Same-Sex Couples Seeking Marriage Licenses Throng City Halls

365 Gay.com, by Jennifer Vanasco

(San Francisco, California) Same-sex couples seeking to wed showed up at marriage license counters nationwide Thursday to highlight a right they don’t have in 48 states, part of an annual protest that took on renewed urgency given recent election setbacks.

In San Francisco, where same-sex marriage was legal for nearly five months last year before California voters approved a ban, many couples who came to City Hall had already tied the knot but wanted to express their gratitude and to show they’re still part of the fight.

“All of our marriages are under the cloud of Proposition 8,” said Stuart Gaffney, 45, referring to California’s ballot initiative banning gay marriage. “Equality is an unfinished business in California.”

In Las Vegas, couples gathered outside the downtown marriage bureau with signs that read “Don’t hate my love” and “No laws on love.” In New York, activists wore signs that said “Just Not Married.” They were turned away empty-handed in both places when they asked for marriage licenses.

“We could get married in Massachusetts or Connecticut, but we’ll wait a little and see what happens in New York,” Matt Flanders, 37, of Brooklyn, said after he and his partner, Will Jennings, 29, participated in the protest in Manhattan. “It’s a matter of principle. This is our home, and we should be able to get married where we live, where our friends are.”

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Silent Witness To Protest Maine Family Policy Council Feb. 15

A silent, peaceful protest will be held at the Augusta Civic Center in Augusta, Maine this Sunday, February 15 from 6-8p to protest a training event by Michael Heath and the Maine Family Policy Council.

The Council is gearing up to mount its opposition to same-sex marriage efforts in Maine and have brought in Charla Bansley (Director of the Concerned Women for America of Maine), Pastor Bob Emrich (Founder of the Maine Jeremiah Project), and Tony Perkins (President of the Washington D.C.-based Family Research Council). (WARNING: VISIT THESE LINKS AT RISK OF FURY.)

Show up between 5-5:15p with candles and signs. Clergy are encouraged to wear clerical collars, robes, and other vestments.

Find out more about the work of Equality Maine to secure marriage equality.

National Prop 8 Day of Protest – Nov. 15th

Date: Saturday, Nov. 15th
Time: 1:30 EST
Location: Rhode Island Statehouse Lawn – near the Providence Place Mall

UPDATE: Help us get the word out by downloading and distributing this flyer.

Providence Facebook Invitation

From the Join the Impact website

Let’s move as one full unit, on the same day, at the same hour, and
let’s show the United States of America that we too are UNITED CITIZENS
EQAUL IN MIND, BODY, SPIRIT AND DESERVING OF FULL EQUALITY UNDER THE
LAW!

On the steps of Rhode Island State House on November 15th at
1:30pm EST, our community WILL take to the streets and speak out
against Proposition 8 and all of the other pro-equality losses that we
have faced in our lifetimes, in our parents’ lifetimes, and for many
generations before us. WE CAN’T DO THIS ALONE! WE NEED YOUR
HELP! We need organizers in every major city to work with us and
get out the protest! I know you’re all tired from all of the work
you’ve done for this great election year, but I’m asking for one more
push! Let the country hear our voices together. Let them
see that we are a strong, adamant, and powerful community that deserves
equal rights, and CAN’T BE DEFEATED!

Gotta Love Flickr, especially since this t-shirt says it all

Prop 8 Protest in Cambridge Central Sq Tomorrow

A weekend protest against the passage of Prop 8 is being organized for tomorrow, Sunday Nov. 8th, in Cambridge. People are asked to gather at noon. Please let us know in the comments if you will be there.

Date: Sunday, November 9, 2008
Time: 12:00pm – 3:00pm
Location: Central Square
City/Town: Cambridge, MA

More details at the following locations:
Faceback Prop 8 Protest Notice
Universal Hub