National

Some gay marriage opponents balk, while couples rush to wed

Published

11 years ago

June 27, 2015

Catrina Burks is assisted up the steps in Bronson Park before Rev. Nathan Dannison unites her and her wife Marashette Burks in marriage in Kalamazoo, Mich. on Friday, June 26, 2015. Friday’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling legalizes gay marriage nationwide. (Daytona Niles/Kalamazoo Gazette via AP)

By Dan Sewell
Associated Press

CINCINNATI (AP) — With the mayor of Dayton declaring “you are now husband and husband,” the wait for Ohio to allow same-sex marriage ended for a gay couple in the city just as it is ending for couples across the last states with bans on such unions — even if the opposition isn’t over.

Some couples rushed to marriage license bureaus and even wed Friday within hours of the Supreme Court ruling that said gay couples can marry anywhere in the country including in the 14 remaining states with bans. Steadfast activists who say traditional marriage is defined as a man and a woman vowed to defend rights of religious objectors and to try to battle back politically.

There were also scattered holdouts, with some officials in those states contending they needed more time and legal direction before complying with the 5-4 ruling.

“Texans’ fundamental right to religious liberty remains protected,” Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott said. “No Texan is required by the Supreme Court’s decision to act contrary to his or her religious beliefs regarding marriage.”

His office later clarified a directive to state agencies telling them to preserve religious liberties, saying the order didn’t allow them to discriminate against employees in same-sex couples. Same-sex couples got marriage licenses Friday in Dallas, Austin and the state’s other big cities, but many counties were holding off after the Texas attorney general urged them not to rush. A couple counties claimed technical glitches prevented them from processing licenses for gay couples.

Governors in Louisiana and Mississippi also railed against the ruling.

“This has always been about our religious freedoms and the persecution of those who believe same-sex unions are wrong,” said Phil Burress, longtime leader of the Citizens for Community Values in suburban Cincinnati. “Now the persecutions will begin.”

The Roman Catholic archbishop of Cincinnati said the high court disregarded the will of voters in Ohio and other states, besides disregarding an understanding of marriage shared by virtually all cultures until recently.

“Every nation has laws limiting who and under what circumstances people can be married,” Archbishop Dennis Schnurr said in a statement.

Religious organizations are exempt from the ruling, and churches including Southern Baptists, Mormons and others that oppose same-sex marriages can still make their own decisions about whether clergy will conduct gay marriages in their places of worship.

The high court gave the losing side some three weeks to ask for reconsideration. The 14 states that had banned gay marriage are Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, most of Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee and Texas.

Meanwhile, in Kansas, where some counties have continued to refuse to comply with federal rulings that gay couples could marry, the attorney general and Gov. Sam Brownback said they would study the Supreme Court ruling further before making any moves in a lawsuit over the state’s voter-passed ban. An ACLU official said the state leaders should “admit defeat.”

Officials at the county courthouse in Toledo, Ohio, called in another minister to perform same-sex marriages Friday because the rotating minister on duty wouldn’t marry gay couples, said the Rev. Sandra Frost, who married the first couple around noon.

Some county clerks in other states refused gay couples, citing a three-week grace period allowed by the Supreme Court or forms now out of date that specify “bride” and “groom.”

Carl Tobias, a University of Richmond (Virginia) law professor, said political opponents of same-sex marriage will likely push legislation to expand religious freedom and to aim at protecting those who don’t want to participate in actions that facilitate same-sex marriage.

Arkansas state Sen. Jason Rapert said lawmakers should push for a U.S. constitutional amendment on marriage under a provision that would trigger a constitutional convention if 34 states apply for it. The Republican said the Supreme Court “has brought us to the brink of real crisis in our country” by ruling against the will of the people.

Burress pledged to go after politicians who have supported same-sex marriage, predicting outrage over the decision will bring out a wave of new voters.

Among those who have drawn his ire is Ohio’s Republican U.S. senator, Rob Portman, who switched his position to support same-sex marriage after his son Will came out to him and his wife Jane as gay.

