Tag: gay marriage

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UK: Second reading of marriage equality bill taking place in House of Commons today

The British Parliament is currently debating Prime Minister David Cameron’s marriage equality proposal today.

Here’s the LIVE VIDEO.

It’s the second of three readings in the House of Commons. It started about 7:30am EST and should last approximately six hours.

It then goes to the House of Lords.

Here’s how the process works:

At second reading the House debates the whole principle of the bill. It usually takes place no sooner than two weekends after first reading. The Member in charge or the Minister moves the motion ‘that the bill be now read a second time’. MPs then debate the bill. At the end of the debate the Speaker determines whether there are any objections to the motion being debated and asks for the Ayes and Noes.

Members voice their opinion, and if no objections are made, the bill passes second reading without a vote. If the Speaker believes Members have voiced disagreement a division is called and a vote taken. If the Bill passes second reading and the programme motion is agreed, the Bill will go to a Public Bill Committee for consideration. At a Public Bill Committee, each clause (part) and any amendments (proposals for change) to the Bill may be debated. MPs table amendments they wish to be considered.

UPDATE: The initial tally of votes on the reading is 400-175 in FAVOR of marriage equality! Forward!

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Super Bowl Champions Baltimore Ravens’ Brendon Ayanbedejo for marriage equality

Fresh on the heels of his win at the Super Bowl comes this retooled video by Brendon Ayanbadejo for the Respect for Marriage Coalition expressing his common sense support for marriage equality.

Clear and articulate, Brendon succinctly lays out the reasons why marriage equality makes sense.

Want to see how a champion looks at life? Here you go.

Congratulations Brendon and all the Baltimore Ravens on your Super Bowl victory!

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France: 1st article of same-sex marriage bill passes with ease

We’re on our way! Vive la France!

From the BBC: The French National Assembly has approved the most important article of a bill to legalize same-sex marriage.

Deputies voted 249-97 in favor of marriage as being an agreement between two people – not just between a man and a woman.

President Francois Hollande’s Socialists and their left-wing supporters backed it, opposed by many opposition UMP and centrist MPs.

Correspondents say the ease with which the article passed suggests the bill as a whole will pass. Another key measure expected to pass would allow gay couples to adopt children.

Opinion polls suggest that around 55-60% of French people support gay marriage, though only about 50% approve of gay adoption.

All articles of the bill must be debated one by one, in a voting process that should take several days.

Then the entire bill goes to the French Senate, and hopefully to the French president for his signature. It’s possible that France could make marriage equality a reality by Valentine’s Day.

(via JMG)

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Hawaii: Lone GOP state senator concedes marriage equality will probably pass this year

A constitutional amendment passed in 1998 gave Hawaii’s legislature the power to define marriage which currently only applies to heterosexual couples.  But Senator Sam Slom, Hawaii’s only Republican state Senator, says that could soon be changing.

Same-sex marriage proposals are introduced every year and have always failed, but Senator Slom believes Senate Bill 1369 has the support to pass this legislative session– though he plans to vote against it.

“Same sex marriage probably will pass this year. You’ve got a preponderance of Democrats who support it in both Houses (44 out of 51 House Reps are Democrats,  24 out of 25 state Senators are Democrats), you’ve got the Congressional delegation, you’ve got our Governor!” said Senator Slom.

Senator Slom says he’s voting against the bill because he has concerns about the rights of religious organizations who do not want to perform or recognize same-sex marriages.

“To me, I don’t care if gay people want to get married but to force other people to do things or to subsidize certain activities– that I oppose,” said Senator Slom.

Senate Bill 1369 has been referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Labor.  If it passes as written, same-sex couples could legally marry in Hawaii by January 2014

The evil forces at the anti-gay National Organization for Marriage are already panicking.

More at Hawaii News Now.

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Could Valentine’s Day bring marriage equality to Illinois?

From the Huffington Post: Illinois Senate President John Cullerton is hoping to see legislation legalizing same-sex marriage in Illinois approved by lawmakers in time for the Feb. 14 holiday.

Cullerton told the Chicago Sun-Times he is hopeful the state Senate will approve the bill next week — and is confident they have the 30 votes of support needed to do so.

The bill would then need to advancing to the House of Representatives, which is considered to be more conservative. Gov. Pat Quinn has already vowed to sign the bill.

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Las Vegas: 3rd Annual LGBT Wedding Expo 2/10/13

Rainbow Wedding Network returns to Las Vegas for their 3rd LGBT Wedding Expo on Sunday February 10th, 2013 from 1-4pm.

