Will it take SCOTUS or legislation to change the hate in South Dakota?

Written by Timothy Chase on May 21st, 2013

It seems that South Dakota legislators would prefer to talk gun control and continue disenfranchising the LGBT community’s civil rights to marriage.

SIOUX FALLS, SD – Tuesday marked a historic day for Minnesota and supporters of gay marriage. At 5 p.m., Governor Mark Dayton signed the same sex marriage bill, which passed through the Minnesota Senate and House within the past week.
When the law takes effect on August 1, Minnesota becomes the first in the Midwest to pass the same-sex marriage bill by legislative vote. Iowa, another state the borders South Dakota, has allowed gay couples to marry since 2009, but that was a Supreme Court order.

“You do begin to wonder, why does it stop at the border that’s seven miles east of here?” Rep. Marc Feinstein, (D) Sioux Falls, said.

That’s the big question – will South Dakota follow Minnesota and Iowa and allow same-sex marriage? Feinstein said South Dakota legislators may look at the issue, but probably not anytime soon. He said legalizing gay marriage would be tough because it would require changing the amendment passed in 2006.

“Eventually South Dakota will allow same-sex marriage. Whether it be by federal law, the U.S. Supreme Court, such as what happened in Iowa, that I don’t know,” Feinstein said.

Other lawmakers do not think Minnesota’s legislation will affect neighboring states.

“What’s good for Minnesota isn’t always good for South Dakota,” Rep. Christine Erickson, (R) Sioux Falls, said.

Erickson said lawmakers get hundreds of calls and emails per day when they are in session. Going by what her constituents tell her, Erickson said South Dakota voters’ biggest concerns are gun control and education. The topic of whether or not gay couples can get married did not come up.

“There are times where the conversation will continue, but I don’t know if anything will change here,” Erickson said.

Feinstein and Erickson believe voters will have to make it clear that they want gay and lesbian couples to have marriage rights for the issue to pass in the state.

Right now within South Dakota’s legislature, when it comes to same-sex marriage, there seems to be a difference of opinion.

“I do represent the people of the district, but I also have my traditional core values that I have to stick to as well. So, in that instance, I feel that marriage is left better between a man and a woman,” Erickson said.

“Marriage really is all about commitment. Working together, raising a family and bettering the community and growing older together. I believe everybody should have that right. Whether it’s a same sex couple or a heterosexual couple,” Feinstein said.
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South Dakota, USA: Petition Effort to Repeal Marriage Equality Ban Abandoned

Written by scott on May 21st, 2013

southdakotaJust found this interesting tidbit about marriage equality in South Dakota tucked away in an article about marriage equality in Iowa. KSFY reports:

At the top of this report, we mentioned an effort here in South Dakota to change South Dakota’s constitution to allow for gay marriage. The woman behind the petition effort has suspended it. She says she was physically harassed outside a Sioux Falls bar because of it. And the lesbian couple she was working with….they’re now refusing to talk publicly about it, saying they plan to move to a state which allows gay marriage.

Has anyone here heard about this effort before? The last poll we have is for civil unions, from 2010, and it shows that only 36% supported them at that time.

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California, USA: Another Challenge to DOMA, This Time from a Military Couple

Written by scott on May 21st, 2013

Defense of Marriage ActThe Defense of Marriage Act is under siege once again in California. A lesbian couple is challenging the law in District Court. Equality on Trial reports:

In the Cooper-Harris case, which was filed by the Southern Poverty Law Center, a written opinion is expected, since the judge did not issue one from the bench after the arguments. This hearing was on motions for summary judgment on the merits of the constitutionality of DOMA and the other military-related law at issue. Cooper-Harris is a veteran who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and the VA ruled that it was acquired likely as a result of her service. If she were in an opposite-sex marriage she would be entitled to seek spousal benefits, but she is in a legal same-sex marriage and Section 3 of DOMA bars the federal government from recognizing the marriage. Another federal statute related to military benefits is also challenged in the case: it defines marriage as opposite-sex only.

