(via GoodAsYou)
Red Hook Beer supports marriage equality in Washington
(via GoodAsYou)
Homeland Security issues written guidelines regarding deportation of binational same-sex couples
The Obama administration has issued written guidelines to immigration officials whose job it is to determine potential deportation cases regarding same-sex relationships.
The guidelines indicate three criteria, the Washington Blade‘s Chris Johnson reports:
Same-sex relationships that rise to the level of “family relationships” are long-term, same-sex relationships in which the individuals:
• are each other’s sole domestic partner and intend to remain so indefinitely;
• are not in a marital or other domestic relationship with anyone else; and typically maintain a common residence
• and share financial obligations and assets.
(via Towleroad)
Campaign ad: Zach Wahls on President Obama and marriage equality
Regular readers of The Randy Report know how much I admire this amazing young man. So thoughtful and well-spoken on what he feels and how he communicates to the world.
No hate or anger in this ad at all. Just a clear, fair-minded message from a guy who really represents middle America.
This is what makes the future of America look bright.
Hungary Bans Same-Sex Marriage In New Constitution
Hungarian lawmakers approved a new constitution Monday that was blasted by rights groups and the political opposition for measures considered extremely conservative. Some of the changes to the current constitution include: * Ban on same-sex marriage * Protects the life of a fetus from conception opening the possibility to future ban or restriction on abortion * Ban on discrimination does not include age or sexual orientation * Tax and pension law changes require a two-thirds majority “We’ve just participated in a historical moment,” parliamentary speaker Laszlo Kover said moments after the bill was approved 262-44. “The new constitution is built upon our past and traditions, but seeks and contains answers to current problems while keeping an eye on the future.” Hungary’s current constitution dates from 1949, near the start of the communist regime but it was almost fully rewritten during the 1989 transition to democracy. Hungary assumed the six-month rotating presidency of the EU in January.
Voices raised in Iowa over proposal to take away marriage equality
The Iowa State House was packed by hundreds of people who showed up to express their opinions on House Joint Resolution 6 which proposes an amendment to the Iowa State Constitution to overturn marriage equality in the state. The proposed amendment would specify marriage between one man and one woman as the only legal union that is valid or recognized in the state. Civil unions and domestic partnerships would be banned. In 2009, a unanimous decision by the Iowa Supreme Court declared Iowa’s laws limiting marriage rights to opposite-sex couples unconstitutional. Now, almost two years later, legislators are attempting to put marriage equality rights on the ballot. The Resolution passed out of the House Judiciary Committee by a vote of 13-8. While it is expected to pass in the House vote, the state Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal has vowed to block any vote on an amendment that would ban same-sex marriage. To make it to the ballot box, the issue must pass in two consecutive legislatures. Click here for more from The Iowa Independent. UPDATE: The Iowa House today, by a vote of 62-37, passed House Joint Resolution 6 that would deny any form of legal recognition for gay couples. The amendment seeks to prohibit not only the freedom to marry for gay couples, but also civil unions or domestic partnerships. More info here at One Iowa.