Guam Lifts Ban On Same Sex Marriage

This week, Guam took big steps in becoming the first US territory to recognize gay marriage. According to the New York Times, Elizabeth Barrett-Anderson, Guam attorney general announced that she had ordered that marriage licences be processed for same-sex couples. “Today I have issued a legal memorandum… advising the department to immediately begin accepting and processing applications for marriage licences from persons of the same gender,” she said in a statement. Per the Times:

The U.S. District Court of Guam falls under the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which has ruled in favor of gay marriage. Barrett-Anderson said her directive stems from the 9th Circuit’s decision in October finding state bans on gay marriage unconstitutional. The Department of Public Health and Social Services should treat “all same gender marriage applicants with dignity and equality under the Constitution,” the attorney general said.

Guam’s stance on gay marriage came under fire last week when lesbian couple Loretta Pangelinan and Kathleen Aguero filed a lawsuit after their application for a marriage license was rejected. While more traditional lawmakers in Guam like governor Eddie Baza Calvo are predicted to block same-sex marriage legislation, the couple is reportedly thrilled with the actions of the attorney general and see it as a change in the country’s attitudes towards marriage equality.

Presbyterian Church Officially Recognizes Gay Marriage

At March 26, 2015
By danmclellan
In Gay Rights, Marriage Equality, News, Uncategorized
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Fantastic news came to Presbyterian gay and lesbian couples last Tuesday as members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) voted to change the definition of marriage in the church’s constitution to include same-sex marriage. According to the New York Times, “The final approval by a majority of the church’s 171 regional bodies, known as presbyteries, enshrines a change recommended last year by the church’s General Assembly. The vote amends the church’s constitution to broaden marriage from being between ‘a man and a woman’ to ‘two people, traditionally a man and a woman.” After 30 years of debate on the church’s stance on homosexuality, leaders in the church like Rev. Brian D. Ellison are thrilled with the decision. “Finally, the church in its constitutional documents fully recognizes that the love of gays and lesbian couples is worth celebrating in the faith community,” Ellison said.

While not all members of the church support the outcome of the vote, LGBT Presbyterians see it as a victory. “Some of us are calling it liberation day,” said the Rev. William Blake Spencer, pastor of Ocean Heights Presbyterian Church in Egg Harbor Township, N.J., who is gay and voted with his presbytery on Tuesday. “It will be the last L.G.B.T.Q. issue that we debate and fight about, and finally our welcome comes without a ‘but’ or an ‘if.’”

Celebrate impending nuptials of all kinds with one of our beautiful cards!

Say “I Do” To Great Wedding & Engagement Cards!

We here at Proudly Yours support all kinds of unions and we are thrilled that human history is evolving to the point that ALL couples can finally tie the knot. So why shouldn’t wedding gifts, engagement announcements and congratulations cards evolve too? We think it’s high time what we leave on the gift table be as fabulous and progressive as the couple we’re celebrating. The fact is with summer right around the corner and RSVP deadlines looming, now is the time to start thinking about wedding gifts ideas. Lucky for you, we have a few ideas.

Can’t Make It To The Big Day?

Scheduling can be a beast and we don’t always get to watch our loved ones walk down the aisle. Send your best wishes, fully loaded gift cards or poetic thoughts inside one of our great cards like “A Successful Marriage”, pictured above. Inside the card is a quote from writer Mignon McLaughlin which reads, “A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.” We can’t think of a better way to say “congratulations”.

Something Heartfelt for the Top Of The Box

Yes, it’s always nice to give a married couple something they really wanted from their gift registry but the ritual can feel a bit cold and commercial. Add a personal touch by placing one of our gorgeous cards (like The Someone You Can’t Live Without, pictured above) filled out with your own messages of love on top of the package.

Make An Announcement of Your Own

Perhaps you’re not planning on being a guest this summer but you’re planning your own wedding instead– mazel tov! To help break the news of your upcoming nuptials, our cards like The Golden Ring make for unforgettable engagement announcements. But why stop there? Proudly Yours cards can be used as wedding invitations, anniversary cards and “Thanks for marrying me” cards. The possibilities, like love itself, are endless! Order online or at these fine retailers.

