Texas
 

Democrats in the Texas House of Representives managed to stall a Bill last night, which would have prohibited State and County officials from issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples, should the SCOTUS rule in favor of marriage equality.

The Republicans (which have majority in the House), had until mid-night last night to have the Bill passed, but the Democrats slowed things down by dragging their feet on 200 other Bills which needed to be voted on first.

Many businesses, including Dell Computers, let it be known that diversity remained a strong part of their culture, and this Law would not be welcome in Texas; making it all that more important for Democrats that the Bill fail.

Alabama recently passed a similar law, and there is another state (i think South Carolina) that has one moving through the process, causing lawsuits and delays should the SCOTUS pass marriage equality.

You can read the entire story on LBGTQnation.com

Ireland
 

Today Ireland becomes the first country to vote on marriage equality, and from all reports it appears that same-sex marriage will pass.

I don't like the idea of a popular vote deciding something like that, but I will send up prayers that people are kind and do the right thing.

Results will be announced tomorrow.

Ireland
 

Congratulations to the people of Ireland!

The issue wasn't yes or no after the polls opened, but how high the margin of yes would be!

Some areas were registering as much as 70% yes...:hangloose:

The Preservation of Sovereignty and Marriage Act.
 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/0...n_7351284.html


update on texas law

I am certain the legal wrangling will go on LONG after the decision by the SCOTUS in several states.

Very sad.

The Senate tried to attach the bill to an unrelated piece of legislation, but it failed once again to even be debated before the deadline ran out.

North Carolina
 

North Carolina legislators passed a bill allowing all clergy ( including employees of the state) to refuse to issue same-sex marriage licenses, or perform same-sex ceremonies.

The bill is headed to Governor McCrory, who says he may veto as public employees should not be included in the bill.

He vetoed the bill, but it will return to the grand assembly for a possible veto override.

The Assembly has enough votes to override should they choose to go down on the wrong side of history.

Ok, here we go. Here it starts. Pick, Pick, Pick. While they are waving the flag and holding the constitution in the other hand, the Republicans have done nothing for the last seven years but pick, pick, pick, away at rights that civilians on the streets and soldiers on the battlefield have fought for since the founding of our country. They have chipped away at voting rights, family planning rights, health care rights, and women's rights, Throughout the entire history of the LGBTQ civil rights movement, they have used every means at hand to hold us back including, the Bible, the Koran and the Torah. They have claimed to know clearly what is going on in our minds (we chose to be lgbt or q.) and most astonishingly what is going on in the mind of God. They have used their own arbitrary opinion of what God thinks to encourage intolerance and support religious beliefs that have led to violence and even murder of our people.

So now they are starting it up again, Pick, pick, pick. If you can't win in the courts, and you can't win in the legislature, and you can't win in the polls or in the opinions of the general public, then be sure to drag God back into it. Use religion to give people the right to discriminate. Allow individuals to make decisions that affect our lives if you can't get the law against us directly. Allow pharmacists to refuse birth control if they personally don't believe in it. Allow employers to refuse to cover employees' family planning services under the company plan if they don't believe in it. Allow PUBLIC employees to refuse services to lgbtq people if they personally oppose it.

Just as it is hard to keep a determined individual from breaking in to your house, or to keep a single determined terrorist from blowing up a building, it is difficult to stop a determined individual from refusing service to us even without the support of law. Laws are supposed to protect us from lawless individual, not support the lawless individual.

This sucks big time!!!

Austrailia
 

After the win for marriage equality in Ireland, the leaders of the Austrailian Opposition Party are pushing a bill through to overturn the ban on same-sex marriage.

The bill is still at the beginning stages, but it is certainly worth watching!:goodluck:

The Senate voted to override the veto, so the House is next to hear the issue and vote.

A step backwards for North Carolina

Alabama
 

The House Panel declined to move a Bill through that would have ended State issued Marriage Licenses yesterday.

I'm sure that someone else will try getting the Bill through in some other way, but for now Alabama is moving in the right direction.

I had it backward, but none the less....both the House and the Senate voted to override the veto, so public employees may now refuse to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples in North Carolina.

Oneida nation
 

The Oneida nation of Wisconsin, will begin to officially recognize same-sex marriage on June the 10th.

Same-sex marriage has been legal in Wisconsin for a year, but as a soverign nation, the Oneida peoples were not required to do the same.

Guam
 

A Federal Judge struck down Guam's same-sex marriage ban today, making it the first US territory to do so.

Same-sex marriage will begin Monday morning!

Yay Guam!

North carolina
 

Boy am i confused!

It seems the House adjourned for the weekend WITHOUT voting, and will take the issue up on Monday.:blink:

Every day that we can delay someone's ability to discriminate against someone else is a good day!
Smooches
Keri

Guam
 

On Friday, a Federal Court Judge gave the Island an extra day to prepare documents and such, so marriage licenses can be applied for beginning tomorrow (Tuesday) at 8:am.

The couple bringing the lawsuit to Guam, plan to be there as soon as the doors open. :rrose:

Guam
 

Same-sex marriages began without a hitch (pun intended) today, making Guam the first US territory to have marriage equality as the law of the land.

Whoop, whoop! :hangloose:

Arkansas
 

A Federal court ruled today that Arkansas must recognize the 500 marriages performed last year when the same-sex marriage ban was overturned.

Whoop whoop:hangloose: