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Friday, July 25, 2008
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Ads describing South Carolina as “so gay” that ran as far away as London have drawn criticism from elected officials in the state, including Gov. Mark Sanford who says the ad campaign went too far. While the state’s tourism agency initially agreed to pay $5,000 for the ad, the governor and other officials are now refusing to pick up that tab, saying taxpayer dollars shouldn’t be used to promote any group with a particular social or political agenda. The employee at the state’s Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department who approved it has resigned, and Republican Sen. David Thomas has called for an audit of the state agency’s spending. The state officials’ position has befuddled experts in the field of gay travel. Thomas did not return telephone messages left at his Greenville law office last week seeking comment. He told Time magazine for an article last week that he thought the ad might mislead gay travelers about what is in South Carolina for them. A statewide gay Pride organization has said it plans to raise the $5,000 to pay the state’s bill for the ads. The “so gay” ad campaign was done by OutNow Consulting, which is based in Australia and helps customers target gay consumers. The client was Amro Worldwide, which specializes in travel for gay clients.
Gay rights activists target Hyatt on marriage ban
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Same-sex marriage advocates demanded last week that Hyatt Hotels Corp. end its relationship with a business partner who is financially backing a California ballot initiative to ban gay marriage. Picketers outside the Manchester Grand Hyatt waved rainbow banners and signs reading “The ‘Hyatt’ of Hypocrisy” to protest owner Doug Manchester’s $125,000 donation to a group backing the November ballot measure. If it passes, the amendment, known as Proposition 8, would overrule the Supreme Court decision that legalized same-sex marriage in the state as of June 16. “(Hyatt) put so much money into advertising this hotel in gay magazines, and it’s a huge slap in the face,” said newlywed Manuel Munoz, 33, who was in town from Rancho Cucamonga honeymooning with husband Ed Alberson. Munoz was staying at a nearby Sheraton. Hyatt said it took no position on Manchester’s contributions to the marriage initiative. The company manages the 1,625-room waterfront hotel on behalf of Manchester’s development company, Manchester Financial Group. “It’s a personal decision of Mr. Manchester’s that doesn’t involve Hyatt,” said Hyatt spokeswoman Lori Alexander, who watched the sidewalk protest from the steps of the hotel. “His name is on the door, but it’s not the views of Hyatt.” Manchester did not return a message seeking comment at his office.
Poll: most Calif. voters oppose same-sex marriage ban
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) More California voters say they would oppose a November ballot initiative to ban same-sex marriage in the state’s constitution than would support it, according to a survey released last week. The Field Poll found that 51 percent of likely voters say they would vote against Proposition 8, while 42 percent say they would vote for it. The poll shows a turnaround from 2000, when 61 percent of voters cast ballots in favor of Proposition 22, which strengthened the state’s 1978 one-man, one-woman marriage law with the words “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.” That vote came a year after the state Legislature enacted the first of a series of laws awarding spousal rights to domestic partners. The poll found that Democrat and Republican voters were starkly divided on the issue. Sixty-three percent of Democrats said they would vote against the measure, while 68 percent of Republicans said they would vote for it. The poll found the greatest opposition to the ballot measure among voters living in California’s coastal counties and large cities, as well as among voters younger than 30. The Field Poll surveyed 672 likely California voters during the week of July 8-14.
Washington state D.P. law hits one-year mark
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Thousands of gay and lesbian couples last week celebrated the one-year anniversary of Washington state’s new law creating domestic partnerships for same-sex couples. More than 4,200 couples have registered since the law took effect last July. The law was passed after same-sex marriage advocates suffered a defeat at the hands of the state Supreme Court, which upheld Washington’s ban on same-sex marriage. This year, a law to expand the underlying law passed, and as of last month, domestic partners were granted dozens of additional benefits and responsibilities given to married couples, in areas like probate and trusts, community property and homestead tax exemptions, and guardianship and powers of attorney. To be registered, couples must share a home, not be married or in a domestic relationship with someone else, and be at least 18.
From staff and wire reports
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