Equal Marriage Updates

A few things floating out on the web today, just a quick run down:

• Maine: Opponents to equality have announced that they have reached the 55,000+ signatures necessary to force a "People's Veto" referendum on the equal marriage law in that state. A rarely used law -- less than 30 times in the state's history -- allows the voters to veto any law put into place by the legislature. The movement is being spearheaded by the group, Stand for Marriage Maine. Per polls, Maine would have a rough fight at the polls as, though the legislature voted for it, the voter base is slightly against it. The ME law is due to go into effect Sept. 12, though will be delayed if the signatures are filed.
• Massachusetts: The Attorney General of Massachusetts has filed one of the strongest federal suits against the Defense of Marriage Act, claiming that it interferes with states' "soverign authority to to define and regulate marriage." LawDork, 2.0 has a great run down of the suit, including a copy of the suit.
• New Hampshire: Gov. John Lynch is experiencing a bit of a polling backlash after signing the equal marriage bill into law. His numbers have dropped to a measly 62%. Actually, the change may make him vulnerable as it will be the first time in his whole tenure where his approval rating dropped below 70%. Kevin Smith of Cornerstone Policy Research has this to say: "The governor assured voters time and time again that he did not support gay marriage, but when it reached his desk he broke his word to the voters... What we're seeing here is a trend where this governor is really tied into the far left wing of his party. And people are now starting to wake up to that fact, and that's why his poll numbers are dropping."
• New York: Former Democratic gubernatorial primary candidate, Tom Suozzi, has come out in favor of full marriage equality. Meanwhile, rumors are growing that the Republicans in the state senate of this state forced the gay marriage issue in an orchestration of the recent Republican coup. WTF is up in NY?

And, finally, the National Education Association, the nation's largest union, has come out in supprt of equal marriage. From the notes of the 2009 Representative Assembly:

NEA will support its affiliates seeking to enact state legislation that guarantees to same-sex couples the right to enter into a legally recognized relationship pursuant to which they have the same rights and benefits as similarly-situated heterosexual couples, including, without limitation, rights and benefits with regard to medical decisions, taxes, inheritance, adoption, and immigration.

They also support anti-discrimination.

Though, I will say, it's nice that everyone seems to be on our side, the question is when will someone show some leadership?

Guest Blog Over at Rainbow Cincinnati

I have a liberal policy of guest blogging here -- I welcome it as a way of opening the dialogue. Jason Boeckman, author of Cincinnati's newest queer blog Out With it Already, has twice taken the opportunity, and you can find his newest post over at QueerCincinnati's Rainbow Cincinnati blog. As always, here's your teaser:

Celebrate the New Hampshire victory for marriage equality because it’s a victory worth celebrating!

No doubt in these next few days we will see plenty media coverage and commentary detailing the marriage happenings in NH and elsewhere as the effort to pass legislation granting civil marriage for same-sex couples continues across the nation.

Progress is made by changing hearts and changing minds. Now is a prime opportunity to discuss gay rights issues with your friends, family members and co-workers. These conversations are necessary for the success of the LGBT movement.
(click here for the full post, click here for the QueerCincinnati blog there)

As always, check out the excellent content and updates over at Rainbow Cincinnati by clicking on the image below.

NEW HAMPSHIRE MARRIAGE WATCH

As I said earlier, we may see whether New Hampshire will be the next state to approve same-sex marriage by the end of the day. I'll update this as it goes:

• As of right now (120pm), the New Hampshire Senate has, for the third time, voted for the marriage equality bill. Now, onto the House which has once voted for it, twice voted against it... always by the slimmest of margins. But this new compromise comes from the House, so we'll see...
• Well, who needs a watch when you've got the good people of New Hampshire to work quickly... that's right folks, whilst I slept... The House passed the marriage equality bill and Gov. Lynch signed it into law, making New Hampshire the sixth state in the union to legalize same-sex unions. 

WHOOHOO!!!! Click here for a video of Gov. Lynch's statement and signing, calling this a "great day for all New Hampshire families," from WMUR (thanks to @unitethefight).

