Breaking Marriage Equality News Headlines from November 2011

	Poll: Arizonans Warming to Gay Marriage and Prefer ASU to UA If you want to see the extent to which public opinion is shifting on gay marriage, just look at Arizona. In 2008 the state's voters passed a gay marriage ban by a 56-44 margin. Now they're almost evenly divided on the issue with only 45% of voters in the state saying they think it should be illegal and 44% thinking it should be legal. ... Tucson Weekly • Nov 30, 2011

	ALP to talk gay marriage, refugees Labor's cross-factional gay marriage advocates, led by the ACT's Andrew Barr, are confident they have the numbers to change the party platform on the issue at the party's national conference. Mr Barr, the ACT Deputy Chief Minister and a Right faction member, confirmed last night he would move an amendment to the ALP platform for Labor to amend the Marriage Act to ensure equal access to marriage fo... Canberra Times • Nov 30, 2011

	Foes of same-sex marriage launch coalition Religious opponents of a planned push to bring same-sex marriage to Maryland have launched a new coalition, bringing their organizing efforts into two Democratic strongholds that are expected to be a battleground for the votes of African-American legislators. The Maryland Marriage Alliance, described as a multi-racial and bipartisan coalition of supporters of the traditional definition of marriag... Baltimore Sun • Nov 30, 2011

	Some courts reluctant to help abused gays DeHaven's request for a temporary protection order was denied because of his sexual orientation. The fear of such treatment reverberates through the gay community -- that their life choices will affect the protection they receive -- and keeps some from coming forward. The Ohio Revised Code defines domestic violence as harm or attempted harm to a "family or household member." In a 1991 Franklin Co... Columbus Dispatch • Nov 30, 2011

	Pincer move on Gillard over gay marriage Pincer move on Gillard over gay marriage December 1, 2011 'Rainbow Labor' ... ALP senator Penny Wong. Photo: Andrew Meares THE Labor Party's two most prominent gay politicians - one from the Right and one from the Left - will spearhead the push for marriage equality, as Julia Gillard struggles to maintain her authority on the issue. ACT Deputy Chief Minister Andrew Barr, from the Right, will mo... The Age • Nov 30, 2011

	Nigerian Senate Approves Anti-Gay Marriage Bill Under the proposed law, couples who marry could face up to 14 years each in prison. Witnesses or anyone who helps couples marry could be sentenced to 10 years behind bars. That's an increase over the bill's initial penalties, which lawmakers proposed during a debate Tuesday televised live from the National Assembly in Nigeria's capital Abuja. ... NPR • Nov 30, 2011

	NY: Technicality may snag gay marriage law A lawsuit seeking to overturn the state's new gay marriage law on procedural grounds can move forward because a private meeting between Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and Senate Republicans may have violated the state's open meetings law, an acting State Supreme Court judge in Livingston County has ruled.... Buffalo News • Nov 30, 2011

	Same sex civil unions passed in Qld Same sex couples in Queensland now have the right to enter into legally recognised civil unions. The Civil Partnerships Bill was passed in state parliament at 11.10pm (AEST) on Wednesday, with 47 MPs voting yes and 40 no. The bill, introduced by deputy premier Andrew Fraser, allows same sex couples to register their union with the Queensland Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.... Sydney Morning Herald • Nov 30, 2011

	Barney Frank Challenges Newt Gingrich to Debate on DOMA According to Fox News Frank, known for being one of the first openly gay congressmen, mentioned he'd like to debate Gingrich about repealing 1996′s Defense of Marriage Act, which defined marriage to the United States Government as a union between one man and one woman.... Death and Taxes • Nov 30, 2011

	Nebraska teenage politico responsible for gay marriage initiative One year after filing the initiative petition to end the same-sex marriage prohibition in the state of Nebraska, Chris Dyer, 18, is more dedicated than ever in reaching the required 112,877 signatures to place the Constitutional amendment repeal onto the 2012 ballot.... LGBTQ Nation • Nov 30, 2011

	Heartbreak for Lesbian Binational Couple: What's Changed in a Year In October 2010, Shewired kindly published an article about my partner Inger and me, relating the story of our lives as a binational couple separated due to DOMA (The Defense of Marriage Act). Inger is American and I am English. We have an 11-year-old daughter who is also American. So -- a year has gone by since that first articla ran, and what has changed? In reality--for us--nothing! As I sit h... SheWired • Nov 30, 2011

