Delaware is 21st state to pass lesbian-gay bias law
Dover, Delaware–State lawmakers sent a sexual orientation nondiscrimination bill to the governor on June 25, passing it through both houses of the legislature in only an hour.
The House passed the measure at 8:30 pm, shortly after the Senate passed an identical bill. In previous legislative sessions, the Senate killed the bill.
Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, one of the bill’s champions, said that Gov. Jack Markell had expressed support for the measure
When Markell signs it, Delaware will become the 21st state with such a law. But, unlike seven similar state laws passed since 2002, Delaware’s does not include gender identity.
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How far New Hampshire has come
A photograph of state Rep. Jim Splaine of Portsmouth standing next to N.H. governor John Lynch Wednesday as he signed into law legislation legalizing gay marriage reminds me of an incident from the 1981 legislative session that serves as a dramatic example of just how much New Hampshire has evolved over the nearly three decades since then.The state has changed in so many ways I didn’t think would ever happen, largely because of my initiation into the “Live Free Or Die” view of life. My first months in the Granite State during the winter of 1979 were punctuated with periods of disbelief. Why would voters reject offers of federal grants to improve their communities? On general principal, that’s why. The phrase I heard over and over again seated on the sidelines of a million March town meetings was “We don’t want to become New York.”I didn’t take it personally. I don’t think anyone in Epping at the time knew I grew up on the shores of Lake Ontario. Still, there were moments when I felt like a stranger in a strange land. See How far New Hampshire has come
Foster’s Daily Democrat
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Quotes from New Hampshire’s gay marriage debate
“Thank you!” — Gay marriage supporters to lawmakers as they left the Statehouse following Wednesday’s gay marriage vote.
“A lot of New Hampshire families have come to know people in their families who are gay — co-workers, former classmates — and that’s what really made this difference. We are no longer talking about an issue. We are talking about people.” — The Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson, Episcopal bishop of New Hampshire, the church’s only openly gay bishop.
“This legislation makes clear that we understand that certain faiths do not recognize same-sex marriage, and it protects them from having to participate in marriage-related activities that violate their fundamental religious principles.” — Gov. John Lynch, as he signed the gay marriage bill into law.
“We certainly would like to see new legislators and a governor who keeps his word on the issue. If he tells the voters he doesn’t support same sex marriage, that’s what he means. If that happens, who knows, we may be looking at repeal in the next legislative session.” — Kevin Smith, executive director of gay marriage opponent Cornerstone Policy Research. See Quotes from New Hampshire’s gay marriage debate Chicago Tribune
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Grassley: Think long-term in gay marriage fight
JOHNSTON, Iowa - U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley said conservatives opposed to the Iowa Supreme Court’s gay marriage ruling should focus on long-term planning.
Grassley acknowledged he’s taking a lower profile on the issue than some Republicans, but he said that’s because a bipartisan approach is needed.
Speaking Thursday night during a taping of the public television program “Iowa Press,” Grassley argued gay marriage opponents should look toward the next election and future legislative sessions.
“It ought to be thoroughly planned,” said Grassley. “I don’t think it should be planned for just this year or next year, because this Legislature is about over. I think you ought to plan what you are going to do for the next election, for the next Legislature.”
Democratic leaders in the Legislature have opposed beginning the process of amending the Iowa Constitution to overrule the state Supreme Court’s April 3 decision. Two consecutive General Assemblies must approve a proposed constitutional amendment before it could be put to voters.
Grassley said social conservatives should begin building the political base needed to deal with the court’s decision.
“If there’s going to be any action taken contrary to the Supreme Court’s decision, then it should be to seek as broad a consensus as possible,” he said.
The four-term Republican senator said gay marriage opponents should realize the issue doesn’t break along partisan lines.
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In New Mexico, Democrats vote for gay marriage platform KOB.com -
New Mexico Democrats are one step closer to adding gay marriage to the official party platform.
A vote Saturday by the Democrat Central Committee approved the marriage equality measure 309 to 35.
Democrats’ support for gay marriage comes after a setback for gay rights in the state earlier this year. A little over a month ago, lawmakers shot down a domestic partnership bill during the last legislative session.
Newly re-elected party chairman Brian Colon says gay marriage goes along with other civil rights.
“All marriage should be treated equally, regardless of the parties involved and that’s really what the Democrats said today,” he said. “Equality is important for all New Mexicans regardless of gender.”
Political blogger Joe Monahan says the gay marriage battle has a long way to go in New Mexico
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Iowa’s GOP Lawmakers Take Aim at Gay Marriage
Opponents of the Iowa Supreme Court ruling last week allowing same-sex marriages said Friday that they would step up pressure on state lawmakers to block the marriages through a constitutional amendment and predicted political fallout for Democratic state leaders, including Gov. Chet Culver, if they did not join the opposition.