NY/NH: Marriage Equality on Tinterhooks

Two news items out today about marriage, both in New England:

• New Hampshire: After a crazy road here, it looks like the State House is, again, ready to bring the marriage bill to the floor. You might recall that New Hampshire's House and Senate (barely) passed it, then it was threatened with a veto by Gov. Lynch unless religious liberties were protected, which was then passed (better) by the Senate (but still barely), and then failed (barely) in the House where it was sent to committee for a compromise. The bill is now coming out of the committee with a compromise that the Governor is happy with, which means we might see stronger passage in the House and in the Senate (where it is required to be voted on again). Got all that? Oh, and all that might be happening today. Or, it could pass the House and get sent back to the Senate, where it might take a few days to pass again, and then a few days to get to the Governor's desk. Those crazy New Hampshire-ites!


• New York: In another crazy marriage state, the marriage equality bill passed the Assembly heartily a few weeks ago, after being introduced by the Governor, and now is sitting in the Senate where we are waiting for action... maybe as early as this week. In order to pass, 32 (not 31) Senators would need to vote for marriage equality. NY1 has a poll of the Senators and finds this: 20 in favor (all Dems), 27 are opposed (22 Republicans, 5 Democrats), 10 are undecided (6, D and 4, R), and 5 not saying (4, R and 1, D). That's rough. It means to pass, all seven undecided Dem's would have to vote yes, and five of the eight Republicans. Please note that not a single Republican is currently planning to vote yes. However, the fact that they aren't saying or are undecided may mean they are more favorable... after all, you would think most of them would think something by now, right? Right? Of course, there's always the Sen. Reuben Diaz (D) bit... who is fiercely lobbying against it... damn that Democrat.

Sigh. It's a lot, and it's a tangled web. Meanwhile, however, the EHEA is being testified on today in Columbus. I'll get an update for you as soon as I can, but it's at 2:30pm at Room 017 in the Statehouse ... they say it's a small room, so get there early if you plan on getting there, at all.

And in other news...

To round out the super-big gay news day, here are some bits you may have missed on the interweb this afternoon:

• Illinois' civil union bill has died, left floundered and unvoted on as the session ended. It passed the House fairly easily, but the Senate let it sit along with a lot of other bills, including cigarette taxes, medical marijuana, and a helmet law. It can come back next session, however, as they have two sessions to bring it up again.
  
• Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler is seeking a legal opinion about whether that state can acknowledge same-sex marriages performed elsewhere, despite laws defining marriage as between one man and one woman. Former Assistant AG Robert Zarnoch wrote an opinion that it would not be allowed under current law, but stated the issue was far from settled.
  
• Maine's voter drive to repeal the same-sex marriage law there is taking shape. Rev. Bob Emrich has said that 5,000 petitions are being circulated to collect the requisite 55,000 signatures to put a referendum on the ballot to overturn a legislative action.
• After the House in New Hampshire came to a compromise on the seemingly never-ending process that is their marriage equality bill, Gov. Lynch has said that he supports the new language and will vote for it. A vote is expected this week; we may have another state by Friday.
  
• On June 3rd, the Uniting American Families Act, which would allow individuals to sponsor their same-sex partners from a different country for citizenship, is holding its first hearing this Wednesday. The House bill (HB 1024) currently has 102 cosponsors; the Senate bill (S. 424) has 17.
• IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: The Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act (H. 2517) was introduced into the House by Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) to give certain benefits to the partners of federal employees on May 20. There are currently 64 co-sponsors, and it has been referred to three different committees for consideration.

And, finally and most important locally, the Equal Housing and Employment Act will hold its second hearing in the Government Committee of the Ohio legislature. Slated to speak: Lynne Bowman (Equality Ohio), Michael Payton (Ohio Civil Rights Commission), Bishop Ough (of the United Methodist Church), Mayor Warren Copeland (Springfield, OH), Jimmie Beall, Jim McCarthy (Miami Valley Fair Housing Coalition), and Ron Templin (on behalf of Cardinal Health, which will be the first time the Cardinal has ever made a political testimony on anything). Testimonies will be up at Do What's Right, Ohio by Thursday morning.

