses.

[honestabe8]

It''s awful pompous for people to purport to speak for God

[rixmix98]

spinproof-

Sorry buddy, but you wouldn''t know true Christian living if it fell from the sky and smacked you across the face.

[spinproof]

There a man and his life partner that moved from Hawaii to my community, an area fairly antagonistic towards ga*ys,

Posted by kansas1946 at 06:01 PM : Nov 13, 2008

Same-s-e-x partners want to be viewed as normal in the eyes of God and Men, Men may bend, God will not, God will never. It''''s like hoping that one day fish will be able to live and survive in a pool of oil since oil is liquid like water, it will never happen. The real problem for same-s-e-x partners is attempting to redefine the traditional definition of marriage between a man and a women to include *****sexual-s and ga*ys when a new definition should be created since its abnormal and sinful. Kind acts don''''t make it acceptable.

[spinproof]

There a man and his life partner that moved from Hawaii to my community, an area fairly antagonistic towards ga*ys,

Posted by kansas1946 at 06:01 PM : Nov 13, 2008

Same-*** partners want to be viewed as normal in the eyes of God and Men, Men may bend, God will not, God will never. It''s like hoping that one day fish will be able to live and survive in a pool of oil since oil is liquid like water, it will never happen. The real problem for same-*** partners is attempting to redefine the traditional definition of marriage between a man and a women to include *****sexual-s and ga*ys when a new definition should be created since its abnormal and sinful. Kind acts don''t make it acceptable.

[rationaltalk]

People Rationalize to fit their agenda.

My agenda is the protection of life.

What yours

Posted by freespeach at 12:45 PM : Nov 13, 2008

Life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and justice for all. Call me an American.

[kansas1946]

People Rationalize to fit their agenda.

My agenda is the protection of life.

What yours


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by freespeach at 12:45 PM : Nov 13, 2008
****************************************

Th death of ignorance.

[kansas1946]

Thank you kansas1946. Your words mean more to me and I''''m sure others than you will ever know.

Rick


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by rixmix98
***************************************

Rick, I am a straight woman, 62 years old, with a husband of 40 years and two straight daughters. I wish I could do more. I have been fighting this battle since my twenties. I think most of the hubbub is driven by fear and ignorance, fueled by power-hungry ministers that know how to use that fear.
Early on, I made it a point to do some research, talk to gay people, and I know this is not a choice, therefore this is a civil liberties issues. I bet if most of the folks on her that are ranting and raving would get to know some g a y families, and take the time to talk to g a y people, do a bit of research, that they would back off. Full rights for g a y Americans is on the horizon, but it will still take a battle. God''s speed. Hang in there!

[rixmix98]

Thank you kansas1946. Your words mean more to me and I''m sure others than you will ever know.

Rick

[kansas1946]

There a man and his life partner that moved from Hawaii to my community, an area fairly antagonistic towards ga*ys, to care for his ailing mother. He refused to let her go to a nursing home, so they gave up their life and busniness in Hawaii to come here. His partner stays home and cares for his mother, which, because of her condition, a full time job, while he works. These men have been together for year and care very deeply about each other. This is a real story about a real family, and you folks that spew venom and hatred towards people like this and try to marginalize the, make me ill. These are real people that you are trying to harm with your bigotry.

[kansas1946]

God bless Conneticut.

[cntrymuzksux]

These studies contain arguably the best published data on the association between homosexuality and psychopathology, and both converge on the same unhappy conclusion: homosexual people are at substantially higher risk for some forms of emotional problems, including suicidality, major depression, and anxiety disorder, conduct disorder, and nicotine dependence...The strength of the new studies is their degree of control

Posted by freespeach at 11:29 AM : Nov 13, 2008

Congratulations Frees Peach! You were actually able to find a source to back up your assertions!

Now let''s refute.

Dr. Remafedi%u2019s study was the one cited by PFOX to back their unfounded conclusions.
Dr. Gary Remafedi Says %u2018Ex-Gay%u2019 Group Manipulated His Study And Should Immediately Take The Distortions Off Its Website.

In 2006, University of BC professor Elizabeth Saewyc accused James Dobson%u2019s Focus on the Family of twisting her findings to claim that embracing lesbianism led to suicide. Dr Robert Spitzer has made the same complaint towards FotF. Robert Hogg is another researcher whose studies have been manipulated by the Religious Right to give credence to myths about the %u201Cgay lifestyle.%u201D

[honestabe8]

freespeach: "I KNOW ABSOLUTELY that any person can be conditioned to "want" anything." Really? Could you be conditioned to want to have *** with a man''s hairy arse?

"I suggest that we seek truth and condition ourselves to behave in a manner that is most beneficial for the future of mankind." Do you seriously think that "conditioning" homosexuals to have *** with those of the opposite gender to be in the most beneficial course of action for the future of mankind?

Maybe those folks HAVE sought out God''s will and he told them to be themselves.

What is pactionly

[freespeach]

freespeach: Homosexuals are not attracted to the opposite ***. What would you have them do? Give up physical intimacy? Fake it with a member of the opposite gender? Do feel orientation is a choice?

Posted by HonestAbe8 at 12:56 PM : Nov 13, 2008

I KNOW ABSOLUTELY that any person can be conditioned to "want" anything.

I suggest that we seek truth and condition ourselves to behave in a manner that is most beneficial for the future of mankind.

THAT''S DIRECTION!!!!!!!!!!!!

Even learned behavior can be modified with positive reinforcement.
I trust that if people seek GOD''S will and pactionly
work towards that. They will be blessed.

