Gay Marriage Watch: June 15th-June 22nd
In addition to the news of the week, we've added links to some great articles and columns from the last seven days, and of course you'll also find our ongoing recap of gay marriage happenings worldwide. 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.
--Scott
This Week's Woody Award:
This week's Woody award honors goes to Jim Bradford, who in a letter to the editor at the Citizen in Fayetteville, Georgia, who disses gay marriage by recounting how two gay soldiers in Vietnam almost got his men killed: "One night in May 1970, I was sound asleep in Vietnam [while] two homosexual men abandoned their guard posts to engage in oral sex. Our compound was almost overrun because these lustful, weak gay men could not control their lust." You can almost hear the scorn dripping from this man's words. Like straight lust never got anyone killed in wartime? A beautiful example of right-wing logic. Enjoy your woody, Mr. Bradford. Runner up goes to the Wake Up America blog for riding their prejudice down the slippery slope that exists in the imaginations of the right wing. Yeah, now that we have gay marriage, we're gonna let brothers marry each other, polygamy, marriage to your split personality. Settle down, Mister Wakeup. We've got enough crazy here already.
6/16/08:
Ireland: Ireland’s Catholic bishops have restated their opposition to gay marriage today, claiming that “sexual differentiation is intrinsic to our understanding of the sacrament of marriage”. Source
United Kingdom, England: The New Zealand priest whose gay wedding ceremony has fuelled a row that threatens to split the Anglican Church in Britain has surrendered his own licence to officiate. Source
USA, California: A number of California counties began marrying same sex couples today at 5:01 PM, including the wedding of Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon at San Francisco City Hall. Source
USA, California: Kern County, Calaveras County, and Butte County have completely stopped performing weddings because of the State Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriages. Source
USA, California: Muslims ask Catholics to support them in opposition to gay marriage. Source
USA, New York: A new survey of NY voters showed that concerns about gay marriage and other social issues were taking a back seat to worries about the economy. Source
6/17/08:
United Kingdom, England: The Vicar who performed the wedding of two Anglican priests has no regrets. SourceNorway: The Parliament gave final approval to gay marriage in Norway. Source
USA, Arizona: "About two-thirds of the people in Arizona support partners of gay rights getting the same rights as married couples, but it probably runs 55-45 against gay marriage itself," say ASU Cronkite School- KAET pollster Bruce Merrill. SourceUSA, California: Gay couples from across America are now taking part in wedding ceremonies in California after the Californian Supreme Court approved gay marriage. Today, all California counties have to begin issuing marriage licenses to same sex couples. Source
USA, California: Star Trek actor George Takei got a marriage license Tuesday to wed his gay partner in California. Source
USA, California: An appeals court has rejected a conservative group's latest effort to stop gay marriages in California before the November election. The Liberty Council had asked a state appeals court to block same-sex weddings until voters could decide the issue on the November ballot. Source
USA, California: Donald Pile and Ray Williams, who many know as the "Gay Travelers" and for their syndicated column, "Traveling in Our Fabulous World" were legally married in Palm Springs on June 17. Source
USA, Oregon: Opponents of two Oregon LGBT rights laws are giving up their fight to have a repeal measure placed on November's ballot, but say they may try to have it placed before voters in 2010. Source
6/18/08:
Kmart Senior VP-Chief Marketing Officer Bill Stewart is leaving the company to become a full-time volunteer on a campaign to protect gay marriage in California, the company said. SourceSpain: The Partido Popular managers are trying to get agreement in the party on the subject of gay marriage, to avoid any debate or vote on the matter at the party’s congress which is about to get underway in Valencia on 6/20. Source
USA, Oregon: Oregon Republican Sen. Gordon Smith has apologized for comments he made last week linking the debate over same-sex marriage to the polygamy of his Mormon ancestors. Source
USA, Maryland: Experts said they believe that couples who get married under California's new same-sex marriage law would be honored as legal in Maryland. Source
6/19/08:
TR Knight and his partner do not plan to marry... yet - the couple has only been together 6 months. SourceAustralia: The Australian Democrats have accused opposition parties of homophobia after they used their Senate majority to delay legislation on same-sex discrimination. Source
Brazil: Luiz Inácio Lula da Silv, the president of Brazil who is better known as Lula, was the first head of state to ever hold a national conference to promote LGBT rights this month. He called homophobia a "peverse disease" and plans to "do all that is possible so that the criminalization of homophobia and [the legalization of] the civil union may be approved." Source
