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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 21, 2007)
SEPTEMBER 21. 2007 jUSt|OUt|l9 national CALIFORNIA Marriage Bill Hits Governor's Desk The California Legislature and Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will go head to head again, after the Sept. 7 passage of the second same-sex marriage hill by the state Senate. The measure has already passed the Assembly. Schwarzenegger vetoed the bill in 2005, claiming it was a decision for voters, not the legislature. “Two consecutive legislatures have now boldly and proudly affirmed the full, first-class and equal citizenship of all of Californians in lov ing and committed relationship who want their bond recognized and honored by the state in which they live and to which they contribute,” said Assemblyman Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, the bill’s author. The bill would amend the Family Code to define marriage as a civ il contract between two people instead of a civil contract between a man and a woman. It also reaffirms that no religious institution would be required to solemnize marriages contrary to its fundamental beliefs. Schwarzenegger has until Oct. 14 to sign or veto the bill. Meanwhile, the California Supreme Court is expected to hear oral arguments late this year or early in 2008 challenging the stare’s refusal to recognize same-sex marriage. Chávez Wins Leadership Award Christine Chavez, granddaughter of revolutionary labor advocate and United Farm Worker Union founder César Chávez, will receive the Los Angeles Leadership Award by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Chávez began fighting for same-sex marriage rights when state Sen. Carole Migden, D-San Francisco, brought it to her attention that Latinos in California are largely not in favor of marriage equality for gays. She con ducted public same-sex civil unions on Cinco de Mayo 2005 at the state Supreme Court in Sacramento. She also took a leave of absence from her public service job to lob by for same-sex marriage rights with Equality California. Chavez serves as the dis a June 11 incident in which he alleged trict director for California ly tried tp solicit an undercover officer. Senate Majority Leader Gloria Critics have called the incident Romero, D-East Los Angeles. “entrapment” and a “witch hunt.” She says this civil rights fight is Craig maintains that he is not gay. in line with her grandfather’s ethics. NEW YORK “One of the most impor Marriages Recognized tant lessons my grandfather A trial court judge in New York taught was about solidarity, not upheld the state controller’s policy to Christine Chavez, granddaughter of Cesar Chavez, will be just to be there with farm honored Sept. 30 by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. recognize the marriages of same-sex workers but to be there with couples married in Canada for pur other groups that were struggling," Chavez told Just Out. The awards poses of the New York State Retirement System. ceremony is Sept. 30 in Beverly Hills. “This is one more court saying that respect for out-of-state marriages of same-sex couples is the law in New York,” said Susan Sommer, senior IDAHO counsel at Lambda Legal. “We thank Comptroller [Thomas] DiNapoli Craig Withdraws Plea for standing up for the rights of lesbian and gay New Yorkers.” U.S. Sen. Larry Craig, R-ldaho, withdrew his guilty plea in an air Lambda Legal intervened in the lawsuit, Godfrey v. DiNapoli, on port sex sting Sept. 10. His hearing, scheduled for Sept. 26, is just four behalf of Peri Rainbow and Tamela Sloan. The couple are state days before the date he originally announced he would step down. employees who were married in Canada and depend on retirement A spokesman for Craig, however, said it is unlikely he will finish benefits. They have been together for more than seven years and are his third term unless the court acts quickly to overturn his convic raising a daughter. tion. Judge Charles Porter will preside In September 2004, former-Comptroller Alan Hevesi announced over the hearing; Judge Gary Larson that, consistent with New York law, the retirement system would recog accepted Craig’s guilty plea. It is nize the Canadian marriage of same-sex couples the same way it would unknown whether the senator will recognize an opposite-sex marriage. DiNapoli has continued the policy. attend the hearing in person, accord The lawsuit began when a few residents of Westchester County in ing to a spokesman for Craig attorney New York and the Alliance Defense Fund challenged the policy, Billy Martin. claiming that recognition of out-of-state marriages of same-sex Craig admitted Aug. 27 that he couples is illegal. The trial court determined that because such plead guilty to misdemeanor disorderly marriages are legal in Canada and because New York respects conduct as part of an investigation by marriages that are valid where entered even if it unavailable here, the comptroller’s policy should stand. • Minneapolis-St. Paul International Embattled U.S. Sen. Larry Craig, R- idaho, withdrew his guilty plea Sept. 10. Airport police about lewd behavior in a men’s restroom. That stems from Compiled by J aymee R. CUT! FOR THE RESULTS YOU-WANT... Call Celia to list and sell your home or call Celia to help you find your dream home. Reliable, Relentless, Restorative & Reachable! Stunning Rooms with a View NE18th @ $535.000 Unbelieveable view of city, night time city lights.Perfectly appointed Bungalow in Sabin. Garden is paradise, home is heaven. Bamboo Furniture In stock, we can deliver same day in most cases! 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