	Former EqCa Staffer: From Grasstops to Grassroots The language for the initiative submitted to the Attorney General's office is the same lawyer-vetted language as that submitted for a failed initiative in 2010. The proposed initiative opens with protections for "religious freedom" - exempting religious officials or institutions from having to perform same-sex marriages. It then strikes the current definition of marriage as between a man and a wom... Bilerico Project • Nov 29, 2011

	Gay marriage champion joins Vt. Supreme Court A woman who pushed for Vermont's ground-breaking civil union and gay marriage laws has been sworn in as the first openly gay member of the state Supreme Court.... AP • Nov 29, 2011

	Can the U.S. Government Recognize True Love? Married New Yorkers, Brandon and Luke, Join Fight Against DOMA I will fight for my right to sponsor my husband for a "green card," a privilege heterosexual Americans take for granted. With President Obama's recent decision not to defend DOMA and signals from the Department of Homeland Security about protecting LGBT families from being torn apart by deportation, we believe that this is the time to challenge our exclusion from the family-based immigration syste... Stop the Deportations • Nov 29, 2011

	Former EQCA Staffer Joins Love Honor Cherish as Interim Executive Director Eric Harrison, the former statewide development director for Equality California, has joined Love Honor Cherish as the marriage equality grassroots organization's Interim Executive Director, LHC announced Monday morning. Harrison was hired as LHC's first paid employee at a salary akin to what he was paid at EQCA, LHC Board Chair Tom Watson told Frontiers. His task is to build the organization and... LGBT POV • Nov 29, 2011

	Report: Religious Groups Spend Millions on Advocacy The National Organization for Marriage, for example, more than doubled its advocacy expenditures from $3.3 million in 2008 to $8.6 million in 2009, the most recent data available, the group found. ... Roll Call • Nov 28, 2011

	9th Circuit consolidates main Perry appeal with proponents' motion to vacate Today, the 9th Circuit agreed to consolidate the main appeal of Judge Walker's ruling striking down Proposition 8 with the proponents' appeal of Judge Ware's decision not to vacate that ruling on the grounds that Judge Walker did not disclose before the trial that he is in a long term relationship with a man. ... Prop 8 Trial Tracker • Nov 28, 2011

	EQUALITY MAINE AND GLAD TO RUN TV ADS SUPPORTING MARRIAGE EQUALITY In June, Equality Maine and the Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) produced videos for their joint website, called "Why Marriage Matters Maine," in an effort to gather support for a proposed ballot initiative to legalize marriage equality in Maine. The videos feature individuals whose hearts and minds have changed to favor marriage equality as they have come to understand that lesbian and ... GLAAD • Nov 28, 2011

	Bay Area couple at center of federal gay rights showdown In late August 2008, Karen Golinski and her partner of 18 years, Amy Cunninghis, gathered with family and friends in the rotunda of San Francisco City Hall and exchanged wedding vows, their young son serving as ring bearer. But as one of the 18,000 same-sex couples who married before voters approved Proposition 8 that fall, Golinski and Cunninghis now find themselves in the midst of a legal firest... Mercury News • Nov 28, 2011

	NH gay marriage push highlights GOP shifts Despite the presidential candidates' support for the New Hampshire repeal, younger Republicans in this state are skeptical, especially as voters are focused on the economy. "Why is the NH House wasting time trying to repeal gay marriage? Capital ugh," Robert J. Johnson, chairman of the New Hampshire College Republicans, wrote on Twitter. Polling suggests it may not be a winning issue. A recent ... AP • Nov 28, 2011

	Organizing on NC gay marriage referendum takes off The pro-amendment campaign is in the planning stages and expected to be unveiled in a week or so, said Tami Fitzgerald, executive director of the North Carolina Values Coalition. Wooden said a positive message is being planned about the pre-eminence of traditional marriage in society. The Washington-based Family Research Council also plans a statewide bus tour next spring in support of traditiona... WRAL • Nov 28, 2011

	Thankful for Marriage Equality Hi, I'm Matt Baume from the American Foundation for Equal Rights, and welcome to special edition of Marriage News Watch. I'm up at the Russian River for thanksgiving right now, but there's been some marriage equality news so let's do a nice quick update so we can be back to eating. We're closer than ever to the next Prop 8 decision. The case has been working its way through the courts in little b... MNW • Nov 28, 2011

