West Virginia drops gay marriage ban

[theHandpuppet]

Celebrate!!

The Charleston Gazette
Thursday, October 9, 2014
West Virginia drops gay marriage ban
By Erin Beck Staff writer

Same-sex couples and civil rights advocates celebrated a historic victory Thursday after West Virginia government officials said they no longer would fight efforts to allow couples of the same gender to marry in the state.

Shortly after 1 p.m., Attorney General Patrick Morrisey said his office would not defend against the lawsuit challenging the state’s same-sex marriage ban and Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin said he would direct state agencies to follow the law as interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court, which recently refused to hear appeals of several challenges to marriage bans in other states.

A few hours later, clerks in some counties were giving marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples.

“Our state is known for its kindness and hospitality to residents and visitors alike,” Tomblin said in his statement. “I encourage all West Virginians — regardless of their personal beliefs — to uphold our statewide tradition of treating one another with dignity and respect.” -

See more at: http://www.wvgazette.com/article/20141009/GZ01/141009221/1419#sthash.4z4kq8FP.dpuf

[WhiteAndNerdy]

1. Yay!

I have roots in West Virginia . . . this makes me happy.

[Behind the Aegis]

2. If y'all had just waited a week! LOL!

CONGRATS!!! What a wonderful one week anniversary gift (well, a day early)!!!

[theHandpuppet]

4. Yeah, we know!

We just got so tired of waiting with no guarantee when the ban would be lifted. Still, I'm so happy for all my LGBT brothers and sisters in WV!

What do you call a week's anniversary when you've already been together for 24 years? I think we're going to have to come up with a whole new anniversary system for folks like us.

Here's our photo that you liked -- to think this is what terrifies the "family values" folks. There's nothing here to hate or fear.

[okasha]

7. What a beautiful photo.

Congratulations, Handpuppet.

[theHandpuppet]

10. Thank you!

And many thanks to the gracious people of Maryland who made it possible.

[Behind the Aegis]

8. Love that pic!

You are right about a new system of "anniversaries" though. When my partner becomes my husband, do we start back at zero? We have been together for 13 years. Aw hell, I will look at it as another day for gifts and lavishment.

[theHandpuppet]

12. We're just going to call it our 24th anniversary, which it truly is

That way we can expect some nifty gifts for our 25th! (Just kidding.)

So what are your wedding plans now?

[Behind the Aegis]

14. We are still discussing plans.

My partner is concerned about blowback. Though he has an androgynous name, he is still concerned we could become targets. We aren't in a huge city. Hell, to cross from one side to the other, if you hit all the lights, takes 8 minutes! There is no place in town that is more than 15 minutes away. I will say most people who "suspect" about us have asked if we set a date. The 'common' folk are much less uptight than many would think.

[CaptainTruth]

38. That picture is so beautiful, you just brought a tear to my eye.

I've always believed marriage should be based on love. Seems like the right wing & religious folks think it should be based on sex.

To me, it degrades marriage to define it in terms of sex rather than in terms of love.

[Ms. Toad]

39. You just have lots of anniversaries.

We've got 4 so far. The one we've used for 33 years. The one (13 years later minus 1 day) celebrating our faith community accepting our marriage. The one I can't even remember (about 10 years after the second anniversary) when we were legally married. The one last year when the Federal government recognized our marriage. And soon, I hope, the final one when our state recognizes our marriage.

[hifiguy]

45. Very sweet!

Congratulations and all the best wishes!! Live long, healthy and well together for many years!

[merrily]

48. Just have as many anniversaries as you want.

First date.

First time you said "I love you."

Date you began living together.

Marriage ceremony anniversary.

Whatever was meaningful to you, celebrate it.

Best wishes.

[sheshe2]

53. Wonderful photo.

Your rings are beautiful, you were finally able to come full circle, theHandpuppet.

Again congratulation to you both.

And to WV as well!

[arcane1]

3. The Governor of West Virginia said that. Wow.

“Our state is known for its kindness and hospitality to residents and visitors alike,” Tomblin said in his statement. “I encourage all West Virginians — regardless of their personal beliefs — to uphold our statewide tradition of treating one another with dignity and respect.”

If we can't get rid of racism/sexism/homophobia completely, at least we're making it unpopular, and at full speed!!!!

[Behind the Aegis]

5. This is what our esteemed Oklahoma governor, Mary Fallin, had to say:

"In 2004, voters had an opportunity to decide whether or not to allow same-sex marriage in Oklahoma. Seventy-six percent voted not to, and to instead define marriage as the union between one man and one woman. I was one of the many voters who cast my ballot in favor of traditional marriage. Today's ruling is another instance of federal courts ignoring the will of the people and trampling on the right of states to govern themselves. In this case, two judges have acted to overturn a law supported by Oklahomans. Their decision will be appealed and, I hope, overturned. As governor, I will continue to fight back against our federal government when it seeks to ignore or change laws written and supported by Oklahomans."

source

[theHandpuppet]

9. Human rights should never be put up for a vote.

I'm sorry your governor is such a bigoted ass.

[Behind the Aegis]

11. You should see her polticial ads.

One doesn't know whether to howl in laughter or cry in despair. She "beat back Obama's liberal agenda!"

[theHandpuppet]

13. Why is Oklahoma so red?

I don't get it. Perhaps you can share some insights.

