Gay Marriage Watch: February 22nd-28th
Now that the new year has rolled around, we're being told it's still not time. The budget is a more opressing issue. And that's probably the right move. Only now there's a catch. Governor Corzine is up for reelection in 2009, and he's currently behind in the polls. His challenger is against gay marriage.
So the upshot here is that we may lose out on the chance to have our marriage rights confirmed in the Garden State. Because we waited. Because we believed them when they said "just wait a little while longer."
So I'm waiting for someone to answer these questions - "When will it be the right time for marriage equality? If not now, when?"
Fun Fact of the Week:
From Andrew Sullivan's blog: "Eight of the top 10 pornography consuming states gave their electoral votes to John McCain in last year's presidential election – Florida and Hawaii were the exceptions. While six out of the lowest 10 favoured Barack Obama. Residents of 27 states that passed laws banning gay marriages boasted 11% more porn subscribers than states that don't explicitly restrict gay marriage..." and "Utah is the country's single biggest consumer of online porn."
Woody Award:
Our woody award this week goes to the ten Democrats in the New Mexico Senate who voted against the domestic partnership bill there this week, after coming under pressure from the Catjolic Church. Shame on you, who are supposed to represent the least among your constituents, for letting the Church dictate who can have rights and who can't.
And this was for domestic partnership, not marriage, so they can't hide behind the old "it's just the word" defense.
Here are the names of those who voted against rights for gays and lesbians in New Mexico:
- Bernadette Sanchez
- Carlos Cisneros
- Pete Campos
- Timothy Jennings
- Lynda Lovejoy
- Richard Martinez
- George Munoz
- John Pinto
- John Arthur Smith
- David Ulibarri
Click on the link for each above and tell them what you think of their bigoted vote.
Enjoy your collective woodys!
Gay Marriage Watch:
Now on to this week's Gay Marriage Watch. The blog is now organized almost entirely by area, with news of the week, upcoming marriage equality events, and great recent articles and columns. For a longer history of past news stories, just click on one of the older Gay Marriage Watch blogs from our archives.
To subscribe to this blog, or if you have any thoughts about how we can make this feature better or easier to use or any updates on the issues covered here, let me know at info@purpleunions.com.
Enjoy the rest of the Watch!
--Scott
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2/25: Beijing's gay and lesbian community launched a campaign for gay marriage. Source
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2/25: TV presenter Brendan Courtney is joining the campaign for gay rights in Ireland. The Off the Rails host, who is living in London, will help launch a report into gay marriages outside the Dail this week. Source
2/26: MarriagEquality, a group campaigning for full marriage rights for gay and lesbian people in Ireland, said 81% of those polled believe that all people living in Ireland should receive equal treatment from the state regardless of their sexual orientation. Source
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ISRAEL:
--news-->
2/26: The Israeli Knesset is set to consider granting gay and lesbian couples the right to marry. Source
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--news-->
2/25: Viewers who caught recorded telecasts of the Oscars in the evening on STAR, an Asian satellite TV service that says it reaches more than 300 million viewers in 53 countries, noticed that the sound was removed whenever Sean Penn and writer Dustin Lance Black mentioned "gay" or "lesbian." Source
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--articles-->
Gay marriage ends in heartache, by Donna Collins Source
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PORTUGAL:
--news-->
2/24: The Bishops’ Conference of Portugal has reaffirmed its rejection of the government’s attempts to make gay unions equal to marriage after Socialist Prime Minister Jose Socrates Carvalho Pinto de Sousa promised he would support gay unions if re-elected. Source
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USA:
--news-->
2/24: RNC Chair Michael Steele on offering civil unions: "Why would we backslide on a core, founding value of this country? I mean this isn’t something that you just kind of like, 'Oh well, today I feel, you know, loosey-goosey on marriage.'" Source
2/26: Judge Judy on gay marriage: "For me, it's not only a legal issue, but an emotional issue. Two people work, pay taxes, act responsibly – as far as I'm concerned, the State should have no issue if they want to be married and have a union that allows them to inherit and take advantage of the tax benefits of marriage. I have no problem with that." Source
--upcoming events-->
3/5: Following the arguments, Lambda Legal will be hosting a members-only teleconference with Jenny Pizer, Marriage Project Director and Lambda Legal’s lead counsel in Strauss, as well as Legal Director Jon Davidson. The call will begin at 3:00 PM PT (6:00 PM ET). More Info
