You can Finally Legally Marry

If you live in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa or Vermont, gay marriage is legal. Couples who have waited for a long time to have that right are now planning extravagant gay weddings. The fact that they fought so hard for their marriage to be recognized legally is a reason to go all out. There have been a number of celebrity gay weddings in the past two years that have set the standard for these special unions.

The planning process starts with selecting engagement rings. There are some unique designs that are available for gay couples that incorporate symbols of the gay rights movement into the ring design. A favorite choice is a ring with multi-colored stones representing a rainbow. There are also beautiful designs that incorporate the symbols of Mercury or Venus which have come to represent gay men or lesbian women.

When Ellen DeGeneres proposed to Portia de Rossi, she presented her with a sparkling engagement ring made out of pink diamonds. The main stone is a marquis shaped diamond which is surrounded by smaller pink diamonds in a setting designed by Neil Lane. The main stone is 3 carats and the setting is platinum.

There are several other celebrity gay couples who have thrown lavish weddings. Singer Melissa Ethridge and actress Tammy Lynn Michaels went the route of a civil union because they did not want to wait for gay marriage to be legalized in California. George Takei of Star Trek fame did wait for the law to change and in 2008 married his long time love interest Brad Altman. The two had been together for over 20 years before finally being able to wed. Rosie O’Donnell was another celebrity to take advantage of the change in California law to be able to marry her partner. She and Kelli Carpenter tied the knot in San Francisco two weeks after the court decision permitting gay marriage, a law that is currently being contested.

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Gay Weddings

Massachusetts is the only state in the United States where gay marriage is legal, but there are also other countries where they allow this such as Canada, Belgium, Sweden, Spain, and South Africa. First, choose where you want to have the wedding. There will probably be some restrictions is you choose to go to another country to get married. Before you decide to have a wedding in another country, you will need to do a lot of research. Also, if you have a wedding in another country legally, your marriage may not be legal in the United States. The laws are different in each state, so you will want to research these laws first.

You will probably have to have a civil wedding, because most churches, if not all of them, will not do gay marriages. A civil marriage is probably your only option. There are other options other than marriage. There are partnerships, civil unions and domestic partnerships also. With any of these, you can also have a lot of the legal benefits of a marriage such as inheritance, insurance plans, unemployment benefits, pensions, and a few other things.

Before you decide to do anything, do your research and talk to your partner about what you think is best for both of you. A gay wedding is just like any other wedding. Choose where the wedding will take place. Make sure it is somewhere legal. After you get married, you will also need to do some research about the laws on gay marriages where you want to live. In some places, even though you were married legally somewhere else, your marriage may not be legal. So if you want to stay married legally, you will need to choose a place where it is legal.

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Never Fear in Boston: Homosexuality Celebrates

Everyone wants community, friendship, a way to identify with what makes you you; but in this day and age, it’s hard to find that commonality, especially…if you’re gay. Take Boston for example: you have your theaters, festivals, museums, libraries, you name it. But it’s all for nothing if you can’t share any of it with no one. A community of like-minded individuals is important to have. A neighborhood that is very pro-homosexuality is essential to a good quality of living.

So if you’re a homosexual, lesbian, trans-gender or transvestite, or bisexual, try and find a place around Boston’s “South End,” known for its heavy population of homosexuals living together as a community should. Boston apartments are known for this in the area, not to mention the bars or nightclubs such as “The Alley” on 14 Pi Alley or the “Fritz Lounge” on 26 Chandler St. Even the drag queens live in luxury right at “Jacque’s Cabaret,” enjoying the lights and love and music of what makes drag so divine.

If clubs aren’t your scene and you want something more outdoor and public, you can actually enjoy the South End part of Boston even better with the premier food festival to stand above all other food festivals, the “Taste of the South End,” an event benefiting the AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts. Of course, you also have the greatest event to celebrate homosexuality in Massachusetts: the Boston Pride Festival and Parade.

Do research and you’ll find there’s even more out there for you and your friends to enjoy without feeling like you’re left out of the crowd or society. Your homosexuality doesn’t have to keep you in the dark. Try these areas out in Boston and appreciate who you are! Who you are is supposed to be grand and unique. Let Boston bring that all out for you.

Filed Under: General

Defending Gay Marriage

A lot of people think that gay marriage should not be allowed. Most people claim their reason is because God does not allow it. Ask the person who is against gay marriage why they believe it should be illegal. Understanding why they think this way will help you defend gay marriage. Tell the person that allowing this will not affect or harm married couples in any way. Tell her that what one couple does has nothing to do with her. She won’t have any way to argue this.

