Michigan House Democrats introduce marriage equality bills
In anticipation of the US Supreme Court’s possible rulings on DOMA and Prop 8, Michigan House Democrats have introduced four bills to address marriage equality in in their state.
From the Detroit Free Press:
One bill is a joint resolution that would amend Michigan’s constitution to allow gay marriage after it was banned in 2004 as a result of a voter initiative.
A second bill would allow gay marriages formalized in other states to be recognized in Michigan.
A third bill amends Michigan’s marriage laws authorizing who may marry and a fourth measure is a resolution calling on Congress to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act.
Similar bills were earlier introduced by Democrats in the Senate. The Legislature is currently on its summer recess.
MIchigan chapter of American Family Association asks governors to ignore SCOTUS on same-sex marriage
Gary Glenn of the American Family Association of Michigan calls on Christians and governors to ignore any ruling from the Supreme Court that supports marriage equality.
No marriage equality decision from SCOTUS today
There was a chance we might get word on the Prop 8 and DOMA cases today.
We did not.
Look to Thursday for the big day.
It’s Time – Scotland’s marriage equality video
Line forms at Supreme Court in anticipation of marriage equality rulings
(photo via JMG)
Anti-gay Christian groups plan to ignore SCOTUS ruling on marriage equality if they don’t like it
A coalition of Christianist and anti-gay groups has come together to create and sign The Marriage Solidarity Statement, which basically says whatever the US Supreme Court decides regarding marriage equality they plan to ignore it.
Kind of like ostriches with their heads in the sand. “This isn’t happening, this isn’t happening, this isn’t happening.”
Here’s just a bit of what these anti-gay folks have to say:
“If the Supreme Court were to issue a decision that redefined marriage or provided a precedent on which to build an argument to redefine marriage, the Supreme Court will thereby undermine its legitimacy. The Court will significantly decrease its credibility and impair the role it has assumed for itself as a moral authority. It will be acting beyond its proper constitutional role and contrary to the Natural Moral Law which transcends religions, culture, and time.”
The Marriage Solidarity Statement ends with these words: “As Christians united together in defense of marriage, we pray that this will not happen. But, make no mistake about our resolve. While there are many things we can endure, redefining marriage is so fundamental to the natural order and the true common good that this is the line we must draw and one we cannot and will not cross.”
It should be noted, that the provisions of the U.S. Constitution grant the high court judicial power in “all cases, in law and equity, arising under this Constitution,” and the 14th Amendment guarantees “equal protection of the laws” for all persons.
The list of signees includes the usual suspects, like designated hate group leaders Family Research Council president Tony Perkins and Traditional Values Coalition chairman Rev. Louis Sheldon, Tea Party activist Ben Carson, Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern (R), former Republican presidential candidate Gary Bauer, Focus on the Family founder Rev. James Dobson, birther Joseph Farah, and disgraced Abramoff scandal figure Ralph Reed.
The irony of the coalition’s name is that what THEY call “Freedom” would restrict the liberty of gay and lesbian Americans.
Of course, it goes without saying you need a civil marriage license to basically have a marriage recognized. If DOMA and Prop 8 fall in the next week, marriage will be expanded to include gay and lesbian couples on more than one level.
So there.
No decision from SCOTUS today
Some folks thought there was a small chance we might get word on the Prop 8 and DOMA cases today.
We did not.
Look to Monday for the big day.
Moving video shows how anti-gay DOMA pulls families apart – Tim and Jamie
Tim and Jamie been together since August 2006.
But in June 2009 they had their experience with how their international relationship would be tested: Jamie, a native of Scotland, was detained at SeaTac Airport due to visa problems and was denied the right to call Tim. He was sent back to Scotland the next day after Tim waited for hours in the airport without a chance to see him.
They married in June 2012.
Currently, Jamie and Tim’s marriage in Canada is not recognized legally in the United States because of the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act. Because they cannot be together in the USA, they are considering moving to South America so they can live together as legal spouses.
This is why the Supreme Court decision on DOMA is so vitally important for families like Tim and Jamie.
Holding strong to the hope that DOMA is struck down in the next week.
Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski pens strong support for marriage equality
Alaska’s Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R) has released a strong, sound and principled statement in support for marriage equality. This makes her the third sitting GOP Senator to endorse same-sex marriage.
Bravo, Sen. Murkowski!
Excerpt from Sen. Murkowski’s official website:
First, this is a personal liberty issue and has to do with the most important personal decision that any human makes. I believe that, as Americans, our freedoms come from God and not government, and include the rights enumerated in the Declaration of Independence: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. What could be more important to the pursuit of happiness than the right to choose your spouse without asking a Washington politician for permission? If there is one belief that unifies most Alaskans – our true north – it is less government and more freedom. We don’t want the government in our pockets or our bedrooms; we certainly don’t need it in our families.
Secondly, civil marriage also touches the foundation of our national culture: safe, healthy families and robust community life. In so many ways, sound families are the foundation of our society. Any efforts or opportunity to expand the civil bonds and rights to anyone that wants to build a stable, happy household should be promoted.
Thirdly, by focusing on civil marriage — but also reserving to religious institutions the right to define marriage as they see fit — this approach respects religious liberty by stopping at the church door. As a Catholic, I see marriage as a valued sacrament that exists exclusively between a man and a woman. Other faiths and belief systems feel differently about this issue – and they have every right to. Churches must be allowed to define marriage and conduct ceremonies according to their rules, but the government should not tell people who they have a right to marry through a civil ceremony.
I encourage you to read the entire statement. Sen. Murkowski, finding common ground through common sense, shares how marriage equality for all is just as much a conservative value as it is an American value.
Sen. Murkowski supported both the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act and the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin released the following statement in response to the news:
“Senator Murkowski’s courageous and principled announcement today sends a clear message that marriage equality must come to all 50 states in this country. As the Supreme Court prepares to rule in two landmark marriage cases this month, a growing bipartisan coalition is standing up for the right of all couples to marry—and there is no turning back that tide.
“We hope other fair-minded conservatives like Senator Murkowski stand up and join her. Alaska may be nicknamed ‘the Last Frontier,’ but we’ve got to make sure that LGBT Alaskans don’t have to wait to find justice.”