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& so CAROLIN Take a ^tahD, be ture to vote! Special Q-Uving Section: You am what you drive VOLUME 19 . ISSUE « SINCE 198tf WWW.q-NOTBS.COM JULY 31 . 2004 Big Screen: Meryl Streep talks about her role in The Manchurian Candidate’ 31 Interview: Gay Comic Jason Stuart performs in Raleigh 31 John Edwards on LGBT isssues O' Thai Government wants less gay TV 01 Jamaican Rap ardst sought in gay bearing U North and South Carolina North Camlina: N.C. LGBT Film Festival opens 0! South Camlina: Covenant Presbyterian organizing in Charleston t ONLINE Q.POLL www.q*notes.com Kttifnkthe ® Marriage Piirtection Act the Senate? Federal Marriage Amendment dies in Senate, Marriage Protection Act passes in Congress Lack of support and votes kills FMA, MPA expected to face similar consequences WASHINGTON, D.C. — In the continuing struggle for marriage equality, gays and les bians scored a big one when efforts to pass a constitutional amendment banning same- sex marriage failed July 14. Not surprisingly, the proposal failed to garner enough votes in the Senate to stay alive. After final arguments by the leaders of each party. Republicans mustered 48 votes, 12 short of the 60 they needed to overcome a procedural hurdle and move the proposed amendment to the floor. “In 217 years, we’ve only amended that sacred document 17 times,” said Sen. Tom Daschle (D-SD) before the vote. “There have been II ,000 separate attempts." Daschle said no urgent need exists to amend the Constitution now. But Sen.. Bill Frist disagreed. “It has become clear to legal Sifholars that same- sex marriage will be exported to all 50 states,” said the majority leader from Tennessee. “Will activist judges not elected by the American people destroy the institution of marriage or will the people protect marriage as the best way to raise children? My vote is with the people.” Republicans origi nally had expected they would win a majority, if not the 67 votes requited for the 100-mernber body to pass a constitutional amendment In doing so, they were seeking to force the Democrats’ pre sumed presiden tial ticket — Sens. John Kerry of Massachusetts and John Edwards of North Carolina — to go on the record in opposition to the amendment. But in the last two days before the vote, a number of Republicans indicated they wouldn’t vote for the measure, leav ing GOP leaders red-faced over their fail- While the Senate fail^ to amend the Constitution, Congress is attemp^ ing to set in motion similar efforts to derail marriage equality. ure to muster support. Sen. John McCain of Arizona broke force fully with President George W. Bush and the Senate GOP leadership over the issue, taking see SENATE on 6 Mecklenburg County Commissioner's attempt to prevent gay adoption in . N.C. fails Even county conservatives opposed measure by David Moore Q-Notes staff CHARLOTTE, N.C. — On July 13 the Mecklenburg County Commission voted against a proposal that was expected to be the basis for banning gays, lesbians and others from being foster or adoptive parents through the Department of Social Services programs. Efforts by lesbian and gay parents, friends and allies as they stood before Mecklenburg County Commissioners and told stories about being foster par ents and adoptive parents apparently had an impact on the Commission. At night’s end, everyone but the Commisoner who made the proposal — Bill All but one member of tthe Mecklenburg w u County Commission voted against a thinly- Charlotte and Mecklenburg veiled attempt to block gays and lesbians from adopting and foster parenting. see COMMISSION on 5 N.C. bishop approves blessing of same-sex unions Schism widens between diocese and conservatives by David Stout Q-Notes staff RALEIGH, N.C. — Bishop Michael Curry, 51, of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina has reignited the bat tle over gays within the Episcopal Church (USA) by send ing the parishes in his charge a letter that approves same-sex blessings and offers guidelines for clergy who perform them. The timing is espe cially thorny because the diocese, like the remaining four dioce ses in the Carolinas, is still dealing with the fallout from the con troversial ordination of Rev. Gene Robinson, who is open ly gay, as Bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire. The letter was issued July 1 in response to a June vote at St. see BISHOPon 4 Bishop A^hael Curry has led the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina since June 2000.
Q-notes (Charlotte, N.C.)
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July 31, 2004, edition 1
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