Not sure what will happen here if the Supreme Court invalidates section 3 of DOMA next month, but since this lawsuit does challenge another statute as well, it may continue.

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Vietnam: UN Congratulates Country on LGBT Rights Progress

Written by scott on May 21st, 2013

Vietnam - google maps

from Google Maps

A United Nations coordinator is congratulating Vietnam on its progress on LGBT rights. Gay Star News reports:

The UN has congratulated Vietnam on the progress of the LGBT rights movement in the Southeast Asian nation. ‘This is vital in order to be better understood, to reduce social prejudice and stigma based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and to contribute to development of relevant legislation to ensure the rights of the community are protected,’ said Pratibha Mehta, the UN’s resident co-ordinator in Vietnam, Vietnamnet reports.

But Valentine Vu, a gay Vietnamese-Canadian fashion design lecturer who lives in Vietnam, cautions that the country is not yet ready for marriage equality. Gay Star News reports:

Legalizing gay marriage would not make Vietnam ‘”cool” when it has failed to acknowledge other gay rights issues’, Valentine Vu writes in an editorial for Tuoitre News. Vu said that Vietnamese society doesn’t have the ‘foundation’ for marriage equality. ‘Gay marriage should not be the first stance against introducing gay acceptance into a more or less homophobic culture,’ said Vu, who grew-up in Canada but has lived in Vietnam for five years.

Vietnam’s Ministry of Justice considering marriage equality, although it’s considered a longshot in the country at this time.

 

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UK: Third Reading Vote Due Today on Marriage Equality Bill

Written by scott on May 21st, 2013

LondonHaving survived a contentious day of debates and amendments, the marriage equality bill will be debated on some more today before receiving a third reading and final vote in the House of Commons.

Pink News is liveblogging the event.

Marriage quality opponents are not happy, including Lord Tebbit, who said the Prime Minister had “fucked up” by pushing the marriage equality bill. Gay Star News reports:

Gays marrying will lead to a lesbian queen giving birth to a future monarch by artificial insemination, a former Tory chairman has warned. Lord Tebbit, 82, also told the Big Issue magazine the legislation in England and Wales could also allow him to marry his son to escape inheritance tax. The life peer, who said Downing Street has ‘fucked up’ by moving forward on the legislation, said he had challenged a minister about legalizing same-sex marriage at the same time as they ended the rule that a son has preference over a daughter when choosing the next monarch. ‘I said to a minister I know: have you thought this through? Because you’re doing the law of succession, too,’ Tebbit said.

A group of British church leaders has written a letter to the Telegraph forecasting negative effects on the country’s Christian youth. Christian Today reports:

“If the Bill passes into law without much clearer protections for freedom of speech and freedom of belief, teachers and public-sector workers will have to choose between their conscience and their career, as many will be deterred from a public-service career or from charity involvement. The Bill is supposed to be pro-marriage, pro-equality and pro-diversity, yet, as drafted, it is none of those things. There will be anger and sadness, and this Bill will cause pain for many, without tackling prejudice against the few. We, and many young people in our congregations, are concerned about the consequences if it is passed in its current state.”

I’m sure there will be much more to report later as the debate continues and the vote is taken.

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Australia: Rudd’s About-Face on Marriage Equality Puts Pressure on Gillard, Other Holdouts

Written by scott on May 20th, 2013

SydneyJust got this from Australian Marriage Equality.

Marriage equality advocates have predicted other MPs will come out in support of marriage equality in the wake of former Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd’s change of heart on the issue.

Australian Marriage Equality national convener, Rodney Croome, said, “Kevin Rudd is an immensely influential figure who will inspire others to support marriage equality both in parliament and across the community.”

“As one of Australia’s most prominent Christians, Mr Rudd’s message to other people of faith is that they can support marriage equality not despite their faith but because of it.”