USA: The plight of a Vermont couple has led to the federal government ruling that the Social Security Administration must extend benefits to the nonbiological children of partners in same-sex unions. Source
USA, California: At least 14 employees in the San Diego County Clerk's Office raised religious objections to performing gay wedding ceremonies but were told by their boss they couldn't pick and choose between marriage applicants. Source
USA, New Jersey: New Jersey could boost its economy by more than half a billion dollars over the next three years by promptly legalizing same-sex marriage, a California law professor told a state commission yesterday. Source
USA, Maine: An evangelical group has abandoned its campaign to overturn Maine's law protecting gays and lesbians from discrimination, days after California began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Source
6/20/08:
George Michael, who kicked off his North American tour in San Diego on Tuesday, calls California's legalization of gay marriage "fantastic." SourceNew Zealand: The marriage of two gay priests in the UK last month is not actually the first of its kind, according to a Wellington pastor who says he married his male lover in a London Anglican church over twenty years ago. Source
USA, Arizona: As the legislative session draws to a close on 6/30, chances are slim that an anti-gay-marriage bill will be passed by the legislature for the November ballo. Republicans have been unable to gather enough members at once in the AZ senate for a vote. Source
USA, California: Gay-rights advocates asked the California Supreme Court on Friday to remove a proposed state constitutional ban on same-sex marriage from the November ballot, saying it would destroy fundamental rights that cannot be legally altered by a voter initiative. Source
USA, Florida: The Florida Professional Firefighters union is joining the campaign to stop Amendment 2, the Florida Marriage Protection Amendment. Source
USA, New York: Bishop William Murphy has criticized New York Governor David A. Paterson for ignoring the democratic process in order to recognize same-sex “marriages” in the state and for acting contrary of the common good of the state. Source
USA, California: The Los Angeles Times reports more than 2,700 marriage licenses were issued by the state between 5:01 p.m. on Monday and the close of business Tuesday (gay/straight), more than in a typical week. Source
USA, California: Rumors resurface that Republican Gov. Charlie Crist, a possible McCain VP pick and perpetual bachelor, is gay. Source
USA, New Jersey: LGBT rights activists are stepping up their pressure on New Jersey lawmakers to take up legislation that would convert the state's civil unions law to provide for marriage. Source
USA, New Jersey: New Jersey congressman Steve Rothman announced this week that he supports the legalization of same-sex marriage, according to the Bergen Record. Source
USA, Ohio: A woman trying to use Ohio's gay marriage ban to end a child-custody arrangement with her former partner has lost an appeal on a technicality. Source
6/21/08:
Christine Chavez, granddaughter of Cesar Chavez, says her grandfather would have supported marriage equality for gay couples. SourceAustralia, Tasmania: Tasmania has picked up the baton of same sex marriage, with the Greens to introduce an enabling bill into the Senate's parliament. Source
Ireland: The Union of Students (USI) last night urged for a push for equal marriage rights for gay and lesbian citizens ahead of today’s Dublin Pride Parade. Source
USA, Florida: Unitarian Universalists will gather in Ft. Lauderdale next week to discuss social issues, including gay marriage. Source
Great Articles/Columns Last Week:
^ Why are Texans afraid of gay marriage? by MichaelDH
^ Changing Views on Gay Marriage, by CBS News
^ Path to the Altar: Stories of people in same sex marriage fight, by Howard Mintz, Mary Anne Olstrom, & Mike Swift
^ Snapshots of marriage events in California, by Malia Wollan
^ Bush, McCain Wed in Californial Few Surprised, by Lee Stranahan
^ Celebrating the Right NOT to Marry, by Chris Jensen
^ No Gay marriage in California for Military Personnel, by Carlos Santoscoy
^ Same-sex marriage could be bad for AIDS patients, by Roger Brigham
^ A Civil Right, by Newsreview.com
^ View of Gay Marriage Changes when It's Personal, by Newsreview.com
^ Gay Marriage is Good for America, by Jonathan Ruach
^ Gay Marriage for All (love the title), by Brandon Marcus
^ Kmiec Off the Deep End, by Ed Brayton
History by Region:
ANDORRA:
Legal Status: Civil Unions
ARGENTINA
Legal Status: Civil Unions (some areas)
The Story So Far: Two of Argentina's gay rights leaders got married in mid January in Madrid in defiance of their country's ban on gay marriage. In early March, new President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner supports the legalization of same-sex marriage. On 3/17, Bishop Ruben Oscar Frassia declared his displeasure with the effort to make gay marriage equal to straight marriage. On 5/22, a bill legalizing same-sex marriage was informally presented to Argentina’s Congress by the head of the National Institute Against Discrimination, Xenophobia and Racism.
