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Last week the Washington State legislature passed a bill legalizing same-sex marriage in the State of Washington and earlier today, Governor Christine Gregoire signed that bill into law. Washington today becomes the 7th state in the US where same-sex marriage is legal. The law will not go into effect until June and opponents of marriage equality are already planning their attempts to overturn the law but … no matter … today is another day of jubilation and celebration of the advancement of equal rights for all in this country.

Amazing news to pass along today … just one day after the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that California’s Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, the Washington State House of Representatives voted yesterday to legalize same-sex marriage in the State of Washington. The Washington State Senate approved the bill last week and now that the entire WA State legislature has passed the bill, all that is required is the signature of Democratic governor Christine Gregoire for the bill to become law! Gregoire has promised that she will sign the bill into law next week, then Washington will be the 7th State in the United States of America to legalize same-sex marriage.

OMG … amazing news to share today … the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that California’s Proposition 8, banning same-sex marriage in the State of California, is UNCONSTITUTIONAL! As you may recall, back in August of 2010 Federal judge Vaughn Walker ruled that Prop 8 is unconstitutional but new same-sex marriages here in California were NOT allowed to take place until his ruling was taken up by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Now that the appeals court has ruled that Prop 8 is unconstitutional (affirming Judge Walker‘s 2010 ruling), the matter will move to the US Supreme Court who will decide whether to make a ruling on the case. Click below for more deets and find out exactly what all of this means.

It is will great pride and jubilation that I pass along the AMAZING news that the State of New York has legalized same-sex marriage … which, in one fell swoop, more than doubles the number of US same-sex citizens that are now able to get married! All week long, we’ve been hearing about delays in the NY State Senate concerning the same-sex marriage law vote but late last night, on the first day of 2011 NY Gay Pride, the Senate voted 33 to 29 to make same-sex marriage LEGAL in the State of NY! Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the bill into law at 11:55 PM ET last night, which means that same-sex couples in NY will be able to get married in about 30 days! What fantastic news!!!

In the wake of last weekend’s US Senate vote to repeal the US Military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Policy and President Barack Obama‘s signing of the repeal into law this week, Vice President Joe Biden appeared on Good Morning America today to discuss a range of topics including the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell repeal … but most notably, about his belief that America is “evolving” towards the legalization of same-sex marriage … which he believes will “inevitably” be afforded to all US citizens.

Last week Federal Judge Vaughn R. Walker ruled that California Proposition 8, which made same-sex marriage illegal in the State, is unconstitutional which makes same-sex marriage legal in the State once again. After his ruling, Judge Walker issued a stay of his ruling in order to hear pro and con arguments to determine if same-sex marriages should resume in California while the case moves forward in appeals. Today, Judge Walker has made a ruling to lift the stay on his initial federal decision … which means that same-sex couples will be allowed to remarry in California starting on August 18, when his initial ruling goes into legal effect.

Once again, California is among the States here in the US that offers all of its citizens marriage equality. Let freedom reign!!!

In the wake of yesterday’s triumphant federal court ruling by Judge Vaughn R. Walker which determined that California Proposition 8 (which made same-sex marriage illegal by way of popular vote) is unconstitutional, jubilant celebration broke out in West Hollywood, CA last night. David and I made our way out into West Hollywood to partake in the celebration — after all — how could we not? — but the fantastic blog LAist was front and center at the celebratory rally at the West Hollywood Park on Robertson Blvd. to photograph and report on the event. Here are a few amazing photos shot by LAist photographer Tom Andrews and excerpts from the report written by LAist writer Zach Behrens:

About 300 people gathered in West Hollywood Park Wednesday night to celebrate the federal ruling in favor of gay marriage. The American Foundation of Equal Rights, which brought forward the case Perry v. Schwarzenegger, hosted the event, bringing together the plaintiffs, lawyers, politicians and celebrities. About a dozen people spoke — all with smiles, some with tears — about the huge step that was just taken. But they warned it was only a step. “So long as a person can be fired for being gay, or a kid can be threatened at school because of her sexual orientation, we will not have crossed the finish line,” said L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who opened the ceremony. Despite the very long road ahead, lawyer David Boies who represented Vice President Al Gore in the Supreme Court case against George Bush, summed up how difficult he sees the fight from here on out for proponents of Prop 8, which banned gay marriage in California. “Most of what you’re going to hear from the other side is going to be a series of attacks. they’re going to attack the judge, they’re going to attack the judicial system, they’re going to attack everything they can think of to attack except the court’s opinion because I guarantee you that the people that you hear criticizing this opinion are not going to be prepared to deal with what the opinion has found. I guarantee you most of the people that are going to criticize the opinion will not have even read it,” he said of the 138-page document. “Because what his opinion does, it goes through in a very orderly careful methodical way what all the claims were and what all the evidence was and the court concludes that there simply is no evidence to justify the invidious discrimination against some of our citizens based on sex or sexual orientation and that is something that the other side cannot deal with. They cannot come forward with any evidence. Their argument boils down to versicular bumper sticker [slogans.] Marriage is between a man and a woman. That’s the question, not the answer in the constitution.”

