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US: Congress Close to Vote on Benefits for Gay/Lesbian Partners of Federal Employees

scott — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:22:00 +0000

Congress is preparing to vote on a bill that would extend benefits to the same-sex partners of federal employees after passage in committees from both houses. Wisconsin Representative Tammy Baldwin’s Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act of 2009 (DPBO) is quickly wending its way through Capitol Hill. The legislation would make the spouses of gay and lesbian federal employees eligible for certain benefits previously denied because the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), a law that prohibits the federal government from recognizing gay unions, bars such benefits. DPBO would carve out an exception to the law.

The proposed law received a boost Wednesday with passage out of a key Senate committee. Members OK’d the bill with an 8 to 1 vote. Senator Robert F. Bennett, a Republican, was the lone dissenter.

That is, Bennett was the lone in-person “nay” vote; five additional Republicans voted against the bill by proxy: Republican Senators Tom Coburn, John McCain, George V. Voinovich and Lindsey Graham. Those members, along with Senator John Ensign, who did not take a position on the bill, score low on the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) Congressional Scorecard, an annual report that measures a lawmaker’s support for gay rights. (Proxy votes are not included in a final tally.)

Full Story from On Top Magazine: http://www.ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=5016&MediaType=1&Category=26

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2010 Census Important for Gay Rights, But Won't Actually Count GLBT People

scott — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:43:00 +0000

When people hear about census-taking this time of year, it usually involves the story of Joseph and Mary trekking to Joseph’s hometown of Bethlehem to be counted for a census called for under the Roman Emperor Augustus. The 2010 U.S. Census probably won’t secure as profound a place in history. It may nonetheless have some impact on the future of American society, with a particular nod to gay Americans. Just how great a nod is open to debate.

From Darlene Nipper, the D.C.-based deputy executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force: “I think it’s a big step. I hope our community will not underestimate it.”

On the other hand, Mara Keisling, executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE), working out of the same Thomas Circle office building as Nipper, has a different view.

Full Story from Metro Weekly: http://www.metroweekly.com/gauge/?ak=4701

Click here for gay marriage resources.

Which US States Will Legalize Gay Marriage Next?

scott — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:19:00 +0000

Last year on election day, California voted “yes” on Proposition 8 which revoked the state law that made same-sex marriage legal. This year, Maine became the forefront of this year’s election with Question 1, which also gave residents the option to revoke the same sex marriage law that was passed earlier this year on May 6.

Maine’s same-sex marriage law was also revoked when decided by the public. Now, the only states that perform same-sex marriage are Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, Vermont and starting in January 2010, New Hampshire. Which states could be next to legalize gay marriage?

“Oregon is well-known for Portland, which is a melting pot of cultures, subcultures, and lifestyles all it’s own,” said Bethany Duerr, “I think that if Portland becomes pro-gay marriage, it would definitely influence the rest of the state. I think it is also possible that random mid-west states could legalize gay marriage – we don’t give those states a lot of attention or credit.”

Full Story from Examiner.com: http://www.examiner.com/x-30744-Albany-Civil-Rights-Examiner~y2009m11d21-The-Future-of-SameSex-Marriage

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources.

US House committee Passes Domestic Partner Benefits Bill

scott — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:31:00 +0000

After a sometimes contentious debate, the U.S. House of Representatives’ Oversight and Government Reform Committee passed a bill Nov. 18 that would expand domestic benefits to include same-sex partners, according to the Washington Post.
The 23-12 vote on H.R. 2517, the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act of 2009, broke down along party lines, with Democrats prevailing. Republicans said the expansion would undermine the traditional concept of marriage being between a man and a woman.

In a statement, lesbian U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., said, “Today’s actions mark another significant step in our march toward LGBT equaliy. Our movement is gaining momentum around the country and Congress is following the will of the people.”

Full Story from the Windy City Times: http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=23567

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources.