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...

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.

HIV/AIDS Updates

A few little tidbits for you this morning:

• In an effort to make HIV drugs more profitable (strange, I know, but keep reading), GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer are creating a new company solely to handle their HIV sales. Because of the expense, the field is actually not that profitable because people who need the drugs are, on average, poorer and would not be able to pay the exorbitant prices required for the R&D of each drug. Combining their resources will, they believe, reduce the overhead cost and increase their profits without having to charge more.
• In related news, the Clinton Foundation and an international HIV drug purchasing consortium -- Unitaid -- have struck a deal with drug manufacturers to cut prices for improverished nations. The average annual cost of the first line treatment falls to $210; second line treatments fall from $700 to $590 per annum.
• Two releases out of ScienceDaily have breakthrough news about the virus itself -- in one, HIV actually deactivates the cell's proteins that help protect itself from viral infection; in the other, HIV actually harms itself to dodge the current immune system from detection.
• Based on changes in the level of CD4 count -- a test for the body's immune function against HIV -- of newly diagnosed HIV+ individuals, there is reason to believe that HIV is becoming more virulent over time. The research is based both on newly diagnosed patient CD4 counts, as well as the CD4 count of newly diagnosed patients six months after diagnosis.
• Early estimates of New Jersey's needle exchange program indicate that more than 130,000 used and dirty needles could be taken off the streets this year. New Jersey's HIV rate amongst intravenous drug users is one of the highest in the nation -- at nearly 40% of all infections.
• Prisons in the US are not the only breeding grounds for HIV -- the UN reports prisons around the world are serving to spread the disease, as well. Officials are concerned predominately with the possible release of the world's 30million detained individuals that could create an HIV "time bomb." Statistics are focused primarily on drug use within prisons, rather than sexual activity.
• New clinical guidelines have been produced by the NIH and the CDC for the treatment and prevention of opportunistic infections in HIV+ individuals (opportunistic infections are diseases that generally attack immunosuppressed individuals, taking advantage of a reduced immune system to cause potentially fatal results). Previous guidelines were separated into two documents: one for prevention and one for treatment. Officials also changed the diagnostic testing procedures, as well as including new diseases like malaria as an OI.
• And finally, Michigan may be one of the few states to remove the consent requirement for an HIV test. I'll let you talk about it, but... honestly, I support the move.

And that's all folks!

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.

Do you have a flag?

Thanks to JB for the link here. Out of Neptune, New Jersey, a question arises:

Should the display of flags symbolizing sexual orientation — such as the gay-rights rainbow flag — be allowed in "family neighborhoods"?

That's a question the Township Committee has been asked to tackle at an April 28 public meeting with the Shark River Hills Property Owners' Association.

The question is one of 23 that have been submitted to Mayor Michael Brantley and the committee by members of the association.

"Ref: Display of sexual orientation flags," the question begins. "More and more, we are noticing flags being displayed on (Shark River Hills) properties declaring the occupants' sexual orientation or proclivity — not just the multicolored "gay' striped flags, but also banners indicating fetishes and or other "lifestyle' choices.

"While this type of display may be acceptable in certain gay enclaves, there is simply no justification for it in a family oriented neighborhood like (Shark River Hills.) Your comments?"

Deputy Mayor Mary Beth Jahn said she could answer the question in two words: "First Amendment," she said.

I love that response.

For the record, there are many many many flags associated with the LGBT community, but the article does not specify which one that causes the most disturbance..

...the Rainbow?


...the US LGBT rainbow?


...the bisexual pride flag?


...the trans pride flag?


...the bear pride flag?


...the leather pride flag?


Am I missing any?

We of the queer persuasion love our flags, apparently. You know what that means, right? We are a country!! WHOOHOO!!!

Idaho goes back to the 19th century

Idaho state Senators have killed a bill in committee that would protect people based on their sexual orientation and gender identity, again. In a wave of states passing increasingly more inclusive bills and laws, we still have places left to fight, and fight hard.

From SeattlePI.com:

A state Senate committee on Friday rejected a proposal to forbid discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

About 50 supporters of the proposed change to the Idaho Human Rights Act filed quietly out of the room, some in tears, after the Senate State Affairs Committee voice vote. Similar bills have been rejected in the past.

Idaho's 1968 Human Rights Act currently forbids workplace and housing discrimination based on race, sex, religion, color, national origin or mental or physical disability. The measure defeated Friday would have prohibited discrimination in employment, education and housing on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Co-Sponsor Sen. Charles Coiner, R-Twin Falls, compared the gay, lesbian and transgender community's push to be included in the law to the push to forbid discrimination based on physical or mental disability.

"Their movement is a few years behind but it's moving forward," Coiner said. "We've got work to do."

Sen. Nicole LeFavour, D-Boise, the state's only openly gay lawmaker, said because there is no due process for those in the gay, lesbian and transgender community who feel they are victims of discrimination, they "endure in silence."

"By virtue of its omission (from the law) many employers and many people feel that it's OK" to discriminate, said LeFavour, another co-sponsor.

Wait, just to clarify: gay rights is equivalent to rights for people with mental illness? Please, Mary, don't start with me. I'm telling you, weird shit is happening out there in the Rocky Mountain states.

