In an announcement Friday Morning, US Attorney General Eric Holder stated that the Federal Government would recognize as valid the 300 legally married same sex couples in Michigan who married in the small window in which they were allowed to do so. This lessens the limbo into which they were placed with Rick the Dick declared that Michigan would not recognize those marriages as valid pending adjudication of the appeal filed on the ruling striking down Michigan's ban on Marriage Equality. The 300 couples are now eligible for all Federal benefits accrued by any married couple in the US. Attorney General Holder released the following statement after receiving a letter from six Democratic Congressmen who requested he recognize the 300 legal marriages:
“Last June’s decision by the Supreme Court in United States v. Windsor
was a victory for equal protection under the law and a historic step
toward equality for all American families," Holder said. "The Department
of Justice continues to work with its federal partners to implement
this decision across the government. And we will remain steadfast in
our commitment to realizing our country’s founding ideals of equality,
opportunity, and justice for all.”
This is very good news for those whose rights are being denied by Michigan although they are legally married in that state. I have no doubt that eventually all loving couples in Michigan will be able to unite in civil matrimony, it is just a matter of time before the arc of justice bends enough to include them.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the pond, same sex couples gained the rights and privileges of civil matrimony accrued by all legally married couples at midnight local time in the UK. Prime Minister David Cameron, head of the UK's Conservative Party penned an exclusive OpEd for the Pink News regarding this momentous occasion which I have re posted below.
"This weekend is an important moment for our country. For the first time, the couples getting married won’t just include men and women – but men and men; and women and women. After all the campaigning – not least by readers of PinkNews – we will at last have equal marriage in our country. Put simply, in Britain it will no longer matter whether you are straight or gay – the State will recognise your relationship as equal.
This is something that has been very important to me. I have been so lucky to find the most incredible lifelong partner in Sam and our marriage has been a very special part of the commitment we have made to each other. Of course any marriage takes work, requires patience and understanding, give and take – but what it gives back in terms of love, support, stability and happiness is immeasurable. That is not something that the State should ever deny someone on the basis of their sexuality. When people’s love is divided by law, it is the law that needs to change.
The introduction of same-sex civil marriage says something about the sort of country we are. It says we are a country that will continue to honour its proud traditions of respect, tolerance and equal worth. It also sends a powerful message to young people growing up who are uncertain about their sexuality. It clearly says ‘you are equal’ whether straight or gay. That is so important in trying to create an environment where people are no longer bullied because of their sexuality – and where they can realise their potential, whether as a great mathematician like Alan Turing, a star of stage and screen like Sir Ian McKellen or a wonderful journalist and presenter like Clare Balding.
The campaign for equal marriage brought many people together – gay and straight, in and outside Parliament – and it is right to recognise them for their work. People like Mike Freer, Guy Black, Peter Tatchell, Benjamin Cohen and Tina Stowell; campaigns such as Freedom to Marry, the Coalition for Equal Marriage, Out4Marriage and Lobby-a-Lord; colleagues from across the political spectrum; and the Ministerial and Civil Service team who did such a good job on it.
Together we should be proud to live in a country judged to be the best place to live in Europe if you are lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans. But we should equally be far from complacent about the challenges that remain – and I am just as committed as ever to working with you to challenge attitudes and stamp-out homophobic bullying and hate crimes.
We are a nation that is growing stronger economically because of our long term economic plan. But I hope we can also be a country that is growing stronger socially because we value love and commitment equally. Let us raise a toast to that – and all those getting married this weekend."
This is something that has been very important to me. I have been so lucky to find the most incredible lifelong partner in Sam and our marriage has been a very special part of the commitment we have made to each other. Of course any marriage takes work, requires patience and understanding, give and take – but what it gives back in terms of love, support, stability and happiness is immeasurable. That is not something that the State should ever deny someone on the basis of their sexuality. When people’s love is divided by law, it is the law that needs to change.
The introduction of same-sex civil marriage says something about the sort of country we are. It says we are a country that will continue to honour its proud traditions of respect, tolerance and equal worth. It also sends a powerful message to young people growing up who are uncertain about their sexuality. It clearly says ‘you are equal’ whether straight or gay. That is so important in trying to create an environment where people are no longer bullied because of their sexuality – and where they can realise their potential, whether as a great mathematician like Alan Turing, a star of stage and screen like Sir Ian McKellen or a wonderful journalist and presenter like Clare Balding.
The campaign for equal marriage brought many people together – gay and straight, in and outside Parliament – and it is right to recognise them for their work. People like Mike Freer, Guy Black, Peter Tatchell, Benjamin Cohen and Tina Stowell; campaigns such as Freedom to Marry, the Coalition for Equal Marriage, Out4Marriage and Lobby-a-Lord; colleagues from across the political spectrum; and the Ministerial and Civil Service team who did such a good job on it.
Together we should be proud to live in a country judged to be the best place to live in Europe if you are lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans. But we should equally be far from complacent about the challenges that remain – and I am just as committed as ever to working with you to challenge attitudes and stamp-out homophobic bullying and hate crimes.
We are a nation that is growing stronger economically because of our long term economic plan. But I hope we can also be a country that is growing stronger socially because we value love and commitment equally. Let us raise a toast to that – and all those getting married this weekend."
Congratulations to all the loving couples in the UK who may now marry the person whom they love regardless of orientation and have that union be legally recognized across the entire country.
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This week on Saturday at the Symphony, we continue our exploration of the complete Symphony cycle of Ludwig von Beethoven through the classic recordings of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Hans Schmidt Isserstedt. Today we have oen of my two favorites (Numbers 5 and 9) of Beethoven's Symphonies and one of his most popular, the 1967 recording of Symphony Number 5, Opus 67. In conjunction as we have from the beginning of this exploration, you may hear the 1968 recording of Beethoven's Symphony Number 6, Opus 68 over on my tumblr.
Then to brighten your weekend and mine, on display below the video is a little collection of hunks and hotties who are Naked or Nearly So for your visual appreciation. Be sure to check out the Hottie of the Day! for additional inspiration over on my tumblr. Thanks for sharing a part of your weekend with me, see you again on Monday for another week of Music, Men and More! Until next time as always, Enjoy!
Then to brighten your weekend and mine, on display below the video is a little collection of hunks and hotties who are Naked or Nearly So for your visual appreciation. Be sure to check out the Hottie of the Day! for additional inspiration over on my tumblr. Thanks for sharing a part of your weekend with me, see you again on Monday for another week of Music, Men and More! Until next time as always, Enjoy!
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