Breaking Marriage Equality News Headlines from January 2011

	One Colorado, coalition of 500,000 to lobby for civil unions One Colorado will work with these organizations to lobby the Colorado General Assembly to pass a bill creating civil unions. The yet-introduced bill will be sponsored by gay lawmakers Sen. Pat Steadman and Rep. Mark Ferrandino. Both are Democrats. The state-wide GLBT advocacy group will be sponsoring phone banks, a postcard campaign and a lobby day Feb. 21. One Colorado is also planning a Valenti... Gayzette • Jan 31, 2011

	Quinn to sign civil union law Once Quinn adds his signature to the legislation, Illinois will become just the sixth state to recognize civil unions or domestic partnerships. Six states and the District of Columbia recognize gay marriages. The legislation, which does not alter state law recognizing marriage as being between a man and woman, would grant gays and lesbians new rights involving their partners regarding hospital vi... Chicago Sun-Times • Jan 31, 2011

	Dueling Letters to the CA Supreme Court: This Week in Prop 8 for January 31, 2011 Ted Olson, a lead attorney on the case against Prop 8, sent a letter to the California Supreme Court this week, explaining why, in his opinion, the court shouldn't intervene in the case. His position boils down to "none of your business," ... Stop8.org • Jan 31, 2011

	Wyoming: Senate passes bill for gay marriage amendment Speaking at a news conference Thursday, Mead said he believes marriage should be between a man and a woman. "But I also believe that we have to be very careful and pragmatic about how we approach this," said Mead, a former U.S. attorney in Wyoming. "And the reason is that we do not want to, as a state, limit access to our court system." Child custody or property issues can arise with same-sex co... New England Cable News • Jan 28, 2011

	The DOJ's buddies - Part I The Supreme Court has found that defending "traditional notions of morality" is not an adequate reason for enacting law. In fact, to do so would be to invite judicial rejection. So it is definitely to our advantage to remind the court that the sole purpose of anti-gay laws - including anti-marriage laws - is based in a desire on the part of one segment of society to impose their religious beliefs... Box Turtle Bulletin • Jan 28, 2011

	More amicus briefs filed: Eagle Forum, Liberty Counsel -- in support of Obama DOJ DOMA defense Also up are the briefs from the Pacific Justice Institute and the Foundation for Moral Law. From the Liberty Counsel brief, an attempt to say Loving v. Virginia is not a legitimate comparison to refer to when considering the legalization of same-sex marriage.... Pam's House Blend • Jan 28, 2011

	Olson Wants Yes on 8 to Back Down Attorney Theodore B. Olson, who is working to overturn California's voter-approved gay marriage ban, asked the state supreme court Tuesday not to allow Proposition 8 sponsors to defend the ballot measure in court.... Advocate • Jan 28, 2011

	Hawaii: Civil Unions Pass First Hurdle The committee approved the bill 3-2 Tuesday, according to KHON News. Democratic lawmakers said they want to address the civil unions bill early in the term, to allow them time to concentrate on looming economic problems and creating jobs. Gov. Neil Abercrombie has said that he would sign the civil union bills if it reached his desk.... Advocate • Jan 28, 2011

	Senate Dems vote down push for gay marriage ban A motion by state Sen. Kent Sorenson (R-Indianola) to suspend the Senate's rules to allow a vote on a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage was defeated early Thursday morning on a party-line vote. Sorenson asked all 50 senators to call up Senate Joint Resolution 8, a bill that would amend the Iowa Constitution to specify that marriage between one man and one woman is the only legal union vali... Iowa Independent • Jan 28, 2011

	Gay Marriage Reaches Majority Support In 17 States Citing research conducted at Columbia University, the report's authors found that as recently as 2004 such unions did not have majority support in any state, and only 3 states in 2008. But in 2010, 17 states turned the corner, including Delaware (50%), Nevada (50%), Maryland (51%), Pennsylvania (51%), Oregon (52%), Colorado (52%), Washington (54%), Hawaii (54%), Maine (55%), New Jersey (55%), New... On Top Magazine • Jan 27, 2011

