Gay Marriage

Prop 8 Plaintiffs
News

Get to Know the Prop 8 Plaintiffs

It was a historic day, with the Supreme Court ruling both the Defense of Marriage Act and California's Proposition 8 unconstitutional, sparking celebrations across the country and even engagement announcements by celebrities.

It was a historic day, with the Supreme Court ruling both the Defense of Marriage Act and California's Proposition 8 unconstitutional, sparking celebrations across the country and even engagement announcements by celebrities. The decision came after years of legal battles led by same-sex couples Kris Perry and Sandy Stier and Paul Katami and Jeff Zarrillo, who left the courthouse cheering after their victory today. Get to know more about the foursome that spearheaded the historic ruling below:

Kris Perry and Sandy Stier

  • Relationship status: Together since 1997
  • Children: Sons Spencer, Elliott, Frank, and Tom
  • Home state: California
  • Marriage status: Married in 2004 in San Francisco, before their union was voided by the courts.
  • Stance: "We simply want for each other and our children the same rights as other American families."
  • Legal involvement: After being denied a marriage license in 2009, Kris and Sandy sued multiple state officials, making them plaintiffs in the case.

For the background on Paul and Jeff, just read more.

Gay Wedding Photos
Wedding

Gay Weddings Spread the Love

It's a good day for gay marriage!

It's a good day for gay marriage! The Supreme Court struck down DOMA and Prop 8, two anti-same-sex-marriage laws in the US. So this LGBT Pride Month, we're celebrating these equality wins with some of the most touching and beautiful gay weddings we've come across. Just like other lifetime lovers, same-sex couples incorporate many well-loved traditions, and the heart of the big day is the same: two people in love dedicating the rest of their lives to each other. We've picked some of our favorite gay weddings to share with you that are paving the way for the union of "man and man" or "woman and woman" to be the traditional weddings of the future.

Katy and Lauren Katy and Lauren Katy and Lauren Katy and Lauren Stephen and Jeremy Stephen and Jeremy Stephen and Jeremy
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Wedding

Say "Congrats!" With Gay Greeting Cards

With the major news that the Supreme Court struck down DOMA and dismissed Prop 8 — two anti-gay-marriage laws in the US — it's the perfect time to express your congrats to those affected by it.

With the major news that the Supreme Court struck down DOMA and dismissed Prop 8 — two anti-gay-marriage laws in the US — it's the perfect time to express your congrats to those affected by it. Whether the rulings mean you'll be attending a gay wedding in the near future or you just want to spread the love to your closest same-sex friends, here are 16 cards that will let you do just that. Click on and get practicing on that signature!

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President Obama Reacts to Prop 8 | Video
News

President Obama Calls to Congratulate Prop 8 Couples

While the Proposition 8 plaintiffs were speaking to MSNBC for a live interview today, the two same-sex couples received a call from President Obama.

While the Proposition 8 plaintiffs were speaking to MSNBC for a live interview today, the two same-sex couples received a call from President Obama. Speaking from Air Force One, the president offered his congratulations on today's historic gay marriage rulings. Plaintiffs Kris Perry, Sandy Stier, Jeff Zarrillo, and Paul Katami gathered together to listen to Obama's comments on speakerphone. "We're proud of you guys, and we're so glad," he said.

President Obama has also issued a statement about the results, elaborating on beliefs he's expressed in the past. In March, he spoke out at an impromptu news conference against Prop. 8, saying it "doesn't provide any rationale for discriminating against same-sex couples other than just the notion, 'Well, they're same-sex couples.'" He added, "I felt it was important for us to articulate what I believe and what this administration stands for." Those same ideas were echoed today when he praised the Supreme Court in an official statement:

Politics

The Supreme Court Strikes Down DOMA and Prop 8

The Supreme Court has ruled that the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional and stood with a previous ruling that would effectively overturn California's Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage.

The Supreme Court has ruled that the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional and stood with a previous ruling that would effectively overturn California's Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage. The Supreme Court had been faced with making decisions on two key rulings about same-sex marriage. One case, from New York, challenged the Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, which denies federal benefits to gay and lesbian couples that are married in states that allow same-sex marriage. Section three of DOMA, which deals with same-sex marriage, was struck down as unconstitutional by the court in a 5-4 vote. This means that the federal government will have to recognize same-sex marriages in states that allow them.

