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WA: House Vote on Marriage Equality Bill Due Today

Wednesday, February 8th, 2012

Washington House Marriage Equality VoteThe Washington state House of Representatives was expected to endorse gay marriage on Wednesday in a vote that would move the state another step closer to becoming the seventh to recognize same-sex nuptials.

Floor debate was scheduled to begin in the afternoon, with supporters and opponents predicting the measure would win House passage by at least as comfortable a margin as it took to clear the Senate, on a 28-21 vote, a week ago.

Democrats, accounting for the lion’s share of support for the bill, control both legislative bodies but enjoy a bigger majority in the House. Proponents were hoping to stave off any 11th-hour House floor amendments that would force the bill back to the Senate for final passage and thus slow its momentum.

Full Story from Reuters

Click here for gay wedding resources in Washington State.

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WA: Assembly Committee Sends Marriage Equality Bill to Floor

Monday, February 6th, 2012

Washington State Assembly and Marriage EqualityA House committee on Monday approved a measure to legalize same-sex marriage in Washington state, setting the stage for final passage this week.

The House Judiciary committee advanced the measure on a 7-5 vote after a final public hearing. The bill could be up for a vote on the House floor as early as Wednesday. The Senate passed the measure on a 28-21 vote last Wednesday. Once passed by the House, the bill goes to Gov. Chris Gregoire for her signature, likely next week.

Opponents have promised a referendum challenge at the ballot.

Full Story from Seattle PI

Click here for gay wedding resources in Washington State.

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UT: Anti Discrimination Bill Killed

Sunday, February 5th, 2012

Utah Anti Discrimination BillA bill to ban anti-LGBT discrimination in Utah was tabled by a state Senate committee Friday, ending its chances of passing this year.

After a 90-minute hearing before a capacity crowd, the Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee voted 4-2 to table the bill, The Salt Lake Tribune reports. Democratic senator Ben McAdams (pictured), its sponsor, expressed disappointment but said the hearing was a “huge milestone.” It marked the first time such a bill received a Senate hearing; Democrats have proposed similar measures four times previously.

Full Story from The Advocate

Click here for gay wedding resources in Utah.

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WA: Senate Passes Marriage Equality Bill

Wednesday, February 1st, 2012

Washington Senate Passes Marriage Equality BillJust got this from Washington United for Marriage:

It’s almost too good to be true.

Tonight the Washington Senate, on a bipartisan 28-21 vote, passed a marriage equality bill — the first time in Washington history that an equality bill has passed in either chamber of the legislature.

Our efforts are working, creating real changes in Washington’s marriage policy — and it’s all due to you, and thousands of other Washingtonians who care deeply about equality. We’re hearing that all the calls and emails to the Capitol are changing minds. But, while this is a historic victory, it’s far from the end of the road. The next step toward getting equality signed into law is a vote on the House floor, which may come as early as next week.

The overwhelming support we’re seeing from businesses, labor, faith communities and people all across the state is a testament to the momentum of this movement and the sensibilities of Washingtonians.

And it’s tempting to celebrate after such an important victory, but we just don’t have the luxury. If marriage equality is going to be a reality in Washington, we’re going to need to keep pushing, and keep speaking out.

Click Here to Help

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MD: Home-Schooled 14-Year-Old Asks Senate to Vote No on Marriage Equality

Tuesday, January 31st, 2012

Maryland Marriage Equality BillMaryland’s Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee heard testimony this afternoon on the marriage equality bill pending there. Among those testifying was a 14-year-old girl named Sarah Crank.

Said Sarah:

“Today is my 14th birthday and it would be the best birthday present ever if you would vote NO on gay marriage. I really feel bad for the kids who have two parents of the same gender.

“Even though some kids think it’s fine, they have no idea what kind of wonderful experiences they miss out on. I don’t want more kids to get confused about what’s right and okay. I really don’t want to grow up in a world where marriage isn’t such a special thing anymore.”

Full Story from Towleroad

Click here for gay wedding resources in Maryland.

