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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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:
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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…
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Oregon-based Nike launches PAC with goal of legalizing marriage equality
Sporting goods giant Nike Inc. has recently created a political action committee with the specific goal of legalizing marriage equality in Oregon.
Nike’s statement issued Tuesday afternoon says:
Nike is fully supportive of the initiative to create marriage equality so our employees are treated fairly and with respect in the workplace and the community.
We are committed to diversity and inclusion and strive to treat our employees equally. We believe that diversity drives innovation and allows us to attract and retain world class talent. For Oregon businesses to attract and retain the best talent, we need fair and equitable laws that treat all Oregonians equally and prevent discrimination.”
To support the efforts to bring marriage equality to Oregon, Nike has created the Nike Equality PAC to help raise funds from Nike-affiliated donors in support of marriage equality. We chose to set up the Nike Equality PAC so that Nike, and its employees if they choose, have a specific avenue to support campaign efforts that are directly related to winning marriage equality in Oregon.
The PAC will give employees a specific avenue to support efforts, such as the Oregon United for Marriage campaign, that are directly related to winning marriage equality for the state. The Portland Business Journal notes that the company donated $100,000 to start the PAC, with its executives donating the remaining $180,000.
“Nike has just stood up for marriage equality in an unprecedented way, with a monumental financial contribution to support the Freedom to Marry and Religious Protection Initiative,” said Mike Marshall, campaign manager for Oregon United for Marriage. “Nike has been a leader for marriage equality, and this incredible move puts Nike out front among Oregon businesses who are taking a stand for winning the freedom to marry for Oregon’s same-sex couples. We are so proud and grateful for their generous support.”
The PAC begins with $280,000: A $100,000 contribution from Nike and another $180,000 from Nike executives.
Nearly 20 years ago, Nike was one of the first companies to extend benefits to same-sex couples.
In 2011, Nike was one of the 60 companies that filed an amicus brief opposing DOMA.
New Mexico: Former Attorney General Patricia Madrid pens op-ed in favor of marriage equality
Former Attorney General of New Mexico, Patricia Madrid, has penned an op-ed for the Albuquerque Journal in support of marriage equality as the state Supreme Court mulls over it’s decision.
Ms. Madrid closes with this:
“Some will recall that as attorney general, I stopped the Rio Rancho county clerk from issuing marriage licenses. But that had nothing to do with the constitutionality of same-sex marriage and everything to do with individual county clerks acting on their own without the law behind them.
“I applaud the clerks for asking for a swift resolution by the state Supreme Court of the current checkerboard, where some counties grant marriage licenses and others do not.
“While I’m hopeful the state Supreme Court will grant marriage equality in New Mexico, I believe that is where the issue should be decided. The Legislature should resist any temptation to continue to make marriage a divisive issue.
“New Mexico has always been a land of freedom, of live and let live, and we all try to apply the Golden Rule — to treat others as we want to be treated ourselves.
“To me, that speaks directly to the freedom to marry.
“Marriage has been the cornerstone of my life, and I hope that soon in New Mexico, our gay and lesbian friends, neighbors and family members can have that same mix of celebration and security.”