One star for each marriage equality state.
Flag of Equal Marriage
New Mexico: Santa Fe county approves resolution in support of marriage equality
Santa Fe County Officials just voted to support marriage equality in the state. While the resolution doesn’t legalize same-sex marriage, it makes a strong statement about the county’s position on the subject.
From SDGLN:
The Santa Fe County Commission, with near unanimous support, approved a resolution Tuesday that supports both marriage equality in New Mexico and a recent decision by the Santa Fe county clerk to deny two men a marriage license – an action that’s made her the subject of a lawsuit. Commissioner Liz Stefanics said the resolution puts the County Commission “on the record as supporting same-sex marriage” and sends a message “that we wish the state Supreme Court to rule and make this matter clear for all the people here in our state.”
New Mexico has no law on the books specifically allowing or banning marriage equality.
Marriage equality begins at midnight in MInnesota and Rhode Island
Congratulations to the LGBT communities in Minnesota and Rhode Island as marriage equality becomes a reality at midnight tonight.
In Rhode Island, Lee Swislow, GLAD’s executive director made the following statement: “Congratulations to all of the loving, committed Rhode Island couples who can now marry and enjoy the dignity and security of having their marriage recognized at home and by the federal government. We are joyful and proud that each of the six New England states recognizes the freedom to marry for same-sex couples.”
GLAD was an active part of the coalition that worked for many years to secure marriage rights for same-sex couples in Rhode Island through legal work, public education, and providing strategic expertise.
Some people in Rhode Island can’t see the writing on the wall, though, as one man tried to get a temporary restraining order in place to stop the upcoming nuptials:
Ronald L’Heureux, a cofounder of the Faith Alliance to Preserve the Sanctity of Marriage as Defined by God, brought a petition and complaint to the court on Tuesday morning and sought a temporary restraining order to stop the law from taking effect. Judge Daniel A. Procaccini denied the request, saying L’Heureux had fallen “far short” of the criteria needed to obtain a temporary restraining order, said court spokesman Craig Berke.
Instead, Procaccini scheduled a preliminary hearing for Aug. 9.
L’Heureux’s complaint, which names Governor Chafee, state Department of Health Director Michael Fine and 75 state lawmakers who voted for same-sex marriage as defendants, argues that legalizing same-sex marriage will violate religious freedoms guaranteed by the state Constitution, forcing people to accept, in public spheres such as schools, a practice that they oppose based on their faith.
“It violates the Constitution and causes irreparable harm, and once it passes they’re going to teach my children and grandchildren conduct that’s reprehensible to my faith,” said L’Heureux, who represented himself in court.
With gay marriages becoming legal in Minnesota on Thursday, courthouses in major cities across the state will be open after midnight to accommodate dozens of same-sex couples eager to tie the knot.
“It’s good for our business,” says Ron Stein, a jeweler in Minneapolis, where the mayor plans to conduct weddings for approximately 40 couples. “We’ve had orders already.”
NPR Minnesota reports that the city of Minneapolis is hosting an extravaganza at City Hall tonight where Mayor R.T. Rybak will officiate at the marriage of 42 same-sex couples. The celebration, which will stretch well into Thursday morning, includes performances by local musicians, a brass quintet and a reception at the nearby Hotel Minneapolis.
In recent days, the Minneapolis Star Tribune has published articles about the coming “boon” to the state’s wedding industry, as well as the phenomenon of same-sex couples facing the same sort of pre-wedding “jitters” long known to straight couples.
Marriage News Watch – July 29, 2013
From the American Foundation for Equal Rights:
It’s been a busy week, with marriages suddenly recognized in some unexpected states. But it’s unclear how long those victories will last. Meanwhile, state officials in other states are refusing to defend marriage bans. And as always, we have more favorable polling numbers.
Hawaii: Marriage equality would increase tourism by $217 million
A new economic analysis from the University of Hawaii says legalizing gay marriage in the state would boost tourism by $217 million over the next three years.
The study from the university’s Economic Research Organization says that would boost state and local general excise tax revenues by more than $10 million from 2014 through 2016.
The study’s author, Prof. Sumner LaCroix, says most of the added visitor spending would come from couples from other U.S. states that have legalized gay marriage. He estimates $166 million would be spent on marriage ceremonies and honeymoons.