Portman, who is seeking re-election in 2016, said Friday he welcomed the ruling “as a father,” although he would have preferred that the issue be resolved by the democratic process because that builds a lasting consensus. He said he hopes the ruling means “we can move past the division and polarization the issue has caused.”

Valeria Tanco and Sophy Jesty, a couple who sued Tennessee to gain recognition for their out-of-state marriage, were jubilant.

“I just feel free, like a burden or a weight has been lifted,” Jesty said.

The couple were married in New York before moving to Tennessee for work.

Jesty and Tanco said they are especially happy that their 15-month-old daughter won’t have to grow up feeling that her parents are different from anyone else’s.

“Her family is legally recognized, and both moms are on the birth certificate, so no one can take that away from her, or from her family,” Tanco said.

___

Kantele Franko in Columbus, Ohio; John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio; Lisa Cornwell in Cincinnati, Travis Loller in Nashville, Tennessee; Steve Megargee in Knoxville, Tennessee; Paul J. Weber in Austin, Texas; Heather Hollingsworth in Kansas City, and Andrew DeMillo in Little Rock, Arkansas, contributed to this report.

___

Contact the reporter at http://www.twitter.com/dansewell

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Commentary

Preventing Amputation: A Doctor’s Guide for Diabetes Patients

POST NEWS GROUP — Amputation is usually the final stage of diabetic foot disease. Earlier signs often involve nerve damage. Some people experience numbness, tingling, burning, or loss of sensation in their feet.

Published

2 days ago

July 12, 2026

bpusa-syndication

For many diabetes patients, amputation becomes a last-resort measure after infections, ulcers, or poor circulation worsen rapidly and leave few other treatment options.

But according to Dr. Estelle Everett, a physician and researcher specializing in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism at the

University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), most diabetes-related amputations can be prevented through early intervention, consistent medical care, and patient education.

For Everett, her commitment to diabetes prevention is deeply personal. Watching her younger sister navigate Type 1 diabetes exposed her early to the challenges many patients face, including barriers to advanced diabetes technologies such as continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps due to racial disparities in patient care.

Those experiences helped shape her focus on prevention, education, and equitable access to care.

Dr. Everett spoke with California Black Media (CBM) about the warning signs of diabetic complications, prevention strategies, healthcare access, and the role of diabetes technology in improving outcomes.

What are some of the early warning signs that a person with diabetes may be developing circulation and nerve problems that could potentially lead to amputation?

Amputation is usually the final stage of diabetic foot disease. Earlier signs often involve nerve damage. Some people experience numbness, tingling, burning, or loss of sensation in their feet.

Poor circulation is another warning sign. Symptoms can include calf pain while walking, foot pain at rest, cold feet, skin color changes, or wounds that do not heal properly. Foot ulcers, thick calluses, and untreated cuts can also become serious infections that may eventually lead to amputation if they are not treated early.

Before complications reach that stage, what are some early signs of diabetes itself that people should be looking out for?

Many people are walking around with diabetes and do not even realize it. Some patients first seek medical care only after they’ve already developed complications because they’ve had diabetes for years without knowing it.

That’s why routine screenings are so important. If you have diabetes, controlling it early can significantly reduce the risk of severe complications later on.

Many Black Californians harbor a degree of distrust in the healthcare system. What message would you send to encourage people to get regular checkups?

Distrust is real, and there are many reasons people may avoid healthcare. Some fear discrimination or worry they’ll simply be judged instead of helped.

Personally, I realized some of the care my sister received may have been influenced by racial bias. Although she had diabetes for years, she was never offered diabetes technology like insulin pumps or continuous glucose monitors. When she finally asked about them, she was told she had to jump through many hoops.

Later, I realized her experience wasn’t unique. Research shows that minority patients and people from lower-income backgrounds are less likely to be offered diabetes technology. That inspired me to focus my research on improving access for the populations that need these tools the most.

