Record support for marriage equality in New York, poll finds

Legalizing marriage for same-sex couples is favored by a record 58% of registered New York voters, according to a poll by the nonpartisan Siena Research Institute. Marriage equality advocates say now is the time to attempt to pass a marriage equality bill, while support is high and Gov. Andrew Cuomo is popular.

Meanwhile, over 72% of Coloradans support for legal recognition of same-sex unions.

Marriage equality advocates vow to fight on in Maryland

We were all shocked last week when the Maryland House of Delegates voted to halt debate about a pending marriage equality bill and send it back to committee rather than take a final vote on the measure. 

House leaders said the procedural move was necessary to prevent a likely negative outcome and keep the drive for marriage equality alive next year. 

Some Democrats who opposed the measure said they preferred to pass a civil unions bill that did not refer to "marriage." 

In other news, dang, Maryland has a crazy looking state flag!

Washington considers recognizing out-of-state marriages

A Washington state bill sponsored by state Rep. Laurie Jinkins would recognize same-sex couples in legal marriages or civil unions under the state's domestic partnership law. 

"It says if you have a marriage in another state, you get a domestic partnership here," Jinkins said, explaining that she is attempting to make a technical correction to an existing law. The bill, which has passed in the House, will head to the state Senate.

Gingrich raised $200,000 to oust Iowa judges who legalized same-sex marriage

Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich helped bring in $200,000 to support a 2010 campaign to remove three Iowa Supreme Court judges from office because of their votes to allow marriage for same-sex couples. Gingrich, who has been married three times and has admitted to infidelity in the past, is currying favor with conservative religious groups ahead of a possible run for president, according to this article in the Los Angeles Times.

Maryland marriage rights measure faces uncertainty

Wavering legislators sparked doubts last week as to whether a marriage equality bill can pass the Maryland House of Delegates during the current legislative session. Del. Sam Arora (pictured), who raised campaign money from LGBT donors amid promises to support marriage equality, has reportedly decided to vote against the bill if it reaches the House floor. Gov. Martin O'Malley told reporters this week he hoped the bill passes. 

"If you're a proponent of the bill, you certainly don't feel as confident as you did a week ago," said Todd Eberly, a political science professor at St. Mary's College.

Will marriage surface as a 2012 campaign issue?

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President Barack Obama's declaration last week that his administration would no longer defend the Defense of Marriage Act in court may have energized anti-gay political forces just in time to influence the 2012 election cycle, some experts say. But public opinion may have shifted so dramatically in recent years that LGBT issues no longer divide Democrats and Republicans so much as they divide the Republican party itself, others note. 

"The wedge has lost its edge," said Mark McKinnon, a Republican strategist who worked on the 2004 campaign of President George W. Bush.

Marriage equality bill moves to Maryland Senate floor

A Maryland Senate committee voted to send a marriage equality bill to the full Senate, which looks likely to pass the measure in the next two weeks. 

"Anything can happen in Annapolis, so I'm still on the edge of my seat. But the bill is in great shape right now," said Sen. Jamie B. Raskin. Maryland would join the District of Columbia and five other states as places where same-sex couples can legally marry in the U.S.

Brits to allow gay church weddings

British couples may soon be allowed to celebrate their legal civil partnerships in churches, something that's forbidden under the existing civil partnerships law. 

Still, the Church of England, which has vowed it will not allow same-sex ceremonies, is advising caution, saying a change in the law could create confusion.

Out legislators in Washington state file marriage equality bill

Washington state Sen. Ed Murray (pictured), who is openly gay, introduced a bill on Monday that would convert the state's strong partnership rights laws for same-sex couples to full marriage equality. State Rep. Jim Moeller, who is also openly gay, is expected to file a similar bill today. 

"I believe the Legislature and the public are both ready to take that final step," Murray said in a release.

New Hampshire poll finds solid support for keeping marriage equality

A new poll of New Hampshire adults finds nearly two-thirds oppose ending marriage equality in the state, with 66 percent of independents saying lawmakers should leave the law alone.

New York's top politicos ready marriage push

Gov. Andrew Cuomo, D-N.Y., said last week he wants the Legislature to bring up and pass a marriage equality bill before the end of its session in June.

Separately, New York Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, a Republican, said he would let that chamber's only openly gay member, Sen. Tom Duane, manage such a bill, an unusual step since Duane is now a member of the minority party. Duane's office welcomed Skelos' comments and reiterated it would take strong support from Cuomo to get the bill passed.

Marriage-equality fights erupt on multiple fronts

"There is so much happening that it is a challenge even for the most ardent marriage-equality supporters to keep track of," said Molly McKay, media director of national organization Marriage Equality.

State legislators in Indiana, Wyoming, Rhode Island, Maryland, New Hampshire and Iowa are dealing with the issue, with some considering extending marriage to same-sex couples and others ready to either reverse marriage equality or prevent it through constitutional amendment.

How and why Barbara Bush beat Obama to the gay marriage punch

LZ Granderson writes that he welcomes former first daughter Barbara Bush's support of marriage equality, and explains why he thinks President Barack Obama has yet to take the same step. 

"At the end of the day everyone who holds office -- even a man as earnest as Obama appears to be -- must walk this morality tightrope at some point," Granderson writes.