AUSTRALIA
Legal Status: No Federal Recognition; Some Local Domestic Partner
Australia Gay Wedding Vendors
The Story So Far: In mid January, Greens MP Lee Riannon promised to introduce civil unions legislation in State Parliament later this year. On 3/14, the Lower House in the Province of Victoria passed legislation by a 54 to 24 vote to allow GLBT couples to register as domestic partners, allowing them easier access to entitlements that require proof of relationship - the bill is likely to be debated on 4/8 or 4/15, where it is expected it to pass. The cities of Melbourne and Yarra already have city-based registries. 4/8: The Australian Government proposed a "roaming registrar" who would complete the paperwork for any commitment ceremony a couple chooses to perform to get around conservative protests about recognizing gay unions in any way like "real" marriages. 4/30: The federal government announced they would make changes in close to 100 laws that discriminate against gay couples, but would not change marriage law. On 5/7, The Federal Government backed away from Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's promise not to interfere with local action to enact civil unions legislation, and forced the ACT to back down and offer a watered down version of civil unions, specifically banning legal recognition of any ceremony held by same sex couples. On 5/9, The ACT passed watered-down civil unions legislation that will not allow same sex couples to have official ceremonies. On 6/4, The ironically-named Liberal party was trying to slow down legislation to give gay and lesbian couples more rights, afraid it would lead to a repeal of the country's same sex marriage ban.
BELGIUM
Legal Status: Gay Marriage
BRAZIL
Legal Status: Civil Unions (some areas)
Brazil Gay Wedding Vendors
The Story So Far: 4/10: 39% of Brazillians currently favor civil unions for same sex couples, while 45% are opposed, according to a recent poll.
CANADA
Legal Status: Gay Marriage
Canada Gay Wedding Vendors
The Story So Far: On 4/4, news came out that Conservative MP Tom Lukiwski, who fought against gay marriage in '04, called gays "homosexual faggots with dirt under their fingernails that transmit diseases." He apologized but has not resigned. On 5/16, A Canadian Lutheran church proceeded with plans to ordain a gay pastor who is married to another man, despite warnings it would be violating church teachings and would be disciplined. On 5/21, Prince Edward Island becomes the last province in Canada to change its laws to officially allow same sex marriage. On 5/29, The Federal Court of Appeal rejected the legal challenge of a longtime public servant who wanted her $800 annual union dues diverted to her church to protest the union's support for gay marriage and its zero tolerance against "homophobia" and "heterosexism." On 6/1, Saskatchewan's civil marriage commissioners were directed to abide by the law and perform same-sex marriage ceremonies after a human rights tribunal fined a Regina commissioner $2,500 for discriminating against a gay couple.
CAYMAN ISLANDS
Legal Status: n/a
The Story So Far: 5/15: The Cayman Islands will noy accept gay partnerships, government says. On 6/12, Leader of the Opposition McKeeva Bush filed a Private Members Motion proposing an amendment to the Marriage Law that would define marriage in the Cayman Islands as being between a man and woman. Source
CHINA
Legal Status: n/a
The Story So Far: In Hong Kong, a High Court judge rejected the state Broadcasting Authority's censure of a 2006 program about a gay couple and a lesbian couple as "an impermissible restriction on the freedom of speech." Source
COLUMBIA
Legal Status: Civil Unions
CROATIA
Legal Status: Civil Unions
CUBA
Legal Status: n/a
The Story So Far: In early February in Cuba, a member of the ruling Politburo came out in support of gay marriage. The legislation is being championed by Mariela Castro, head of the Nat'l Center for Sex Education and Raul Castro's daughter. On 3/28, Cuban lawmakers announce their intention to vote on legislation that would grant domestic partnerships and other rights to same sex couples. On 5/17, there was another report that Cuba is considering the legalization of gay marriage.
CZECH REPUBLIC
Legal Status: Domestic Partnerships
The Story So Far: Nearly 500 couples register their partnerships in the first year.
