History! California Supreme Court OKs Marriage Equality

In a long-awaited decision, the California Supreme Court ruled May 15 that the state could no longer ban same-sex couples from civil marriage. The 4-3 ruling, written by Chief Justice Ronald George, said, “the California Constitution properly must be interpreted to guarantee this basic civil right to all individuals and couples, without regard to their sexual orientation." LGBT advocates around the country were overjoyed. “Today is the happiest and most romantic day of our lives,” said John Lewis, who was a plaintiff in the case with his partner of 21 years, Stuart Gaffney. “This is a moment of pure happiness and joy,” said Shannon Minter, who argued the case before the court on behalf of some of the couples and LGBT organizations. That night rallies were held throughout California to celebrate and thank the court, the lawyers, and the couples in the case. However, anti-gay forces have placed a constitutional amendment on the November ballot that could overturn the court's ruling. Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Democratic L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa vowed to fight the initiative. The court allowed 30 days for preparation before local governments must comply with the ruling. —Karen Ocamb

Methodists Attend Wedding Held Near Church Convention

More than 200 Methodists attended a lesbian couple's commitment ceremony May 2 in defiance of a vote to uphold a church law that says gay relationships are "incompatible with Christian teaching." The ceremony was at a park across from the Fort Worth Convention Center, where some 3,000 people met for the United Methodist Church's general conference, which is held every four years to set church policy. Methodists rejected replacing a sentence in its Book of Discipline—which says the church "does not condone the practice of homosexuality"—with other phrases, including one saying Christians differ on the issue. Methodists also voted against a proposal to change a policy allowing pastors to keep gays and lesbians from joining the denomination's churches. No clergy member presided over the commitment ceremony of Julie Bruno and Sue Laurie of Chicago, a couple for 25 years, but Rev. Julie Todd spoke during the Friday ceremony and led the communion. She said she doubted her role would subject her to any church disciplinary action, but if so she was prepared. "I believe so strongly that this is the role of the church and of the ordained clergy in blessing loving relationships that I am not concerned about the consequences," Todd said.

Highest Ranking Veteran in Congress Calls for Repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell

U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA), the highest ranking military veteran in Congress, urged fellow lawmakers to join him in repealing the Don't Ask, Don't Tell law banning lesbian, gay, and bisexual personnel from serving openly in the military. Sestak, who had served as a three-star Admiral and who spent 31 years in the Navy, is one of 17 veterans in Congress who are co-sponsors of legislation to lift the ban on openly gay service. Sestak's remarks came before a May 3 panel discussion hosted by Equality Forum on the topic of congressional developments in the movement to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell. “It is easy for me to see why Don't Ask, Don't Tell should be repealed,” Sestak said. “Once you have served in war and faced danger with a gay service member, how can you come home and say gay people should not enjoy equal rights? It is simple. Don't Ask, Don't Tell must be repealed.” Sestak supports The Military Readiness Enhancement Act (H.R. 1246), which would repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell and allow lesbian, gay, and bisexual personnel to serve openly. The bill is currently cosponsored by 142 Members of Congress.

Out Senate Hopeful Loses in North Carolina Primary

Openly gay entrepreneur Jim Neal (shown) wanted to be the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in the 2008 general election, but his bid ended with the May 6 North Carolina primary. With 99% of precincts reporting, State Sen. Beverly Hagan had 60% of the vote to Neal's 18%. Hagan, who moves from an easy primary win to what promises to be a grueling general election matchup against incumbent GOP Sen. Elizabeth Dole, implored supporters of former rival Jim Neal to join her ranks. Neal immediately obliged, vowing to do whatever he can to help a candidate he had harshly criticized for months win in November.

Pioneering Marriage Advocate Dies

Mildred Loving (shown with her husband), a black woman whose challenge to Virginia's ban on interracial marriage led to a landmark Supreme Court ruling striking down such laws nationwide, died May 5, her daughter said. Loving and her white husband, Richard, changed history in 1967 when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld their right to marry. The ruling in Loving v. Virginia struck down laws banning racially mixed marriages in at least 17 states, and has been used by gay marriage advocates as a tool in court cases. Last year, Loving came out in support of same-sex marriage, writing, “I support the freedom to marry for all. That's what Loving, and loving, are all about.”