New Hampshire Denies Marriage Equality

From www.CNN.com

(CNN) -- New Hampshire's move to become the most recent state to legalize same-sex marriage hit a bump Wednesday, after the state House of Representatives failed to agree to changes made by the governor.


Four states -- Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, and Iowa -- allow same-sex marriages.The House and Senate have approved allowing gay couples to marry.

But Gov. John Lynch, a three-term Democrat, said last week he would sign a same-sex marriage bill only if it provides "the strongest and clearest protections for religious institutions and associations, and for the individuals working with such institutions."

Lynch said any such measure needs to "make clear that [clergy and other religious officials] cannot be forced to act in ways that violate their deeply held religious principles."

The House on Wednesday fell two votes short of approving Lynch's language, 186-188.

The chamber then voted to send the legislation to a committee to be considered further.

The language would specify that religious organizations can decline to take part in any marriage ceremony without incurring fines or risking lawsuits.

On May 6, same-sex marriage became legal in Maine, as Gov. John Baldacci signed a bill less than an hour after the state legislature approved it.

The District of Columbia voted May 5 to recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere, though it does not itself give marriage licenses to gay or lesbian couples.

Meanwhile, New York Gov. David Paterson introduced legislation in April to make same-sex marriage legal in New York. A similar bill died in the state Senate in 2007.

Iowa's Supreme Court ruled unanimously on April 3 that it is illegal to discriminate against same-sex couples by denying them the right to marry. The first same-sex marriages in the state took place April 27.

Four states -- Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, and Iowa -- allow same-sex marriages. A Vermont law making gay and lesbian marriages legal takes effect in September.

California's state Supreme Court issued a ruling legalizing same-sex marriage in May 2008, and 18,000 gay and lesbian couples got married in the state. But California voters in November approved Proposition 8, which amended the state constitution to ban gay marriage.

That state's high court heard arguments earlier this year about whether Proposition 8 was itself constitutional. It has not yet issued a verdict.

A slim majority of Americans are against legal recognition for same-sex marriage, CNN polling found last month. Fifty-four percent of adults questioned in an April 23-26 nationwide CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll said that marriages between gay or lesbian couples should not be recognized as valid, while 44 percent said they should be considered legal.

But there was a huge gap between the opinions of younger and older people, with younger people far more likely to approve of gay marriage. Nearly six in 10 people ages 18 to 34 said same-sex marriages should be legal. Just over four in 10 people ages 35 to 49 agreed, and the number was similar for 50- to 64-year olds. Only 24 percent of people 65 and older agreed.

Marriage Anniversary

Five years ago, Massachusetts began marrying same-sex folks legally.

One year ago, two days, California began marrying same-sex folks legally. 

In Massachusetts, support for same-sex nuptuals is through the roof, as people found that it's no big deal.

In California, voters overturned the ruling with the now-infamous Proposition 8, and support in that state has stalled to about the same percentages as voted for/against the measure. 

We fight on -- winning in Connecticut, Vermont, Iowa, and Maine... and possibly soon in New York and New Hampshire. We find that, as people marry, the less people care if other people are marrying. 

And so we fight on. California, we'll be back. We'll celebrate, again, and we'll win, again.

Thank you to all who are fighting, will be fighting, and have fought. But we aren't done.

Image from Mother Jones.

Gov. Lynch (NH) and Marriage Equality

Earlier today, Gov. Lynch of New Hampshire stated that he would sign the marriage equality bill passed by both the Senate and the House of that state, with one addendum.

From his statement:

“My personal views on the subject of marriage have been shaped by my own experience, tradition and upbringing. But as Governor of New Hampshire, I recognize that I have a responsibility to consider this issue through a broader lens...

“Two years ago, we passed civil unions legislation here in New Hampshire. That law gave same-sex couples in civil unions the same rights and protections as marriage. And in typical New Hampshire fashion, the people of this state embraced civil unions and agreed we needed to continue our tradition of opposing discrimination.

“At its core, HB 436 simply changes the term ‘civil union’ to ‘civil marriage.’ Given the cultural, historical and religious significance of the word marriage, this is a meaningful change.