(via the Star Advertiser)
Ohio: Why marriage matters
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| Graphic via Memeographs |
Can you imagine fighting in court just for the right to be laid to rest next to the love of your life?
From Think Progress, read “Ohio Plans Unspeakably Cruel Appeal Of Dying Man’s Last Wish”
Pennsylvania: Governor admonishes county clerk for issuing marriage licenses to gay couples
This week in Pennsylvania, Montgomery County Register of Wills Bruce Hanes began to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples saying he had found three sections of the Pennsylvania Constitution – which guarantee the civil rights of individuals and prevents discrimination based on sex – at odds with the Defense of Marriage Act, which bans same-sex marriage.
The governor’s office has made a statement about the licenses, but not announced whether legal action would be taken:
Gov. Tom Corbett’s administration admonished Hanes’ actions but fell short of declaring any legal action against the licenses or him.
“Individual elected officials cannot pick and choose which laws to enforce,” said Nils Hagen-Frederiksen, a spokesman for Corbett’s Office of General Counsel. “All officials are constitutionally required to administer and enforce the laws that are enacted by the Legislature.”
This is the second time in less than three weeks that an elected official has gone against the oath of office they took when sworn in to publicly defend a stance for gay marriage. While Hanes’ office is at the county level, one of the state’s most prominent public officials, Kathleen Kane, declared she would not defend the state against lawsuits over the legality of a ban on gay marriage.
Frederiksen, in a statement, said the Office of General Counsel believes elected officials should leave the legality of Pennsylvania’s ban on gay marriage to the courts. “Only the courts have the power to declare a law to be unconstitutional and to suspend its effects,” he said.
It should be noted that Hanes is also a lawyer with a solid understanding of law.
(via Philly.com)
Pennsylvania has it’s first same-sex marriage
The first same-sex marriage has taken place in Pennsylvania. Time will tell if the union will stand up in legal circles.
Alicia Terrizzi and Loreen Bloodgood, who have been together 17 years, are one of two couples who have been issued marriage licenses in Montgomery county after Bruce Hanes, the county Register of Wills, announced that he is willing to grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples yesterday. The county clerk has also said that he will approve any other same-sex couples applying for a marriage license.
Hanes, an independently elected Democrat, told reporters that he wishes to be “on the right side of history and the law.” He also cited Windsor v. United States, the Supreme Court case that torpedoed DOMA, as well as the ACLU’s current suit in federal court to overturn Pennsylvania’s same-sex marriage ban, a case that Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane has announced that she will not defend.
Molly Tack-Hooper, a spokesperson for the ACLU, noted that this is not the first time that a county has defied a state’s same-sex marriage ban:
“We know how it has played out in a few other states; we don’t know how it might turn out in Pennsylvania. Gay and lesbian couples seeking marriage licenses in Montgomery County should be aware that there might be uncertainty about the legal statuses of those marriages for a while because unfortunately in other states, governments have later invalidated the marriages.”
(via Towleroad)
Pennsylvania: County clerk will issue marriage license to “any same-sex couple that requests one”
Another front has opened in the battle over same-sex marriage in Pennsylvania. Montgomery County Register of Wills Bruce Hanes said Tuesday that he will issue marriage licenses to any same-sex couple that requests one.
“Based upon the advice of [my solicitor], my own analysis of the law and mindful of the Attorney General’s belief that Pennsylvania’s marriage laws are unconstitutional, I decided to come down on the right side of history and the law, and was prepared to issue a license,” to a same-sex couple that had contacted him, Hanes said in a press release.
No state or county official can stop Hanes without legal action; in his role as the official in charge of issuing marriage licenses, he answers only to the court system.
Attorney General Kathleen Kane announced this month that she will not defend the state’s ban on same-sex marriages, which is being challenged in court by the American Civil Liberties Union.
Read more at PoliticsPA.
Marriage News Watch – July 22, 2013
This week’s headlines:
- Marriage equality is the law of the land throughout California, with at least one county setting a marriage license record.
- House Republicans will stop defending federal bans on recognizing LGBT couples.
- There’s a new lawsuit in Arkansas and strong new polls in Virginia and New Jersey.
- Marriage equality spreads to England, Wales and Colombia.