DENMARK
Legal Status: Civil Unions
ECUADOR
Legal Status: n/a
The Story So Far: On 4/10, President Rafael Correa promised to enact legislation to protect same sex couples, but will not go as far as marriage. On 6/13, The government proposed constitutional changes that would remove the word “God” from the nation’s constitution and legalise abortion and gay marriage.
EGYPT
Legal Status: n/a
The Story So Far: 4/9: Five men were sentenced to 3 years each in prison for "debauchery", the legal euphemism in Egypt for homosexuality. They joined four other men sentenced to a year each in February. Source
FINLAND
Legal Status: Civil Unions
FRANCE
Legal Status: Civil Unions
France Gay Wedding Vendors
The Story So Far: A Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) hearing on the legal recognition of same-sex partnerships took place in Paris on 3/7/08 - and while some committee members expressed predictably homophobic views, the committee decided to merge issues of freedom of assembly, recognition of same sex partnerships, and discrimination into a single report. On 5/28, one of Europe's most high-profile gay politicians has indicated he is ready to run for leader of France's Parti Socialiste and possibly the Presidency.
GAMBIA
Legal Status: n/a
The Story So Far: On 4/4/08, President Jammeh said his country has zero tolerance for gay marriage. On 5/20, Jammeh gave gay men and lesbians 24 hours to leave the country, threatening them with beheading.
GERMANY
Legal Status: Civil Unions
GREECE
Legal Status: n/a
The Story So Far: Late March: A lesbian couple planned to be civilly married, exploiting a loophole in Greek law that does not specify that a civil union must be between a man and a woman. On 4/2, the Greek government announced it was considering a civil unions law for later in 2008. On 4/4, the Greek Orthodox Church came out against it, calling civil marriages "fornication". On 5/30, Greece's top public prosecutor on Friday moved to block a gay marriage ceremony after a mayor on a tiny Greek island said he was willing to perform one. On 6/4, The mayor faced possible prosecution after conducting Greece's first same-sex weddings.
HUNGARY
Legal Status: Civil Unions
ICELAND
Legal Status: Civil Unions
IRELAND
Legal Status: n/a
The Story So Far: In January, Equality Minister Sean Power announced that Ireland will pass legislation in the spring to allow civil unions, and to recognize same sex marriages and civil unions performed elsewhere, by summer. In early March, the government started work on the legislation. A new poll on 4/1 showed 58% of Ireland's citizens support gay marriage, while 84% support civil unions. On 4/3, Ireland's cabinet announced plans to consider the new civil partnership bill the next week. On 4/13, the Co-Chair of MarriagEquality responded to government promises of civil partnership legislation with a call for full Marriage Equality. On 5/27, a disagreement between coalition partners was holding up government recognition of same sex relationships - the main governing party Fianna Fail wants civil unions, while the Greens, the junior coalition partner, want full marriage.
ISRAEL
Legal Status: Civil Unions (recognizes marriages performed elsewhere)
The Story So Far: In early January, Tel Aviv announced a plan to recognize same sex couples for all muncipal services, including taxes, making it the third Israeli city to do so, after Lod and Mevaserat Zion. On March 28th, Israel granted a rare residency permit to a gay man from Palestine who faced death threats at home, allowing him to live with his partner in Tel Aviv.
ITALY
Legal Status: n/a
The Story So Far: Italy's new minister for equal opportunities has angered rights groups by refusing to back a "gay pride" march because, she said, gays no longer suffer discrimination in Italy. Source
LUXEMBORG
Legal Status: Civil Unions
The Story So Far: The EU Court of Justice ruled that EU Nations that recognize legal same sex marriages must also grant surviving partners the same pension rights given to those in traditional marriages. The court did not force Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Ireland to recognize same sex unions.
MEXICO
Legal Status: Civil Unions (some areas)
Mexico Gay Wedding Vendors
The Story So Far: On 5/17/08, in Mexico, a transgender couple got married, hoping to shine light on pending legal protections for transgender couples under consideration by the Mexican government. Source
MOROCCO
Legal Status: n/a
The Story So Far: In late November, 6 Moroccan men were arrested on "homosexuality charges" after a video surfaced on the internet showing them at what was called a "gay marriage" by the press. In early January, a Moroccan appeals court upheld prison sentences of the six men. On 3/17, The Moroccan Association for Human Rights petitioned to repeal Article 489, which provides prison terms for people who commit "lewd or unnatural acts with an individual of the same sex", and to quash the verdicts against the six men. On 3/25, a Moroccan paper that was the first to report the "gay marriage" was fined for mistakenly saying a Judge had been in attendance.
