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   ||   www.buddybuddy.com

All contents © 2008, 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
• Legal Marriage Essays

      Marriage Essays from Partner Task Force       Marriage Essays from Prominent Leaders and Organizations       Arguments Opposing “DoMA” from the Congressional Record       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, May 15, 2008
      Rights that Come with Legal Marriage       Legal Marriage Resources
• Ceremonial Marriage
• Domestic Partnership

      Domestic Partner Benefit Provider Lists
      For the U.S., Canada, and Other Countries

      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
• 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 © 2008, Demian

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