LGBTQ news and entertainment
The Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee voted on Tuesday in favor of a gay marriage bill, moving Maryland along the path toward legalizing same-sex nuptials.
The committee voted 7 to 4 in favor of the bill – supported by Governor Martin O’Malley – and the full Senate was expected to vote later in the week.
The bill was approved last week by the House of Delegates.
The proponents of Proposition 8 intend to appeal for an en banc ruling from the full Ninth Circuit Court. Earlier this month a three-judge panel of Ninth Circuit members voted to uphold the overturn of Prop 8. Now the haters want MORE 9th Circuit judges to hear an appeal.
Chris Geidner explains at Metro Weekly:
Usually, en banc review involves all of the active judges on the court, but the Ninth Circuit — due to the more than 20 active judges on the circuit — has adopted a unique “limited en banc” procedure in which all the active Ninth Circuit judges vote whether en banc consideration will be given. That will be the request made by today’s filing.
If a majority of the court supports en banc consideration, then the chief judge of the circuit, Judge Alex Kozinski, and 10 randomly selected appellate judges from the circuit will hear the en banc appeal, which can involve briefing and oral arguments.
After that decision is reached, theoretically, a party dissatisfied with an en banc ruling of the Ninth Circuit can ask for the full Ninth Circuit to review the en banc panel’s decision, but the court has not agreed to do so since adopting the “limited en banc” procedure.
The never ending saga continues…
Lawmakers in the Maryland House voted today in favor of marriage equality in their state for the first time.
Gov. Martin O’Malley has pushed for the law and pledged to sign it.
The Maryland House of Delegates needed 71 votes to pass the bill. Whether the chamber had the requisite votes was a matter of high speculation just hours before the vote. Pro-marriage equality lawmakers on Thursday had to delay consideration of the legislation until today, when it passed 71 to 67 as cheers erupted from the gallery and on the floor.
Delegate Anne Kaiser, a lesbian, said during debate of the bill that her parents had hoped she “finds someone to love.” Then, “I have, and I wish to be married.” Delegate Maggie McIntosh, who come out as a lesbian while serving in the House, said “We seem to be on a roll.”
Gov. Chris Christie has followed through on his promise to reject a bill allowing same-sex marriage in New Jersey by quickly vetoing the measure Friday and renewing his call for a ballot question to decide the issue.
The veto came a day after the state Assembly passed the bill. The state Senate had passed it on Monday. Christie, a Republican who opposes same-sex marriage, had vowed “very swift action” once the measure reached his desk.
In returning the bill to the Legislature, Christie reaffirmed his view that voters should decide whether to change the definition of marriage in New Jersey. His veto also proposed creating an ombudsman to oversee compliance with the state’s civil union law, which same-sex couples have said is flawed and promotes discrimination.
“I am adhering to what I’ve said since this bill was first introduced — an issue of this magnitude and importance, which requires a constitutional amendment, should be left to the people of New Jersey to decide,” Christie said in a statement.
Senate President Steve Sweeney was blunt in his criticism of the governor.
“He had a chance to do the right thing, and failed miserably,” Sweeney said.
Steven Goldstein, chairman of the state’s largest gay rights group, Garden State Equality, said Christie’s national political ambitions guided his action.
“He won’t veto the bill because he’s anti-gay,” Goldstein said in a statement issued before the veto was issued Friday. “He’ll veto the bill because the 2016 South Carolina presidential primary electorate is anti-gay.”
Goldstein, who said he has a cordial relationship with the governor, promised to continue fighting him vigorously on the issue. “And we will win, so help me God,” he said.
The Maryland House of Delegates appears poised to pass same-sex marriage legislation when it meets late Friday afternoon.
Del. Tiffany Alston, a Prince George’s County Democrat who previously opposed the bill and voted against it in committee, emerged from House Speaker Michael E. Busch’s office and later offered a two-part amendment.
The first part prevents the law from going into effect if there is pending court litigation. A second part of the amendment would require judges to strike down the entire law should any part of it be illegal.
“(Alston’s) vote was contingent on the passing of that amendment,” said O’Donnell.
The House is scheduled to return for a final vote Friday at 4:30 p.m.
Elected New Jersey legislators passed marriage equality, but Gov. Christie has promised a veto. What can you do to ensure equality in the Garden State?
The host of For & Against, Jim Morrison, reacts to the New Jersey legislature’s passage of marriage equality with a list of ways regular folks can help make a difference.
Call Gov. Christie and voice your support. Calls matter! 609-292-600
Call the two Democratic state senators who voted against equality and ask them to change their vote:
Sen. Rice – 973-371-5665
Sen. Van Drew – 609-465-0700
And talk to everyone you know in New Jersey. Talk, listen, and reach out.
That’s what you can do.
New Jersey lawmakers have passed a bill that would provide same-sex couples the right to wed – a move put forth in defiance of the state’s Republican governor, who’s vowed to veto the measure and has instead called for a referendum to settle the issue.
