NPR: What A Coin Toss Has To Do With The Housing Market (Recovery)

A link to the story is here

You can listen to the story here

by David Kestenbaum

It's been almost five years since the housing bubble popped. And, with a glut of homes still on the market, housing prices could fall further. Why is it taking so long for the housing market to sort itself out?

The answer may have something to do with a coin toss.

I recently visited Eric Johnson, a professor at Columbia's Business School. He offered me a sweet bet on the flip of a coin. If the coin came up heads, I would win $6. If it came up tails, I would lose $1.

I told him I'd take the bet.

But then he changed the terms — if the coin came up heads, I would win $6. If it came up tails, I would lose $4. That bet I didn't like.

Of course, this is irrational. The bet is still very much in my favor. If I took the bet 1,000 times, I'd almost certainly make a nice profit.

Still, Johnson said a lot of people are like me: They won't take that bet. So I went out on the street to test this out on random people.

I introduced myself to Frank Blake, a guy who makes his living as a stuntman, jumping through windows and crashing cars. I offered him the bet — told him I'd pay him $15 if he won, and he'd only have to pay me $10 if he lost.

No deal.

"The $15 makes no difference in terms of gaining it," he told me. "But losing the $10 in my pocket does."

Lots of other people turned down the bet, too.

As it turns out, our brains feel losses and gains unevenly: Losing feels worse than winning feels good.

So now — as promised — back to housing.

In a down market, people really don't want to sell, because selling feels like losing.

Chris Mayer, professor of real estate at Columbia Business School, found evidence for this fear of losses when he studied the Boston condominium bubble in the '80s.

He would compare two basically identical condos. The owners of both had paid off their mortgages. But one had bought at the peak of the market. That person, he found, would stubbornly ask for a higher price, and keep his condo on the market longer than the other person, who had bought at a lower price. (Here's the study.)

"The overall magnitude of this effect is very big," Mayer told me. "This is an important factor in how housing markets operate."

There are certainly other reasons the housing market is taking so long to sort out. Some people are stuck financially with their mortgages, for example.

But this psychological quirk is also slowing the healing process. It makes people reluctant to lower the asking price on their homes, which in turn contributes to the glut of houses on the market.

"It's sort of like having a Band-Aid, where you know you would be better off if you just pulled it off at once," Johnson said. "But instead what you do is you tend to pull it off very slowly, if at all."

It's unclear why our brains are wired this way — why we overemphasize losses. Johnson says it could go back millions of years, to when a losing bet was way more serious.

Millions of years ago, we were avoiding animals that wanted to eat us. Today, we're selling houses.

But some part of our brains may be still be thinking about leopards in the trees.

Read More

See the progress

Check out the progress the Energy Star home has made that we posted when you could see the bare ground!

Read More

See the progress

Check out the progress the Energy Star home has made that we posted when you could see the bare ground!

Read More

Charleston Wine + Food Festival

Each year the Charleston Wine + Food Festival unites some of the most renown authors, chefs, and wine professionals in the country. With events from March 3-6, the mission of the festival is "to enhance Charleston's culinary reputation and support important charitable endeavors by focusing national attention on the entertainment, education and gastronomical gratification opportunities presented by world class culinary professionals and wine experts". The Culinary Village and Grand Tasting Tents will house book signings, the SCE&G Celebrity Kitchen, and wine and food vendor samplings. This festival serves as an additional way to experience the innovation and expertise that Charleston's culinary scene has to offer. For a complete list of events and ticket information, visit Charleston Wine + Food Festival. But even if you don't snag a ticket, you can still enjoy the sights and smells while strolling around downtown Charleston and surrounding areas.

Read More

early morning joy

Just back from the UK

Too weary from the journey to write anything intelligent

I'll just share these shots from an early morning walk,

the pleasures of the english countryside before breakfast!

My apologies to some of my lovely readers who leave comments under "anonymous".  I'm afraid that I have been  targeted by one extremely annoying person who is using my blog to leave hateful messages that I cannot condone.  Because of this individual I am obliged to block all comments from any one 'non-identified'.  Hopefully I'll resume to normal service in a while!  And to the person causing the trouble I suggest that you get a life, and spend your time and energy in a more positive manner.