	New Jersey: Beck To Co-Sponsor Gay Marriage Bill Beck, who was elected in her new 11th legislative district by a comfortable 13% margin earlier this month, made gay marriage an issue in the 11th district race when she told Jane Roh of the Courier Post that she would reverse her earlier party line vote against gay marriage and when she told Garden State Equality that she would vote to override Governor Christie's anticipated veto of such a bill.... More Monmouth Musings • Nov 28, 2011

	Prop. 8 cases joined, moving faster Moving to speed up its coming rulings on California's ban on same-sex marriage, the Ninth Circuit Court on Monday joined two of its pending cases that seek to revive that measure -- Proposition 8. In a brief order, a three-judge panel consolidated cases that both carry the case title Perry, et al., v. Brown, et al. (Circuit dockets 10-16696 and 10-16577). Both are challenges, but for different... SCOTUSblog • Nov 22, 2011

	'8,' a play about Proposition 8, debuts March 3 in L.A. "8," the work-in-progress play by screenwriter Dustin Lance Black that dramatizes the legal battle over Proposition 8, will make its Los Angeles debut March 3 in a staged reading directed by Rob Reiner. The play will be performed for one night only at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre.... LA Times • Nov 21, 2011

	Pullen Baptist takes a stand for gay marriage The full congregation of Raleigh's Pullen Memorial Baptist Church voted Sunday to prohibit the church pastor from legally marrying anyone until she can legally marry same-sex couples under North Carolina law. ... News & Observer • Nov 21, 2011

	Colombia Considers Four Bills On Gay Marriage, Civil Unions If Congress fails to act by July 20, 2013, then "gay couples can go to a notary and with the same solemnity of a heterosexual marriage enter a union similar to one between a heterosexual couple," said Judge Juan Carlos Henao, the court's president. ... On Top Magazine • Nov 21, 2011

	Domestic Partnership Benefits Bill Introduced Congresswomen Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) today introduced the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act of 2011. The bill would put the federal government on par with a majority of Fortune 500 companies by extending employee benefit programs to cover the domestic partners of federal employees to the same extent as those benefits cover spouses of federal employees.... Gay Today • Nov 21, 2011

	More Bad News For Same-Sex Marriage Supporters Doug Manchester bought the Union-Tribune newspaper. Manchester is best known as a hotelier and businessman in the San Diego area. But he's also one of the most aggressive and richest opponents of same-sex marriage.... NBC Los Angeles • Nov 21, 2011

	Anti-Gay Party Wins Control Of Parliament, Gay Marriage Imperiled Led by anti-gay asshat Mariano Rajoy, Spain's deeply conservative Popular Party scored a landslide victory in yesterday's national elections. Rajoy has vowed to repeal same-sex marriage rights once he's in power.... Joe My God • Nov 21, 2011

	CA: tide is turning on gay marriage 48% of voters in the state think it should be legal to only 43% who believe it should be illegal.... Public Policy Polling • Nov 21, 2011

	Get Ready for More Prop 8 Rulings Get ready for a busy holiday season with a slew of activity in the Prop 8 case. Washington and New Jersey ramp up their marriage campaigns, with good news possibly coming before the end of the year. And homosexuals account for half of all murders, according to guy who makes things up. Well the big news last week was the renewed momentum in the Prop 8 case. It's been over a year since the Court de... MNW • Nov 21, 2011

	Bill aims to fix flaws in Hawaii's civil unions law As Hawaii gets ready for civil union ceremonies, a 'fix-it bill' is already in the works. The measure is aimed at correcting potential problems in the new law.... Hawaii News Now • Nov 18, 2011

	Gronstal promises to block gay marriage debate A proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage in Iowa will again be a topic during the legislative session beginning Jan. 9, but the top Senate Democrat said Thursday he would block debate over the issue.... New England Cable News • Nov 18, 2011

	Same-sex couples expect quick ruling on Prop. 8 appeal Lawyers for two same-sex couples who are challenging Proposition 8 said Thursday that a federal appeals court ruling on the constitutionality of the same-sex marriage ban could come any day now that the California Supreme Court has ruled that initiative sponsors have the legal right to defend it. Chad Griffin, board president of the Los Angeles-based American Foundation for Equal Rights, which la... LA Times • Nov 18, 2011