“Already former Labor minister, Joel Fitzgibbon, has said he is open to changing his mind on the issue and I expect other MPs will follow.” (Channel 7, Sunrise program, 21.5.13)

“If Mr Rudd can evolve on marriage equality so can Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott.”

Mr Croome went on to say that Mr Rudd’s decision to support marriage equality following the revelation that one of his former staffers is a gay Christian shows that those affected by reform telling their personal stories is the key to change.

“Mr Rudd’s change of heart is a reminder that marriage equality is a deeply personal issue about love, family and faith, and it is from this level that change will ultimately come.”

“I urge all supporters of marriage equality to keep telling their personal stories about why marriage equality matters.”

Green MP, Adam Bandt, has proposed a vote on his marriage equality bill on June 6th, providing Mr Rudd and others with an opportunity to vote for reform.

 

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Matt Baume’s Marriage News Watch 5/20/13

Written by scott on May 20th, 2013

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Minnesota passes a marriage bill, bringing the total to twelve states with the freedom to marry. Can we make it thirteen? Time’s running out for Illinois to pass its marriage bill this year. And even with public support for marriage soaring, numerous states may be stuck with marriage bans for years to come.

Authored By Matt Baume – See the Full Story at AFER

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Marriage Equality / LGBT Rights Updates 5/20/13

Written by scott on May 20th, 2013

Gay Wedding - HandsA smattering of marriage equality and LGBT rights stories to share with you tonight.

TEXAS LESBIAN COUPLE WILL SPLIT AT JUDGE’S ORDER

A lesbian couple will no longer live together after a judge ordered it as a condition of a divorce settlement. The Dallas Voice reports:

Attorneys for Compton and Price issued a statement Monday saying the couple plans to comply with the order even though it is an unconstitutional violation of their right to privacy under case law including Lawrence v. Texas. The attorneys also requested that unlike Roach, the press respect the couple’s privacy since the case involves children.

PRESIDENT OBAMA MENTIONS GAY FAMILIES AT COMMENCEMENT SPEECH

An unexpected mention from President Obama at a commencement speech. Towleroad.com reports:

The crowd at the Morehouse College commencement ceremony over the weekend seemed momentarily stunned when Obama directed the gay men in the audience to be the best husband to their partners, but Obama held up one finger and stifled any dissent: “And that’s what I’m asking all of you to do: Keep setting an example for what it means to be a man. Be the best husband to your wife, or your boyfriend, or your partner. Be the best father you can be to your children. Because nothing is more important.”

ANTI GAY MOB AT GEORGIA PRIDE WAS LED BY PRIESTS

No big surprise here – a mob that disrupted a gay pride march in Georgia was led by a group of priests. AmericaBlog reports:

The NYT reports that Georgian Orthodox priests helped lead the mob of 20,000 people that violently attacked a small group of gay rights protesters in the capital of Tbilisi on Friday. What’s worse, a bishop in the church, Iakob Iakobashvili, who helped organize the counter-protests, refused to condemn the violence by his own priests.

CHURCH OF SCOTLAND WILL ALLOW MINISTERS IN SAME-SEX RELATIONSHIPS

The Church of Scotland decided to allow ordination of openly gay ministers. Pink News reports:

The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland has passed a motion to allow the ordination and appointment of ministers in same-sex relationships. On Monday evening Assembly commissioners voted in favour of a proposal that allows liberal parishes to opt out of the church’s policy on homosexuality. The move has been welcomed by Scotland’s Equality Network, who say it is a positive step forward for a more equal society. However, General Assembly rules dictate it must be approved at a presbytery level and then rubber-stamped at next year’s gathering.