	Gay Marriage Wins Highest Support Ever In New York, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds In today's survey, support for gay marriage is 69 - 25 percent among Democrats and 55 - 39 percent among independent voters. Republicans are opposed 52 - 41 percent. Men back gay marriage 54 - 40 percent and women support it 58 - 34 percent. Support is highest among suburban voters, 61 - 33 percent. New York City voters support gay marriage 55 - 37 percent and upstate voters support it 54 - 39 per... Quinnipiac University • Jan 27, 2011

	Prop. 8: Battling in new arena n brief, here is what the four letters proposed: Opponents of Prop. 8 (supporters of same-sex marriage) -- The state Supreme Court should decline to take up the request from the Circuit Court. The issue of who may defend Prop. 8, they said, is a matter of federal law, and no one but the state, under state law, has a right to decide whether to defend the measure. The state has refused to do so.... SCOTUSblog • Jan 27, 2011

	Prop. 8 opponents ask California high court to reject federal court's request for ruling In his letter to the state court, Theodore B. Olson, an attorney for two same-sex couples, said that the question of standing in federal court is a federal constitutional issue, not a state one, and that the California Supreme Court would merely prolong the case by agreeing to answer the 9th Circuit's question. Olson also argued that well-established law in California denies initiative sponsors t... LA Times • Jan 27, 2011

	Resolute Republicans to go after D.C.'s gays, symbolically Ultra-conservatives in Congress have done themselves one better this week, having found an even easier target for their homophobia than gay voters: gays who don't have a voting representative in Congress. Some in the GOP want to bar gay marriage in the District of Columbia, the one city in the U.S. that has no voting power in Congress.... LA Times • Jan 26, 2011

	Public hearing on HJR 6 Please join us at 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 31, in the Iowa State Capitol House Chambers for a public hearing on House Joint Resolution 6 (H.J.R. 6), a resolution that would not only overturn the Varnum decision, but would slam the door on civil unions, domestic partnerships, and any other legal recognition of same-sex couples. The hearing starts at 6:30 p.m., but we are asking supporters to get to the... One Iowa • Jan 26, 2011

	Maryland Gets Marriage Bill ''It's time that we get full marriage equality and that we get it in 2011,'' Senate Majority Leader Rob Garagiola (D-Montgomery), who is straight, said after Darrell Carrington, of Equality Maryland's board of directors, introduced the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act. If passed, the bill, drafted by Sen. Rich Madaleno (D-Montgomery), the only openly gay member of Maryland's Se... Metro Weekly • Jan 26, 2011

	DC Republicans Respond, Stand Up for Marriage Equality Bob Kabel, Chairman of the DC Republican Committee and Patrick Mara, Executive Committee member of the DC Republican Committee and candidate for DC Council At-Large sent Rep. Jim Jordan this letter strongly encouraging him as Chairman of the Republican Study Committee not to interfere with DC's marriage laws.... Log Cabin Republicans • Jan 26, 2011

	Majority supports same-sex marriage In the poll, 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. If the legislature passes a same-sex marriage bill, it is likely to be petitioned to the ballot for a statewide vote in 2012.... Washington Post • Jan 26, 2011

	Civil Unions process starts anew in Hawaii There are two versions of civil unions presented, SB 232 which is identical to last year's bill that Lingle vetoed (with an updated effective date) and SB 231 was crafted by the Governor's staff to address concerns that some had with last year's bill.... Box Turtle Bulletin • Jan 26, 2011

	Same-sex marriage arguments: This is about rights, speakers say House Joint Resolution 6 is expected to pass through a House Committee process later today. It goes beyond limiting same-sex marriage by also excluding what its authors say are domestic partnerships or civil unions.... DesMoins Register • Jan 26, 2011

