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Welcome to Gay Marriage Tips
Hi, I'm H. Clare Callow, one of the hundreds of writers here at LifeTips.com. Enjoy these 207 Gay Marriage Tips! If you’re a business, why not hire the expert writers at LifeTips? And if you’re a writer, apply for freelance writing gigs.
Gay Marriage Laws in American States
Massachusetts is the only state in America that will perform a same-sex wedding. You may travel to Massachusetts to be married – however, be careful to check your local laws and gay marriage facts to make sure that your marriage will be recognised at home. Couples wishing to marry in Massachusetts must file a Notice of Intent to Marry and wait three days. Marriage law in Massachusetts also denies marriage licences to couples whose home states have a ban on gay marriage.
Nineteen states – Alaska, Nevada, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Nebraska, Missouri, Michigan, North Dakota, Ohio, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Kansas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, Texas and Alabama - have banned gay marriage.
Vermont, California, New Jersey, District of Columbia and Connecticut are the only U.S. states to offer same-sex couples all or some of the state-level rights and benefits of marriage. Hawaii and Maine's domestic partnership and reciprocal benefit laws provide some but not all benefits.
Marriages performed in Canada still need to be recognized in your home state.
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LoveandPride.com Tip: Reaching for Reichen
Air Force captain-cum-television celebrity Reichen Lehmkuhl has galvanized his years of experience as a gay activist, speaker, and entertainer with his new jewelry collection, FLY NAKED. His pieces are all made with titanium, the same material that is used to build the aircraft he used to fly (before being honorably discharged from the Air Force in 2001). As a television presence, Lehmkuhl won the grand prize of $1 million on CBS’s “Amazing Race,” then went on to make appearances on other hit shows like "Frasier," "Days of Our Lives," and "The Drew Carey Show." Q Television Network was also the home of his own production, “The Reichen Show.”
Not only is Lehmkuhl’s jewelry collection stunning, but 10% of proceeds go toward a cause close to his heart: the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, which works to lift the ban on gays in the military.
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Children of Gay Marriages
The idea of a same-sex wedding has not been legal long enough and in enough countries for statistics to be developed on children of gay marriages, but there are many children living in stable gay households in America and the rest of the world.
In the US , the number of children in gay and lesbian homes was between six and 10 million in 2000. The number of unmarried partner households has increased dramatically in the last ten years, possibly from the establishment of stable gay families. In 1990, 3 million unmarried partnerships existed in America, but by 2000 the number was over 5 million, although this number includes heterosexual couples. In 2005, 4,855,000 households were unmarried heterosexual partnerships which, if the increase was stable, indicates roughly 1.5 million gay partnerships in America today.
One third of lesbian couples and one fifth of gay male couples have children.
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LoveandPride.com Tip: Queer Eye for the Straight Girl
The lesbian version of the popular Bravo channel program, "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" has become immensely popular among women viewers. Honey Labrador, a former model and current cornerstone of "Queer Eye for the Straight Girl," states that her early influence came -- not surprisingly -- from her own mother. As a working single mother, Labrador's mom taught her determination and strength. These are the kinds of influences she tries to bring to the straight girls she assists on the show. There is a way to be pretty and strong, whether you're straight or gay. Labrador helps women do just that with their attire as well as their attitude.
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How to Organize a Gay Adoption
The first step when deciding to adopt is to investigate the adoption laws of your state and country. The laws regarding gay and lesbian adoption vary from country to country. Most of Western Europe allowed gay couples to adopt, and many of the states in Canada and the US have laws allowing gay adoption. Only three states in Australia< allow gay adoption.
In the US, some courts have begun to apply a "best interest of the child" idea in deciding cases. Over 22 states have allowed gay and lesbian adoption of children through state-run adoption centres or private adoption agencies.
The next step in the process is to decide whether to go through state agencies or approach a private adoption agency. The state process involves a lot of red tape, but is guaranteed legal in every country.
Private adoption agencies can be expensive and it is important to ensure the adoptions are legal. Similarly, international adoption is possible, but very expensive. Check your country's adoption laws very carefully to ensure that as a gay couple you can bring a child into the country.