CHINA “GROUPON” TYPE SITE OFFERS GAY SUBSCRIBERS TRIP TO CANADA TO MARRY

A Chinese version of the site Groupon is giving away a gay wedding – in Canada – to one lucky couple. Gay Star News reports:

Meituan, a Chinese version of Groupon, the group deals website, is offering gay couples the chance to marry in Canada for free. ‘On 20 and 21 May, Meituan Rainbow Day, we support comrades [slang for gay people],’ the deal site says, ‘because we believe that marriage is not about similarities or differences, it’s about true love, regardless of gender’. Over 120,000 people have already registered to win the prize, which includes travel from China to Canada, one night’s accommodation and marriage registration fee.

NEW YORK SENATORS PUT PRESSURE ON TO PASS TRANSGENDER PROTECTIONS BILL

Now that marriage equality is a done deal in NYC, the push is on to pass a transgender protections bill. Queerty reports:

Now, the state’s two U.S. Senators, Chuck Schumer and Kristen Gillibrand, are making it clear that the state should correct that problem and pass the Gender Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) in the current session. “We are proud of the great strides that have been made in the pursuit of fairness, justice and equality in recent years in our state, most recently with the passage of marriage equality for all New Yorkers, which we strongly supported,” the senators said in a letter. “Yet, the push for full equality has left thousands of our friends and neighbors behind; currently, transgender New Yorkers lack the statewide protections many take for granted. This measure would amend the New York human rights law to extend non-discrimination protections in employment, housing, public accommodations and access to credit to transgender New Yorkers. Passage of this bill will be a vital step on the path towards the goal of achieving equal protection for all.”

GAY “BLUES CLUES” ACTORS TO MARRY

Two actors form the touring “Blues Clues Live” show are planning to get married. Queerty reports:

Actors Tom Mizer and Travis McGhie are prepping for their upcoming nuptials by dropping wedding invitations in the mailbox, only this time, there’s no song and dance with a giant blue dog. The couple met while touring with “Blues Clues Live!”, a touring production based on the popular Nickelodeon kids show. McGhie served as Mizer’s understudy for Steve, the show’s leading role, but unlike most showmances between touring boys, this one actually lasted.

SNL FEATURES SEVERAL GAY MARRIAGE SKITS

This weekend’s Saturday Night Live featured several marriage equality skits. In the first, the show offered a remedy for gay summer weddings. The Huffington Post reports:

The sketch comedy showed featured a hilarious skit May 18 in which guests popped a new drug called “Xanax for Gay Summer Weddings” before heading out to their friends’ nuptials to reduce feelings of inadequacy while attending perfectly planned gay weddings.

Hit the link above for the video. In the second, Anderson Cooper was left at the altar. LGBT Weekly has the details:

CNN anchor Anderson Cooper played the groom in a surreal wedding scene send-off for Bill Hader’s Stefon character on the season finale of “Saturday Night Live.” Hader announced last week that he was leaving SNL after eight seasons to move to California and get more sleep, which meant his memorable characters were also saying goodbye. Stefon — Weekend Update’s New York City correspondent — gave one last report Saturday night, rushing off the set after telling anchor Seth Meyers, “You never respect me.”

 

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Minnesota, USA: Recall Attempts Over Marriage Equality Bill Rejected

Written by scott on May 20th, 2013

Minnesota mapSome fresh marriage equality news out of Minnesota today. The Chief Justice has thrown out a couple of attempted recalls against DFLers who voted for the marriage equality bill. TwinCities.com reports:

On the last day of the legislative session, the chief justice of the state Supreme Court has thrown out recall petitions filed against two DFL House members over their support for legalizing gay marriage. Chief Justice Lorie Gildea on Monday, May 20, dismissed the proposed petitions against Reps. Joe Radinovich of Crosby and John Ward of Baxter “for failure to allege specific facts that, if proven, would constitute grounds for recall.” Minnesota law sets a high bar for recalling elected officials.

Designer Isaac Mizrahi is thrilled that the bill passed. On Top Magazine reports:

During an appearance on HuffPost Live, Mizrahi gave Minnesota a big cheer and said that gay people need to be vocal about their rights. “You do have to be vocal about these things,” he said. “You have to keep talking about it. I am at this point where I’m proud to come out and fight that good fight. I’m not defensive anymore, I’m proactive about it.”

