'Easter Egg Hunts' Giving Way to 'Spring Egg Hunts'
In some areas of the country, Easter egg hunts are now being referred to as spring egg hunts - have we gone too far in political correctness?
March 26, 2013
First it was Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas and now some egg hunts are no longer being referred to Easter egg hunts. For some, they are simply spring egg hunts. Like this event in South Orange Patch, where the traditional egg hunt is referred to as a spring egg hunt.
A neighborhood in Brooklyn, N.Y, found the easiest way around any controversy was to have two separate events — a “Spring Egg Hunt,” not to be confused with the “Easter Egg Hunt,” which was held on a separate occasion. It is worth noting that the spring egg hunt was organized first. The Easter egg hunt was arranged after many objected to the word Easter being left out.
According to Wikipedia, the egg was initially a symbol of the Earth in pagan celebrations of spring. It was, however, adopted by early Christians as a symbol of the rebirth of man at Easter — an association with Christ arising from the tomb. It is not known of the word "Easter" being banned from any egg hunts. http://peachtreecorners.patch.co ... to-spring-egg-hunts
New Zealand legalises same-sex marriage
New Zealand's parliament has legalised same-sex marriage, the first country in the Asia-Pacific region to do so.
Lawmakers approved the bill on Wednesday, amending the country's 1955 marriage act.
The bill was passed with a wide majority, with 77 votes in favour and 44 against.
Hundreds of jubilant gay-rights advocates celebrated outside parliament after the bill was passed, calling it a milestone for equality.
However, there had been strong opposition from Christian lobby groups.
Opinion polls have suggested that about 70% of New Zealanders supported the reform.
Parliamentarians were allowed a conscience vote, and, crucially, the reform had the backing of both the conservative Prime Minister John Key and the leader of the opposition, the BBC's Phil Mercer in Sydney reports.
Celebrations have been held in pubs and clubs in the capital Wellington, our correspondent adds.
Tania Bermudez and Sonja Fray, a same-sex couple, said the bill was about human rights.
"It means that we can actually call each other wife," Ms Fray said.
However, Conservative Party leader Colin Craig said there were many people who disagreed with the bill.
"We're seeing the politicians make a decision tonight that the people of this country wouldn't make," he said.
Lobby group Protect Marriage had also launched an online campaign, saying the change would undermine the traditional concept of marriage.
Other countries who have legalised gay marriage include the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Canada, South Africa and Argentina. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-22184232
OK School Board Approves Removal of 10 Commandments
Updated: Tue 8:05 AM, May 14, 2013
MULDROW, Okla. (AP) - The Muldrow School Board has approved the removal of Ten Commandments plaques that were displayed in each classroom in the eastern Oklahoma high school.
The Southwest Times Record reports hundreds of people attended a school board meeting Monday to protest the removal. School Board President Scott Chambers says the board removed the plaques to avoid spending taxpayer money on lawsuits.
An attorney representing the school, Jerry Richardson, says the district received a letter from the Freedom From Religion Foundation threatening a lawsuit if the plaques were not removed. Richardson says an unnamed student complained to the organization about the plaques that are posted in every classroom at Muldrow's high school.
Scottish Parliament has voted overwhelmingly in favor of a bill making Scotland the 17th country in the world to legalize equal marriage
04 FEBRUARY 2014 | BY JOE MORGAN
Gay marriage is officially legal in Scotland.
Members of Scottish Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favor of same-sex marriage this evening (4 February).
There was huge standing ovation as the votes were announced. Politicians voted Yes 105, No 18 and there was no abstentions.
This means Scotland is the 17th country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage.
The new legislation, described as one of the most ‘progressive’ equal marriage bills in the world, will allow religious bodies to opt in to perform same-sex unions.
Individual celebrants who feel it would go against their faith will be protected.
Humanist ceremonies will be allowed, and religious and belief ceremonies will be allowed to register civil partnerships.
Transgender people will be allowed to stay married, rather than having to get divorced, when obtaining a Gender Recognition Certificate.
LGBTI rights campaigners said it was a ‘historic day’.
Tom French, policy coordinator for the Equality Network, said ‘Today will be remembered in history as the day that lesbian, gay and bisexual people were finally granted full legal equality in Scotland, and given an equal right to marry the person they love.
‘This is a profoundly emotional moment for many people who grew up in a country where being gay was still a criminal offence until 1980.
‘Scotland can be proud that we now have one of the most progressive equal marriage bills in the world, and that we’ve sent out a strong message about the kind of country we are.
‘We know this change means so much to LGBT people across Scotland and we look forward to the first same-sex marriages taking place as soon as possible.’
Nathan Gale, development officer at Scottish Transgender Alliance, said: ‘We are delighted that the Scottish Parliament has passed a bill today that can genuinely be described as equal marriage. The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill puts the needs of trans and intersex people at its center.
‘We still have a great deal of work to do to bring about trans and intersex equality in the law.
‘But in passing the equal marriage bill this evening our MSPs have taken Scotland a significant step in the right direction.’
Colin Macfarlane, director of Stonewall Scotland, said: ‘This a truly historic moment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Scotland.
'We’re delighted that MSPs have overwhelmingly demonstrated that they’re committed to building a Scotland fit for the 21st century.’
The Bill will soon be signed by Queen Elizabeth II, enshrining it in British law.
The first gay weddings in Scotland are expected to happen as early as October.
It follows England and Wales, which made gay marriage legal last summer, with the first marriages scheduled for 29 March. No similar legislation is currently being planned in Northern Ireland, although campaigners are demanding it.
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