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?

Today, New York State

Out of New York State, Governor Paterson is pressing the legislature to do something, despite their recent insanity of Senators hopping parties and causing a fair aneurysm for party leaders of both sides. The Senate chamber now stands at 31 Republican, 31 Democrats, after this past election swept in a Democratic majority (32-30) for the first time in something like 40 years.

But Paterson says that they are just causing problems and blocking the process of getting shit down and is demanding they do something before they recess. And today? The first thing they will be dealing with? Same-sex marriage, which already passed the House.

Looks like we may have a vote today, kids.

Just this week, Reuters announced a poll showing a majority of New Yorkers support same-sex marriage:

The poll found 51 percent of voters supported gay marriage versus 41 percent who opposed it, with 8 percent undecided.

The poll was released as a bill seeking to legalize gay marriage languishes in the State Senate due to a leadership battle between Democrats and Republicans.

New York's State Assembly passed the bill on May 12, and Governor David Paterson has vowed to sign it if it passes the Senate.

In May a Quinnipiac poll found voters split evenly at 46 percent, while in April 2004 voters opposed gay marriage by a 55 to 37 percent majority.

Perhaps we will have marriage equality in New York by the end of the week, maybe not. But we'll see. It's too bad that it's a desperate move on Paterson's behalf to make a name before himself after his pitifully low approval ratings oust him in the next round of elections.

In related news, check out these two nifty graphs from Nate Silver over at FiveThirtyEight.com evaluating LGBTQ rights (click on the images to go to the actual postings. The first one is general support for a wide variety of issues from 6/13/09:


The second is about the changing view of same-sex marriage by state -- ha! check out Utah at the very bottom -- from 6/11/09:

EHEA, Queer PR Disaster, and Finals Week

It's finals week for me -- eep! -- but it's going well, except that I suddenly realize I have a paper due like tomorrow. Sigh. On the bright side, I officially rocked out ethics -- I have a 99.65% in the class! I know that will shock many in the world.

To sum up what's going on in the blogosphere: the shit hath hitteth the fan, and I advise you to follow what's going on with the Obama response to the Federal DOMA challenge, as the writing seems to liken marriage equality to incest and pedophilia. It even pissed off Joe "They Have a Plan" Solmonese. And then Harry Reid tells us there is no plan for DADT in the Senate. Coupled with a DNC fundraiser that's turning into a PR disaster for the administration... leading up to the creation of a site called ObamasPlanforGayRights.com. Whoa, dude. I've got to think on all this craziness. And I thought the New York Seante was still insane.

We may have the Matthew Shepard Act make it through the Senate today or tomorrow, but only after it got attached to the back of a Tourism Bill. Meanwhile, Washington DC's Board of Elections has rejected the referendum to overturn the out-of-state marriage recognition law passed last month based either on its contradictory purpose to DC's Human Rights Ordinance or because the main sponsor doesn't actually live in DC. Weird and wild.

Oh -- and it seems the National March for Equality on October 10-11 is on, and the permit has been secured. Of course, we have to know how the new Miss California -- taking over since Carrie Prejean was fired for not fulfilling her obligations -- feels on gay marriage. She doesn't like it, but she says, "I don't think I have the right or anybody has the right to tell somebody who they can or can't love." See? Was that so hard?

And, finally in national news, after we heard that the US Conference of Mayors would be voting on an equality resolution ... the body passed the resolution, supporting everything from Employment Non-Discrimination Act to, yes kids, Marriage Equality! WHOOHOO!! (Click here for a complete list of all Passed Proposals -- this one is Resolution #46) No word on whether Mayor Mallory voted for it.

The main thrust of this post is to give you a heads up on the Equal Housing and Employment Act from Equality Ohio, via email:

Finally, a state legislative body in Ohio is going to vote on a pro-equality issue! Tomorrow will be the first time a vote has ever been take in either the House or Senate on a bill that supports LGBT people and our families, rather than does them harm.

We know after three weeks of testimony, some of it compelling, some of it down right odd, that the committee members have been presented strong reasons to pass House Bill 176. We know we have a number of allies on the committee. We also know we have a number of people who are struggling to decide which way they will vote.

We have been told that those who oppose this bill are currently heating up the committee members' phones, potentially weakening their resolve to vote YES.

WE MUST CONTACT THEM AS WELL TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO VOTE YES.

