WV: NOM Leads Small Rally Demanding Gay Marriage Vote

Frustrated by what they see as legislative indifference, about 150 people rallied at the state Capitol Thursday to a demand a statewide referendum aimed at reserving marriage for heterosexual couples. The Family Policy Council of West Virginia, which organized the rally, has set its hopes on a measure in the Senate that would allow a referendum to amend the state constitution defining marriage as between a man and a woman.

A similar measure has been bottled up in a House of Delegates committee, and Republicans there failed this week in an attempt to use a parliamentary procedure to force a vote on it. Jeremy Dys, executive director of the council, opposed the Republicans' effort, saying the maneuvering makes a partisan issue of something that has broad support among West Virginians.

Such wrangling was far from the minds of many who turned up to hear speakers from national groups warn of the dangers to traditional marriage, as snow fell and temperatures hovered in the 20s.

Full Story from the Charleston Daily Mail
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WV: Democrats Block Republican Attempt to Ban Gay Marriage

Democrats in West Virginia have blocked a measure that would limit marriage to a heterosexual union in the state's constitution from reaching the House floor, the Charleston Gazette reported.
House resolution HJR5 stalled out in committee, but Republicans on Tuesday attempted to wrench the measure out of committee and bring the proposal to the House floor for a vote.

Only one Democrat, Delegate Tom Louisos of Fayette, crossed the aisle to join Republicans in the effort.

“Once again, through a procedural motion, [debate] has been blocked,” House Minority Leader Tim Armstead, a Kanawha Republican and cosponsor of the measure, said.

Full Story from On Top Magazine
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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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WV: House Committee Blocks GOP Anti Gay Marriage Amendment Bill

The West Virginia legislative session reached its halfway point Thursday, and lawmakers have fulfilled predictions that they would be taking it slow this year.

...

The primary election in May and the November general election typically make legislators reluctant to raise contentious issues. But that hasn't stopped some from trying.

The House Constitutional Revision Committee voted 6-19 Wednesday to reject a GOP-led bid to force an anti-gay marriage proposal onto the agenda. The measure seeks to ask voters to amend the state constitution and define marriage as being between one man and one woman. Supporters of that proposal have not ruled out further attempts to advance it.

Full Story from Forbes
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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.