	Same-sex couples expect quick ruling on Prop. 8 appeal Lawyers for two same-sex couples who are challenging Proposition 8 said Thursday that a federal appeals court ruling on the constitutionality of the same-sex marriage ban could come any day now that the California Supreme Court has ruled that initiative sponsors have the legal right to defend it. Chad Griffin, board president of the Los Angeles-based American Foundation for Equal Rights, which la... LA Times • Nov 17, 2011

	Ruling on Prop 8 Standing: What it Means Breaking news: The Prop 8 case is back on the fast track with a ruling from the California Supreme Court that sets the stage for a huge victory that could come very soon. I'm Matt Baume at the American Foundation for Equal Rights, and welcome to a special episode of Marriage News Watch. At first glance, it might look like a setback -- but it's not: the California Supreme Court ruled today that b... MNW • Nov 17, 2011

	Dem. Reed Gusciora Says the "Time is Ripe" for Marriage Equality Bill in NJ Deputy Assembly Majority Leader Reed Gusciora (D-Trenton) released a statement Wedensday declaring the "time is ripe" for his Marriage Equality bill to be posted in the Assembly. He has asked Assembly Judiciary Chair Peter Barnes and Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver to post the measure before the end of the year, or what's known as the lame duck session.... Patch • Nov 17, 2011

	Prop. 8 sponsors are legally entitled to defend measure, court rules The California Supreme Court decided Thursday that the sponsors of Proposition 8 and other ballot measures are entitled to defend them in court when the state refuses to do so, a ruling likely to spur federal courts to decide the constitutionality of same-sex marriage bans. ... LA Times • Nov 17, 2011

	Pivotal CA gay marriage ban decision due Thursday The court says it will file a written opinion Thursday morning clarifying whether the sponsors of ballot initiatives can defend their measures from legal challenges without the cooperation of the governor and attorney general. ... AP • Nov 17, 2011

	Kansas: Bunten worried registry could lead to legalized gay marriage Advocates of a proposed domestic partner registry in Topeka say it is more about facilitating business and equality than it is about same-sex relationships. But Topeka Mayor Bill Bunten is worried the registry is the first move toward legalizing gay marriage and is a step down the wrong path.... Topeka Capital-Journal • Nov 17, 2011

	Massachusetts' same-sex couples predicted to reach parity in 2013 If present trends continue in Massachusetts, same-sex couples will reach parity in marriage rates with different-sex couples in 2013, a mere nine years after such couples first were allowed to marry. ... Bay Windows • Nov 17, 2011

	Spain vote sparks concern over gay marriage, other reforms The Popular Party (PP) has appealed to the Constitutional Court against Spain's gay marriage law, which has allowed over 20,000 gay couples to wed since it was passed by the Socialist government in 2005. Opposition leader Mariano Rajoy has repeatedly said he prefers the term "civil union" to "marriage" for same-sex unions.... Expatica • Nov 16, 2011

	ACLU Files Appeal in Montana Domestic Partnership Case Arguing that the Montana constitution guarantees fair and equal treatment to all people, the American Civil Liberties Union is appealing a District Court's dismissal of a same-sex domestic partnership case. ... Advocate • Nov 16, 2011

	Prop. 8 backers: Trial videos would be misused They argued that unsealing the videos would endanger pro-Prop. 8 witnesses and provide "little public benefit," because the trial was held in open court and transcripts are available. But their adversaries said there's no good reason to hide a completed trial from public view. "What transpires in the courtroom is public property," lawyers for same-sex couples said, quoting a 1947 U.S. Supreme Cou... SF Gate • Nov 16, 2011

	HUD Secretary Supports Marriage Equality U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan became the first sitting cabinet secretary to announce support for marriage equality, saying on Nov. 15 that he ''absolutely'' supports marriage equality in an exclusive interview with Metro Weekly. Following his keynote speech at the eighth annual National Center for Transgender Equality Awards Ceremony, Donovan made his marriage comment... Metro Weekly • Nov 16, 2011

	Claims that LGBT community harassed same-sex marriage opponents not supported by courts The Minnesota for Marriage coalition, a group that is is urging voters to pass a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, has told the media and the Minnesota campaign finance board that if they have to disclose their donors, they will be subject to violence by supporters of marriage equality. But a string of court cases across the country have shed serious doubt on those claims, with ... Minnesota Independent • Nov 15, 2011

	Sierra Club Opposes Minnesota Gay Marriage Ban "To achieve our mission of environmental protection and a sustainable future for our planet, we must attain social justice and human rights at home and around the globe," said Margaret Levin, the state director of the Sierra Club North Star Chapter, in a statement. "The Sierra Club North Star Chapter has a long history of working together to protect our communities and our planet. We do not tolera... On Top Magazine • Nov 14, 2011