	Iowa legislative panel backs putting gay marriage ban to vote Liz George of Windsor Heights said her partner died in 2007, and she faced a host of legal troubles because they weren't married. "We were partners for 21 years and we had no legal protections," George told the panel. Bill Graham, of Indianola told the panel that his daughter was in a committed same-sex relationship with two children and it isn't fair to discriminate against her. "Their relatio... Sioux City Journal • Jan 26, 2011

	Proposed amendment banning same-sex marriage clears initial hurdle A three-member panel in the Iowa House has approved a resolution that would let Iowans vote on a constitutional amendment that would make same-sex marriages, civil unions and domestic partnerships illegal in Iowa. Critics and supporters of the legislation were given a chance to speak to the three lawmakers and the more than 200 other people who'd crowded into the room.... Radio Iowa • Jan 26, 2011

	Hearings On Gay Marriage Ban Set For Monday In Iowa House The state's most vociferous opponent of gay marriage, The Family Leader, which is headed by former GOP gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats, has announced it will hold a prayer meeting in support of the bill in Room 305 from 12 to 1PM. "Several of us plan to bring a token of Christian love (like a small bag of cookies or other treats) to share with homosexual activists who we'll be encounter... On Top Magazine • Jan 25, 2011

	Obama's State Of The Union To Mention Same-Sex Marriage? Will President Obama's third State of the Union address mention gay rights, including the right of same-sex couples to marry? Few think so, given the downright hostile environment fomented by the anti-gay GOP, Obama's recent win on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal, and his earlier-kept promise of signing into law the Hate Crimes bill. Others think he has a moral obligation to do so. Regardless, the ... The New Civil Rights Movement • Jan 25, 2011

	Beijing's first gay marriage sparks storm online Da Wen and Xiao Qiang (not their real names) held a 'comparatively open' wedding ceremony with about fifty friends in attendance after meeting three years ago in an internet gay community. 'We just want to live a stable life as normal couples do, no matter if the wedding is held or not,' said Xiao Qiang. 'The society is more open than before, which makes us brave enough to show the public' Da Wen... Straits Times • Jan 25, 2011

	Iowa panel backs putting gay marriage ban to vote The House Judiciary Committee approved the measure on a 13-8 vote, sending the measure to the full House for debate. Earlier, a subcommittee of that panel voted 2-1 in favor of the resolution. House Majority Leader Linda Upmeyer, R-Garner, says the full House could take up the resolution within a few days, but next week is more likely. Republicans control the House on a 60-40 margin, and top le... Sioux City Journal • Jan 25, 2011

	New Governor Already Discriminating Against LGBTs and Other Groups By ignoring the categories of "handicap" or "marital status" in his new non-discrimination policy, Scott has actually managed to add discrimination to the Florida Government policies which was not previously there. Those two categories are protected by Florida Law under our Civil Rights Act and many advocacy groups have been working tirelessly to add "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" to t... South Florida Gay News • Jan 25, 2011

	Preview of the Year's Marriage Fights: This Week in Prop 8 for January 24, 2011 A busy week for marriage equality all around the country, with new cracks appearing in the Defense of Marriage Act. Meanwhile, a slew of bills appeared this week in various states, both for and against marriage. We're starting to get a clearer picture of what marriage battles across the country are going to look like in ... Stop8.org • Jan 24, 2011

	Our Stories Have Power: Prop 8 One Year Later Mine is not the main injustice of this story. It is the needless destruction of a family that I find unforgivable. I needed my family - we needed each other. All I wanted was to heal my family, and for my parents to love me again. I failed in that task; it required the impossible. I couldn't be what I wasn't. The only choice left was to fight for my soul, so I did. All of these thoughts were runn... Out Front Colorado • Jan 24, 2011

	Marriage in Maryland by April? Maryland advocates and a leading lawmaker projected confidence that a marriage equality bill could pass the state general assembly by early April, while they also predicted success for a gender identity antidiscrimination measure. "We're in a really great position to be advancing a marriage bill and an anti-discrimination bill," said Cameron Tolle, online organizer for Freedom to Marry, which coh... Advocate • Jan 22, 2011

