IS THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION PLAYING A ROLE?The administration is backing the right of same-sex couples to marry, although its argument differs in one respect. The plaintiffs say that the state laws should fall, no matter what standard the court applies. The administration calls for more rigorous scrutiny than courts ordinarily apply to most laws, saying it is appropriate when governments discriminate against a group of people. That already is the case for claims that laws discriminate on the basis of race, sex and other factors. But the administration is silent about what the outcome should be if the court does not give gays the special protection it has afforded women and minorities.The Justice Department’s decision to stop defending the federal anti-marriage law in 2011 was an important moment for gay rights and President Barack Obama declared his support for same-sex marriage in 2012.___WHAT HAPPENS IF THE COURT STRIKES DOWN THE STATE BANS?A ruling that same-sex couples have a right to marry would invalidate the remaining anti-gay marriage laws in the country. If the court limits its ruling to requiring states to recognize same-sex unions, couples in states without same-sex marriage presumably could get married elsewhere and then demand recognition at home. ____Follow Mark Sherman on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/shermancourt___Online:Supreme Court: http://www.supremecourt.govCopyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Milstead says best way to stop wrong-way incidents is driving sober Ex-FBI agent details raid on Phoenix body donation facility Four benefits of having a wireless security system ___WHAT HAPPENS IF THE COURT RULES FOR THE STATES ON BOTH QUESTIONS?The bans in 14 states would survive. Beyond that, confusion probably would reign. Some states that had their marriage laws struck down by federal courts might seek to reinstate prohibitions on gay and lesbian unions. Questions also could be raised about the validity of some same-sex weddings. Many of these problems would be of the Supreme Court’s own making.___WHY IS THAT?From October to January, the justices first rejected appeals from states seeking to preserve their marriage bans, then allowed court rulings to take effect even as other states appealed those decisions. The result is that the court essentially allowed the number of states with same-sex marriage to double.___WHERE IS SAME-SEX MARRIAGE LEGAL?Same-sex couples can marry in 36 states, the District of Columbia and parts of Missouri. More than 500 marriage licenses were issued to same-sex couples in Alabama this year after a federal court struck down the state’s ban. But probate judges have not issued any more licenses to gay and lesbian couples since the Alabama Supreme Court ordered a halt to same-sex unions in early March.Gay and lesbian couples may not marry in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, most of Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee and Texas. Sponsored Stories The difference between men and women when it comes to pain FILE – In this Oct. 16, 2014, file photo, people wait to enter the Supreme Court in Washington. Only two years ago, the Supreme Court struck down part of the federal anti-gay marriage law that denied a range of government benefits to legally married same-sex couples. The decision did not address the validity of state marriage bans, but courts across the country, with few exceptions, said its logic compelled them to invalidate state laws that prohibited gay and lesbian couples from marrying. A look at what is now before the Supreme Court, and the status of same-sex marriage around the country. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File ) WASHINGTON (AP) — Just two years ago, the Supreme Court struck down part of the federal anti-gay marriage law that denied a range of government benefits to legally married same-sex couples.The decision in United States v. Windsor did not address the validity of state marriage bans, but courts across the country, with few exceptions, said its logic compelled them to invalidate state laws that prohibited gay and lesbian couples from marrying.
The number of states allowing same-sex marriage has grown rapidly. As recently as October, just over one-third of the states permitted same-sex marriage. Now, same-sex couples can marry in 36 states and the District of Columbia.The court is expected to decide late this week or early next week whether gay and lesbian couples have a right to marry in every state. A look at what is now before the Supreme Court, and the status of same-sex marriage around the country:___WHAT’S LEFT FOR THE SUPREME COURT TO DO AMID ALL THIS CHANGE?Four states, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee, had their marriage bans upheld by the federal appeals court in Cincinnati in November. That appeals court is the only one that has ruled in favor of the states since the 2013 Windsor decision.___WHAT’S AT STAKE?Two related issues would expand the marriage rights of same-sex couples. The bigger one: Do same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry or can states continue to define marriage as the union of a man and a woman? The second: Even if states won’t allow some couples to marry, must they recognize valid same-sex marriages from elsewhere?___WHAT ARE THE MAIN ARGUMENTS ON EACH SIDE? The arguments of marriage-rights supporters boil down to a claim that states lack any valid reason to deny the right to marry, which the court has earlier described as fundamental to the pursuit of happiness. They say state laws that allow only some people to marry violate the Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection under the law and make second-class citizens of same-sex couples and their families. Same-sex couples say that preventing them from marrying is akin to a past ban on interracial marriage, which the Supreme Court struck down in 1967.The states respond that they have always set the rules for marriage and that voters in many states have backed, sometimes overwhelmingly, changes to their constitutions to limit marriage to a man and a woman. They say a lively national debate is underway, and there is no reason for courts to impose a solution that should be left to the political process. The states also argue that they have a good reason to keep defining marriage as they do. Because only heterosexual couples can produce children, it is in the states’ interest to make marriage laws that encourage those couples to enter a union that supports raising children.___ 5 ways to recognize low testosterone Here’s how to repair and patch damaged drywall Top Stories New Valley school lets students pick career-path academies Comments Share ___HOW MANY MARRIED SAME-SEX COUPLES ARE THERE IN THE U.S.?UCLA’s Williams Institute estimates that there are 390,000 married same-sex couples. If the court finds a right to marry, another 70,000 couples living in states that do not currently permit them to wed would get married in the next three years, the Williams Institute estimates. There are roughly 1 million same-sex couples, married and unmarried, who live together in the United States, the institute says.___WHAT ARE THE NEXT ISSUES FACING GAY RIGHTS?One fight in the news this year is over efforts to carve out religious exemptions for people and institutions that object to same-sex marriage. It is clear that churches do not have to marry same-sex couples if doing so violates their religious tenets, but what about county clerks? Can photographers refuse to shoot same-sex weddings? Can bakers decline to bake a cake for two men? Civil rights groups say they will continue pressing for other protections from discrimination against LGBT people in employment and housing, among other areas. Even if same-sex couples win the right to marry everywhere, people still can be fired because of their sexual orientation in more than half the states.
