Monday December 14, 2009

Getting married twice has become a reality for some same-sex couples. They hold one public ceremony to celebrate their union and another in a state or province that legally allows their union.
Two Michigan State University law professors suggest that e-marriage is the solution. With e-marriage, Professors Adam Candeub and Mae Kuykendall, can apply for a marriage license online and then hold one ceremony for family and friends at home. Currently, only
four states allow same-sex marriage (New Hampshire's law takes affect January 1). However, some states that don't allow gay marriage grant rights to couples legally married elsewhere. An online marriage license would expedite that process.
"What we're arguing for is that states should formalize in their laws what they've always been doing in smaller degrees in specific areas, which is, allow people outside their states to use their laws," Candeub told
NPR.
More after the jump.
Monday December 14, 2009

Kathy Belge, the guide over at Lesbian Life, About.com Gay Life's sister site, had an interesting conversation with a friend last week concerning
Uganda's anti-homosexuality bill. Could it happen here, she asked?
"I was saying to the friend that I am often fearful that legislation like that could be passed in the United States," Kathy writes. "Especially if it were up to the public to vote. She said she didn't think Americans would pass such a law. Whereas, I don't think Americans would pass a law to put gays to death, I do think that some people would vote to criminalize homosexuality."
What do you think? Sure, gay marriage initiatives have failed recently in New York and Maine, but would Americans go as far as criminalizing homosexuality?
More on Lesbian Life
Monday December 14, 2009

Good news from Texas over the weekend. On Saturday,
Houston (pop. 2.2 million) became the
largest city to elect a lesbian mayor. City controller Annise Parker, 56, beat fellow Democrat Gene Locke in a race that was more memorable for its historical outcome than a fiery race.
Could this be a turn for Texas?
Parker's race was more about her fiscal plans for the city than her sexuality, the success of which could focus conservative and moderate voters to the issues at hand and away from factors—like a politician's sexuality— that are immaterial to the job at hand.
Providence, R.I., Portland, Ore., and Cambridge, Mass. also have openly LGBT mayors.
Friday December 11, 2009

This week Facebook began rolling out
new privacy settings to its millions of users.
If you frequently Facebook like I do, then there are a few things you should know about how these changes affect your privacy. Jared Newman over at
PC World has compiled a list of the
good and bad things about Facebook's new settings.
One thing I'd like to add: Facebook's new privacy settings make it easier for other (and by others, I mean the whole world) to see your friends and any information you may not specifically block. Remember,
Facebook can out you. So, before you update your status and start posting again, read through the new
Facebook privacy settings and decide what level of privacy works best for you.