	Hopes are High for Marriage Equality in New York It appears the battle over same-sex marriage is about to heat up in New York Senate and hopes are high for winning that battle, as State Sen. Thomas Duane announced yesterday he would introduce legislation "within weeks" to legalize same-sex marriage in the Empire State and will push for a vote by the end of June.... Lez Get Real • Jan 22, 2011

	Marriage amendment introduced in Iowa House Democrats were in control of both legislative chambers from 2006 until January, when Republicans captured a majority in the House and promised to once again push a gay-marriage ban quickly. However, Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal has vowed to never allow such an amendment to come up for debate. Democrats still have a 26-24 majority in the Senate.... Iowa Independent • Jan 21, 2011

	Elton John Headlines Glittery Prop. 8 Fund-Raiser He walked on stage in sunglasses, an earring glittering in one ear. The days of jumping on piano benches were presumably behind him. Still, in 16 songs that lasted over 90 minutes on Wednesday evening, Sir Elton John offered a robust private concert to a relatively intimate audience gathered under a tent in an estate in the Hollywood Hills on a cool California evening. The cause for this fund-rai... NY Times • Jan 21, 2011

	New Hampshire House could delay gay marriage fight New Hampshire's House Republican leader said Friday he will ask that the fight to repeal gay marriage be postponed until 2012. Rep. D.J. Bettencourt told The Associated Press he will ask the committee responsible for the repeal bill to retain it until next year. Bettencourt said the National Organization for Marriage sent a direct mailer to his district in Salem saying he doesn't support traditi... New England Cable News • Jan 21, 2011

	Prop. 8 Petition Drive Was a Religious Affair Wouldn't you know it? Nearly every signing station in California was in a church or faith-based locale--including 19 of the 20 listed spots in Orange County and Long Beach.... OC Weekly • Jan 20, 2011

	Brian Brown: NOM Isn't Giving Up On Gay Marriage In Washington DC "We will press our belief with Congress that the constitution of the District requires that voters be allowed to decide this important issue." - NOM president Brian Brown.... Joe My God • Jan 20, 2011

	MARYLAND: GOP Leader Steps Down Over Backlash For Civil Unions Support Maryland state Sen. Allen Kittleman has announced that he will step down as GOP minority leader over criticism he's received for sponsoring a civil unions bill.... Joe My God • Jan 20, 2011

	LGBT Rights: An Important Year Ahead This year presents opportunities in Maryland, Rhode Island and New York for marriage equality. In all three states we have the chance of gaining, not civil unions, but full marriage equality. While New York is the toughest battle we still are very much in the running with our new governor in office. If Maryland passes marriage equality we most likely will face a referendum to repeal the law. This ... Pam's House Blend • Jan 20, 2011

	Join us for Camp Courage in New Hampshire Today, we're announcing the dates and locations of our Camp Courage trainings in the state, in partnership with Granite State Progress. See our e-mail below. If you are in the state, please join us! And if you have friends in the state, send them the details. These are the tools to start doing the hard work of protecting hard-won equality.... Prop 8 Trial Tracker • Jan 20, 2011

	Court win for same-sex couples seeking benefits President Obama has criticized the law, but his Justice Department is defending it in court. The administration says Congress was entitled to preserve the status quo in federal law while states debated the marriage issue. But Wilken said the 1996 law actually changed the status quo by "robbing states of the power to allow same-sex civil marriages that will be recognized under federal law." She a... SF Gate • Jan 20, 2011

	Marriage Equality in 2011: Opportunities and Risks After a 2010 with few marriage equality measures contested outside the courtroom, 2011 will likely see a number of battles state by state across the country. Three states are facing the prospect of losing marriage equality, an additional seven states could start the process of amending their state constitutions to ban marriage equality, and five could gain marriage equality. Here are the key stat... Keen News Service • Jan 20, 2011

	New RNC Chair Reince Priebus Embraces NOM, Tea Party Priebus, who previously had ties to the more moderate outgoing chair Michael Steele, told the National Organization for Marriage's Maggie Gallagher in a candidate interview that he is a vigorous advocate for marriage between a man and a woman and would use RNC resources to help NOM push their antigay marriage cause.... LGBT POV • Jan 19, 2011

