Senate Democrats in Iowa vote down push for ban on freedom to marry
Posted on Jan 27, 2011 at 01:00 pm
A motion by Iowa state Sen. Kent Sorenson to suspend the Senate’s rules to allow a vote on a constitutional ban on the freedom to marry was defeated early Thursday morning on a party-line vote.
Marriage equality arguments: This is about rights, speakers say
Posted on Jan 26, 2011 at 05:00 pm
A passionate debate took place at a legislative meeting in Iowa on Monday about a proposal that could ultimately eliminate the freedom to marry in Iowa.
Marriage equality supporters urge California Supreme Court to reject federal appeals court request
Posted on Jan 26, 2011 at 02:00 pm
An attorney for same-sex couples hoping to overturn Proposition 8 in federal court urged the California Supreme Court on Tuesday to reject a federal appeals court request to determine whether state law gives initiative sponsors legal authority to defend ballot measures.
Maryland lawmakers expected to act on marriage equality
Posted on Jan 26, 2011 at 12:00 pm
Maryland appears poised this year to expand the rights of same-sex couples, with the state legislature considering proposals on full marriage benefits as well as a compromise plan that would establish civil unions.
"This is about loving couples," Sean Eldridge, political director for the New York-based advocacy group Freedom to Marry, told lawmakers and supporters Tuesday at an event in Annapolis to promote gay marriage legislation.
Majority in Maryland supports marriage equality
Posted on Jan 25, 2011 at 08:30 am
51 percent of voters say they would favor a law in Maryland allowing same-sex couples to marry, while 44 percent opposed such a law and 5 percent gave no response.
Marriage equality could move forward in some U.S. states
Posted on Jan 24, 2011 at 09:30 am
A handful of U.S. states are poised to take up the issue of marriage equality afresh, due largely to incoming lawmakers who may tip the balance in favor of the controversial measure.
"The work of persuasion, of personal conversations, of talking to lawmakers and mobilizing against a well-funded anti-gay opposition" are among the primary tasks for the lobbying group Freedom to Marry, said founder Evan Wolfson. "With the freedom to marry within reach this year in states such as New York, Maryland and Rhode Island, now is the time to have those conversations and move marriage forward," he said.
DesMoines Register: Iowa amendment eliminates many rights
Posted on Jan 21, 2011 at 11:29 am
The DesMoines Register editorial board: "The language proposed by 56 House Republicans Wednesday would amend the Iowa Constitution to say: 'Marriage between one man and one woman shall be the only legal union valid or recognized in this state.' That bans not only the marriages of same-sex couples but civil unions and any other domestic partnership. That should worry all Iowans."
Maryland marriage bill coming next week
Posted on Jan 21, 2011 at 09:30 am
Morgan Meneses-Sheets, Equality Maryland’s executive director, says a marriage bill is scheduled to be introduced next Tuesday at a time when her organization and most political observers believe supporters of the bill have the votes to pass it in both chambers.
BREAKING NEWS: In Iowa, GOP lawmakers trying to take away marriage equality
Posted on Jan 20, 2011 at 11:15 am
The new Republican-dominated House today revealed the first step in its anti-gay agenda, introducing a joint resolution that would allow Iowans to vote on a constitutional amendment to ban the freedom to marry.
Freedom to Marry's Evan Wolfson said, "Government should be on the side of all families, not putting barriers in their path as they seek to care for their loved ones. And the constitution should be respected as a shield of fairness for all, not used as a weapon to discriminate and harm.”
Stopping West Virginia’s anti-marriage equality amendment
Posted on Jan 19, 2011 at 05:45 pm
For the sixth year in a row, West Virginia will be considering a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between “one man and one woman.”
Last Thursday, the WV Senate and House issued a joint resolution calling for a public vote on marriage in 2012.