Yesterday was a very important day for the advancement of civil rights in this country but the speakers at yesterday’s really are correct, this is but the first step of a still very long road ahead. Hatred and malice will never die out … never. Along long as evil people can draw breath, they will work vehemently to oppose the equal treatment of others in any way they can. They will manipulate facts, they will use horrible scare tactics and they will outright lie to try and convince people that they are right. But I believe, with everything that I am, that truth and justice will prevail. Our country has a long history of struggle … notions like the inability of women to vote or interracial couples to marry are so archaic that when someone tries to argue for their practice, they are laughed off as crazies. I know that one day the same will happen to those who oppose marriage equality. The day when all US citizens are free to marry will come one day … I know it … and we will look back on yesterday’s ruling as the first step towards that happy, happy day.

It was very hard not to get swept up in the excitement of yesterday’s events … it was a really great day for the US, indeed.

[Photo credit: Tom Andrews / LAist; Source]

Wooot!!! Earlier today we learned that U.S. District Chief Judge Vaughn R. Walker would be releasing his ruling on the constitutionality of the voter approved Proposition 8 (which made same-sex marriage illegal in the State of California in 2009 after the California Supreme Court legalized the practice in 2008) this afternoon. Judge Walker‘s ruling has been announced and I am THRILLED to report that his ruling has overturned Prop 8 as unconstitutional, essentially making same-sex marriage legal once again in the State of California:

In the long-awaited ruling Perry v. Schwarzenegger, 9th Circuit District Court Judge Vaughn Walker handed down a doozy of a ruling: The voter-approved law known as Prop 8, which stripped California’s same-sex couples of the right to marry, is unconstitutional, violating both due process and equal protection clauses … Some main points from the ruling:

• “Plaintiffs do not seek recognition of a new right. To characterize plaintiffs’ objective as ‘the right to same-sex marriage’ would suggest that plaintiffs seek something different from what opposite-sex couples across the state enjoy —— namely, marriage. Rather, plaintiffs ask California to recognize their relationships for what they are: marriages.”

• “Domestic partnerships do not satisfy California’s obligation to allow plaintiffs to marry.”

• “PROPOSITION 8 IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL BECAUSE IT DENIES PLAINTIFFS A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT WITHOUT A LEGITIMATE (MUCH LESS COMPELLING) REASON. Because plaintiffs seek to exercise their fundamental right to marry, their claim is subject to strict scrutiny. Zablocki, 434 US at 388. That the majority of California voters supported Proposition 8 is irrelevant, as ‘fundamental rights may not be submitted to [a] vote; they depend on the outcome of no elections.’”

• “Proposition 8 fails to advance any rational basis in singling out gay men and lesbians for denial of a marriage license. Indeed the evidence shows Proposition 8 does nothing more than enshrine in the California constitution the notion that opposite sex couples are superior to same sex couples.”

• PROPOSITION 8 DOES NOT SURVIVE RATIONAL BASIS. Proposition 8 cannot withstand any level of scrutiny under the Equal Protection Clause, as excluding same-sex couples from marriage is simply not rationally related to a legitimate state interest. One example of a legitimate state interest in not issuing marriage licenses to a particular group might be a scarcity of marriage licenses or county officials to issue them. But marriage licenses in California are not a limited commodity, and the existence of 18,000 same-sex married couples in California shows that the state has the resources to allow both same-sex and opposite-sex couples to wed. See Background to Proposition 8 above.”

Head over to Queerty HERE to read the full text of Judge Walker‘s ruling. On all the main, very important parts of the case, Judge Walker sided with supporters of same-sex marriage and has issued a landmark ruling outlining his determination that banning same-sex marriage goes against the US Constitution, the supreme law of the land. This is a huge victory and a huge step towards the legalization of same-sex marriage here in the entire US … but the fight is not over yet. Opponents of same-sex marriage will surely file an appeal to the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to seek a ruling in their favor … but, as my friend Loy made sure to make me aware, today is a day for CELEBRATION!! This is really fantastic news … but, again, we must press forward. This decision will be appealed, very likely all the way to the US Supreme Court. But make no mistake — this is a great first step towards true marriage equality in the US of A!!

