WV: GOP Trying to Force Gay Marriage Ban Vote

Earlier this month I reported that GOP House lawmakers in West Virginia were planning a "drastic" parliamentary move to force votes on a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. Looks like it could happen this week.

The Charleston Gazette reports: "House Republicans plan a series of procedural motions this week to force floor votes on proposals they say Democrats have allowed to die in committees. Those include a resolution (HJR5) that calls for a statewide referendum on whether to amend the constitution to define marriage, and a proposal (HJR104) to boost tax breaks for elderly and disabled people."

A move to force the tax measure failed on Monday.

Full Story from Towleroad.com
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Mexico: Marriage Equality Opponents Collecting Signatures to Send to Legislature

Various civil and religious associations of Mexico, united under the organization "Man+Woman=Marriage," are working to collect 50,000 online signatures from Mexican voters in order to stop the recently-approved law allowing gays & lesbians to marry and adopt children. Guillermo de Jesus Torres Quiroz, organizer of the project, said the initiative "aims to protect children, whose rights will be harmed by the adoption of homosexual couples instead of by a family consisting of a father and mother."

The signatures will be delivered to the Mexico City Legislative Assembly. "We soon hope to present a plan to stop this reform that goes against the institution of the family." The organizer added that they have had a good response so far.

Torres Quiroz said the petition will be delivered to the Legislative Assembly, where officials will review it to verify that it fulfills the legal requirements for such an initiative. Mexico City law states that a petition can be presented to the Legislative Assembly if it has been signed by 0.5 percent of the electorate.

Full Story from CNA
Click here for gay marriage resources in Mexico.
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IA: 167 Faith Leaders Sign Letter in Support of Marriage Equality

More than 160 faith leaders are weighing in on gay marriage, saying they support such unions and disagree with those who cite the Bible in raising objections. The 167 people, who represent a number of faiths, held a Statehouse news conference Tuesday to argue that unions based on love "must be honored."

The issue has been heated since the Iowa Supreme Court last spring struck down a state law banning gay marriage.

Speakers noted they base their support of same-sex marriage rights on the Bible, although they acknowledge many opponents cite the Bible as the reason for their opposition.

Full Story from the Globe Gazette
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IA: 62% Say Gay Marriage Not Worthy of Legislators' Time

A majority of Iowans think the issue of gay marriage doesn't deserve lawmakers' limited time. Among six hot-button topics, a new Iowa Poll shows a majority of Iowans consider only a ban on text messaging while driving worth the Legislature's time during a session shortened by 20 days to cut costs. Iowans are not enthusiastic about devoting time to debates on gay marriage, puppy mills, gun control, payday loans or gambling.

The Democrats who control what comes up for a vote say budget issues will dominate the 2010 session as the recession continues to pinch state revenues. But lawmakers have introduced hundreds of bills on other topics.

Friday marks the first so-called funnel, a deadline that winnows the workload by letting some bills move forward and others die.

Full Story from the Des Moines Register
Click here for gay marriage resources in Iowa.
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UT: Lawmakers Put Off Anti Discrimination Legislation for a Year

Utah lawmakers will not consider a law that would ban discrimination against gay men and lesbians in the workplace and in housing, and will instead spend the next year studying the issue, key lawmakers said Friday. In exchange, opponents of gay-rights legislation will drop any effort to prevent local governments from passing their own nondiscrimination laws this legislative session.

Gay-rights advocates had hoped to build on recent momentum created by the Salt Lake City Council, which passed nondiscrimination ordinances last year. Those ordinances passed after The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said it would support the measures.

In Utah, few law changes occur if the church disapproves. More than 80 percent of state lawmakers are Mormon, including Gov. Gary Herbert, a Republican.

Full Story from the NY Times
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FL: Legislature to Consider Domestic Partner Registry

Florida legislators were urged this afternoon to enact pro-family legislation creating a statewide domestic partnership registry. Once enacted, the legislation would provide unmarried couples many of the benefits provided by the state to married couples.

Palm Beach County Human Rights Council President Rand Hoch addressed legislators at the final public hearing prior to the opening of the Florida legislature in March.

"Many couples choose not to marry so that they may preserve their social security, pension, and veterans benefits," said Rand Hoch, President of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council.
"However marriage is not an option for gay and lesbian Floridians in committed relationships."

Full Story from Out in America
Click here for gay marriage resources in Florida.
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HI: Civil Union Vote Friday?

