LGBT discussion takes on a new tone in the Ohio Statehouse

Columbus–As the House State Government committee considered a bill to outlaw discrimination by sexual orientation or gender identity, State Rep. Cliff Hite of Findlay challenged Crystal Curry of the anti-gay Concerned Women for America.

“You and the other [Equal Housing and Employment Act opponents] have testified that homosexuals are only about three percent of the population,” said Hite, a Republican. “So how is it that three percent represents such a threat?”

“They’re not,” Curry answered, “unless we give them civil rights and allow them to marry. Then they are a threat. Three percent is not harmful unless they keep pushing and pushing and take on rights.”

Curry then told lawmakers that because LGBT people use the word “gay” instead of “homosexual” and Will and Grace has gay characters, homosexuality will “become accepted.”

“Kids will grow up and try it,” she complained.

The exchange caused a visible reaction in Hite and other committee members, both Democrats and Republicans.

This illustrates what might be the most significant development in the bill’s movement through the Ohio legislature:

The measure’s opponents can no longer make wild, unsubstantiated and long-debunked claims about the lives of LGBT people without challenges from both sides of the partisan aisle.

See LGBT discussion takes on a new tone in the Ohio Statehouse

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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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Marriage Equality and Religious Freedom Win in Key Statehouse Vote In New Hampshire

Committee of Conference votes to advance HB73

CONCORD Today the house and senate committee of conference in the New Hampshire legislature voted in favor of a compromise bill that will advance the freedom to marry while ensuring religious liberties.

HB73 is a bill that will uphold the Constitutional right to freedom of religion, while complimenting previously passed bills that grant marriage equality to same-sex couples. Today’s committee of conference decision treats gay and lesbian people as well as people of faith with dignity and respect. The conference committee report on HB73 is expected to be voted on by the full legislature on June 3rd.

“We remain confident that marriage equality will become law this year, and HB 73 is an important final step in that effort,” said Mo Baxley the Executive Director of New Hampshire Freedom to Marry. “Individual equality and religious freedom are New Hampshire values. We expect the House and Senate to now vote for HB 73 as reported out by the committee of conference. This is a very positive step and we remain optimistic that we will see legal protections for thousands of gay and lesbian couples signed into law by the Governor.”

The freedom to marry for gay couples, partnered with religious protections in HB73 is supported by Governor Lynch, the State Senate, the committee of conference, and the majority of New Hampshire residents.

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The New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition was founded in January 2001 and is New Hampshire’s Statewide LGBT education and advocacy organization. http://nhftm.org/

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Same-sex marriage advocates brace for ‘Day of Decision’

The California state Supreme Court has one month left before it issues its decision on attempts to over turn a voter-approved ban on same-sex marriages in California.

Organizers for same sex marriage are preparing for Court’s decision by organizing “Day of Decision” rallies in communities throughout the state.

The Web site, www.dayofdecision.com, informs supporters that decisions are announced Mondays and Thursdays.

“Whatever the decision, we must act,” the Web site states.

If the Supreme Court rules as expected to allow the ban on same-sex marriage enacted by voters in November to stand, the group will gather to ensure, “our angry voices are heard around the nation.”

If the Supreme Court rules the ban is illegal, the group will gather to “celebrate a positive decision and attempt to spread its impact,” the Web site states.

“Your civil rights matter and the world needs to hear what you have to say,” the promo states.

See Same-sex marriage advocates brace for ‘Day of Decision’
Examiner.com – USA

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Gronstal marriage speech is a big draw on youtube DesMoinesRegister.com

he Democratic leader in the Iowa Senate is becoming a bit of a worldwide celebrity as people around the globe listen to his speech on marriage equity.

Video of Sen. Mike Gronstal’s speech Monday had attracted over 65,000 hits on YouTube as of Wednesday afternoon. It was the 10th most viewed YouTube video worldwide, edging out “SpongeBob Burger King” and highlights from the Michigan State vs. North Carolina men’s college basketball championship game. It was still behind a video of Eminem with a Sarah Palin look-alike, though.

Staff said e-mails from around the world have arrived at the Statehouse to thank Gronstal, who some bloggers have hailed as a “hero.” BBC Radio interviewed him Wednesday.

“He is a cult hero as it relates to this change,” said Sen. Matt McCoy, a Democrat who is openly gay. “He’s Iowa’s own version of Harvey Milk. He’s instilling hope and pride and happiness in a community that’s been out wandering in the desert for a long time.”