MOZAMBIQUE
Legal Status: n/a
The Story So Far: A conference organized by the Coalition of African Lesbians brings together 75 people from LGBT groups across Africa to try to end anti gay laws across the continent. The Coalition has since called in African governments to stop treating GLBT citizens as criminals.
NETHERLANDS
Legal Status: Gay Marriage
The Story So far: On 4/15, The Equal Treatment Commission said that civil servants who object to performing gay marriages should be banned from performing any marriages, but should not lose their jobs. Christian groups called the ETC the Thought Police. Source
NEW ZEALAND
Legal Status: Civil Unions
New Zealand Gay Wedding Vendors
The Story So Far: In mid February, it was announced that Christchurch’s new Anglican Bishop Elect Right Reverend Victoria Matthews would be installed on 8/30. She has previously been quoted as being in support of of gay marriage. As of 5/6, 316 couples registered for Civil Unions in New Zealand in 2007 - 103 male couples, 150 female couples, and 63 opposite sex couples. In addition, 77 overseas residents registered, bringing the total to 393.
NIGERIA
Legal Status: n/a
The Story So Far: In early February, 18 men were accused of attending a gay wedding for the crime of being gay. 5/9 - There's legislation pending, which church groups support banning "same-sex unions, all homosexual acts and the formation of any gay groups."
NORWAY
Legal Status: Gay Marriage
The Story So Far: On 3/14, the Norwegian government proposed giving same sex couples the right to marry. On 4/25, a poll showed 58% of Norwegians support the proposed Marriage Act, with 31% against. The act is scheduled for a parliamentary hearing on 6/11. On 5/28, two political parties which normally avoid each other teamed up in an unusual alliance to protest Norway's looming same-sex marriage law. On 6/11, Parliament adopted a new marriage law that allows homosexuals to marry and adopt children and permits lesbians to be artificially inseminated.
POLAND
Legal Status: n/a
The Story So Far: Poland's President used a NY couples wedding images without their permission in a speech against the EU's proposed charter of rights/gay marriage. On 3/31, the couple, Brendan Fay and Tom Moulton, visited Poland to raise awareness for gay marriage. On 4/2, Poland passed the new EU Charter, tied to a provision to ignore gay guarantees. On 4/9, it was reported that Poland's anti-gay organizations have ties to anti-semetic groups.
PORTUGAL
Legal Status: Civil Unions
ROMANIA
Legal Status: n/a
The Story So Far: In early February, the Senate voted 38 to 10 on an amendment to the Family Code to define marriage as between a man and a woman. The Chamber of Deputies will decide the issue in June.
RUSSIA
Legal Status: n/a
The Story So Far: The leaders of all the major religions in Russia have written to the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights urging him not to support gay people's right to march. Source
SERBIA
Legal Status: n/a
The Story So Far: In early January, Serbian Presidential Candidate Cedomir Jovanovic said he would remove all discriminatory provisions against GLBT folks from Serbian law if elected.
SENEGAL
Legal Status: n/a
The Story So Far: In late January, The editor of the magazine Icone published an article about a gay wedding and received death threats, and five men who attended the wedding and were pictured in the article were arrested by authorities. All five were released, but may still face charges. In mid February, a wave of arrests and violent anti-gay street protests caused dozens of Senegalese gays to flee to neighboring Gambia. Senegal hosts a major Islamic Summit on March 12th, and is believed to be cleaning house in advance of the summit.
SINGAPORE
Legal Status: n/a
The Story So Far: 5/4: A Singapore TV station was fined $11,000 for "promoting a gay lifestyle" for showing an episode of a design show featuring a gay couple. Abolishing laws against gay sex could "send the wrong signal" and push gay activists to ask for gay marriage, according to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Source
SLOVENIA
Legal Status: Civil Unions
SOUTH AFRICA
Legal Status: Gay Marriage
The Story So Far: HIV/AIDS activist and Nobel Prize nominee Zackie Achmat married his partner, Dalli Weyers, at a ceremony near Cape Town.
SPAIN
Legal Status: Gay Marriage
Spain Gay Wedding Vendors
The Story So Far: In early January, Conservative Popular Party Leader Mariano Rajoy promised not to repeal gay marriage in Spain if elected Prime Minister in early March. In late January, a new poll showed 75% of Spaniards approve of Spain's gay marriage law, and only 18% disapproved. Efforts by the Catholic to unseat PM Jose Luis Rodrigo Zapatero failed when his party won re-election on 3/9. On 6/5, the Government once again forced the Dénia judge, Laura Alabau to carry out the wedding for two gay British men which she refused to do last March.
