Tag: gay marriage

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Cheney family infighting over marriage equality

So, this is how it began…

First, 2014 US Senate candidate Liz Cheney had this to say on Fox News Sunday:

“I don’t believe we ought to discriminate against people because of their sexual orientation. If people are in a same-sex relationship and they want their partner to be able to have health benefits or be designated as a beneficiary on their life insurance, there’s no reason we shouldn’t do that. I also doesn’t support amending the constitution on this issue. I do believe it’s an issue that got to be left up to the states. I do believe in the traditional definition of marriage. Listen, I love Mary very much. I love her family very much. This is just an issue on which we disagree.”

Then, Liz’s sister-in-law Heather Poe, wife of Mary Cheney, responded on her Facebook page:

“I was watching my sister-in-law on Fox News Sunday (yes Liz, in fifteen states and the District of Columbia you are my sister-in-law) and was very disappointed to hear her say ‘I do believe in the traditional definition of marriage.’ Liz has been a guest in our home, has spent time and shared holidays with our children, and when Mary and I got married in 2012 – she didn’t hesitate to tell us how happy she was for us. To have her now say she doesn’t support our right to marry is offensive to say the least. I can’t help but wonder how Liz would feel if as she moved from state to state, she discovered that her family was protected in one but not the other. I always thought freedom meant freedom for EVERYONE.”

And then, Mary Cheney, added this to the above, which she re-posted to her own Facebook page:

“Couldn’t have said it better myself. Liz – this isn’t just an issue on which we disagree – you’re just wrong – and on the wrong side of history.”

Heather Poe and Mary Cheney

(via JMG)

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LGBT advocates applaud passage of marriage equality in Hawaii

Coming right after thrilling wins in Illinois and New Jersey, our Hawaii triumph really underscores how far we’ve come.
From Freedom To Marry via press release:

Coming right after thrilling wins in Illinois and New Jersey, our Hawaii triumph really underscores how far we’ve come.

We still have a lot to do to finish the job. But as shown by the hard-fought, long-sought win in Hawaii and our other recent victories, when we work together, we get it done.

Because of this work, millions of Americans have evolved into a national majority for marriage. Today, Hawaii’s leaders have joined them by opening their hearts and changing their minds, writing this latest chapter in America’s history of liberty and justice for all.

 

From Human Rights Campaign via press release:

This is another chapter in an exciting string of victories this year. But more than that, it’s proof that hard work, long-term dedication, and the support of individuals from around the country (including YOU) can make the difference when it comes to securing basic rights for loving couples.

Hawaii was one of the first states to begin fighting for marriage equality, and helped raise this question of fundamental rights to a national consciousness. And though our progress has ebbed and flowed over the years, today we can finally claim victory.

 

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Hawaii Senate passes marriage equality in final vote 19-4

The state Senate of Hawaii just passed marriage equality by 19-4 in the final vote on the issue.

The Senate had passed the legislation on October 30th by a vote of 20-4.

Due to some minor amendments passed with the bill in the state House, the Senate had to take one more technical vote before sending to Gov. Abercrombie’s desk.

Marriage equality is set to begin December 2nd.

Celebrate kids!  Happy Dance Time!

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Illinois: Marriage equality to be signed into law November 20th

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn will sign marriage equality into law on November 20th at the University of Illinois

Governor Pat Quinn announced Thursday that he will sign the marriage equality bill at the University of Illinois at Chicago in a 3:30 p.m. ceremony on November 20th. The Legislature passed the measure Tuesday.

A longtime same-sex marriage supporter, the Chicago Democrat says he’s looking forward to signing the legislation and “celebrating a big step forward with the people of Illinois.”

The University of Illinois at Chicago was recently named by Campus Pride Index as one of the top 25 campuses across the country for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students.

The ceremony is free and open to the public.

Illinois becomes the 15th state in the union to legalize marriage equality

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Hawaii: Marriage equality moves forward in state House on second reading

The Capitol building in Hawaii

It’s looking like the final vote for marriage equality in the Hawaii state House could be Friday:

In a roll call vote, House lawmakers voted 30-18 to move forward the bill for a final reading, with three members excused. The bill will go to a last vote on Friday.

If the measure passes the House, it will have to be approved by the state Senate because of three amendments added during a House committee hearing.

