Legislatures in Vermont and New Hampshire Vote This Week on Bills to End Exclusion from Marriage for
Posted on Mar 23, 2009 at 10:03 am
After a week's worth of hearings on a bill to end the exclusion of gay couples from marriage, Vermont's Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously voted to support the bill last week. The full Senate is expected to vote today, March 23 at 3pm.
The bill is expected to move through the legislature in the next three to five weeks.
New Hampshire's House will vote on a marriage equality bill this Thursday, March 26th.
Vermont Senate Committee Unanimously Votes in Support of Marriage Equality
Posted on Mar 16, 2009 at 09:49 am
After a week's worth of hearings on a bill to end the exclusion of gay couples from marriage, Vermont's Senate Judiciary Committee just unanimously voted to support the bill. The full Senate is expected to vote on Monday, March 23 at 3pm.
The bill is expected to move through the legislature in the next three to five weeks.
Vermont Legislative Leaders Announce Intention to Pass Marriage Equality Bill
Posted on Mar 09, 2009 at 09:02 am
Vermont Senate President Peter Shumlin and House Speaker Shap Smith announced their intention to pass a bill to ensure the freedom to marry in Vermont. A public hearing will be held on March 18th at the Capital in Montpelier and the bill is expected to move through the legislature in the next four to six weeks.
TAKE ACTION in Vermont with Vermont Freedom to Marry:
TAKE ACTION in Vermont with Vermont Freedom to Marry:
- Mark your calendar for the PUBLIC HEARING in Montpelier on Wednesday, MARCH 18 from 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. Vermont Freedom to Marry needs each and every Vermonter! They'll make it easy: SIGN UP NOW TO RIDE THE EQUALITY BUS -- departing from various locations all around the state and bound for the public hearings. Have a blast while you do your part for equal rights!
- Email Senator Shumlin and Speaker Smith to thank them for their leadership. Let them know we appreciate their aggressive efforts to meet Vermont's economic challenges AND their leadership in protecting our families and civil rights. And let Senator Shumlin know you appreciate his remarks!
- Email Governor Douglas to ask him to join you in supporting equal rights for all Vermonters.
A Week of Events in California to Overturn Prop 8
Posted on Mar 02, 2009 at 10:42 am
The California Supreme Court hears oral arguments on the validity of Prop 8 this Thursday, and events are planned throughout the week to unite people in support of invalidating the discriminatory proposition because equality should not be put up for a popular vote.
- Monday, the California Senate and Assembly are expected to vote on the resolutions to overturn Prop 8.
- On Wednesday evening, the Eve of Justice, people will unite at statewide candlelight vigils in preparation for the oral arguments the following day. More information at EveofJustice.com.
- Thursday morning, oral arguments will take place in the California Supreme Court. Watch online starting at 9am pst/12pm est or attend watch parties throughout California.
- Wherever you are, show your support by joining Freedom to Marry in attending the online rally through Thursday to overturn Prop 8.
Freedom to Marry Bills Expected to be Introduced in a Record 11 State
Posted on Feb 23, 2009 at 09:08 am
A record 11 statewide marriage bills are expected to be introduced in legislatures in the US in 2009. Reflecting the ever-increasing support for and enlarged conversation around the freedom to marry, this represents a 35% increase from just a year ago. While 2009 may not see success everywhere at once, were all those bills passed and signed into law, along with victories in the marriage cases before the state supreme courts in Iowa and California, then almost 40% of Americans would live in jurisdictions with equality in marriage.
Already 14 states have at least some kind of protections for gay couples: 2 states have ended the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage; 3 honor out-of-state marriages; 4 have civil unions or broad domestic partnership; and 5 have created some lesser legal status on the road to marriage equality.
Already 14 states have at least some kind of protections for gay couples: 2 states have ended the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage; 3 honor out-of-state marriages; 4 have civil unions or broad domestic partnership; and 5 have created some lesser legal status on the road to marriage equality.
- See where your state stands on ending marriage discrimination
- Find a local equality organization to get involved
New Jersey’s Garden State Equality Hosts ‘24 Hours for Marriage Equality’
Posted on Feb 16, 2009 at 10:51 am
On Thursday, February 19, 2009, New Jersey will mark the two-year anniversary of New Jersey's failed civil union law. Over the past two years, studies have shown that civil unions in New Jersey are failing couples, just as we see both civil unions and domestic partnerships not providing full equality in other states such as Vermont, Maine, and Oregon. The failure of these laws reaffirms that marriage is indeed the only way to achieve equality.
