Leaked GOP Memo Supports Gay Marriage

A leaked memo urges an about-face for anti-equality Republicans. A civil unions bill dies in Colorado, for now. But access to marriage expands in Rhode Island, and more new surveys confirm the ever-growing public support for equality. The big news this week is a leaked memo from a top Republican pollster that criticizes the traditional Republican stance on marriage equality. Jan van Lohuizen's me...

MNW • May 21, 2012

Obama's Effect on National Marriage Fight

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MNW • May 14, 2012

Final Days for CO Civil Unions

Civil unions are close to passing in Colorado, but there's only a few days left before the legislature adjourns. We're getting down to the wire on Amendment One in North Carolina. The Prop 8 play is getting new legs as an audiobook. And the guys behind "We Are Young" have some strong words for marriage equality. Great news from Colorado. The House Judiciary Committee passed a civil unions bill by...

MNW • May 7, 2012

Civil Unions Close in CO

Civil unions advance in Colorado, but old foes are joining forces in Maine. There's just a few days left until North Carolina votes on an extreme constitutional amendment, and the race is getting closer and closer every day. And new research has shown a promising trend when it comes to public opinion. The Colorado Senate passed a civil unions bill this week. Now it's on to the House, where an id...

MNW • Apr 30, 2012

Search is on for CO Civil Union Sponsor

Civil unions head to the Senate in Colorado, but nobody seems to be quite sure who's going to sponsor the bill once it reaches the House. Early voting's begun in North Carolina, just in time for a big TV ad buy starting this week. And the bumpy road to repealing Ohio's marriage ban just got bumpier. We're closer than ever to passing civil unions in Colorado, but there are still a few more hurdles...

MNW • Apr 23, 2012

Obama Slams Anti-Gay Law in MN

The attack on DOMA just intensified with eight couples filing suit in Nevada. Meanwhile, President Obama weighs in on an anti-gay Constitutional amendment, and signature-gathering efforts are off to a very slow start. It's getting harder by the day to keep track of all the lawsuits challenging state and federal marriage bans. Since AFER filed its case challenging Prop 8 in 2009, a slew of challen...

MNW • Apr 16, 2012

Anti-Gay Law More Vulnerable Than Ever

The Obama administration changes course in the fight to overturn the federal Defense of Marriage Act. Signature gathering is about to start in Ohio. And voters in North Carolina say they support relationship recognition -- so why are they also saying they'll vote to take it away?

A big change in the Obama administration's position on the Defense of Marriage Act: ...

MNW • Apr 7, 2012

Secret Memo Scandal Rocks NOM

Leaked memos show the National Organization for Marriage tried to manipulate minority groups. Meanwhile, marriage organizers press ahead for equality in Ohio, but not everyone is on board. And we're just days away from a showdown over DOMA -- it's going to happen this Wednesday, April 4th. We got an incredible peek inside the National Organization for Marriage this week, ...

MNW • Mar 31, 2012

Help is on the way, but will it be enough?

A big win for marriage in New Hampshire, and California Democrats pledge to help the campaign to stop an anti-gay measure in North Carolina. But with alarming poll numbers out this week, will that help be enough? Anti-gay activists got a smackdown last week in New Hampshire, where the legislature overwhelmingly rejected a bill to eliminate marriage equality. It was huge bi-partisan success, with ...

MNW • Mar 27, 2012

Close Call for Marriage Equality in WA

It's coming down the wire in North Carolina, where an anti-gay ballot measure is coming down to the wire. Meanwhile Denver Republicans vote to support civil unions, we'll get a vote this week on ending marriage equality in New Hampshire, and President Obama speaks out against an anti-gay ballot measure. A close call this week in Washington. The state will likely vote on marriage this November, an...

MNW • Mar 19, 2012

Tons of Favorable Polls

Sorry we missed an episode last week -- we were a little busy livestreaming Brad Pitt and George Clooney to the entire world. Meanwhile, there's been a ton of new polling data from around the country, and it's all encouraging. And more bad news for NOM: they're under investigation by the Minnesota Elections Board, and the US Supreme Court has refused to play along with their attempts to hide donor...

MNW • Mar 13, 2012

Almost too Many Equality Victories to Count!

Another crazy week: Maryland's legislature passes a marriage bill, a lawsuit widens in New Jersey, the governor of Hawaii comes out for equality, and a huge victory in a federal case against DOMA. Lately we've racking up so many wins, it's getting hard to keep up. Let's start with this week's big news in the Prop 8 case. ...