The vote came after several rejected attempts on Wednesday to modify and change the bill, plus smaller votes that revealed majority support to move along the measure.

If the sessions go as planned, the House will vote on the bill Friday, allowing the Senate to give its final approval Tuesday before forwarding the bill to Gov. Neil Abercrombie, who called the special session. Abercrombie has said he approves of the bill as amended by the House.

The big surprise last night came when openly lesbian Democratic Rep. Jo Jordan of Waianae said she would oppose the bill despite her personal beliefs. Sad to say, it would appear the five days of anti-gay testimony swayed her opinion.

“I might vote against something that I personally believe in. I personally believe I should have the right,” Jordan said. “You know how hard it is for me to say no? I have to say no.”

As it currently stands, if the bill passes in current form marriage equality would begin in Hawaii on December 2, 2013.

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Updated marriage equality map for USA

Updated map of USA showing where marriage equality has passed into law as of November 6, 2013

Yesterday, marriage equality legislation was passed by the state legislature with a 61–54 vote in the house and a 32–21 vote in the senate.

The bill will now go to the Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn, who has said he will sign it.

Gay couples will be able to marry in Illinois starting June 1.

Celebrate Illinois!  Happy Dance Time!

(graphic via Slate)

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Infographic: Economic effects of marriage equality in Illinois

The economic effect of passing marriage equality in Illinois

The Williams Institute has released an infographic detailing the potential economic effects of marriage equality in Illinois.

Among other things:

• Estimate is 11, 525 LGBT couples will marry in first three years
• That could result in $103 million in spending in relation to weddings
• The state could see $8.5 million in tax revenues in relation to that spending
• Illinois’ addition of marriage equality bring the total to 37% (from 33%) of Americans living in states with marriage equality

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NOM’s Brian Brown is uber-unhappy about marriage equality in Illinois

Brian Brown of the anti-gay hate group National Organization for Marriage

Brian Brown, of the anti-gay National Organization for Marriage, is not very happy about the passage of marriage equality in Illinois:

“It’s disappointing but not surprising that the House has voted to redefine marriage. The losers will be the people of Illinois who will see that redefining marriage will unleash a torrent of harassment toward those who believe that marriage is the union of one man and one woman. Once the law goes into effect in June of next year, we will see individuals, businesses and religious groups sued, fined, brought up on charges of discrimination and punished simply for holding true to the traditional view of marriage.

[snip]

“The legislation that has been adopted contains no meaningful protections for religious liberty. We will see a torrent of actions aimed at people of faith and religious groups. All we need to do is recall the words of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel when Chick-fil-A’s CEO expressed his support for true marriage. Emanuel pledged that businesses like that would not be allowed to operate in Chicago.”

Soon, Brian’s paycheck may be drying up as campaigning against the rights of LGBT folks is his only reason for being employed.

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Hawaii: House committees pass marriage equality bill onto the full House

After almost five full days of testimony from 5,182 citizens over 60 hours, the Hawaii House Judicial and Finance Committees have voted to pass the marriage equality bill currently being considered to the full House:

The committees added three amendments to the bill.

The first set the start date for December 2, 2013. The second removed section 572-C from the bill, which asserted parents’ rights and responsibilities including paternity, maternity, and parentage presumptions based on marriage. Lastly, the committee added religious protections similar to those included in Connecticut’s marriage equality law, protecting religious organizations from having to participate in the solemnization of a same-sex marriage.

The bill now advances to the House, where it is expected to pass, at least according to a whip count from two weeks ago.

Effective date has been changed to December 2, 2013. It now goes to the House floor for a second reading and full vote. If any amendments are introduced to the bill, House representatives will be given 48 hours to review those changes before a third and final vote on the floor.

(via Think Progress)

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Illinois House passes marriage equality 61-53

The Illinois House of Representatives finally took up marriage equality today and passed the bill 61-53.

Rep. Greg Harris, the chief sponsor of the marriage equality bill in the House, amended its language to change the date the legislation would go into effect, and to reiterate exemptions for private clubs that do not want to host marriages for same-sex couples. As a result, the Senate will have to approve the bill one final time, which they are prepared to do before the evening is over.

The law will then take effect June 1, 2014. Illinois will be the 15th state to legalize marriage for same-sex couples.  Hawaii could beat Illinois to the “alter” should that state’s bill pass this week.

Happy Dances for everyone!

(via Think Progress)