Watch this animated gif as the progress (and banning) of marriage equality across the country is notated.
(h/t JMG)
Watch the marriage equality march through time
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.
Marriage News Watch – December 9, 2013
Croatian government to pursue civil unions in aftermath of marriage equality ban
After Sunday’s vote by the people of Croatia to constitutionally ban same-sex marriage, the Croatian government is signalling they may pass legislation legalizing civil unions instead.
From the New York Times:
Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic’s center-left government said on Monday that it would move ahead with a proposed bill to afford same-sex couples many of the legal rights enjoyed by heterosexual couples, including hospital visitation and inheritance rights, though the bill does not include the right to adopt children.
Mr. Milanovic said he regretted that the referendum had even been held. “I think it did not make us any better, smarter or prettier,” he said.
The state electoral commission said that 66 percent of those who voted answered yes to the question, “Do you agree that marriage is matrimony between a man and a woman?” Turnout was relatively low, with about 38 percent of registered voters casting ballots. Analysts said the turnout suggested that the sluggish economy and 18 percent unemployment rate were more on Croats’ minds than gay marriage.
Hawaii says “Aloha!” to day one of marriage equality
Same-sex couples are taking advantage of Hawaii’s newfound aloha for gay weddings.
Six couples tied the knot early Monday, shortly after midnight, when the new law allowing same-sex couples to marry took effect.
A Waikiki resort was hosting mass ceremonies for anyone wanting to sign up, while a group of clergy who pushed for the new law planned to host a wedding for an openly gay Unitarian minister at a church near downtown Honolulu.
Take a look at all the shiny, happy people via Buzzfeed. Congratulations Hawaii!
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| The first couples to take advantage of Hawaii’s new found marriage equality gather for a group picture at the Sheraton Waikiki, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013 in Honolulu. |
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Michelle Broder Van Dyke/BuzzFeed
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(source)
Croatia passes constitutional ban on marriage equality
The Associated Press is reporting that Croatians on Sunday voted to constitutionally ban same-sex marriage:
The state electoral commission, citing initial results, said 65 percent of those who voted answered “yes” to the referendum question: “Do you agree that marriage is matrimony between a man and a woman?” About 34 percent voted against.
The result meant that Croatia’s constitution will be amended to ban same-sex marriage.
The vote has deeply divided Croatia. Liberal groups have said the referendum’s question infringes on basic human rights. The Church-backed groups have gathered 750,000 signatures in its support.
The Catholic Church leaders have urged their followers to vote “yes” in the referendum. Nearly 90 percent of Croatians are Roman Catholics.
Watch the new report from Euronews below:
(source)
Pennsylvania: Lawsuit challenging marriage equality ban heads to trial June 2014
According to the AP, the lawsuit filed challenging the Pennsylvania ban on marriage equality will go to trial next June:
U.S. District Judge John E. Jones III told lawyers he would allow two weeks for the trial. Jones said he would set a specific date and a timetable for pretrial discovery and depositions soon. He rejected as unnecessary a defense request to delay the trial until August.
“I’m an optimist by nature,” the judge told lawyers for both sides at the conclusion of an hourlong meeting.
The federal lawsuit is the first of at least six state and federal court suits challenging aspects of the 17-year-old Pennsylvania law. Civil rights lawyers filed it in July on behalf of plaintiffs who include a widow, 11 couples and one couple’s two teenage daughters.
Pennsylvania is the only state in the northeastern United States that bans marriage equality.
Currently, 16 states and the District of Columbia have legalized same-sex marriage.
Stephen Colbert takes on Rick Santorum regarding marriage equality
Rick Santorum stopped by the Stephen Colbert show last night to discuss several topics: his new Christian based movie studio, the state of the Republican party and his thoughts on marriage equality.
Just a few of the choices lines Colbert delivered:
Colbert: “You’ve got these 15 states plus the District of Columbia that are riding the rainbow train to helltown right now,” Colbert said, sparking a smile from Santorum. “Hasn’t this one slipped away from us?”
Santorum: “I think the real problem here is marriage has slipped away from us. Marriage has devolved into just a romantic relationship between two people. And that’s not what marriage is.”
Colbert: “No, it’s for transferring property,” Colbert joked.
Watch the exchange below. Marriage equality comes into play about the 5:00 mark.
Storify: Gov. Quinn signs Illinois marriage equality bill into law
Storify allows folks to create stories from related tweets on Twitter.
Chicagoist has created this timeline of today’s events surrounding the bill signing of marriage equality in Illinois by Gov. Quinn on the Abraham Lincoln desk. Check it out:
Oklahoma: Gov. Fallin announces NO married couples may apply for military benefits at National Guard facilities
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| Graphic via Memeographs |
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin (R) announced earlier this month that state-owned National Guard facilities will no longer allow any married couples to apply for spousal benefits, regardless of whether they are same-sex or opposite-sex.
The Supreme Court’s decision overturning the Defense of Marriage Act means that servicemembers with same-sex spouses are now eligible for federal benefits.
Fallin’s unusual tactic is designed to avoid having to recognize those couples, which she asserts would violate Oklahoma’s constitutional amendment limiting marriage to one man and one woman:
FALLIN: Oklahoma law is clear. The state of Oklahoma does not recognize same-sex marriages, nor does it confer marriage benefits to same-sex couples. The decision reached today allows the National Guard to obey Oklahoma law without violating federal rules or policies. It protects the integrity of our state constitution and sends a message to the federal government that they cannot simply ignore our laws or the will of the people.
Although Oklahoma owns most of the state National Guard facilities, they were built almost entirely with Federal funds. AND the federal government provides about 90 percent of the budget for the Oklahoma Military Department, which includes the National Guard.
I would say the Federal guidelines would be in play here.
By making this decision, Gov. Fallin forces all married couples to travel much farther than they should to obtain the appropriate ID card for military benefits.
Mind you – this is all about merely ACCEPTING an application at a National Guard facility. The state-wide policy has been changed and will inconvenience hundreds of married couples, gay and straight, just so Oklahoma can say “we don’t respect same-sex marriages.”
Sad, sad, sad…
(source)