“This isn’t over, not even for this year,” said Bryan English, a spokesman for the Iowa Family Policy Center, which encouraged hundreds of opponents of same-sex marriages to meet and pray outside the State Capitol in Des Moines this week, and plans a similar rally next week. “Everyday folks who get up and go to work were shocked at what happened here, and it’s really gotten people activated.”
Since the court ruled unanimously on April 3 that an Iowa law banning the marriages was unconstitutional, opponents have been searching for a way to begin the process of amending the state’s Constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman.
Because, under Iowa law, that process would take two legislative sessions, however, even opponents acknowledge that nothing now seems likely to prevent Iowa from beginning to allow such marriages on April 27 after the ruling becomes final.
Still, inside the Capitol on Thursday, where supporters and opponents of same-sex marriage packed the gallery, Republican representatives twice tried to bring up a constitutional amendment on marriage. Democrats, who control both chambers, cited violations of House procedures in blocking the efforts.
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Vermont begins same-sex marriage hearings
(Montpellier, Vermont) — Vermont lawmakers are starting a week of hearings on a bill to legalize same-sex marriage.
In 2000, Vermont became the first state in the U.S. to adopt civil unions. House and Senate leaders want to pass the gay marriage bill this legislative session, which ends in May.
Supporters say …
Tags: Civil Unions, gay marriage, Lawmakers, Legislative Session, marriage, Marriage Bill, Montpellier, same sex marriage, Senate Leaders, Vermont Marriage, Vermont VermontHawaii Senators Hesitate On Rescue Of Gay Civil Unions
Hawaii senators who had vowed to rescue a stranded gay civil unions bill from a deadlocked committee and pass it this legislative session have begun to backpeddle.
House Bill 444, which would grant gay and lesbian couples all the rights of marriage, was marooned on February 25 when it deadlocked on a 3-3 vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee. The final tally came after a grueling 18 hour marathon hearing session that ended at 3AM.
Even before the votes were in Senate leaders had begun discussing the possibility of rescuing the bill out of committee for a full vote on the Senate floor. The bill sailed through the House on a 33 to 17 vote. See Hawaii Senators Hesitate On Rescue Of Gay Civil Unions
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VT Hearings to start March 16 on gay marriage
BENNINGTON — Legislative leaders said Thursday that they will move quickly to pass gay marriage legislation, beginning hearings in the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 16 — the day the Legislature reconvenes following the Town Meeting break.
The announcement came at a Statehouse press conference hosted by Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin, D-Windham, and House Speaker Shap Smith, D-Morristown, as they outlined an aggressive agenda for the remainder of the legislative session.
Shumlin, who served as Senate president in 2000, when Vermont became the first state to pass civil union legislation, said Thursday he was proud of the state at the time for taking such a momentous step. But his “pride has given way to uneasiness,” he said, as other states have since bypassed Vermont and have allowed gay marriage.
“Vermont is no longer alone, and we’re no longer leading. Here in Vermont, people’s fears in connection with the civil union law have proven unfounded,” he said. “Nobody was harmed, some families enjoy a little more security, and our state is a better place for having taken that step.”
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Human Relations Commission Urges Expanding PA Anti-Discrimination Law, Would Include Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or Expression in Pennsylvania Human Relations Act
HARRISBURG, Pa — Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission Chairperson Stephen A. Glassman announced today that the commission is strongly urging the legislature to pass House Bill 300, which was introduced Wednesday, and would amend the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression.
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act currently prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, disability and familial status.
“Ensuring that Pennsylvanians are free from discrimination is crucial, especially in difficult economic times,” Glassman said. “Discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations and education is illegal in Pennsylvania, but lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are currently excluded from these protections.
“House Bill 300 will help guarantee full equality for everyone in this great commonwealth.”
HB 300 has bipartisan support from 79 sponsors in the House of Representatives. The commission has supported passage of similar bills introduced in past legislative sessions.
The bill defines sexual orientation as actual or perceived heterosexuality, homosexuality or bisexuality. It defines gender identity or expression to mean actual or perceived gender identity, appearance, behavior, expression or physical characteristics whether or not associated with an individual’s assigned sex at birth.
“Our statistics show that discrimination complaints rise sharply when the economy is in decline,” Glassman said. “As economic stresses increase and people look for someone to blame for their difficulties, frequently the targets are those who are perceived as different because they are minorities. Passing this bill would serve as a timely illustration of our commitment to protecting Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable citizens and ensuring equal opportunity for all.”
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