Latest news with #marriageEquality
CBS News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
New Hope, Pennsylvania, offers plethora of welcoming wedding venues for LGBTQ+ community
As we celebrate 10 years of marriage equality nationwide this Pride month, we take you to Bucks County, Pennsylvania, which is well-known for its LGBTQ+ wedding venues. Known for being a safe haven for the LGBTQ+ community, New Hope and Lambertville have long been recognized for their welcoming and inclusive attitudes. "We call it the bubble, and we always say we don't leave it because it is such a safe space," said Melissa Patterson, who has been living in the community for decades and even got married to her wife here. CBS Philadelphia "The community that you see welcomes you, accepts you. I mean, not only is queerness not hidden here, it's celebrated," Patterson said. Those celebrations are held at venues as diverse as the occasion and the people who are participating. For couples getting married, places like the River House at O'Dette's and Stella of New Hope often fit the bill. Both offer spectacular riverfront views. Others opt for the historic charm of the Logan Inn, a landmark dating back to 1727. Nestled in the hills is the 240-year-old HollyHedge Estate, where Andrew and Jason Chun exchanged their vows. CBS Philadelphia "Going to New Hope and Lambertville always had a special piece of my heart. It's because of how open and accepting the culture is here," Andrew Chun said. CBS Philadelphia When planning their wedding, the couple had a specific sort of place in mind. "We wanted something warm, romantic, intimate and I immediately felt all of that when I came on site, and I called him immediately, and I was like, 'I think this is the place,'" Jason Chun said. CBS Philadelphia The estate has a reputation for being very gay-friendly. "HollyHedge hosts a lot of queer events with New Hope Celebrates. Bingo is held here, a lot of other kinds of smaller events," Andrew Chun said. "We have seen other couples get married here as well." CBS Philadelphia "That was nice to have, like, that recommendation from some of our gay friends who also got married here," Jason Chun said. The English gardens provided the perfect backdrop. "They were so great and accommodating to every little change that we had," Andrew Chun said. CBS Philadelphia "I had a binder and I was very type-A and very organized with everything I had dreamed of literally since I was little about getting married," Jason Chun said. HollyHedge surely didn't disappoint. "It was just the most magical day for us," Jason Chun said.
CBS News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
The Heart of Pride: A CBS News Philadelphia Special
CBS News Philadelphia is celebrating 10 years of marriage equality with a new 30-minute special, "The Heart of Pride." Anchored by Josh Sanders and Jim Donovan from New Hope, Pennsylvania, Heart of Pride highlights LGBTQ+ families and their stories. You'll meet couples facing challenges together, see how people around the region are trying to find "the one," and see how the LGBTQ+ couples are welcoming the next generation to the community. Tune in to watch The Heart of Pride on CBS News Philadelphia on Wednesday, June 11 at 7 p.m., or watch now in the video player above or on our YouTube channel. Throughout the month of June, CBS News Philadelphia will continue to share stories and celebrations of pride from across the Delaware Valley. You can catch the latest stories and videos in the Pride section of our website.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Granderson: Will the pendulum on queer rights swing toward sense or nonsense?
Retired NBA center Jason Collins, the first out gay man to play in one of the four major North American leagues, is finally married. His ceremony was in late May, a few yards away from the Lake Austin shore in Texas. He and film producer Brunson Green have basically been together since Collins made history back in 2014. However, now that the two of them are legal, married folks like me will finally stop asking them 'Why aren't you married?' 'You know, we're getting older,' the 46-year-old Collins told me after the wedding, 'and there are advantages. When you're a married couple — especially in the case, God forbid, something happens in a medical emergency or when we're traveling — there are just all of these protections of being married. And if there's a Supreme Court decision that reverses gay marriage and it's up to the states … we wanted to be able get married where we live first. There are a lot of factors that went into it but simply … we chose to get married on our terms.' It's been nearly a decade — June 26, 2015 — since the Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution guaranteed the right to same-sex marriage across the land. If that feels like bedrock, it shouldn't. Remember, that was way back when a 50-year-old Supreme Court ruling guaranteed the right to an abortion across the land. That was back when Elon Musk — with an estimated net worth of $13.2 billion — was barely among the top 100 richest people in the world. That was back when few inside the Washington Beltway took the possibility of a Donald Trump presidency seriously. Now we have members of Congress comparing him to Jesus. Needless to say, a lot can change over a decade. However, what has not changed is Collins' unique place in NBA history. The former All-American from Stanford, who went on to be the starting center in the NBA Finals twice, remains the only person to have been an active player while out. 