Gay Marriage: September 2008 Archives

With the onslaught of pro-Prop 8 commercials on the air right now, those who believe in equal rights for gay people need to pull out all the stops against the ballot measure. Celebrity endorsements (and their money) can't hurt. Singer Pete Wentz, accoridng to TMZ.com, showed up at a No on Prop 8 fundraiser at Gallery 1988 in Hollywood on Sunday as did "Scrubs" star Sarah Chalke and members of Linkin Park.

Ellen DeGeneres says marriage to Portia de Rossi changed her life for the better.

"My heart just feels a little bit different, softer and somehow more in love," she told the Associated Press in an interview for anti-cancer messages she recently recorded. "I don't know how. But it just feels really romantic and lovely. I just feel really blessed." .

Ellen admitted that she has had to make one or two adjustments: "I keep saying 'my girlfriend,' but I have to go to 'wife,'"

Ellen has recorded a collection of phone messages doubling as health wake-up calls for women. The messages are part of October's national breast cancer awareness drive.

"I went into a studio and recorded a million different (versions): 'Hi, this is Ellen DeGeneres and your sister told me to remind you that it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month,'" she said. " 'Your teacher told me to call you,' 'Your neighbor told me to call you,' 'Your cousin,' 'Your mother.'"

Glad to see that
San Francisco-based Levi Strauss & Co. has pledged $25,000 to Equality for All, the coalition leading the campaign to defeat Prop. 8

The company also will co-chair with Pacific Gas & Electric a group designed to encourage opposition to California's gay marriage ban within the business community.

Levi Strauss is the first Fortune 500 company to ever offer health benefits to the domestic partners of gay employees.

I'm gonna go out and buy another pair of jeans!

Newlywed Ellen DeGeneres, who married Portia de Rossi last month, has posted this message on her show's website:

My Political Point... And I Do Have One
You know how usually I talk about cell phones or kitty cats or cheese pizza... well, this is sorta like that... without the cell phones, the cats, or the pizza.

There's a California Proposition on the ballot that's a little confusing. It's Proposition 8. It's called, "The California Marriage Protection Act" -- but don't let the name fool you. It's not protecting anyone's marriage. Not yours. Not mine.

The wording of Prop 8 is tricky. It's like if someone asked you, "You don't want dessert, right?" But you do want dessert so you say, "Yes," which really means you don't want dessert. And if you say, "No," which means you do want dessert -- it sounds like you don't. Either way, you don't get what you want. See -- confusing. Just like Prop. 8.

So, in case I haven't made myself clear, I'm FOR gay marriage. And in order to protect that right -- please VOTE NO on Proposition 8. And now that you're informed, spread the word. I'm begging you. I can't return the wedding gifts -- I love my new toaster

My pal Ted Johnson reports in Variety that Steven Spielberg and his wife Kate Capshaw have donated $100,000 to the campaign to defeat a proposed constitutional ban on same-sex marriage in California.

Now I feel bad that I didn't like the last "Raiders" movie!

Ted writes: Their donation is the latest high-profile contribution to the campaign, as gay marriage advocates seek to narrow a gap in fund-raising. Brad Pitt donated $100,000 to the No on 8 campaign last week, in what was seen as a wakeup call to entertainment industry figures to pony up more money for the fight.

Spielberg and Capshaw said in a statement, "By writing discrimination into our state constitution, Proposition 8 seeks to eliminate the right of each and every citizen in our state to marry regardless of sexual orientation. Such discrimination has NO place in California's constitution, or any other."

The more a face is put on this issue, the better. Here is one from some supporting parents...

This is encouraging.

The Sacramento Bee is reporting that Proposition 8, the proposed constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage in California, is trailing by a 17-point margin.

According to a Field Poll, 55 percent of likely voters say they will vote against Proposition 8, while 38 percent support the ballot measure. The latest figures indicate an increase in opposition for the ban since July, when the measure trailed by nine points.

The Bee reports that one reason for the falling support of the measure was thought to be the change in wording on ballot summary heading, which once read "Limit on Marriage" and now says "Eliminates right of same-sex couples to marry." Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown switched the language after the state supreme court overturned a ban on gay marriages in California in May. In the new poll, half the respondents were read the original summary and the other half heard the new wording. The level of support for Proposition 8, however, did not alter. With either wording, only 38% of participants said they would vote yes. The new version did result in slightly higher opposition.