	Equality under attack in the 'Equality State' on 'Equality Day' The legislature in the Cheney's home state of Wyoming is debating anti-gay legislation, House Bill 74, titled inappropriately, the "Validity of marriages" bill. It's an ugly attempt to invalidate same-sex marriages in the "Equality State." There's a hearing today on the bill. In Wyoming, it's not just MLK day, it's also "Equality Day." Hell of a way to celebrate equality, huh? You can't make this ... AmericaBlog • Jan 19, 2011

	Prop 8's petitionary root: Only if it involved a virgin and a manger could birth have been less secular So 200+ locations where Californians were able to pick up petitions designed for the SOLE PURPOSE of invalidating our court-granted, constitutionally sound CIVIL rights. And yet in the current Prop 8 trial, the proponents actually try to deny the assertion that faith animus (for the marital right, not necessarily the people) was the guiding principle?!... Good As You • Jan 18, 2011

	On Martin Luther King Day, words on equality from his widow Gays and lesbians stood up for civil rights in Montgomery, Selma, in Albany, Georgia, and St. Augustine, Florida, and many other campaigns of the Civil Rights Movement. Many of these courageous men and women were fighting for my freedom at a time when they could find few voices for their own, and I salute their contributions.... AmericaBlog • Jan 18, 2011

	Obama Losing on Purpose? This Week in Prop 8 for January 17, 2011 Obama's relationship with LGBTs: it's complicated. Things got rocky this week when the Justice Department continued protecting the Defense of Marriage Act, the federal ban that prevents gay couples from getting married. But what's interesting is the reason they gave for doing so. According to Justice, DOMA's only necessary because laws differ from state to state, and the ban ensures some federal ... Stop8.org • Jan 17, 2011

	Obama Sabotaging Defense Of DOMA, Gay Marriage Foes Insist The anti-gay marriage group National Organization for Marriage (NOM) claims Obama officials are sabotaging the defense of the federal gay marriage ban DOMA. The Obama administration on Thursday appealed two federal cases that found portions of DOMA to be unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge Joseph Tauro ruled in July that the 1996 law violates the constitutional rights of gay and lesbian couple... On Top Magazine • Jan 16, 2011

	Utter deception or utter delusion? Are You Kidding? This is just two days - two days! - after NOM quoted a Catholic Bishop who called same-sex marriage "the modern day evil works of Satan." Who distorted the Bible to say God slaughters entire cities for homosexuality. Who said - one day after the shooting of Rep. Giffords: "In this battle, there is no neutrality, no demilitarized zone." Really NOM, you don't think anti-gay elim... Prop 8 Trial Tracker • Jan 14, 2011

	Matt Barber: Prop 8 strategy built on PR. I know, I was there We all know that "protect marriage" rhetoric is a carefully focused group notion mention to cover up the discriminatory truth attached to all anti-LGBT campaigns. And more and more, we're hearing rogue members of the "pro-family" movement admit as much:... Good As You • Jan 14, 2011

	Imperial County supervisors take no action on Proposition 8 case No action was taken by the Imperial County Board of Supervisors Tuesday after they discussed the lawsuit over California's gay marriage ban. The board met in closed session to discuss the issue, and as such, the board can't talk about what it discussed, said County Counsel Michael Rood.... Imperial Valley Press • Jan 13, 2011

	Equality California Launches National Search for Executive Director The Board of Directors for Equality California and Equality California Institute has retained executive search firm Morris & Berger, which specializes in the nonprofit sector, to assist in its national search for an executive director to succeed Executive Director Geoff Kors. Kors will step down from his position later this year. Joint Statement from Clarissa Filgioun, Board President for Equalit... Equality California • Jan 13, 2011