The other case, from California, challenges Proposition 8, a ban on same-sex marriage that came after the state had already legalized unions through its court system. By a 5-4 vote, the justices held with a previous ruling that the anti same-sex marriage activists who put Proposition 8 on the ballot in 2008 did not have the constitutional authority to defend the law in federal courts after the state refused to appeal its loss at trial. Today was the last day of the term for the Supreme Court and the final day they can make a ruling on the two important cases for this term.

Companies That Support Gay Marriage
consumerism

8 Major Companies That Support LGBT Rights

When it comes to companies and gay rights, Chick-Fil-A gets plenty of attention for its opposition to same-sex marriage.

When it comes to companies and gay rights, Chick-Fil-A gets plenty of attention for its opposition to same-sex marriage. Yet many major companies strongly support the movement, from tech giants to your favorite clothing retailers. In honor of LGBT Pride Month, which kicked off last week, get to know the brands that openly voice their alliance. There's no shortage of businesses — we're talking about Starbucks and at least 300 others — but here are eight with some pretty compelling campaigns. Check 'em out now!

Smirnoff Oreo Target Levi's Kenneth Cole Absolut Google
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France Legalizes Gay Marriage
france

France Legalizes Gay Marriage and Adoption After Divisive Protests

France became the 14th country to legalize gay marriage and the third in just two weeks, following in the footsteps of New Zealand and Uruguay.

France became the 14th country to legalize gay marriage and the third in just two weeks, following in the footsteps of New Zealand and Uruguay. While the Socialist country is often considered inherently liberal and secular, the proposal to legalize gay marriage and adoption exposed a very divided country, and protests against the law continued up until the moment it was passed.

Right before the vote, there was a disruption in the gallery as a gay-marriage opponent attempted to unveil a banner that read "les ennemis de la démocratie," or enemies of democracy. For a week before the vote, both pro and anti gay marriage and adoption crowds took to the streets of Paris to demonstrate, and police had to resort to tear gas as dozens were arrested. Politicians fought with each other and received death threats, and incidents of homophobic violence, including attacks on gay bars in Lille and Bordeaux, have risen three times in six months.

Despite the difficult road, supporters of gay marriage celebrated in France today. The law, sponsored by the unpopular new Socialist President Francois Hollande, passed the parliament after clearing the senate weeks ago. The opposition already promised to appeal to the constitutional council, but so long as they don't overturn it, gay couples should be able to marry by the Summer. See photos of the vote passing today and of the protests this week now.

An anti-gay-marriage protester caused a disruption in the French parliament before the vote on gay marriage. Anti-gay-marriage protesters burned flares during a demonstration a few days before the vote. Proponents of gay marriage gathered at Bastille square to protest against homophobia. A shirtless anti-gay-marriage protester demonstrated in Paris before the law passed. A member of The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence (Les Soeurs de la Perpétuelle Indulgence) gathered at Bastille square to protest against homophobia on Monday. A member of the opposition held the appeal to the new law. French Justice Minister Christiane Taubira was congratulated by Housing Minister Cécile Duflot after the vote of the same-sex-marriage bill.
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Marijuana Legalization Gaining Ground
Politics

Is Pot Legalization the New Marriage Equality?

It may only be a matter of time before the US prohibition of marijuana goes up in smoke.

It may only be a matter of time before the US prohibition of marijuana goes up in smoke. The same demographic realities that explain the relatively swift shift in the country's attitudes about gay marriage (i.e., young people with more open-minded views) could also bring more permissive laws about marijuana.

The political website Talking Points Memo analyzed national polls from the past two decades and compared answers to questions about marijuana legalization and marriage equality. It found that increased support for both issues mirror each other. For example, in 1995 only 25 percent of Americans supported making pot legal. And in 1996, only 27 percent of Americans supported making gay marriage legal. Since then, support for each has grown at a similar pace, and according to recent polls today more people support both legal pot and same-sex marriage than those who oppose it. And since legalizing and taxing marijuana could appeal to both liberals and libertarians alike, it could find fans on both sides of the aisle. It already did in Washington and Colorado, states that legalized pot last November for anyone over 21.

Gay Marriages in Fashion History
fashion news

Gay Marriages in Fashion and David LaChapelle's $75 Million Lawsuit

Because it's in the news, here's a look at gay marriages and their places in fashion history.


  • Because it's in the news, here's a look at gay marriages and their places in fashion history. [Styleite]

  • Louis Vuitton has raised the prices of its most iconic bags by as much as 10 percent in the US and UK. [Racked]

  • LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault has officially been decorated with the title of Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, joining the number of fashion insiders honored by the British monarchy. [WWD]


    More of the fashion news you need to know, right here.