“I have heard, and I understand, the very real feelings of same-sex couples that a separate system is not an equal system. That a civil law that differentiates between their committed relationships and those of heterosexual couples undermines both their dignity and the legitimacy of their families.

“I have also heard, and I understand, the concerns of our citizens who have equally deep feelings and genuine religious beliefs about marriage. They fear that this legislation would interfere with the ability of religious groups to freely practice their faiths.

“Throughout history, our society’s views of civil rights have constantly evolved and expanded. New Hampshire’s great tradition has always been to come down on the side of individual liberties and protections.

“That is what I believe we must do today...

“I have examined the laws of other states, including Vermont and Connecticut, which have recently passed same-sex marriage laws. Both go further in protecting religious institutions than the current New Hampshire legislation.

“This morning, I met with House and Senate leaders, and the sponsors of this legislation, and gave them language that will provide additional protections to religious institutions.

“This new language will provide the strongest and clearest protections for religious institutions and associations, and for the individuals working with such institutions.

It will make clear that they cannot be forced to act in ways that violate their deeply held religious principles.

“If the legislature passes this language, I will sign the same-sex marriage bill into law. If the legislature doesn’t pass these provisions, I will veto it.

“We can and must treat both same-sex couples and people of certain religious traditions with respect and dignity.

In short: Gov. Lynch gives a ringing endorsement of civil marriage from the perspective of someone who does not otherwise support it. It's an impressive and well thought out statement, and I think it gives people from New Hampshire who may not feel entirely comfortable with same-sex marriage a way to say, "You know, he's right; maybe this isn't so bad."

Meanwhile, the new language, which makes exceptions for religious groups, is pretty much the same thing we've seen entered in other states. I'm not sure, yet, how I feel about it, and I'm apt to say that it's a silliness and responds more out of the hysterics of the right rather than reality (because, truly, churches are not required to marry anyone as it is...). However, if this is the path we must walk, then this is the path we must take.

I just have one question: why couldn't this have been put into the bill a few weeks ago when it was making its way through the Senate and the House?

NH Marriage Became Law at Midnight?

Thanks to Law Dork, 2.0, via the New Civil Rights Movement...

Per Article 44 of the New Hampshire Constitution:

Every bill which shall have passed both houses of the general court, shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the governor, if he approves, he shall sign it, but if not, he shall return it, with his objections, to that house in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the objections at large on their journal, and proceed to reconsider it; if after such reconsideration, two-thirds of that house shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together with such objections, to the other house, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and, if approved by two-thirds of that house, it shall become a law. . . . If any bill shall not be returned by the governor within five days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the same shall be a law in like manner as if he had signed it unless the legislature, by their adjournment, prevent its return, in which case it shall not be a law.

It appears that, since it has now been five days since the bill landed on the Governor's desk, it is "law in like manner as if he had signed it."

Did Gov. Lynch just let marriage happen... without moving at all? Oops? Or, yea?

Congratulations to our dear friend at LawDork, 2.0 for the shout out and the repost on Pam's House Blend for this same article!!!! :-)

UPDATE: Readers over at LezGetReal corrected this; it is not going up, yet, as it has not officially arrived on Gov. Lynch's desk. So sad.

Maine Marriage Equality!

As my friend said via text message today: Gay Marriage! Gay Marriage for everyone!

Likely, though, the equal marriage bill that was signed by Gov. John Baldacci (D) will go into referendum, but we shall see if the Maine Family Policy Council can collect the 55,000 signatures necessary to take it to the voters. That has only been done 27 times since 1910. For now, the law goes into effect in September.

Thank you, Governor Baldacci, and congratulations, Mainers!

Of additional interest, New Hampshire's equal marraige bill got back through the Senate with, again, a slim margin -- 178-167 -- and is sitting on Gov. John Lynch's (D) desk, who has not yet said if he will sign it or not. (I accidentally said he was a Republican yesterday.)

Also, the New York Assembly could take up the marriage equality bill anyday, and New Jersey is poised to make the attempt in the coming weeks, with advocates saying it could be done this year.

That leaves Rhode Island in that section of the world...

Maine, New Hampshire, DC -- VOTE EQUALITY!

A double whammy for marriage today!

