Church protests marriage ban
Ohio. com reports clergy at a church in Cleveland are protesting the state’s ban on gay marriage by refusing to sign all state marriage licenses.
Ministers at Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ say they won’t sign the licenses until gay unions are legal in Ohio.
Heterosexual couples exchanging wedding vows at the church will need an additional civil ceremony by a justice of the peace or a judge to make their union legal.
The move was approved by an overwhelming voice vote during a recent congregational meeting.
Head pastor Rev. John Tamilio III calls it a civil-rights protest.
ESPN pulls offensive ad
The Advocate.com reports ESPN has removed an ad featuring Shaquille O’Neal and sports commentator Mike Breen some found homophobic.
ESPN pulled the ad under pressure from organizations like GLAAD and the Human Rights Campaign, who voiced offense at its homophobic tone. The spot shows O’Neal rejecting a fist bump from Breen after Breen called it a “fist kiss.” O’Neal moves away from Breen and says, “No fist kiss, no fist love, no fist hump. None of that. You’re a weirdo, man. Stay over there. Fist kiss. Disgusting.”
“Our intent is to send a positive message about the camaraderie of sports and to do so as creatively as we can,” the network said in a statement. “However, we understand your perspective on this ad and would like to apologize to the members of the gay community.”
Mass. lesbian couple divorcing
365gay.com reports the lesbian couple whose fight to marry led to a court ruling that opened same-sex marriage in Massachusetts has filed for divorce.
Hillary and Julie Goodridge have split up and petitioned Suffolk Probate and Family Court to end their marriage.
In April 2001, the Goodridges went to court seeking the right to marry. The case reached the state’s highest court in 2003. In a 4-3 decision, the court ruled that a proposed civil-union bill was insufficient and that gay couples could no longer be excluded from civil-marriage rights.
When the Goodridges married after the ruling took effect in 2004, they had been together for nearly 20 years.
Hillary, 52, and Julie, 51, share custody of their 12-year-old daughter, Annie.