Same-Sex Marriage Update

[Cyclopea]

Originally Posted by QueenofQueens

The legalization of gay marriage went into effect in New Hampshire on January 1st, however legislation has been filed to repeal the law and anti-marriage opponents are organizing a petition drive to create an amendment that would define marriage as being between one man and one woman.
Determining the rights of minorities should NEVER be subject to popular vote, New Hampshire gives us an opportunity to make that clear, should we seize it before it's too late.

Meanwhile, a CA law went into effect on Jan. 1st ensuring that those who were legally married here before prop 8 passed retain all legal protections and status as married couples. It also protects those legally married in other states/countries after prop 8 by affording them the same rights/protections sans being able to claim the designation of "marriage".

Thank you for these updates. The assholes in NH circulating petitions to get an anti-marriage amendment on this year's town meeting agenda are particularly disheartening. I find it hard to believe it will pass but after Maine who the hell knows. It's so easy to mobilize the stupid.

In other news the NJ Senate will vote this Thursday on a same sex marriage bill that is almost certain to fail. From Pam's House Blend:

" There will be a vote on gay marriage in the lame duck session of the New Jersey state legislature, NBCNewYork.com has learned.

"We're gonna post the bill and see what happens," Senate President Dick Codey told us.

Codey, and even sponsors of same sex marriage legislation are skeptical if there are enough votes to pass in the State Senate.

For days now, Codey has been weighing whether or not to allow a vote in the waning days of this session, which ends next Monday.

"The members for the most part said go ahead and post it," Codey explained in coming to his decision, while acknowledging there was a minority of his fellow democrats who urged him not to bring it to a vote.

The rush to get a vote in is because outgoing Governor Jon Corzine, who will sign the bill if passed, will leave office on January 19. His successor, Chris Christie, has said he would veto it."

This from Garden State Equality:

"MEMBERS: BREAKING NEWS FOR YOU TO FORWARD IMMEDIATELY TO YOUR FRIENDS, RELATIVES, ORGANIZATIONAL AND CONGREGATIONAL COLLEAGUES -- AND TO YOUR LIST SERVS AND BLOGS:

The New Jersey State Senate has just announced it is voting this Thursday, January 7, 2010 on the marriage equality bill. We need each of you to join us for this most momentus day in our lives.

We ask you to meet us in front of the State House in Trenton Thursday at 10:30 am, when we will march from the State House to the State House Annex, and then talk to legislators before the vote.

You may meet us in front of the State House earlier than 10:30 am Thursday to help us organize. We will be there earlier whenever you arrive. The address of the State House, for GPS and MapQuest purposes, is 125 West State Street. Park at the Trenton Marriott garage, 1 West Lafayette Street.

Thursday afternoon, immediately after the Senate vote, Garden State Equality will hold a news conference and a free member reception at the Trenton Marriott Ballroom, 1 West Lafayette Street. We ask all of you, members and journalists, to be there.

For further information

Journalists: Contact Chair Steven Goldstein, cell (917) 449-8918.

Members: Contact Co-Field Director Dani Bernstein, cell (909) 561-3738.

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On a personal note, if I see one more big mainstream article stating that civil unions/domestic partnerships provide all the same rights of marriage I will freakin' scream. I just read that as the last line in an AP story yesterday and it is sooo misleading and makes gays and lesbians appear to be seeking some sort of social approval from the 'phobes, rather than critically important legal and financial equality.
GRRRRRRRRRRR.....