Only two days remain before the big move day on Thursday. The excitement is building to its crescendo and I almost feel like a kid waiting on Christmas. However, the move will become even more real later this morning when I go sign the lease and pick up the keys to the new place. I have run out of things to pre-pack, leaving only a few bathroom essentials, perishable and non perishable food stuffs, the basic core cooking utensils , my desk and computer and the disassembling of the sofa to be accomplished early move day morning before I go pick up the truck. I may even drop some of the boxes I have already packed off in the new place when I go over to sign the lease in a little while. I am really anxious to get this thing done and be rid of the problems at our present location, it seems like time can not pass quickly enough.
In the news yesterday, a lawsuit was filed in North Carolina challenging that state's ban on same sex marriages passed in 2012. While many states' bans are being challenged in state and federal courts, in NC, for the first time the main plaintiff in the lawsuit is a church claiming violation of its religious liberty to perform marriages for same sex couples. The General Synod (leadership body) of the United Church of Christ declared publicly in 2005 its support for Marriage Equality. Jake Sussman, a partner at Tin Fulton Walker & Owen and lead counsel in the suit said in a statement: “In addition to bringing 14th Amendment claims under equal protection and due process, this lawsuit introduces a First Amendment claim that the marriage ban in North Carolina violates the right to the free exercise of religious beliefs by denominations, clergy, and congregants who believe that same-sex marriages are theologically valid and want to perform marriage ceremonies.”
There are two key provision of the NC law banning Marriage Equality. The first is the ban itself: “Marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State. This section does not prohibit a private party from entering into contracts with another private party; nor does this section prohibit courts from adjudicating the rights of private parties pursuant to such contracts.” This section is pretty much standard fare across the board for the anti-Gay crowd: deny LGBT's their equal rights and force them to unnecessarily expend funds on legal fees in order to protect themselves and their families.
The second section being challenged prohibits clergy from performing any ceremony of marriage without a marriage license having been obtained and lawyers for the plaintiffs say those laws prohibit clergy from performing religious marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples, even where allowed by their church and religious beliefs. As such, they argue, those restrictions violate their religious liberty. This adds a unique element to the usual challenges being pursued in states nation wide. “The core protection of the First Amendment is that government may not regulate religious beliefs or take sides in religious controversies,” said Jonathan Martel, a partner at Arnold & Porter LLP and one of the counsels in the case. “Marriage performed by clergy is a spiritual exercise and expression of faith essential to the values and continuity of the religion that government may regulate only where it has a compelling interest.”
The UCC is joined by several other clergy from across the state, including Rev. Joe Hoffman of First Congregational United Church of Christ in Asheville, N.C.; Rev. Nathan King of Trinity United Church of Christ in Concord, N.C.; and Rev. Nancy Kraft of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Charlotte, N.C., among other church leaders. “As senior minister, I am often asked to perform marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples in my congregation,” Rev. Hoffman said. “My denomination — the United Church of Christ — authorizes me to perform these ceremonies. But Amendment One denies my religious freedom by prohibiting me from exercising this right.”
There are also six same sex couples who are plaintiffs in the lawsuit in addition to UCC and members of clergy. Many of the couples are members of the more than 150 UCC congregations in NC. It is certainly a first for the Marriage Equality movement for a church to take the lead in a legal challenge to a state constitutional ban. And it is about damn time, too. I applaud the UCC, the various clergy and the six couples in the lawsuit. I also wish them success in their pursuit for justice and equality in NC.
Your Musical Moment for this Tuesday features the Music of Ludwig von Beethoven and the mastery of Daniel Barenboim on the Piano. Barenboim is joined by Claudio Abbado conducting the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra in a live performance of Beethoven's Piano Concerto Number 3 in C Minor, Opus 37. You may also want to hear Barenboim's live performance of Beethoven's 'Pathetique' Sonata Number 8, Opus 13 over on my tumblr.