My friend Karen Ocamb notes in the new issue of IN Los Angeles Magazine that while the high-profile gay marriages Ellen DeGeneres (and of George TakeiI might add) have meant visibility, many other famous gay celebs don't appear to be putting their money where their mouth is. As a result, the fight against Proposition 8 has raised $11 million while those against gay marriage have raised $16 million.

Karen writes:
While their visibility as openly LGBT celebrities and entertainment power players is important, their financial absence from the specific fight to save the fundament right of same-sex couples to marry is hurting.

Also missing (as of Sept. 10) from the rolls were: Rosie ODonnell, whose Feb. 27, 2004, marriage to Kelli Carpenter was nullified; Sir Elton John, who tied the civil partnership knot with partner David Furnish in England; rock star Melissa Etheridge, whose domestic partnership/wedding to actress Tammy Lynn Michaels Sept. 22, 2003, was celebrated in In Style magazine.

Other producers and directors not on the list include Paul Colichman (here!TV) Greg Berlanti (Brothers & Sisters), Marc Cherry (Desperate Housewives), Bryan Singer (Superman Returns), Joel Schumacher (Batman & Robin), and Gus Van Sant, though Bruce Cohen, who produced Milk, directed by Van Sant, was recently married and did contribute. Max Muchnick (Will & Grace) also contributed, as did David Geffen, partner in DreamWorks, who gave $50,000, and Bryan Lourd, managing partner of Creative Artists Agency who contributed $5,000.

Top individual donors are philanthropist David Bohnett ($600,000), David Maltz, of Cleveland ($500,000), James Hormel ($150,000) and Gene La Pietra ($100,000).

Among companies and foundations that contributed monetarily and in-kind, Equality California is the largest contributor at $4 million (EQCAs annual budget is $1.5 million). The Human Rights Campaign has contributed $2 million (with a budget of $40 million); the ACLU, $1.5 million; National Center for Lesbian Rights, more than $500,000; the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, $250,000; Gill Action Fund, $350,000. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has contributed $257,000 (with a budget of $9 million), but has 90 percent of its field staff working in Southern California for the fight. (Full disclosure: IN magazine contributed $20,000.)

Remember the days when Lindsay Lohan was crashing cars and checking into rehab? Well, I'm glad to see that she is giving thought to a broad range of things including the presidential election. On hewr MySpace page, the "Mean Girls" star had some strong words for Sarah Palin:

"I really cannot bite my tongue anymore when it comes to Sarah Palin. I couldn't be more supportive of a woman in office, but let's face it, it comes down to the person, and their beliefs, male or female. Is it a sin to be gay? Should it be a sin to be straight? Or to use birth control? Or to have sex before marriage? Or even to have a child out of wedlock? I find it quite interesting that a woman who now is running to be second in command of the United States, only 4 years ago had aspirations to be a television anchor. Which is probably all she is qualified to be... Also interesting that she got her passport in 2006.. And that she is not fond of environmental protection considering she's FOR drilling for oil in some of our protected land.... Well hey, if she wants to drill for oil, she should DO IT IN HER OWN backyard. This really shows me her complete lack of real preparation to become the second most powerful person in this country. Hmmmm-All of this gets me going-Fear, Anxiety, Concern, Disappointment, and Stress come into play... Is our country so divided that the Republicans best hope is a narrow minded, media obsessed homophobe? I know that the most important thing about this election is that people need to exercise their right to vote, regardless of their choice... I would have liked to have remained impartial, however I am afraid that the 'lipstick on a pig' comments will overshadow the issues and the fact that I believe Barack Obama is the best choice, in this election, for president...Palin's Desire to 'save and convert the gays'-really??..."

Adds her girlfriend Samantha Ronson: "I love this country- however i wasn't born here and don't have the right to vote- so i beg of you all to really do your research and be educated when you cast your vote this coming november.... and if you're in doubt- vote for obama! Mainly because if she gets elected my green card probably won't get renewed!!!"

George Takei best known as Sulu on "Star Trek," married his longtime partner Brad Altman on Sunday before 200 guests in a ceremony in the Democracy Forum of the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles.

George and Brad - together 21 years already - were the first couple to receive a marriage license in the City of West Hollywood when California began issuing them to gay couples on June 17 but they took some time to plan their ceremony. Among the guests were best man Walter Koenig, (who played the role of Chekov on Star Trek), and "best lady" Nichelle Nichols (who played Uhura on Star Trek).