	Australia: PM grants conscience vote, dooming gay marriage JULIA Gillard will back a conscience vote for Labor MPs on gay marriage, as the Age/Nielsen poll shows a growing majority of Australians favour legalising marriage equality. But in a stand that will deeply disappoint those arguing for change, the Prime Minister also wants opposition to gay marriage to stay in the ALP platform, which will be debated at next month's party conference. Sixty-two per... Sydney Morning Herald • Nov 14, 2011

	New effort to legalize same-sex marriage begins Leaders of Washington United for Marriage, a coalition of dozens of gay-rights, civil-liberties, labor and religious groups, say they'll pressure the Legislature to pass a marriage equality law in 2012, and are prepared to defend it from any referendum challenge. ... Seattle Times • Nov 14, 2011

	Our Rights in Danger on the Ballot A victory for DOMA repeal in the Senate Judiciary Committee, but now it faces even greater hurdles in the full Senate. An election night victory in Iowa means marriage is safe, for now; but polling in Minnesota shows cause for alarm. Activists raise the stakes in Washington, Maryland, Oregon, and Maine. And a marriage equality betrayal by the Australian Prime Minister forces a showdown with her... MNW • Nov 14, 2011

	Gay couples leaving RI to get married Despite Rhode Island's new civil union law, we've learned a growing number of gay couples are crossing the border or moving out of state to get married. And some studies show Rhode Island could be missing out on millions in wedding costs and tax dollars. We've learned only 14 couples have entered into civil unions since the law passed this summer. But census data shows nearly 600 gay couples from... WPRI • Nov 14, 2011

	Sen. Blumenthal Stands Up for Lesbian Binational Couple Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut is calling on the Department of Homeland Security to put on hold, rather than outright deny, a marriage-based green card petition brought by a Connecticut lesbian couple. ... Advocate • Nov 11, 2011

	Broward County Passes Equal Benefits Ordinance ust moments ago the Broward County Commission voted unanimously to approve Florida's first countywide Equal Benefits Ordinance (EBO), a measure that requires the county's vendors to provide domestic partners with benefits equal to those offered to spouses of married employees. In other words, if you want to do business with Broward County, you must treat domestic partners and married employees equ... Equality Florida • Nov 11, 2011

	Polling on marriage amendment fluctuates wildly a year from vote Four polls have been released this week showing different results among Minnesota's electorate a year before the the 2012 vote on the controversial amendment to add a ban on same-sex marriage to the state constitution. Two polls show that the amendment might get defeated while two others show a slight lead for anti-gay marriage activists.... Minnesota Independent • Nov 11, 2011

	Washington: Moeller to co-sponsor gay-marriage bill State Rep. Jim Moeller announced Thursday he'll join dozens of other legislators next week in introducing a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in the 2012 Legislature.... Columbian • Nov 11, 2011

	Equality Maryland Names New Executive Director The statewide LGBT advocacy group in Maryland announced the selection of longtime advocate Carrie Evans to lead the organization in advance of an anticipated push for marriage equality and transgender rights legislation in 2012. ... Advocate • Nov 11, 2011

	Art Pope's money key to NC anti-gay marriage push North Carolina multimillionaire Art Pope and his groups are often called "libertarian" in their political outlook. But Pope has veered from the views of most libertarians on at least one key issue: gay marriage. Pope's family foundation has steered nearly $1 million into leading anti-gay marriage organizations, including $860,000 into a North Carolina group leading the push to amend the state's c... Southern Studies • Nov 11, 2011

	What the DOMA Repeal Vote Really Means The Senate Judiciary Committee has voted to repeal the anti-gay Defense of Marriage Act. Now it moves to a Senate that's hostile to marriage equality -- but that's actually okay. On one side: ten Senate co-sponsors of the Respect for Marriage Act. Patrick Leahy of Vermont, Herb Kohl of Wisconsin, Dianne Feinstein of California, Chuck Schumer of New York, Dick Durbin of Illinois, Sheldon Whitehou... MNW • Nov 11, 2011

	US gay couples "quicker to enter marriage than civil unions" The data showed that same-sex couples are marrying at higher rates than they are entering civil unions or other legally recognised partnerships, particularly when the options are first introduced by a state. ... Pink News • Nov 10, 2011