'There are other NBA players who I am aware of that are members of the LGBTQ+ community but don't identify fully,' Collins told me. 'There are those that l've had conversations with, but they are not ready to step forward for whatever reason in 2025. Is there something keeping them from coming out? You know everyone's on their own schedule. … I don't have a simple answer there, but I definitely know that l'm not the only one.' The fact that we still have closeted professional athletes should come as no surprise given the political and cultural touchstones that sexual orientation and gender identity remain in our society. As much as we want to rush to a 'who cares' response when a person of note comes out of the closet, the wave of anti-LGBTQ+ bills today and in recent years across this country tells you that a lot of people care. That's why we all — like Collins and his husband — should remember that marriage is a fragile and hard-won right. The justices' ruling in June 2015 did not end prejudice against same-sex couples any more than Loving vs. Virginia made interracial relationships a moot point in June 1967. As Carl Jung famously said, 'The pendulum of the mind oscillates between sense and nonsense, not between right and wrong.' Lawmakers in at least nine states have recently introduced measures to undermine same-sex marriage. That would include my home state of Michigan, where my husband and I were married. In fact, we celebrated our ninth wedding anniversary the same week as Collins' wedding. Whether our legal marriage makes it a decade has nothing to do with the love we have for each other. That's the tragic reality of having your humanity used for political theater and your rights up for grabs each election cycle. When Collins entered the NBA in 2001, nearly 60% of Americans opposed same-sex marriage, according to Pew Research. Today, more than 60% support it — including 44% of Republicans. Even though marriage equality has been the law of the land for nearly a decade, it has constantly been under assault because it's red meat on the campaign trail. This conversation isn't about right or wrong. As Jung said, this is between sense and nonsense. Marrying your longtime love, as Collins did, makes all the sense in the world. Marrying out of fear of losing that right — in America in 2025 — is understandable … and yet makes no sense at all. @LZGranderson If it's in the news right now, the L.A. Times' Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Irish Times
21-05-2025
- General
- Irish Times
Almost 6,000 same-sex couples have wed in 10 years since marriage equality referendum
Almost 6,000 same-sex weddings have been celebrated in the State in the decade since the marriage equality referendum, new data shows. Marking the 10th anniversary of Ireland being the first country to approve same-sex marriage by popular vote , the Central Statistics Office on Wednesday published statistics on a decade of gay marriage. On May 22nd, 2015 the electorate voted by 62 per cent in favour of same-sex marriage, on a high turnout of 61 per cent. All constituencies voted Yes except Roscommon-South Leitrim, which rejected the proposed amendment by a narrow margin. Enabling legislation was enacted in November 2015. READ MORE Between then and the end of last year, 5,956 same-sex marriages were celebrated – 3,178 of them involving men and 2,778 among women. The highest number in any year was in 2016, with 1,056 couples tying the knot – 606 of them male and 450 female. The year with the fewest was 2020, when many were probably cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. That year there were 314 wedding celebrations among same-sex couples – 170 male and 144 female. Last year, 668 same-sex marriages were registered, 325 male and 343 female. Overall, same-sex marriages accounted for 3.3 per cent of all marriages since 2016. The most popular months for gay weddings were July and August, the CSO finds, with Friday the most sought-after day and Sunday the least. Civil ceremonies were the most popular form of ceremony for nearly two-thirds (63.7 per cent) of same-sex couples. Other popular choices included weddings solemnised by the Humanist Association, the Spiritualist Union of Ireland or other religious denominations. Just over half (52.5 per cent, or 351 of 668) of same-sex marriages were civil ceremonies in 2024. The Humanist Association held 68 (10.2 per cent) of services, 72 (11 per cent) were held by the Spiritualist Union of Ireland, and 177 (26.5 per cent) by other religious denominations. In 2016, the highest number of female same-sex ceremonies took place in Leinster (298), followed by Munster (97), Connacht (35) and Ulster (20), with similar rates in 2024. Among grooms in 2016 there were 460 ceremonies in Leinster, 87 in Munster, 34 in Connacht and 25 in Ulster. In 2024, there were 194 male marriages in Leinster, followed by Munster (72), Connacht (35) and Ulster 24. Last year, Friday July 19th and Friday June 21st were the most popular dates for same-sex marriages, with 10 ceremonies taking place on each of these dates. The CSO release did not contain details on the number of divorces among same-sex couples since the legislation was enacted. The Courts Service, when asked, said it did not keep statistics on divorce broken down by sexual orientation.
