DELAWARE BECOMES 11TH STATE

ALLOWING SAME-SEX MARRIAGE

Fuerte Men News

Delaware Governor Jack Markell signed legislation May 7, 2013 making Delaware the 11^th state in the nation – plus the District of Columbia – to legalize marriage for same-sex couples. With added help from Republican state legislators, Delaware’s freedom to marry legislation passed a final hurdle in the state senate.  The law will go into effect on July 1^st.

Today’s victory for gay and lesbian couples in Delaware comes on the heels of Rhode Island’s passage of freedom to marry legislation last Thursday. And, in a sign of growing bipartisan momentum for marriage, two more states – Illinois and Minnesota – are also weighing similar legislation in the coming weeks.  A map of all state laws can be found here.

“Today, we wrote a new chapter in our history and proved, once again, justice and equality continue to move forward in Delaware,” said Delaware Governor Jack Markell. “In my State of the State earlier this year, I spoke about a Delaware that protects the rights of all of its citizens, no matter whom they love. By signing House Bill 75 into law, we are another step closer toward achieving that goal. Those of you who have worked tirelessly for years to make today possible have joined the ranks of those great Delawareans.  You have advanced the cause of liberty, equality and dignity in our time.”

33.7 MILLION HISPANICS

MEXICAN ORIGINS

Fuerte Men News  

A record 33.7 million Hispanics of Mexican origin resided in the United States in 2012, according to a new analysis of Census Bureau data by the Pew Research Center. This estimate includes 11.4 million immigrants born in Mexico and 22.3 million born in the U.S. who self-identify as Hispanics of Mexican origin.

Mexicans are by far the largest Hispanic-origin population in the U.S., accounting for nearly two-thirds (64%) of the U.S. Hispanic population in 2012. Hispanics of Mexican origin are also a significant portion of the U.S. population, accounting for 11% overall. 

JOIN THE SILENCE

WHAT SIDE ARE YOU ON?

Fuerte Men News

This coming Friday, April 19th, hundreds of thousands of students will participate in GLSEN’s 18th annual Day of Silence, a student-led day of action to raise awareness about anti-LGBT bullying, harassment and discrimination.  The student participants and their supporters believe that LGBT students deserve to go to school in a safe and respectful environment.  Sadly, not everyone agrees.

Once again, anti-LGBT extremist Linda Harvey is on the attack — demonizing LGBT people, misrepresenting the Day of Silence’s purpose, and in some cases telling outright lies.

SUPREME COURT TAKE ON

SAME-SEX MARRAIGE 

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This week, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear two historic cases that could determine whether gay and lesbian couples have the same fundamental right to marry as anyone else, and whether gay married couples are entitled to equal treatment under the law.

On March 26th the Court will hear arguments in Hollingsworth v. Perry, which challenges Proposition 8, the 2008 ballot initiative which amended the California Constitution to eliminate the right of gay and lesbian couples to marry in the state.   On Wednesday, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in United States v. Windsor, challenging the constitutionality of Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which requires the federal government to discriminate against married same-sex couples by denying them more than a thousand key federal protections and benefits.

MADONNA TAKES ON

BOY SCOUTS AT GLAAD AWARDS

Fuerte Men News

The Queen of Pop sported a boy scouts uniform at the 2013 GLAAD Media Awards in New York City.

The 54-year-old music icon was the featured presenter at the event, which honored Anderson Cooper as the Vito Russo Award Recipient.

“I wanted to be a boy scout, but they wouldn’t let me join,” said Madonna during her speech. “I think that’s f–ked up.  I can build a fire. I know how to pitch a tent. I have a very good sense of direction. I can rescue kittens from trees. Listen, I wanna do good for the community.  But most importantly, I know how to scout for boys. So I think that I should be allowed to be a Boy Scout and I think they should change their stupid rules.”