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My Loving v. Virginia

Submitted by Jake Gellar-Goad on Tue, 03/05/2013 - 4:22pm

In 3 weeks the Supreme Court will take up a case considering the constitutionality of Prop 8, the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), and generally the freedom to marry for LGBT couples. Recently Equality NC joined with many other organizations, politicians, and faith leaders to oppose marriage discrimination in the form of an amicus brief. Public events and demonstrations relating to the Supreme Court case are starting to pop up in NC, in DC, and around the country. In 20 or 30 years, how will you answer the question, where were you during this freedom to marry case?

For more on the case and those filing briefs, check out this video:

Stay in the loop on some of the pro-equality activities by liking the March 4 Marriage facebook page.

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Comments

Tarheel Taliban

Submitted by davidesmay on Tue, 03/05/2013 - 6:37pm.

I would love to see the look on the mullah of the Tarheel Taliban, Paul Stam's face when DOMA is struck down, taking Amendment One with it, I imagine the threat level to Stam's marriage will go to orange.

David Esmay

I would too

Submitted by Jake Gellar-Goad on Tue, 03/05/2013 - 8:57pm.

I would also like to see them react to Amendment One dying shortly after its first birthday since the decision is expected to be released by the end of June (which also happens to be pride month). I don't know if this court decision will go as far as I hope, but I expect it will at least move equality forwards to some degree.

It'll certainly be the biggest Supreme Court ruling in the history of LGBT civil rights (although Lawrence V Texas was pretty important too). I know I want to attend some events surrounding the court hearing, probably something here in NC. I've seen talk of different events and I'm kicking myself for not keeping track of them better, but I'll try to keep an eye out and post 'em on BlueNC as I see 'em.

If anyone else sees about any other nation or NC events relating to this, please post them!

NC events for SCOTUS marriage case

Submitted by Jake Gellar-Goad on Wed, 03/06/2013 - 2:43pm.

Wilson
http://www.facebook.com/events/132243633620597/?ref=14
Sunday, March 24, 2013
7:00pm until 8:00pm

Wilson County Courthouse Front Steps
115 Nash Street E., Wilson, NC

As the US Supreme Court hears oral arguments in the Prop 8 and DOMA cases on March 26 and 27, vigils will be taking place across the country. We are honored to host the March 24th Wilson, N.C. vigil. The event will involve:

* Speaking and reading by community members
* Drums by DeeAnn Macomson
* Fellowship

Asheville
https://www.facebook.com/events/521879764529059/
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
7:00pm until 8:00pm

The Campaign for Southern Equality is honored to host the March 26th Asheville, N.C. vigil with our partners at First Congregational United Church of Christ. The event will involve:

* Speaking and reading by community members
* Music by Kim Ruehl
* Candlelight vigil

Winston Salem
http://www.lighttojustice.org/
It says details TBD, and lists a Brent Morin as the organizer. A quick google search of the name shows this guy has been active around this issue before, so if any folks in the area know him, it's probably worth contacting him directly for details.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57432285/lesbian-seeking-marriage-li...

Hickory
http://equalitync.org/action/events/making_our_voices_count_town_hall_hi...
Mar 12, 2013 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM

Don't miss this chance to learn what's happening in Hickory's active LGBT community!

Equality NC is hitting the road for 2013 town hall meetings designed to provide an opportunity for supporters like you to look forward and learn how together as we continue to fight for full equality following the tumultuous 2012 election season.

Location Hickory Furniture Mart
2220 US Highway 70 SE
Hickory, NC
Directions Hickory Furniture Mart is located at 2220 US Highway 70 SE, Hickory, North Carolina 28602. Please use the South Entrance for easiest access to the Taste Full Beans coffee bar.

Create your own event!
http://www.lighttojustice.org/find--create-a-local-action.html

That website is worth checking back on as the case gets close and more people post events. And if you can't find a local event near you, and don't want to organize one yourself, you can always go to the main event in DC:
http://action.hrc.org/site/Calendar?view=Detail&id=112782

Rally for Marriage Equality at the Supreme Court

Date:
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Time:
8:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Supreme Court of the United States
1 First Street NE
Washington DC

Right now a coalition of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and allied groups, United for Marriage, is asking their members to rally outside the Supreme Court on March 26 and 27. Can we count on you to represent HRC? Together we will show the nation that we believe that all Americans deserve to be treated fairly and equally under the law – no matter who they love.

Sign up to join us on the 27th only if you can’t make on the 26th

Wear red to show your support!

http://www.lighttojustice.org/join-us-in-dc.html

MONDAY

Supreme Court Vigil - TBD
Steps of the Supreme Court in front of 1 St. NE

TUESDAY

A Prayer for Love & Justice - 7:30 AM
Lutheran Church of the Reformation
E. Capital St. SE & 2nd St. NE

United for Marriage Rally - 8:30 AM
Steps of the Supreme Court
1 1st Street Northeast

Parting the Waters: A Seder for Love, Liberation & Justice - 5:30PM

WEDNESDAY

United for Marriage Rally - 8:30 AM
Steps of the Supreme Court in front of 1 St. NE

Military spouses

Submitted by Jake Gellar-Goad on Thu, 03/07/2013 - 4:55pm.

DADT may be dead, but DOMA still creates inequality in the military:

What a heartbreaker

Submitted by scharrison on Thu, 03/07/2013 - 7:32pm.

The death of a loved one is bad enough, but to be shunned and/or ignored in the wake of that is simply inhuman. Whatever happened to honoring the wishes of the dead? Does that only apply if they're the same kind of wishes everybody would have?

Winston Event Details

Submitted by Jake Gellar-Goad on Thu, 03/07/2013 - 10:02pm.

