GLBT DIGEST - December 31, 2006

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The Sunday Times December 31, 2006
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-2524441,00.html

Archbishop faces clash over gay marriages of 50 priests
Christopher Morgan

THE Church of England is facing a new rift over homosexual clergy with thedisclosure that more than 50 gay or lesbian priests have "married" in civilpartnership ceremonies.

Traditionalists and evangelicals opposed to gay clerics said this weekendthey would force open debate of the issue at February's meeting of theGeneral Synod. Campaigners have criticised bishops for shying away fromenforcing the church's policy of ensuring gay clergy are celibate beforethey are given authorisation to enter civil partnerships.

Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, is also likely to facecriticism from primates of the Anglican communion at a meeting in Tanzaniain February. The summit was called to mend splits caused by the ordinationof Gene Robinson, a gay bishop, in America in 2003.

The figures on clerical civil partnerships come from Changing Attitude, agay campaigning organisation in the Church of England. The figures show thatat least 51 priests, including four lesbians, are now in partnerships. ColinCoward, director of Changing Attitude, said: "Civil partnerships have helpedto increase the stability of same-sex relationships and reduced the socialexclusion to which lesbian and gay people are often subjected."



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From Marc Adams - HeartStrong


End of the Year

Hi everyone...

Two things...
First, we hope that everyone is enjoying this long holiday weekend. Its agreat time to pause and reflect on the things that matter most in ourlives. We at HeartStrong are extremely grateful that this year has beenthe most productive yet. We are into our tenth year of outreach work andit's only been possible because of all of you who support us in the workwe do. So thank you & Happy New Year!

Second, we've received some emails today from some of you wishing to makelast minute year end donations. We are working all weekend on variousprojects. If you want to make a end of the year donation to receive taxcredit for 2006 you can do so online at http://www.heartstrong.org untilabout 11:30pm New Year's Eve January 31. You can also call me at206-351-9993 until the same time. I hope that helps answer yourquestions.

See you in the new year!

Marc Adams


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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org

MA: Mass. lawmakers ask lawsuit be found "frivolous"

Associated Press, December 29, 2006

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/12/29/pro_gay_marriage_mass_lawmakers_ask_lawsuit_be_found_frivolous/


Mass. lawmakers ask lawsuit be found "frivolous"

BOSTON - Lawmakers targeted in a $5 million federal lawsuit by an anti-gaymarriage group shot back on Friday, giving the group 21 days to withdraw thesuit on the grounds that it is "frivolous."

The lawsuit, filed earlier this month in U.S. District Court byVoteOnMarriage.org, argues the 109 lawmakers who voted to recess a jointconstitutional convention instead of voting on a proposed constitutionalamendment barring same-sex marriage, violated the supporters' rights to freespeech, to petition the government and due process under the law.

The group is asking the federal court to interpret the vote to recess ajoint meeting of the House and Senate as a vote in favor of the amendmenteven though many lawmakers said the vote was designed to kill the amendment.

The lawsuit also seeks $500,000 from the lawmakers for the cost of thegroup's legal battles and another $5 million in punitive damages. Thedamages would be split 109 ways and lawmakers would be held personallyliable.



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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org

AK: Editorial--Alaska shouldn't institutionalize discrimination

Juneau Empire, AK, December 29, 2006

http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/122906/opi_20061229030.shtml

Alaska shouldn't institutionalize discrimination

This editorial appeared in The Voice of the Times:

Gay rights is a complicated and emotional set of issues unlikely to eithergo away or be resolved anytime soon. Calls for expansion of those rightshave posed a political dilemma for virtually every state in the union, andnow we can add Alaska to that growing list.

The question here is whether committed same-sex partners should be treatedunder the law like traditional married couples when it comes to governmentbenefits.

For now, the Alaska Supreme Court says it would be discriminatory andviolate the constitution's promise of equal protection to deny the benefitsto state workers. The justices ordered them in place by Jan. 1. For therecord, several large companies and government entities - including themunicipality of Anchorage - already offer such benefits.


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