Mark and Beau want to get married and Texas says no!

The Daily Sweet Tea Toast Salute on July 7th 2012 goes to Mark "Major" Jiminez and Beau Chandler, the Texas couple who decided to protest their state's ban of same-sex marriages.

On Thursday July 5th, they went to the Dallas County clerk's office to apply for a marriage license and were denied because Texas law only allows marriages that are between one man and one woman. Not accepting this form of discrimination, Mark and Beau handcuffed themselves in the county clerk's office and refused to leave until they either granted the marriage license or were forcibly removed. They were arrested and now face possible fines and jail time.

Video of their sit-in and arrest courtesy of The Dallas Voice.




What Mark and Beau did was STAND UP FOR THEIR RIGHTS! They took action and sacrificed to bring attention to the inequality that exists in America. For that The Daily Sweet Tea lifts up our glass in a toast to the Texas couple and hopes that we see more people standing up and fighting for equality.

For more information about this you should reference GET EQUAL TEXAS for the best local updates and perhaps show your support for Mark and Beau as they face their legal challenges.

Tea Toast Salute: Happy Anniversary Pam & Kate (Spaulding)

Here is a Daily Sweet Tea Toast salute to Pam Spaulding and her wife Kate on the 8th anniversary of their marriage in Canada on July 1, 2004. The lesbian couple were legally married in Canada where same-sex marriages are legal but they are residents of North Carolina which recently became the 32nd state in the USA to approve a constitutional amendment that bans legalization of their relationship. Pam Spaulding is one of the legends of the blogisphere and known affectionately as the "Blogmistress". And if you aren't reading her blog at PAM'S HOUSE BLEND then this must be your first time on the internet! All hail to the Blogmistress and HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Pam Spaulding and her WIFE Kate! This weekend happens to be the birthday of BILLY BROWN, of the R&B group Ray, Goodman & Brown. And today I share their 1980 hit "Happy Anniversary"

Wedding Bell Blues and a Birthday

As New Yorkers continue to celebrate the resolution to their Wedding Bell Blues, the Pride and Soul blog wishes to recognize The 5th Dimension's Billy Davis Jr & his wife of 42 years Marilyn McCoo. They married on June 26, 1969 and Billy Davis Jr's birthday is June 26, 1938. So Happy Anniversary and Happy Birthday to Mr. Billy Davis!

"Wedding Bell Blues" by The 5th Dimension


Song was written by the late Laura Nyro, here is her version.


"You Don't Have To Be A Star (to be in my show)"


"Shine On Silver Moon"

New York makes 6 for Marriage Equality!

Congratulations to the state of New York, the 6th state in the United States to legalize same sex marriage. The Republican led State Senate passed the marriage bill by a vote of 33-29. Already passed by the state assembly, MARRIAGE EQUALITY will officially take effect 30 days after New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signs the bill into law.

New York also makes history as it is one of the rare cases where marriage equality was achieved by legislative action and not by judicial action. Also there are no residency restrictions for getting married in New York state so while your marriage may not be recognized in Georgia where this blog is based, I forsee many Gay couples vacationing in New York where they can have a fabulous ballroom style wedding.

Again, congratulations to the state of New York for doing the right and fair thing.

And now some music.

"Chapel Of Love" by The Dixie Cups


"Lets Get Married" by Al Green


"Won't Cha' Stay With Me" by L.T.D. (Jeffrey Osborne on vocals)
This is a great wedding song. Listen and enjoy.


"New York State Of Mind" by Billy Joel


"Native New Yorker" by Odyssey


And the song so many have posted almost immediately after the vote

"New York New York"


Now go ahead, book those ballrooms and register at those posh 5th Avenue stores. Marriage Equality has come to the Empire State.

Waiting and waiting for Marriage Equality in New York

The state assembly in New York passed a bill that could legalize marriages for same-sex couples. And for a couple weeks the people of New York have been waiting on their state senate to vote on the bill.

NEWS ARTICLE FROM New York "Gay City News"

There have been negotiations with state senators to secure votes before bringing it to the floor. News would come out that they had enough votes and would possibly vote on one day and it gets delayed day after day. Supporters of marriage equality in New York have been on pins and needles waiting for New York to join 5 other states in offering fairness and equality in Marriage.

New York State, your tax paying same-sex couples are waiting for you to make things equal. Stop the delays! Make marriage equality a reality in New York.

