marriage

Bans of same-sex marriage can take psychological toll

As the country awaits two important Supreme Court decisions involving state laws on same-sex marriage, a small but consistent body of research suggests that laws that ban gay marriage — or approve it — can affect the mental health of gay, lesbian and bisexual Americans. When several states passed laws to prohibit same-sex marriage, for example, the mental health of gay residents seemed to suffer, while stress-related disorders dropped in at least one state after gay marriage was legalized.

Retired Bishop Gene Robinson to talk about marriage equality in Australia

MELBOURNE, Australia – Retired Episcopal (Anglican) Bishop Gene Robinson of New Hampshire is embarking on a tour of Australia to meet with church leaders at a time when the Down Under nation is debating marriage equality.

Although neighboring New Zealand joined Commonwealth member Canada in approving marriage for gay and lesbian couples, and the British Parliament is scheduled to debate the issue today, Australia has lagged behind.

In Venezuela, gays and lesbians demand equal rights

CARACAS, Venezuela -- Dozens of gays and lesbians marched Saturday in the capital city and demanded an end to discrimination against the LGBT community and for civil rights, including marriage equality.

Article 77 defines marriage as between one man and one woman.

Venezuela approved discrimination protections in 1999, but later rescinded the law after enormous pressure from the dominant faith, the Roman Catholic Church. Gays and lesbians can serve in the military and same-gender sex is legal in the country, but other civil rights are denied.

It's official: France's president signs marriage-equality bill into law

PARIS -- France becomes the 14th nation in the world to legalize marriage equality, after President Francois Hollande signed the bill into law today.

The first same-sex marriages can be held as early as May 28, 2013 ... but the BBC reported that Parliamentary Relations Minister Alain Vidalies told French TV he expected the first ceremonies to take place "before 1 July."

"Now it is time to respect the law of the Republic," Hollande said, apparently directed at critics who have held violent street protests over the past few months at the nation's lawmakers debated the bill.

Judge orders lesbian mom's partner to move out

McKINNEY, Texas -- A Collin County judge is enforcing a morality clause in divorce papers to force a lesbian mom's partner to move out of the home they share with the mom's two children.

Judge John Roach Jr., a Republican in the 296th District Court in Texas, gave Page Price 30 days to move out of the house she has shared the past three years with Carolyn Compton and her two children.

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Zachary Quinto, "Star Trek Into Darkness" star: Gay marriage is "an unstoppable wave" | VIDEO

WASHINGTON -- When Zachary Quinto quietly entered the headquarters of the Motion Picture Association of America for a special screening of "Star Trek Into Darkness" on Wednesday, the scene was nothing short of a "House of Cards" episode. DC movers and shakers sipped cocktails and nibbled on hors d'oeuvres as they mingled with a smattering of congressional lawmakers. Some momentarily turned away from their conversations to snap photos of Quinto from their smartphones, before going back to hobnobbing.

LGBT ally Chris Kluwe to punt for Oakland Raiders

OAKLAND, Calif. – LGBT ally Chris Kluwe is signing a contract today to be the punter for the Oakland Raiders.

One of the most outspoken NFL players in support of equal rights for the LGBT community, especially marriage equality, Kluwe was cut May 6 by the Minnesota Vikings.

Kluwe will replace Pro Bowl punter Shane Lechler, a free agent who bolted the Raiders to play for the Houston Texans.

“I’m excited to be an Oakland Raider and be playing in California,” Golden State native Kluwe told foxsports.com on Wednesday. “Now, my family can actually come to games.”

Another gay wedding, another cake denied | VIDEO

HOOD RIVER, Ore. – Even the most romantic dreamer couldn't imagine a more fairy tale setting to get married.

A wedding beneath towering Mount Hood, overlooking the swift blue water of the Columbia River in the Gorge, truly felt like a fairy tale for Erin Hanson and Katie Pugh.

But when the couple went to find a baker for their wedding cake, they were turned away because they are lesbians.

It's a familiar story. In February, Sweet Cakes, a bakery in Gresham, turned away a gay couple. That became national news.

Heat turns up on Illinois House to vote on marriage equality

CHICAGO – Illinois Unites for Marriage, a group in favor for marriage equality, has begun robo-calling residents of largely African-American districts in the Windy City area in an attempt to secure enough votes to pass the state's bill that would allow same-sex weddings.

Although the state Senate has already passed the marriage-equality bill and Gov. Pat Quinn is urging passage, the bill is stalled in the state House due to uncertainty of the vote. Some of the swing votes are in the largely African-American districts in the Chicago area.

Gay activists press for rights in China

BEIJING — While the United States Supreme Court considers whether gay men and women have the right to marry, debate on the issue also is growing in China. Gay rights activists in that nation increasingly are vocal about the right to marry and live free from discrimination.

Xiao Tie works at Beijing’s LGBT [Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender] center, working to end discrimination against homosexuals in China. Last February the battle became personal, when Xiao tried to marry her partner, Elsie Liao. She went to the local Civil Affairs Bureau to apply for a marriage certificate.

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