Around the Nation
Around the Nation
|
TOOLBOX
   Resize
COMMENT
 Discussion Policy
 CLOSE
Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
Who's Blogging  |
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Spurs Protest Across U.S.
Tens of thousands of gay rights supporters rallied throughout the nation Saturday, protesting the California vote that banned same-sex marriage there.
The largest protests took place in California: More than 10,000 gathered near Los Angeles' City Hall, at least 7,500 rallied at San Francisco's civic center, and a march in the state capital in Sacramento drew 1,500, police in the three cities estimated.
Elsewhere, crowds gathered near public buildings in small communities and major cities, including New York, Boston and Chicago, to vent their frustrations, celebrate same-sex relationships and renew calls for change. Hundreds protested at Lafayette Square, adjacent to the White House.
"Civil marriages are a civil right, and we're going to keep fighting until we get the rights we deserve as American citizens," Karen Amico said in Philadelphia, holding up a sign reading "Don't Spread H8,"which references Proposition 8, the California ballot measure.
"We are the American family, we live next door to you, we teach your children, we take care of your elderly," said Heather Baker, a special education teacher who addressed the crowd at Boston's City Hall Plaza. "We need equal rights across the country."
Massachusetts and Connecticut are the only two states that allow same-sex marriage. All 30 states that have voted on constitutionally banning same-sex marriage have approved such measures.
Texas Episcopal Diocese Splits
NEW YORK -- The theologically conservative Diocese of Fort Worth voted to split from the liberal-leaning Episcopal Church, the fourth traditional diocese to do so in a long-running debate over the Bible, same-sex relationships and other issues. About 80 percent of clergy and parishioners in the Texas diocese supported the break in a series of votes at a diocesan convention. The Fort Worth diocese oversees more than 50 parishes and missions serving about 19,000 people. The other seceding dioceses are Pittsburgh; Quincy, Ill.; and San Joaquin, based in Fresno, Calif.
N.C. Storm Kills 2, Levels Homes
KENLY, N.C. -- A cluster of strong thunderstorms produced tornadoes as severe weather swept across central North Carolina, killing two people and destroying at least a half-dozen houses. A woman was found dead amid the rubble that was once her home in the community of Kenly, about 35 miles southeast of Raleigh, said state police spokeswoman Patty McQuillan. Authorities said a child was killed elsewhere in Johnston County. Several injuries were reported.