Silver SpiritSilversea releases stunning images of Silver SpiritSilversea Cruises releases brand new images of the recently lengthened Silver Spirit. Between 5 March and 1 May 2018, the ultra-luxury, all-suite ship underwent an extensive dry dock renovation at the Fincantieri Shipyard in Palermo, Italy. The ship was cut in half and a pre-built 49-foot (14.9-metre) mid-section was inserted, providing increased space and enhanced amenities for Silversea’s guests. The latest pictures depict the ship’s outstanding transformation, which took inspiration from Silversea’s flagship, Silver Muse.“We’re delighted to share these spectacular new images of Silver Spirit,” says Barbara Muckermann, Silversea’s Chief Marketing Officer. “It is with our guests in mind that we have invested in the transformation of our beloved Silver Spirit. The lengthening was an amazing feat of engineering and our guests are now enjoying the many benefits of the ship’s amplified on-board experience.”The enlargement of the pool space on deck nine reveals the most discernible transformation in relation to the ship’s exterior. As a result of the lengthening, there is now a large beach area and more space for guests to relax on the sun deck.In addition to implementing stylish décor enhancements throughout the ship, the extensive renovation has also greatly improved by the layout of Silver Spirit’s public spaces, including the reformatting of her dining options to an 8-restaurant layout, with the introduction of Atlantide, Indochine, Spaccanapoli and Silver Note – as on Silver Muse.Among the ship’s new amenities are the Zagara Spa, Tor’s Observation Library and the Dolce Vita Lounge. Also new to Silver Spirit, the Arts Café is an inviting new space that offers guests the chance to enjoy art exhibitions and a selection of reading material in a distinctively stylish environment. With both indoor and outdoor seating, the Arts Café is designed to provide a comfortable getaway with a relaxed ambience.Guest accommodation options were also upgraded as part of the project, ensuring the exceptional standard of Silversea comfort is maintained. Aboard Silver Spirit, guests enjoy spacious ocean-view suites, sumptuous cuisine, and the personalised service of a butler. Enriching the experience are such all-inclusive amenities as complimentary premium wines and spirits, speciality coffees, bottled water, juices and soft drinks; an in-suite bar stocked with guests’ preferences; in-suite 24-hour dining service; lecture and enrichment programmes; and unlimited complimentary Wi-Fi.Silver Spirit is currently sailing in Northern Europe where she will spend the summer offering a series of mostly seven-day voyages between Copenhagen and Stockholm. Her schedule for autumn and winter includes Canada, New England and Caribbean itineraries, among others. View Silver Spirit’s scheduled itineraries: https://www.silversea.com/ships/silver-spirit.htmlSource = Silversea Cruises
Geneva, Switzerland – Avakian was busy before this year’s Oscar Awards with a number of celebrities adorned by the famed jeweler.According to a press release received by Elite Traveler:Daniel Dubiecki, Producer of the movie “Up in the air” is wearing A V A K I A N cufflinks and the Concept 1 watch. His wife is proudly wearing a pair of haute joaillerie Chandelier Earrings, bangles from our Classic Collection Victory and a stunning A V A K I A N Ring.Stephen Lang, Co-Star in the Movie Avatar is wearing the A V A K I A N Concept 1 watch, with our “A” Initial Cufflinks, in reference to the latest blockbuster film Avatar and an 8cts A V A K I A N Men’s Ring.Cheryl Hines, star of the HBO series “Curb your enthusiasm” is wearing an A V A K I A N Vintage Sapphire Marquise Necklace, a Bangle and Earrings from our Byblos and Links Classic Collections respectively.Jon Cryer of “Two and a half men” is wearing an A V A K I A N Concept 1 Watch and Cufflinks. His wife, Lisa Cryer, is wearing the Paraiba Bracelet and Earrings Set.Chris Harrison, of the TV Guide Network, is wearing a remarkable pair of A V A K I A N Diamond and Sapphire Baguette Cufflinks.Carly Steel, of the TV Guide Network, is wearing the exclusive A V A K I A N Cage Collection Ring and Earrings with blue topaz and brown diamonds.Adrianna Costa, hostess on the TV Guide Network, is wearing a pair of our Haute Joaillerie Earrings.Tim Allen, who lately starred in “Crazy on the outside” and “Toy Story”, is wearing the A V A K I A N Concept 1 Watch and its matching pair of Cufflinks.Ben Lyon, of the e-channel and “The Insider”, is wearing A V A K I A N Cufflinks.Samantha Harris, hostess of e-channel, is wearing an A V A K I A N Emerald and Diamond Chapeau Ring.Niece Nash, of the e-channel and “The Insider”, is wearing a black and white Earrings from our Riviera Collection and a unique A V A K I A N black and white ice Diamond Curl Ring.