Arkansas: Sen. Mark Pryor is “undecided” about marriage equality
North Dakota: Sen. Heidi Heitkamp supports marriage equality
“In speaking with North Dakotans from every corner of our great state, and much personal reflection, I have concluded the federal government should no longer discriminate against people who want to make lifelong, loving commitments to each other or interfere in personal, private, and intimate relationships. I view the ability of anyone to marry as a logical extension of this belief. The makeup of families is changing, but the importance of family is enduring.” – Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), becoming the 52nd sitting U.S. Senator to endorse marriage equality.
(Via JMG)
Indiana: Sen. Joe Donnelly supports marriage equality
Senator Joe Donnelly (D-IN) has come out for marriage equality:
“In recent years, our country has been involved in an important discussion on the issue of marriage equality. While serving in the House of Representatives, I had the opportunity to act on a core belief of mine: we are a stronger country when we draw on the strengths of all Americans. I voted to repeal ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ and was an original supporter of the bill that would make it illegal to discriminate against someone in the workplace because of their sexual orientation. It is also for that reason that I oppose amending either Indiana’s or our nation’s constitution to enshrine in those documents an ‘us’ and a ‘them,’ instead of a ‘we.’ With the recent Supreme Court arguments and accompanying public discussion of same-sex marriage, I have been thinking about my past positions and votes. In doing so, I have concluded that the right thing to do is to support marriage equality for all.”
Another poll shows a majority of Americans support marriage equality
New Quinnipiac poll puts same-sex marriage support at 50 percent:
“Fifty-percent of American voters support same-sex marriage, while 41 percent oppose it and the remaining 9 percent are unsure or did not answer, according to a Quinnipiac University Polling Institute survey released on Thursday.
It’s the first time support has reached the 50 percent threshold for Quinnipiac.
Florida: Sen. Bill Nelson supports marriage equality
Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), in a statement today to the Tampa Bay Times announced his support for marriage equality.
“It is generally accepted in American law and U.S. society today ‘that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.’ I believe that.
The civil rights and responsibilities for one must pertain to all. Thus, to discriminate against one class and not another is wrong for me. If we are endowed by our Creator with rights, then why shouldn’t those be attainable by Gays and Lesbians?
Simply put, if The Lord made homosexuals as well as heterosexuals, why should I discriminate against their civil marriage? I shouldn’t, and I won’t.
So I will add my name to the petition of senators asking the Supreme Court to declare the law that prohibits gay marriage unconstitutional.”
Sen. Nelson makes it 51 members of the Senate that have endorsed marriage.
Iowa: Happy 4th Anniversary of Marriage Equality!
Four years ago today the Iowa State Supreme Court ruled in Varnum v. Brian that same-sex couples should have the freedom to marry across the state of Iowa. Continue reading “Iowa: Happy 4th Anniversary of Marriage Equality!”
Uruguay approves marriage equality!
The Uruguay Senate just approved its marriage equality bill by a vote of 23-8.
The bill will return to the country’s lower legislative chamber for minor changes, but President Mujica has promised to sign the bill and marriages should commence within a few months.
From Freedom to Marry: “When marriages between same-sex couples begin this summer, Uruguay will join 11 countries that have the freedom to marry for same-sex couples nationwide: The Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Canada, South Africa, Norway, Sweden, Portugal, Iceland, Argentina, and Denmark.
“Three others have taken judicial and regional steps to allow same-sex couples to share in the freedom to marry in parts of the country: Brazil, Mexico, and the United States.”
Illinois: GOP Sen. Mark Kirk supports marriage equality
Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) has announced his support for marriage equality.
From Buzzfeed:
“When I climbed the Capitol steps in January, I promised myself that I would return to the Senate with an open mind and greater respect for others,” Kirk wrote on his blog.
“Same-sex couples should have the right to civil marriage. Our time on this earth is limited, I know that better than most. Life comes down to who you love and who loves you back– government has no place in the middle.”
Kirk is the second sitting Republican Senator to endorse marriage equality, following Ohio Republican Sen. Rob Portman last month.
Delaware: Congressman John Carney supports marriage equality
Delaware’s only Congressman John Carney Jr. (D) came out for marriage equality in a statement on his website yesterday.
“I’ve supported Delaware’s journey toward marriage equality because I believe the law should recognize the committed relationships of same-sex couples. As a Catholic and as an elected official, I’ve been dedicated to striking the balance between honoring the religious sacrament of marriage, while allowing same-sex couples to enjoy legal recognition of their committed relationships.
“That’s why — starting as Lieutenant Governor — I supported civil unions, culminating with the passage of Delaware’s civil union law in 2011. And that’s why I support marriage equality in Delaware.
“I continue to respect and support the rights of religious institutions to define marriage in accordance with the tenets of their faith. However, I do not believe it is right for the government to treat couples differently based on their sexual orientation. Marriage equality will ensure that same-sex couples in Delaware receive the same treatment under the law.
“For over a generation, we as a society have honored the truth that separate is not equal. On the surface, this may just sound like a debate about words. But marriage is also symbolic — it gives honor to a lifelong partnership in a way that civil unions do not. This June, I will be married 20 years. I know that marriage is about commitment, love, and mutual respect.
“All Delawareans should have the privilege of participating in this institution.”
A marriage equality bill is expected to be introduced there sometime this year.
(via ThinkProgress)
Marie Osmond supports marriage equality
After the Osmond family hosted an anti-gay marriage event this week in Utah, this is a surprise.
Says Marie: “The God that I believe in is a god of love, not fear. I don’t tell my children if you’re not good you’re going to Hell. I tell my children that God will be there for them when they struggle. That’s the God I believe in.
“I believe in [my lesbian daughter’s] civil rights, as a mother. I think my daughter deserves everything that she desires in life. She’s a good girl. She’s a wonderful child. I don’t think God made one color flower. I think he made many…”