Schwarzenegger Signs Gwen Araujo Bill, Limits ‘Gay Panic’ Defense

09.29.06 By Troy Espera, 247gay.com

A California bill which limits the use of the ‘gay panic’ defense was signed into law today by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, rendering the controversial strategy ineffective in justifying brutal crimes based on the victim’s race, religion, sexual orientation, gender or other protected status.

Authored by State Assemblywoman Sally Lieber (D-San Jose), A.B. 1160, also known as the Gwen Araujo Justice for Victims Act, addresses the use of the so-called ‘gay panic’ defense by criminal defendants in murder cases. Continue?

Judge: Gay R.I. Couple Can Wed in Mass.

BOSTON — A gay couple from Rhode Island has the right to marry in Massachusetts because laws in their home state do not expressly prohibit same-sex marriage, a judge ruled Friday.

Wendy Becker and Mary Norton of Providence argued that a 1913 law that forbids out-of-state residents from marrying in Massachusetts if their marriage would not be permitted in their home state did not apply to them because Rhode Island does not specifically ban gay marriage. Superior Court Judge Thomas Connolly agreed.

Mary Norton (left) and Wendy Backer of Providence want to marry
in Massachusetts. (Cyrus Moghtader for the Boston Globe)

“No evidence was introduced before this court of a constitutional amendment, statute, or controlling appellate decision from Rhode Island that explicitly deems void or otherwise expressly forbids same-sex marriage,”he ruled.

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Related via Boston.com

McGreevey’s Tell-All Book Becomes Best-Seller

NEWARK, N.J. — A steamy memoir by former New Jersey Gov. James E. McGreevey, who left office amid a gay sex scandal, has become a best-seller on two lists. Released Sept. 19, “The Confession” will be ranked No. 3 in nonfiction hardcover sales in The New York Times book review in the Oct. 8 issue, the newspaper said. The review does not disclose sales figures.

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Musgrave: Gay Marriage ‘Is The Most Important Issue That We Face Today’

Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R-CO), the lead sponsor of the constitutional ban on gay marriage in the House, spoke this weekend at the Family Research Council’s “Values Voter Summit.” (Other virulently anti-gay speakers were featured at the event.)

Musgrave declared that gay marriage “is the most important issue that we face today.” She told the audience that “when you’re in a cultural war like this, you have to respond with equal and hopefully greater force if you want to win,” and warned that the “future is grim” if gay marriage is not banned.

Watch the statement via Think Progress ?

Brawl Erupts During Patrons’ Same-Sex Marriage Discussion
Police Have Made No Arrests

(Photo: surveillance video)

WAUWATOSA, Wis. — A violent brawl broke out on Tuesday during a discussion in a Wauwatosa restaurant over the proposed same-sex marriage referendum, and the incident was apparently caught on videotape.

The woman’s friend, Danielle Davino, added, “This man’s physical and verbal violence was clearly based on his intolerance, ignorance and hate for homosexual and transgendered issues.”

The patrons’ discussion at George Webb’s restaurant allegedly focused on the proposal to add an amendment to the state constitution to explicitly prohibit gay marriage, and apparently became heated, WISC-TV reported.In the video, a man in a suit can be seen pushing one person down and punching another customer. The man walks out and then comes back, apparently throwing ketchup bottles and other objects.

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Spitzer, Faso Clash On Gay Marriage

by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

(New York City) The first one-on-one debate in the race for New York State governor was filled with fireworks Tuesday night as Attorney General Elliott Spitzer unleashed a barrage of verbal missiles at his GOP opponent.

Spitzer is so far out in the polls the debate was considered “break or make for John Faso. But from the start Faso was on the defensive as Spitzer painted him as being so far to the right he is out of step with New Yorkers.

When the candidates were asked their positions on same-sex marriage Faso tried to claim some ground, declaring that Spitzer is “going to force gay marriage down the throats of New Yorkers.”

“Let me respond to John without responding to his use of metaphors,” a calm Spitzer replied…

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Calendars, Concept Upsetting to Phila. Parents

The Philadelphia School District has designated October as Lesbian And Gay History Month, which has some parents upset.

The idea, according to the district, is to promote and instill pride in those from various cultures as well as different sexual orientations.

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Keith Olberman speaks about Clinton, Bush and 911 in Pointed Commentary!

Canadian Lawmaker Wants Gay Rights Tied To Foreign Policy
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

(Ottawa) A Canadian member of parliament is calling for the adoption of the Declaration of Montreal to be enshrined in the country’s foreign policy. The declaration was prepared this summer at an international LGBT rights conference tied to the first Outgames in Montreal.

“LGBT people face discrimination and oppression daily in countries all over the world. In some areas the situation for LGBT peoples is deteriorating. Canada must set the standard for the rest of the world and endorse this Declaration so that our goal of equal rights for every lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender person in every region of the world can be achieved.”
-Bill Siksay (pictured), the NDP spokesperson on LGBT issues.

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Tutu Expresses Shame at Anglican Church(AP)

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, in the first authorized biography of the Nobel peace laureate, said he was ashamed of his Anglican Church’s conservative position that rejected gay priests.

In the book “Rabble-Rouser for Peace,” by his former press secretary, John Allen, Tutu also criticized the last apartheid president, F.W. de Klerk, for not accepting accountability for apartheid atrocities. He said the failure caused him to regret having nominated de Klerk, along with Nelson Mandela, for their 1993 Nobel Peace Prize.