Details have been added for the event in Winston:

https://www.facebook.com/events/190910571033281

Monday, March 25, 2013
7:00pm until 8:00pm
Tentative- Federal Courhouse N. Main Street, Winston Salem

Join us for a Winston-Salem vigil as part of a nationwide call for full equality and justice for LGBT people.
As the US Supreme Court hears oral arguments in the Prop 8 and DOMA cases on March 26 and 27, vigils will be taking place across the country. The event will involve:

* Speaking and reading by community members
* Music
* Candlelight vigil

Obama signs Violence Against Women Act

Submitted by Jake Gellar-Goad on Fri, 03/08/2013 - 1:02pm.

President Obama signed an LGBT, Native American, and immigrant inclusive Violence Against Women Act yesterday. This common sense measure should have been reauthorized much earlier, and even though so many GOP voted against it, letting the bill even be voted on so that Dems could send it to the President's desk feels like a big deal these days, especially since so much of the new electorate was represented in this bill.

And former President Clinton made another public statement against DOMA yesterday too:

Brown vs Board of Education comparisons

Submitted by Jake Gellar-Goad on Fri, 03/08/2013 - 5:13pm.

http://on.aol.com/video/scotus-vs--doma---brown-vs--board-of-ed--517544004

Mike Sacks and Michael Klarman discuss the similarities between DOMA and the Brown versus the Board of Education case.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/12/opinion/gay-rights-may-get-its-brown-v...

Polls show that a substantial majority of Americans are opposed to it. Conservative justices who value federalism and liberal justices who sympathize with gay marriage will probably combine to invalidate the act.

Predicting how the justices might rule on state bans on same-sex marriage is harder, as the relevant legal doctrine — which flows from judicial precedent, textual interpretation, and social norms and traditions — is varied enough that plausible arguments can be made on both sides.

A Supreme Court ruling in favor of gay marriage would divide the nation roughly down the middle, much as the Court’s ruling against racial segregation, in Brown v. Board of Education, did in 1954. Yet, within two decades, the Brown decision was almost universally revered.

But on the whole, it seems likely that when the case arises, Justice Kennedy will be tempted to write an opinion that would quickly become the Brown v. Board of the gay rights movement.

http://outservemag.com/2012/12/brown-v-board-of-education-the-sequel/

At a time where public opinion is rapidly shifting to a more inclusive definition of marriage, the Supreme Court has firmly inserted itself into this historic debate. Will the Court aim for a Brown v. Board of Education type of outcome?

http://gaycitynews.com/tag/brown-v-board-of-education/

A legal ban on same-sex marriage in the Mexican state of Oaxacan was declared unconstitutional by that nation’s Supreme Court on February 18, the Washington Blade reports. The ruling cited two US precedents –– a 1967 Supreme Court ruling that struck down bans on interracial marriage and the high court’s 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision that ordered an end to school segregation.

I've been seeing a lot of comparisons to both Loving V. Virginia and Brown v. Board of Education. There are certainly many separate and unequal ways that LGBT citizens get access to healthcare, financial, and societal inclusion.

Greensboro event added - update

Submitted by Jake Gellar-Goad on Mon, 03/11/2013 - 3:02pm.

A Greensboro event has been added with a Laura Lee Sturm listed as the organizer. The details aren't up yet, but I'll edit this post to include them once they're listed.

--

Here are the details:

https://www.facebook.com/events/393812817383218

Tuesday, March 26, 2013
7:00pm until 8:00pm

Join us for a Greensboro vigil to call for full LGBT equality.

Vigils will be taking place across the country as the U.S. Supreme Court hears oral arguments in the Prop 8 and DOMA cases on March 26 and 27.

Location: TBA

The event will involve:
* Speaking and reading by community members
* Music
* Candlelight vigil

It looks like the exact location is still to be figured out, but at least the time is set so people can put it on their calendars. Just check back on that facebook group and I assume the location details will show up soon.

Marriage News Watch for 3/11/13

Submitted by Jake Gellar-Goad on Mon, 03/11/2013 - 11:27pm.

Here's this week's marriage news watch:

Fayetteville & Charlotte events added

Submitted by Jake Gellar-Goad on Tue, 03/12/2013 - 1:17pm.

http://www.facebook.com/events/617322361616643/

108 Person St., Fayetteville, NC, 28301
Saturday, March 23, 2013
6:30pm until 8:00pm

Vigils will be taking place across the country as the nation's highest court hears oral arguments in the Prop 8 and DOMA cases on March 26 and 27. Equality NC is honored to host the March 26th vigil led by community leader Micah Royal.

The event will involve:
* Featured speakers
* Candlelight vigil
* Live tweeting other state & national events.

http://www.facebook.com/events/442505179167652/

Marshall Park
[across from the courthouse]
800 East Third Street
Charlotte, NC

The event will involve:
* Featured speakers
* Candlelight vigil
* Live tweeting other state & national events.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
7:00pm until 8:00pm

Events in New Bern

Submitted by Jake Gellar-Goad on Wed, 03/13/2013 - 12:58am.

New Bern
http://www.facebook.com/events/443003222447202/

Liberty Event

Submitted by Jake Gellar-Goad on Thu, 03/14/2013 - 3:21pm.

An appropriate name for an event about a court case that may strike down discriminatory laws banning liberty.

Liberty
http://www.facebook.com/events/433409716742062/
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
6:00pm
The Eagle's Nest

Lines already forming for historic case

Submitted by Jake Gellar-Goad on Fri, 03/22/2013 - 11:03pm.

As of Thursday. I remember watching Chris Matthews earlier today saying this is perhaps the earliest he's ever seen lines forming to be there for a Supreme Court case. No matter how this goes, it's going to be historic.

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