Irish Times
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Panti Bliss: ‘Ten years ago no one on the street would have called me a paedophile. Now haters have been emboldened'
A sunny Friday evening in Dublin and the George, perhaps Ireland's most famous LGBTQ+ bar, is buzzing. The colourful venue on South Great George's Street – painted purple outside and bedecked with rainbow regalia within – opened in 1985, providing a rare 'safe space' for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community. As the 10th anniversary of marriage equality approaches, the George and venues like it remain important meeting points, and even places of sanctuary. Though customers are happy to share memories of the overwhelming joy and relief they felt that Saturday, May 23rd, 2015, as resounding Yes results came in from across the State, they also note a deterioration in the environment for their community. READ MORE Lee Graham, 32, from Drimnagh is at the bar, scrolling on his phone. Asked about marriage equality, he says he was 'still almost a child' when the referendum was held. 'But it was so important to me, of course. We are real people. We're not just a gimmick. Love is love and if you want to marry someone it should be rightfully so. Why shouldn't we be able to be married?' But, he continues: 'Things have gone backwards. It's back to being shamed because of who you are. So yes, places like the George are very important, very. 'There is one straight bar that I'd feel comfortable [in] and that's because everybody knows me and I am safe there. But I would never go into somewhere that I don't know because the minute they hear your lingo or how you sound feminine they're like, 'Oh, who is this now?'' For lesbian and gay people things are generally pretty good, but the people who used to give us grief have focused their energies unfortunately towards our trans siblings. I know a lot of trans people who are really quite terrified by what's going on — Adrian Hempel He links increased homophobia to increases in other 'hates' including racism and misogyny. 'Oh my God, the misogyny. It's all, 'I am alpha-male ... I earn this much.'' John Hawkins, 53, from Dublin remembers Dublin Castle's courtyard playing host to a huge celebration where thousands gathered carrying rainbow flags. 'It was very moving, very profound,' he says. John Hawkins in The George last Friday evening There was also a sadness for him. 'I realised during the campaign [for a Yes vote] that because for all my life society and law had deemed someone like me could never get married, I never thought I could consider that ... That was profound for me to realise that from a very young age I had built up massive internal barriers to the possibility of what the magnitude of love could be in my life. 'I had to acknowledge that, listen to it and talk to that place in myself that had walls up against love ... It was like internalised homophobia. It was really, really deep,' he says. Asked if this is a grief, he says: 'It is a loss. But what I love now is when I see the younger, younger kids who are coming out to their families, and being met with openness, acceptance. 'They are not going to miss out having a crush, or recognising who they fancy, or the qualities in a human they might be attracted to. They are not going to have those barriers, or suppress that most beautiful part of themselves, which is to experience the greatest thing – love. That fills me with joy.' Australian Adrian Hempel, 49, was living in Australia but was watching closely as Ireland became the first country to choose to have same-sex marriage by popular vote as his boyfriend was Irish. 'We got married here and the vote made that possible.' [ Mary McAleese: Marriage equality did not end rampant homophobia Opens in new window ] They campaigned in Australia's 2017 referendum, which also passed. 'It was actually quite traumatic to have everyone in our community given licence to debate our humanity and our human rights. It was a very difficult period to live though but you have to be happy with the final result.' Asked how things are 10 years on for his community, he says: 'For lesbian and gay people things are generally pretty good, but the people who used to give us grief have focused their energies unfortunately towards our trans siblings. I know a lot of trans people who are really quite terrified by what's going on.' After a largely positive campaign the Yes vote prevailed by 62 to 38 per cent on a large 60.5 per cent turnout, with strong Yes votes across Dublin of more than 70 per cent. Just one constituency, Roscommon-South Leitrim, rejected same-sex marriage, by 51.4 per cent. The then minister for health, Leo Varadkar, who had come out as gay during the referendum campaign, said the overwhelming Yes vote marked Ireland as a 'beacon of light' for the rest of the world. And around the world the result was greeted with joy. 'Ireland did it! The 1st country to legalize marriage equality by popular vote, but they won't be the last! What an incredible accomplishment,' said US lesbian comedian Ellen DeGeneres in a tweet. 'The weather really played ball,' recalls Rory O'Neill , artist and gay rights activist. 'It felt to me like what I imagine it was like on VE Day – people spontaneously dancing on the streets. 'It actually turned out the referendum was about something more than marriage,' he continues. 'It was about feeling a belonging. That was overwhelming – that this country that had once really tried very hard to disown me and people like me had turned around and decided to embrace me and my kind.' The George on South Great George's Street, Dublin. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times While he had strongly suspected a majority would vote Yes, he hadn't known it. 'And it turns out that knowing is really powerful. And I think you could see that reflected in the streets. You immediately began to see gay couples holding hands in a way you just had not. I think that was down to this knowing most people are on your side. There was something really freeing about that.' Ethel Buckley, deputy general secretary of the Siptu trade union, which campaigned for a Yes vote, says: 'It was Ireland shaking off that old, non-progressive self.' It was crucial, she says, in paving the way for the successful campaign to repeal the Eighth Amendment three years later. [ Gay couples feel 'a little safer' holding hands since referendum Opens in new window ] Moninne Griffith, chief executive of the youth LGBTQ+ organisation Belong To, says in the days after the result large numbers of young people came to its drop-in service for the first time. 