SWEDEN
Legal Status: Civil Unions
The Story So Far: In early January, the Swedish Legislature, with the support of the Church of Sweden, announced its intention to legalize gay marriage there, upgrading the current civil union laws established in 1995. A poll conducted in mid January showed 70% of Swedes support gay marriage. On 5/12, a gay couple who married in Canada filed suit against the Swedish government for refusing to recognize the marriage.
SWITZERLAND
Legal Status: Civil Unions
UNITED KINGDOM
Legal Status: Civil Unions
England Gay Wedding Vendors
Wales Gay Wedding Vendors
The Story So Far: In early January, a wedding registrar in Islington sued the city council for forcing her to perform gay marriages, saying it was against her religious beliefs. In early March, a Catholic couple from Scotland sued the Strathclyde police over the change in status from "married" to "married/civil partnership in their civil employee records. On 3/4, the Newington Green Unitarian Church announced it will ban all full wedding ceremonies until the law is changed to allow same sex couples full marriage rights. On 4/8, two British schools banned the book King & King, a children's picture book about a prince who wants to marry another boy, at the request of Muslim parents. On 5/30, after the Earl of Devon refused to allow a gay wedding at his Powderham Castle home, the Devon County Council moved to revoke his wedding license. On 6/14, Two male priests exchanged vows in a traditional ceremony at St Bartholomew the Great in London.
URUGUAY
Legal Status: Civil Unions
The Story So Far: On 4/16, After the nation's "cohabitation union law" went into effect on 1/1/08, the country's first known gay marriage took place in Montevideo. Source
UNITED STATES (see individual states below)
Legal Status: Defense of Marriage Act
The Story So Far: On 5/21, U.S. Rep. Paul Broun (R-Ga.) said he plans to introduce an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to ban same-sex marriage. On 6/5, A new USA Today Poll showed 63% of Americans believe that gay marriage should be a private matter, and should not be regulated by the government. On 6/13, a new Pew Research Center Study showed mixed opinions on same sex marriage, and its importance in the fall elections. Source
ARIZONA
Legal Status: Defense of Marriage Act
Arizona Gay Wedding Vendors
The Story So Far: On 1/18, the Governor proposed extending benefits to same sex partners who are state employees. In early Feb, the GOP announced plans to put a constitutional ban before the voters in the Fall. On 4/3, opponents of the ban attached domestic partner rights to the bill, causing Republicans to reject it. In a separate action, the state approved benefits for the same sex partners of state employees. On 4/11, the House Judiciary Committee revived the anti-gay bill, gutting a resolution on Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Day and replacing it with the anti-gay-marriage language, and sending it to the full house on a vote of 6-4. The House planned to vote on the measure again on 4/22, after which the Senate would also vote immediately. A recent poll showed 49% in favor, 40% opposed, and 11% undecided. On 4/22, the AZ House approved the bill, which now goes to the Senate, where it has been attached to an unrelated bill already approved by the Senate, an underhanded move that blocks any amendments. 5/1: Opponents of the proposed amendment suggest the new version may also curtail rights of unmarried straight couples. On 5/13, The AZ House passed the bill with the help of two DINO's, Reps. Jack Brown of St. Johns and Pete Rios of Hayden. As of 5/17, Senate President Tim Bee, R-Tucson, prime sponsor of one version of the amendment, had so far refused to schedule a date to vote on the ballot measure.