	Senate panel OKs repeal of Defense of Marriage Act The repeal bill would need 60 votes in the 100-member Senate, and sponsors acknowledged the votes aren't there. The measure would have no chance in the House, controlled by conservative Republicans. ... AP • Nov 10, 2011

	Basic Rights Oregon will not put same-sex marriage on 2012 ballot Feedback from an online survey of over 1,000 people, door-to-door canvassing, community meetings and two statewide television advertising campaigns overwhelmingly say, "we must allow our education work to continue," Basic Rights Oregon announced Wednesday. ... Oregon Live • Nov 10, 2011

	Gay Marriage Group Exceeds Petition Goal in Maine Betsy Smith of EqualityMaine says 396 volunteers collected more than 36,000 signatures on Election Day, bringing the total number to 100,000. That's more than enough petitions to get gay marriage onto the statewide ballot if the group chooses to do so. ... Maine Public Broadcasting Network • Nov 10, 2011

	Australia: Left figures oppose conscience vote on gay marriage A Left convener, Doug Cameron, yesterday joined Mental Health Minister Mark Butler in saying that a conscience vote for MPs - being seen as a face saver on the issue - is not adequate. They say the party should endorse gay marriage and MPs should be bound to vote for it. ... The Age • Nov 9, 2011

	Sierra Leone says no to gay marriage Sierra Leone's political and church leaders on Tuesday ruled out legalising same-sex marriages in the West African state, after a British threat to cut aid to nations not recognising gay rights.... News24 • Nov 9, 2011

	Gay marriage stays safe in Iowa following Senate election Democrats have held a crucial senate seat in a special election in central Iowa Tuesday. Had the seat fallen to Republicans, it would have allowed the Iowa Senate to potentially proceed with revocation procedures of legal gay marriage in the state.... GoPride • Nov 9, 2011

	Town clerk in NY same-sex marriage flap re-elected A town clerk in the Finger Lakes who refuses to personally issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples because of her religious beliefs has won her re-election race.... Wall Street Journal • Nov 9, 2011

	Gay marriage petitioners use Election Day to their advantage Supporters of same-sex marriage hoped to use the critical mass of voters on Election Day to reach their goal of gathering more than 75,000 petition signatures to put a question on next year's ballot.... Bangor Daily News • Nov 9, 2011

	Blocking Tax Breaks for Same-Sex Married Couples Even as more states move to legalize same-sex marriage, the financial effect of those changes is limited for same-sex couples because the Defense of Marriage Act of 1996 prohibits the federal government from recognizing them as legally married. ... Wall Street Journal • Nov 9, 2011

	Prime Minister Julia Gillard seeks conscience vote on same-sex marriage The Prime Minister is now the only Labor leader in Australia opposed to gay marriage, with Queensland's Anna Bligh, NSW's John Robertson, Tasmania's Lara Giddings, Victoria's Daniel Andrews and the ACT's Katy Gallagher supporting change. ... Daily Telegraph • Nov 9, 2011

	Polls shows Minnesotans split on gay marriage amendment With a year to go before the statewide vote on a constitutional amendment, the newspaper's poll found 48 percent of respondents are in favor of the amendment while 43 percent oppose it. That falls within the poll's margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points. ... Grand Forks Herald • Nov 8, 2011

	Oregon marriage equality supporters considering 2012 state ballot measure Collecting consensus across the state, a stop in Western Oregon this weekend for one of the largest groups in Oregon fighting to repeal the state's ban on gay marriage. More than 30 people took part in a Basic Rights Oregon town hall meeting Saturday, November 5th, 2011, at the First Christian Church in downtown Eugene.... KMTR • Nov 8, 2011

	Judge: Prop. 8 donors have no right to anonymity The "relatively few" incidents of criminal threats and violence were referred to police and prosecutors, England said, adding that most of the evidence fell into other categories: predictable excesses by both sides in a bitterly fought campaign, such as lawn sign vandalism; legally protected activities, such as economic boycotts; and events not clearly connected to Prop. 8, such as church protests... SF Gate • Nov 8, 2011

	Flight Attendants for Marriage Equality More positive polling in Maine and Washington. Gay couples get a green light to sue over civil unions in New Jersey. A vote on DOMA gets postponed until next week. And marriage equality gets a boost from the National Association of Flight Attendants. We're continuing the countdown to the next milestone in the Prop 8 case. Last week I told you that December 5th at 10am is the deadline for... MNW • Nov 7, 2011