Read More

Your Slip is Showing!

Heb 2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

I just hate it when important things get neglected. Like when we spend so much time trying to help others that our own family gets neglected. Many times we are so busy on incidental ministry that new believers fail to get discipled. How about when we serve the Lord so much that we don't have time to pray! Add to that list, people in the nursing homes that drop to the bottom of our "to do" list, Bible reading that gives way to TV viewing, healthy eating and exercise giving way to frequent quick trips to the drive-thru and immobility behind a computer screen typing blogs. Oh, and then there is the business of trying to keep a home operational while the love life disappears.

Oh, the wiles of the enemy and the snares of life which keep us from the important stuff. How often do we say "yes" to the good and then have to say "later" to the best? And “later” seldom comes.

How we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, know and are assured of, the things which should never be allowed to slip. Is your slip showing?

Read More

Nailpolish storage

Mason was on YouTube and saw a small version of a nail polish holder/display , it was easy enough for me to make for her , after all when you have this much polish it is nice to see all you really have.

The perk to having so much nail polish in the house is having plenty of colours to choose from or is that a curse ??

Read More

Better than the Angels

Heb 1:4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

Please do not misunderstand, Jesus has always existed uncreated. We read that He was “made” so much better than the angels, but note that the word made, ginomai, means that He was caused to be superior in authority, nature and excellence than the angels.
And, not a just a bit, but a bunch, because in comparison, man was made "a little lower than the angels." 2:7, and we understand how far superior Christ is to man.

However, Christ was made to be a little lower than the angels only in that He was caused to suffer death, whereas angels do not taste of death.

What does it mean then, to be better than angels? Here is what we know about them:
1. They are messengers of God whose attributes are strength and wisdom. (2Sa_14:20); (Psa_103:20); (Psa_104:4).
2. They are referred to as masculine in gender, though sex is never ascribed to them. (Mat_22:30); (Mar_12:25).
3. Their number is inconceivable. (Mat_26:53); (Heb_12:22); (Rev_5:11); (Psa_68:17).
4. They possess amazing power. (2Ki_19:35).
5. Many of them occupy the throne room of God. (Rev_5:11); (Rev_7:11).
6. They are dispatched to each believer to minister to and protect them. (1Ki_19:5); (Psa_34:7); (Psa_91:11); (Dan_6:22); (Mat_2:13); (Mat_2:19); (Mat_4:11); (Luk_22:43); (Act_5:19); (Act_12:7-10).
7. They observe us. (1Co_4:9); (Eph_3:10); (Ecc_5:6).
8. They conduct the believer home at the end of life. (Luk_16:22).
9. They will accompany Jesus at His second coming. (Mat_25:31).
10. They will participate in the judgment of the nations. (Mat_13:30); (Mat_13:39); (Mat_13:41); (Mat_13:42).

As great as the angels are, the Lord Jesus is infinitely better.

Read More

le fromage normand

Some of you may know that I live in cheese country.  Not far from us in Normandy there are towns with evocative names like  Pont l'Eveque, Livarot, Brillat Savarin or  Camembert.

Besides their delicious flavour I always enjoy their packaging.  Bright labels stuck on the lids of small  wooden boxes, some round, some square.  Many of the designs haven't changed for years - why should they?

Read More

Home Green Design Ideas

Green Home Design Ideas

How to build best home decorate ? May be you want to find more ideas to build your own house interior. May be this green living room design ideas can give you inspiration for build your home. Green home decoration is one example Home trends today. This very amazing and interesting home design ideas, Please enjoy this design ideas.

Read More

Le C-R-U-N-C-H

We have come to a tricky moment in the year.  Le Crunch.  Le what?!

We are a rugby family,  my husband played, my sons play, we girls cheer... loudly.  Any balls we kick around here are oval - even the dog's!

Any rugby fan will know that this is the season of the 6 nation Rugby tournament, played out between Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Italy, France and England.

