GLAAD To Be.....
Timing is everything it seems. On Saturday May 10, the last of the four GLAAD Media Awards presentations took place in San Francisco. On Sunday May 11 the Brothers and Sisters season finale featured the wedding/commitment ceremony of Kevin and Scotty. Then on Thursday May 15 the California Supreme Court issued its ruling that the ban on same-sex marriages was unconstitutional. Was it all planned like this? Probably not, but it is interesting to note how it's all tied together.
The GLAAD Media Awards in SF was a celebration as well as an awards presentation. Here's a list of the winners.
The California Supreme Court ruling was indeed a cause for celebration in many ways, but it also comes with a "proceed with caution" sign on the road ahead.
First the good news. The court is comprised of a majority of justices appointed by Republicans. Governor Schwarzenegger will not support any attempt to add an amendment to the state's constitution that would ban same-sex marriages. We think Maria had something to do with this. Since the California Supreme Court is the last authority here, any attempt by right-wing groups to overturn the decision would have to be at the federal level and the US Supreme Court has already signaled it has no interest in the case. And it seems to have worked already in Massachusetts. Then there's the financial benefits to the state. Those who live here and those who flock to the state to get married will be paying fees and adding revenue to budget. Of course we thought of those many couples in male erotica that may relocate here.
Now, the cautionary part of all this. Gavin Newsom set this in motion after listening to George Bush's State of the Union message in 2004 where he spoke of banning same-sex marriage. Newsom did the right thing by issuing licenses but the legal fight that ensued has national repercussions. Other states had their own ballot initiatives in 2004 to ban same-sex marriage in their states and the religious right was energized to go to the polls and vote. What should have been a national referendum on Bush and the war was diminished. There is a likelihood that 2008 may see the GOP capitalize on this once again. We don't think it will be as much of an issue because this year OUR side is more energized---- but we do need to be careful to celebrate with caution.
We do try to keep our site and this blog as entertaining as possible and we try to keep the focus on pop culture. But this is an important year for all of us in the nation and the world so you will see more of our takes on the politics of the day.
The GLAAD Media Awards in SF was a celebration as well as an awards presentation. Here's a list of the winners.
- Vanguard Award: Sharon Stone (presented by Alan Cumming)
- Davidson/Valentini Award: Ilene Chaiken (presented by Jennifer Beals)
- Golden Gate Award: James Schamus (presented by Marcus Hu)
- Pioneer Award: David Mixner (presented by Judith Light)
- Outstanding Television Movie, Mini-Series or Anthology: The DL Chronicles (here!) [Accepted by: show creators Deondray Gossett and Quincy LeNear]
- Outstanding Talk Show Episode: "Born in the Wrong Body" The Oprah Winfrey Show (syndicated) [Accepted by: episode guests Jake Rostovsky and Peggy Rostovsky]
- Outstanding Magazine – Overall Coverage: The Advocate [Accepted by: Editor Anne Stockwell]
- Outstanding Advertising – Electronic: "Change" Levis [Accepted by: President of Levis Brand U.S. Robert Hanson]
- Special Recognition: Theatre Rhinoceros [Accepted by: Executive Director John Fisher]
The California Supreme Court ruling was indeed a cause for celebration in many ways, but it also comes with a "proceed with caution" sign on the road ahead.
First the good news. The court is comprised of a majority of justices appointed by Republicans. Governor Schwarzenegger will not support any attempt to add an amendment to the state's constitution that would ban same-sex marriages. We think Maria had something to do with this. Since the California Supreme Court is the last authority here, any attempt by right-wing groups to overturn the decision would have to be at the federal level and the US Supreme Court has already signaled it has no interest in the case. And it seems to have worked already in Massachusetts. Then there's the financial benefits to the state. Those who live here and those who flock to the state to get married will be paying fees and adding revenue to budget. Of course we thought of those many couples in male erotica that may relocate here.
Now, the cautionary part of all this. Gavin Newsom set this in motion after listening to George Bush's State of the Union message in 2004 where he spoke of banning same-sex marriage. Newsom did the right thing by issuing licenses but the legal fight that ensued has national repercussions. Other states had their own ballot initiatives in 2004 to ban same-sex marriage in their states and the religious right was energized to go to the polls and vote. What should have been a national referendum on Bush and the war was diminished. There is a likelihood that 2008 may see the GOP capitalize on this once again. We don't think it will be as much of an issue because this year OUR side is more energized---- but we do need to be careful to celebrate with caution.
We do try to keep our site and this blog as entertaining as possible and we try to keep the focus on pop culture. But this is an important year for all of us in the nation and the world so you will see more of our takes on the politics of the day.
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