As midterms near, gay rights activists press freedom to marry issue

June 21, 2010

Posted by Shane D'Aprile on thehill.com:

"Gay rights activists see a chance to get the freedom to marry issue back into the midterm campaign conversation thanks to an upcoming court ruling in California.

"Closing arguments in the trial challenging the legality of Proposition 8, the referendum banning marriage equalityi in the state, wrapped up this past Wednesday.

"No matter which way the ruling comes down, the case is headed for appeal. That would send it to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeal and, ultimately, some have predicted, to the Supreme Court. 

... "One campaign arena where the issue does loom large in 2010, according to Freedom to Marry's communication director Sean Eldridge -- attorney general races across the country. In the wake of Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley's lawsuit over DOMA, activists are injecting the issue into other AG campaigns, looking for candidates who will pledge to pursue similar lawsuits. In New York state's Democratic primary for attorney general, the leading candidates have already pledged to challenge the federal government on DOMA if elected. 

"'We want to see this issue come up in every AG race across the country,' Eldridge said. 'What's happening in California is just one of many instances this year where the marriage equality issue is going to be out there. I think politicians and voters are paying attention.'"

Click to read the full post: [Link]