 

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UK: Marriage Equality Bill Survives Amendment Onslaught

Written by scott on May 20th, 2013

you tube bigA number of amendments were offered to the marriage equality bill, including at least one that could have killed it.

Pink News reports on one that would have allowed registrars opt out of performing same sex weddings:

An amendment to the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill tabled by Conservative MP David Burrowes, urging for registrars to be allowed to opt out of performing marriages for gay couples, has been defeated in the House of Commons. MPs voted 340 to 150 to reject the amendment. Those voting with Mr Burrowes included the Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats Simon Hughes. Mr Burrowes’ amendment stated: “Any duty of a registrar to conduct a marriage is not extended by this Act to marriages of same-sex couples where a registrar holds a conscientious objection to conducting such marriages”.

Current British law makes it illegal to deny goods or services based on sexual orientation.

Pam’s House Blend reports that several amendments were passed:

Friendly amendments passed, including Amendment 23 which “protects ministers of religion employed by secular organisations (eg as hospital or university chaplains) who refuse to carry out same sex marriages from claims being made against them personally under the employment provisions of the Equality Act 2010\0×2033, and Amendment 24 which “requires, rather than (as the Bill does at present) allows, the Lord Chancellor to make an order enabling the Church in Wales to marry same sex couples, if he is satisfied that the Church has resolved to do so,” according to LGBTory.

The Labour Party was successful in fending off an amendment that would have opened civil partnerships to straight couples as part of the marriage equality bill, a measure that had the potential to delay or kill the bill. Instead, the issue was passed in a separate measure:

Considerable debate was dedicated to amendments related to Civil Partnerships. New Clause 16, which commits the Government to undertake a prompt, formal review of Civil Partnerships after same-sex marriage is legalized, passed 391 to 57. New Clause 10, which would have extended Civil Partnerships to opposite-sex couples immediately, was rejected 375 to 70. MPs opposing NC 10 expressed concern that its adoption could delay passage of the bill, or even be used to scuttle it.

The Telegraph has a list of the MPs who voted for the poison pill amendment.

The Dish points out the rank hypocrisy of the marriage equality proponents:

The cynical wrecking amendment has gone down in flames – by 375 votes to 70. It’s a fascinating insight into the opposition to marriage equality on the far right. A conservative – yes, a conservative – was proposing to extend civil partnerships, i.e.e marriage-lite, to heterosexual couples rather than allow gay couples to be married. Such civil partnerships, if extended to everyone, as in France, would do much much more to undermine the institution of civil marriage than allowing gays to participate in the institution. It’s pretty obvious evidence that bigotry was behind this – a betrayal of core conservative principles in order to prevent gay equality.

The debate is exposing rifts in the Conservative Party, as Reuters reports:

Almost 40 percent of Cameron’s 303 lawmakers in the lower house of parliament voted for an ultimately unsuccessful amendment that would have allowed registrars to refuse to perform gay marriage ceremonies if they objected. Scores backed another amendment that the government said would have sabotaged its efforts to legalize same sex unions. Cameron’s failure to unite his ruling Conservative Party over gay marriage and over his other major policy – renegotiating Britain’s membership of the European Union – risks undermining his chances of being re-elected in 2015 even as the economy is showing signs of returning to growth.

Seeing Cameron stand for marriage equality even at his own political peril is inspiring.

Outside, a group of Christians prayed for the failure of the bill. Joe.My.God reports.

There will be more debate tomorrow, and then the bill should get its third and final reading, The Bilerico Project reports:

But today, members struck a deal allowing the equal marriage bill to proceed. Debate is scheduled for today and tomorrow (watch it live here), and the bill’s third reading — its last procedural hurdle in the House of Commons — will happen tomorrow as well.

 

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