	Gay Republican Fred Karger Fights for Participation in Iowa GOP Event How big is the tent in the Republican Party? That's a question that GOPers in Iowa will have to answer, as they get set to host an event in March 2011 for potential presidential hopefuls. If organizers of the event are to be believed, you can expect to see Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty, Haley Barbour, and a host of other politicians rumored to be running for president. But at the moment, you won't se... Change.org • Jan 13, 2011

	Maryland set to expand gay rights, same-sex marriage Maryland is poised to become the sixth state to recognize same-sex marriage as proponents say they believe they have enough support to pass such a measure in the upcoming legislative session. The expansion of gay rights appears to have gained significant traction as Maryland's General Assembly begins its 90-day session Wednesday. Not only are Democrats optimistic about their chances of approving ... CNN • Jan 13, 2011

	New Hampshire GOP Decides Against Gay Marriage Repeal ... For Now Rather than focusing their energies on reopening the gay marriage case, Bettencourt and his House Republican peers, who have a 3-1 lead over Democrats, say they would be better served combating grave economic problems, such as the state's 5.4% unemployment rate and estimated $600-800 million budget deficit.... Change.org • Jan 13, 2011

	Coming out swinging in Rhode Island The local chapter of the National Organization for Marriage is launching a $100,000 TV advertising campaign aimed at defeating the legalization of same-sex marriage in Rhode Island. The first TV ad scheduled for airing on Tuesday will challenge "Governor Lincoln Chaffee's claim to have a mandate to redefine marriage," according to a news release issued by the group that misspelled new Governor Li... Prop 8 Trial Tracker • Jan 11, 2011

	Prop. 8 legal battle has implications for all ballot measures Rick Hasen, an elections law specialist and visiting professor at the University of California Irvine School of Law, cautioned against making sweeping conclusions based on the "atypical" nature of the Proposition 8 case. But he said it does raise an important point. "One of the underlying reasons for the initiative process is to allow voters to bypass the Legislature when the state Legislature is... SignOnSanDiego • Jan 10, 2011

	More States Brace for Anti-Gay Attacks: This Week in Prop 8 for January 10, 2011 Get ready for battles all over the country this year, as the fight over gay marriage heats up in New England, and some legal wrangling could put Prop 8 back up for a vote in 2012. It's been a super-busy week for marriage equality news. The big news this week was in California, where a piece of the lawsuit against Prop 8 got ... Stop8.org • Jan 10, 2011

	WaPo predicts Maryland marriage this year I have been frustrated with Maryland politics for years, but it does look like this year may be the year in which the Democratic Party in Maryland places equality for gay citizens as a higher priority than the religious beliefs of specific individual legislators. I will be delighted to joyously let bygones be bygones if they come through for our community.... Box Turtle Bulletin • Jan 9, 2011

	Justice Carlos Moreno, equality supporter, to retire California Supreme Court Justice Carlos Moreno, who cast the lone dissenting vote in the court's May 2009 6-1 ruling upholding the Prop 8 same-sex marriage ban, is retiring effective February 28.... Bay Area Reporter • Jan 7, 2011

	Same-sex marriage bill to be introduced Thursday In a brief interview on Wednesday, Rep. Arthur Handy, D-Cranston, said he had already lined up 27 co-sponsors and was hoping for more, but would introduce the bill no matter what the number on Thursday in hopes of spurring an early-session hearing and vote on the measure.... Providence Journal • Jan 7, 2011

	NCLR Legal Analysis Of The Ninth Circuit Prop 8 Ruling The next step after today's ruling is for the California Supreme Court to decide whether it will accept the Ninth Circuit's request. If it does so, it will then get briefs from both sides, and might hear oral argument as well before ruling. There is no set timeline for the California Supreme Court to rule. In previous cases, it has taken the California Supreme Court up to two years to answer a qu... Pam's House Blend • Jan 7, 2011

	NOM's secret funding sources NOM is the project of a small number of very significant contributors. Three donors alone gave more than a million dollars each and comprise 65% of the total revenues. Eleven additional major donors ranging from $400,000 to $5,000 bring the total of major donor contributions to 75%.... Box Turtle Bulletin • Jan 7, 2011