The Maine House of Representatives voted 89 to 58 to pass the Senate's marriage equality bill today with some minor changes (requiring it to go back to the Senate for re-approval). Democratic Governor John Baldacci is as yet uncommitted on the vote, but we can only hope for the best.

Of course, the Maine Family Policy Council is up in arms demanding a People's Vote -- something only enacted 27 times since 1910 -- on the issue. Let me just make sure I get this right: it comes from the executive (Gavin Newsom/New Paltz/etc.), it's bad; it comes from the judiciary (Connecticut/Iowa/Massachusetts), it's bad; it comes from the legislature (Vermont/Maine), it's bad. So the only people that can truly, ultimately decide what's best for an oppressed minority is [drum roll please] the oppressing majority?

Yea, that makes a lot of sense.

Meanwhile, a little south in Washington DC, the City Council once again passed a law that would recognize out-of-state unions in a 12-to-1 vote. It pissed enough people off that a group of ministers stormed the Council halls and threatened to blacklist those who voted for it -- they had to be removed by the police. What would be really disappointing is if they went on this all-out campaign to de-seat these 12 individuals... and then they all won their seats back. Councilmember David Cantania (I-At Large) plans to introduce a marriage equality bill later this year.

Who, might you ask, is the one dissenting vote? Former Mayor Marion Barry who, you might remember, was caught red handed with smoking a crack pipe in the late 1990s ... while in office. Mr. Barry mimicks Texas Governor Rick Perry in his comments:

All hell is going to break lose. We may have a civil war. The black community is just adamant against this. What you've got to understand is 98 percent of my constituents are black and we don't have but a handful of openly gay residents. Secondly, at least 70 percent of those who express themselves to me about this are opposed to anything dealing with this issue. The ministers think it is a sin, and I have to be sensitive to that.

Mr. Barry, uh... I don't think you are that sensitive to your constituency -- which is mostly black -- if you're threatening civil war. Also: if you don't have that many "openly gay residents" (which is a lie... DC is hugely gay), then does it matter that much to expend all of your political capital on? And please remember, the last time they voted on this... it was a unanimous vote

Anyways... fun day!

Oh, and tomorrow should be fun, too... New Hampshire's bill is back in the House, where the House -- which voted for marriage equality with a slim 186-179 after an early 182-183 loss -- is being asked to concur with the Senate (vote for equality: 13-11) on a few amendments. Then, the bill will go on to uncommitted Republican Governor John Lynch.

NH Gender Protection Bill Fails

Amidst everything else going on in the world with marriage, the battle for simple equal protections is getting shoved under the rug a little these days. So, as we are all excited about the unexpected passage of equal marriage in the NH Senate today, a major step back occurred at the same time: the same body rejected a bill giving equal protections to people based on their gender. (If you read the article, you'll cringe too when you read the words "people with sexual identity issues," but the rest of the piece is interesting.)

The bill had been dubbed "the bathroom bill" after opponents sought to undermine it by insinuating that it would put children in danger of being sexually molested in public bathrooms. Our friends in the NH Senate stood up against the rhetoric, saying that this detracted from the actual purpose, but that, apparently, didn't stop every single one of them from voting against it. That's right... the NH Senate, on the same day it voted for equal marriage and for medical marijuana, unanimously -- 24-0-0 -- voted against protections for gender.
How do they justify the move?

Sen. Martha Fuller Clark, D-Portsmouth, a sponsor of the bill, said that those who campaigned against the bill “shamefuly sought to distract us from the real issue, literally bringing the debate to the toilets."

Passing the bill now would only worsen the situation for transsexuals because of the way the bill was portrayed, she said.

Um, k. I'm not sure I get your thinking. If we pass protections now, we'll make the situation worse... hrm. In an idle thought, I wonder if this was voted down to make the marriage bill go forward... a lot of stories have indicated furious lobbying and vote-changing in the last 24 hours, in which case, I ask: was it worth it? But that's just an idle thought and I really hope it was not the case.

