Mark Maxwell and Tim Young, a gay couple from North Carolina, are foster parents to four young boys ranging between 13 to 24 years of age.

Though the two men have been together for more than 20 years, and were legally married in Washington D.C. earlier this year, they are currently unable to jointly adopt the boys under the laws of North Carolina because they are a same-sex couple.

Just in time for Father’s Day, the organizations Freedom To Marryand Campaign for Southern Equality have teamed up to tell this family’s story of love and perseverance in a touching new video promoting the marriage equality, “A Tale of Two Dads.”

Watch the video at this link:
http://www.advocate.com/politics/marriage-equality/2013/06/15/watch-tale-two-dads

This Father’s Day I am not requesting gifts of ties, golf clubs or even familial peace. Instead I am asking for the dreams that I have for my daughter to no longer be blocked by bigotry.

Any partnership is difficult to maintain after the novelty has worn off and day-to-day life has taken over: job, finances, finding a parking place. For those who are demeaned to second-class citizenship because of whom they love, the path is complicated by intolerance.

My wish is for my daughter to find someone, regardless of gender, with whom to share her life. One who respects her as I do and is willing to share the joy, the mundane, the tears, the anger, and through it all still loves her.

And I wish the world would love and respect that commitment.

To read entire blog, click on this link:
http://www.hrc.org/blog/entry/a-fathers-day-open-letter-on-marriage-equality/

The face of US foreign policy honored June as LGBT Pride Month and asserted a commitment to gay rights around the world.

Secretary of State John Kerry released a video on the State Department website. He connected gay pride celebrations to larger human rights struggles.

'This month is about the assertion of equality and dignity,' the secretary said.  'It is about the affirmation of fundamental freedoms and human rights.  It is about people taking pride in who they are, no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity.'

Entire article is here:  
http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/us-secretary-state-releases-video-honor-gay-pride-month080613

By STEVEN ERLANGER
Published: May 18, 2013

PARIS — The rush toward France’s first same-sex marriage officially began Saturday morning, after President François Hollande signed the country’s “marriage for all” act into law.

The mayor of the southern city of Montpellier, sometimes called “the French San Francisco,” intends to officiate at the first gay wedding, which is likely to be no sooner than May 29, because by French law an application for a marriage must be filed at City Hall 10 days before the ceremony itself. 

Find the entire article at this link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/19/world/europe/hollande-signs-french-gay-marriage-law.html?_r=0

While marriage equality has been a controversial and popular topic to tackle since 2008 when California’s infamous Proposition 8 passed, the overwhelming focus on the right to marry has overshadowed many other important issues in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) community.

People who are transgender do not identify as the sex they were assigned at birth. Transgender people are underrepresented in the media and the lack of information surrounding the community has left many individuals vulnerable to violence due to ignorance.

Though being transgender is often associated with the gay community, organizations that claim to cater to LGBTQneeds often ignore or purposely neglect transgender people. The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is a prominent organization that claims to be “working for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equal Rights.”

To read entire article, please click here:
http://www.laneytower.com/opinion/transgender-rights-a-priority-for-lgbtq-advocates-1.3043516#.UZYpOaLvuSp

If you attempted to count the number of Chicago congregations led by openly gay, Black ministers, you'd probably struggle to get to 10. However, a new church in the South Loop will add to that number.

Jamie Frazier, Lighthouse Church of Chicago's founder and senior pastor, began planning the congregation last year after wishing to experience an open and inclusive congregation rooted in African-American church traditions. His vision informs the church's motto: "Passionate about Jesus. Serious about justice."

To read entire article, please click on this link:
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Black-gay-pastor-starts-Loop-church-/42822.html

By Associated Press, Published: May 14

To read the entire article, please click on this link:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/gay-marriage-through-minn-legislature-governor-to-sign-bill-allowing-aug-1-gay-weddings/2013/05/14/ea33376e-bc64-11e2-b537-ab47f0325f7c_story.html

Recent events have put me at the center of a strange and troubling irony. Just as our nation is making steady progress toward embracing the rights of same-sex couples to marry, my own denomination, the United Methodist Church, continues to deny such rights to gay and lesbian persons, even within its own membership. Current marriage equality cases before the Supreme Court have received unprecedented support from the White House, prominent political leaders, public corporations and religious associations. Especially compelling is the fact that thousands of American citizens recently took to the streets in all 50 states to support same-sex marriage, declaring, as one sign put it, that “love is an awful thing to hate.” As a United Methodist clergyman, however, I am now facing charges in a possible church trial because I performed a same-sex wedding in New York City, where such marriage are fully legal.

Full article is here: 
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/on-faith/wp/2013/05/08/why-i-disobeyed-the-united-methodist-churchs-unjust-teaching-on-same-sex-marriage/

By ERIK ECKHOLM
Published: May 7, 2013

Delaware on Tuesday became the 11th state to permit same-sex marriage, the latest in a string of victories for those working to extend marital rights to gay and lesbian couples.

The marriage bill passed the State Senate by a vote of 12 to 9 Tuesday afternoon.

“It’s a great day in Delaware,” said Gov. Jack Markell, a Democrat, who signed it within minutes of passage before an overjoyed crowd of activists. “I am signing this bill now because I do not intend to make any of you wait one moment longer.”

Same-sex couples will be eligible for marriage licenses on July 1.

To read entire article, please click on this link:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/08/us/delaware-to-allow-same-sex-marriage.html?_r=0