Join Garden State Equality for 24 HOURS FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY and work to end the inequality in New Jersey by supporting marriage equality. It all begins at 7:00 pm on Fight Back Night, Wednesday, February 18, 2009, and continues through Thursday night, February 19th. The events are listed here.
Join Garden State Equality for 24 HOURS FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY and work to end the inequality in New Jersey by supporting marriage equality. It all begins at 7:00 pm on Fight Back Night, Wednesday, February 18, 2009, and continues through Thursday night, February 19th. The events are listed here.
- Learn more about why civil unions are not equal to marriage
Celebrate Freedom to Marry Week This Week!
Posted on Feb 09, 2009 at 09:06 am
Join us in celebration of the 12th annual Freedom to Marry Week this week, February 8-14, 2009. People across the country have pledged to take part in any of our 7 Conversations in 7 Days during the week to move equality forward across the country, and it’s not too late: join in today!
To kick off blogging on Straight Talk on Marriage, Evan Wolfson wrote, "Conversations with the circles of people around us are the prerequisite to winning, the key to helping them push past their discomfort, complacency, or indifference to becoming supportive of our equality."
Having conversations is the single most important action you can take towards achieving marriage equality nationwide. Check our blog all week for special guest bloggers!
To kick off blogging on Straight Talk on Marriage, Evan Wolfson wrote, "Conversations with the circles of people around us are the prerequisite to winning, the key to helping them push past their discomfort, complacency, or indifference to becoming supportive of our equality."
Having conversations is the single most important action you can take towards achieving marriage equality nationwide. Check our blog all week for special guest bloggers!
New Web Campaign Helps Promote Conversations for Upcoming Freedom to Marry Week
Posted on Feb 02, 2009 at 08:43 am
Just in time for Freedom to Marry Week, February 8-14, Join the Impact has partnered with other national LGBT groups to develop a web based public education campaign, www.tell-three.org, to encourage LGBT people and their supporters to have three conversations with friends and family to help build support for LGBT equality. The new web campaign can assist people across the country pledging to have 7 Conversations in 7 Days next week.
- Check out www.tell-three.org
- Attend our Facebook Freedom to Marry Week Event
- Learn more about next week's activities: 7 Conversations in 7 Days
White House Website Updates Civil Rights Section, But Stops Short of Support for Marriage Equality
Posted on Jan 26, 2009 at 03:11 pm
Just as he took office, President Obama’s updated White House website had a section on Civil Rights which supports the LGBT community. Concerning marriage equality, it includes the repeal of the discriminatory so-called 'Defense of Marriage Act' (which actually took away rights from gay and lesbian couples), opposition to discriminatory marriage amendments, and support for extending 1,000+ federal rights to gay and lesbian couples.
Since the Obama administration stops short of advocating for full marriage equality, we all must take responsibility for change with our new government, and hold Obama to the stance he took in 1996: "I favor legalizing same-sex marriages, and would fight efforts to prohibit such marriages."
Since the Obama administration stops short of advocating for full marriage equality, we all must take responsibility for change with our new government, and hold Obama to the stance he took in 1996: "I favor legalizing same-sex marriages, and would fight efforts to prohibit such marriages."
White House Website Updates Civil Rights Section, But Stops Short of Support for Marriage Equality
Posted on Jan 26, 2009 at 10:06 am
Just as he took office, President Obama’s updated White House website had a section on Civil Rights which supports the LGBT community. Concerning marriage equality, it includes the repeal of the discriminatory so-called 'Defense of Marriage Act' (which actually took away rights from gay and lesbian couples), opposition to discriminatory marriage amendments, and support for extending 1,000+ federal rights to gay and lesbian couples.
Since the Obama administration stops short of advocating for full marriage equality, we all must take responsibility for change with our new government, and hold Obama to the stance he took in 1996: "I favor legalizing same-sex marriages, and would fight efforts to prohibit such marriages."
Since the Obama administration stops short of advocating for full marriage equality, we all must take responsibility for change with our new government, and hold Obama to the stance he took in 1996: "I favor legalizing same-sex marriages, and would fight efforts to prohibit such marriages."