Card of the Week: Good Morning Kiss

At February 24, 2015
By danmclellan
In Card of The Week, Cards, Marriage Equality
0

“Maybe kissing is sort of like nature’s coffee.” – Scott Westerfeld

No matter who you’re in love with, how long you’ve been together or where you met, a kiss between two people connected at the heart is something truly special. From the standard peck to the long passionate variety, kisses have inspired great works of art, unforgettable pop music and even candy. Incredible first kisses are often at the foundation of our great loves and lifelong romances. But what if you’re not around to kiss the person you love the most? What if you haven’t kissed that person yet but you’d really like to? Or what if you just want to tell someone you’re thinking about them? Our Card of the Week, Good Morning Kiss can help!

Good Morning Kiss features two men sharing “that kiss”. You know the one. The one that says, “I love you” or “You’re pretty wonderful” or sometimes says, “Sorry for being a jerk.” Like all Proudly Yours cards, the image is in gorgeous black and white and printed on high quality paper. Inside, the card reads, “Maybe kissing is sort of like nature’s coffee.” The quote is by Scott Westerfeld. Westerfeld is the author of several popular young adult novels and therefore knows a thing or two about kissing. Westerfeld suggests that kissing can wake us up and make us feel alive and we happen to think he’s onto something. A great kiss from the absolutely right person is something truly energizing and something you can’t find on your local Starbucks menu. Maybe it’s been a while since you and your significant other have shared a special kiss. Or maybe distance has made kissing a difficult activity to take part in. Whatever the case, it’s never too late to tell your special guy or gal that you can’t wait to kiss them again. We’re not saying that this card will lead to an instant make-out session but, hey, it can’t hurt, right?

Good Morning Kiss can be purchased here or these unique card and gift shops.

Marriage News Watch for 1-19-15

Florida has finally legalized driving while gay. Bills to discriminate against gay couples are rapidly multiplying in Texas. SCOTUS to decide marriage equality nationwide this year. And multiple states are still wasting hundreds of thousands of dollars to try to reverse marriage equality.

David Boise: SCOTUS Will Legalize Same-Sex Marriage

Ever wonder who the most anti-gay lawmakers are? Here’s the list…

The Human Rights Campaign, a civil rights organization, has released its “Hall of Shame” – a list of the most anti-gay lawmakers. All but one are Republicans (Rep Mike McIntyre from North Carolina is a Democrat) and all by one are men (who would doubt that arch dingbat Michele Bachmann would make the list).

Here it is:

House
Michele Bachman (R-MN)
Louie Gohmert (R-TX)
Andy Harris (R-MD)
Tim Huelskamp (R-KS)
Jim Jordan (R-OH)
Walter Jones (R-NC)
Mike Kelly (R- PA)
Steve King (R-IA)
Doug LaMalfa (R-CA)
Mike McIntyre (D-NC)
Randy Neugebauer (R-TX)
Steve Pearce (R-NM)
Tim Walberg (R-MI)
Randy Weber (R-TX)

Senate
Ted Cruz (R-TX)
Michael Enzi (R-WY)
James Inhofe (R-OK)
Mike Lee (R-UT)
Jeff Sessions (R-AL)

Read the article at Buzzfeed

SCOTUS Denies Review of All Gay Marriage Cases

The Supreme Court of the United States has denied review of all seven same sex marriage case appeals. This means the lower court decisions declaring the bans as unconstitutional stand. Those decision effect Virginia, Indiana, Wisconsin, Oklahoma and Utah. Marriage equality will be coming to those states immediately. Other states that will also be affected North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia, Colorado, Kansas and Wyoming. This will bring the total number of states that allow same sex marriage from 19 to 30.

Read the full USA Today article here.

Woot woot!

Marriage News Watch – 10-6-14

Louisiana Judge Rules Same Sex a Marriage Ban Unconstitutional

KLFY-TV reported that Judge Edward Rubin ruled Monday that the ban violated the 14th Amendment and the constitutional requirement that states give “full faith and credit” to each other’s laws.”

From USA Today