Esquivel Joins Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund

Political strategist and social justice activist Laura M. Esquivel has been named to the newly created position of senior vice president for political affairs at the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund. In 1984, she became the first female president of Gay and Lesbian Latinos Unidos in Los Angeles. Soon afterwards, she co-founded both the Los Angeles-based Lesbianas Unidas and the national LGBT rights organization LLEGÓ. Esquivel's also served as a legislative deputy for Los Angeles City Councilmember Jackie Goldberg—the first openly gay person elected to that body. She later went on to become Goldberg's campaign manager in her successful first-time bid for State Assembly in 2001.

Michigan High Court Denies Partner Benefits Policy

The Michigan Supreme Court ruled that governments and state universities can't offer health insurance to the partners of gay workers. The court ruled 5-2 on May 7 that Michigan's 2004 same-sex marriage ban blocks domestic-partner policies affecting gay employees at the University of Michigan and other public-sector employers. The decision affirms an appeals court ruling. Up to 20 public universities, school districts, and local governments have benefit policies covering about 375 gay couples. After the appeals court ruled last year, universities and local governments rewrote their policies to try to comply with the gay marriage ban—so the effect of the decision is unclear.

Greek Lesbians Sue Gay and Lesbian Group Over Name

Three islanders from Lesbos—home of the ancient poet Sappho, who praised love between women—have taken a gay rights group to court for using the word lesbian in its name. One of the plaintiffs said April 30 that the name of the association, Homosexual and Lesbian Community of Greece, "insults the identity" of the people of Lesbos, who are also known as Lesbians. "My sister can't say she is a Lesbian," said Dimitris Lambrou. "Our geographical designation has been usurped by certain ladies who have no connection whatsoever with Lesbos.” The case will be heard in an Athens court in June.

“There are two very angry, embarrassed people looking to save face with a judgment in their favor. I suspect neither party will be vindicated at the end of this trial."

—Matrimonial lawyer Paul Talbert on former New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey and his estranged wife Dina Matos McGreevey, who are in the middle of a bitter custody and divorce battle. Jim McGreevey's sexuality is an issue in their dispute.

Australia to Remove Same-Sex Discrimination from 100 Laws

Australia's government is winning praise for its plan to eliminate discrimination against gay couples in more than 100 laws, but even supporters said it should go further and approve same-sex marriages. Attorney General Robert McClelland announced April 30 that the government will change federal laws to ensure that gay couples in long-term relationships are treated the same as married couples on taxation, pensions, and welfare payments. Some advocates said the government should go further. "Gay and lesbian Australians will not be fully equal until we are allowed the right to marry the partner of our choice," Rodney Croome of the Australian Coalition for Equality group told national television.

Man Gets Apology for Arrest After Same-Sex Kiss

An American man who was detained by police in the Cayman Islands after kissing his boyfriend on a dance floor received an apology from the resort destination's top tourism official, Web site cayCompass.com reported May 5. Aaron Chandler, 23, (shown) was detained by George Town police on May 1. Chandler complained to the Department of Tourism, who wrote back an apology. “What happened to you was an isolated incident, and is not representative of Cayman,” wrote Director of Tourism Pilar Bush. “We know that thousands of gay and lesbian visitors travel to the Cayman Islands every year and enjoy their vacation.”

Bishop Wants Gays Out of Religious Ceremony

One of the top Catholic leaders in the Philippines does not want to see gay men take part in a popular religious festival, reports news service Reuters. Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales (shown) told a church-owned radio station gay men should not participate in “Santacruzan,” a flower festival held each May in honor of the Virgin Mary. “I am not angry at gay men,” Rosales said May 1, “but I am against what [they] are actually doing.” Local LGBT activist Danton Remoto challenged Rosales. “In the eyes of God, everyone is equal,” Remoto said to Reuters. “They need understanding, not condemnation.”

This page compiled by Christopher Lisotta from The Associated Press and other news reports.