Another state steps up to really protect the sanctity of marriage: Oklahoma state Rep. Sally Kern (of ‘gays will destroy the country’ fame) is now going after divorce. According to Towleroad:
The bill would not allow for divorce on the basis of incompatibility if:
There are living minor children of the marriage
The parties have been married 10 years or longer
Either party files a written objection to the granting of a divorceIf passed, the act would become effective on Nov. 1.
Meanwhile, Iowa LGBT groups are doing their best to protect the real sanctity of marriage, by keeping a proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-gender marriage off the floor when the Iowa legislature convenes this week, and New Jersey’s marriage bill is on the rocks, and only just scheduled for a vote after being tossed from House to Senate and back like a hot potato.
Elsewhere…
D.C. – A test-pilot/rocket scientist/defense industry veteran joins the ranks of high-profile trans people in the US government. Amanda Simpson will be a senior technical advisor to the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security, where she will be responsible for monitoring the sale of military-grade US technology to foreign governments. (Huffington Post)
Missouri – The blogger who coined the term “blogosphere” is dead at 41, apparently of natural causes. Brad L. Graham, of St. Louis, also happened to be one of the first gay bloggers. (the Bilerico Project)
New York, California – Arrests have been made in a Buffalo, NY hate crime attack, while reports surface of new attack at a gay-friendly club in Santa Cruz, California. (The Buffalo News, The Santa Cruz Sentinel)
Texas – Infamous conservative megachurch pastor Joel Osteen has pulled a 180 by thanking God for Houston’s new lesbian mayor. (The Advocate)
Canada – Life’s tough for a gay Muslim scholar, but for many, he’s a source of hope and affirmation in an otherwise strongly conservative faith. (EDGE Online)