All the matches in this tournament are pretty heated, but when it comes to France versus England, there is SO MUCH more to fight over.  Where shall I start?.....  William the Conqueror and the 1066 Battle of Hastings?  .... the delicate episode in 1431 when  the English burnt Joan of Arc at the stake .... I could continue for hours but it's not good for the entente cordiale.

So today, at 5pm London time there will be singing of anthems, drinking of beer and a stadium packed with healthy competitve spirit.  So far in this year's tournament each team is unbeaten, stakes are high.   It's always a delicate moment for me, I've never forgotten I'm British, but my sons root for France and look askance when I yell my encouragement to the boys in white.

I leave you with these pictures of a player appreciated as much on both sides of the channel (not hard to understand that one) the gorgeous Johnny plays for England during international tournament sbut for a French team during the year.  The boy has it all, the looks, the brains, the talent and the charm.

Need I say more?!

Read More

Snake in the Wood Pile

Act 28:3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. 4 And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live. 5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm. 6 Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

Bible detractors like to point out that there are no poisonous snakes on Malta (called Melita in Acts). What they don't realize is that, unlike today, in Paul's time, the Mediterranean islands were well wooded. Luke was the one who accompanied Paul (Col 4:14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you). He authored Acts. He ws an eye witness to this incident.

It really doesn't matter if there are poisonous snakes on the island today or not. The record shows that the Maltese barbarians recognized this snake as extremely poisonous and expected Paul to suffer immediately.

The 4 snakes that do populate Malta today were inadvertently brought to the island in loads of wood from the mainland. Perhaps a venomous serpent wound up there in that fashion. Moreover, who is to say that the deadly ochia snake of nearby Greece wasn't living on Malta back then?

The fact is, God saved Paul, and that miracle, coupled with the healing of Publius and others caused the locals to see the power of God.

Oh, watch out for that other old serpent in the woodpile. Be sober and be vigilant, he is coiled and ready to strike.

Read More

let's singing

Andai aku bisa nyanyi, aku nyanyiin lagu ini buat KAMU. Tapi berhubung aku ga bisa nyanyi, biarkan blog ini yang bernyayi buat KAMU.Hey, KAMU please listen here...







What If by Colbie Caillat

Read More

sabtu sore santai

Hey!! Selamat hari Sabtu..selamat akhir minggu..selamat bersantai..selamat bersantap juga.Hari Sabtu yang ku awali melangkah ke atm pagi-pagi dan sarapan bubur sendirian berjalan lumayan baik. Gara-gara dibangunin pacar pagi-pagi, jadi banyak planning bergulat di kepalaku. Finally, aku bertekad mencari referensi lagi bersama satu kawan hebatku.Siang-siang setelah jam makan siang kami janjian di

Read More

an improvised lunch

When two of my favourite girlfriends asked themselves to lunch here yesterday, I was very happy until I realised that my fridge was empty, I had no time to shop, and I didn't even have any flowers to stick in a vase!!

A closer inspection of the fridge revealed the presence of eggs, cream, bacon and cheese.  In my books that makes a quiche lorraine and lurking in the bottom drawer I found a suitable salad, to accompany.

A check through the deep freeze produced a bag of plum halves from last autumn, easily transformed in to a plum tart.

Still no flowers to put on the table or in the sitting room.  When all else fails turn to the garden!  No cutting flowers to speak of at this time of year but  I do have an abundance of snowdrops - or galanthus nivalis as a kind friend in Baltimore calls them.  Trowel in hand, I dug up a few small clumps from where the snowdrops shouldn't have been in the first place,  and grabbed some equally illicit moss.

Searching for  a way to bring my outdoors indoors, I avoided the traditional pots and planters and used some old cake moulds I had in the back of a cupboard.  What my arrangement lacked in professional finish it made up for as a talking point!

What's your favourite flower container?

Read More

HRC Welcomes Jeremy Bernard’s Appointment as White House Social Secretary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 25, 2011
Paul Guequierre

HRC Welcomes Jeremy Bernard’s Appointment as White House Social Secretary

WASHINGTON – Today the White House announced that Jeremy Bernard, an accomplished businessman, nonprofit and government executive, was appointed White House Social Secretary. Bernard will become the first man and the first openly gay person to hold this important post. Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese issued the following statement:

“Jeremy Bernard’s appointment is historic. We celebrate his appointment not merely because of the ground that he is breaking but because we know that he will serve the President and First Lady exceptionally well. He is competent, gracious under pressure and has distinguished himself as a leader in a number of fields. The President and Mrs. Obama could not have selected a better candidate to ensure that all Americans are welcomed to the ‘people’s house.’”