CALIFORNIA
Legal Status: Gay Marriage as of 6/15/08; Possible Constitutional Amendment in Nov 08 Ballot
California Gay Wedding Vendors
The Story So Far: In early Jan., two groups began gathering signatures to put an anti gay marriage amendment on the California ballot in Nov. On 4/11, Governor Schwarzenegger announced his opposition to the amendments, planning to fight them if they make the ballot. On 5/10, according to the Secretary of State's website, one of the two anti gay marriage amendment bills failed to qualify for the Nov ballot - the one that would have also rolled back domestic partner benefits. On 5/15, The Caifornia Supreme Court ruled that being gay or lesbian is an innate characteristic, and that the state cannot deny marriage to gay and lesbian couples. On 5/17, Gov Schwarzenegger affirmed his support of the court ruling, and reiterated his opposition to the pending anti-same-sex-marriage amendment. On 5/23, groups that fought San Francisco's lawsuit seeking marriage for same-sex couples asked the California Supreme Court to delay its decision to allow the marriages. Also, a new Los Angeles Times poll found that 54% of those surveyed support a constitutional amendment to ban same sex marriage, while 35% oppose it. On 5/29, a new California Field Poll showed that 51% of Californians support gay marriage, with 42% opposed; and more Californians in each age group are for it than are against it, with the exception of those 65 and older. Also, the state's Office of Vital Records set June 17th as the start date for same sex weddings in California. And Republican Attorney Generals from ten states also asked for a stay of the ruling until November. On 6/3, California's top court refused to go back on a decision paving the way towards gay marriage and said it would come into force on June 16. Also, opponents of same-sex marriage collected enough signatures for a statewide vote to ban gay unions in California's constitution, California Secretary of State Debra Bowen said. And M.V. Lee Badgett, research director at the Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation Law and Public Policy at the UCLA School of Law, estimates that gay weddings could add $370 million to the state economy over the next three years, the Los Angeles Times reported. On 6/5, the LA Times published a two page ad from a right-wing group urging Californians to vote against same sex marriage. The paper defended its decision to run the ad, claiming it was not hate speech or discrimination. On 6/7, Kern County and Merced County announced they will provide same sex marriage licensing, but will not preside over any marriages, gay or straight. On 6/10, The gay marriage controversy sparked a fierce debate at the Kern County Board of Supervisors meeting, with both supporters and opponents of same-sex marriage are urging supervisors to define marriage in Kern County. And the second anti-gay-marriage bill was officially marked as failed on the state elections website. On 6/12, in an attempted end-run around the CA Supreme Court, attorneys with Liberty Counsel filed a petition with the California Court of Appeal today requesting a stay on issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. And messengers to the 2008 Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting passed resolutions in the June 11 evening session supporting a California initiative to repudiate same-sex marriage. On 6/13, The Bishops of California and El Camino Real issued guidelines to their clergy for conducting gay marriages.
COLORADO
Legal Status: Defense of Marriage Act & Constitutional Ban
Colorado Gay Wedding Vendors
The Story So Far: In early February, a lesbian couple from Englewood sued to overturn the state's ban on gay marriage. In late March, Larimer County voted to start offering insurance to same sex partners when one of them works for the county. On 4/14, a lesbian couple charged with trespassing after staging a sit-in at the Denver Clerk and Recorder's Office after they were denied a marriage license were told their trial would be delayed until 5/6. On 5/7, Both women were found guilty of trespassing, and ordered to do 28 hours of community service and pay a $41 fee. No jail-time was imposed.
CONNECTICUT
Legal Status: Civil Unions
Connecticut Gay Wedding Vendors
The Story So Far: A decision is pending with the Connecticut Supreme Court on gay marriage. In mid March, CT lawmakers held a hearing to review the existing civil unions legislation, to close loopholes uncovered since its inception.
DELAWARE:
Legal Status: n/a
Delaware Gay Wedding Vendors
The Story So Far: On 4/14, Haven, the GLBT organization at the University of Delaware, held a marry-in in support of same sex marriage. Source
FLORIDA
Legal Status: Defense of Marriage Act
Florida Gay Wedding Vendors
The Story So Far: After a manual count revealed that the Florida for Marriage fell 22K signatures short of the 611K needed to get an anti-gay-marriage initiative on the fall ballot in January, the group turned in 92K more signatures, and the initiative was certified for the ballot. It would require a 60% vote to pass. In late January, a pro-gay marriage group called Know thy Neighbor set up an online database where visitors can search to see who signed the petitions. On 4/17, a student group at the Univ of Miami called OUTSpoken began a campaign to raise awareness about the amendment. And amendment supporters took to the road for a 10 city tour.
HAWAII
Legal Status: Civil Unions; Defense of Marriage Act
Hawaii Gay Wedding Vendors
The Story So Far: A gay couple sued the University of Hawaii after being denied on campus housing together because the State of Hawaii does not recognize same sex marriage.