South Dakota refuses to change married lesbian's last name

A lesbian living in South Dakota who married her partner in Iowa and took her partner's last name has been told she cannot change her name on a state-issued driver's license because South Dakota does not recognize same-sex unions. 

"This is an emerging issue for states that have passed these constitutional amendments prohibiting same-sex marriage. They're being used to deny people really basic rights," said Robert Doody, executive director of the South Dakota American Civil Liberties Union.

Wyoming House committee kills civil unions bill

A bill that would establish civil unions in Wyoming was narrowly defeated in committee last week, failing by a vote of 5-4. 

Opponents complained the measure would open the door to marriage rights for same-sex couples.

French support marriage equality, polls show, but politicians lag

Recent public opinion polls show solid support for extending marriage rights to same-sex couples in France, but politicians have so far been unwilling to do so. 

A French court ruled last week that laws banning marriage equality are constitutional, adding that it's up to Parliament to act on the issue.

Barbara Bush becomes latest Republican to endorses gay marriage

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The former first daughter is the latest Republican figure to come out in support of gay marriage, following Meghan McCain and Mary Cheney.

Hawaii State Senate Approves Civil Unions

Last Friday the Hawaii State Senate passed SB 232 by a 19-6 vote.  The bill provides that the equal rights and responsibilities of married couples in Hawaii be available to thousands of same-sex couples in the state.  The Senate now sends a strong message that the time is now to lay this issue to rest.

“For years we have strived to secure equal rights for all families in Hawaii and today we are one step closer to realizing that dream,” said Alan Spector, Co-Chair of Equality Hawaii.  “We thank the Hawaii State Senate for recognizing the importance of this bill and for advancing the cause of equality in the Aloha State.”

Except for some technical corrections, SB 232 is identical to HB 444, the civil unions bill passed in 2010.  That bill passed the House and Senate, with near supermajorities, before Gov. Linda Lingle vetoed it.  No override vote was held.

“The Hawaii Senate has sent a strong message that discrimination against families headed by same-sex couples is wrong,” said Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign.  “All people of Hawaii deserve to be treated with equal dignity and respect under the law, and no child should ever have to grow up feeling that their family is somehow less than that of their friends and neighbors.”

The legislation now moves to the state house for its consideration.  The house also has its own version of the bill, HB 1623, which incorporates updates to the previous bill.  The updated bill addresses concerns raised in 2010 over the implementation of civil unions.  The House may consider their own version, the Senate version or amend the senate bill to reflect their changes.  Action is expected to proceed in the House next week.  Following final passage, newly elected Governor Neil Abercrombie has pledged to sign the bill into law.

HRC Applauds Illinois Civil Unions Bill Signed Into Law Today

The Human Rights Campaign today applauded Illinois Governor Pat Quinn (pictured) for signing into law the “Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Unions Act.” The signing ceremony is planned for 4 p.m. central time today.  Couples may begin obtaining civil unions and enjoying the state-level rights and responsibilities of married couples on June 1, 2011.

“Today marks a tremendous step towards equality for all families in Illinois,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “HRC commends Governor Quinn for his commitment to ensuring civil unions became law. Congratulations to Rep. Greg Harris, lead sponsor of the bill, who fought for years to ensure civil unions would become a reality, and thank you to Equality Illinois and the ACLU of Illinois for their tireless efforts on behalf of the LGBT community.”

The new law will permit both same-sex and opposite-sex couples to enter into civil unions and receive the same benefits, protections, and responsibilities under Illinois law that are granted to spouses.  Couples who enter into a civil union will not receive any rights or benefits under federal law. Illinois still does not permit same-sex couples to marry.  The law explicitly allows religious entities to choose not to solemnize or officiate civil unions.

In addition to Illinois, twelve states plus Washington, D.C. have laws providing an expansive form of state-level relationship recognition for gay and lesbian couples.  Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Washington D.C. provide marriage to same-sex couples under state law.  New York and Maryland recognize out-of-jurisdiction same-sex marriages, but do not provide marriage licenses to same-sex couples in state. Five other states – California, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, and Washington – provide same-sex couples with access to almost all of the state level benefits and responsibilities of marriage, through either civil unions or domestic partnerships.
Colorado, Hawaii, Maine and Wisconsin provide gay and lesbian couples with limited rights and benefits, not all rights provided to married couples.  An attorney general opinion and subsequent court ruling in Rhode Island resulted in limited recognition of out-of-jurisdiction marriages of same-sex couples.

California recognized marriage for same-sex couples between June and November of 2008, before voters approved Proposition 8, which purports to amend the state constitution to prohibit marriage equality.  Couples married during that window remain married under California law, but all other same-sex couples can only receive a domestic partnership within the state. The state will recognize out-of-jurisdiction same-sex marriages that occurred before November 5, 2008 as marriages and those that occurred on or after November 5, 2008 as similar to domestic partnerships.

Same-sex couples do not receive federal rights and benefits in any state.  For an electronic map showing where marriage equality stands in the states, please visit: www.HRC.org/State_Laws.
 

56% of New Yorkers favor marriage equality

A Quinnipiac University poll of 1,436 registered New York voters found the state showing its highest level of support for marriage equality so far, with 56% supporting.

In 2004 a similar poll found 55% said they were opposed to marriage equality.