Partners Task Force for Gay & Lesbian Couples
An International Resource for Same-sex Couples
All families deserve equal treatment. Partners Task Force supports the diverse community of committed gay and
lesbian partners through a variety of media. This Web site contains more than 400 essays, surveys, legal articles and
resources on legal marriage, ceremonies, domestic partner benefits, relationship tips, parenting, and immigration.
Demian, director, Partners Task Force, Box 9685, Seattle, WA 98109-0685
206-935-1206   ||   demian@buddybuddy.com   ||   buddybuddy.com

All contents © 2012, Demian
This copyright notice is a reminder that no article or graphic may be reproduced without permission, excepting for personal
(or student), non-commercial use. Nothing may be copied to any other Web site. For referencing, please see Citation Information.
Table of Contents

• Welcome to Partners
• Special & Timely Notable Articles

July 7, 2011 News Note:
New York State became the 8th U.S. state to offer legal marriage on June 24, 2011.
See: New York Offers Legal Marriage
March 28, 2011 News Note:
It has been reported that the heads of two of the 26 national offices of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that they had temporarily stopped deportations of would-be immigrants who are validly married to their same-sex U.S. citizen spouses. Also, one other office announced that it would begin accepting family sponsorship applications from couples in same-sex marriages.

These changes are likely due to the growing consensus that the courts will find the “Defense of Marriage Act” to be unconstitutional.

Until these USCIS changes, there was no process that allowed a same-sex partner to sponsor a partner for immigration to the U.S.
• Legal Marriage Essays

      Marriage Essays from Partner Task Force       Marriage Essays from Prominent Leaders and Organizations       Arguments Opposing “DoMA” from the Congressional Record and congress member’s Web sites       Arguments Opposing “DoMA” from Community Leaders and Organizations       Arguments Opposing the proposed Federal Marriage Amendment (FMA)       Religious Support for the Legal Right to Marry
• Legal Marriage Data

      Factual Support for the Legal Right to Marry

           Factual Support - Legal Status

           Factual Support - Money       Governments that Offer Legal Marriage       History on the Legal Right to Marry       U.S. Court Findings
  • Hawaii Court Finding (Baehr v. Anderson - was Baehr v. Lewin, then Baehr v. Miike)
        by Judge Kevin S.C. Chang, First Circuit Court, Hawaii, Dec. 3, 1996
        The first major ruling for same-sex marriage; based on sex discrimination.
        A testament to the suitability of gay & lesbian parents to raise children.
  • Alaska Court Finding (Brause v. Alaska)
        by Superior Court Judge Peter A. Michalski, Feb. 27, 1998
        The second U.S. state court ruling in favor of same-sex legal marriage.
        Based on sex discrimination and the right to privacy.
  • Vermont Court Finding (Baker v. State of Vermont)
        by the Vermont Supreme Court, Dec. 20, 1999
        The third U.S. state court finding — same-sex couples must be given the full
        and equal protections, benefits, and responsibilities accorded married couples.
  • Massachusetts Court Finding (Goodridge v. Dept. of Public Health)
        November 18, 2003
        The fourth U.S. state court finding — same-sex couples must be given the full
        and equal protections, benefits, and responsibilities accorded married couples.
  • South Africa Court Finding (Minister of Home Affairs and Another v. Fourie and Another)
        December 1, 2005
        The fifth nation in the world to offer legal marriage to same-sex couples.
  • New York Dissenting Opinion (Hernandez v. Robles)
        by Chief Judge Judith S. Kaye, July 6, 2006
        Makes clear the issues and the justice of allowing legal marriage.
  • Washington State Dissenting Opinion - Bridge (Andersen v. King County)
        by Justice Bobbe J. Bridge, July 26, 2006
        Clarifies the issues and the justice of allowing legal marriage.
  • Washington State Dissenting Opinion - Fairhurst (Andersen v. King County)
        by Justice Mary E. Fairhurst, July 26, 2006
        Expresses outrage at the blatent discrimination against same-sex couples.
  • Iowa District Court Finding (Varnum v. Brien)
        by Judge Robert B. Hanson, August 30, 2007
  • California Court Finding (In re Marriage Cases)
        by the California Supreme Court, October 15, 2008
  • Connecticut Court Finding (In re Marriage Cases)
        by the Connecticut Supreme Court, May 15, 2008
      Rights that Come with Legal Marriage       Legal Marriage Resources
• Ceremonial Marriage
• Domestic Partnership

      Domestic Partner Benefit Provider Lists
      in the U.S., Canada, and Selected Other Countries
      Global Governmental Legal Registration       Further Domestic Partnership Resources
• Legal Necessities
• Relationship Tips

      Tips       Abuse       Counseling Studies
• Immigration
• The Couples Chronicles
• Parenting
• Inspiration

      Committed Couples Photo Galleries — Your Images Go Here!

      Quotes — Affirmations and Provocations on Same-sex Couples

      Thought Pieces from Partners Task Force       Thought Pieces from Community Leaders       Media
• Orientation Basics

      Basics - Definitions
  • Sexual Orientation Basics
        A survey of the science, social, and emotional aspects, as well as the myths, oppressions, and how to build support.
  • Age of Consent Chart
        Global Survey of Anti-sex Law and Oppression
      Basics - Anti-Gay Hatred Manifested       Basics - Satire
• Surveys of Concern to Same-Sex Couples

      Research Conducted by Partners Task Force       Research from Various Other Sources
• Resource Lists
• Special Items of Interest
• Your Host
“Whenever I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have always been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they may seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it: always.” — Mahatma Gandhi

“We don’t waste people the way white society does. Every person has their gift.” — Joe Medicine Crow, Crow Tribe

All contents © 2012, Demian

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