TRAILER: History In The Making

Clip recap:

This feature-length documentary, History In The Making: The Marriage Equality New York Archives 2007-2015, follows an all-grassroots organization, Marriage Equality New York (or MENY) from the NYC streets to Albany and eventually to the Supreme Court. Directed & edited by Fred Anguera. Filmed by Cristina Wolff, Rob Martin, Reed Davis, Fred Anguera, Emmanuel Migrino, Carmine Nicholas Tzavis. Appearances by Cathy Marino-Thomas, Edie Windsor, Brendan Fay, Margaret Cho, Maggie Gallagher, Sen. Thomas Duane, Christine Quinn, Danny O'Donnell, Candy Samples, Gilbert Baker, Chic, Ann Northrop, Gov. David Paterson, Sassy, Ron Zacchi, Fred Anguera, Sheila & Jackie Marino-Thomas, Cynthia Nixon, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Kate & Darcy Tuscano and more.

Get tickets to the screening.

Log Cabin Republicans Question Hillary Clinton's Support For The LGBT Community

Moments after Hillary Clinton issued yesterday's announcement video, the Log Cabin Republicans fired out the below list of questions.

“With her candidacy formally declared, Mrs. Clinton now has the duty of providing answers to numerous questions that should give LGBT voters and allies pause, regardless of party affiliation,” Log Cabin Republicans National Executive Director Gregory T. Angelo stated. There are questions Mrs. Clinton needs to answer: Does Mrs. Clinton still hold the belief that “marriage had always been a matter left to the states,” as she stated to Terry Gross on NPR, less than a year ago?  If Mrs. Clinton’s position has changed, when did it change? And what is the reason for that flip-flop?  Did Mrs. Clinton support the Federal Defense of Marriage Act, signed into law by her husband President Bill Clinton while she was First Lady? 

Did Mrs. Clinton support the military’s discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, signed by her husband while she was First Lady? Does Mrs. Clinton support open service for all LGBT Americans seeking to defend our freedoms?  Given the surge of broad discriminatory so-called “religious freedom” bills emerging across the country, did Mrs. Clinton support the original Religious Freedom Restoration Act signed into law by her husband while she was First Lady upon which this new crop of RFRA legislation is based? Although she was a leader on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act while she was a United States Senator, does Mrs. Clinton support more comprehensive civil rights legislation for LGBT Americans?

Does Mrs. Clinton support full repeal of the Death Tax, the discriminatory tax that prompted the Supreme Court’s historic 2013 Windsor ruling overturning Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act that was signed into law by her husband? Will Mrs. Clinton be as willing to engage with foreign nations guilty of gross human rights abuses against the gay community as she has been with her foundation? "Now that her candidacy is official, we hope Mrs. Clinton answers these questions expeditiously,” Angelo concluded. “The gay left may be willing to make assumptions about Mrs. Clinton’s support for the LGBT community, but Log Cabin Republicans will not.”

Remember that Log Cabin endorsed Mitt Romney, who signed NOM's anti-gay marriage pledge and who opposed the repeal of DADT.

Kaplan & Windsor For "The People's Brief"

Clip description:

The Human Rights Campaign has launched an unprecedented “People’s Brief” to the U.S. Supreme Court. Roberta Kaplan, the leading civil rights litigator who won a landmark Supreme Court ruling in United States v. Windsor striking down Section 3 of the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act in 2013, is the author and lead counsel on the brief. The historic effort, joined by Edie Windsor as first signer, gives every American a chance to share their view on marriage equality with the Supreme Court. Sign today.

The HRC says they are not harvesting the contact details of those who sign the brief.

HRC & DOMA Attorney Roberta Kaplan Launch "People's Brief" To SCOTUS

Chris Geidner reports at Buzzfeed:

Two of the biggest figures in the battle for marriage equality are joining forces to give the Supreme Court their take on the marriage cases before the justices. The Human Rights Campaign, headed since 2012 by Chad Griffin, is joining with Robbie Kaplan, who represented Edie Windsor in her challenge to DOMA, to submit an amicus curiae — or, friend of the court — brief to the justices in the marriage and marriage recognition ban cases out of Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee.

Kaplan and HRC are already joined by Windsor, the first of whom HRC hopes will be thousands of people across the country signing onto what the group is calling the “People’s Brief.” HRC is launching a campaign at its site to collect signatures for the brief over the next four weeks — a viral effort aimed at a court that still lacks online filing.

“When it comes to marriage equality, the Supreme Court has heard from business leaders and elected officials, faith leaders and even the President of the United States,” HRC President Chad Griffin said in a statement. “But, until now, they’ve never heard from the fair-minded American majority who simply wants to see their LGBT friends and neighbors treated fairly and equally under the law.”

Read and sign The People's Brief here.

UPDATE: In response to an inquiry from JMG reader Str8 Grandmother, Roberta Kaplan clarified that the HRC is not harvesting or saving the contact details of those who sign the brief.

A supporting video was posted last night.