--articles-->
Roadmap for Marriage Equality Proponents in Wake of Prop 8, Source
A Movement Permeated by Fear and Driven by Greed, by Time for Change Source
Homophobia – What are we afraid of? by Dr. Jeffrey Low Source
Time Has Come to Repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell', by Joe Davidson Source
The transformation of 'gay' and 'marriage', by Scott Cohen Source
What Americans think about marriage equality, by Bob Roehr Source
A Reconciliation on Gay Marriage, by David Blankenhorn & Jonathan Rauch Source
--upcoming events-->
3/4: Phoenix: a vigil will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at Camelback and Central, the evening before the California Supreme Court hearing on Prop 8. Source
3/4: Tucson: a vigil will be held from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at UCC, 3295 West Speedway Boulevard. Source
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USA, CALIFORNIA:
--news-->
2/22: Sean Penn at the Oscars: "For those who saw the signs of hatred as our cars drove in tonight, I think that it is a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect and anticipate their great shame and the shame in their grandchildren's eyes if they continue that way of support. We've got to have equal rights for everyone." Source
2/22: Milk screenwriter Dustin Lance Black at the Oscars: "I want to thank my mom, who has always loved me for who I am . . . ," he said. "But most of all, if Harvey had not been taken from us 30 years ago, I think he'd want me to say to all the gay and lesbian kids out there tonight who have been told that they are less than by their churches, by the government or by their families that you are beautiful, wonderful creatures who have value. And that no matter what anyone tells you, God does love you." Source
2/24: Bar associations across California will not be joining the State Bar's annual conference at the Manchester Grand Hyatt, a hotel targeted for boycott by supporters of same-sex marriage and organized labor. Source
2/24: The national president of the NAACP, America's leading civil rights group has said banning gay marriage interferes with a "fundamental freedom." Source
2/25: A state senate committee has added its voice to those in opposition to Prop. 8. Source
2/26: Two of the declared Republican candidates for California governor told the Bay Area Reporter that they oppose same-sex marriage. Source
2/26: State Senator Dennis Hollingsworth (R-Temecula), a strong proponent of Proposition 8 on the November 2008 ballot, maneuvered his way into the leadership of the Republican caucus after state Senator Dave Cogdill (R-Fresno) was ousted for his support of last week's budget deal. Source
2/26: Gay marriage should be treated as any other civil right, said Friday's Live_Online guest, civil rights pioneer Charles Cobb Jr. "If people want to get married, I don't care if they're the same sex," said Cobb. "Not all civil rights are racial." Source
--upcoming events-->
3/3: Laguna Beach: anti-gay marriage supporters are planning a rally outside the city council to protest the city's support of the lawsuit against Prop 8, Laguna Beach. More Info
3/4: Bakersfield: Gathering in two locations. In Delano, gather at the south end of Cecil Avenue Park on Cecil Avenue from 4 to 6 p.m. and in Kernville, gather at Circle Park at 5 p.m. More Info
3/4: Costa Mesa: Gather at the Fairview Community Church, 2525 Fairveiw Road from 5:30 to 7 p.m. More Info
3/4: Delano: Gather at the South End of Cecil Avenue Park on Cecil Avenue [map] from 4-6 pm. More Info
3/4: Fort Bragg: Gather at Town Hall on Main Street and Laurel from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. More Info
3/4: Fresno: Gather outside the Fresno County Clerk's Office at 2221 Kern Street 6 p.m. for a vigil program, recommitment ceremony, speakers and moment of silence. More Info
3/4: Kernville: Gather at Circle Park at 5pm. More Info
3/4: Los Angeles: March Forth on March 4th - Gather at Olvera Street in Downtown from 5-7pm for vigil program, recommittment ceremoney and speakers, walk to CA Supreme Court (Ronald Reagan Building 300 South Spring Street Los Angeles, CA 90013) at 8:00pm for moment of silence More Info
3/4: Modesto: March Forth on March 4th: 7:00 p.m. at 1010 10th Street in Downtown Modesto. Walk to the CourtHouse. Walk kicks off at 7:15ish. Rally at the Courthouse at 7:30 p.m More Info
3/4: Napa: Gather at the United Methodist Church, 625 Randolph Street from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. More Info
3/4: Palm Springs: Gather at Tahquitz Canyon Drive and El Cielo Road in front of the Riverside County Courthouse from 4 to 6 p.m. More Info
3/4: Palo Alto: Corner of Embarcadero & El Camino Real [map] – 6:00pm-7:30pm. More Info
3/4: Riverside: Gather at City Hall at 7 p.m. Sponsored by Inland Empire Equality. More Info
3/4: Roseville: Gather at the Roseville Galleria Mall, 1151 Galleria Blvd from 6 to 7:30 p.m. for a peaceful candlelight vigil. Meet outside the mall entrance between the Cheesecake Factory (next to the JC Penny) and the Nordstroms. More Info