Explain that the bible says that God wants each person to love someone and be loved by someone. Ask the person how they would feel if they couldn’t marry the person they loved. When you are defending gay rights, you will want to do this with respect and patience.

It is tradition that a man marries a woman. But wasn’t it also a tradition that a black person could not marry a white person? Traditions change throughout time and many people dislike the idea of gay marriage because they do not approve of the lifestyle. It is not our place to judge someone else because of his or her lifestyle. We are allowed to choose whom we love and everyone should be given that choice.

If a same sex couple gets married and decides to adopt a child, most likely that child will have a very good life. Obviously, if the couple was committed enough to get married and adopt a child, they really want this and will do anything to make their life together worth the effort. Children who grow up with two parents of the same sex usually come from a very loving family. A lot of people now days have children when they don’t want to or aren’t ready. With same sex couples, they can’t have children on their own so they know they are ready when they decide to have one. Also, the process of adopting a child is very difficult, especially for gay couples, so they will have to be completely committed to their child.

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Same Sex Marriage

There are only a few places for same sex couples to get married. The only place in the United States is Massachusetts. There are also other countries in which it is legal such as Canada, South Africa, Spain, and Belgium. If you are serious about getting married, you will need to travel to some place in which it is legal. You will probably need to do some research. Before you start making plans, you will need to know all the laws about same sex marriage in the place you are looking at.

Before you get married, you might want to discuss whether or not you want to have a prenuptial agreement. If you do, you may want to hire an attorney to word it correctly. You will need to get a marriage license and set a date. Once you have found a location, you will need a license. Then decide if you want either a wedding or a small ceremony. If you choose to have a wedding, you may want to find wedding coordinator that has done same sex marriages previously.

Then pick a place to get married, whether it is a church, a beach, a park, or any other place. Whichever way you choose, do it in the way you think will be perfect for you and your partner.

If you choose to get married somewhere where same sex marriages are illegal, you can still have the ceremony, but the marriage will not be lawful. Even if you get married somewhere where it is legal, if you move somewhere where it is not, your marriage may not be considered lawful.

You have to be 18 or older to get a license or have a judge’s permission to get married just like any other couple wishing to be married. To get a license, you will need to go to a marriage license office, usually a town hall, and fill out an application. There will be a required fee for this. As of now, the only state for gay couples to get married is Massachusetts.

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Making a Difference: Entering the World of LGBT Law

Do you ever wish you could make a difference? Many people see injustice in the world, sparking a passion that sets them on a path to make positive differences. As part of the LGBT community, you’ve most likely come face to face with prejudice or discrimination, or known friends who have.

The topic of same sex marriage, adoption, and relationships are smothered in controversy. They’re also hot political issues that seep heavily into the law. As you watch the nation accept, reject, deny, or even hate members of the LGBT community, you may feel a strong desire to do something about it. You may want to pursue a career in LGBT law.

Preparing for a career in law takes a lot of planning. You’ll begin your studies with other law students whose areas of law specialization will be varied. Your initial years at law school will be the foundation from which you will pursue your LGBT law career path.

As you prepare for entering law school, there are several important things you’ll want to do before you begin submitting applications. These tips will help you get the most out of your education, and help you fulfill your LGBT law careers goals:

  • Law school is a costly investment. Consider taking classes from an online university to save money as you prepare. You can search earnmydegree.com for suitable programs.
  • Not all law schools will offer the courses you need. Prepare a list of schools that offer studies in LGBT law. You can narrow them down depending on certain preferences.
  • If possible, visit each school you’re interested in attending. You can get a feel of the overall campus attitude toward the LGBT community, and speak to other lesbian or gay students and get personal school viewpoints.
  • Speak to each school’s law department on the phone; they’ll be able to provide you with personalized guidance that will help get you started on the right path to LGBT law.
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First Annual NO/AIDS Gay Garage Sale

The First Annual NO/AIDS Gay Garage Sale is giving gays in New Orleans a chance to make their secret bazaar of absolutely fabulous swag publicly available. In the past, hit or miss shopping was really the only option available to you if you wanted the good stuff. Now you can shop with a lot more confidence by buying the swag that you know is fashionable just based on who it was previously owned by. Visit the First Annual NO/AIDS Gay Garage Sale and get some instant insight into what’s hot and what isn’t.

