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Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010
Earlier this month I reported that GOP House lawmakers in West Virginia were planning a “drastic” parliamentary move to force votes on a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. Looks like it could happen this week.
The Charleston Gazette reports: “House Republicans plan a series of procedural motions this week to force floor votes on proposals they say Democrats have allowed to die in committees. Those include a resolution (HJR5) that calls for a statewide referendum on whether to amend the constitution to define marriage, and a proposal (HJR104) to boost tax breaks for elderly and disabled people.”
A move to force the tax measure failed on Monday.
Full Story from Towleroad.com
Click here for gay marriage resources in West Virginia.
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Posted in gay marriage ban, gop, legislature, republicans, west virginia, wv | No Responses »
Saturday, February 20th, 2010
Various civil and religious associations of Mexico, united under the organization “Man+Woman=Marriage,” are working to collect 50,000 online signatures from Mexican voters in order to stop the recently-approved law allowing gays & lesbians to marry and adopt children. Guillermo de Jesus Torres Quiroz, organizer of the project, said the initiative “aims to protect children, whose rights will be harmed by the adoption of homosexual couples instead of by a family consisting of a father and mother.”
The signatures will be delivered to the Mexico City Legislative Assembly. “We soon hope to present a plan to stop this reform that goes against the institution of the family.” The organizer added that they have had a good response so far.
Torres Quiroz said the petition will be delivered to the Legislative Assembly, where officials will review it to verify that it fulfills the legal requirements for such an initiative. Mexico City law states that a petition can be presented to the Legislative Assembly if it has been signed by 0.5 percent of the electorate.
Full Story from CNA
Click here for gay marriage resources in Mexico.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.
Posted in Gay Marriage, legislature, marriage equality, mexico, mexico city, same sex marriage, signatures | No Responses »
Wednesday, February 17th, 2010
More than 160 faith leaders are weighing in on gay marriage, saying they support such unions and disagree with those who cite the Bible in raising objections. The 167 people, who represent a number of faiths, held a Statehouse news conference Tuesday to argue that unions based on love “must be honored.”
The issue has been heated since the Iowa Supreme Court last spring struck down a state law banning gay marriage.
Speakers noted they base their support of same-sex marriage rights on the Bible, although they acknowledge many opponents cite the Bible as the reason for their opposition.
Full Story from the Globe Gazette
Click here for gay marriage resources in Iowa.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.
Posted in clergy, faith leaders, Gay Marriage, ia, iowa, legislature, letter, marriage equality, same sex marriage | No Responses »
Monday, February 8th, 2010
A majority of Iowans think the issue of gay marriage doesn’t deserve lawmakers’ limited time. Among six hot-button topics, a new Iowa Poll shows a majority of Iowans consider only a ban on text messaging while driving worth the Legislature’s time during a session shortened by 20 days to cut costs. Iowans are not enthusiastic about devoting time to debates on gay marriage, puppy mills, gun control, payday loans or gambling.
The Democrats who control what comes up for a vote say budget issues will dominate the 2010 session as the recession continues to pinch state revenues. But lawmakers have introduced hundreds of bills on other topics.
Friday marks the first so-called funnel, a deadline that winnows the workload by letting some bills move forward and others die.
Full Story from the Des Moines Register
Click here for gay marriage resources in Iowa.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.
Posted in driving, Gay Marriage, ia, iowa, legislature, marriage equality, poll, same sex marriage, texting | No Responses »
Sunday, January 31st, 2010
Utah lawmakers will not consider a law that would ban discrimination against gay men and lesbians in the workplace and in housing, and will instead spend the next year studying the issue, key lawmakers said Friday. In exchange, opponents of gay-rights legislation will drop any effort to prevent local governments from passing their own nondiscrimination laws this legislative session.
Gay-rights advocates had hoped to build on recent momentum created by the Salt Lake City Council, which passed nondiscrimination ordinances last year. Those ordinances passed after The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said it would support the measures.
In Utah, few law changes occur if the church disapproves. More than 80 percent of state lawmakers are Mormon, including Gov. Gary Herbert, a Republican.
Full Story from the NY Times
Click here for gay marriage resources.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.
Posted in anti discrimination, delay, gay rights, legislature, Mormon Church, ut, utah | No Responses »
Friday, January 29th, 2010
Florida legislators were urged this afternoon to enact pro-family legislation creating a statewide domestic partnership registry. Once enacted, the legislation would provide unmarried couples many of the benefits provided by the state to married couples.