3/4: Sacramento: March Forth on March 4th - A Candlelight Vigil for True Equality More Info
3/4: San Diego: March Forth on March 4th - San Diego will have a community rally with speakers and singing converging on the Hall of Justice at 330 W Broadway, San Diego CA 92101 from 4-6pm . A candle light vigil will then line the streets of Downtown San Diego Starting at 6pm More Info
3/4: San Francisco: March Forth on March 4th - Gather at Market and Castro from 5-6pm for pre-march rally, step off at 6pm, arrive at CA Supreme Court (Civic Center) at 6:30pm for short program More Info
3/4: San Francisco: Campout on the Civic Center lawn in front of the CA Supreme Court. This event is BYOE...Bring Your Own EVERYTHING! Bring your tent, your food, and your quarters for the 25 cent Port-o-Potty! More Info
3/4: San Jose: Gather at the intersection of Winchesterr Boulevard and Stevens Creek Boulevard, at Santanna Row and Valley Fair shopping centers from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for a short progam. More Info
3/4: San Luis Obispo: Gather at the Downtown Center at 888 Marsh Street at 5:30 p.m. for a vigil program, recommitment ceremony, speakers and moment of silence. More Info
3/4: San Mateo: Corner of Hillsdale Blvd & El Camino Real [map] from 6:00pm-7:30pm. More Info
3/4: Santa Barbara: Santa Barbara County Courthouse Sunken Gardens, corner of Anapamu and Anacapa Streets [map] . 5:30-7pm. More Info
3/4: Santa Maria: North-East corner of Main & Broadway [map] . 5:30-7pm. More Info
3/4: Stockton: March Forth on March 4th - 6:00pm meet at First Unitarian Universalist Church, 2737 Pacific Ave Stockton, CA 95204 (209) 466-7743 More Info
3/4: Tuolomne: Meet 6:00 pm at B of A on Stockton Street and march to Courthouse Park for a Candlelight vigil with local ministers hosting prayers. More Info
3/4: Ukiah: Gathering in Ukiah at Alex Thomas Plaza at 6:00 PM for one half hour. More Info
3/4: Ventura: Gather at corner of Victoria and Telephone in front of the Government Center at 6pm. Bring candles and signs. More Info
3/4: Visalia: Gather at 221 S Mooney Blvd (Courthouse lawn) from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for a vigil program, recommitment ceremony, speakers and moment of silence. More Info
3/4: West Hollywood- Gather at Santa Monica and San Vicente at 6 p.m. More Info
3/5: San Francisco: The state Supreme Court has scheduled a March 5 hearing date for oral arguments in a series of lawsuits seeking to overturn Proposition 8. More Info
3/5: San Francisco: In an initiative begun by California college students, and joined by equality groups around the nation, we ask that you join us on March 5th for a moment that will make history! More Info
3/13: Los Angeles: Movie for Equality More Info
3/15: West Hollywood: Dining Out for Equality More Info
3/28: Citrus Heights (Sacramento): Bowling Team to raise money for youth in foster care - building bridges for the glbt community, 1-4:30. RSVP Email
4/3: Palm Springs: At this special reception, contact elected officials about LGBT supportive legislation while having fun before Margaret Cho’s show opens at the Dinah! 5:30 to 7:30 p.m, Sidebar and Patio Lounge. RSVP Email
4/4: Palm Springs: EQCA/NCLR Dinah Brunch, Join Kate Kendell and Geoff Kors at Dinah Shore for our annual brunch, 11 am-1 pm. $100. RSVP Email
4/20: Sacramento: Queer Youth Advocacy Day, State Capitol More Info
5/16-5/17: Long Beach: Pride More Info
5/30: Sacramento: Statewide Rally at Capitol Building to Kick off Pride More Info
6/12-6/14: Los Angeles: Pride More Info
6/27-6/28: San Francisco: Pride More Info
7/18-7/19: San Diego: Pride More Info
11/7-11/8: Palm Springs: Pride More Info
--articles-->
Prop. 8 strategy could backfire, says legal expert, by Martin Wisckol Source
Gay couples await Thursday's Prop. 8 challenge, by Vik Jolly & Chris Caeser Source
Stop hiding behind religion to justify bigotry, by Joseph Glatzer Source
California gay marriage fight echoes past, by Aurelio Rojas Source
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USA, COLORADO:
--news-->
2/23: Debating a gay-rights bill on the floor of the state Senate on Monday, a Republican lawmaker took the rhetoric to new heights by equating homosexuality as a sin with murder. "I'm not saying this (homosexuality) is the only sin that's out there," said Sen. Scott Renfroe, R-Greeley. "We have murder. We have all sorts of sin. We have adultery. And we don't make laws making those legal, and we would never think to make murder legal." Source
2/23: After numerous delays, the Aurora City Council will debate, on Monday, whether to offer insurance benefits to same-sex partners of city employees. Source
2/24: Despite a heated debate in which one Colorado state senator linked homosexuality to murder, the Senate has approved a domestic partner bill. Source
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--upcoming events-->
3/16: Tallahassee: Rally in Tally: 11 am-2 pm. Where to Stay More Info
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--news-->