State assembly members on Thursday voted 42-33, with two members abstaining, in favor of the “Marriage Equality and Religious Exemption Act.” The Senate approved the measure on Monday by a 24 to 16 count.
But Gov. Chris Christie has said the issue “should not be decided by 121 people in the statehouse in Trenton.”
The governor is expected to “act swiftly” to knock it down when the bill reaches his desk, said Michael Drewniak, a spokesman for Christie.
Recent polling, meanwhile, suggests that New Jersey voters are in favor of legalizing such unions.
Fifty-two percent of state voters approve the measure, according to a recent Quinnipiac University poll.
Reactions from pro-LGBT organizations:
Freedom To Marry:
“Sadly, Governor Chris Christie has planted his feet on the wrong side of history, and the wrong side of the majority for marriage in New Jersey and nationwide. If the governor sticks with his threat of a veto, Freedom to Marry will work throughout the entire remainder of the legislative session, supporting local families, leaders, and advocates as they make the case and win the extra handful of votes needed to override the veto and do right by these families.”
Human Rights Campaign:
“Today, the New Jersey State Legislature sent a powerful message that all its citizens should be treated equally under the law, and that all families deserve the same protections,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “Governor Christie may veto this legislation, but he is out of step with the majority of voters on this issue. We will not give up until marriage equality becomes a reality in New Jersey. HRC has been proud to partner with Garden State Equality (GSE) in achieving this historic legislative victory.”
More at CNN.com
On Feb. 14, Del. Bob Costa (R) voted for the bill in committee, saying, “I represent constituents and not a party.”
Today, Del. Wade Kach (R) announced that he would be supporting the Civil Marriage Protection Act. Marylanders for Marriage Equality, the coalition working to pass the bill, issued a statement.
Sen. Allan Kittleman (R) was the sole Republican supporting marriage equality last year and, according to Marylanders for Marriage Equality, reaffirmed his unwavering support at a rally in Lawyer’s Mall on Monday evening.
Interestingly, when Del. Sam Arora (D) campaigned for office in 2010, Equality Maryland endorsed him because he indicated support for marriage equality, and he even co-sponsored the legislation when it was first introduced last year. But when it came time to vote, Arora wavered and ultimately conceded that he opposed marriage equality and only wanted to support civil unions.
But now the question has come back around, and the stakes are high for Arora. The Maryland House of Delegates is set to begin debate on marriage equality legislation today with a vote by tomorrow, and at last count, the bill is one vote short of passage. Sam Arora could be the necessary last vote.
Will he honor his promises to his constituents? We’ll know soon.
NJ Gov. Chris Christie has yet to respond to a letter from fellow Governor Chris Gregoire (D-WA) offering the New Jersey governor advise on the issue of marriage equality.
In the letter, dated Jan. 31, 2012, Gregoire wrote, “I have been on a personal journey, because while I am a Governor, I am also a Catholic.” “If you would like to talk, please give me a call.”
The correspondence also contained a copy of Gregoire’s remarks upon announcing her support for marriage equality.
Gregoire has received “no response to date,” her office confirms.
LGBT community reacts to the signing by Gov. Gregoire of Washington state’s new marriage equality law:
Washington United
“We thank Gov. Gregoire for her tremendous leadership in passing this landmark legislation,” said Lacey All, Chair of Washington United for Marriage. “From her moving remarks endorsing the legislation to her unwavering courage and commitment throughout the legislative process, the Governor has been a key ally in forming the bipartisan coalition that passed this bill. Without her years of dedication to equality, Washington’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community would not enjoy antidiscrimination protections, domestic partnerships or marriage equality. We owe her our heartfelt gratitude and sincerest thanks.”
Human Rights Campaign
“Today’s signature of the marriage equality law puts Washington on the road to fairness for all families,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “While those opposed to marriage for gay and lesbian couples will no doubt try to undo this progress, I am confident that equality will prevail in Washington.” “This victory was possible thanks to the hard work of so many on the ground in Washington,” said Solmonese. “Our congratulations go to Sen. Ed Murray and Rep. Jamie Pedersen, along with Gov. Gregoire, who were incredible leaders in this effort.”
GLAAD
“Today, yet another state has rendered into law what a majority of Americans already know in their hearts: committed couples should be able to marry the person they love. As millions of people celebrate their love this Valentine’s Day, countless gay and lesbian couples in Washington State are finally one step closer to enjoying the vital protections that only marriage can afford.”
Lambda Legal “Governor Christine Gregoire today signed a historic measure into law that ends the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage in Washington. Gov. Gregoire has been a champion of marriage equality this year, and we thank her for her leadership and the many brave members of the state legislature who voted for this bill. We also thank Washington United for Marriage, the coalition of organizations, congregations, unions, and business associations that has worked tirelessly to secure civil marriage for loving, committed gay and lesbian couples.”