Sunday, November 16, 2008

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.

Shuttle Is Checked for Damage

CAPE CANAVERAL -- Space shuttle Endeavour's astronauts unfurled a 100-foot laser-tipped pole and surveyed their ship for any launch damage while drawing ever closer to their destination, the international space station. At least two pieces of debris were spotted in launch photos, but Mission Control told the astronauts there were no obvious signs of damage. The spacecraft and its crew of seven were on track to hook up Sunday afternoon with the space station, which is home to three astronauts.

New Trouble for Young Runaway

TACOMA, Wash. -- A boy who ran away at age 9 and talked his way onto flights to Texas has blown too many chances to reform and will carry a felony record for car theft, a judge has decided. Since his headline-making escapade in January 2007, Semaj Booker, now 11, has attempted to repeat his airline runaway act, broken curfew, lied to police, burglarized an apartment and destroyed a mattress in juvenile detention, Pierce County Deputy Prosecutor Fred C. Wist said.

-- From News Services