World Herald Update

Here is a notice put out by Terry Kroeger, the publisher of the Omaha World Herald, regarding all the recent criticism they have received over their policy against published same sex marriage announcements:

The “Celebrations” page of the Omaha World-Herald has provided a place to buy space to celebrate weddings, engagements, anniversaries and birthdays. It will continue to be just that. Celebrations announcements regarding legal weddings, engagements for legal weddings or anniversaries of a legal marriage will be welcomed, regardless of the genders of the couple. We will not run announcements regarding commitment ceremonies, partnerships and other non-marriage unions, again regardless of gender.

Some will criticize this action because they would prefer that same-sex announcements not appear in their newspaper. Others will say it doesn't go far enough. Our sense is that this change will provide for a public “celebration” of important milestones in the lives of people who take the significant steps toward legally sanctioned marriage. Iowa and four other states as well as the District of Columbia have legalized same-sex marriages. We will publish Celebrations announcements of marriages from those jurisdictions.

Fair enough, but much of his statement went on to whine about all the "vitriol" that's been spewed at the World Herald over it's perceived inequity toward gays/lesbians. Boo hoo.

He goes on to state:

In recent years, our News Department has given extensive coverage to this matter. That coverage has not been limited to the political debate or legislative and court actions on same-sex marriage. We have featured gay and lesbian couples in our Living sections. We have written editorials that consistently call for civil discourse on this emotionally charged issue. We commissioned a poll and published findings that show a majority of Omahans support either same-sex marriages or civil unions.

So, if the majority of Omahans support either same-sex marriages or civil unions, then why not publish those announcements, too? It seems like good business to sell ads to whoever wants to pay for the space.

Whatever. At least it's better than nothing.