---

Stories I've not posted on because they are just, well, there:

1. Half of NJ voters support gay marriage -- NJ is one of the states on the "next" list for equal marriage.

2. Wisconsin may be getting a DP registry.

I mean, really, whoo-freaking-hoo. But, other bloggers are talking about, so I thought I might as well say something.

Gay marriage... no, divorce... no, civil unions...

Three bits of news coming out in the last 24 hours about gay marriage:

• Vermont's gay marriage bill looks likely to pass. The House version seems to have something like 59 cosponsors, none Republican, though a few of them saying they plan to vote for it. So, of course, the Democrats are going to ruin it for everyone, per the Democratic Speaker of the House: "We're still trying to decide whether it's something that we would do this year." Thanks, guys. We have huge support, but, you know, we might still wait.
• You still cannot get married in New Jersey, but you can get divorced. You'll remember that Texas, at one point, refused to honor a gay divorce because then it is acknowledging the relationship. State Superior Court Judge Mary Jacobson informs us that the state has always acknowledged out of state marriages without honoring them itself, so the precedent at this point is unknown. Meanwhile, it is likely that a gay marriage bill will come up in the legislature of New Jersey, which Gov. Corzine has said he will support if it comes to his desk. Yes, that is, in fact a link to the Baptist Press. It's actually a really good article, good coverage.
• In bizarre news, Republican Gov. Huntsman of UTAH has come out in support of civil unions in that state -- this on the back of the legislature, one by one, knocking down pro-LGBT bills (incl. employment protections, I believe).

There, do you feel updated now? I know I feel better. Done my good gay duty for the day :-).

Oh, I don't really follow adoption as much, but the Florida Bar has come out against that state's ban on adoption.

Gay Predictions for 2009

From The Edge: Boston, we get our first gay list of predictions for 2009...

10. NJ Gay Marriage -- the legislature's for it, the governor's for it, the people are for it... what else? QC.com Comment: We may also see some surprises in New Hampshire and Iowa this year as well...

9. Major League Baseball Player Comes Out -- this is one of the most shockingly well thought out things I have ever read, actually...

8. Anderson Cooper Comes Out -- If not, Perez Hilton will throw a shit fit.

7. Cher Comes Out of Retirement -- Yea, yea, yea.

6. Europe Gets An Openly Gay Head of State -- Also, congratulations to Portland Mayor Sam Adams on being the first openly gay person to be the mayor of a major city... and may be the highest ranking non-national elected official to be out (that is, not House or Senate).

5. Milk Wins an Oscar or Two -- It should; this isn't really going out on a limb.

4. The Leader of an African Country Has HIV -- This hasn't happened yet?

3. Obama Starts Slowly Phasing Out DADT -- Grr... If it isn't 2011 by now.

2. Dick and Lynne Cheney Endorse Gay Marriage -- I would actually not be surprised if this happened; and it may be the single catalyst for changing the movement forever. Though I argue it may be a few more years before it happens.

1. Their number one is personal to the author, so I ask you, my dear readers...

What's your prediction for gay in 2009???

Queerty also has a good list...

NYTimes, civil unions "separate, not equal"

Thanks to Gay News Blog for this one...

Via the New York Times...

Civil unions are an inadequate substitute for marriage. Creating a separate, new legal structure to confer some benefits on same-sex couples neither honors American ideals of fairness, nor does it grant true equality. The results are clearly visible in New Jersey, which continues to deny same-sex couples some of the tangible civil benefits that come with marriage.

Gov. Jon Corzine of New Jersey has long said that he would sign a measure granting the right to marry to couples of the same sex. We are heartened that he has declared that that should happen sooner rather than later.

We hope Mr. Corzine intends to prod legislators into passing such a law early in the 2009 session. That would make New Jersey the first state to legalize marriage for same-sex couples through legislative action. Three other states — Connecticut, Massachusetts and California — have done so through the courts. Unfortunately, California voters approved a ballot measure in November rescinding that right, at least for now.

Mr. Corzine made his statement after a state commission released its final report on New Jersey’s two-year-old civil union law. The commission noted the hurt and stigma inflicted by shutting out gay people from the institution of marriage. It also found that civil unions do not assure gay couples of the same protections, including the right to collect benefits under a partner’s health insurance program and to make medical decisions on behalf of a partner who is unable to do so. The panel concluded unanimously that the state should enact a law to remove the inequities.

We regret that the leaders of the state’s Democratic-controlled Legislature do not view this issue with the same urgency. Senate President Richard Codey, for instance, said recently that progress in civil rights areas “is typically achieved in incremental steps.” We suspect that political expedience is clouding Mr. Codey’s sense of fairness. Next year in New Jersey, the governorship and all seats in the Assembly are up for grabs in an election. Some Republicans already are talking about making their opposition to same-sex marriage a campaign issue.

Governor Corzine typically takes the right side on important issues, but he has been known to retreat in the face of opposition. We hope that’s not the case here. It’s past time for him and for the Democrats in Trenton to find the political courage to extend the right to marry to gay couples.

I wonder what they'll say about the impending debate in New York over marriage recognition.