The Human Rights Campaign has launched an unprecedented “People’s Brief” to the U.S. Supreme Court. Roberta Kaplan, the leading civil rights litigator who won a landmark Supreme Court ruling in United States v. Windsor striking down Section 3 of the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act in 2013, is the author and lead counsel on the brief. The historic effort, joined by Edie Windsor as first signer, gives every American a chance to share their view on marriage equality with the Supreme Court. Sign today at www.thepeoplesbrief.com.

New York City LGBT Center Celebrates With Ribbon-Cutting After $9.2M Remodel

Last night I attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the New York City LGBT Center, which is almost finished with a 14-month $9.2M remodeling that has dramatically reshaped the building, an 1844 structure that in 1938 became Food Trades Vocational High School. Leading the ceremony was Center executive director Glennda Testone and Edith Windsor, who announced that the Center will be the recipient of her personal papers. Speakers included Manhattan borough president Gale Brewer, City Councilman Corey Johnson, state Sen. Brad Hoylman, state Assemblywoman Deborah Glick, NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, and a representative from Mayor De Blasio's office, who declared yesterday to be LGBT Center Day in New York City. The Center hosts hundreds of groups and was the birthplace of ACT UP. The ribbon was provided by rainbow flag creator Gilbert Baker.

UPDATE: JMG reader Glenn provides us with his video of Edith Windsor's speech. Lots of gay history here.

Edith Windsor On Mississippi

MISSISSIPPI: Marriage Case Is This Week

Via the Campaign for Southern Equality:

A federal challenge to Mississippi’s law banning same-sex marriage (Campaign for Southern Equality v. Bryant) was filed on October 20 in the Southern District of Mississippi on behalf of two same-sex couples, – Andrea Sanders and Rebecca Bickett, and Jocelyn Pritchett and Carla Webb – and the Campaign for Southern Equality. A hearing on the motion for preliminary injunction has been set in the case. At 9 a.m. on November 12, both sides in the case will gather in federal court in Jackson, Mississippi before U.S. District Court Judge Carlton W. Reeves. “By setting the schedule that it did, the Court clearly appreciated the need for expedition on issues of such great constitutional and practical import,” says lead counsel Roberta Kaplan.

Read more about the case.

FLORIDA: Edith Windsor Tells Gov. Rick Scott To Stop Fighting Same-Sex Marriage

Orlando's Watermark has the transcript:

“I am Edith S. Windsor, the plaintiff in Windsor v. United States, the case that won federal recognition of marriages for same-sex couples. The two extremely positive decisions in favor of marriage equality were Justice Jacobs’ decision in the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals and Justice Kennedy’s decision in the Supreme Court, both self-described conservatives. Five judges in Florida have also ruled that it’s wrong to exclude same-sex couples from marriage. And the majority of Floridians agree. My dear Governor Scott, I employ you to use the power of your office to allow loving couples to marry now in your state. Very respectfully yours, Edie Windsor.”

MISSISSIPPI: Court Sets Rapid Schedule For Marriage Equality Hearing

This is the suit filed just Monday by some of Edith Windsor's legal team. (Others on the DOMA case were the ACLU and NYCLU.)

MISSISSIPPI: Edith Windsor's Legal Team Files New Marriage Equality Lawsuit

From the Campaign For Southern Equality:

“As the lawyers who represented Edie Windsor, we are so honored to be able to file this case today on behalf of Rebecca Bickett, Andrea Sanders, Jocelyn Pritchett, Carla Webb, and the Campaign for Southern Equality. The Supreme Court took a gigantic step forward last year in Windsor, and since then, dozens of courts around the country have followed suit so that today, gay people in thirty-two states have the right to marry. It is now time to take the next big step by making sure that gay families in Mississippi are accorded these same protections. The Supreme Court has made it clear that no matter where a gay person lives —whether it is in Maine, Minnesota, or Mississippi—our Constitution requires that they be treated with the same dignity and respect under the law as everyone else,” says lead counsel Roberta Kaplan.

View the lawsuit. Last year a lawsuit was filed on behalf of a Mississippi woman seeking to have her out-of-state marriage recognized for the purpose of divorce. Today's suit is the first to seek an outright overturn of Mississippi's ban on same-sex marriage. Mississippi is part of the Fifth Circuit Court, which has yet to rule on the appeal out of Texas.

Happy Birthday, Edith Windsor!

Interview With Edith Windsor, Part 3

Marriage Equality USA has posted the third and final installment of their interview with Edith Windsor. Via Gay Star News:

'When Stonewall happened, I was really this ignorant middle class lady who said "I don't see why I have to be identified with those queens,"' Windsor said in an interview posted Thursday (24 July) by Marriage Equality USA. But the woman whose lawsuit brought down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) soon realized how heroic the drag queens who took a stand against police raids were. 'I mean those queens changed my life,' she says. 'And I saw them and I loved what I saw. It was the beginning of my sense of community.' Windsor sued the US government when she was billed $363,053 in estate taxes after the death of wife Thea Spyer in 2009.