Please take a moment right now to contact our primary targets on the Ohio House of Representatives State Government Committee. We believe these individuals are still considering their vote and could be swayed either way. Please call or email them and urge them to vote yes on HB 176 tomorrow.

Rep. Cheryl Grossman (R-Grove City): (614) 466-9690 district23@ohr.state.oh.us

Rep. Cliff Hite (R-Findlay): (614) 466-3819 district76@ohr.state.oh.us

Rep. David T. Daniels (R-Greenfield): (614) 466-3506 district86@ohr.state.oh.us

Rep. Gerald L. Stebelton (R-Lancaster): (614) 466-8100 district05@ohr.state.oh.us


The following 2 committee members are unlikely to vote yes; however, we should never give up hope. Please call or email them and ask them to give thought and consideration to protecting all Ohioans, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Rep. John Adams (R-Sidney): (614) 466-1507 district78@ohr.state.oh.us

Rep. Dave Hall (R-Killbuck): (614) 466-2994 district97@ohr.state.oh.us

And finally, please call or email the following committee members who are either sponsors or have said they will vote yes and thank them for their on-going support for HB 176:

Chairperson Ronald Gerberry (D-Austintown) (614) 466-6107 district59@ohr.state.oh.us

Vice Chairperson Matt Lundy (D-Elyria) (614) 644-5076 district57@ohr.state.oh.us

Rep. Dale Mallory (D-Cincinnati): (614) 466-1645 district32@ohr.state.oh.us

Rep. Dan Stewart (D-Columbus): (614) 466-1896 district25@ohr.state.oh.us

Rep. Vernon Sykes (D-Akron): (614) 466-3100 district44@ohr.state.oh.us

Rep. Brian G. Williams (D-Akron): (614) 644-5085 district41@ohr.state.oh.us

DoWhatsRightOhio.com has posted the opponent testimony to the bill -- including a bizarre one from Concerned Women of America that actually argues that the bill creates discrimination. Something about discriminating against people who believe in traditional values? I don't get it either.

See, nothing going on while I'm just being a mild mannered student trying to make it through my summer term.

I promise, starting next week, I'll be back with my over abundance of postings... just make sure you keep your eyes open tomorrow. I will post about the EHEA the minute I hear. I promise.

Oh, and, finally, I have it on good source that a window at the New Spirit MCC on Hamilton Avenue was broken during Pride, possibly during that time when I and so many others were locked into the Serpent. So that rumor is true, but there's no guarantee that the two incidents -- the broken window and the alleged fighting -- are connected. I have an email out, but have heard nothing official yet.

Re New York

To answer the couple of questions I got via email today...

I have no idea what's going on in New York State, but it vaguely resembles a small coup, with Democrats jumping ship over to the Republican side and people issuing nasty statements and an attempt to disrupt the power structure of the Senate there. 

Seriously, guys, something fucked up this way comes.

Queerty, btw, has a great rundown of what this might mean for marriage. The answer: possibly nothing (as one of the Dems that switched was pro-marriage), possibly everything (Republican leadership not allowing the bill come to a vote). 

RI/PA: The next marriage fights?

With the addition of four states into the marraige equality family over the last few months, the question becomes: what next? With 29 state constitutions specifically banning same-sex marriage, 19 of which (including Ohio) ban marriage and other forms of recognition, what do we do? There are two states left with no statutes or amendments defining marriage as between a man and a woman -- Rhode Island and New Mexico. We'll get to that in a moment. 

Ten states only have a statute passed by the legislature defining marriage -- HI (some rights granted), WA (everything but marriage), MD (some rights granted, possible out of state marriages recognized), WY, MN, IL (civil union bill recently died), IN, PA, WV, and NC. In theory, these are the states where the DOMA's can be overturned by legislative action, which would be the next big step before we start taking on voter-enacted laws (only California looks likely at this point, with recent polls showing an even split at 47-48 for-against).

Daniel Leach (D), State Senator in Pennsylvania, will be introducing a bill next week allowing same-sex marriage in that state. In short: the next round of states is starting to teeter, and this round is harder than the last. Especially because a Constitutional amendment has also been proposed in the state banning same-sex marriage. *sigh* Really? Again: I thought we were done with those. But yet we carry on.

Meanwhile, in Rhode Island, protests are planned at the statehouse asking the legislators to pass a same sex marriage ... after 12 years of action. (On the flip side, they haven't moved against marriage, either.) The state seems to be torn between the relative progressive nature of the populace, and the overwhelming conservative leadership and the influence of the Roman Catholic church. In short: don't expect anything anytime soon, but it's nice to dream, innit?