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WA: Details of the New Marriage Equality Bill

Tuesday, January 31st, 2012

Marriage Equality Bill in Washington StateUnder a proposed same-sex marriage law in the state, most gay and lesbian couples now registered as domestic partners would have two years to convert the relationship to marriage – or the state would do it for them.

The law would allow unmarried same-sex couples from out of state to marry here, and would grant marriage benefits to those in civil unions and domestic partnerships who relocate here – as long as they then marry within a year.

Churches, mosques, temples, synagogues and their clergy may refuse to marry same-sex couples, without penalty, just as they’re allowed to now. But there are no comparable exemptions for business owners – such as wedding planners, photographers or florists – who are religiously opposed to such unions.

Full Story from The News Tribune

Click here for gay wedding resources in Washington State.

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WA: Senate Vote on Marriage Equality Bill Expected Wednesday

Tuesday, January 31st, 2012

Same-sex marriage advocates in Washington State are bracing for a tough battle Wednesday as the Senate faces a floor vote on the governor-backed bill to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples there.

The Senate Government Operations, Tribal Relations and Elections Committee approved the bill on a narrow 4-3 vote on Thursday. An amendment that would have required sending the law to voters via ballot measure was defeated, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Supporters of the bill believe they have the 25 votes needed to pass the legislation (HB 2516 & SB 6239), but because of the slim majority in support, anything that takes even one “yes” vote away from the bill before Wednesday would jeopardize its future.

Full Story from The Washington Blade

Click here for gay wedding resources in Washington State.

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US: Bill Would Ban Gay Weddings on Military Bases

Sunday, January 29th, 2012

Don't Ask Don't TellA bill that would bar gay and lesbian couples from marrying on military bases and would allow chaplains to refuse to officiate over such unions was introduced last week in the House, Military.com reported.

Kansas Rep. Tim Huelskamp is the Republican sponsor of the bill.

“It will also protect the freedom of those in the military to express vocally the tenets of their faiths. And it will make certain that our military facilities are not used in contravention to the federal Defense of Marriage Act,” Huelskamp said in a statement. “Military installations exist to carry out the national defense of our nation, not to facilitate a narrow social agenda.”

Full Story from On Top Magazine

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MD: Does New Marriage Equality Bill Strike Balance Between Gay and Religious Rights?

Sunday, January 29th, 2012

Gay Rights vs. Religious Freedom in MarylandLAST YEAR, a last-minute blitz by some conservative and African American lawmakers derailed proposed legislation to legalize same-sex marriage in Maryland.

Some critics rejected a definition of marriage as anything but the union of one man and one woman; others were concerned that religious groups might be forced to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies that violate their religious beliefs. There may be little that can be done to convince the first group that providing marriage equality to same-sex couples is the right and moral thing to do. There are, however, significant protections that should be extended to religious organizations even as the state provides its gay and lesbian residents the same rights as their heterosexual counterparts.

A bill introduced last week by Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) does an admirable job of meeting both of these legitimate needs. While not immune from all civilian proscriptions, religious organizations must be given wide latitude even when their actions could be deemed biased. The Supreme Court recently affirmed the right of religious organizations to be free from secular mandates that unduly interfere with religious freedom.

Full Story from The Washington Post

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WA: Marriage Equality Bill Clears Senate Committee

Friday, January 27th, 2012

Washington Marriage EqualityThe marriage equality bill in Washington State moved one step closer to becoming law Thursday when a Senate committee advanced the measure to the floor for a vote.

According to the Associated Press, “The Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections Committee approved the measure with a 4-3 voice vote split on party lines. The bill is expected to head to a floor vote next, though a date has not yet been determined.”

The committee rejected several Republican amendments, according to the AP, including a proposal that would have required the marriage equality bill be sent to the ballot in November. Opponents have pledged to challenge any law passed by the legislature and signed by Gov. Christine Gregoire, but without a referendum requirement, they would need to collect 120,577 valid signatures by July 6 to put the issue on the ballot.

Full Story From The Advocate

Gay friendly wedding vendors in Washington State

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