I think building trust is important. Finding the right doctor is almost like dating. If you don’t feel comfortable with your provider, it may help to find someone you connect with and feel understands your concerns. That relationship can make a major difference in getting consistent care.

Are there newer technologies or innovations in diabetes care that people should know about?

One of the biggest advances has been continuous glucose monitors, or CGMs. These small wearable devices track blood sugar levels in real time and have really changed diabetes care over the past decade.

For providers, CGMs give a much clearer picture of blood sugar patterns throughout the day. For patients, they provide immediate feedback about how food, exercise, and other daily habits affect blood sugar levels.

Someone may notice that certain foods cause major spikes while certain exercises lower their blood sugar. That real-time information helps people make healthier decisions and improve blood sugar control. Research shows these technologies can significantly improve outcomes.

What daily habits or preventative measures can reduce the risk of complications or even amputation?

The biggest thing is controlling your diabetes. A lot of people automatically think diabetes will lead to amputations, but research shows the risk is much lower when diabetes is well managed.

That means taking medications as prescribed, making dietary changes, and working to keep your A1C below 7. Managing high blood pressure and high cholesterol is also important because both contribute to circulation problems.

People should also inspect their feet every day, especially if they’ve already lost sensation. Some patients injure their feet without realizing it because they can’t feel the damage. Catching wounds early is critical. Good foot hygiene also plays a major role in prevention.

Are there any common misconceptions about diabetes that stand out to you in your clinical work with Black patients?

One major misconception is that diabetes medications cause complications like kidney failure or amputations. In reality, poorly controlled diabetes causes those complications — not the medications used to treat it.

Those misconceptions sometimes cause patients to avoid medications or stop taking them altogether. Another issue is that some people believe diet and exercise alone should always control diabetes. While lifestyle changes are important, some patients have severe diabetes that also requires medication.

Needing medication is not a personal failure. Sometimes diet and exercise alone are simply not enough, and medication is necessary to prevent serious complications.

This article is supported by the California Health Care Foundation (CHCF). Visit www.chcf.org

bpusa-syndication

Posts by bpusa-syndication

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of July 8 – 14, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of July 8 – 14, 2026

Published

2 days ago

July 12, 2026

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Black History

IN MEMORIAM: A Queen Mother’s Journey Home

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — She opened doors for those to come with wisdom, strength, and grace,
She challenged wrong, uplifted youth, and quickened justice’s pace.
Her scholarship and generous heart shall bloom through future years,
Transforming dreams to living hope beyond our grief and tears.

Published

3 days ago

July 12, 2026

bpusa-syndication

A Memorial Tribute to Rosetta Miller-Perry, July 7, 1934 – June 26, 2026

From truth’s bright flame she lit the way, so bold and wise each day,
Her fearless voice inspired us all and never lost its sway.
A Queen Mother crowned by faith, whose love would never cease,
She sowed the seeds of justice well and harvested God’s peace.

She marched where freedom’s banners waved and answered duty’s call,
She stood with King through history’s storms, courageous through them all.
With pen and press she raised our voice for every soul unheard,
She proved that hope is strongest still when carried by the Word.

The Tennessee Tribune became a beacon shining bright,
Its pages told our stories true and championed the right.
She taught that Black lives, dreams, and truths deserved the highest place,
And every headline proudly bore the beauty of our race.

She opened doors for those to come with wisdom, strength, and grace,
She challenged wrong, uplifted youth, and quickened justice’s pace.
Her scholarship and generous heart shall bloom through future years,
Transforming dreams to living hope beyond our grief and tears.

Now Heaven’s presses joyfully proclaim her work complete,
As angels sing and saints arise our Queen Mother to greet.
Though earth now mourns her gentle voice, her light will never pass,
For Rosetta lives forevermore in truth, in love, and in the Black Press.

May Rosetta Miller-Perry’s memory continue to inspire all who believe in truth, justice, freedom, and the enduring mission of the Black Press of America. May her legacy remain a guiding light for generations to come.