Towleroad points out this video by Australian comic Craig Recaussel hilariously destroying argument after argument against same-sex marriage in interviews with Christians, wingnuts, politicians, and athletes.
From the Aussie show The Hamster Wheel.
Austin City Council to endorse marriage equality
My native Texas gives me yet another reason to be proud today.
I recently posted a video by the Austin Police Department for “It Gets Better.”
And now, today, Austin will be become the first city in Texas to endorse same-sex marriage when its city council will approve a symbolic resolution.
The Austin Chronicle has the details:
The feel-good proposal on Thursday’s City Council agenda (Sept. 27) is Item 77, an endorsement of marriage equality in the state of Texas. Sponsored by Mayor Pro Tem Sheryl Cole and co-sponsored by Mayor Lee Leffingwell and Council Member Laura Morrison, the symbolic resolution is unlikely to raise much dissent in the chamber and certainly none on the dais. It cites the historical, moral, and political reasons for same-sex equality – notably, the Bill of Rights of the Texas Constitution, which says rights cannot be restricted only to certain people – and should be recommended reading for all Austinites.
Maryland: Gov. O’Malley says marrriage equality can pass but funds needed
On a conference call Monday night with marriage equality advocates, Gov. Martin O’Malley said marriage equality can pass at the ballot box in November, but funds are needed to support the cause.
“We have the ability to pass this in Maryland,” said the governor. “It is in keeping with the character of our state to protect rights equally under the law while also protecting religious liberty. But we do need to raise money here. We do need to raise another couple of million dollars, and if we are able to do that, I believe that we will pass this, and raising those dollars is critically important for our ability to be able to defend this at the ballot,” he said.
The Democratic governor signed the law passed by the legislature earlier this year, but the measure has not taken effect pending the outcome of the referendum brought by opponents.
Contribute to Marylanders for Marriage Equality here.
Maryland is one of four states facing ballot initiatives related to marriage equality, with campaigns also underway in Maine, Minnesota and Washington.
More at the Advocate
Marriage News Watch – September 25, 2012
In what is easily the most anti-climactic possibility for an announcement regarding the Supreme Court and marriage equality, SCOTUS released it’s list of cases it will take up this year and the California Prop 8 case is not on the list.
However, that is not the end of the road for Prop 8 just yet. There are still other variables in this equation.
From the American Foundation for Equal Rights:
The Justices meet nearly every week to determine the cases they will take up. The next time we could hear something is Monday, October 1 at 9:30 a.m. EDT / 6:30 a.m. PDT, when the Court is expected to release a list of cases it is not hearing this Term.
Some have speculated that the Supreme Court may wait to consider our case until later this fall when the Justices will decide whether to grant review in several cases challenging the so-called Defense of Marriage Act.
Mainers United for Marriage – Firefighters on “Brotherhood”
Firefighters Andrew, Dave, Eric and Ryan talk about trust, respect and why they’re voting “Yes” on Question 1. They know marriage matters to ALL Maine families.
A recent survey from Public Policy Polling found 52% of likely voters in support, with 44% opposed and 4% undecided.
The Maine People’s Resource Center released a poll that showed 53% in support, 43% opposed and 4% undecided on Question 1 on the Nov. 6 ballot.
The ballot measure which repealed the law in 2009, also known as Question 1, passed 53% to 47%.
Ginsberg says gay marriage likely to come before SCOTUS within the year
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said Wednesday that she believes the Defense of Marriage Act will likely go to the U.S. Supreme Court within the next year.
Ginsburg spoke at the University of Colorado in Boulder. She was asked a student-submitted question about the equal-protection clause and whether the nation’s high court would consider it applying to sexual orientation.
Ginsburg said with a smile that she couldn’t answer the question. She said she could not talk about matters that would come to the court, and that the Defense of Marriage Act would probably be up soon.
“I think it’s most likely that we will have that issue before the court toward the end of the current term,” she said.
Australia upholds gay marriage ban by wide margin
Australian lawmakers have overwhelmingly rejected a bill that would have legalized gay marriage.
The House of Representatives voted 98-42 against the legislation on Wednesday. It was the first of four bills introduced to Parliament that aim to lift the country’s ban on same-sex marriages.
A separate bill was also being debated in the Senate on Wednesday.
Polls show that most Australians support gay marriage. But the Liberal Party-led conservative opposition coalition and many in the ruling center-left Labor Party are against it.
Australian law defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Labor lifted its long-standing opposition to gay marriage last year, but Prime Minister Julia Gillard remains opposed to it.
(source)
Minnesota: Ad opposing anti-gay marriage amendment on the air
First ad from Minnesotans United For All Families who oppose the anti-gay state amendment to ban marriage equality.
Kim and John, Catholic Republicans from Savage, Minnesota, talk about having their minds changed about gay families by a new couple who moved into their neighborhood, and their decision to vote “no” on the anti-gay marriage amendment on the ballot this November.
Washington: Support continues to grow for marriage equality
A new Elway Poll of Washington state finds Washington’s Referendum 74, on the question of approving marriage equality for same-sex couples in the state, has a 52 to 40 percent lead.
Two months ago, the same firm found marriage equality leading by a 49 to 39 percent plurality.
Maine: Marriage equality supporters launch pre-emptive strike against NOM
As Mainers United for Marriage gears up for the last weeks of the marriage campaign, they’ve released a new ad that takes on the issue of religious freedom.
Having seen the anti-gay National Organization for Marriage’s playbook in the past and knowing their ads will feature lies about the impact of this law on churches, they’re addressing the attack early.
Smart kids. See? We’re catching on…