And, finally, nothing is happening in New York but everyone is acting like it has.

As for New Mexico, that final state with no laws where you'd think it would be easy to squeeze through considering it's relative supportive atmosphere... zero. Zilch. Nada. Well, sort of maybe... in 2009, the statehouse defeated a DP law. So, maybe not completely supportive. *sigh*

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.

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.

Marriage Equality Bill Passes New York Senate

If you aren't living under a rock, you've probably heard that the New York State Assembly passed a marriage equality bill 89 to 52 and sent it on to the state Senate. For the play-by-play, Joe.My.God. followed the hearings today -- and there are some real zingers! (Note for example openly bisexual Assemblyman Micah Kellner slapping down a fellow rep. who said the bill discriminates against bisexuals because they can only marry one person at a time.)

But, I think, the winner who should be become our favoritest new gay den mother is Assemblymember Teresa Sayward (R-Willsboro), who spoke on behalf of her gay son:

The word marriage symbolizes love, commitment and family and why should my son and other sons and daughters around the state of New York [not] have the same opportunity to experience that same commitment, love and family that other heterosexual couples do. It’s time for us to not only reach in our hearts, but to do what we as elected officials in America have done all along and say we will not accept anything but equal rights.

*sniff sniff* This is me dabbing my eyes with a tissue.

Ms. Sayward, is your son single? I think, inadvertantly, he became the country's most eligible bachelor if only to have you as a mother-in-law.

Now, onto the Senate.

PS --> ACLU Executive Director Anthony Romero, the first openly gay man to run the organization, has said that same-sex marriage is "sure thing" and is one of the top priorities for them.

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...

Gov. Patterson Withdraws Marriage Bill

Seriously, Gov. Patterson? After all the hooplah about personally taking it on, lobbying for it yourself, and the "what's wrong with proposing it and losing" approach?

From The New Civil Rights Movement:

In a disappointing switch, New York Governor David Paterson now says he will “go along with a plan by State Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith not to put a same-sex marriage bill to a vote without knowing it would pass.” His introduction just one week ago of a gay marriage bill, which he asked be debated in the Senate regardless of whether or not it had enough votes to pass has met with much controversy. The governor’s response last Thursday was, “Silence should not be a response to injustice, and that if we take no action we will surely lose, maybe we’ve already lost.” Well, today it seems we’re closer to losing than winning.

A bill needs 32 votes to pass. State Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith has said, “I’m very concerned about putting a bill on the floor that’s going to be symbolism and not pass… . I’m going to count until I know that I have 32, if not 34, votes.” Last week, to overwhelming applause, Paterson described lack of marriage equality as “not a crisis of issues but a crisis of leadership.” There is no set date now on when or if the bill will be introduced and voted upon.

That "crisis of leadership," Gov. Patterson, now includes you.

I wonder what was said in those back rooms. I wonder what was threatened or promised. I wonder what deal was made to end this. I'm disappointed, Gov. Patterson. You have a lot of explaining and apologies to make ...

... and I think you just lost the LGBT vote.

On the flip side, here's an acceptable scenario, which would be perfectly fine if it were true: Gov. Patterson shelves the bill with the promise of widespread support from the Democratic party and an OK on his nomination for Governor -- that is, no primary challengers. In turn, the bill gets reintroduced in the legislative session after the election with universal support by the Democratic state Senators. That would be OK, but it's not something you can build a campaign on.

Your Morning LGBT News Roundup

Warning! Lots of marriage ahead... with some other stuff sprinkled in.