[honestabe8]

freespeach: Homosexuals are not attracted to the opposite ***. What would you have them do? Give up physical intimacy? Fake it with a member of the opposite gender? Do feel orientation is a choice?

[freespeach]

What would you do if your child made a choice like that, would you disown your own flesh and blood

Posted by DJ_IL

No I would love them, and let them know I disapprove of their conduct and tell them why I disapprove.
Interpersonal relationships are complicated but I hope that I seek GOD''''''''''''''''S will.

As for the other question anyone can name anyone to contact in the event of an emergency.

That is not the reason ****''''''''''''''''s are asking to get married. They are asking to get married to help justify their behavior so they will feel better about themselves.
That is why they want to be called "GAY", Homosexuals are not gay, they have higher rates of suicide, depression, bulimia, antisocial personality disorder, and substance abuse.

AIDS AND STD''''''''S

That should tell you something.!!!!!!!

Posted by freespeach

If what you say is true, why on earth would you deny them the right to marry? Wouldn''''t marriage promote stability in their relationships, reduce promiscuity and reduce the transmission of STD''''s? Your arguments are not very logical.

Posted by RationalTalk at 12:24 PM : Nov 13, 2008

No if what I say is true, they should stop their behavior.
Allowing Homosexual(not "gay") marriage would condone the behavior.

Marriage is a ritual, It is societies blessing on a healthy partnership between one man and one woman, ideally for life with the hope they have children.

People Rationalize to fit their agenda.

My agenda is the protection of life.

What yours

[freespeach]

What would you do if your child made a choice like that, would you disown your own flesh and blood

Posted by DJ_IL

No I would love them, and let them know I disapprove of their conduct and tell them why I disapprove.
Interpersonal relationships are complicated but I hope that I seek GOD''''''''''''''''S will.

As for the other question anyone can name anyone to contact in the event of an emergency.

That is not the reason ****''''''''''''''''s are asking to get married. They are asking to get married to help justify their behavior so they will feel better about themselves.
That is why they want to be called "GAY", Homosexuals are not gay, they have higher rates of suicide, depression, bulimia, antisocial personality disorder, and substance abuse.

AIDS AND STD''''''''S

That should tell you something.!!!!!!!

Posted by freespeach

If what you say is true, why on earth would you deny them the right to marry? Wouldn''''t marriage promote stability in their relationships, reduce promiscuity and reduce the transmission of STD''''s? Your arguments are not very logical.

Posted by RationalTalk at 12:24 PM : Nov 13, 2008

No if what I say is true, they should stop their behavior.
Allowing Homosexual(not "gay") marriage would condone the behavior.

Marriage is a ritual, It is societies blessing on a healthy partnership between one man and one woman, ideally for life with the hope they have children.

People Rationalize to fit their agenda.

My agenda is the protection of life.

What yours

[rationaltalk]

AIDS AND STD''''''''S

That should tell you something.!!!!!!!

Posted by freespeach at 11:55 AM : Nov 13, 2008

If what you say is true, why on earth would you deny them the right to marry? Wouldn''t marriage promote stability in their relationships, reduce promiscuity and reduce the transmission of STD''s? Your arguments are not very logical.

[freespeach]

What would you do if your child made a choice like that, would you disown your own flesh and blood

Posted by DJ_IL at 10:12 AM : Nov 13, 2008

No I would love them, and let them know I disapprove of their conduct and tell them why I disapprove.
Interpersonal relationships are complicated but I hope that I seek GOD''''''''S will.

As for the other question anyone can name anyone to contact in the event of an emergency.

That is not the reason ****''''''''s are asking to get married. They are asking to get married to help justify their behavior so they will feel better about themselves.
That is why they want to be called "GAY", Homosexuals are not gay, they have higher rates of suicide, depression, bulimia, antisocial personality disorder, and substance abuse.

AIDS AND STD''''S

That should tell you something.!!!!!!!

[rationaltalk]

The ones I%u2019ve met have an identity crisis, High suicide rates.

Posted by freespeach at 11:46 AM : Nov 13, 2008

I wouldn''t be surprised if the ones you have met have higher rates of depression, given your hostility toward them and your insistance that they change. Perhaps if you treated them with tolerance and acceptance, instead of making them feel ashamed, they wouldn''t have such problems. The ones I have met seem very normal and well-adjusted, but they have surrounded themselves with people who accept them for who they are instead of subjecting themselves to groups that claim to love them, but hate their "sin." I have no doubt that people like Ted Haggarty have severe mental and emotional problems having surrounded themselves with people who believe they are ill and need to change.

[rationaltalk]

Summary: Recent studies show homosexuals have a substantially greater risk of suffering from a psychiatric problems than do heterosexuals. We see higher rates of suicide, depression, bulimia, antisocial personality disorder, and substance abuse. This highlights some new and significant considerations that reflect on the question of those mental illnesses and on their possible sources.

Posted by freespeach at 11:41 AM : Nov 13, 2008

Again, even assuming all of this is true, which is now in doubt, given that you have made up other "facts" you have posted here, how would such facts support your position that they should be denied equal rights under the law? If anything, it suggests that when you deny a minority equal protection under the law, when you demonize them, when you say mean-spirited things about them (as you clearly have done in some of your other posts), it tends to cause them stress, which leads to other problems in their lives. Until we treat gay people fairly under the law, the way we would want to be treated, we are in no position to further demonize them for problems that we may very well be causing.