Tag: marriage equality

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Ohio: Big shift in support for marriage equality

A new poll shows big shift in support for marriage equality in Ohio over the past ten years:

In 2004, 62 percent, of those voting, supported a constitutional amendment in Ohio to ban same-sex marriage.  The latest poll shows 56 percent of Ohioans support a new amendment that would allow same-sex marriages but also allow “houses of worship the right to refuse to marry a same sex couple.”

The poll, conducted by Public Policy Polling (PPP), tested the full text of the amendment, allowing respondents to evaluate the importance of the amendment’s religious freedom protections.

Read more here.

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New Mexico: State Supreme Court unanimously rules in favor of marriage equality

http://www.freedomtomarry.org/blog/entry/new-mexico-supreme-court-affirms-the-freedom-to-marry-state-wide

The New Mexico Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in the state Thursday, declaring in a unanimous ruling that it is unconstitutional to deny a marriage license to gay and lesbian couples.

New Mexico becomes the 17th state along with the District of Columbia in allowing gay marriage.

From the State Supreme Court ruling:

Prohibiting same-gender marriages is not substantially related to the governmental interests advanced by the parties opposing same-gender marriage or to the purposes we have identified. Therefore, barring individuals from marrying and depriving them of the rights, protections, and responsibilities of civil marriage solely because of their sexual orientation violates the Equal Protection Clause under Article II, Section 18 of the New Mexico Constitution.

We hold that the State of New Mexico is constitutionally required to allow same-gender couples to marry and must extend to them the rights, protections, and responsibilities that derive from civil marriage under New Mexico law.

From Freedom to Marry:

“The New Mexico Supreme Court did the right thing today by affirming fairness, freedom, and respect for same-sex couples who hope to share in the joy of marriage.

“The clarity of today’s ruling ensures that the freedom to marry, and the protections that come along with it, are guaranteed for loving and committed same-sex couples in the Land of Enchantment.”

From the Human Rights Campaign:

“The court is entirely correct that denying lesbian and gay couples the same rights as everyone else is fundamentally unjust,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “Regardless of where you live, all people should have the ability to marry the person they love, and now the legislature must not do anything to turn back the clock in the Land of Enchantment.”

Read the entire decision from the New Mexico State Supreme Court below:

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Short film: “Jonathan & Dwayne: A Story About Love”

The first date, marching openly for the first time in the San Diego Gay Pride Parade, the moment Senior Chief Dwayne Beebe-Franqui proposed to husband Jonathan Beebe-Franqui and the day they said “I do,” all get screen time as this short film.

Jonathan & Dwayne: A Story About Love recounts one couple’s search for happily ever after.

Watch the video below.

Jonathan & Dwayne | A story about love. from Celia Hilton on Vimeo.

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Marriage News Watch – December 16, 2013

From AFER: We have a major setback this week in Australia, but there’s still a glimmer of hope.

Marriage equality hearings are coming up in two unlikely states: Arkansas and Texas.

An Oregon ballot measure passes a major hurdle, and organizers launch a new public outreach campaign on the east coast.

More info available at afer.org
 

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Australia: High Court strikes down marriage equality in the ACT

In the last five days, 27 same-sex couples have gotten married in the Australia Capital Territory (ACT.) Those marriages have just been ruled invalid.

Via the Australian:

The High Court has unanimously struck down the ACT’s gay marriage laws.

The decision will mean that about two dozen week-old marriages have no legal effect. The ACT Marriage Equality (Same Sex) laws passed the territory’s legislative assembly in October, but only came into effect last month and couples were required to provide four weeks’ notice before conducting wedding ceremonies.

As of today, about 20 couples have been married to date under the ACT’s laws, with the first ceremonies conducted on Saturday. Had the nation’s top court upheld the ACT’s gay marriage legislation it would have opened the door to similar laws being passed across the country, pressuring the government to make it legal at a national level.

The commonwealth government sought an expedited hearing in the High Court arguing the national capital’s laws were inconsistent with federal legislation and unconstitutional. Federal government lawyers argued in the High Court that the commonwealth marriage act was intended to ensure that state and territories did not operate as different countries when it came to determining whether a couple was married.

The High Court determined that the federal parliament has the power under the Australian constitution to legislate on same-sex marriage, and that whether or not same-sex marriages are legalised is a matter for the federal parliament.

(via JMG)

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Same-sex marriage to begin March 29, 2014 in England and Wales

Same-sex marriages will begin in England and Wales on March 29, 2014 – earlier than expected.

From BBC News:

Initially it was thought the first same-sex marriage in England and Wales would not take place until the summer.

Couples wishing to be among the first to marry will need to give formal notice of their intention to marry on 13 March.

It comes after the government’s controversial legislation on the issue received Royal Assent in July.

The Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat leaderships all backed the proposals.

BBC political correspondent Norman Smith says it is understood the government, following the passing of the Marriage (Same-Sex Couples) Act, has been able to put in place the necessary arrangements much faster than previously thought.

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Solid majority of Scotland supports marriage equality

A majority of Scots back same-sex marriage, according to the most detailed survey of public opinion since MSPs began moves to change the law.

A YouGov poll shows 56% of Scots support the legislation going through Holyrood. However a significant minority – 35% – are opposed, while 8% are unsure.

The findings were welcomed by campaigners for same-sex marriage who said MSPs should “take heart” from the level of support among the public.

At Holyrood all the main parties support the move, though individual MSPs have been allowed to vote according to their conscience.

A final vote is due next year but opinion at Holyrood is not thought likely to change significantly following detailed scrutiny of the Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill. The first gay ceremonies are expected in early 2015.

Under the Scottish Government’s proposals, religious and faith organisations would “opt in” to perform same-sex marriages if they accepted the idea.

(via HeraldScotland.com)