• The ACLU is threatening to sue Tennessee school districts if they do not restore access to LGBT educational websites. Tennssee has a statewide blanket blocking software that individual districts can click in or out for certain topics. A recent check indicates that upwards of 80% of school districts have blocked non-sexual, gay-themed websites.
• Rudy Giuliani is against gay marriage -- although we're not quite sure if he's making waves for a 2010 run for NY Governor, or a 2012 run for President. Regardless: Giuliani is a loser who could only win an election for NY Mayor. Seriously, folks. His best gay friends, with whom he lived with for six months, thinks that the opinion is ok -- it comes from political and religious views, not personal ones. *raises hand* I have questions!
• The Maine legislators is set to hear arguments from both sides on equal marriage. A poll released yesterday indicates 43.3-49.5-3.3 pro-con-maybe split in the state. Actually, that's not bad.
• Headline-grabbing Republicans endorse gay marriage to the (what we thought was) defunct Log Cabin Republicans (LCR)! Steve Schmidt, former NJ Governor Whitman, and Meghan McCain all said gay is OK this week.
• The NY Assembly has passed the Gender Equality Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA -- clever, folks) that would extend protections to cover gender identity and expression, and expand the current hate crimes statutes the same. Considering the recent announcement by the LCR that the state Republicans would allow representatives to "vote their conscience," people are wondering whether this once defeated bill will cause problems for marriage in the Empire State. (Take them both, I say!)
• Louisiana begins the fight: couples in New Orleans are suing for the right to marry after being denied licenses at their local county clerk's office.
• And Tango Makes Three, a children's book about gay penguins that adopted a pup, remains at the top of the "Challenged" book list by the American Library Association. Really? Really?
• Nevada's Senate passed a partnership bill giving most of the rights of marriage to same-sex couples, and it is expected to pass the Assembly. However, Gov. Jim Gibbons may veto it and the 12-9 vote is not enough to overturn the veto.
• The Church of Scotland has published an opinion asking parishioners to come to terms with gay relationships, noting conservatives' "selective" use of Biblical verses.
• Miss California says that her opinion on equal marriage cost her her crown. Yadda, yadda, yadda. Apparently, God was testing her faith. God does that for people a lot when it comes to two people loving each other, doesn't he?
• In the murder trial of Angie Zapata, which is the first under Colorado's gender-inclusive hate crimes statute, alleged killed Allen Andrade heard his own voice on a voicemail saying, "It's gay. Gay things need to die." It's in reference to a cellphone, btw. Also fun is that they found a vibrator... with Andrade's DNA on it, and not Zapata's. Strange, yes?
• John A. Farrell at US News and World Reports thinks that Reagan would not have spent as much time on social issues as the Republicans who are championing his name, these days, are. Yea, too bad he spent so little time on it that he completely ignored this thing we call "AIDS."
• Another pre-teen -- 11 year old Jaheem Harrera -- has killed himself over school bullying, some of which was focused on his supposed sexual orientation. But, you're right, Day of Silence was completely unnecessary. *rolls eyes* Nobody needs to hear more about bullying in school.
• The Florida Supreme Court hears arguments for and against same-sex partner adoption today. You can hear the arguments online here.
• Despite the US government promising to change the law, HIV+ individuals are still being denied access into this country. No word yet from the Obama administration -- which is something that I'm writing a lot these days.

And now you're all caught up! Don't you feel better?

Voting for Marriage Equality in Ohio

From the Buckeye State Blog about the Fisher-Brunner marriage bit:

I’ve realized something. Someone who’s willing to compromise on this issue before even stepping up to the fight will accomplish absolutely nothing. I think it’s more than past time for a take no prisoners push on this issue. For too long Democrats have been able to skirt around it by taking the middle ground, while the Religious Right has shown no such tolerance on the other side of this issue. If Lee Fisher won’t come out in support of gay marriage now, you can bet he’ll only fight half-heartedly at best for civil unions.

Hoo-fuckin'-rah. Thank jeebus someone is willing to say it.

Also of note in marriage news:

• Maine takes up the marriage debate tomorrow, expecting an all-day session in a 7,000 person stadium in expectation of a large turnout. 
• A surprising poll out of Siena College tags support in New York for equal marriage to be at 53% -- with only 39% responding in the negative. Nate Silver of FivethirtyEight.com runs the numbers and finds that, even if the numbers are high, other polls all tell the same thing: a plurality of New Yorkers support equal marriage.

But, remember, according to the Dem leadership, it's not time yet.

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.

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.

Had to poo, so sorry

LOL, from New York "Missed Connections" on Craigslist:

When I finally reached my office, I ran up 4 flights of stairs (because I couldn't wait for the elevator) and made a beeline to the bathroom, unzipping my pants as I opened the door. I swear, if I had been delayed by even a second because I tried to get your number in the subway, I would have had to call someone to bring my some new clothes. I barely had my pants down when it forced itself out. I ended up using entire industrial sized roll of toilet paper. You have no idea how raw my ass felt after using that much 1-ply sandpaper-toilet paper. I think the toilet itself is in therapy now.

This is the best post ever. Yea, yea, yea, it's kind of gross. It's totally worth the read, I promise.

