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 450 essays, surveys, legal articles and
resources on legal marriage, ceremonies, domestic partner benefits, relationship tips, parenting, and immigration.

Demian, director, Partners Task Force, Seattle, WA
206-935-1206   ||   demian@buddybuddy.com   ||   buddybuddy.com

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• Notable Events

       Anti-LGBT Action

“Trump Walls Off LGBT Humans” by Demian
Posted to Daily Kos on May 9, 2019 - continuously updated, until he is removed from office.
.
Horrifying events perpetrated by the Trump administration. Designed to disenfranchise, through numerous anti-gay
political actions. More than three years of unmitigated hatred, designed to wipe out recognition of our humanity.

       Legal Marriage Notes

  • On September 12, 2019, Immigration Equality and Lambda Legal filed a lawsuit against the U.S. State Department for refusing to recognize the birthright citizenship of Adiel and Roee Kiviti’s six-month old daughter, Kessem. The U.S. government does not recognize Adiel and Roee’s marriage and is treating Kessem as though she was born out of wedlock.
             Click here for background, and up-to-date data from Immigration Equality
  • On June 26, 2015, the United States Supreme Court declared that denying same-sex couples the freedom to marry violates the U.S. Constitution. This decision extends the freedom to marry to all same-sex couples nationwide.
             [ Please see our article: Rulings Leading to Supreme Court Finding for Legal Marriage Equality ]

    This ruling was followed by several states breaking the law, continuing to deny legal marriage for same-sex couples, as well as numerous legislative attempts that were designed to damage the lives of LGBT same-sex couples. Since 2013 — two years before the right to marry was obtained — there was a record-breaking introduction of 254 anti-gay bills in many U.S. states.
             [ See “The Dramatic Rise in State Efforts to Limit LGBT Rights”
             by Everdeen Mason, Aaron Williams, Kennedy Elliott, Washington Post, July 1, 2016 ]

  • Countries offering legal marriage:
         Netherlands (2001), Belgium (2003), Canada (2005), Spain (2005), South Africa (2005), Norway (2009),
         Sweden (2009), Iceland (2010), Argentina (2010), Portugal (2010), Denmark (2012), France (2013),
         New Zealand (2013), Brazil (2013), Uruguay (2013), New Zealand (2013), United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland) (2013)
         Luxembourg (2014), Finland (2014), Ireland (2015), United States (2015), Colombia (2016), Germany (2017),
         Malta (2017), Australia (2017), Taiwan (2019), Ecuador (2019), Costa Rica (2020)
  • Same-Sex Marriage: Still Under Attack (2018)
         Describes attempts to destroy marriage equality, and how to counter the damage.
         Contains links to download PDF and PowerPoint versions - useful for speaking engagements, debates.
  • Same-Sex Marriage: A Compelling Need
         The major legal ramifications of civil marriage.
         A down loadable “slide” presentation - in PowerPoint and PDF Acrobat formats - for speaking engagements and debates.
• 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.
         Goodridge v. Dept. of Public Health court finding PDF file
  • 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 (PDF file) (In re Marriage Cases)
         by the California Supreme Court, October 15, 2008
  • Connecticut Court Finding (PDF file) (In re Marriage Cases)
         by the Connecticut Supreme Court, May 15, 2008
  • Maryland Court Finding (PDF file) (Port v. Cowan - divorce from out-of-state marriage)
         by the Maryland Court of Appeals, May 18, 2012
       Non-U.S. Court Findings
  • South Africa Court Finding (PDF file) (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.
       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        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
• Your Host
  • Demian:
         Partners Task Force - Director, Reporter, Web Programmer
         Sweet Corn Productions - Photographer, Movie Maker, Director, Script Doctor, Web Programmer, Liberation Activist
              Sweet Corn focuses on productions that affirm self-esteem and social equality.
         On the Purple Circuit - Associate Editor, Writer, Web Programmer
              The Purple Circuit offers LGBT and feminist theater show openings, articles and play lists.

         “A Little About Demian” - Biography
         “Why I’m Vegan” by Demian
         “Complete Guide to Yard Sales” by Demian
         “Radiation Diaries” - Demian’s series on Electromagnetic Fields Health Hazards
         “Araya’s Place” - Demian’s documentary on a vegan restaurant
         “Gay Pride Parade - Seattle 2016” - Demian’s Documentary

    Demian’s Book

    “Swamp Emperor” - the Book

    A horror story. A love story.
    How to recognize and rebuff a tyrant.
     
    30 pages - Includes:
         Two graphic novel parody stories.
         One story is in anaglyph 3-D.
         Paperback edition published 2018.

    “Swamp Emperor” - Book
         Available from Amazon.com
         More information: Swamp Emperor

    Demian’s DVD


    “The Right to Marry” - the DVD

    This 1996 video was the world’s first
    documentary about the struggle for legal
    marriage equality for same-sex couples.

    “The Right to Marry” - DVD
         Available from Amazon.com
         More information: Right to Marry

    More Media List
    Media Produced by Demian
“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

© 2020, Demian
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