1. New York
Ruling Won’t Stop OutFront Minnesota’s Work...
"we in Minnesota will never let up in our work for full
equality..."
2. GLBT Couples: Nonviolent Abuse is
Still Abuse... OutFront Minnesota staffer, Phil
Duran, discusses psychological abuse.
3. Data Entry Season Underway at
OutFront Minnesota!... "Our database is the
engine of our activism."
4. Inside OutFront...
OutFront Minnesota hires new Communications Director.
New York Ruling Won’t Stop OutFront
Minnesota’s Work
On
July 6, New York's highest court ruled that the state
constitution's equal-protection guarantees do not
require opening civil marriage to same-sex couples on
equal terms as different-sex couples. The 4-2 decision
takes a very odd and traditionalist view of marriage;
concluding that the state legislature may have felt
heterosexual couples require unique marriage rights to
provide a good environment for child-rearing. The court
was unmoved by the fact that many heterosexual couples
do not raise children, and that many same-sex couples
do… nor by the fact that children of GLBT parents are
affected by the inability of their parents to marry.
While the ruling is an unfortunate decision, the battle
for GLBT equality forges on. The ruling will undoubtedly
have a negative impact on New York families headed by
GLBT couples, but the movement for full legal equality
for such relationships continues across the country --
and around the world -- and will not stop because of a
loss in one state, or even because of multiple losses.
We know that the struggle for GLBT equality will face
many ups and downs in the coming years, but we know that
full equality is inevitable.
Regardless of what happens in other states, we in
Minnesota will never let up in our work for full
equality for all of our gay, lesbian, bisexual, and
transgender citizens including progress toward legal
recognition for same-sex couples. OutFront Minnesota
remains hopeful that decision-makers in other states
will agree that continued exclusion of these families
from the protections of the law serves no rational
interest at all. We will continue our efforts to keep
harmful language out of Minnesota's constitution while
working with legislative allies to begin opening legal
protections to same-sex couples that other Minnesota
families currently enjoy.
Marriage litigation continues in California,
Connecticut, Maryland, and Iowa. In addition, the
supreme courts of both Washington state and New Jersey
are expected to rule later this year on whether those
states' constitutions, in guaranteeing equal protection
of the law, require that same-sex couples be permitted
to marry on the same terms as different-sex couples.
Read the decision in its entirety:
http://www.lambdalegal.org/cgi-bin/iowa/cases/decision.html?record=1980 .
GLBT Couples: Nonviolent Abuse is Still
Abuse
Where does psychological coercion among GLBT couples fit
into the domestic abuse spectrum? Read OutFront
Minnesota's Legal and Policy Analyst Phil Duran’s column
in the July 7-20th 2006 issue of Lavender:
http://www.lavendermagazine.com/artman/publish/article_2819.php
Data Entry Season Underway at
OutFront Minnesota!
It's time to beat the heat and spend a couple hours
helping to secure equality for GLBT Minnesotans and our
families and friends! Our database is the engine of our
activism, and it is vital that we invest in its proper
maintenance to ensure all of our programs are humming
along at maximum efficiency.
Volunteer computers are available in our office from
10am to 6pm daily. We also stage regular "Data Entry
Parties" on alternating Monday and Tuesday evenings.
More information and a volunteer sign-up form are
available at:
http://www.outfront.org/action/volunteers.html
Inside OutFront
...an
insider's view of the day-to-day work of OutFront
Minnesota...
OutFront Minnesota hires new Communications Director
OutFront Minnesota has hired Jo Marsicano as the new
Communications Director. Jo will help direct media
relations, advertising, e-news, web site, and strategic
communications. Jo has an extensive background in
broadcast journalism with additional experience in
nonprofit communications. The focus of OutFront
Minnesota’s communications is to help tell the positive
news about our work and the GLBT community. You can
contact Jo at (612) 827-1027 or (800) 800-0350 ext. 106
or email
jmarsicano@outfront.org.
Looking for something to do?
Events of interest to the GLBT and allied community.
OutFront Minnesota's web-based community calendar is THE
place to check for events and happenings. Are you
planning an event that you want the GLBT and allied
community to know about? It's easy to
submit your event! OutFront Minnesota is proud
to offer community organizations this opportunity to
reach others.
Check it out each week for more current events!
WELCOME to any new E-News subscribers! If you think
you've been added by mistake, please follow the
directions at the bottom of the email to unsubscribe.
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sign up here. Please note that in the interest
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Support the work of Minnesota's largest GLBT political
advocacy and direct service organization.
Become a member today! |