Hate Crimes Abound

Two bits of news are coming about awful hate crimes here in the US. *sigh*

The first involves the arrest of two men accused of killing Jose Sucuzhanay, an Ecuadorian (?) immigrant who was beaten after walking arm-in-arm with his brother in New York City out of a bar on December 7th. The two men arrested -- Hakim Scott and Keith Phoenix -- are accused of attacking and brutally murdering Sucuzhanay and shouting anti-gay and anti-Latino slurs during the attack. The details are pretty brutal, with Phoenix allegedly beating Sucuzhanay with an aluminum bat and then returning a few moments later after he noted the man moving on the ground. *holds back vomit* And, in classic hate fashion, Phoenix had this to say on record: "So I killed someone. That makes me a bad guy?"

Apparently, it wasn't a hate crime ... it was in self-defense. They claim Sucuzhanay kicked the SUV they were sitting in.

[snarky]I don't know, I'm totally on their side. I know I kill anyone who kicks my car.[/snarky]

Second, a series of attacks against gay people have occurred in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood over the last few weeks. The latest was last week when 41-year-old Jerry Knight, after leaving a party in a sailor's uniform. He asks:

"As of now, there's feelings of shame, of guilt. What could I have done to not put myself in that position? Did I encourage this? And was I strong enough? I live in a bubble. I forget that around the world ... this happens to people for a multitude of reasons. It was a surprise, absolutely."

A few years ago, I read a piece (somewhere on the vastness of the interweb -- a little help, please) that said we teach women all about how not to get raped, perhaps we should teach men how not to rape.

No, not your fault. No one ever asks for a hate crime.

Meanwhile, the murderer of a gay man in Polk County (FL) received life in prison for a series of crimes, including weapons charges. His alleged co-conspirator is on trial next month.

Random Gay News Round-Up

...well, not really. Just a couple things this morning.

Because I'm a righteous and self-important queer blogger, imagine my enthusiasm when I read the piece in the Washington Post about the growing influence of gay bloggers on the political world. It focuses on the ever fabulous Pam's House Blend, but also mentions some other friends of this blog (including Bilerico):

In the past, someone like Spaulding would have been relegated to the sidelines. She doesn't work for national gay rights organizations such as the Human Rights Campaign or the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. She lives with her partner, Kate, an audiologist, in Durham, far from San Francisco, New York or Washington, where gay activism has been historically based. But now she's helping shape the agenda, one voice in a chorus of sometimes dissonant, sometimes harmonious, often in-your-face voices that is pushing established gay groups and redefining the meaning of grass-roots action in this new media age...

"For me, blogging has been about looking outside my own lens. If it wasn't for reading blogs, for example, I wouldn't know as much as I know now about transgender issues," Spaulding says. "At first I thought, 'I'm not transgender. This is not my issue.' But then you read about it, you make the connections and you realize that, yes, I'm a part of that, too."

It's an interesting article that has highlighted a lot of the stuff that has happened over the past few months amongst gay bloggers -- including the Rick Warren debacle and the JoinTheImpact movement. It's well done, over all.

And just a few things on marriage: the New York Times calls for an actual vote (preferably a vote in the affirmative) for equal marriage in Rhode Island. The same could be said for New York State. Illinois has an equal marriage bill introduced. And financial analysts predict that equal marriage in Maine could bring about $60million to the state's economy for same-sex nuptials. I feel like we're in a race for the first legislatively-passed equal marriage law.

Oh, and the Utah State Senator Buttars thing goes on... the ass. Someone is finally pointing out that the man is a distraction and taking away from real work. The same could be said for the entire legislature who, apparently, hates gays just so much.

Equal Marriage Updates

I need, like, a central map that charts everything that is happening in the world of equal marriage -- status of current bills, news items, etc. etc. etc.