When I went looking for man art for today's post, I could not decide which theme to use as I kind of mix and match them on Tuesday's anyway. So I decided to gather a few hunks and hotties who would fit in any one or another of my usual thematic displays. On display below the video is therefore this eclectic mix of Random Hotness for your visual appreciation. You may also want to check out the Hottie of the Day! over on my tumblr. Thanks for sharing a part of your day with me, see you again soon. Until next time as always, Enjoy!
In the news yesterday, a lawsuit was filed in North Carolina challenging that state's ban on same sex marriages passed in 2012. While many states' bans are being challenged in state and federal courts, in NC, for the first time the main plaintiff in the lawsuit is a church claiming violation of its religious liberty to perform marriages for same sex couples. The General Synod (leadership body) of the United Church of Christ declared publicly in 2005 its support for Marriage Equality. Jake Sussman, a partner at Tin Fulton Walker & Owen and lead counsel in the suit said in a statement: “In addition to bringing 14th Amendment claims under equal protection and due process, this lawsuit introduces a First Amendment claim that the marriage ban in North Carolina violates the right to the free exercise of religious beliefs by denominations, clergy, and congregants who believe that same-sex marriages are theologically valid and want to perform marriage ceremonies.”
There are two key provision of the NC law banning Marriage Equality. The first is the ban itself: “Marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State. This section does not prohibit a private party from entering into contracts with another private party; nor does this section prohibit courts from adjudicating the rights of private parties pursuant to such contracts.” This section is pretty much standard fare across the board for the anti-Gay crowd: deny LGBT's their equal rights and force them to unnecessarily expend funds on legal fees in order to protect themselves and their families.
The second section being challenged prohibits clergy from performing any ceremony of marriage without a marriage license having been obtained and lawyers for the plaintiffs say those laws prohibit clergy from performing religious marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples, even where allowed by their church and religious beliefs. As such, they argue, those restrictions violate their religious liberty. This adds a unique element to the usual challenges being pursued in states nation wide. “The core protection of the First Amendment is that government may not regulate religious beliefs or take sides in religious controversies,” said Jonathan Martel, a partner at Arnold & Porter LLP and one of the counsels in the case. “Marriage performed by clergy is a spiritual exercise and expression of faith essential to the values and continuity of the religion that government may regulate only where it has a compelling interest.”
The UCC is joined by several other clergy from across the state, including Rev. Joe Hoffman of First Congregational United Church of Christ in Asheville, N.C.; Rev. Nathan King of Trinity United Church of Christ in Concord, N.C.; and Rev. Nancy Kraft of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Charlotte, N.C., among other church leaders. “As senior minister, I am often asked to perform marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples in my congregation,” Rev. Hoffman said. “My denomination — the United Church of Christ — authorizes me to perform these ceremonies. But Amendment One denies my religious freedom by prohibiting me from exercising this right.”
There are also six same sex couples who are plaintiffs in the lawsuit in addition to UCC and members of clergy. Many of the couples are members of the more than 150 UCC congregations in NC. It is certainly a first for the Marriage Equality movement for a church to take the lead in a legal challenge to a state constitutional ban. And it is about damn time, too. I applaud the UCC, the various clergy and the six couples in the lawsuit. I also wish them success in their pursuit for justice and equality in NC.
Your Musical Moment for this Tuesday features the Music of Ludwig von Beethoven and the mastery of Daniel Barenboim on the Piano. Barenboim is joined by Claudio Abbado conducting the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra in a live performance of Beethoven's Piano Concerto Number 3 in C Minor, Opus 37. You may also want to hear Barenboim's live performance of Beethoven's 'Pathetique' Sonata Number 8, Opus 13 over on my tumblr.
When I went looking for man art for today's post, I could not decide which theme to use as I kind of mix and match them on Tuesday's anyway. So I decided to gather a few hunks and hotties who would fit in any one or another of my usual thematic displays. On display below the video is therefore this eclectic mix of Random Hotness for your visual appreciation. You may also want to check out the Hottie of the Day! over on my tumblr. Thanks for sharing a part of your day with me, see you again soon. Until next time as always, Enjoy!
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