2/23: Religious leaders supporting civil unions gathered at the state Capitol on Monday, Feb. 23 to back a bill that would legalize same-sex unions in Hawaii. Source
2/24: Thousands of protesters on Sunday voiced their opposition to the controversial civil unions bill in Honolulu. Source
2/26: Hawaii legislators have stalled a proposal to bring same-sex civil unions to the islands, but Democratic leaders plan a bold move to bring the issue to a vote of the full Senate. Source
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USA, IDAHO:
--news-->
2/24: Idaho state Sen. Nicole LeFavour (D) left a Senate committee hearing in tears after a bill she sponsored that would have added protections for gays and lesbians to the Human Rights Act was defeated. Source
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USA, MAINE:
--news-->
2/26: Representatives of Maine's tourism and wedding industries say legislation to allow same-sex marriage would give a lift to the state's economy. Source
--articles-->
Same Sex Marriage Would Boost Maine's Economy, by Melissa Noble Source
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USA, MASSACHUSETTS:
--upcoming events-->
3/8: 4-7 PM, GLAD Winter Party - Join us to hear about the next chapter in our fight for marriage equality! More Info
3/13: Beyond (Straight and Gay) Marriage: Valuing All Families Under the Law, with Nancy Polikoff, Boston More Info
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USA, MICHIGAN
--news-->
2/19: On Feb. 19, the Michigan State Court of Appeals held that a Michigan family court cannot refuse to hear a child custody case simply because it involves children whose parents are lesbians, ruling that there is no gay exception to Michigan's child custody laws. Source
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USA, MONTANA
--news-->
2/26: The Canyon Ferry Road Baptist Church of East Helena isn't obliged to make campaign finance disclosures, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday, because its support for the Montana Marriage Protection Amendment -- use of some printer ink and a foyer table -- was "extremely minimal." Source
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USA, NEW JERSEY
--news-->
2/22: A Monmouth University telephone poll of 402 New Jersey adults conducted earlier this month is saying that 48% of New Jersey residents now favor allowing same-sex marriage, while 43% oppose it. Source
2/27: The future of "gay marriage" in New Jersey may come down to who wins what likely will be a tight gubernatorial race this fall. Source
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USA, NEW MEXICO:
--news-->
2/25: Republicans conducted a push poll to skew the results on opinions about domestic partnerships in the state. Source
2/26: The domestic partnership bill failed 17-25, due in part to the New Mexico Conference of Catholic Bishops, which came out against the bill. Ten democrats betrayed their glbt constituents and voted with the Republicans against the bill. Source
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USA, NEW YORK:
--news-->
2/23: The Broadway community joined forces Monday night in a show of support for same-sex marriage. The special performance, held at Midtown’s Gershwin Theatre, was called "Defying Inequality." Source
2/24: Only 33% of rabbis surveyed said their congregations held programs or events related to gay people. The most popular “program” was marriage equality, eclipsing events like gay pride Shabbat and gay and lesbian havurah groups. Source
--upcoming events-->
5/9: 7:30pm, Off Center will present Are We Tying the Knot Too Tight?: Gains and Losses in the Rush to Normalcy. This moderated panel will address some of the issues the LGBT community faces when dealing with whether and how to support the movement for same-sex marriage, New York More Info
9/9: Family Law Day, In Conjunction with Lavender Law 2009, Brooklyn, NY, Co-sponsored by the National Lesbian & Gay Law Association and the National Family Law Advisory Council of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Brooklyn More Info
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USA, NORTH CAROLINA:
--news-->
2/24: Supporters of a proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage in North Carolina packed a legislative press conference room on Tuesday to announce a push to get the issue out of the General Assembly this year and place it on the ballot this fall. Source
2/25: North Carolina's two Roman Catholic bishops joined dozens of religious leaders, conservative state lawmakers and traditional-values activists seeking an amendment to the state constitution banning gay marriage. Source
2/26: North Carolina state Senator Jim Forrester announced his effort to ban gay marriage by saying, “Moms and dads are not interchangeable.” Forrester introduced Senate Bill 272 on Tuesday. The bill aims to amend North Carolina's state constitution to limit marriage to heterosexual unions and ban any recognition of gay and lesbian couples. Source