• Maine, in the wake of the introduction of an equal marriage bill, has a new anti-gay website launched called the Maine Marriage Initiative, which states that "marriages should be strengthened, no redefined." Like New Hampshire, Maine is an odd New England state that has the propensity to swing towards conservative values while still being pretty solidly Dem. I'm curious to see how this one will turn out -- Vermont, as well, I think is in the same boat.
• North Carolina is also dealing with a new anti-equal marriage campaign, as fundies have targeted the state to create a DOMA -- as it is the last southern state without one. Their creative byline? "One Man. One Woman. That's Marriage." Uh-huh. Except in six countries and two states.
• On the good side, Illinois had an equal marriage bill introduced. What I think is so amazing to me is that we're starting to see the tide turn for no other reason than we are seeing pro-same sex marriage initiatives launched, as opposed to the plethora of anti- bills we have seen go up in the past. Of course, this one is being proposed by a gay state Representative, so I'm sure it will be billed as "special interest."
• Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith has closed the discussion: New York State will not bring up gay marriage this year. Despite his support, despite the Assembly passing the bill, despite Gov. Paterson promising to sign it (and despite probably public opinion in favor of it, I believe)... apparently it's just too much of an issue to bother with this year. My concern at this point: we see a huge conservative swing in 2010 and there goes any hope for it. But, as you know, no one listens to me on these things.
• Despite their otherwise weirdness on all things homo these days, Wyoming legislators rejected the opportunity to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot banning same-sex marriage. I'm really confused by the Rocky Mountain States. Singing Katy Perry: You're hot, then you're cold, you're yes then you're no...
• Speaking of weird Rocky Mountain states, the home of Rep. Musgrove who wrote the Federal Marriage Amendment is having an equal marriage legislation brought before it... by a straight couple. It's nice when other people do our work for us. But, seriously, thanks to the amazing allies who stepped up to the cause and will, probably, do more for it than we could ourselves. We'd get in a tizzy over the language.
• Speaking of amazing allies... on the homefront, our own Dean of Cincinnati, the publisher of the Cincinnati Beacon asks: "Why can't I solemnize gay marriage?" Good question -- and on the front page of the website!!! -- and thanks to our local friends and supporters for everything they do to advance the cause. (The comments are just priceless, btw.)

I just had an idea. Hrm. I need to make a phone call to the HRC, and stat.

New in Gay Marriage

On the one hand, we have a Federal judge saying that DOMA may be illegal...

"The denial of federal benefits to same-sex spouses cannot be justified simply by a distaste for or disapproval of same-sex marriage or a desire to deprive same-sex spouses of benefits available to other spouses in order to discourage them from exercising a legal right afforded them by a state," [Judge Stephen] Reinhardt [of the U.S. 9th Court of Appeals] wrote.

On the other hand, we have a case that can't be brought to suit because of certain employment restrictions. So, no dice.

On the one hand, Gov. Schwarzenegger is finally speaking out and saying that we might be able to under Proposition 8.

On the other hand, gay marriage via legislative action in New York State is looking like something that will not happen until... groan... 2011.

On the one hand, Iowa will hear a same-sex marriage suit that looks likely to pass, Maine has unveiled a legislative bill to pass same-sex marriage, while New Hampshire is looking at two bills -- one to ban civil unions and one to pass gay marriage, Vermont is going to have a bill proposed this week or so, and there are several other states in the civil union/marriage fight this year...

On the other hand, we are not even sure the DP Registry in Cleveland will last the year (though it's gaining support).

Every step gained, another step behind. I'm hoping the gained steps are getting bigger, though.

Kristen Gillibrand to fill Hillary's seat?

More and more people are reporting on this -- it appears Congresswoman Kristen Gillibrand will be named the new Senator from New York State, to fill Hillary Clinton's seat. (The original WPIX news story.)

I caught a couple blogs posting it, but it appears that, just 20 minutes ago, Huffington Post has received confirmation of it. However, with the way this has gone, Gov. Paterson has been floating a lot of balloons to see what the take on each person is, from Kennedy to Cuomo. Maybe this is a last minute smokescreen.

Gay Hudson blog called Congresswoman Gillibrand's office about her feelings on marriage equality. This was the response:

"I believe we should have a Federal law that protects all civil unions across America to ensure that gay couples have the right to visit a loved one in the hospital and be eligible for other entitled rights and benefits of committed partners.

The discussion of using the term marriage is more complicated because for many Americans it is a religious right defined as a covenant between a man, a woman and God. Since the Federal government should have no role in dictating religious affairs, I believe from a Federal and civil perspective, "civil union" should be used as the government's definition for all such relationships, including marriage."

Actually, that's a really really excellent response. I'm starting off liking this lady, but mainly because she avoided the limelight, didn't seek out media when her name was mentioned weeks ago, and seems to be a hard working politician.

Gov. Paterson has said it will be officially announced on Saturday, so we'll see.

Funny story, my blog has been flagged for "objectionable content." Grrr...