What Marriage Means is a project of the Liberty Education Forum

As marriage equality is put to a vote in states all across America, now is the time for a thorough, honest discussion of the issue. Because this debate equality affects us all on a deeply personal, human level that typical political initiatives cannot, it is important to make the case for marriage equality in real terms. What does it mean to the countless men and women who are our friends, family members, colleagues, and fellow citizens? What does it mean to their communities, their families, their faith, and their lives?

In our ongoing effort to promote the message of marriage equality through different media campaigns across the nation, we invite you join this conversation with real people, and to see and hear for yourself what marriage means.

Updates

Same-Sex Federal Employee Couples can apply for Benefits beginning next Month

Gay and Lesbian federal workers can begin applying for same-sex benefits in July. The Office of Personal Management said that President Obama signed a memo that extends some benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees.

 Benefits will now be offered to same-sex domestic partners of eligible federal workers, U.S. Postal workers and federal retirees. The Office of Personal Management will not extend access to opposite-sex domestic partners, because they can obtain the insurance through marriage, “an option not currently available to same-sex domestic partners,” the agency wrote in Tuesday’s Federal Register.

 All same-sex couples must still apply but will not be asked to submit formal documentation of their domestic partnership. Same-sex partners will be asked the same set of health questions as married couples and no one is automatically guaranteed coverage.

Federal ban on Gay Marriage being challenged by Mass. Attorney General

The Massachusetts attorney general, Martha Coakley, asked that a federal court strike down the existing ban on gay marriage. Coakley filed suit against the ban, arguing that the law conflicts with a states individual rights to be able to define marriage or recognize civil unions in each state.  

The 1996 Defense of Marriage Act has been challenged in federal courts twice this month. Arguing that the act is unconstitutional, gay rights groups brought a case before the judge earlier in May. Activists describe that it is unfair to allow benefits to straight couples but not to same-sex couples.

 In Massachusetts., the attorney general’s offices is arguing that it is a state’s right to be able to define marriage. They claim that the Defense of Marriage Act could potentially deny couples Medicaid and several other same-sex couple benefits in Massachusetts.

 Massachusetts has 15,000 same-sex couples that have married in the stated following the 2004 law making marriage legal for same-sex couples. There have been no indications of which side the rulings will favor.

Polls Show Rising Support of Gay and Lesbian People

Gallup reports that the percentage of Americans who view gay relationships as morally acceptable has risen to 52 percent. This is the first instance that this issue has crossed the 50 percent symbolic threshold. Americans are increasingly accepting gay people. Although the numbers of those supporting same-sex marriages has not risen as high, these new reports mark that equality is in sight.  

 The reports also help to reveal the cultural divide in America between conservatives and liberals with a large growing moderate base. The middle ground moderate Americans have made the largest shift in beliefs and acceptance. Moderates are quickly shifting to embrace gay relationships as “morally acceptable.” Their approval jumped to 64 percent, which is up 14 points since 2006.

 The gradual increase and move towards acceptance are huge steps in the efforts for equality. Americans are still less supportive of same-sex marriage compared to gay and lesbian relationships. With continued efforts and work, this growing acceptance will turn into growing equality and support for same-sex marriage.

Marriage Licenses may Hit New Records with Legalization of Same Sex Marriage

Gay and lesbian couples are packing their suitcases and traveling to marriage destinations. Since same sex marriage became legal in places like Iowa and Washington DC, gay men and lesbians are more than happy to take a trip to exchange their vows.

 Officials with the Iowa Department of Public Health released this week that 60 percent of same sex couples married in Iowa since 2009 are from out-of state, the DesMoines Register is reporting.

Same sex marriage became legal in Iowa in April 2009 and since that time, Iowa has handed out around 2,000 marriage licenses but, only 815 are residents of Iowa. The rest traveled from surrounding states.  Of the couples getting married in Iowa, 728 were gay, and 1,292 were lesbian.

 Washington DC is reporting similar findings. The District of Columbia is reporting that with the legalization of same sex marriage, the district is headed towards issuing four times as many marriage licenses this year than in 2009, reports WTOP News. The large spike in numbers comes after same sex marriage went into effect in March.

 Both Iowa and Washington DC are destinations for same sex couples to take a trip to and say “I do.” They are the first regions in their surrounding areas to allow same sex marriage causing the recent flood of couples.

President of Portugal to Ratify Gay Marriage

This week Portugal’s President Anibal Cavaco Silva made the announcement that he is ratifying the country’s law, permitting gay marriage. This would make Portugal the sixth European country to allow same-sex marriage.

 After political parties failed to reach an agreement on the issue, President Cavaco Silva decided that Portugal needed to shift focus to the economic crises and rising unemployment. His decision overturns the previous stipulation that marriage is between two people of different sexes.  

 ”Given that fact, I feel I should not contribute to a pointless extension of this debate, which would only serve to deepen the divisions between the Portuguese and divert the attention of politicians away from the grave problems affecting us,” Cavaco Silva said.

 Portugal lifted a law prohibiting same-sex relations in the 1980s and allowed civil unions in 2001. The President’s ratification would build on same-sex couples’ rights to include the ability to take each other’s last names and inherit processions and state pensions. Gay and lesbian rights advocates will continue to work for same-sex couple parental rights including adoption.

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