Nikki McIntosh, Kentucky Equality Federation Transgender Outreach Director, with the concurrence of KEF's Managing Director (Laura Reed) and President (Jordan Palmer), released this strongly worded statement in response:

Had this happened in Kentucky, Kentucky Equality Federation would have condemned the legislation; you either protect all of us or none of us.....UNITED WE STAND!

Well said, KEF, well said.

SHUT UP! HUGE VICTORIES TODAY!!!!

Unbelievable!!!!

This is what happens when I sleep... shit gets done!!!

• New Hampshire Senate APPROVES equal marriage bill!!!!!!!!!!!
• US House of Representatives APPROVES Matthew Shepard Act!!!!!!!
• Oh, and little late: the Maine Judiciary Committee recommended the equal marriage bill be taken to a floor vote in shocking 11-2-1 vote.

WOW!!!!

In a bit of a rush at the moment, I'll talk details later! But yea!!!! Oh -- and, you know, the last time we had Guerrilla Queer Bar, Iowa had just passed.... I think it's auspicious that we have it again this week.

NH Senate Votes on Marriage Bill Today

... and it doesn't look good.

From BlueHampshire:

The reds are no's (12), the pink is a maybe-no (1), the whites are unknowns (3), the light green is a maybe-yes (1), and the dark greens are yes's (7). The bill needs 13 votes to pass.

Technically, btw, the vote tomorrow is whether to override the Senate Judiciary Committee's 3-2 vote to not bring the vote to committee. So, on Wednesday, we'll need 13 individuals to say, "Yea, we should vote on this," and, then, on Thursday, we'll need 13 individuals to say, "Yea, this should be a law." As close as it is, it looks like a double decker of NO. I think we've probably lost the NH run this time around.

Even if it fails, I'll give New Hampshire this: at least they tried. Even if you fail, NH, we are still cheering you on!

We're Here! We're Queer! And we know how to email!

Lots and lots of opportunities these days for you to make your voice heard on a whole host of issues around the country, even if they don't apply to you directly!*

*In the end, everything applies to everyone.

The National Health Interview Survey is a division of the National Center for Health Statistics, based out of the CDC. It is the public health census, essentially, that monitors health related behaviors and conditions. The National Coalition for LGBT Health is pressing (via email, their website is not updated to reflect this) to add questions about sexual orientation and gender identity to the NHIS, and has met with some success ... garnering the support of 46 additional representatives and the personal interest of Rep. Whitehouse (D-RI), who is pressing for a $2million allotment in the budget to make this happen. Their recommendation is that you call the Senate switchboard (202-224-3121), ask for your Senator, and then request (once you get their office) the staff person in charge of Health and Human Services appropriations. Tell them that you are a constituent who supports appropriating an additional $2 million for the National Health Interview Survey and that you would like them to sign on. In order to sign on, they need to contact Jordanna Davis in Senator White house’s office by close of business on Tuesday, April 28th. (Means you guys have to contact your Senators on Monday).

*****

JoinTheImpact.com and the HRC is asking you to contact your Represenatives to support the passing of the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (HR 1913 -- the Matthew Shepard Act). The vote could come as early as this week after the Judiciary Committee gave it to the full house with a passage there of 15-12. JTI put out an email asking for national call-in days on April 27th, 28th, and 29th (before 5pm EST). From the email:

Most likely, one of the Members interns will answer and ask where you're calling from and why. You're calling to urge the Representative to vote for the Matthew Shepard Act (H.R. 1913). Most calls end right there. But if you like, you can add:

· Hate crimes against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are on the rise. One out of every six hate crimes is because of the victim's sexual orientation.

· Hate crimes have more than one victim. They are intended to create an atmosphere of fear and terrorize entire communities.

· The Matthew Shepard Act targets only violent acts – not speech. It does not tell any clergy member what he or she can or can't preach.

· Mention that Rep. 's vote on this bill will affect your future support.

Make sure you contact JoinTheImpact to let them know that you've done it -- if you click on the HRC link above, they will track via their website.

*****

The HRC is asking NH folks to contact the New Hampshire legislature -- not for marriage anymore -- but for something probably a little more important: gender protections. That's right, kids, the state was nearly the next one to legalize equal marriage, but they do not yet protect people based on their gender identity and expression... but neither does Massachusetts, shockingly. The bill is HB 415 and would add gender in anti-discrimination and hate crimes statutes already in place. (The link above mentions also HB 436, the now defunct bill that would have extended marriage protections for same-sex couples.)