“Anyone who knows Jeremy Bernard knows he will be a great addition to the White House,” said Barry Karas, a friend of Bernard and a member of the HRC Board of Directors from Los Angeles. “Jeremy is a true joy to be around and work with. His appreciation of the arts and culture will make for grand events and his understanding of the important history of the White House and the Presidency will serve the American people well.”

“Jeremy’s warm personality and attention to detail will make families – both the First Family and the American family – feel at home,” said Dana Perlman, a friend of Bernard and a member of the HRC Board of Directors.

The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

# # #

Read More

I Told You So!

Act 27:21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.

You have to refer to yesterday's blog, when Paul warned Julius the Centurion not to sail, but he believed the ship's owner rather than the man of God.

It turns out that Paul was right. Sometimes, I hate being right! When I tell someone who has gone and messed their life up, "I hate to tell you that I was right, but I was right" it gives no pleasure whatsoever. You parents know what I mean.

Damage has been done and sorrow and regret has ensued. Why is it that so many people refuse to hear wisdom borne of experience and a knowledge of things holy?

But some just have to learn the hard way. Oh well, I'll do my best not to say, "I told you so."

Read More

dicari!!!

Target baca buku satu jam, cuma bertahan yaaa sekitar setengah jam kurang. Parahnya...Itu juga cuma sampai halaman 20 dari pendahuluan. Lama ya???Yaiyalah bukunya aja buku Programming...begitu buku itu menampilkan sederet code, mata ini mulai mejam-mejam...hihihiiTutup aja deh..sebelum beneran kehipnotis.
Seperti biasa duduk depan laptop..liat sana sini sana sini, tiba-tiba menyeruak sebuah ide

Read More

Columbus Dispatch: Foreclosures driving home sales in Ohio

The story is here

Foreclosures driving home sales in Ohio

Thursday, February 24, 2011 02:49 AM

By Jim Weiker

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

More evidence emerged today that Ohio's housing market is actually two markets: one made up of conventional homes and one consisting of foreclosed properties.

Figures released by the foreclosure-listing service RealtyTrac show a tremendous price gap between foreclosed sales and conventional sales in the state.

During the fourth quarter of 2010, foreclosed homes in Ohio sold on average for $79,611, which is 43percent less than the $138,740 fetched by homes that had not been foreclosed on.

Only Kentucky showed a higher gap between foreclosed- and conventional-home prices.

Overall, foreclosures accounted for 21 percent of Ohio home sales during the period, according to RealtyTrac.

Distressed sales, which include foreclosures and "short sales," account for about 37percent of all sales, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Even though there's a big gap between foreclosed prices and conventional prices, foreclosures can affect the price of other sales because such sales are used to set the value of other properties.

"With more than one in three sales distressed, that really starts to impact appraisals," said Rick Benjamin, president of the Columbus Board of Realtors.

While foreclosures are far more common in poorer parts of town, they can be found throughout central Ohio.

"We also see bank-owned properties in Tartan Fields, in Muirfield, in Upper Arlington, in New Albany and in Bexley," Benjamin said. "They're everywhere, and they'll be with us for a while."

The figures appeared a day after Ohio Association of Realtor figures were released showing that Ohio's home prices and sales are stabilizing.

In central Ohio, 1,034 homes were sold in January, down 3.3percent from January 2010. Homes sold on average for $145,600, off 0.3 percent from a year ago. Statewide, home sales rose 0.4 percent while average sales prices dropped 4.8 percent to $115,439.

While sales and prices aren't rising substantially, local and state officials say the figures illustrate that they have at least stopped their downward spiral.

"Certainly the fact that our level of sales were slightly higher than those of last January is outstanding news and provides optimism for our prospects in 2011," said Meg Hudson, president of the Ohio Association of Realtors.