IDAHO
Legal Status: Defense of Marriage Act; Constitutional Ban
The Story So Far: Idaho took a small step toward gay rights, proposing a bill that would make discrimination based on sexual orientation illegal for employers with 5 or more employees. Churches would be exempted. On 3/31, The AP reported on a gay couple, Ralph Martinelli and Robert Ryan, who were joined in a civil union in NJ, and then transferred to Idaho for Martinelli's job. After the move, the company dropped Ryan from their health plan, because Idaho does not recognize domestic partners.
ILLINOIS
Legal Status: Defense of Marriage Act
Illinois Gay Wedding Vendors
The Story So Far: In late February, Rep. Greg Harris, D-Chicago, introduced a civil unions bill in the Illinois House. As of late March, the civil unions bill (House Bill 1826, Senate Bill 2436) had still not been brought up for a vote in either house. On 4/16, a group calling itself Protect Marriage Illinois began a drive to put an anti-gay amendment on the November ballot - they need 270K signatures. As of 5/7, the bill failed to collect enough signatures. On 5/17, Representative Harris announced plans to broaden pending civil unions legislation to include opposite sex seniors, in a bid to gain support for the measure. On 6/13, an openly gay Chicago alderman proposed changes to the city's domestic partner benefits plan to ensure that the partners of city workers remain insured if they marry in California.
INDIANA
Legal Status: Defense of Marriage Act
Indiana Gay Wedding Vendors
The Story So Far: In early January, state senator Brandt Hershman pushed for a constitutional ban on same sex marriage. State Rep. Scott Pelath, chairman of the House Riles and Legislative Procedure Committee, refused to bring up the bill, citing more urgent legislative concerns. Gay marriage opponents were unable to get a hearing in the House, and took their case to the state Senate in mid January. In late January, they got their way, as the GOP-controlled Senate passed the gay marriage ban. By mid February, House leaders decided not to pursue the ban this year. At the end of February, six House members signed a petition to bring the measure to the floor for a vote. The session ended in early April without a vote, sending ban supporters back to the starting block next year. On 5/16, the California's Supreme Court ruling was used as ammunition by same sex marriage opponents in Indiana to try to kick-start the anti-marriage amendment.
IOWA
Legal Status: Defense of Marriage Act
The Story So Far: In Early Jan., Republicans tried to force the Democratic-controlled legislature to add an anti-gay-marriage amendment to the Iowa constitution to pre-empt a pending Iowa State Supreme Court ruling on the state's Defense of Marriage law. Gov. Chet Culver (DINO) asked the Supreme Court to hurry up its ruling so the state could rush thru a gay marriage ban to the constitution. In late Feb., a poll showed 62% of Iowans are against gay marriage, but only 48% believe it should be banned in the constitution. In late Feb., Democrats in the state house defeated a constitutional ban bill. Chances of passage this year appear unlikely. As of 4/4, at least 17 friend of the court briefs had been filed with the Supreme Court in support of gay marriage. On 4/17, a new UCLA study showed gay marriage could generate an additional $5.3 million in additional revenue for Iowa State per year. This year's legislative session ended without any action on the amendment.
KENTUCKY
Legal Status: Defense of Marriage Act; Constitutional Amendment
Kentucky Gay Wedding Vendors
The Story So Far: In mid-January, a state senate committee approved legislation that would amend Kentucky's constitution to prohibit gay marriage. In late January, Gov. Steve Beshear vowed to veto the bill. In late March, a bill to bar state agencies and schools from giving domestic partners health insurance was killed in Committee. On 4/10, in Louisville, the top court of the Presbyterian Church (USA) reviewed the case of a minister found guilty of officiating at the weddings of two lesbian couples in 2004-2005. 4/28: The church court decides that same sex marriages are not actually marriages, so there's no reason to censure the minister who officiated at two same sex ceremonies.
LOUISIANA
Legal Status: Defense of Marriage Act; Constitutional Amendment
Louisiana Gay Wedding Vendors
The Story So Far: As of 5/24, The American Political Science Association was considering relocating its 2012 annual conference from New Orleans because of a state law banning gay marriage and same-sex partner recognition.
MAINE
Legal Status: Domestic Partnership; Defense of Marriage Act
Maine Gay Wedding Vendors
The Story So Far: On 4/10, Michael Heath, Director of the "Christian" Civic League in Maine, initiated a referendum to ban gay marriage, civil unions, and adoption by same sex couples. It would require 55K valid signatures to qualify for the ballot, and would roll back existing domestic partner rights in Maine. On 4/14, The ME Civil Liberties Union, Equality Maine, & The Gay/Lesbian Advocates & De