Massachusetts - 20 years ago, same-sex marriage in Massachusetts opened a door for LGBTQ rights nationwide

Jo Yurcaba

NBC News

Boston, MA

Arlington Street Church

(1st church to solemnize same-sex marriage after Mass. Supreme Court allowed it 20 years ago)

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d3/Arlington_Street_Church%2C_Boston_Massachusetts.jpg

please press:  www.nbcnews.com

ezs note:  Thank you, our neighbors to the north!!!

lead story - Switzerland: Same-sex marriage, transgender rights move a step forward

Press

Deutsche Welle

Switzerland

1291 Bundesbrief  (federal charter)

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cc/Bundesbrief.jpg

please press:  www.dw.com

Costa Rica - A Brief History of LGBTQ Resistance in Costa Rican Nightlife

Richard Villegas
Remezcla

San José, Costa Rica

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/72/Stone_sphere.jpg

Romania - Romanian Referendum To Ban Same-Sex Marriage Fails

Joanna Kakissis
NPR

Bucharest, Romania

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/Riverside_tower_in_Bucharest.jpg

please press:  www.npr.org

Hong Kong - Two gay men challenge Hong Kong ban on same-sex marriage

Reuters
The Straits Times

Hong Kong

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7e/HK_Chater_Road_LegCo_view.jpg

please press:  www.straitstimes.com

Romania - Romanian Same-Sex-Marriage Referendum Fails Amid Low Turnout

Press
RFE/RL

Bucharest, Romania

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d2/Protest_against_corruption_-_Bucharest_2017_-_Arcul_de_Triumf_-_2.jpg

please press:  www.rferl.org

Nepal - One step forward two steps back on same-sex marriage

Gopal Gartaula
Nepali Times

Kavre, Nepal

Credit:  https://kitfrostnepal.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/screen-shot-2012-09-21-at-9-43-52-am.png

please press:  www.nepalitimes.com

Taiwan - Taiwan Referendum Threatens Same-Sex Marriage

Graeme Reid
HRW

Dwight D. Eisenhower visits Taipei, Taiwan (1960)

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/89/U.S._President_Eisenhower_visited_TAIWAN_%E7%BE%8E%E5%9C%8B%E7%B8%BD%E7%B5%B1%E8%89%BE%E6%A3%AE%E8%B1%AA%E6%96%BC1960%E5%B9%B46%E6%9C%88%E8%A8%AA%E5%95%8F%E8%87%BA%E7%81%A3%E5%8F%B0%E5%8C%97%E6%99%82%E8%88%87%E8%94%A3%E4%B8%AD%E6%AD%A3%E7%B8%BD%E7%B5%B1-2.jpg

please press:  www.hrw.org

China - Thousands of Chinese activists renew push for same-sex marriage

Press
NBC

Beijing, China

Credit:  ttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7b/Tianning_Temple_Pagoda.jpg

please press:  www.nbcnews.com

Thousands of Chinese activists renew push for same-sex marriage

Thousands of Chinese activists renew push for same-sex marriage

Rhode Island - R.I.’s 2013 validation of same-sex marriage is only the start, advocates say

Madeline List
Providence Journal

Providence, RI

Credit:  https://cpb-us-e1.wpmucdn.com/blogs.providence.edu/dist/9/20/files/2017/09/campaign-overview-28ac9z5.jpg

please press:  www.providencejournal.com

Bermuda - Bermuda government files appeal against same-sex marriage ruling

Press
Jamaica Observer

Hamilton, Bermuda

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e7/Front_Street%2C_Hamilton%2C_Bermuda.jpg

please press:  www.jamaicaobserver.com

Israel - TRANS BY CHOICE, TRANS BY FORCE

Hen Mazzig
The Jerusalem Post

Jaffa train station, Tel Aviv, Israel

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fc/Jaffa_train_station_-_restored.jpg

please press: www.jpost.com 

Taiwan - For Taiwan, a Year to Go to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage

Boris Dittrich
Human Rights Campaign

Taipei, Taiwan

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1c/Shilin_night_market_alley.jpg

please press: www.hrw.org

Costa Rica - Vocal Marriage Opponent Loses Costa Rica Presidential Election

Michael Lavers
Pride Source

Iglesia Immaculata Concepciòn, Costa Rica

please press:  pridesource.com

Panama - Panama lawyer: Same-sex marriage benefits ‘entire society’

Michael K. Lavers
Washington Blade

Credit:  https://wikitravel.org/upload/shared//9/95/Panama_Regions_map.png

please press:  www.washingtonblade.com

Costa Rica - Court Orders Costa Rica to Implement Same-Sex Marriage and Respect Transgender Rights

Maria Fernandez Cruz, Andrea Rodriguez
La Voz/The Voice

scene in Costa Rica

Credit:  https://i.pinimg.com/originals/8a/19/77/8a19778332f8a58c9919161e6afa9340.jpg

please press:  www.vozdeguanacaste.com

German Parliament Approves Same-Sex Marriage

Alison Smale and David Shimer
The New York Times

German Parliament

Credit:  http://maison.com.ng/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Miro-German-Parliament-in-Session.jpg

please press:  https://www.nytimes.com

North Carolina Introduces A Bill Banning Same-Sex Marriage Again

Lauren Holter

Refinery 29

Credit:  http://media.cagle.com/20/2015/02/03/159480_600.jpg

please press:  http://www.refinery29.com

ISLE OF MAN: Still Holding Out On Same-Sex Marriage Rights (UK)

Press
THEGAYUK

Credit:  http://www.theodora.com/flags/new6/isle_of_man.gif

please press:  http://www.thegayuk.com

Evangelical Church of the WI passes 'resolution opposing same-sex marriage' (Jamaica)

Press
Jamaica Observer

Credit:  http://gbmnews.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/lr-jamaica-protest-12-28-aug-13.jpg

please press:  http://www.jamaicaobserver.com

ezs note:  Y'know, the Evangelical Church of the West Indies has every right to hold this position.   

I may disagree, but they do have this right.  However, what about the liberal churches, 

temples, or mosques?  What about the individuals who belong to no church?  It is my firm belief that governments belong to PEOPLE, not churches!