	Sydney calls on Government to allow same-sex marriage The City of Sydney has declared its support for marriage equality and called on the Federal Parliament to amend the Marriage Act to legalise same-sex marriage. ... Star Observer • Nov 7, 2011

	HRC launches business coalition for DOMA repeal HRC was proud to have supported GLAD in marshaling businesses to join this brief and today also announced it is forming a business coalition to support DOMA repeal as part of its "Americans for Marriage Equality" campaign. The Senate Judiciary Committee will continue consideration next week on the Respect for Marriage Act -- the bill to repeal DOMA -- and HRC will be sharing this strong business c... Windy City Media Group • Nov 7, 2011

	John Leguizamo Urges Americans To Support Gay Marriage Actor John Leguizamo is the latest celebrity to record a video for the Human Rights Campaign's (HRC) Americans for Marriage Equality campaign. ... On Top Magazine • Nov 7, 2011

	Bipartisan group reframes case for legalizing gay marriage A group of high-profile Democrats and Republicans who back legalizing gay marriage are calling on advocates to shift the focus on the issue from an argument about equal rights to promoting the value of commitment.... USA Today • Nov 7, 2011

	Rob Reiner Planning Film on Proposition 8 Legal Case Rob Reiner is developing a film based on the legal challenge to Proposition 8, the California initiative that banned same-sex marriage and was found unconstitutional by a federal district court judge, the director told The Hollywood Reporter at AFM Sunday.... Hollywood Reporter • Nov 7, 2011

	N.J. judge says lawsuit to recognize gay marriage can go on A Superior Court judge let a lawsuit seeking marriage for same-sex couples in New Jersey proceed, but she sharply pared down the number of allegations in the case against the state.... NJ.com • Nov 4, 2011

	Seventy Major Employers Line Up Against DOMA Seventy employers, including giants such as Microsoft and Starbucks, have signed on as amici in the case of Gill v OPM which challenges the constitutionality of Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Also included in the amici are the cities of Boston, New York and Cambridge and Trillium Asset Managemet, a socially responsible investment manager. There are several prestigious law firms... Forbes • Nov 4, 2011

	DOMA: new briefs filed in Gill v. OPM case Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington 70 employers and civics organizations including Google, Starbucks, Zipcar, Stonyfield Farms, Time Warner Cable, and more Coalition of House members opposed to DOMA Family law professors Historians LGBT civil rights organizations Jewish Social Policy Action Network Family and child welfare professors Anti-Defamation League et al The American Psyc... Prop 8 Trial Tracker • Nov 4, 2011

	Same-Sex Marriage Supporters Looking for Conservative Support The salons are designed to bring together groups of politically likeminded strategists, consultants and others who support same-sex marriage or are on the fence to discuss the issue and how to make it a reality. There was a salon on Oct. 11 for center-right politicos and one on Oct. 19 for Republicans, which brought together about 20 people at each gathering. Freedom to Marry wouldn't say who was ... National Journal • Nov 4, 2011

	Same-sex couples headed to court in latest attempt to legalize gay marriage in N.J. Superior Court Assignment Judge Linda Feinberg will hear arguments from Garden State Equality, a civil rights organization for same-sex couples, and the state Attorney General's Office, which is defending New Jersey's civil union law. ... NJ.com • Nov 4, 2011

	CREW: Ethics Loopholes Created by DOMA Make Law Unconstitutional Current anti-nepotism laws impose bans on hiring or appointing spouses for government positions, but thanks to DOMA, do not apply to same-sex married couples. As a result, an agency head could hire his or her same-sex spouse despite the obvious conflict of interest. Similarly, financial disclosure obligations imposed by the Ethics in Government Act and other statutes do not apply to same-sex spous... CREW • Nov 3, 2011

	Senate Begins Mark Up on Respect for Marriage Act Freedom to Marry has played a leading role in lobbying lawmakers and organizing constituent contacts in order to boost the number of co-sponsors on the Respect for Marriage Act, which now has record support in both the Senate and the House. Since its introduction, co-sponsors have grown from 18 to 30 in the Senate and 108 to 130 in the House. On Wednesday, Freedom to Marry along with Courage Cam... Freedom to Marry • Nov 3, 2011

