Posted: January 4, 2007 - 12:00 am ET
(Lambertville, New Jersey) While most New Jersey mayors are publicly announcing they will refuse to perform civil unions for same-sex couples when the law comes into effect next month, one mayor is making it known he wants to conduct the first union in the state.
Lambertville mayor David Del Vecchio says he wants to set an example for other communities by performing the first civil union.
Del Vecchio made the pledge at his inauguration for his sixth term as mayor.
"Some of my mayoral colleagues have already said they will not perform civil union ceremonies," Del Vecchio said.
"As mayor, I will perform civil unions for gay and lesbian couples. And it is my hope that we will be able to set an example for other communities by celebrating one of the first — if not the first — civil union in the state when the law takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on Feb. 19."
Same-sex couples will be able to apply for licenses on Feb 19, and under the provisions of the law, be able to have civil union ceremonies 72 hours later.
A survey by one New Jersey newspaper last month, shortly after the civil union bill was signed into law, found almost all mayors in the state would refuse to perform a civil union ceremony.
In a legal opinion by N.J. Attorney General Stuart Rabner issued to municipal officials Rabner said that if they conduct ceremonies for opposite-sex couples they must also perform civil unions.
In a separate communication to local officials John M. Carbone, an attorney representing county clerks and surrogates in all 21 New Jersey counties, advises "Either do marriages and civil unions, or do nothing."
Under New Jersey's Law Against Discrimination any official who performs ceremonies for opposite-sex couples but refuses to conduct civil unions could be removed from office and subjected to fines beginning at $10,000 for the first offense Rabner said.
The civil union law was the result of an October ruling by the New Jersey Supreme Court that same-sex couples should have access to the same rights and benefits as married couples. Whether to call those rights marriages, civil unions or something else was left up to lawmakers.
The legislature opted for civil unions.
The law offers couples who register most state benefits and protections currently available to opposite-sex couples, including the right to health insurance through a partner’s employer.
But it does not provide any of the benefits of marriage under federal law, and it still could cost same-sex couples more than marriage couples for health insurance. (story)
Via The Cup of Joe comes this great piece from today's Wall Street Journal about Tim England and Rob Kent, a couple together for nearly 20 years, who bought Gerald Ford's childhood home in 1991 and restored it. In the process, they caught the attention of Ford, and developed a friendship with the former president.
Then in 1992, a letter arrived from President Ford out of the blue. "Mrs. Ford and I are very pleased and honored that you have done such a wonderful restoration of my family home," he wrote. Excited that the former president had taken an interest, the two men tried to have the house designated as a historical landmark and sought public funds to help with the restoration."
Ford later paid a visit to the couple and they began corresponding. As Joe notes, "Isn't it nice to read about non-gay-baiting Republicans?" It certainly is, and their actions perhaps contributed to Ford's views on gay marriage. News of Ford's death was poignant for the couple:
"Just past midnight on Wednesday morning, after Messrs. England and Kent went to bed, a friend called and told them to turn on their television. Watching the report of Mr. Ford's death, Mr. England says he felt sick to his stomach. A few minutes later, a local news crew pulled up in front of the home in the darkness. Mr. England went outside and pleaded with them to wait before they started shooting. He brought out the big American flag and draped it over the front porch. Then he told them they could start their cameras."
ah...the four leaf clover...not usually imprisoned in cellophane but this is how they ship them from the emerald isle i take it. 
did you know what the "swastik" meant originally? it is the sign that represents the hindu lord of good fortune, 'ganesh'. 'swastik' is a sanskrit word that means, 'purveyor of good fortune', it bestows luck and prosperity, but it must always be placed in a clock-wise direction. this symbol of luck should not be confused with the 'nazi swastika', which is placed at an angle and does not produce any positive energy.
o-mamori, a japanese good luck charm
this ancient egyptian amulet, the scarab beetle, is worn as jewellery and symbolises the renewal of life.
in hindu mythology, om or aum is believed to be the first sound to pervade through the universe at the beginning of time. almost all mantras are also initiated by reciting the word 'om'. worshippers of this sacred symbol are blessed with luck, material comforts and spiritual powers.
The exact origin of the superstition is unknown, though it has appeared in print at least as early as 1920 in England, where it is most commonly said to have originated, though some reports place its origins even earlier, into the 1800s. Today it has spread to most of the English-speaking countries of the world, although like all folklore, determining its exact area of distribution is difficult. The superstition is related to the broader belief in the rabbit or hare being a “lucky” animal, as exhibited in the practice of carrying a rabbit's foot for luck.
click here for more variations
this blog features reflections on popular culture, political propaganda, avant garde art, underground and overground music, film, events, original poetry, one part madonna and a little more than a pinch of the gay agenda and anything else that may dance through chauncey d, the cerebral jester's head!
thank you for stopping by and hope you enjoy the experiment!
and.. from the eye of the cerebral jester comes...
'an incomplete blink'
a new photography blog!
click the oogling egg of time to be transported!
Posts
All Comments
City Tree by Dan S, inspired by stiletto.love | Get Free Blogger Template .