2/26: The North Carolina Religious Coalition for Marriage Equality, an interfaith organization consisting of religious leaders from across the state, once again has stated its opposition to a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage. Source
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USA, OKLAHOMA:
--upcoming events-->
3/4: Oklahomans for Equality in Tulsa, OK. will host a candlelight vigil for marriage equality on March 4, 2009. The vigil will take place at the Dennis R Neill Equality Center? located at 621 E. 4th St. (the corner of Kenosha and 4th) Tulsa, OK. 74120. On March 5th we will wear white in solidarity. More Info
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--upcoming events-->
4/27-5/3: Philadelphia: Equality Forum celebrates international gay culture and politics with parties and educational events made possible by more than 75 regional, national and international organizations. More Info
5/3: Philadelphia: National Equality Rally at Independence Hall More Info
USA, RHODE ISLAND:
--news-->
2/23: Last week, the months-old Rhode Island affiliate of the National Organization for Marriage hit the airwaves with a spot that urges listeners to call their state legislators and tell them to: "Stop messing with marriage and get back to work.'' Source
2/26: When Rep. Arthur Handy introduced his version of the same-sex marriage bill up for debate at the State House tonight, he had three co-sponsors. The revived bill he introduced yesterday carried the names of 30 of the 75 House members. Source
2/26: Five hours of testimony over two gay marriage bills in the Rhode Island Legislature – one backing, the other prohibiting – produced heated discussions last night. Source
--articles-->
R.I.'s dueling same-sex marriage bills elicit personal stories, by Katherine Gregg Source
Gay Marriage Needs a Vote, NYT Editorial Board Source
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USA, TENNESSEE:
--upcoming events-->
3/1: Anti-gay marriage groups are organizing churches for a rally. More Info
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USA, TEXAS:
--news-->
2/26: Representatives from two local LGBT organizations said this week they’re pleased with the outcome of a recent meeting with the president of Cinemark Theatres to discuss the fallout from CEO Alan Stock’s contribution of $9,999 to Yes on 8. Source
--upcoming events-->
3/2: Marriage Lobby Day, 8 AM-4 PM More Info
3/7: Dallas: Queer Liberaction rally following Prop 8 hearing, meet at the Grassy Knoll, 2 PM. More Info
Ongoing: Dallas: Queer Liberaction meetings, 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at Buli Cafe, located at 3908 Cedar Springs. Meetings start at 7 pm. More Info
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USA, UTAH:
--news-->
2/22: Controversial Sen. Chris Buttars was stripped of his Senate committee posts not because he went on an anti-gay tirade in an interview with a documentary filmmaker but because the West Jordan Republican broke a deal with Senate leaders not to talk about gay issues. Source
2/26: An inflammatory e-mail circulating around the country saying Salt Lake City police officers are preparing for up to 200,000 protesters during the LDS General Conference in April is apparently a fraud. Source
2/27: A Salt Lake City area man has a unique proposal to counter what he sees as growing homophobia among Utah politicians - a statue to Harvey Milk at the Utah Capitol. Source
2/27: A California gay-rights group announced Friday it is formally ending a boycott of one of Utah's most high-profile car dealerships. Source
--articles-->
What's up with all these gay Mormons? by Mike Szymanski Source
The New "Social Conservatives": Mormons On The Attack! by Daniel Vojir Source
Gay-rights group planning '09 drives, by Aaron Falk Source
Herald Poll: Should Buttars be silenced? Daily Herald Editorial Board Source
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USA, WEST VIRGINIA:
--news-->
2/27: A recent poll by Greenberg, Quinlan, Rosner Research found that 77% of Wisconsin voters support some recognition of gay couples. Only 20% felt that "there should be no legal recognition of a relationship between gay and lesbian couples." Source
2/27: West Virginia officials maintain there is no need to consider legislation being promoted by a conservative lobbying group that would ban same-sex marriages in the state. Source
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USA, WISCONSIN:
--news-->
2/22: Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle said his budget proposal to allow domestic partner registrations in Wisconsin wouldn't establish relationships that resemble marriage but would simply give same-sex couples some basic legal protections. Source
2/25: The Family Research Council and other gay marriage ban supporters are looking into whether Gov. Jim Doyle's domestic partner budget proposal violates the constitutional amendment, after calling concerns that it would be used to prevent such benefits "absurd" when campaigning for the ban in 2006. Source
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fini
posted by Mark & Scott at
3/01/2009 07:12:00 AM
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