It was the most dramatic vote of last year's Legislature, and it resolved nothing: The impassioned debate at the Capitol over civil unions and gay marriage is back this week. "It is my understanding that it will be put on the Order of the Day (agenda) Thursday and put it up for a vote on Friday," said Sen. Brian Taniguchi, chairman of the Judiciary Committee. The bill was stalled in his committee with three committee members in favor and three against the bill, when it was yanked onto the Senate floor last year. It was high political drama because the bill to legalize civil unions between same-sex partners had already passed the House. Just 13 yes votes and the historic measure would go to Gov. Linda Lingle. But the Senate blinked, amending the bill and promising to come back and try again. That time is this session. Full Story from the Star Bulletin

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HI: Legislature to Vote on Civil Unions Bill Shortly

When Hawaii legislators reconvene on Wednesday, all eyes will be focused not on teacher furloughs that resulted in the nation's shortest school year or the state's $1 billion budget deficit, but legislation that would allow same-sex couples to form civil unions. The measure would grant gay couples the rights and benefits the state provides to married couples and is among a handful of similar proposals that could pop up in several other states. At the same time, a federal judge in San Francisco is considering the constitutionality of California's same-sex marriage ban. "This bill has already been voted on, so there isn't as much convincing to do anymore," said Alan Spector of Equality Hawaii, a leading supporter of the bill. "I think (legislators) get the substance of the bill and the need for the bill." Last year, the proposal easily won preliminary passage in the Legislature, but stalled in May after opponents lobbied and held a state Capitol rally attended by several thousand protesters. Full Story from The Washington Post

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TN: Legislature Likely to Consider Gay Marriage/Civil Union Ban This Year

As the Tennessee General Assembly reconvenes this month, the state’s LGBT political leaders say that from adoption rights to discrimination issues, there will be many bills worth watching. Despite wins in Memphis and Nashville for the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity in nondiscrimination policies, the political landscape remains fairly inhospitable for many LGBT concerns. With an election looming in the fall and enormous budgetary issues that will likely dominate the session, it’s unclear what traction bills favorable to the community might gain. ... Hot-button debates are likely to occur over a proposed adoption ban for unmarried couples, which has been seen as a back-door way to disallow gay men and lesbians to adopt, as well as civil-union legislation that would preemptively ban not only gay marriage but also any other type of union with legal ramifications. In an election year, and with a body whose conservative majority is seeking to expand its presence, those bills are a given, said Christopher Sanders, TEP’s chair. Full Story from Out & About: http://www.outandaboutnewspaper.com/article/3805

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NJ: No Sign of Gay Marriage on the Agenda

The push to legalize gay marriage in New Jersey could fail without a vote being cast in the Legislature. While the likelihood of a vote has yet to be determined, opponents of gay marriage are preparing to declare the measure dead while advocates insist there's still time to pass a law before the governor switch next month. Gov. Jon Corzine, a Democrat, says he'd sign the bill if lawmakers can get it to his desk while he's still in office. At noon Jan. 19, he'll be replaced by Republican Chris Christie, who says he would veto the bill. Gay marriage is recognized in four states: Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts and Vermont. A law to legalize it in New Hampshire takes effect Friday. The Washington, D.C., City Council voted last month to legalize gay marriage, but that law is still subject to congressional approval. Full Story from the Courier Post Online: http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20091231/NEWS01/912310331/1006

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IA: Pro and Anti Gay Marriage Groups Plan Rallies

Both sides of the gay marriage issue are planning events for the start of the new legislative session in January. The Iowa Family Policy Center announced Monday it will hold a two-day event beginning at the state capitol on the second day of the legislative session January 12th. Center spokesman, Brian English, says the event if called “Two Days For Marriage.” He says, “The 12th is an opportunity for the people of Iowa who support marriage, the only definition of marriage, which is one man and one woman, and or the constitutional separation of powers, to come together at the capitol building when all three branches of government are in the same place at the same time.” English says it is a show of solidarity asking the elected leaders to let Iowans vote on the Iowa marriage amendment. The Iowa Supreme Court ruled in April that the state’s ban on same-sex marriage violated the state constitution, and Democrats who control legislative debate say they will not allow a vote on a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. English says they encourage everyone to turn out and tell the elected leaders to allow a vote on the amendment. Full Story from Radio Iowa: http://www.radioiowa.com/2009/12/29/groups-on-both-sides-of-gay-marriage-plan-events-for-legislatures-opening/

Click here for gay marriage resources in Iowa.

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IL: Legislature Puts Off Civil Unions Debate 6 Months

Gays and lesbians can go ahead and scratch Civil Unions off their holiday wish list this season, as a Nov. 30 deadline for moving on Civil Unions legislation passed with almost no action by the Democratic-controlled Illinois legislature — except to create a new deadline nearly half a year away. The fact that the deadline was missed comes as no surprise, considering the state legislature has been adjourned for weeks and is not scheduled to meet again until Jan. 12. Still, this is just one more turn in a complex holding pattern the state Democrats have locked this bill into.The Nov. 30 deadline was set near the end of the Spring legislative session. For months prior to that, the state House had sat on HB2234, a Civil Unions bill proposed by Rep. Greg Harris, an openly gay Democrat serving Chicago’s North Side. Then all the sudden on May 26, there was a political earthquake in California. The California Supreme Court upheld Proposition 8, a controversial ballot initiative that banned gay marriage in the state. Gays and lesbians throughout the nation were stunned, frustrated, even angry. In Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, the heart of Chicago’s gay community, protesters gathered on the streets and demanded justice. Full Story from the Independent Political Report: http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/2009/12/in-illinois-and-ny-democratic-electeds-put-off-lgbt-rightsagain/

Click here for gay marriage resources in Illinois.