Las Vegas Pride acts as the premier community sponsor and Circus Circus Hotel & Casino will host the event.

From the website:

The event will feature dozens of gay-friendly wedding vendors, fabulous raffle giveaways, LGBT-planning tips, music, samples and interactive presentations. RSVPs are requested through this event webpage and 25% of attendee donations will be contributed to Las Vegas Pride.

Experience the joy of planning in a welcoming environment! 25% of all donations will be contributed directly to Las Vegas Pride!

Couples, singles and marriage equality advocates are all invited to attend!

Sunday Feb. 10th, 2013
(1:00-4:00pm)

Circus Circus
2880 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Click in for more info.

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New Mexico: House committee barely passes marriage equality bill

By a narrow 5-4 vote, the New Mexico House Public Affairs Committee passed a bill to place marriage equality to a public vote.

The bill would let voters decide the issue of same-sex marriage, but it also states churches would not be required to recognize the same-sex marriage bill. After hearing very different opinions and personal experiences, lawmakers decided along party lines to pass the bill, which moves it to the next committee.

“We should not discriminate. The state should be doing everything possible to encourage people to enter into committed, long-term relationships, especially when there’s children involved,” Rep. Brian Egolf, D-Santa Fe, said.

“What happens to those kids? Those kids were not created in that relationship,” same-sex marriage opponent Jose Vasquez said.

Egolf said he’s been contacted by hundreds of people who thanked him for sponsoring the bill.

The bill must pass out of two more committees before reaching to the floor of the state House. If approved by both state chambers and signed by the governor, marriage equality would appear on the November 2014 ballot.

The prospects of the bill are uncertain as the New Mexico legislature has voted down even domestic partnerships in the past.

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Sen. Rand Paul doesn’t “understand” same-sex marriage

Senator Rand Paul was a guest on AFA hate group leader Bryan Fischer’s radio show yesterday. The Senator and Fischer discussed several topics, but what is an interview between two ultra-conservatives without getting into the gays?  So, of course, they eventually found themselves on the topic of marriage equality.

From Raw Story:

“I believe in traditional marriage,” he said during an interview with Bryan Fischer of the American Family Association. “I really don’t understand any other kind of marriage. Between a man and a woman is what I believe in, and I just don’t think it is good for us to change the definition of that.”

Paul noted that his state, Kentucky, had approved a constitutional amendment to prohibit same-sex marriage. He said he was “not sure” about DOMA, but warned the federal law could result in conservatives losing “the battle for the whole country.”

Paul said marriage rights should be decided state-by-state rather than nationally so that “urban centers” couldn’t dictate the law.

To be honest, I don’t understand what there is to “understand.” Two people love each other and want to marry and have the same rights, privileges and responsibilities as straight couples.

Plus – if you believe marriage is a “states rights” issue, then you can’t possibly support DOMA. DOMA is a federal law reaching into what you’ve just said is a “states rights” issue.

There. Was that hard?

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Major Corporations form new coalition to support repeal of DOMA

The Human Rights Campaign today announced a new coalition of corporations that is endorsing the Respect For Marriage Act, which would legislatively repeal DOMA.

A|X Armani Exchange, Aetna Inc., Biogen Idec, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Diageo North America, eBay Inc., Electronic Arts, Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group LLC, Marriott International Inc., Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, Replacements, Ltd., Sun Life Financial U.S., and Thomson Reuters are initial signees to the new Business Coalition supporting repeal of DOMA.

From HRC: “The Business Coalition for DOMA Repeal is a group of leading U.S. employers that support legislative efforts to repeal the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act through the passage of the Respect for Marriage Act. These Coalition members recognize that DOMA is bad for business and have pledged their support for RMA, which restores the rights of all lawfully married couples—including same-sex couples – to receive the benefits of marriage under federal law.”

Said HRC President Chad Griffin: “These corporate pioneers understand one marriage deserves no less respect and dignity than any other marriage.They understand that repealing the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act is the right thing for our nation, and the smart thing for American business. We call on both large and small businesses to add their voices to the growing chorus calling for an end to this odious law.”

(from Towleroad)

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Argentina sends message of support for marriage equality to France

When lawmakers in France vote yes to legalize same-sex marriage (fingers crossed), the country will become the 12th in the world where gays and lesbians can wed.

Argentina joined that elite list in 2010. Supporters, activists and couples in love gathered on Sunday at the Plaza Francia in Buenos Aires to send a message of support.

Ah, love….

(via Advocate)