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Ireland: Proposed Amendment Would Offer Equal Citizenship Rights to Same Sex Couples

Thursday, July 21st, 2011

Just got this from Marriage Equality Ireland:

Marriage Equality today welcomed an amendment to the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011 that provides for equal treatment of civil partners and married couples in legislation on acquiring Irish citizenship.

Moninne Griffith, Director of Marriage Equality, said “This amendment comes after intensive research as part of our forthcoming Marriage Audit, due to be published in mid-September. At present we estimate there are over 140 differences between marriage and Civil Partnership – many of which deal with children and families. We are delighted that progress is being made on important equality issues, although there is much work left to be done. Ireland can either achieve equality step by step by dealing with each discrepancy separately, or the Government could do the right thing, and introduce equality in one fell swoop by legislating for marriage for same-sex couples.”

The amendment was proposed by Senator Katherine Zappone, and adds to the rights and entitlements currently given to same sex couples under the Civil Partnership legislation. Senator Zappone had been briefed on the issue by Marriage Equality, following intensive research into the discrepancies between Civil Partnership legislation and marriage law.

“We would like to thank Senator Zappone for her work to progress this important issue, and look forward to working with her in the future” said Ms Griffith. “We would also like to thank the Immigrant Council of Ireland and Patrick Dillon Malone BL for lending their expertise and opinions to the research.”

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NY: Update – There’s an “Acceptable” Amendment, But Will There Be a Vote?

Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011

Audra MacDonald, Mario BataliThough Dean Skelos and the State Senate Republicans still haven’t decided if there will be a vote on marriage equality before the legislative session in Albany ends, the issue is still dominating the capitol despite other hot topics to choose from. Advocates on both sides are currently hunkering down, preparing for all contingencies. Celebrities are descending on Albany, an amendment to deal with GOP concerns of religious exemptions has apparently been drafted, opponents are reaching for new angles (couldn’t the gays just go straight?) and rumors of the issue being sent to popular referendum are running amok. On top of all that, New Yorkers for Marriage Equality is threatening to “go crazy” if there is no vote.

Earlier this afternoon Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver came out of a meeting with Governor Cuomo and Skelos to discuss the end-of-session “Big Ugly” bill (to wrap up everything from rent control to SUNY/CUNY funding) and told reporters that he had seen a draft amendment dealing with the bill’s religious exemptions and found it “acceptable.” But he also said that the Assembly would not vote on it until after the Senate. And getting to a vote is proving tricky with no Republicans wanting to be known as the one to tip the 31-31 vote in favor of equality, especially as Conservative party boss Michael Long and others are actively pushing the GOP to “stand strong for traditional marriage and not put a bill on the floor. Any bill that will harm our state should not be allowed a vote.”

Long went so far as to threaten to “strip the party’s endorsement from any Republican senator who votes for marriage, a move that could jeopardize the party’s one-vote majority and its only toehold to state power.” Long’s threats have some wondering if the vote will now get turned into a public referendum.

Full Story from The Gothamist

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MI: Holland City Council Votes Down Gay Rights Amendment

Thursday, June 16th, 2011

Gay Rights Amendment, Holland, MichiganThe Holland City Council has made a decision on a controversial issue that was a year in the making. The very heated meeting lasted well into the night, ending after midnight.

In the end the city council shot down the proposal that would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation.

More than 200 people packed the more than five hour long meeting with dozens standing at the podium to voice their opinions.

Full Story from WWMT

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IL: Another Bill Filed to Amend Civil Unions Bill for Catholic Church

Wednesday, May 18th, 2011

Illinois Civil UnionsIn yet another attempt to exempt religiously affiliated child welfare agencies from providing adoption and foster-care services to gay couples, state Rep. Dwight Kay, R-Edwardsville, has introduced a bill that would amend the Illinois civil-unions law.

Kay filed the measure, House Bill 3774, on May 11, with the same language as a previous but unsuccessful Senate amendment.

The new bill states: “A child welfare agency that is religiously based or owned by, operated by, or affiliated with a bona fide religious organization may opt out of fulfilling a request for services, including an adoption or foster family home application, including any licensure and placement, which would constitute a violation of the organization’s sincerely held religious doctrines or beliefs.”

