AFER Looks Back On 2013

Clip recap:

In 2013, AFER took our case against Prop 8 to the US Supreme Court. Standing with us was an unprecedented groundswell of support, including you. It was the first time a marriage case for gay and lesbian Americans had ever been briefed before the nation's highest court. And we won. Gay and lesbian couples can now get married in the most populous state in America. We made sure people know the truth about marriage equality. Our play, "8," based on the landmark Prop 8 trial, has been a huge success. But our work continues. Sixty-three percent of the nation lives in a state without marriage equality. Without legal representation. Without respect. Without dignity. AFER continues to fight for marriage equality in federal court with a case in Virginia. Our Plaintiffs are two couples. They are represented by two of the nation's best attorneys. We can win, but we need your support. Stand on the right side of history.

(Via Towleroad)

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Posted in: AFER,LGBT History,marriage equality

BRITAIN: Computer Genius Alan Turing Granted Posthumous Pardon

The British government today granted a royal pardon to Alan Turing, the computer genius who committed suicide after being chemically castrated following a conviction for homosexuality.

The brilliant mathematician, who played a major role in breaking the Enigma code – which arguably shortened the war by at least two years – has been granted a pardon under the Royal Prerogative of Mercy by the Queen, following a request from the justice secretary, Chris Grayling. Turing was considered to be the father of modern computer science and was most famous for his work in helping to create the "bombe" that cracked messages enciphered with the German Enigma machines. He was convicted of gross indecency in 1952 after admitting a sexual relationship with a man. He was given experimental chemical castration as a "treatment". His criminal record resulted in the loss of his security clearance and meant he was no longer able to work for Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), where he had been employed following service at Bletchley Park during the war. He died of cyanide poisoning in 1954, aged 41.

More from the Guardian:

Liberal Democrat peer Lord Sharkey, who introduced the private member's bill in the House of Lords, said: "This has demonstrated wisdom and compassion. It has recognised a very great British hero and made some amends for the cruelty and injustice with which Turing was treated. "It's a wonderful thing, but we are not quite finished yet. I will continue to campaign for all those convicted as Turing was, simply for being gay, to have their convictions disregarded. That will be a proper and fitting and final end to the Turing story." Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said the royal pardon was long overdue, but also due to "another 50,000-plus men who were also convicted of consenting, victimless homosexual relationships during the 20th century".

RELATED: Filming began in September for the Turing biopic, The Imitation Game.

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Posted in: Alan Turing,Britain,computers,LGBT History

UTAH: Salt Lake City Mayor Performs Wedding For Gay State Senator

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Posted in: gay politicians,gay weddings,LGBT History,marriage equality,Salt Lake City,Utah

Utah's First Gay Marriage Has Happened!

There is no waiting period in Utah. Couples that wish to marry there might want to do so immediately, as many expect the state to rush an appeal for a stay to the Tenth Circuit Court.

Via the Q Salt Lake:

Michael Adam Ferguson and J. Seth Anderson may well be Utah’s first gay couple to legally marry in the state of Utah. The couple, hearing that U.S. District Judge Robert J. Shelby has declared Utah’s Amendment 3 as unconstitutional, went to Salt Lake County Clerk Sherrie Swensen’s office asking for a marriage license. Deputy Salt Lake County Clerk Wany Morrison was in tears as she handed the couple their license to marry. As the couple was awaiting an officiant, Morrison told the couple she would marry them, but was pulled out of the ceremony by Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill, who said he wanted to wait on official notice from the state. QSaltLake reporter Bob Henline, who is also an official marriage officiant, married the couple on the spot.

Congrats Michael and Seth!

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Posted in: LGBT History,marriage equality,Utah

New Board Game: That's So Gay

Via press release:

That's So Gay! A Game of LGBTQ Discovery, a new trivia game, is available in time for the holidays. Featuring more than 2,400 questions of LGBTQ history and current events, the game can be played by two or more people and is ideal for parties and social events. The phrase "That's so gay!" has been used mostly in a negative context for decades. Some people use it as a way to attack or vilify the community, and others use it in fun, not realizing the damage it can do. As with the reclaiming of negative words and phrases such as "queer," this game seeks to turn "That's so gay!" into a positive opportunity to educate LGBTQs and allies, and even those people who use the phrase as an attack.

The game is on sale here.

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Posted in: games,LGBT History,pop culture

Quote Of The Day - Edith Windsor

"I am honored that Time chose me as one of the number 3 individuals in the top 5 nominees for ‘Person of the Year,’ but I am just one person who was part of the extraordinary and on-going fight for marriage equality for all our families. There are thousands of people who helped us come this far and we still have a lot more work to do. The gay community is my ‘person of the year’ and I look forward to continuing to fight for equal rights and educate the public about our lives alongside my gay brothers and sisters and our allies. Even without taking the ‘Person of the Year’ even being in the top 5 is an extraordinary way to end a year that has been historic for all of us and truly spectacular for me and gave me the chance to tell my story via Time through an interview and audio interview with photo slideshow. Thea would be thrilled, proud and so happy to see what we have all accomplished together." - Edith Windsor, via email. (The link goes to Windsor's just-launched website, which chronicles her life and the battle to overturn DOMA.)

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Posted in: Edith Windsor,LGBT History,Time Magazine

TIME Names Pope Francis Person Of The Year, Edith Windsor Ranked Third

TIME Magazine today named Pope Francis as its person of the year.  In second place is Edward Snowden, with DOMA champion Edith Windsor placing third.  Syrian President Bashar Assad is ranked fourth, and Tea Party hero Ted Cruz finished out the top five.  Has TIME previously revealed the runners-up in this manner?

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Posted in: 2013 in review,Catholic Church,DOMA,Edith Windsor,LGBT History,Pope Francis,Time Magazine

The Marriage Movement In One Gif

Note the avalanche of constitutional bans during the 2004-2006 reign of Ken Mehlman as RNC chairman. (Via JMG reader Win)

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Posted in: LGBT History,LGBT rights,marriage equality