At the First Annual NO/AIDS Gay Garage Sale you are going to find camp, retro, kitsch, high fashion, ironic, vintage, and so much more. There’s no discrimination here. Shoppers are urged to come down and check out everything that is available for sale, taking in everything that the New Orleans fashion scene has to offer. Popular brand names that are in high demand by natives of New Orleans such as Apple Bottom clothing will be easy to find here, along with obscure brands and so much more. The garage sale is going to have a great vibe, and so people are urged just to come down, hang out, and have fun regardless of whether they are doing any shopping.

The First Annual NO/AIDS Gay Garage Sale supports a great cause, and whether you are shopping or participating, there is going to be plenty to do and see. Make some money selling top brands or find some truly amazing bargains. Visitors are also urged just to come out and hang out for drinks and food. Space rental fees and food and beverage proceeds are donated to NO/AIDS and the NO/AIDS Task Force. The First Annual NO/AIDS Gay Garage Sale is held at 527 Julia St. in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Filed Under: Social

LGBT Resources

If you are a member of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) community or someone who advocates for members of the LGBT community, it is helpful to know about resources you can turn to help you in your work.

There are a number of educational and political groups that provide a wealth of information about various LGBT issues. Among them are the National Center for Lesbian Rights, the Transgender Law and Policy Institute and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. These groups provide online information about issues that currently affect the LGBT community, an activist center where individuals can sign up to receive alerts via e-mail, and a donation center where donations can be made securely.

Children of LGBT individuals can find support through organizations such as Children of Lesbian and Gays Everywhere. The group’s website contains family stories, online brochures and information on how to find chapters of the organization nationwide.

If you need legal assistance or information on legal issues that affect the LGBT community, organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Center for Lesbian Rights can help. They provide background on legislation in the areas of housing, adoption, employment, elder laws and marriage.

As you become more knowledgeable about LGBT issues, there are steps you can take to show your support. These include handing out flyers at school or at work, organizing  educational meetings at your place of employment or worship and donating to LGBT organizations such as the ones mentioned above.

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Same-Sex Adoptions

If you and your partner are considering adopting a child, you will first want to become familiar with your state’s same-sex adoption laws. Organizations such as the Human Rights Campaign have information on adoption laws on its website. You can then seek out an adoption agency that has experience guiding same-sex couples through the adoption process.

There are birthmothers who are open to placing their child with a gay or lesbian couple. Contrary to popular belief, it typically doesn’t take longer for same-sex couples to adopt than straight couples. Agencies like the International Adoption Center, which operates a nationwide adoption program, are able to place children with same-sex couples within 6 to 18 months.

Same-sex couples are advised to present themselves to a prospective birthmother in an authentic way. Demonstrate that you, your partner, and other family members have strong and loving relationships. Some birthmothers may have a gay or lesbian relative or support the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender) community and this is why they are open to placing their child with a same-sex couple.

In the event that a prospective birthmother lives in a state where same-sex adoptions aren’t legal, than the adoption is conducted with one member of the adoptive couple as a single parent. Later, you and your partner can jointly adopt your child if same-sex adoptions are legal in your home state.

The journey to adoption is a challenging one for all couples. However, if you do your research ahead of time and approach the process with patience, it won’t be long before you and your partner become new parents.

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Dress Your Best as a Drag Queen

You are fierce and fabulous and now you need to find the best drag queen costume to show off that personality in all its glory.

Your wig will make the look! Drag queens are known for their hairstyles. Many men don’t have the hair to use their natural locks as the whole hairstyle, so wigs are a very important part of the costume. The more flamboyant your hair, the more you will be noticed. If you are going to be using these wigs on a regular basis, you may want to consider purchasing custom-fit wigs. But in any case, make sure that the wig properly fits your head. Another tip that is important for your overall appearance is to make sure that your real hair does not show through around your wig.

Finding the perfect outfit is just as important as your hair. You should decide what persona or personality you want to convey and go from there. Do you want to be a celebrity look-a-like such as Cher, Bette Midler or your favorite star? Or do you want to create your very own individual character? Check out thrift stores and your family and friends closets. You might just find that old prom dress or bridesmaid’s dress is just the perfect start for your costume creation. Add some more beads, bangles and feathers and you are set. There are also many retailers and online costume sites, such as costumeexpress.com, that can give you inspiration and options as well.

Don’t forget the shoes and accessories. These are important parts of any outfit. The taller your shoes, the more length your body will appear to have. Make sure they accentuate the overall look of your gown. You probably don’t want to wear platform running shoes with that designer evening gown. Add jewelry — especially earrings — to finish off your look! The sparklier the better!

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