According to GLAADblog: Officiated by a Buddhist priest, the ceremony featured koto music and the san-san-kudo sake ritual. Takei, 71, and Altman, 54, exchanged matching turquoise wedding bands designed by Navajo silversmith Clyde Woody. The couple wrote their own vows. "I vow to care for you as you've cared for me ... and to love you as my husband and the only man in my life," Takei said as he held Altman's hands. The priest then pronounced them "spouses for life." A bagpiper led the newlyweds to their reception as family and friends greeted the couple with streamers and confetti.

Kathy Griffin was the woman of the hour at the weekend's Creative Arts Emmys as she won for the second year in a row for her "My Life on the D-List" show in the outstanding reality show category.

Before the awards, I asked Kathy about gay marriage in California and the fight by backers of Proposition 8 to stop it. Here's what she said: "The gays should have all the same rights as everybody else, it's ridiculous. That it's even a question in this day and age is ridiculous and arcane and it's a shame. That's why I'm saying, it might be fun to think of vice president (Sarah) Palin, but then when you really, really think about it, not so fun. No so fun for the gays, not so good for the women."

Senator Dianne Feinstein has released a statement against Propositon 8, the November ballot initiative which seeks to take back the right for same-sex couples to get married in California.

Here's what she says:

"Proposition 8 would eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry in California. I oppose it as a matter of equality and fairness.

The right to marry is fundamental. It provides social stability, economic equality, and the ability to make decisions for a spouse in a time of crisis.

If Proposition 8 were to pass, not only would it eliminate the right to marry for gay and lesbian couples, but it would also create a complicated legal quagmire for those who have exercised this right under the California Constitution, as adjudicated by the Supreme Court of the State.

The views of Californians on this issue have changed over time, and as a State, I believe we should uphold the ability of our friends, neighbors, and co-workers who are gay and lesbian to enter into the contract of marriage.

I urge Californians to oppose Proposition 8."

Bravo!

This is so sweet, so wonderful.

George Takei will marry longtime partner Brad Altman, 54, in a ceremony to be held Sunday at the Democracy Forum of the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles.

The ceremony will take place in front of 200 close friends and family members. The couple has been together for 21 years and were the first to receive a marriage license in the City of West Hollywood when California began granting licenses to gay couples on June 17.

Among the guests: Walter Koenig, (Chekov, Star Trek) who is the best man, Nichelle Nichols (Uhura, Star Trek) is "best lady", U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye of Hawaii, and the Honorable LA Councilwoman Jan Perry..

The couple will honeymoon in Argentina and Peru.

George, now 71, is most famous for his role as "Sulu" on the original "Star Trek" TV show and series of feature films. He is now has a recurring role on NBC's "Heroes" and is a regular on radio's "The Howard Stern Show."

I'm really glad they've done this story. We've all been so busy basking in the glow of the Ellen DeGeneres-Portia de Rossi wedding that we haven't really paused to realize that it was treated much like any other celebrity nuptials. Here is an excerpt from The Advocate's new cover piece by Michele Kort

It was an archetypal People celebrity wedding featuring two of the beautiful people, one in pants and the other in a gown, and a dreamy setting with flowers, champagne, candlelight, the whole romantic nine yards. No expense spared, no fabulous purveyor left unmentioned. (Mark's Garden! Zac Posen! Neil Lane!) The only thing missing: a groom.

And that's what was most amazing about the August 16 marriage of Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi: People and other mainstream celebrity news sources didn't treat the event much differently than they would, say, the arrival of Brangelina's next children. CNN.com did headline the word "marry" in scare quotes, but the blogosphere outcry forced the site to make a quick edit. Other than that there seemed to be no backlash from the mainstream media or public.

Here is a LINK to the story...

I just got this email from Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center Executive director Lorri Jean - a person I greatly respect - and wanted to share it with you in its entirety. I think it's an important wake-up call to all of us:

This is one of the most important e-mails I have ever sent to you--perhaps the most important. Please read on because I have alarming news.

In 56 days, 12 million Californians will go to the polls to elect a new President and weigh in on Proposition 8--the ballot measure that would eliminate our right to marry.

A number of public polls have shown that our side--the NO side--is ahead. This is much better than being behind, but the devil is in the details. An in-depth analysis of the polling reveals that fully 20% of the voters are still undecided.