Gay couples have adopted children for a very long time through deception, but it is important to be absolutely honest in the adoption process. Assuring a legal adoption will keep your child safe. Even if you are unable to adopt as a same-sex couple, it may be possible for one partner to adopt and the other to have rights to the child as a stepchild. To estimate your chances of getting a gay adoption in your country, look at local gay adoption statistics.
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LoveandPride.com Tip: Gay Wedding Bands
You've found that special person, made a commitment to share your lives together, and now it's time to find that special ring that makes the statement. You could search for traditional wedding bands, but these days there are more options. Gay wedding bands are readily available for same-sex couples who want to express their love and celebrate their union in a unique way.
The best part is that you won't sacrifice quality or style by selecting from the wide range of bands available for gay couples. Rings made with yellow, white, or even rose gold are a wonderful choice. Or choose a traditional metal like platinum, or a newer one such as titanium. What sets these rings apart are the designs, which feature male and/or female symbols, gay pride rainbow detailing, or engravings that honor your same-sex union.
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Civil Unions vs. Gay Marriage
When a large amount of heterosexual couples began to establish committed, co-habitating relationships without marriage, governments recognized the need for de facto, or 'common-law', spousal rights by passing laws providing property, custody and dependent rights to de facto partners. Similar arrangements have been made in various areas as a way of legally recognizing the committed relationships of gay couples, in a mix between de facto partnerships and marriage called a civil union.
There have been arguments in the gay marriage debate about gay civil unions from both supporters of gay marriage and anti-gay marriage groups. Supporters of gay marriage argue that civil unions cannot replace the right to marry and are a way of segregating gay couples. This argument is based on the fact that heterosexual couples can access two legal avenues to register their commitment: marriage, which requires a ceremony and a signed legal document, or de facto partnership, which requires no contract at the time and only basic proof at dissolution if there are any property disputes. Gay couples can only access civil unions, a separate entity.
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LoveandPride.com Tip: Loving The L Word
If you're a fan of Showtime's lesbian-themed program "The L Word," you've probably seen the ladies wearing some incredible accessories. Now you can own some of the same necklaces, pendants, and bracelets you saw adorning characters like Nikki, Tina, Bette, Jenny, and more. Selected by "L Word" stylist Cynthia Summers, these Italian pieces are available for purchase from LoveandPride.com.
Check out the entire line, or narrow your search to the gems seen from Season Five. They make great gifts for the lovely "L" in your life.
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Marriage Symbols Other Than Rings
A ring is an immediately recognizable and traditional symbol of legal commitment, but it isn't always convenient to wear a ring. Some professions make rings dangerous to wear, and some people find rings irritating or painful.
One option is to wear gay or lesbian wedding rings on a chain around the neck. This way, the ring is always visible, and the traditional cultural recognition of being married is still available. However, the giving of any piece of jewelry from one partner to another is also a traditional symbol of commitment. Giving your partner a special necklace, bracelet or even a piercing is still a sign of the commitment and love you share. The design and style of the piece is the most important element of symbolizing your commitment to each other.
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Countries That Are For Gay Marriage
Countries that perform gay marriages as of 2006 include:
The Netherlands (legalized in 2001)
Belgium (2003)
Spain (2005)
Canada (2005).
In the United States, only Massachusetts (2004) allows gay marriage. People who are not residents of Massachusetts and whose home state prohibits same-sex marriage cannot be married there.
Same-sex marriage is to be legalized in South Africa by December 2006. Estonia is discussing the possibility of legalising gay marriage. Ireland does not allow gay marriage, but a couple married in Canada and seeking to have their marriage recognized will have their case heard in October 2006.
Some countries have been forced to allow gay marriage due to judicial appeals. As of 2004, Aruba, as part of the Netherlands, recognizes same-sex marriages performed in the Netherlands. In Austria, where it is likewise not legal, in July 2006, an Austrian male-to-female transsexual was granted the right to legally change her gender to female while remaining married to her wife, indirectly setting a precedent for same-sex marriage.