	Right-to-appeal issue looms If it turns out in the end that no one has a legal right to be in federal court to defend Prop. 8′s constitutionality, it is unclear -- at least for now -- what would happen to U.S. District Judge Vaughn R. Walker's decision in August striking down the ban under the federal Constitution. The two sides in the case disagree on whether that ruling would stand, unreviewed by a higher court, or whethe... SCOTUSblog • Jan 7, 2011

	9th Circuit Punts On Perry Prop 8; Certifies Standing To California The one last parting thought I have is that this California Supreme Court certification process is likely to take some time. Six months would be a miracle, a year is far more likely. First off, the California Supreme Court does not have to accept consideration, and there will be a briefing process on whether they even should do that. Assuming they then accept consideration on the merits, and I do ... FireDogLake • Jan 7, 2011

	Appeals court turns to state on key Prop. 8 issue The three-member panel, Judges Stephen Reinhardt, Michael Hawkins and N. Randy Smith, made its view clear Tuesday: that California's initiative process "would appear to be ill-served" if elected officials could nullify a voter-approved initiative by refusing to defend it. But the judges said they need advice from the California Supreme Court, the final interpreter of state law, on whether sponsor... SF Gate • Jan 6, 2011

	Scalia on 'Controverisal Stuff': 'I Don't Even Have to Read the Briefs' It's widely expected that Proposition 8, the measure passed by California voters in 2008 outlawing same-sex marriage, will ultimately land in the lap of the U.S. Supreme Court. If and when it does, LBers, don't look for Justice Antonin Scalia to strike down the law as violating the 14th Amendment's equal protection clause. Scalia made that pretty darn clear in a recent interview with UC Hastings ... Wall Street Journal • Jan 6, 2011

	NOM produces (part of) its long-awaited 2009 tax returns Running the numbers, this means that 3 wealthy donors contributed 68% of their total donations; 4 donors gave 73% and 5 donors gave 75%. These figures reinforce what we and others (Fred Karger) have been saying: the National Organization for Marriage does not represent some sizeable (or even small) grassroots constituency. The only "constituency" they represent is that of a few anti-gay folks who... Prop 8 Trial Tracker • Jan 6, 2011

	Joining the fight in New Hampshire At Courage Campaign, we've been paying attention to the issue and making plans since it became clear this might come up. To that end, over the last several weeks, myself, Arisha, Rick, and everyone here have been talking to leading freedom to marry activists on the ground, allied state legislators, and other folks. But while we have been playing it close to the vest (which is also why I'm not writ... Prop 8 Trial Tracker • Jan 6, 2011

	Take Two for R.I. Marriage Equality Energized by the support of newly sworn in Gov. Lincoln Chafee (pictured), gay rights advocates will reintroduce a bill in Rhode Island's House Thursday to legalize marriage equality.... Advocate • Jan 6, 2011

	Equality California Hails Court's Decision Denying Standing to Imperial County in Prop. 8 Federal Challenge Today the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals denied Imperial County's attempt to intervene in the Proposition 8 federal challenge, and the court will now ask the California Supreme Court to consider whether the groups that placed Proposition 8 on the ballot have legal standing to appeal Judge Walker's decision to overturn Prop. 8 on the grounds that the measure is unconstitutional. Equality Califo... Equality California • Jan 5, 2011

	Breaking News in the Prop. 8 Case The Ninth Circuit Court has just released its opinion on the Proposition 8 case. The Court has asked the California Supreme Court to consider whether Protect Marriage -- the campaign that put Prop. 8 on the ballot -- has standing to appeal. The Court also ruled that Imperial County, which had tried to intervene in the case, does not have standing to appeal. Equality California's amicus briefs hel... Equality California • Jan 5, 2011

	Analysis: 9th Circuit Appears Ready to Grant Proponents Standing to Appeal A further reading of the document suggests that the 9th Circuit is ready to rule that Prop 8 proponents DO have standing to appeal. In turn, that would enable the 9th Circuit to decide whether Prop 8 is a violation of the 14th Amendment (and obviously it is), a decision that would have major ramifications across California and the country.... Prop 8 Trial Tracker • Jan 5, 2011