[Behind the Aegis]

15. I honestly don't know.

I have lived here off and on since 1999, but the state is very conservative. Tulsa has some very liberal blood, and there are some other areas too, mostly with universities, but this is a VERY religious state. I about shit my pants and drove off the road when I was driving back from OKC one time because once you hit Edmond, there is a 4-story cross on the side of the highway. Because of the time of day/night, and the fact it was lit, the sun hit in a way that, at first glance, made it look like it was on fire! Gay Jew sees giant burning cross?! Yeah, I was a little freaked out, til I realized it wasn't on fire and part of church. The only other time I was that freaked out on an Oklahoma highway was when we were, again, coming home from OKC and saw the tornado hunters pulling off the road, only to realize a tornado was forming above us on the highway. Who knew a 1987 Pontiac could do 100 miles an hour?! It probably normally doesn't, but it did that day!

[theHandpuppet]

18. Gay Jew sees giant burning cross?!

[demigoddess]

42. agree, some things should not be voted on

saying that, i was so happy to be able to vote for marriage equality in our state--as a statement of where we stand today--against discrimination.

[theHandpuppet]

6. WV is run by Democrats

DINOs they may be but even they can see the handwriting's on the wall.

[arcane1]

20. I think it's the coal association that makes them seem republican.

Heck, I'm from Virginia, and always thought that WV was more conservatives.

Ah, what stereotypes and media can do, even when we're looking for it. Thank you for your post!

[theHandpuppet]

23. We've always found WV to be more accepting

We lived in western Virginia for several years and there are places there that are downright scary. Very xenophobic. In one small town the local KKK, in the middle of the night, left a letter on our doorstep within a week of us being there. Beautiful country but I would never want to live there again.

[Botany]

16. no going back now ..... W VA can be drop dead beautiful

all 50 states might very well have the right to marry who you love by 2015

[WhiteAndNerdy]

17. It can't be, but --

that reminds me of Babcock State Park, near Rainelle. I loved that place as a kid.

[theHandpuppet]

19. Before they completed the turnpike, driving around there in the winter...

... was a white knuckle experience. Traveling from Virginia to Ohio, I had to exit the interstate at Sam Black Church and travel through the mountains and Rainelle. After about 60 miles of driving a course that would make a modern roller coaster seem like a snooze I'd finally come down from the mountains just south of Charleston. I don't miss those winter drives on the backroads -- I think they took about 20 years off my life. Gorgeous country but I sure as hell wouldn't want to be stuck there in winter.

[WhiteAndNerdy]

21. I know what you mean.

On my fourteenth birthday, my family got stuck in an ice storm not far from there and nearly went over the hillside at one point. I had this awful looping nightmare all night. I loved visiting, but I'm glad I didn't live there year-round.

[theHandpuppet]

24. I hear you.

I know when I'd drive those roads in winter you could always tell where the bad spots were because there'd be a set of tire tracks that simply disappeared over the side of a mountain!

[Botany]

22. Old US 33 going from Buckhannon to Elkins WVA used to be a bastard in the winter

it is now a breeze on a 4 lane freeway

[theHandpuppet]

25. I have to say I do like the modern roads

It's not as scenic but who can enjoy the scenery if you're trying like hell not to drive off the side of a mountain, anyway?

[awoke_in_2003]

28. great pic...

I wish I could rec this, and give the OP another rec.

[shenmue]

26. Yay!

[awoke_in_2003]

27. WV is ahead of my native Ohio on this?

"Almost heaven, West Virginia". As an Ohioan, I take back all of my WV jokes. K&R

[Fearless]

29. A welcome surprise!!

[rpannier]

30. Scratch West Virginia off the Hucksters new residence

At the rate it's going, he'll be stuck moving to Russia or a western Asian country

[SoapBox]

33. I would like to ship his worthless ass to Somalia.

[rpannier]

35. By dog sled

or 8th class postage
That's where they dump the box in the ocean and let the tides carry it

[SoapBox]

36. Excellent shipping idea!

[Cha]

31. Wow! So Happy for you in West Virginia, tHp!

[vlyons]

32. onward to cannabis legalization

The culture wars are giving ground this week

marriage equality - check
fair voter laws - half a check
legalize recreational pot >>> onward
equal pay for women >>>

[SoapBox]

34. Great news!

They're falling like dominos...and the world still goes round and round.

[JI7]

37. this would be like Massachusetts banning same sex marriage

that would be a sign of how tough the battle will be for supporters and how far we still have to go.

WV ending the ban means it's opponents of equal rights who have lost.

[bluestateguy]

40. You shut your mouth and comply with the law

nt

[demigoddess]

41. I am

[morningfog]

43. Marriage equality is no longer a political wedge issue.

It is great to watch the speed of its national arrival.

[merrily]

47. But the religious right will remember that Democrats led the fight and there's still abortion.

Still the fewer cultural issues, the more maybe, maybe the parties will have to focus on other issues.

[Kath1]

44. That is so cool!

So happy for you in West Virginia!

Brought the laptop out here on the porch to smoke a cigarette, have a gass of wine and check out DU. Hoisting my glass right now in celebration!

[Heather MC]

46. Come on VA this is getting embarrassing, now WVA has marriage equality and we don't ugghhhhh

[Rhythm]

50. Except you DO...

The SCOTUS punt of the US 4th Circuit's overturn of Virginia's prohibition means y'all are in the 'equality club' too!

Heck, y'all we were here BEFORE us!

[jalan48]

49. Environment

Now if West Virginians can only do something about the big corporations ruining their environment. Gay or straight they all have to drink the water and breathe the air.

[Rhythm]

51. My county starts issuing marriage licenses tomorrow!!!

I just want to go hang out at the courthouse downtown and be a freelance witness for those rushing to tie the knot!!!

[crystal dawn]

52. Yay!

We get something right every now and then.