*****

Maine's equal marriage bill will shortly be voted on by the joint Judiciary Committee, and Equality Maine is asking residents to email their representatives to get this bill to a vote (and then vote it through the entire legislature). Gov. Baldacci, at this point, may event vote it up, as well. I think for non-Mainers, it may be valid to email as well, especially if you bring up that marriage, in other states, has led to an increase in tourism.

*****

Tennessee, also, will be taking up a hate crimes bill that adds gender to the protected groups -- HB0335, one of the two bills pushed by the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition in this legislative session. The bill is being sponsored by Jeanne Richardson (D-Memphis), and I can't seem to find any indication as to whether it will pass or not. Regardless, it's an opportunity for people from Tennessee to make their voices heard. On a related note, does Ohio have a TransPAC?

*****

And, finally, Texas has an anti-bullying law, entitled "Corinne's Law" that will be hitting the floor of their legislature this week. Texans are urged to contact their representatives and let them know their support. The law will expand current statutes by including electronic harassment, as well as harassment that does not occur on school property.

You know, this took an awful long time.

Marriage Round-Up!

From across the US:

• California: The Governor's race is heating up between the two potential Democratic candidates over same-sex relationships. On the one side, we have Gavin Newsom who, as mayor of SF, allowed same-sex couples to start marrying in the city in 2004. Now, he wants to take on the census and demand that married couples be counted (SSM is not recognized on a federal level). Meanwhile, an emergency bill by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, his expected challenger in a primary, passed in Washington to stop the deportation of a Phillipino lesbian living in the US. Both her partner and her two children are US citizens.
• Connecticut: This is anti-climactic, but the bill legalizing equal marriage in Connecticut sailed through the House and Senate and was signed by Gov. Jodi Rell. It also turns existing civil unions into marriages... effectively ending civil unions? Why does that make me feel weird?
• DC: The city council has approved acknowledging out of state relationships for same-sex couples, and word on the street is that there may be an equal marriage bill in the nation's capital next year. The local pastors are angry -- "History will ask, where were the pastors?" -- no, I think history will ask, why did the pastors bother at all?
• Maine: Lots of people attended the Judiciary Committee's hearing on the same-sex marriage bill, something like 4000 of them. But we kinda knew that was going to happen. Other bloggers have already posted some of the testimonies appearing on YouTube, so I'll just move on.
• New Hampshire: The Senate Judiciary Committee has recommended (3-2) that the marriage bill passed by the Assembly not be brought to the floor of the Senate for a vote, effectively killing it. I think, for now, the chance in NH is dead.
• New Jersey: A new poll from Quinnipiac shows NJ voters pro-marriage at a rate of 49-43 (I guess we're assuming an 8% undecided rate). Still, that's pretty good.
• Utah: From one of the more unexpected supporters of LGBT rights in the mountain west, Republican Gov. Jon Huntsman is openly asking whether that state's constitutional DOMA covers civil unions... and saying that maybe the courts will have to decide that.

I have been very, very busy the last few days so I just wanted to throw these bits out there for you to NOM on. Kisses!

Oh, and can I just say that I am over, over, over the Miss USA contestants? Don't care, don't care, don't care. This is my impression of homosexuals over the situation (including myself): "ZOMG! She's from California! She's been asked a question by a gay man! ZOMG! How dare she say what she think!" Meanwhile, all of us suddenly realize that there are lots of people that we assume are our friends really aren't.... like ignorant beauty queens.

And, by ignorant, I'm not talking the type that "she just needs exposure," because god knows she's exposed. I'm talking the type that she's just plain close-minded.

Regardless, over her.