Palm Beach County Human Rights Council President Rand Hoch addressed legislators at the final public hearing prior to the opening of the Florida legislature in March.
“Many couples choose not to marry so that they may preserve their social security, pension, and veterans benefits,” said Rand Hoch, President of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council.
“However marriage is not an option for gay and lesbian Floridians in committed relationships.”
Full Story from Out in America
Click here for gay marriage resources in Florida.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.
Posted in domestic partner registry, fl, florida, legislature | No Responses »
Wednesday, January 20th, 2010
It was the most dramatic vote of last year’s Legislature, and it resolved nothing: The impassioned debate at the Capitol over civil unions and gay marriage is back this week. “It is my understanding that it will be put on the Order of the Day (agenda) Thursday and put it up for a vote on Friday,” said Sen. Brian Taniguchi, chairman of the Judiciary Committee.
The bill was stalled in his committee with three committee members in favor and three against the bill, when it was yanked onto the Senate floor last year.
It was high political drama because the bill to legalize civil unions between same-sex partners had already passed the House. Just 13 yes votes and the historic measure would go to Gov. Linda Lingle. But the Senate blinked, amending the bill and promising to come back and try again. That time is this session.
Full Story from the Star Bulletin
Click here for gay marriage resources in Hawaii.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.
Posted in bill, civil unions, hawaii, hi, legislature, senate, vote | No Responses »
Sunday, January 17th, 2010
When Hawaii legislators reconvene on Wednesday, all eyes will be focused not on teacher furloughs that resulted in the nation’s shortest school year or the state’s $1 billion budget deficit, but legislation that would allow same-sex couples to form civil unions. The measure would grant gay couples the rights and benefits the state provides to married couples and is among a handful of similar proposals that could pop up in several other states. At the same time, a federal judge in San Francisco is considering the constitutionality of California’s same-sex marriage ban.
“This bill has already been voted on, so there isn’t as much convincing to do anymore,” said Alan Spector of Equality Hawaii, a leading supporter of the bill. “I think (legislators) get the substance of the bill and the need for the bill.”
Last year, the proposal easily won preliminary passage in the Legislature, but stalled in May after opponents lobbied and held a state Capitol rally attended by several thousand protesters.
Full Story from The Washington Post
Click here for gay marriage resources in Hawaii.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.
Posted in bill, civil unions, hawaii, hi, legislature, vote | No Responses »
Friday, January 1st, 2010
As the Tennessee General Assembly reconvenes this month, the state’s LGBT political leaders say that from adoption rights to discrimination issues, there will be many bills worth watching.
Despite wins in Memphis and Nashville for the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity in nondiscrimination policies, the political landscape remains fairly inhospitable for many LGBT concerns. With an election looming in the fall and enormous budgetary issues that will likely dominate the session, it’s unclear what traction bills favorable to the community might gain.
…
Hot-button debates are likely to occur over a proposed adoption ban for unmarried couples, which has been seen as a back-door way to disallow gay men and lesbians to adopt, as well as civil-union legislation that would preemptively ban not only gay marriage but also any other type of union with legal ramifications. In an election year, and with a body whose conservative majority is seeking to expand its presence, those bills are a given, said Christopher Sanders, TEP’s chair.
Full Story from Out & About: http://www.outandaboutnewspaper.com/article/3805
Click here for gay marriage resources in Tennessee.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.
Posted in adoption, bills, civil unions, employment discrimination, Gay Marriage, legislature, tennessee, tn | No Responses »
Thursday, December 31st, 2009
The push to legalize gay marriage in New Jersey could fail without a vote being cast in the Legislature. While the likelihood of a vote has yet to be determined, opponents of gay marriage are preparing to declare the measure dead while advocates insist there’s still time to pass a law before the governor switch next month.
Gov. Jon Corzine, a Democrat, says he’d sign the bill if lawmakers can get it to his desk while he’s still in office. At noon Jan. 19, he’ll be replaced by Republican Chris Christie, who says he would veto the bill.
Gay marriage is recognized in four states: Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts and Vermont. A law to legalize it in New Hampshire takes effect Friday. The Washington, D.C., City Council voted last month to legalize gay marriage, but that law is still subject to congressional approval.
Full Story from the Courier Post Online: http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20091231/NEWS01/912310331/1006
Click here for gay marriage resources in New Jersey.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.
Posted in Gay Marriage, governor jon corzine, legislature, new jersey, nj | No Responses »
