HI: Anti Gay Protesters Rally Ahead of Civil Unions Vote

Social conservatives in Hawaii held a large rally Sunday at the State Capitol to protest a bill that would recognize gay couples with civil unions. The bill ran aground during last year's legislative session after over 6,000 anti-gay protesters stormed the Capitol the Sunday before a key Senate committee vote. The bill deadlocked on a 3-3 vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee. The final tally came after a grueling 18 hour marathon hearing that ended at 3AM. Six senators voted in favor of pulling the bill from committee and putting it up for a vote, but the effort fell short of the 9 votes needed to move the bill. A second effort just days before the end of the legislative session succeeded in retrieving the bill. Senators quickly amended the bill to include both gay and straight couples but the session ended without a vote on the measure. The amended bill needs the approval of both chambers of the Legislature to move to the governor's desk. Previously, the House approved the original bill on a 33 to 17 vote. Full Story from On Top Magazine

Click here for gay marriage resources in Hawaii.

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ME: Gay Marriage Advocates Work to Add Friendly Legislators in 2010

Maine gay marriage advocates have regrouped following repeal of the gay marriage law at the ballot Nov. 3, and they are working to put like-minded legislators in office in 2010. They also are planning to take a more personal approach with voters than they did in the months leading up to November — an approach that focuses less on identifying likely voters than it does on having conversations with people in the more rural, small-town pockets of Maine. Lane Williamson of Kittery, who led the southern York County NO on 1 voting effort in November, said that was the outcome of a recent community meeting held by Equality Maine in Ogunquit — one of a number of such meetings Equality Maine held throughout the state in the past month. Dorian Cole, communications director of Equality Maine, said no decision has been made about how the campaign will proceed with a new gay marriage initiative. Advocates could seek legislation through either a bill or a citizen's initiative, seek redress in the courts or alternatives such as civil unions. Full Story from Seacoast Online: http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091221/NEWS/912210329/-1/NEWSMAP

Click here for gay marriage resources in Maine.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook - just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you'll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We're also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

NJ: Proponents and Opponents of Gay Marriage Bill Pickett Legislators' Homes

With proponents and opponents of the same-sex marriage legislation picketing the homes, and work places of state legislators or school events involving their children, Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen), a prime sponsor of the measure, Thursday asked for everybody involved to get a grip on themselves. "I have been working hard to achieve passage of my legislation granting full marriage rights to same-sex couples,'' Weinberg said in Trenton. "While I understand that passions are running high on both sides of this issue, I would ask advocates to maintain the civil and courteous tone that has been established by legislators during these discussions. Matt Reilly, a spokesman for the Senate Democrats, said legislators have been confronted while attending school events with family members. Full Story from NJ Newsroom: http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/state/new-jersey-legislators-have-homes-workplaces-picketed-over-same-sex-marriage-bill

Click here for gay marriage resources in New Jersey.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook - just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you'll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We're also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.