R-ISLANDER

IT IS TIME RHODE ISLAND--SAME SEX MARRIAGE

The California courts said bans against same sex marriage is unconstitutional and permits California to join our sister state of Massachusetts in marrying same sex couples.  Here's a piece of the decision:

The California Supreme Court has overturned the state's ban on same-sex marriage in a 4-3 decision. The opinion is lengthy, and I'm just getting through it, but here's an excerpt: "Furthermore, in contrast to earlier times, our state now recognizes that an individual’s capacity to establish a loving and long-term committed relationship with another person and responsibly to care for and raise children does not depend upon the individual’s sexual orientation, and, more generally, that an individual’s sexual orientation — like a person’s race or gender — does not constitute a legitimate basis upon which to deny or withhold legal rights. We therefore conclude that in view of the substance and significance of the fundamental constitutional right to form a family relationship, the California Constitution properly must be interpreted to guarantee this basic civil right to all Californians, whether gay or heterosexual, and to same-sex couples as well as to opposite-sex couples."

Maybe this decision by one of the country's most prestigious courts will convince an otherwise disappointing Democratic legislature here in Rhode Island to give the "okay" to same sex marriage in Rhode Island.

WHAT VOTERS WILL FACE IN NOVEMBER! IN RHODE ISLAND, TOO?

When Americans cast ballots on November 4 to elect a president, some states also will ask voters hot-button questions like whether or not to ban gay marriage.

Such "ballot initiatives" -- proposed amendments to state constitutions or legislation -- have become a staple of U.S. elections and have played a role in recent presidential races.

Two that have qualified for November's ballot stand out: one to ban gay marriage in the presidential battleground state of Florida -- where votes for Republican and Democratic candidates have been closely split in recent elections -- and another in Colorado to roll back affirmative-action policies aimed at helping minorities overcome discrimination.

Initiatives to ban gay marriage played a role in President George W. Bush's 2004 re-election as they propelled the Republican Party's conservative Christian base to the polls MORE>>>>>>

Both Hillary and Obama are good on gay matters, but Hillary is better...and the most qualified and the most focused and experienced. 

PROVIDENCE, RI BISHOP AND THE NUN ON GAYS

Providence Bishop Thomas Tobin should certainly read about this nun.  It would do him and Benedict xvi some good.

If anyone has seen this silly article in the Rhode Island Catholic, "Same Sex Marriages Would Have Disasterous Effects on Churches", you will more than agree with me.

Buona Pasqua and prayers for the Bishop's soul for sending these hateful articles as we approach Easter.

OBAMA, WRIGHT AND GAY PEOPLE

The church attended by Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) fought back Sunday against mounting criticism of its pastor, Jeremiah Wright, Jr., accusing the media of character assassination and “crucifixion.”

In a Friday column posted on The Huffington Post, Obama both rejected and condemned Wright's statements.

In the statement released to reporters, the new Pastor, Rev. Otis Moss said called criticism of Wright and the church an “attack on the legacy of the African American Church which led and continues to lead the fight for human rights in America and around the world.”

I'd like to believe that, but unfortunately, the African American Churches have been the most condemning of gay rights in the country and continue to be. Homophobia among African Americans is rampant, and the African American Churches have done very little if anything to change that. Will Obama, so tied to this mentality, work as hard for gay Americans as needs to be done?

Republican Hate Speech...This is Amazingly Hateful

UNLIKE RI, NEW YORK COURT ALLOWS GAY DIVORCE

New York judge allows divorce trial for lesbians married in Canada.  Weeks ago, bowing to pressure, both political and religious I suspect but have no proof for, our judicial leaders said "No" to a same-sex couple's request for divorce.  They were married in Massachusetts.

History will not be good to either Bishop Tobin, Governor Carcieri or the legislators who refuse to allow people to get married because they are of the same sex.  Like slave-holders they will be the shame of Rhode Island and their families in the future, just as the De Wolfe's are the shame of their descendents.

RI Bill to Allow Same-Sex Divorce

Bill would allow same-sex divorce

House Majority Leader Gordon D. Fox will sponsor a bill allowing married gay couples to divorce in Rhode Island. The bill is to be submitted in the coming days, but it could face a rough road in the legislature.

GAY DIVORCE DENIED BY RHODE ISLAND COURT

In a one vote majority, the Supreme Ct. of Rhode Island has denied the rights of gays to divorce in the state because RI legislature only recognizes in promulgated laws that define marriage as between a man a woman.  The Courts did call on the legislature to make changes in the law to give gay people the right to marry and or divorce.  The Republican Governor and the Republican-like-on-this-issue Catholic bishop hail the decision as expected.

The full Court decision is here in pdf.

The full Providence Journal article is here.

Supporting RI Gay Marriage: BAKST RESPONDS TO BISHOP TOBIN

Charlie Bakst who has been a supportive voice on gay marriage for RI responded to Bishop Tobin who calls such marriage "immoral."

BISHOP TOBIN ON QUEERS...AND THEIR RIGHTS

I just wish I had the energy to respond to "his excellency"...there is an email address for the good bishop on this page.  m.

Without a Doubt -- Nov. 1 2007:

Why You Should Worry About “Gay Marriage”

Bishop Thomas J. Tobin

"Charlie Bakst has written yet another column in favor of gay marriage. It seems to have become somewhat of an obsession for him. If he’s not on the payroll of GLAD (Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders) or Marriage Equality Rhode Island, he should be. MORE...."

LOL...an obsessin for Charlie?  Excuse me "excellency" but the obsession seems to be yours and in defiance of all scientific evidence, you know, like the scientific evidence you and OUR Church denied for hundreds of year in the case of Galileo.  Finally the Church admits it was wrong on the issue of the sun revolving around the Earth...and the Church finally comes around to TRUTH agreeing the Earth is not flat!