Tag: marriage equality

Posted on

Delaware: Marriage equality bill heads to Senate committee today

The Delaware Senate Executive Committee will hear its marriage equality bill today at 2:30pm at a special session where it’s the only item on the agenda. 
 
While the bill is expected to pass by a 4-2 vote in committee, the proposal faces a tight vote in the full chamber. Last week brought some good news when one state Senator flipped into the “yes” column, but the latest head count shows the bill only squeaking by 11-10 in the full chamber, with three Democrats opposed.
 
The bill passed 23-18 in the Delaware House last Tuesday and Gov. Jack Markell has promised to sign it. 
 
If you live in Delaware: please reach out to your state Senator this morning even if their “yes” vote has already been predicted.
 
(via JMG)

Posted on

Next US states in play for marriage equality

(image via USAToday)

The Associated Press gives us a run down on what appear to be the next states in play for marriage equality:

Delaware: The state’s House approved a bill Tuesday legalizing same-sex marriage on a 23-18 vote. The bill now moves to the Senate. It has the support of Democratic Gov. Jack Markell. Delaware approved same-sex civil unions last year.

New Jersey: The Democratic-led legislature is expected to attempt to override Republican Gov. Chris Christie’s veto of gay marriage legislation a year ago. But there aren’t enough Democrats to guarantee an override, and Christie has suggested putting the question before voters.

Oregon: Gay marriage advocates hope to place a proposed constitutional amendment on the 2014 ballot that would reverse a ban on gay marriage passed by voters in 2004. The effort has the support of Gov. John Kitzhaber.

Minnesota: Hundreds of gay marriage supporters gathered at the state Capitol this month to urge lawmakers to vote for gay marriage. Legislation has cleared committees in both the House and Senate.

Illinois: The state’s Senate approved gay marriage legislation on Valentine’s Day. Supporters in the House say they’re still a few votes short but hope a vote is held before the General Assembly adjourns this spring. Gov. Pat Quinn supports the bill.

(h/t JMG)

Posted on

Delaware state Senator Bushweller supports marriage equality

“As you may know, HB 75 passed the House of Representatives on April 23 and will now come to the Senate for consideration. When the roll is called in the Senate, I will be voting yes. Where I disagree with the opponents of HB 75 is that I believe same sex, civil marriage is not a threat to the family. Rather, it can help strengthen the family.

“As I stated when the General Assembly passed the civil union bill two years ago, to the extent we can encourage longevity, stability and commitment in relationships as described above, marriage and families will benefit. We should be promoting these kinds of relationships, not denying them.” – Delaware Sen. Brian Bushweller, in a letter to his constituents.

Bushweller’s support may push the Senate over into the win column for marriage equality. See the list below of recently projected/stated positions on marriage equality in Delaware.

(via JMG)

Posted on

George W. Bush: When asked about marriage equality “steps off the stage”

With the opening of his presidential library, former President George W. Bush has been on a media blitz. This morning he appeared on CBS This Morning and spoke to Charlie Rose, who asked him about his previous support for a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.

Said Bush: “Well I’m not weighing in on these issues, as you know, because I’ve made the decision to get off the stage. And so I’m off the stage.”

His decision to be “off the stage” does not apply to immigration or terror attacks, both of which he weighs in on in the same segment.

No surprise.

(via Towleroad)

Posted on

Santa Fe: City Council approves resolution in support of marriage equality

The Sante Fe city council last night passed a resolution by a vote of 5-3 supporting same-sex marriage:

There was a standing room-only crowd for the vote. The Santa Fe Fire Department had to bar the doors before the meeting started, leaving many to watch the proceedings from the hallway.

Many in attendance wore red to symbolize their support for marriage equality. Others sported yellow stickers, representing the Equality New Mexico organization, or pink felt hearts that said “All Families Matter.” A smaller group held pictures of the Virgin of Guadalupe or wore stickers that said “Life and Family are Sacred.”

No public testimony was permitted before the vote. The resolution, which passed by a 5-3 vote (including two abstentions), doesn’t have any effect on state rules and practices.

Sante Fe Mayor David Coss recently declared that there in nothing in state law that bars LGBT residents from marrying. City Attorney Geno Zamora argued in a memo this spring that the definition of marriage in New Mexico’s statutes is gender-neutral. “Since New Mexico does not define marriage as between a man and a woman, and since New Mexico does not prohibit same-sex marriage, same-sex marriage is permitted in New Mexico,” he wrote.

In a 2011 opinion, state Attorney General Gary King said that New Mexico must consider valid all same-sex marriage licenses granted in other states, just the way it honors other marriage licenses.

You do see where this is going, don’t you?

Happy dance time, kids…

Posted on

Fourth grader explains why “gay people should be able to get married”

A teacher posted the essay above to Reddit, saying, “One of my 4th grade students chose gay marriage as his topic for a persuasive essay. This is the result. More sense than some adults.”

“Why gay people should be able to get married is you can’t stop two adult’s from getting married because there grown and it doesn’t matter if it creeps you out just get over it. And you should be happy for them because it’s a big momment in their life. When I went to my grandparents wedding it was the happies momment.

As you can see gay people should have the right to get married and you shouldn’t judge other peoples lives because if you was gay you wouldn’t want people talking about you.”

And there you have it.  Any questions?

So simple, fourth graders get it…

(via Instinct)

Posted on

Iowa: House conservatives want to cut pay for justices who supported marriage equality


From The Gazette: A handful of House conservatives want to reduce the pay of Iowa Supreme Court justices involved in a 2009 decision striking down a ban on same-sex marriages as part of an effort to maintain the balance of power in state government.

“It’s our responsibility to maintain the balance of power” between the three co-equal branches of government, Rep. Tom Shaw, R-Laurens, said Tuesday.

The justices “trashed the separation of powers” with their unanimous Varnum v. Brien decision and implementation of same-sex marriage without a change in state law banning any marriages expect between one man and one woman, added Rep. Dwayne Alons, R-Hull.

Their amendment to House File 120, the judicial branch budget bill, would lower the salaries of the four justices on the seven-member court who were part of the unanimous Varnum v. Brein decision to $25,000 – the same as a state legislator.

It’s not meant to be punitive, Alons and Shaw said Tuesday.

“We’re just holding them responsible for their decision, for going beyond their bounds,” Shaw said.

That’s it – it’s not punitive.  It just punishes the justices who supported fairness and equality.

Mind you, these are the same Republicans who tried to oust these same state Supreme Court justices after their decision.

Read more at TheGazette.com