Full Story from Windy City

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MD: House Considers Amendment to Marriage Equality Bill to “Protect” Religions

Thursday, March 10th, 2011

Lawmakers in the Maryland House of Delegates are weighing a change to a gay marriage measure that could win its support in their own chamber, but could jeopardize its chances to clear the Senate and become law.

The Senate has already passed the bill to allow same-sex couples to marry, but the House is now considering an amendment that would go farther to protect religious institutions from being forced to participate in gay weddings.

House leadership has said that any changes to the Senate’s bill could keep it from being approved there and sent to the governor for his signature.

Full Story from The Republic

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NC: Anti Marriage Equality Amendment Filed in Senate

Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011

Gaston County Sen. James Forrester filed on Tuesday his anti-LGBT constitutional amendment on marriage. The text of the proposed amendment, which has not yet been filed in the House, would ban any recognition of any “domestic legal union” other than a marriage between an opposite-sex couple.

If approved by the legislature, the amendment would appear on the November 2012 ballot. Three-fifths of both the House and Senate must approve the amendment before it can appear on the ballot; the governor has no veto authority on amendments.

Forrester, a Republican who has been the primary lead on the amendment for the past seven years, was joined in sponsoring the legislation by Jerry W. Tillman (R-Montgomery, Randolph) and Dan Soucek (R-Alexander, Ashe, Watauga, Wilkes). Twenty other senators, all Republican, are co-sponsoring the bill. Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger (R-Guilford, Rockingham) did not sponsor the amendment.

Full Story from QNotes

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IN: House Passes Gay Marriage Ban Amendment

Friday, February 18th, 2011

Indiana Gay Marriage BanThe Indiana House approved a constitutional amendment on Tuesday, Feb. 15 to ban gay marriage and civil unions — a step opponents said was unnecessary since same-sex marriage is already illegal in the state.

Supporters say the amendment would provide an additional layer of protection for traditional marriage in case courts later overturn Indiana’s law. The Republican-controlled House voted 70-26 to advance the proposal, which must clear two separately-elected Legislatures to get on the ballot for a public vote.

“Marriage is — and should be — the union of one man and one woman,” said Rep. Eric Turner, R-Marion.

Full Story from Bay Windows

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WY: House to Consider Gay Marriage Ban Today That Passed Senate Previously

Tuesday, February 8th, 2011

A Wyoming legislative committee is set to consider a proposed constitutional amendment that would specify the state wouldn’t recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states.

The House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday is set to consider a resolution that calls for allowing Wyoming voters to decide whether to change the state Constitution to specify the state would only recognize marriages between one man and one woman. The Wyoming Senate has already approved the measure.

Proponents of the measure say Wyoming needs to clarify its law because of same-sex marriages performed in other states. Opponents say such proposals are an attack on gay rights.

Full Story from NECN

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MN: Family Council to Spend $4.71 Million to Launch, Pass Anti Gay Marriage Amendment

Thursday, January 27th, 2011

The Minnesota Family Council has launched its “Ignite” campaign to “achieve cultural transformation” over the next two years. According to a brochure put out by the group, MFC plans to spend $4.71 million with the main aim of getting a constitutional amendment banning relationship rights for same-sex couples onto the ballot and passed by Minnesota voters.

“‘Ignite’ is a two-year plan designed to fan the embers of November 2010 into a lasting movement built to achieve enduring cultural transformation,” the brochure states, “starting with passage of a constitutional amendment to preserve marriage as God designed it, the foundation of strong families and a strong society.”

MFC also believes it was picked by God for such a mission. “You see, God has uniquely positioned Minnesota Family Council (MFC),” the group writes. “God has blessed MFC with the unique opportunity to be a catalyst for enduring cultural transformation rooted in spiritual renewal, for the glory of Christ and the good of our state.”

Full Story fromThe Minnesota Independent

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Florida: Charlie Crist Plays Gay Marriage Ban Card

Sunday, August 29th, 2010

Florida governor Charlie Crist, an independent candidate for U.S. Senate, appeared to voice support Sunday for a federal constitutional amendment to prohibit same-sex couples from marrying, then clarified his position to say it applied strictly to Florida.

According to the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, Crist told CNN, “When it comes to marriage, I think it is a sacred institution, I believe it is between a man and a woman, but partners living together, you know, I don’t have a problem with it.”

The Victory Fund reports that Crist issued a clarification hours afterward to say that his comments only applied to the Florida constitution.

Full Story from The Advocate

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