Tag: Nevada

Posted on

Nevada: state Senate committee advances proposal to repeal anti-marriage amendment

This morning, by a vote of 3-2, the Senate Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections in Nevada voted to advance a legislative measure that would begin the process to repeal the state’s anti-marriage equality amendment and legalize marriage equality.

A vote is expected before April 23.

From Freedom To Marry:

An initial draft of the language for the measure sought to repeal the state’s 2006 anti-marriage constitutional amendment, but the resolution passed this morning takes a step forward by replacing that language with an amendment to “recognize marriages and issue marriage licenses, regardless of gender.” 

In order to repeal the amendment, the resolution – SJR13 – must pass this year AND again with identical language in the next legislative session (2015). If both votes pass, then the proposal goes to the voters in November 2016.

For more info about marriage equality in Nevada, click here.

(via Freedom To Marry)

Posted on

Nevada: Early steps taken to repeal constitutional ban on same-sex marriage

Nevada legislators have begun the long road of repealing the anti-gay marriage constitutional amendment.

From the Las Vegas Sun:

Sen. Tick Segerblom, D-Las Vegas, introduced a Senate Joint Resolution that would repeal the section of Nevada’s constitution that says “only a marriage between a male and female person shall be recognized.”

Here’s what has to happen:

1. The state legislature has to approve the measure this year
2. The state legislature would have to approve the measure again in 2015
3. The resolution would have to be put on the ballot in 2016
4. If the state voters repeal the constitutional amendment, then lawmakers would THEN have to work towards a bill that would LEGALIZE marriage equality.

But here’s the thing: time is going to go on no matter what.  And, at least, the process has been introduced.  Nevada does have domestic partnerships to help offer some legal protections for LGBT couples, which is at least something.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitor’s Bureau is already marketing specifically to gay and lesbian couples. Adding weddings to the mix could be an economic boon for Nevada.

“We’re already a huge destination for weddings anyway,” Shinn said. “If we could expand to the LGBT community, we would benefit.”

A recent poll by the Retail Association of Nevada last month shows support for same-sex marriage and repeal of the “Protection of Marriage” clause in the state constitution.  The poll shows that 54 percent of Nevadans favor repeal while 43 percent oppose.

Posted on

Poll: Nevadans support repeal of same-sex marriage ban 54%-43%

A new Public Opinion Strategies poll commissioned by the Retail Association of Nevada finds that a majority of Nevada voters would support repealing the state’s constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

Even with the normal partisan and age divides, 54% would favor removing the Protection of Marriage provision from the Nevada Constitution, with 43% opposed.

Posted on

Nevada: Federal judge upholds gay marriage ban

A federal judge in Nevada has rejected a lawsuit brought by Lambda Legal on behalf of eight gay couples challenging the state’s constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

On Thursday, Chief Judge Robert C. Jones, of the U.S. District Court in Nevada, said the state can limit marriage to opposite-sex couples.

In its suit, Lamba Legal charged that Nevada’s ban on same-sex marriage violates the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution, and relegates same-sex couples “to only a second-class status.”

Jones, a George W. Bush appointee, ruled that the U.S. Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection of the laws does not “prohibit … the People of the State of Nevada from maintaining statutes that reserve the institution of civil marriage to one-man–one-woman relationships.”

“Homosexual persons may marry in Nevada, but like heterosexual persons, they may not marry members of the same sex. That is, a homosexual man may marry anyone a heterosexual man may marry, and a homosexual woman may marry anyone a heterosexual woman may marry,” he wrote.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs signaled that the case will likely be appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court.

“This is not the end of this fight,” said a spokesperson for Lambda Legal. “We will appeal and continue to fight for these loving couples, who are harmed by Nevada’s law barring marriage for same-sex couples.”

“We are confident this ruling will be overturned on appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals,” said Lamda Legal, in a statement.

(source)

Posted on

Nevada jobless claims drop to lowest level in 5 years

The number of Nevadans filing initial claims for jobless benefits fell in September to the lowest level in five years.

The state Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation says the 13,932 initial claims filed last month are the lowest since before the recession began in 2007. September’s filings compare with 16,693 initial claims filed in the same month last year.

Initial claims peaked in December 2008 at 34,414.

The agency will release its full report on September unemployment numbers for Nevada on Friday.

Nevada has had the nation’s highest jobless rate since May 2010.

(source)

Posted on

Nevada lawmaker looks to repeal ban on marriage equality

A Nevada lawmaker is aiming to challenge the state’s constitutional ban on marriage equality with legislation that would reverse two voter-approved ballot initiatives that have restricted marriages only to heterosexual couples.

Nevada Assemblyman Elliot Anderson will be introducing a bill after the legislature convenes in February which would begin the process to eliminate the state-wide ban on marriage equality because.

Nevadans approved the constitutional ban on marriage equality in 2000 with 69.6% of the vote. A final vote on the matter in 2002 was approved by 67% of the vote.

In 2009, Nevada passed domestic partnerships which reportedly gives same-sex couples the same rights as married couples.

(source)

Posted on

New poll: Support for marriage equality continues to grow in Nevada

From Public Policy Polling:

• 47% of Nevada voters think gay marriage should be legal to versus 42% who think it should be illegal. That’s up from a 45/43 spread in late March.

• Black voters now narrowly support marriage equality, 47/41, in the wake of President Obama’s announcement in May. PPP previously found that they opposed it 63/21.

• 80% of Nevada voters support some form of legal recognition for gay couples – either marriage or civil unions – to only 17% who are completely opposed.  Even among Republicans, 74% at least support civil unions.

Posted on

Nevada Sec of State Ross Miller is a bad-ass (and a Democrat)

He’s one-and-done, but at least he won. Nevada Secretary of State Ross Miller made his debut in the octagon Saturday.

The 6’4″, 205-pound Democrat won his MMA debut in one of 10 amateur fights on Saturday in South Lake Tahoe. Miller fought Jamal Williams, a former high school wrestler.

“I train in boxing, wrestling, jujitsu. When I’m down in Las Vegas I try to train at the UFC gym. It’s definitely my passion,” Miller told FOX5.

The fight was stopped in the second round after Miller delivered a body kick and hard right hand that dropped Williams.

“I eventually relaxed in the second round, caught my opponent with a lucky punch and ended the night with my hand in the air. Everything worked out OK,” Miller said.

Miller is officially retiring as an undefeated light heavyweight.
“Your mind gives you a million reasons to quit and you have to fight through it. That’s why I love the sport and I think it translates into politics also,” Miller said.

Click the pic for larger view.

Via Fox5

Posted on

Date set for Nevada gay marriage lawsuit

U.S. District Chief Judge Robert Jones has set November 26th as the date he will hear oral arguments in the lawsuit filed by Lambda Legal Defense against the state of Nevada over differences in rights granted by the state’s domestic partnership law (passed in 2009) and the gay marriage ban that became part of the state’s constitution in 2002.

Judge Jones told lawyers from both sides that he plans to rely on written arguments, not courtroom testimony from people offered as experts. He also indicated that he looks to decide the matter quickly.