I give thanks today!  Thanks and gratitude for the fact that Proposition 8 has been overturned this afternoon.

Thanks to the Governor, Arnold Schwartzenegger, and AG Jerry Brown for their tireless support in the matter.  I give thanks to Mayor Gavin Newsom for his leadership and courage. I also give thanks to the universe for reminding me that miracles happen, beyond all coapacity to hope and against all odds.  And, of course to the brave plaintiffs in the case: 

KRISTIN M. PERRY, SANDRA B. STIER, PAUL T. KATAMI and JEFFREY J. ZARRILLO!  Thank you all so very much!

There is more to be done and we’ll continue to be here in the trenches, as we have been all along, standing with Californians in the battle for full marriage equality.  I’ll have more specific comments in the very near future, however, I am enthralled at the ruling and remain focused, prayerful and devoted to serving couples which have been so disgustingly abused and mistreated.

I rejoice today!  A cautious, heartful and encouraged joy, with the knowledge that the war isn’t yet won!

Read about the NJ Bill vote in the premiere issue of “Savoir!” (.pdf)

Read about the NJ Bill vote in the premiere issue of “Savoir!” (.pdf)

The video coverage of the Senate debate and vote on “The Freedom of Religion and Equality in Civil Marriage Act” is delayed until further notice.

There is other programing being aired on New Jersey Network, with an occasional crawl indicating that they will pick up coverage “once the Senate takes up the bill”.

You should be able to watch live once coverage begins, here.

Posted by Tina Walker-Morin :  The Family Equality Council Blog

via The Family Equality Council Blog

The Family Equality Council is thrilled that Cynthia Nixon, lesbian mom and star of Sex and the City, will be joining the kick off event for the campaign to end Florida’s adoption ban. Nixon is a leading lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) advocate, for which Family Equality Council honored her at our National Awards Dinner in 2008. The Family Equality Council has joined the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) and SAVE Dade in the campaign to end Florida’s adoption ban.

Share:

via SDGLN Staff;  San Diego Gay and Lesbian News

(LOS ANGELES) – The Williams Institute released this week a new study estimating the financial impact of New Jersey extending marriage to same-sex couples. The report estimates that extending marriage to same-sex couples would boost the New Jersey economy by almost $200 million during the next three years, creating approximately 1,400 jobs and generating over $15 million in revenues for the state budget.

The estimate, based on Census Bureau data, includes data from states that have extended marriage to same-sex couples, and a recent survey of Massachusetts gay couples asking them to report how much they spent on their weddings.

Credit: San Diego Gay and Lesbian News

This is the fourth analysis of the fiscal impact of extending the rights and obligations of marriage to same-sex couples conducted by the Williams Institute for New Jersey. Prior studies analyzed the impact of New Jersey’s domestic partnership and civil union laws. In the summer of 2008, the Institute presented an analysis of the fiscal impact of marriage to the New Jersey Civil Union Commission.

“The new report takes into account the changing legal landscape and the recession,” says study co-author Brad Sears, Executive Director of the Williams Institute. “When we conducted our last analysis in 2008, New Jersey would have only competed with one other state in attracting out-of-state same-sex couples seeking to marry. Now same-sex couples can marry in five other states.”

The recession has also reduced the amount that couples in the United States and New Jersey spend, on average, on their weddings.

Sears testified about the new analysis before the New Jersey Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday, December 7. The marriage legislation was passed by a 7-6 vote.

The new report also takes into account that New York same-sex couples now have a greater incentive to come to New Jersey to marry. “While the legislature did not extend marriage to same-sex couples this month, the New York Court of Appeals recently upheld the decision of state agencies to recognize the relationships of New York same-sex couples who marry in other states” says study co-author Christopher Ramos. “This makes it likely that many New York couples will make the short trip to New Jersey to marry.”

This new estimate only includes direct spending by same-sex couples on their weddings, and tourism spending by out-of-state couples who travel to marry in New Jersey and the guests of in-state couples who marry. It does not include spending by family members and friends on gifts or by those traveling within New Jersey to attend weddings. The estimate also does not include the standard multiplier for tourism spending, that each $1 spent in the state generates over $2 in additional spending.

“If these factors are taken into account,” says Sears, “the total impact on the New Jersey could be close to half a billion dollars.

GSE: “Savvyplanners, news of a lifetime: STATE SENATE TO VOTE THURSDAY ON MARRIAGE EQUALITY BILL”

MEMBERS:  BREAKING NEWS FOR YOU TO FORWARD IMMEDIATELY TO YOUR FRIENDS, RELATIVES, ORGANIZATIONAL AND CONGREGATIONAL COLLEAGUES — AND TO YOUR LIST SERVS AND BLOGS:

The New Jersey State Senate has just announced it is voting this Thursday, January 7, 2010 on the marriage equality bill.  We need each of you to join us for this most momentus (sic) day  in our lives.

We ask you to meet us in front of the State House in Trenton Thursday at 10:30 am, when we will march from the State House to the State House Annex, and then talk to legislators before the vote.
You may meet us in front of the State House earlier than 10:30 am Thursday to help us organize.  We will be there earlier whenever you arrive.

The address of the State House, for GPS and MapQuest purposes, is 125 West State Street.  Park at the Trenton Marriott garage, 1 West Lafayette Street.

Thursday afternoon, immediately after the Senate vote, Garden State Equality will hold a news conference and a free member reception at the Trenton Marriott Ballroom, 1 West Lafayette Street.  We ask all of you, members and journalists, to be there.

For further information
Journalists:  Contact Chair Steven Goldstein, cell (917) 449-8918.
Members: Contact Co-Field Director Dani Bernstein, cell (909) 561-3738.

By MICHAEL SYMONS • GANNETT STATE BUREAU • via Dailyrecord.com January 5, 2010

By News Channel 3
newsline3@kesq.com

Harvey Milk Day 2010: California Law Stipulates May 22
SB572 institutes an official Harvey Milk Day on May 22nd. It includes a provision that encourages public schools to hold commemorative exercises that familiarize students with Harvey Milk’s accomplishments and the contributions he made to California.

Recognition of Same Sex Marriage (minus the designation):
SB54 specifies that same sex marriages are recognized in California. The marriages must meet one of two qualifications: a) they must have been entered into legally during the period of time when California offered gay marriage; b) they must have taken place before 11-05-2008 in a state that legally performs same sex marriage.

Continue to full article here.