Since Windsor

From the Mormon Church-owned Deseret News.

Edith Windsor On DOMA Anniversary

Former Marriage Equality USA president Cathy Marino-Thomas has interviewed Edith Windsor about today's anniversary of the overturn of DOMA.  Windsor: "There is no wrong time for justice. If you're going to go for it, go for it." Watch and learn about how Windsor came to be the plaintiff.

NEW YORK CITY: Rally For Homeless LGBT Youth Shelters On Monday June 2nd

Via press release:

National Campaign for Youth Shelter calls for 22,000 beds for homeless youth: The Ali Forney Center and the National Coalition for the Homeless have released the list of speakers for the LGBT Rally for Homeless Youth, to be held in Washington Square Park at 6pm on Monday June 2nd. The National Campaign for Youth Shelter New York City rally will launch the campaign as a priority within the LGBT movement. LGBT youth are disproportionately over-represented in the homeless youth population, with as many as 40% of the nation's homeless youth being LGBT, while only 5% of the overall youth population is LGBT. Currently, there are only approximately 4,000 youth shelter beds in the United States, yet as many as 500,000 unaccompanied youths experience homelessness each year. The Master of Ceremonies for the rally will be ballroom legend, star of Paris Is Burning, and former homeless LGBT Youth Junior Labeija.

The list of speakers includes Edith Windsor, David Mixner, Cathy Marino-Thomas, Carl Siciliano, and two veterans of the Stonewall Rebellion: Martin Boyce and Danny Garvin.  Facebook event page.

Open Thread Thursday

As today is the one year anniversary of oral arguments in United States Vs Windsor, let's hear from JMG readers who have stories about how Edith Windsor's historic win has personally affected their lives or the lives of friends and family.

One Year Ago Today

One year ago today, Edith Windsor emerged from the doors of the Supreme Court to the wild cheers of hundreds of adoring fans following oral arguments in United States Vs Windsor. Three months later the Supreme Court ruled in Windsor's favor, setting off an avalanche of pro-LGBT changes by the federal government and a still unbroken cascade of marriage equality advances across the nation.  The above iconic image made the cover of Pride Magazine and people have told me that their copies are now framed and hanging in a place of honor in their homes. All hail Edith Windsor!

Post-Windsor Court Record: 100%

Slate recaps the last eight months of marriage cases:

Twelve decisions have addressed a substantive aspect of marriage equality since Windsor, and equality has won in all 12—with the Virginia decision now joining decisions from Kentucky, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah, and West Virginia, and two decisions each in Illinois, New Jersey, and Ohio. But six other cases since Windsor have addressed different aspects of discrimination based on sexual orientation, such as discrimination on juries and employment benefits, and the side of equality has won in all six of those cases as well. The tally is even starker when you look at the number of judges who have considered the issue. Since Windsor, in these 18 decisions, 32 different judges have considered whether Windsor is merely about the relationship between the state and federal governments or whether it is about equality. And all 32 of them have found for equality. In other words, 32 accomplished, intelligent lawyers, appointed by Democrats and Republicans, whose job it is to read precedent, have ruled for equality. Not a single one has disagreed.

White House: Thank You Edie Windsor

A message of thanks to DOMA champion Edith Windsor was posted today on the White House blog. The statement is attributed to White House Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett. An excerpt:

When the Court handed down its decision last June, President Obama called Edie from Air Force One to congratulate her on her victory. And earlier this week, the President invited Edie to the France State Dinner and the Oval Office to thank her in person. The thanks expressed by the President that day have been echoed by millions of Americans, including thousands of legally married couples who can now live their lives with greater justice and dignity – thanks to heroes like Edie Windsor who have been willing to stand up and fight for equality under the law.

Quite the lovely Valentine's Day timing. The photo is dated Wednesday, when Windsor was a guest at the White House state dinner honoring French President Francois Hollande, who guided his nation to marriage equality last May.

UPDATE: Windsor's DOMA attorney responds.

Edith Windsor Attends White House State Dinner Honoring French President

DOMA champion Edith Windsor was among the guests attending last night's White House state dinner honoring French President Francois Hollande, who guided his nation to marriage equality last May. 

Climbing out of his limousine just after 7 p.m., he [Hollande] was greeted by the Obamas, the first lady in a full liberty-blue skirt and black beaded top by Carolina Herrera. The first couple towered over Mr. Hollande for a photo, before the three made their way inside. The guest list for the state dinner, as is traditional, drew from the worlds of politics, business, sports, news media and entertainment, with a nod to Americans of French extraction. Among the most notable guests was Edith Windsor, 83, the New Yorker whose landmark lawsuit against the federal government for denying her tax benefits after the death of her female spouse knocked down the Defense of Marriage Act last year. Among the news media figures invited were Jeff Zucker, the president of CNN, and Jill Abramson, the executive editor of The New York Times.

(Tipped by JMG reader Kyle)