Marriage Equality took another leap forward with yesterday's unanimous ruling by the Supreme Court of the State of New Mexico in its favor. The ruling takes effect immediately. From the ruling: We conclude that the purpose of New Mexico marriage laws is to bring stability and order to the legal relationship of committed couples by defining their rights and responsibilities as to one another, their children if they choose to raise children together, and their property.
Prohibiting same-gender marriages is not substantially related to the governmental interests advanced by the parties opposing same-gender marriage or to the purposes we have identified. Therefore, barring individuals from marrying and depriving them of the rights, protections, and responsibilities of civil marriage solely because of their sexual orientation violates the Equal Protection Clause under Article II, Section 18 of the New Mexico Constitution.
We hold that the State of New Mexico is constitutionally required to allow same-gender couples to marry and must extend to them the rights, protections, and responsibilities that derive from civil marriage under New Mexico law.
Read the full ruling HERE. You can also read Ari Ezra Waldman's as always concise analysis of the ruling HERE. What a nice Christmas Present for same sex couples in New Mexico. This now brings the total to 17 as the number of states with Marriage Equality along with the nations capitol, Washington DC.
Meanwhile over at the Sports Desk, Olympic Gold Medalist and member of the official US Delegation to the Sochi Olympics, Brian Boitano, gave his first public acknowledgement that he is Gay. Boitano released the following statement to media outlets: "I am currently skating in Europe but want to provide a statement regarding my appointment to the Olympic delegation. I have been fortunate to represent the United States of America in three different Olympics, and now I am honored to be part of the presidential delegation to the Olympics in Sochi. It has been my experience from competing around the world and in Russia that Olympic athletes can come together in friendship, peace and mutual respect regardless of their individual country’s practices.
It is my desire to be defined by my achievements and my contributions. While I am proud to play a public role in representing the American Olympic Delegation as a former Olympic athlete, I have always reserved my private life for my family and friends and will continue to do so. I am many things: a son, a brother, and uncle, a friend, an athlete, a cook, an author, and being gay is just one part of who I am. First and foremost I am an American athlete and I am proud to live in a country that encourages diversity, openness and tolerance. As an athlete, I hope we can remain focused on the Olympic spirit which celebrates achievement in sport by peoples of all nations."
It is my desire to be defined by my achievements and my contributions. While I am proud to play a public role in representing the American Olympic Delegation as a former Olympic athlete, I have always reserved my private life for my family and friends and will continue to do so. I am many things: a son, a brother, and uncle, a friend, an athlete, a cook, an author, and being gay is just one part of who I am. First and foremost I am an American athlete and I am proud to live in a country that encourages diversity, openness and tolerance. As an athlete, I hope we can remain focused on the Olympic spirit which celebrates achievement in sport by peoples of all nations."
This makes three openly Gay members of the President's Delegation as Boitano joins Tennis Legend Billie Jean King and Olympic Ice Hockey Medalist Caitlin Cahow for the journey to Sochi. Put that in your pipe and smoke it Mr Putin. The Good News just keeps rolling in making this year the best ever in terms of the advancement of Equality under the law for LGBT folks in America and around the world.
Your Musical Moment for today features Classical Music in the Movies with these famous works in film scores: Chopin - Piano Prelude No. 15 'raindrop' - from "SHINE"; Schumann- Scenes from Childhood, Op. 15: No. 10, Almost Too Serious, in G-Sharp Minor - from "SHINE"
( 05:35 ); Liszt - Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 - from "SHINE" ( 07:13 ); Verdi - La traviata Act I Preludio - from "PRETTY WOMAN"( 17:31 ), Piano Quintet in A Major, D. 667 "The Trout": II. Andante - from "SHERLOCK HOLMES 2" ( 21:17 ), Mozart - Clarinet Concerto in A Major, K. 622: II. Adagio - from "OUT OF AFRICA" ( 24:43 ); Beethoven - Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, Op. 125 "Choral": IV (Inno alla gioia) - from "A CLOCKWORK ORANGE" ( 31:43 ); Beethoven - Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 27 No. 2 "Moonlight Sonata": I. Adagio sostenuto - from "IL PIANISTA" ( 56:58 ); Wagner - The Valkyrie, WWV 86B, III: "The Ride of the Valkyries" - from "APOCALYPSE NOW" ( 01:01:07 );Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake, Act II, Op. 20: No. 10, Scene - from "IL CIGNO NERO" ( 01:07:06 ) and Offenbach -- Barcarolle - from "LA VITA È BELLA" ( 01:10:07).
Finally for this Friday is a comely collection of sizzling sexiness in this week's edition of Naked or Nearly So. Thanks for sharing a part of your Friday with me. Be sure to check in over the weekend for the expanded Best of the Web This Week photo review I promised you last Friday. Until next time as always, Enjoy!
( 05:35 ); Liszt - Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 - from "SHINE" ( 07:13 ); Verdi - La traviata Act I Preludio - from "PRETTY WOMAN"( 17:31 ), Piano Quintet in A Major, D. 667 "The Trout": II. Andante - from "SHERLOCK HOLMES 2" ( 21:17 ), Mozart - Clarinet Concerto in A Major, K. 622: II. Adagio - from "OUT OF AFRICA" ( 24:43 ); Beethoven - Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, Op. 125 "Choral": IV (Inno alla gioia) - from "A CLOCKWORK ORANGE" ( 31:43 ); Beethoven - Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 27 No. 2 "Moonlight Sonata": I. Adagio sostenuto - from "IL PIANISTA" ( 56:58 ); Wagner - The Valkyrie, WWV 86B, III: "The Ride of the Valkyries" - from "APOCALYPSE NOW" ( 01:01:07 );Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake, Act II, Op. 20: No. 10, Scene - from "IL CIGNO NERO" ( 01:07:06 ) and Offenbach -- Barcarolle - from "LA VITA È BELLA" ( 01:10:07).
Finally for this Friday is a comely collection of sizzling sexiness in this week's edition of Naked or Nearly So. Thanks for sharing a part of your Friday with me. Be sure to check in over the weekend for the expanded Best of the Web This Week photo review I promised you last Friday. Until next time as always, Enjoy!
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