In our own country, the New Year ushered in legislation in New Hampshire, making it the fourth state to grant civil unions following New Jersey, Connecticut and Vermont. The new law defines civil unions as the equivilant of marriage in all aspects but name. The legislation, which was passed in May, is expected to result in nearly 4,000 couples getting civil unions in 2007. This is double the 1,704 unions recognized in Vermont the first year they were offered in 2000. The Associated Press reported 37 couples who rang in the New Year with a mass ceremony at the Statehouse.
According to the Associated Press, civil unions are also expected to boost the economy in New Hampshire. A 2005 study predicted that legalizing same-sex marriage in the state would bring in an additional $630,000 a year in rooms and meals taxes in the first three years. This was based on 2000 census reports of 2,703 same-sex couples. A new census estimate for 2005 found 5,500 same-sex couples in the state, which could send the predicted revenue even higher. In response to these economic numbers however, Gov. John Lynch responded, "I think it's a good thing, but that's not the reason to do it. The reason to do it is because it's the right thing to do morally."
On the west coast couples were halted in Oregon when a domestic partnership law, that was supposed to take effect on January 2, was blocked for at least a month by a federal judge on Friday to give opponents a chance to make their case for referring it to voters. In protest hundreds rallied across the state in candlelight vigils, organized by Basic Rights Oregon, the state's largest gay rights group.
The extension of legal rights to same-sex couples began in 1989 when Denmark created registered partnerships that extended property and inheritance to same-sex couples. This marked the first time a national government guaranteed gay and lesbian households not only protection from harassment but also some of the legal rights long held by heterosexual married couples. Several more European countries followed suit in subsequent years. European nations, along with some in South America and Australia expanded the rights of same-sex couples by providing legal statutes that granted the couples some legal rights without using the term "marriage," such as civil unions, civil partnerships or domestic partnerships. In 2000, the Netherlands became the first country to legalize same-sex marriage, followed by Belgium (2003), Spain (2005), Canada (2005) and South Africa (2006). In 1996, the U.S. Congress passed the Defense of Marriage Act, which defined marriage as the union of a man and a woman for purposes of federal law and said that states were not required to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states. In 2004, Massachusetts became the first state to allow same-sex marriages. Further court decisions on the constitutionality of denying same-sex marriage are expected this year in California, Connecticut and Maryland. New legislation related to same-sex relationships is introduced somewhere in the world almost every month, while still a slight majority of Americans, 55 percent according to a 2007 Pew Research Center survey, oppose same-sex marriage.
Nearly 20 years ago, the international fight for marriage equality began to take positive steps into the future. As more and more Americans recognize the relationships between same-sex couples, more churches actually push for a clear separation of church and state on the subject and more legislators realize the positive results of equality-based legislation, marriage and civil unions may become reality for more LGBT Americans in the coming years. Openly gay former U.S. Congressman Jim Kolbe (R-Ariz.) made a statement back in 2006 before retiring that "as much as the social conservative might not like to hear it, there will be a time when your grandchildren say: 'What was the argument with gay marriage? Who cares?'" That time may be coming sooner rather than later.
OUT & ABOUT
Friday, Jan. 4 - The Gay Professionals Happy Hour will meet from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Friday at Rioz Brazilian Steakhouse, located at 2920 Hollywood Drive behind Planet Hollywood. GPHH meets the first Friday of every month at different locations along the Strand and is open to everyone. For more info email FirstFriday@GambleLivingston.com.
Saturday, Jan. 5 - Rainbow Beach, the LGBTQ program at The Center Project, meets every Saturday from 2 - 6 p.m. and is open to anyone 14-26 years old. This Saturday, Rainbow Beach members will start work on their new documentary film project, "Gay 101." The film will take an entertaining look at the basics of being LGBT in America for educational purposes. They are looking for actors, writers, make-up and hair stylists, editors, cameramen and sound technicians. TCP is located at 307 Highway 15 in Myrtle Beach. For more information call 626-4953 or go online to www.myspace.com/rainbow_beach.
Saturday, Jan. 5 - T-Time, the local Transgender Discussion group meets the first Saturday of every month at 7 p.m. at The Center Project, located at 307 Highway 15 in Myrtle Beach. The group is open to anyone with gender concerns, questions, expressions and viewpoints. Guests can come dressed as they please or change at TCP. Starting this month, T-Time will host a transgender film series which will include a variety of films that are rarely, if ever shown in our area in order to increase information and understanding of the transgender community. First up will be the Tom Murray documentary "Almost Myself" at 8:30 p.m. followed by a short discussion. A small donation to TCP is suggested. For more information call 626-4953 or visit www.thecenterproject.com.
Do you have an event you would like to see posted here? Email event details and contact information to crudisill@weeklysurge.com.
Until next week, have fun and be safe.
-Chris Rudisill, Weekly Surge