Nationwide, sales increased 2.7 percent from last January, the first time in seven months that sales activity was higher than a year earlier.

The median price dropped to the lowest level in almost nine years, and the share of sales represented by foreclosures and other distressed properties climbed to a 12-month high.

"It is really a foreclosure-driven market," said Ethan Harris, head of developed markets at Bank of America Lynch Global Research in New York. "I don't think it is a sign of the market returning to health."

Information from Bloomberg News was included in this story.

jweiker@dispatch.com

Read More

Look Before You Leap!

Act 27:10 And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. 11 Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.

Julius had an important choice to make. He could take the word of an experienced sailor, who knew the ports and the accommodations. Or, he could go with the preacher, whose instincts told him that to sail away would be dangerous at this time.

I suppose the fact that Paul was also a prisoner lent further weight to the ship owner's opinion. the Centurion had no reason to disbelieve Paul. Obviously, he had gained respect by this time. Yet, it just made sense to go with the gut of the captain.

Let's face it, we have decisions to make many times daily, most of them of little consequence. But some of our choices have huge implications. It is easy to take the road that makes sense, but we must lean on the Lord and be sensitive to His Spirit.

It may be that an investment confronts us, a can't miss proposition. Yet, the Lord speaks through a verse or the pastor's message leading you not to buy. Or, a new job opportunity arises, the money is great, the job is well matched to your skill set and it just feels right. But the Lord is not through with you where you are and His Spirit speaks to you to wait. These are those times where we have to pay attention to open or closed doors, when we have to pray and have perfect peace about the matter, when we seek godly counsel from trusted, spiritual leadership.

Look before you leap, it could mean the difference between smooth sailing and ship wreck.

Read More

crossing the channel

Off to the UK for the weekend to visit family.  While I'm gone I shall leave you with a new post to enjoy - I hope! - each day, but won't be able to reply to any mails.

It won't be the greenest time of year in Kent, but I still look forward to seeing some of my favourite spots.  Friendly architecture, narrow lanes, warm pubs ... relax!

Read More

Attention Bloggers!

Ohh, I can't wait anymore! The first event since 2011 will be held! YEAY!

Notification for All of Aul's home Followers:

If you have been following this blog, but your link is not published yet, in the Neighborhood List (on the right side of this page), please contact me immediately. No later than 12 noon Saturday. So, we'll be better relations, and you can get award too :)

Notification for Blogger who don't follow this blog:
Follow me, and tell me your link soon. No later than 12 noon Saturday. So, we'll be better relations, and you can get award too :))

See-Yaa!!
(Follow me on twitter too - if you want :) 

Read More

Equality Hawaii, Human Rights Campaign Applaud Governor Neil Abercrombie for Signing Civil Unions Law

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 23, 2011

CONTACT: Don Bentz | Equality Hawaii |

CONTACT: Tony Wagner | Human Rights Campaign |

Equality Hawaii, Human Rights Campaign Applaud Governor Neil Abercrombie for Signing Civil Unions Law

Hawaii becomes 15th US jurisdiction to provide same-sex couples equal rights under the law

HONOLULU - Equality Hawaii, the state's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, and the Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest LGBT civil rights organization, today congratulated Governor Neil Abercrombie, the Hawaii legislature and the people of Hawaii for enacting civil unions into law. The legislation provides that equal rights and responsibilities of married couples in Hawaii be afforded to thousands of non-married couples in the state – including same-sex couples. The law takes effect January 1, 2012.

"Today is a truly momentous day in Hawaii and a great step forward in our struggle towards full equality,” said Alan Spector, co-chair of Equality Hawaii. "After nearly two decades of debate and sometimes hostile rhetoric, the people of Hawaii have spoken loud and clear, and their words ring true with hope and optimism. Equality Hawaii thanks Governor Abercrombie, the legislature, HRC and all those who have joined this fight for equal rights over the last two decades."

“I have always believed that civil unions respect our diversity, protect people's privacy, and reinforce our core values of equality and aloha,” said Governor Neil Abercrombie. “For me, this bill represents equal rights for all the people of Hawaii. I appreciate all the time and effort invested by those who shared their thoughts and concerns regarding civil unions in Hawaii.”