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NJ: Voters Now Against Gay Marriage Bill 49% to 46%

New Jersey voters oppose gay marriage legislation by a slim margin, according to a poll released this morning by Quinnipiac. The poll, conducted between Nov. 17 and Nov. 22, found that 49 percent of adult residents are opposed to giving gay couples the right to marry while 46 percent are in favor of it. Six percent were undecided. A large crowd, some with signs, gathers at the New Jersey Statehouse Monday in Trenton in support of proposed legislation legalizing same sex marriage. A poll conducted by Quinnipiac earlier this year had almost the opposite results -- 49 percent of voters supported gay marriage while 43 percent did not. “When we asked about gay marriage in April, it won narrow approval. Now that it seems closer to a legislative vote, it loses narrowly with the public,” said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. Full Story from NJ.com: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/11/nj_poll_shows_opposition_to_ga.html

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NJ: Legislature Stalling on Gay Marriage

The New Jersey Legislature kicked off the lame duck session Monday with Democrats picking new leaders but both houses failing to advance a gay marriage bill that will die with the Republican governor-elect unless it's signed before his Jan. 19 inauguration. South Jersey Sen. Steve Sweeney beat out Sen. Dick Codey for the Senate presidency, the chamber's most powerful post. Sen. Barbara Buono of Edison was selected majority leader. Assemblywoman Sheila Oliver of East Orange will become the first African-American woman to be Assembly speaker, succeeding Joe Roberts, who is stepping down. Assemblyman Joe Cryan of Union was chosen majority leader in the Assembly. Full Story from 1010wins: http://www.1010wins.com/NJ-Legislature-Readies-for-Leadership-Changes/5738491

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New Hampshire Legislature May Reconsider Gay Marriage in 2010

Now that gay marriage has been defeated in Maine, attention again shifts to New Hampshire, where lawmakers say momentum from Tuesday's vote may fuel legislation to repeal the state's law and give voters a say. Two proposals are being drafted in the N.H. House: One would repeal the law Gov. John Lynch signed in June and re-establish civil unions; the other is a constitutional amendment that would charge voters with deciding if "the state shall only recognize the union of one man and one woman as marriage." Supporters of same-sex marriage are strategizing and gearing up for a fight, said Rep. Jim Splaine, D-Portsmouth, who sponsored the gay marriage law. He said momentum doesn't rest with gay-marriage foes. Full Story from Fosters.com: http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091105/GJNEWS_01/711059674

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources in New Hampshire.

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RI Legislature Sends Gay Funeral Planning Bill to Governor

Gays in Rhode Island would get the right to plan the funerals of their late partners under a bill heading to Gov. Don Carcieri's desk. The legislation approved Thursday by the state Senate would give gay men and women the same right to plan the funerals of their partners as if they were married. Rhode Island is the only New England state that does not recognize gay marriage. It would also allow the medical examiner to release a body to the late person's domestic partner. Full Story from WJTV: http://www2.wjtv.com/jtv/ap_exchange/special_-_medical/article/RiLawmakersBackFuneralPlanningRightsForGaysRi/49888/

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources in Rhode Island.

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New York Governor Convening Special Session November 10th to Vote on Budget, Gay Marriage, More

Governor David Paterson announced Sunday that he is convening the state Legislature on November 10 to address New York's growing budget deficit. Before the extraordinary legislative session, Paterson is holding a public leaders meeting in the city this Thursday. The governor will address the leaders of the State Senate and Assembly on November 9 in Albany to outline what he feels the state needs to do to ensure long-term fiscal stability. Full Story from NY1: http://ny1.com/7-brooklyn-news-content/news_beats/politics/107896/paterson-to-convene-special-budget-session/

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources in New York.

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Is Illinois Senator Stearns' Gay Marriage Bill a "Stunt" to Help Re-election?

The timing of a gay marriage bill introduced in the Illinois Senate Thursday is drawing more attention than the issue of gay marriage. If approved, Illinois State Senator Heather Steans' Equal Marriage Act would legalize gay marriage in the Land of Lincoln. Assemblyman Greg Harris introduced his Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act in January. Steans has called her senate version a companion bill to Harris'. But considering the 96th Illinois General Assembly is in its final throes and Harris' bill has languished in the Rules Committee, political opponents – gay and straight – are questioning Steans' political motivations. Her openly gay opponent Jim Madigan called the bill's introduction a “publicity stunt” to attract gay voters from Chicago's gay neighborhood of “Boys Town,” which is included in the 7th District she represents. Full Story from On Top Magazine: http://ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=4636&MediaType=1&Category=26

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources in Illinois.

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