Same-Sex Marriage Update

[~baby~doll~]

Texas AG Greg Abbott promises to fight same-sex marriage ruling

http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2014/02/t...rriage-ruling/

This is a fight he can't win.

[MsTinkerbelly]

Originally Posted by ~baby~doll~

Texas AG Greg Abbott promises to fight same-sex marriage ruling

http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2014/02/t...rriage-ruling/

This is a fight he can't win.

He's up for re-electon, so no suprise there.

[~baby~doll~]

U.S. Judge Orders Kentucky to Recognize Same-Sex Marriages

By REUTERS FEB. 27, 2014, 3:18 P.M. E.S.T.

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2014/...xmarriage&_r=0

(Reuters) - A U.S. federal judge on Thursday ordered Kentucky to recognize the legal same-sex marriages of residents who wed outside the state, the office of the state attorney general said.

The decision is the latest in a string of rulings that expand gay rights following a U.S. Supreme Court decision last year that legally married same-sex couples nationwide are eligible for federal benefits, striking down a key part of the 1996 federal Defense of Marriage Act.

U.S. District Judge John G. Heyburn II's decision makes official a February 12 ruling where he said forbidding recognition of the marriages violated the constitutional rights of same-sex couples to equal protection under the law.

One more step toward equality in Marriage

[cricket26]

http://www.myfoxdfw.com/story/248449...riage-ban-lift

[~baby~doll~]

Religious freedom bills: The latest effort to counter advances in marriage equality
A state-by-state status report on current legislation

http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2014/02/r...iage-equality/

WASHINGTON – Religious freedom bills in more than a dozen state legislatures this year mark the latest effort by opponents of same-sex marriage to counter the growing public acceptance of marriage equality, and the momentum of federal court rulings striking down state gay marriage bans.

The bills would codify protections for individuals and businesses who assert their religious beliefs in refusing service to gays, same-sex couples, and others whose behaviors or beliefs conflict with their own.

The measures have gained national attention since the highly publicized criticism of Arizona’s SB 1062, the first this year to reach a governor’s desk. Many of the bills have only recently been defeated or withdrawn, as lawmakers scramble to avoid the national spotlight that befell Arizona.

Proponents say the bills are about protecting religious freedom, not sanctioning discrimination, and that criticism by gay rights activists is unfounded. Yet in state after state, bill sponsors cite primarily two cases as examples for the bills’ need: a case in New Mexico where a photographer was sued for refusing to photograph a same-sex couple’s commitment ceremony; and a case where an Oregon bakery was cited for discriminating against a lesbian couple for refusing to bake a cake for their wedding.

Follow the link for the rest of the article and the current litigation.

[MsTinkerbelly]

June 1st is the official start of marriage equality in Illinois, but in a wonderful step forward, the state will begin issuing marriage licences immediately, saying there is no valid reason to wait.

Yayyyy Illinois

[MsTinkerbelly]

Originally Posted by MsTinkerbelly

The House passed the bill which will now go to the Senate, which is actually the second go round. The bill previously passed both the house and Senate last year, but two votes from each are needed to put the bill before the people for a vote.

Indiana already has a ban in place, but the fuckwit lawmakers want to enshrine hate into their State Constitution.

More to come

Democratic Legislators changed part of the language of the bill before the final vote, so the Bill will not be eligible for vote again until 2016 due to Indiana's requirements of passing 2 sessions of the house and senate unchanged prior to voting. Complicated, sorry if i'm not clear.

In any case, a lawsuit has been filed in Indana by 2 couples challanging the current ban same sex marriage, so the law being considered might be a moot point if the Federal Judge strikes
down the current restriction as unconstitutional before the vote can be taken.

[MsTinkerbelly]

In other news...

The Methodist Church dropped all charges against the Minister recently charged with breaking the laws of the church by preforming the marriage of his son to a man. In December another Minister was defrocked for doing the exact same thing; have the Methodists realized that things they are a changin'?

Stay tuned.....

[MsTinkerbelly]

Seven same-sex couples and two people whose partners have died, filed a lawsuit in Arizona seeking to have the consitutional ban overturned on the grounds it violates the 14th ammendment.

[MsTinkerbelly]

Today a Federal Judge struck down Michigan's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, with no stay issued as to when marriages may begin.

As the ruling was handed down at the close of the court day, there was no time for marriage licenses to be issued, so unless there is an emergency stay issued over the weekend, marriage can begin Monday.

Whoop Michigan!!!

[iamkeri1]

This is the first good political news coming out of Michigan since Fox news took over all the news outlets 30 years ago, and turned my progressive, liberal, always in the forefront on social and civil rights issues, home state, into a conservative wasteland. I hope they do start marriages right away, that will make this ruling irreversible unless further legislation takes place.

Smooches,
Keri

[MsTinkerbelly]

As i suspected...

Marriages will be on hold until at least Wednesday in order to give the State time to appeal the decision. But, in a happy turn of events, hundreds of people were able to get married before the temporary stay was put in place, as Democratic county clerks added Saturday hours so that people could begin to marry immediately!

[MsTinkerbelly]

In Britian and Wales, same-sex marriage began today, with Scotland to follow in the fall.

Congratulations to both countries.

[MsTinkerbelly]

Ohio was ordered today to honor same-sex marriages from other states.

The decision will probably be stayed until all appeals are exhausted, and this was not a ruling for same-sex marriages done in Ohio, but is a positive step anyway.

[tara_kerrie]

There will be a decision handed down in two weeks in Arkansas. I have a feeling that the judge will send it to the surpreme court.

[MsTinkerbelly]

A Lawsuit representing 3same-sex couples and a recent widow was filed today, with an aim to overturning the 2004 ban passed on equal marriage.

Go Georgia!

[MsTinkerbelly]

Marriage equailty reigns in Arkansas, where the first of (hopefully) many marriages were performed today, and a total of 17 licenses were issued in one county. The AG has vowed to fight the ruling overturning the State ban, but so far no request has been filed. Stay tuned!

Congratulations Arkansas!!

[MsTinkerbelly]

Originally Posted by Kristopher_Shane

There will be a decision handed down in two weeks in Arkansas. I have a feeling that the judge will send it to the surpreme court.

The waiting is over!

[Soon]

IT'S TIME: Zeek Taylor and Dick Titus, together for 42 years.

[kittygrrl]

Originally Posted by Soon

IT'S TIME: Zeek Taylor and Dick Titus, together for 42 years.

This is beautiful news Congratulations to, the couple and to Arkansas.