We've learned from losses on other anti-gay ballot initiatives, here and in other states (Wisconsin, Colorado, etc.), that people lie to pollsters about their prejudices. There is typically a 7-10 point difference between what people tell the pollster about their views on LGBT rights and how they really vote. In other words 7-10% say they believe in equality but actually vote against us.

When you consider all of these factors, we're in a dead heat on Prop 8.

So, we cannot rest easy--we must do everything we can to match the efforts of our opponents. Every single vote and donation counts!

That's why I'm writing. We need you. It costs money to reach voters, and lots of it. That means we need you to give. And if you already have, we need you to dig deeper and give again. We need you to help in every way you can.

Our plan for defeating Prop 8 requires us to match anti-gay efforts dollar for dollar. We've been doing that. Until a few days ago, that is, when the right wingers behind Prop 8 did something really scary--they bought time to begin running their misleading and discriminatory TV ads a full week before we bought time to begin running ours.

Let me share with you why this is a concern:

Most ballot measure ads, that are not about corporate interests, begin running when voters receive their vote-by-mail ballots--this year that's October 6. We bought air time to begin our ad run that week. Just days ago we learned our opponents bought time to begin running their ads on September 29--a full week prior to when the vote-by-mail ballots are received.

We're concerned because our analysis of undecided voters tells us that they may well make up their minds based on the first TV ads they see.

We cannot afford to let them get on the air first, especially when the race is so close!

That means we need to raise millions more to purchase an additional week of time. And, the longer we wait, the more expensive it gets to buy that time. So, we need money and we need it fast so we can get the biggest bang for our bucks.

You can help!

Go to the campaign website right now and make the largest donation you can afford.

It also would be enormously helpful if you would throw a house party to raise money from your friends and engage them. You can download a campaign house party kit that will walk you through all the steps. Also, if you'll e-mail me, I'll give you a referral code that will enable us to track the money you raise. (I'm going to have a thank you party for successful fund raisers).

You can also volunteer to help our field effort reach voters. In addition to television advertising, a phone call from a committed volunteer is one of the best ways to persuade undecided voters.

THANK YOU for taking some action today. We can win on November 4, but only if you and I and everyone gets involved.

The Advocate' s Anne Stockwell caught up with Heather Matarazzo and Caroline Murphy at a same-sex wedding expo and they talked about how their romance got started, why tuxes on women are sexy, and why both partners should get to propose.

On their meeting:
Caroline: "I went outside to smoke a cigarette, and she came out, and it was like this very across-the-room, time stopped -- "

"It was soul-to-soul recognition," Heather added. "I don't think I'll ever be able to explain it, but it's fun to try. It was like my soul knew before my thinking self realized what was going on."

Caroline resumed, "And I was looking at [Heather's recurring character] Stacy Merkin from The L Word. And I was like really upset at some of the choices that that character had made, in terms of upsetting the veterinarian woman. So I was thinking, Damn you, Stacy Merkin! And Heather came up to me and said, 'Do I know you from somewhere?' And I said [gruffly], 'Possible. Not likely.' And I walked off! And I took a few steps away and went, 'What did I just do?'"

To read the entire piece, go to Advocate.com

Tony winners Sara Ramirez ("Spamalot") and Tyne Daly ("Gypsy") joined fellow straight allies Amy Brennaman, Christine Lahti, Dolores Huerta, Camryn Manheim, Melonie Diaz, Sally Kirkland and Carolyn Hennesy in the "Stop the Hate, Vote No on 8". campaign by making a series of public service announcements in support of same-sex marriage in California. Also in the spots are out actors Wilson Cruz, Heather Matarazzo & Caroline Murphy. Making the PSA's almost a complete "Judging Amy" reunion is the appearance of Tyne and Amy's costar Jillian Armenate and her wife, Alice Dodd

The PSA's are produced by Robin Tyler, who along with her wife, Diane Olson, were the first couple to sue for the right of same-sex couples to marry in the historic California Supreme Court case, which they won.

"Proposition 8, the campaign to take away rights that same sex couples already have in the state constitution is not about saving heterosexual marriages. It is about continuing discrimination against loving lesbian and gay families, so that we are relegated to continue our status as second-class citizens," Tyler said.
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"Stop the Hate, Vote No on 8" spots will start appearing in early September on YouTube and many other websites, and will be made available to all media and all websites who support marriage equality.

Here's another spot:

Click HERE to see all the spots...