'There was a sense of, 'It's safe to be out.' They felt it was safe, and hugely affirmed.' This affirmation felt solid for 'about five years', says Griffith. There were 'many positive developments' including gender recognition legislation later in 2015, the first national strategy for LGBTQ+ young people and increased funding for LGBTQ+ initiatives. Moninne Griffith of Belong To Since 2015 there have been almost 6,000 same-sex weddings – 3,131 of men and 2,734 of women. The community felt increasingly safe and integrated. 'And then Covid came. And the haters got their baptism in the anti-mask, anti-vaccine, anti-government stuff.' As well as targeting immigrants, Griffith says, 'they drum up fear and worry about trans people – this tiny minority of people'. Exacerbating this is increasing misogyny, she continues. 'It's very loud about trans people but if you scratch the surface there is a huge amount of homophobia. A lot of policing 'manliness'. We are hearing a lot of people being called 'faggots' again.' A Belong To and Trinity College Dublin study, published last year , reports an upsetting reality for LGBTQ young people (under 25) and trans people of all ages. 'Young LGBTQI+ people have reported increases in having feelings of stress, anxiety, depression, self-harm and suicide ideation, while trans people face increased stigma, isolation and discrimination in society, [more so] than other cohorts in the LGBTQI+ community,' it stated. Lea Hennessy, 18, lives in Wexford and is non-binary and transsexual. They describe 'a lot of anxiety' among their peers. They remember hearing about marriage equality. 'It sounds really cool.' But for them now, just being themself is challenging. 'I hear slurs all the time and have had a bad time in school with it. I know for my friends it's similar. I know people who haven't been able to come out and others who have experienced hate crimes,' they say. Lea Hennessy. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times Greater understanding of the reality of trans and non-binary people's lives would make a huge difference, says Hennessy. This could start in school curricula. 'It feels like we just get mentioned as a definition in SPHE class. The rest of the time we are pushed the straight, nuclear family all the time. 'There needs to be an understanding that we are part of the community and we need to find our spot ... but you almost feel you have to see yourself as different to society because of what everyone says about you. It's hard.' Sam Blanckensee, chair of Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) and equality officer with Maynooth University, campaigned for a Yes vote in Wicklow. They felt 'just such a relief that it had gotten through' and believes 'marriage equality is no longer a question within Ireland'. I would have hoped by now we would see gender recognition for under-16s, for non-binary people. That was all promised. It's not moving and there is a rise in transphobia — Sam Blanckensee However: 'It is really challenging to see it go so far backwards so quickly,' particularly for the trans community. 'It seems like we are the scapegoat for so many issues. 'We don't feel that people are seeing the vulnerabilities the community has. Trans people are such a small part of society, at such a greater risk of violence and sexual violence but are so often portrayed as the perpetrators of that violence.' Echoing them, O'Neill says he does not feel as safe in Dublin as he used to, particularly when occupying his drag-queen persona Panti Bliss. 'Thirty years ago if I was running from the George and had to go to another club, I just ran out the to the street and ran over or flagged down a taxi, and didn't really think about it. For a time after the referendum I was even more relaxed about it. 'Whereas now I am not. Ten years ago no one on the street would have called me a paedophile. And now, that will happen. The haters have been emboldened.' Sam Blanckensee, chair of Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) and equality officer with Maynooth University. Photograph: Bryan O'Brien/The Irish Times Blanckensee says transgender abuse is not only online and on the streets. 'It's at policy level too.' Despite the enactment of gender recognition legislation, also in 2015, they say healthcare for trans people is 'the worst in Europe'. They reference a 2022 survey by Transgender Europe (TGEU), which is funded by the EU and campaigns for the 'complete depathologisation of trans and gender-diverse identities'. Blanckensee would 'really love the LGB community to stand out with us because Ireland is a much harder place to be trans today than it was 10 years ago'. 'I would have hoped by now we would see gender recognition for under-16s, for non-binary people. That was all promised. It's not moving and there is a rise in transphobia.' The trade union movement has 'always provided safe spaces' for the LGBTQ communities, says Buckley. In 1981, she recalls, the union hosted the first national gay conference in Cork. 'This was 12 years before homosexuality was legalised,' she says. However, she says: 'We have rested on our laurels a bit since marriage equality. The other side seems as galvanised as we were back then ... Progressive movements need to coalesce around fighting the rise of the far right.' She will find a welcome from LGBTQ+ groups. 'We really need our allies, including in Government, to come back and hear what's going on and stand with us again,' says Griffith. 'Show up in your communities, go to your local Pride events. We need you more than ever, to call out misinformation, call out hate.' Back at the George, Hawkins agrees 'things have gone back' but he has faith in the resilience of a movement that 'slogged' for decades to achieve the equality so joyously celebrated a decade ago. 'The pendulum always swings back and forward ... The movement will always stand hopeful and proud and brave, but definitely not complacent, right across the rainbow.'