The struggle for equal relationship recognition for same-sex couples began in Hawaii in 1993 when the Hawaii Supreme Court issued its landmark decision in Baehr v. Lewin, which found a constitutional right to marriage for same-sex couples. In 1998, a constitutional amendment giving the legislature the authority to define marriage was approved by public vote, and the legislature subsequently enacted a law that defined marriage as between one man and one woman. Since then, attitudes towards same-sex relationship recognition in Hawaii and around the country have changed. Today, a vast majority of Hawaii residents support civil unions and a majority support marriage equality.

“Neil Abercrombie has been a stalwart advocate and friend of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community for decades," said Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign. “Today he fulfills a major campaign promise to lay the issue of civil unions to rest, and finally provide equal rights and responsibilities to thousands of same-sex families in the Aloha State. The Human Rights Campaign thanks Equality Hawaii and other coalition partners, as well as our friends in the legislature for continuing to fight for what is right and just.”

“Equality is not simply an issue to be debated and voted on, it is an idea that all people are created equal no matter who they are,” said Rep. Blake Oshiro, House Majority Leader. “For too long, Hawaii’s same-sex families have languished as second-class citizens, denied equal civil rights and treatment under the law. Today, we bring the concepts of ohana and aloha back to the people of this great state. I thank Gov. Abercrombie, my colleagues in the legislature, Equality Hawaii and the Human Rights Campaign for their dedication to this cause and look forward to working with all advocates for equality in the future.”

The Human Rights Campaign and Equality Hawaii have worked closely together since 2008 to build both public and legislative support for civil unions. Through this joint effort, tens of thousands of phone calls, emails, postcards, petitions and handwritten letters have been sent to legislators urging them to approve this legislation. More on our work in Hawaii is at www.equalityhawaii.org, www.hrc.org/HawaiiWorkSummary and www.hrcbackstory.org/hawaii.

HRC and Equality Hawaii recognize the leadership of Majority Leader Blake Oshiro, Speaker Calvin Say, House Judiciary Chair Gilbert Keith-Agaran, Senate Judiciary Chair Clayton Hee, Senate Majority Leader Brickwood Galuteria and Senate President Shan Tsutsui, as well as all other legislators who stood up in the face of opposition. We also recognize the contributions of the ACLU of Hawaii, Da Moms, GLBT Caucus of the Hawaii Democratic Party, Interfaith Alliance of Hawaii, Lambda Legal, PFLAG-Oahu, Pride Alliance Hawaii, Pride at Work and UNITE HERE Local 5.

Hawaii joins thirteen other states plus Washington, D.C. with laws providing an expansive form of state-level relationship recognition for same-sex couples. Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Washington D.C. provide marriage to same-sex couples under state law. New York and Maryland recognize out-of-jurisdiction same-sex marriages, but do not provide marriage licenses to same-sex couples in state. Five other states—California, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, and Washington —provide same-sex couples with access to almost all of the state level benefits and responsibilities of marriage, through either civil unions or domestic partnerships. A new law providing for civil unions in Illinois will take effect on June 1st.

Colorado, Maine and Wisconsin provide same-sex couples with limited rights and benefits, not all rights provided to married couples. An attorney general opinion and subsequent court ruling in Rhode Island resulted in limited recognition of out-of-jurisdiction marriages of same-sex couples. California recognized marriage for same-sex couples between June and November of 2008, before voters approved Proposition 8, which purports to amend the state constitution to prohibit marriage equality. Couples married during that window remain married under California law, but all other same-sex couples can only receive a domestic partnership within the state. The state will recognize out-of-jurisdiction same-sex marriages that occurred before November 5, 2008 as marriages and those that occurred on or after November 5, 2008 as similar to domestic partnerships.

Same-sex couples do not receive federal rights and benefits in any state. For an electronic map showing where marriage equality stands in the states, please visit: www.HRC.org/State_Laws.

Equality Hawaii is dedicated to securing equality for all Hawaii's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their families. www.EqualityHawaii.org

The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all. www.HRC.org

- 30 -

Read More