	Bachmann, Kline send letter to Senate to block gay soldiers from using military facilities Reps. Michele Bachmann and John Kline were among the signers of a letter to the U.S. Senate urging that body to pass an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would prohibit gay members of America's Armed Forces from using military facilities for marriage ceremonies. ... Minnesota Independent • Nov 3, 2011

	DOMA repeal unlikely to find a single GOP vote in committee Although the committee action on the legislation is set begin on Thursday, the panel will likely hold off on consideration of the bill for another week. Committee rules allow for any member of the panel to hold bills over when they first appear on the executive committee agenda. ... Washington Blade • Nov 3, 2011

	Growing Number Of Maine Independents Support Same-Sex Marriage A new poll from Public Policy Polling (PPP) finds that support for marriage equality is increasing among independents in Maine, just two years after the state "narrowly voted to overturn a law allowing same sex couples to marry." Fifty-one percent of voters say they support marriage equality, including 53 percent of independents: ... Think Progress • Nov 3, 2011

	Arguments in gay marriage legal battle presented to appeals court In written arguments to the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, both sides in the gay marriage legal dispute debated whether the sexual orientation of retired Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn R. Walker might have affected the case. The 9th Circuit, considering the arguments filed over the last few weeks, has put Walker's ruling on hold pending a decision on whether to uphold or overturn it.... LA Times • Nov 3, 2011

	EQCA brings in consultants Joan Garry (seen at left), former executive director of the national Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, is coming on board to serve as "chief strategy and transition consultant," EQCA spokeswoman Rebekah Orr said in a statement this morning. Julie Anderson, another consultant, will also be joining in the efforts, Orr said. ... Bay Area Reporter • Nov 3, 2011

	DOMA repeal rescheduled Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy announced during the November 3 business meeting that Senator Charles Grassely, the ranking Republican on the committee, had asked that the vote on the Respect for Marriage Act (S. 598) be held over until next week. ... Keen News Service • Nov 3, 2011

	NH gay advocate resigns, citing no funding The executive director of the driving force behind New Hampshire's gay marriage law announced Wednesday she is resigning due to insufficient funding drawn partly through the group's national organization.... Boston Globe • Nov 2, 2011

	NH rep drops gay marriage amendment ... Boston Globe • Nov 2, 2011

	Former NAACP leader lends voice to Md. same-sex marriage campaign Longtime national civil rights leader Julian Bond is the latest face of a campaign to build support for same-sex marriage in Maryland. "As chairman emeritus of the NAACP, I know a little something about fighting for what's right and just," Bond says in a new Web video produced by Marylanders for Marriage Equality. "Gay and lesbian couples in Maryland have the same values as everyone else: love, c... Washington Post • Nov 1, 2011

	Glasgow council adds support to gay marriage consultation The motion suggests that the Scottish Government should recognise the "shift in public attitudes within its current consultation on equal marriage", and that establishing equal marriage and mixed sex civil partnerships would "in no way undermine the rights and freedoms of those religious bodies which do not wish to participate in them". The head of the Scottish Episcopal Church also voiced his su... Pink News • Nov 1, 2011

	Mass exodus? University of Michigan tries to fight domestic partner benefits ban as employees think of looking elsewhere But domestic partner benefits for state employees --including staff at Michigan's 15 public universities-- are in jeopardy due to a bill that seeks to save approximately $8 million a year by eliminating the benefits. House bill 4770 was approved by the Michigan House of Representatives in September in a 64-44 vote and is currently under consideration by the state senate. ... AnnArbor.com • Nov 1, 2011

	Perry urges repeal of New Hampshire gay marriage law Texas Governor Rick Perry pressed a conservative social agenda at an appearance in New Hampshire, calling for the repeal of the state's 2009 law legalizing same-sex marriage.... Reuters • Nov 1, 2011

	Washington: UW poll finds support for gay marriage law A new statewide poll by the University of Washington Center for Survey Research found most voters would support a state gay marriage law if it's approved by the Legislature. Of voters surveyed, 55 percent indicated they would uphold a Legislature-approved same-sex marriage law if it were challenged by referendum. The poll found 38 percent would oppose the law and 7 percent were undecided.... Seattle Times • Nov 1, 2011

	N.J. trying to get lawsuit dismissed that would force state to recognize gay marriage State Superior Court Judge Linda Feinberg has scheduled a hearing for Friday on the state's motion to have the suit dismissed. The state Attorney General's Office says the matter is already settled. ... NJ.com • Nov 1, 2011

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