Click on THIS LINK for more information on contacting the NYS senate asking them to bring it to a vote. (6/23)

The music for this article is "Waiting" by Deniece Williams


As the people of New York continue to wait and anticipate marriage equality in New York State.

Saturday love and a lame duck.

If it's Saturday and you are in love, this is a great day!

Perhaps its a Saturday Love with potential for the rest of the week.

"Saturday Love" by Cherelle & Alexander O'Neal


Or "Saturday In The Park" is something you'll be able to enjoy in areas where you have a beautiful local park that is iconic in your city. Like Piedmont Park in Atlanta or Central Park in New York.

"Saturday In The Park" by Chicago


But now if you are gay and live in California it is possible you may be able to spend that "Saturday In The Park" with not only your "Saturday Love" but the love of your life that you are LEGALLY married to. This is because the TERM LIMITED LAME DUCK Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger along with California Attorney General Jerry Brown has filed motions to resume same-sex marriages immediately after the ruling of that state's voter supported ban on same-sex marriages ("Prop 8") as unconstitutional.

Marriage Equality in California was to be put on hold at least for the short term while the recent ruling against proposition 8 was appealed. But the state's governor who's political career is ending soon and the state's attorney general who is the Democratic nominee for Governor in the upcoming election have found it within their hearts to allow marriage equality in California.

But where were these POLITICANS in 2008 on this issue? This blogger doesn't live in California so California residents are welcome to post comments and enlighten us on where Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jerry Brown have been on the issue of same-sex marriage. The Governor had the past 8 years, two terms to work for and encourage marriage equality in the state. But only after his state's ban on same-sex marriage is overturned at a time when his approval rating is low and we are reaching the end of his second term where he is not eligibe to run again does he show a desire for same-sex marriages to happen in California.

It is important to note that as you celebrate and walk down the asile in your California wedding that Arnold is doing this as a defeated man with nothing to lose. He doesn't have to face any political fallout from the Republican base that he pandered to over the years when he sought their votes. And Jerry Brown the former Governor and current attorney general is running for election as the DEMOCRATIC nominee. And what better way to get votes from California's gay community (made mostly of DEMOCRATS) than to show support for same-sex marriages to resume. It would be interesting to know where Jerry Brown stood on marriage equality in recent years and if he is elected governor will he continue to stand for LGBT rights in the state or will he be another "friend" during election season and a disappointment after the voters elect him. Sadly that is typical of POLITICIANS like the current occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington DC.

As for Arnold Schwarzenegger, now that his political career is coming to an end he is going to need some support should he decide to resume his acting career and we all know that the entertainment community has a large LGBT population. And Arnold is going to need all the friends he can get in Hollywood. At the very least if he becomes an full time resident of Southern California again he may want to get along with his neighbors.

If Arnold Schwarzenegger were up for re-election he would have fought to keep Proposition 8 as if it were another "Terminator" movie. So excuse this blogger if he doesn't give Arnold Schwarzenegger a pass for calling for same-sex marriages to resume in California.

Gotta love lame ducks and their sudden change of heart to give you what you wanted all along.

Let's hope the marriages start soon. And best wishes to those planning to tie the knot.

How about another wedding song. You don't hear much about this talented performer Amanda Marshall. This is her song "Marry Me".

"Look At California" They had a victory for marriage equality!

California's voter approved proposition 8 was overturned in a judicial ruling from a a lawsuit filed after the proposal to ban same-sex marriages won in a 52-48% vote in November 2008. That vote (Prop 8) overturned a law that approved Marriage Equality (same-sex marriages) in the state then 18,000 same-sex couples were married during the months that it was legal. Gay marriage opponents immediately moved to have a public vote to have the marriage law overturned and as of August 4th 2010, that law has been turned back toward Marriage Equality.

But the fight is far from over. Today's ruling will be appealed and this could reach the US Supreme Court. But today's ruling could have an effect on marriage bans across the country.

But think about this very carefully! It is also an election year and this ruling will surely make gay marriage a major campaign platform especially for those who OPPOSE same-sex marriages. Add that to the upcoming changes in the United States supreme court and the probability that conservatives may become the majority again in congress. You had better recognize that today's ruling IN CALIFORNIA does NOT mean the road to Marriage Equality is going to be either short or smooth.

But today we can "Look At California" and be happy that Proposition 8 was overturned today.


The song "Look At California" is from MAZE Featuring Frankie Beverly (1977)