Marriage Equality Update

A lot is still going on, post-VT/IA/DC. Just a run down:

• California: Initially, it seemed that we would hear from the state Supreme Court on the issue of the legality of Proposition 8 on April 20th, but that has been since refuted. Keep tune to Day of Decision for updates on protest/rally planning the minute we know the decision is coming down. Expectations are low.
• Maine: The Legistlature's Judicial Committee is expecting a huge turnout next week for the hearing on two bills -- one granting equal marriage, the other granting all the rights of marriage to the state's DP Registry. They even moved the venue from one that could only seat 1300, to one that could seat almost 7000. All eyes will be watching Maine, as expectations are high for marriage next in this state.
• New Hampshire: The Senate had a few visitors yesterday -- 500 of them, in fact -- pressing the Senate Judiciary Committee to push through the marriage equality bill that has been sent to them (approved) by the Assembly. Gov. John Lynch, who supported NH's civil unions law last year, has said that the word marriage should be restricted to a man and a woman, though has not said whether he would veto this bill. DailyKos ran a bit by a blogger who had attended.
• New York: Gov. David Paterson will be proposing a bill from the gubernatorial office to the legislature ... for equal marriage. The Assembly of New York has already passed a similar bill, 85 to 61, but the Senate is questionable. The Democrats hold a narrow lead -- 32-30 -- but that doesn't guarantee its passage. Lots of backroom politics there.
• Wisconsin: The Supreme Court of WI is being asked whether or not the voter-passed Defense of Marriage Act was worded properly. The central argument, it seems, is that it went after two issues -- marriage and civil unions -- rather than just one (state law requires a referendum to only cover a single subject). Expectations are dicey, but it seems that there are plans in place for a statewide DP Registry with some of the benefits of marriage attached.
• Washington State: After huge votes in both the Senate (30-18) and House (65-32), a bill giving all the rights of marriage to legally registered domestic partners in the state. Gov. Christine Gregoire has stated that she plans to sign the bill.

In other news, it seems that marriage activists in New York and New Jersey are embarassed by the passage of equal marriage in Vermont and Iowa, and not in those states first. I think appropriately so. And the news out of the midwest?

Crickets.

Push for Trans Rights Moves Forward in Three States

Have you been following trans-rights in this country? I know I haven't been keeping as close of an eye as I usually do, so let me do a quick round up for everyone that's interested on three different states:

• Massachusetts and New Hampshire: Both are trying to move gender identity and expression protections through their statehouses.
• New Hampshire: Originally, the bill died in the House in a 181-149 vote, but the body reconsidered it and voted 188-187 to pass it on to the Senate.
• Connecticut: The protections bill died recently in the House judicial committee, but activists are organizing to take it to the floor.

Hrm. Is this weird to anyone else -- Mass and Conn both have equal marriage, and New Hampshire seems like the next one to go (with Maine)... but they don't have protections for gender? Weird.

Gay Marriage Horse Race

Thanks be to Queerty for this! I think we need a site that does this exclusively.

Equal Marriage Update

A lot of news has come out in the last few days about equal marriage, so let's just do a quick round-up:

• New York: Both Sen. Charles Schumer and Mayor Bloomberg (and NYC City Council Speaker, Christine Quinn) have come out in support of gay marriage, despite the NY State Democrats block in the current session. Simultaneously, Governor Patterson both required all agencies to acknowledge out of state gay marriages and NYC gay couples are now allowed to list same-sex parents on birth certificates.
• New Hampshire: Even though there was a blockade in the NH State Senate against the equal marriage bill, the NH State House has passed the bill. It was a squeaker -- 186-179, and then only after a brief recess to discuss the issue. But still... it's on its way!
• Hawai'i: After a civil unions bill passed the State House with flying colors (33-17), it got deadlocked in the Senate Judiciary Committee and is now dead, even after a valiant attempt to save it.
• Maine: Seems like the gays are taking on the family/children argument -- something I always said that we would never win. We'll see.
• Vermont: Gay rights proponents are not giving up after Gov. Douglas stated that he would veto an equal marriage bill. Rather, they are counting heads and seeing if they have the requisite 2/3 of both houses to overturn a veto. I think we do, it seems, in at least one house.
• Delaware: Meanwhile, Delaware is fighting a double-whammy: a bill that would protect LGBT folks in all things wonderful, and one that would ban same-sex discrimination. Great. 

That's about all I got for the day.