On Monday, Gronstal told fellow senators he will not bring up legislation this session that would help reverse the Iowa Supreme Court’s decision to legalize gay marriage – and explained why. Gronstal can single-handedly block debate of legislation in the Senate.

Meanwhile, a speech by Senate Republican leader Paul McKinley of Chariton, calling for Gronstal to stop obstructing Iowans’ chance to vote on gay marriage, had racked up only about 700 hits on YouTube.

See Gronstal marriage speech is a big draw on youtube DesMoinesRegister.com

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Gronstal marriage speech is a big draw on youtube DesMoinesRegister.com

he Democratic leader in the Iowa Senate is becoming a bit of a worldwide celebrity as people around the globe listen to his speech on marriage equity.

Staff said e-mails from around the world have arrived at the Statehouse to thank Gronstal, who some bloggers have hailed as a “hero.” BBC Radio interviewed him Wednesday.

See Gronstal marriage speech is a big draw on youtube DesMoinesRegister.com

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Vermont gay marriage bill advances to Senate vote

(Montpelier, Vermont) The Vermont Senate will vote next week on legislation legalizing same-sex marriage, following acceptance of the bill in committee on Friday.

Hundreds of people filled the Statehouse as the Judiciary Committee voted 5-0 to advance the measure.

The measure would replace Vermont’s first-in-the-nation civil unions law with one that allows …

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.”

See Hearings to start March 16 on gay marriage

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VT Leaders vow to pass gay marriage bill

MONTPELIER — State legislative leaders announced this afternoon they intend to take up a gay marriage bill when the Legislature reconvenes in two weeks.
Senate President Pro Tempore Peter Shumlin and Speaker of the House Shap Smith said at a join news conference at the Statehouse that the Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a week of testimony and a public hearing on the matter. They predicted a bill would emerge from committee by week’s end.

The Legislature is on a two-week hiatus and will resume work March 17.

Shumlin and Smith also outlined a number of other priorities for the remainder of the session, including economic development measures. See Leaders vow to pass gay marriage bill BurlingtonFreePress.com

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Prop 8 in court today: Stop Ken Starr from divorcing loving couples!

This morning, before the California Supreme Court, Ken Starr will argue for the forcible divorce of 18,000 loving same-sex couples who married before Proposition 8 passed.
Starr has said the marriage ban should stand because of the state’s role in protecting the welfare of children.

The hypocrisy of “protecting” children by divorcing their parents is unconscionable. Yet this is just one in a parade of outrageous lies by right-wing extremists.

So HRC is launching a new campaign to expose this dishonest fear-mongering against equality – to counteract the lies with respectful dialogue and grassroots action.

Sign our first petition at EndtheLies.org – Tell Ken Starr to stop using lies about child “welfare” to divorce loving parents.

Since it’s no longer as acceptable to display open bigotry against LGBT people, the right-wing has resorted to lies and fear tactics. Take Ken Starr’s statement that same-sex marriage amounts to “seizing and hijacking the marriage relationship in order to achieve apartheid-type values.”
HRC’s EndtheLies.org campaign will help us combat these untruths in the media, in Congress, in our statehouses, schools, workplaces and faith communities. And that will be key during the brewing battle over hate crimes legislation – which the right-wing is already trying to drag into the gutter.

They say that hate crimes laws will criminalize pastors and “do away with our freedom of speech.”

They spent millions during the Prop. 8 campaign telling Californians that marriage equality was corrupting schoolchildren and eroding their “moral character.”

They’re running absurd ads that suggest transgender anti-discrimination measures will lead to men attacking women and girls in public restrooms.
We’ve exposed dozens more outrages at EndtheLies.org – check it out and sign our Ken Starr petition today.

Right-wing extremists will keep spreading these lies as long as no one holds them accountable. They will continue to raise money hand-over-fist and use lies to block hate crime and workplace protections, marriage equality, HIV/AIDS funding, and the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
That’s why YOUR action is so critical. These lies aren’t just offensive – they stand in the way of basic fairness and equality.

EndtheLies – starting with Ken Starr’s!

Last night, HRC joined with other groups to sponsor Marriage Equality USA’s “Eve of Justice” vigils across California. Today, hundreds of protestors will gather outside the courthouse in San Francisco during the oral arguments. The court will issue a ruling within 90 days. This is one of those rare moments in our movement when we can shine a light and change hearts and minds – please spread the word to family and friends.
Warmly,

Joe Solmonese, HRC President

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