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Today’s the day, y’all … U.S. District Chief Judge Vaughn R. Walker has announced that he has made his ruling on the constitutionality of the vile Proposition 8 that was passed here in California in 2009 which makes same-sex marriage illegal after the California Supreme Court ruled in 2008 that same-sex marriage is legal. The case was argued in front of Judge Walker at the start of this year and after a few months of deliberation, he is ready to announce his ruling … which will be released this afternoon somewhere between 1pm and 3pm PT:

A federal judge in San Francisco will decide Wednesday whether gays and lesbians have a constitutional right to marry. U.S. District Chief Judge Vaughn R. Walker, who presided over a trial earlier this year on the constitutionality of Proposition 8, will release his long-awaited ruling Wednesday on whether the 2008 ballot initiative violates the U.S. Constitution, a court spokeswoman said. His ruling is expected to be released between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Walker, an appointee of President George H.W. Bush, heard myriad witnesses testify about the history of marriage, the nature of homosexuality and the degree of power gays and lesbians possess in the political system during the 2 1/2-week trial in January. Most of the testimony favored marriage rights for homosexuals. Walker’s decision is expected to be appealed to the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and then up to the U.S. Supreme Court … The California Supreme Court ruled 4 to 3 that gays and lesbians were entitled to marry under the state Constitution in an historic ruling in May 2008. Voters passed Proposition 8 six months later, amending the state Constitution to ban same-sex marriage. Walker will decide whether California’s ban on same-sex marriage violates equal protection and due process rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.

It is really anyone’s guess which way Judge Walker will rule but no matter what his decision, the case will immediately be appealed to the US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and then when that decision is handed down, it will then be immediately appealed to the US Supreme Court. Today’s ruling is only the first step in a long journey toward an absolute and final court decision. 5 US states and the US capitol city of Washington DC have legalized same-sex marriage but until the matter is decided on a federal level in a ruling that affects the entire United States of America (which can only be handed down by the US Supreme Court) these legal battles will continue. Much of California is waiting with bated breath to find out today’s ruling … but, again, it is only a first step. I am hoping and praying that Judge Walker rules in favor of liberty and justice for all … same-sex marriage will be afforded to all US citizens … today’s ruling would be a great first step towards that eventual goal.

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It’s an amazingly happy day for marriage equality today as we learn that same-sex marriage has been legalized in the country of Argentina. This development is especially remarkable because Argentina becomes the first Latin American country (among a collective of countries that are heavily influenced by religious control) to legalize same-sex marriage. As I understand it, the constitution of Argentina requires the government to support Roman Catholicism economically but also ensures freedom freedom … in the end, the Argentine lawmakers did the right thing and voted 33 – 27 (with 3 abstentions) to bring marriage equality to their country!!!

Argentina legalized same-sex marriage Thursday, becoming the first country in Latin America to grant gays and lesbians all the legal rights, responsibilities and protections that marriage brings to heterosexual couples. After a marathon debate, 33 lawmakers voted in favor, 27 were against it and 3 abstained in Argentina’s Senate in a vote that ended after 4 a.m. Since the lower house already approved it, and President Cristina Fernandez is a strong supporter, it now becomes law as soon as it is published in the official bulletin. The law is sure to bring a wave of marriages by gays and lesbians who have increasingly found Buenos Aires to be more accepting than many other places in the region. The approval came despite a concerted campaign by the Roman Catholic Church and evangelical groups, which drew 60,000 people to march on Congress and urged parents in churches and schools to work against passage. Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio said “everyone loses” with gay marriage, and “children need to have the right to be raised and educated by a father and a mother.” Nine gay couples had already married in Argentina after persuading judges that the constitutional mandate of equality supports their marriage rights, but some of these marriages were later declared invalid. As the debate stretched on for nearly 16 hours, supporters and opponents of held rival vigils through the frigid night outside the Congress building in Buenos Aires … Sen. Norma Morandini, another member of the president’s party, compared the discrimination closeted gays face to the oppression imposed by Argentina’s dictators decades ago.

“What defines us is our humanity, and what runs against humanity is intolerance,” she said.

Same-sex civil unions have been legalized in Uruguay, Buenos Aires and some states in Mexico and Brazil. Mexico City has legalized gay marriage. Colombia’s Constitutional Court granted same-sex couples inheritance rights and allowed them to add their partners to health insurance plans. But Argentina now becomes the first country in Latin America to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide, granting gays and lesbians all the same rights and responsibilities that heterosexuals have. These include many more rights than civil unions, including adopting children and inheriting wealth. Gay rights advocates said Argentina’s historic step adds momentum to similar efforts around the world. “Today’s historic vote shows how far Catholic Argentina has come, from dictatorship to true democratic values, and how far the freedom to marry movement has come, as twelve countries on four continents now embrace marriage equality,” said Evan Wolfson, who runs the U.S. Freedom to Marry lobby. He urged U.S. lawmakers to stand up “for the Constitution and all families here in the United States. America should lead, not lag, when it comes to treating everyone equally under the law.”

Coming from a Latin American family with strong religious convictions, I can’t even tell you how amazingly wonderful this news is. I sadly must admit that I was almost certain the religious control and influence of the lawmakers of Argentina would force them to vote against passage of the same-sex marriage law … I am thrilled beyond words that I was wrong. It just seems plainly clear to me that marriage equality should be made available to all citizens. Congratulations to the people of Argentina for getting work done that has yet to be accomplished here in the US … YOU, Argentina, have proven to be a leader in equal treatment for your citizens and I commend you all on this accomplishment. I just hope that the US will one day follow your lead! This deserves a Woot! y’all!! So, WOOOOT!

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