Category: Marriage Equality

  • George Takei – A Proud Gay American

    We were fortunate to meet George Takei and his partner Brad Altman at the HRC dinner this past March, 2014, in Phoenix, Arizona. A handshake, a hug and a word of encouragement from George and Brad helped make our same sex marriage fight here in Arizona, just a bit easier.  But our struggle pales in comparison to the personal story of Mr. Takei during World War II. Take sixteen minutes of your time to learn about his struggle and how he now fights for equal rights throughout this great land we call home, a land we call America.

    As a child, George Takei, his siblings and parents, all United States citizens, were forced into an internment camp for Japanese-Americans, as a “security” measure during World War II. Seventy years later, Takei looks back at how the experience shaped his surprising, personal definition of patriotism and democracy.

    Our brief encounter with George with his husband, Brad:

    George Takei

    George Takei with two of the Plaintiffs in the Arizona Marriage Equality Lawsuit. 
    (L to R) Joe Connolly, George Takei and Terry Pochert

  • AZ Ruling on Gay Marriage Ban Expected Soon

    Attorney Heather Macre

    [Story originally appeared August 4, 2014]

    Jason Barry from CBS 5 in Phoenix, Arizona, writes, “A major ruling on same-sex marriage in Arizona is expected any day now.

    A lawsuit challenging the state’s gay marriage ban is making its way through federal court.

    Terry Pochert and Joe Connolly, of Maricopa, are one of seven couples leading the charge to give same-sex couples the right to marry in Arizona.

    “To me, it’s very simple,” said Pochert. “Two people love each other, and are committed to each other for a lifelong relationship.  We just want the same rights that any other couple in a long term relationship would have.”

    In 2008, Arizona voters amended the state constitution  to include the definition of marriage as only between one man and one woman.

    Other states did the same. …”[1]

    References:

    1. KPHO

  • Unconstitutional

    Federal judge strikes down gay marriage ban

    Marguerite and Kimberly Crawford had just returned from a shopping trip at Costco when they got the news.  They run Sunday errands like an average married couple, and now the state of Alaska must recognize them as one. [1]

    Juneau Empire - October 13, 2014
    Juneau Empire – October 13, 2014

    References:

    1. Juneau Empire, October 13, 2014 – Unconstitutional (PDF – Front Page); (PDF – Website)