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Churches That Support Gay Marriage
Although many churches allow gay members, few agree with or perform gay marriage. In Christianity, only Unitarian Universalist and the Metropolitan Community Churches will perform gay marriage ceremonies.
One Canadian Anglican diocese, New Westminster, authorized a rite for the blessing of same-sex unions, but the Anglican church as a whole, meeting on the issue, decided that gay marriage conflicted with Anglican beliefs.
Judaism traditionally bans homosexuality, but is presently reconsidering the issue. While Islam doesn't recognize homosexuality as a concept, all anal intercourse is prohibited.
Creator of Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard, spoke out against homosexuality, and the church's doctrine defines marriage as between one man and one woman.
In Buddhism, the Dalai Lama doesn't support homosexuality, but opinions differ in other sections of Buddhism. There is no exact mention in Buddhist texts to ban gay marriage. The same is true in Hinduism. In modern India, sex between men is illegal, but there is nothing in the religion that bans it. The Taoist tradition holds that men and women need the energies of the opposite sex to obtain balance. Homosexuality is not expressly forbidden, but discouraged.
Wiccans, and practitioners of voodoo welcome gay members and have no recorded objections to gay marriages.
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Sensual Jewelry
It is common knowledge that the female body is a very sensual entity, but few people recognize jewelery as an opportunity to explore that sensuality. Luckily, the broad-mindedness of gay culture allows lesbians to explore the sensual possibilities in gay and lesbian jewelery. Instead of piercing yourself with a real nipple ring, a couple can use non-piercing nipple clasps. These clasps gently clench the nipple with their closures, holding it slightly erect. Nipple clasps come in designs meant to look like piercings, or in a full-areola circle that covers the areola and decorates the breast. For those who can withstand the thought of piercings, tongue barbells are the perfect lesbian accessories. Just make sure that the barbell is not too big and has no sharp edges!
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Churches for Gay Weddings
There are many churches that will allow same-sex marriages to be conducted within their walls, but as most religions as a whole do not perform gay weddings, couples need to search within their preferred denominations for ministers for their weddings.
For more information on churches allowing same-sex marriages, the quickest resource is through local publications - those articles will usually note the church conducting the ceremony.
The Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists has a list of Baptist churches that are gay-friendly. The Metropolitain Community Church is renowned for its support of gay rights. Dignity USA provides information on Catholic views of gay marriage.
Some Jewish Rabbis are authorised to bless same-sex unions. Consult the World Congress of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Jews, or the Keshet Ga’avah, to find Rabbis in your area.
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Gay Wedding Traditions
Gay couples are in a position to pick and choose among wedding traditions from various cultures. Couples should investigate the wedding traditions of their ancestral cultures, and make a list of general traditions they would like to include.
Some traditions will appeal to all couples, such as the kissing of your new spouse, and the introduction of the newly married couple to their gathering of friends after the ceremony. Traditions that will reinforce the magnitude of the commitment a gay couple is making will help to demonstrate why marriage is so important to gay couples.
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Where to Find Gay Wedding Rings
There is currently a wide selection of gay wedding bands available. Gay and lesbian wedding rings range from the traditional and classic to contemporary gay pride designs. As more gay couples seek out marriage or commitment ceremonies, the demand for gay wedding bands has meant designers of gay jewelry can afford to advertise. Keep a lookout in gay culture magazines, street press and mainstream beauty magazines for gay jewellery designs. Mainstream wedding bands are also worth consideration. Most mainstream wedding rings are designed along classical lines if a traditional wedding ring appeals.
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Choosing Between Conventional and Contemporary Rings
The choice between conventional and contemporary when choosing gay wedding rings may be a difficult decision. As wedding rings are worn every day, it is important to find a wedding band that has a style that appeals and sends the message you want.
An advantage of conventional wedding rings is that they are immediately recognizable -“ one look at a gold band on the wedding finger assures that the wearer is married. However, gay wedding rings also symbolize your commitment to being united as a gay couple. Featuring gay symbols, such as the gay pride triangle or the Venus or Mars symbols, is a way of publicly expressing pride in being in a committed gay relationship.