	My Year in Review Report on the Prop 8 Trial for OutQ News OutQ News kindly sent me the Year in Review radio report on the federal Prop 8 trial I contributed, which was broadcast New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. It runs about six minutes and features audio from a Prop 8 campaign commercial entered into evidence at the district trial; Ted Olson, lead attorney for the plaintiffs, explaining to Fox News why Prop 8 is unconstitutional, law professor Tobias ... LGBT POV • Jan 5, 2011

	Attorney Caryl Boies dies at 48 The founding partner of Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP's Fort Lauderdale office, "she was indefatigable," said her father, David Boies, lead attorney for Democratic presidential candidate Al Gore in the Bush v. Gore case, which determined the 2000 election, and, with his opponent in that case, Ted Olson, led the fight to overturn California's Proposition 8, which outlawed gay marriage.... Sun-Sentinel • Jan 5, 2011

	Prop 8 Case Returns to California Supreme Court Accordingly, the California Supreme Court should choose to answer the certified question about the authority California law does or does not give to the Proponents (as it is a matter of their discretion whether they choose to), and then after briefing and oral arguments, hand down a decision along the lines sketched above. Based on the earlier Prop 8 challenge before SCOCA and other past certifi... Cruz Lines • Jan 4, 2011

	LIVE on P8TT: You got Prop 8 questions, we got answers. Shannon and Chris are going to get to as many different questions from different people as possible. If you have a follow-up question to one of their responses, or a different take on something, whether as a response to your question or someone else's, please leave a comment with the question/response, and time permitting he will go back through to get to as many follow-up questions/comments as po... Prop 8 Trial Tracker • Jan 4, 2011

	New Hampshire Braces for Attempted Theft of Gay Marriage in 2011 A conservative effort to repeal New Hampshire's marriage equality law seems like a sure thing, with four separate Legislative Service Requests (precursors to bills) filed already in the NH legislature.... Towleroad • Jan 4, 2011

	Pastor Who Backed Prop 8 Held On Multiple Child Molestation Charges Pastor Tom Daniels of Rio Linda, California is being held on $6M bail after being charged with multiple felony counts of sexual assault on a child.... Joe My God • Jan 3, 2011

	New Anti-Gay Threats from GOP: This Week in Prop 8 for Jan 3, 2010 Make no mistake: the Republican party is by no means safe for gays. This week RNC Chair Michael Steele laid it out as bluntly as he could, telling the National Organization for Marriage that ... Stop8.org • Jan 2, 2011

	Video- RNC Chair: If Prop 8 is overturned, we'll ban gay marriage federally Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele just released a video of himself being interviewed by the Mormon-owned group National Organization For Marriage where he vows to pass a federal marriage ban if Prop 8 is overturned. With this new congress... Ok, it's true that Steele is just posing for his reelection bid as RNC Chair (which only has about a 10% chance of success btw), but stil... Pride in Utah • Jan 1, 2011

	RNC's Michael Steele Tells NOM if Prop 8 is Struck Down, GOP Would Call for a Federal Marriage Amendment Steele says he's "on the same page" with NOM and that the fight against marriage equality now requires a "pincer move - from the federal and the state level because that's how it's being played out nationally." And he always looks for an opportunity to "talk about what we stand for as Republicans," which, while Pro-Life and Pro-Family, is "not doctrinaire." Indeed, Steele insists he is not "exclus... LGBT POV • Jan 1, 2011

	Gov. leaves tortured LGBT legacy The film star and Republican political newcomer coasted on a wave of voter discontent to win election in 2003 following the recall of Governor Gray Davis. At the time, he was largely an unknown entity when it came to gay issues. He has confounded his LGBT supporters and detractors ever since. He later appointed Susan Kennedy, an out lesbian Democrat, as his chief of staff, and numerous other LGB... Bay Area Reporter • Jan 1, 2011

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