MNW • Feb 27, 2012

Campaign to Stop Marriage in WA Ramping Up

The fight's not over in Washington: the governor may have signed the bill last week, but the campaign to overturn is just ramping up. Meanwhile, there's incredible momentum for marriage around the country, with legislators passing bills in Maryland and New Jersey, a civil unions bill advancing in Colorado, and brand new legislation popping up in West Virginia and Rhode Island. This week, watch fo...

MNW • Feb 21, 2012

Will Prop 8 Ruling Protect Marriage in Washington?

Prop 8's unconstitutional, Washington's passing its marriage equality bill, Illinois just introduced a bill of their own, we're making more progress in Maryland, and now New Mexico has pulled a proposed anti-gay marriage law. I told you 2012 was going to be busy. There are four big things you need to know about last week's ruling. First, it is a huge deal that for the first time ever, a federal ...

MNW • Feb 13, 2012

Prop 8 Trial Tapes Can't Stay Secret Forever

Another crazy week, with news in the Prop 8 case and major advances in Washington, Maryland, and New Jersey. And yet another court has slapped down NOM's attempts to hide their donors.

The big news this week: the tapes of the Prop 8 trial will remain under seal -- for n...

MNW • Feb 6, 2012

Why Voting on Rights is a Lousy Idea

Maine, Washington, and Maryland are all closer than ever to marriage equality, but the Governor of New Jersey thinks that civil rights should be put to a popular vote -- whether it's marriage today, or school desegregation in the 1950s. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxMtKN0xbwg There's a lot to talk about this week, so let's dive right ...

MNW • Jan 30, 2012

Canadian Marriages May be in Danger After All

Canadian marriages may not be so safe after all, with an author of the country's marriage equality law raising the possibility of an anti-gay attack. Here in the US, nearly a hundred mayors come out for marriage equality, including one who testified during the Prop 8 trial. We're just one vote away from passing marriage equality Washington state Senate, but time's quickly running out. And remember...

MNW • Jan 23, 2012

Your Canadian Marriage is Safe

Washington, Colorado, New Jersey -- state legislatures are moving even faster than we thought on marriage equality. But it's not all good news. Meanwhile, Canadian turmoil calls thousands of marriages into question, and preparations continue for the impending decision in the Prop 8 case.

If you haven't already, check out ...

MNW • Jan 17, 2012

Meet Stephen Hill, Soldier Who Asked Rick Santorum About DADT, & his Husband Josh Snyder

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MNW • Jan 11, 2012

Civil Unions are Unstoppable

We're just one week in and already 2012 is looking like a strong year for marriage, with encouraging action in Washington, Maryland, and Colorado. The governor of Michigan revokes health care coverage for domestic partners, leaving families with no access to medical care. And a binational couple in San Francisco gets a two-year reprieve, but their eventual fate may depend on whoever occupies the W...

MNW • Jan 9, 2012

Civil Unions and Beyond in 2012

Welcome to 2012! We got a lot of work to do this year, so let's roll up our sleeves and get to work. The new year marks new civil union laws in Delaware, Hawaii, and California. Psychologists in North Carolina lash out at anti-gay prejudice, LGBTs can marry in Cancun -- probably -- and something fishy's going on with civil unions in the European Union.

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MNW • Jan 2, 2012

2011 Marriage Equality Year in Review

OMG, 2011 -- what a year for marriage equality. We're still not ready to get married yet, but wow we are so close. Think about where we were a year ago -- so much has happened. I'm Matt Baume; let's do a quick year-in-review to look at all the amazing stuff of 2011, and look ahead to where we're going to win in 2012. There were five big trends this year: 1. Multiple polls that show a majority su...

MNW • Dec 29, 2011

Government Could Ban Church Weddings

A new law in Ireland means that New Yorkers have more rights on Emerald Isle than they do in their own country. A hospital in Tennessee violates federal guidelines in denying visitation to a lesbian couple. There's a new ad for marriage equality in New Hampshire that epitomizes Yankee thrift. And 20,000 Australian doctors agree: marriage equality is good for your head.

I'm Matt Baume at ...

MNW • Dec 26, 2011

Marriage Equality Makes you 13% Healthier

George Clooney takes a stand for marriage equality with his latest role. A new study connects anti-gay marriage laws to cardiovascular disease. Republican voters increasingly favor marriage equality, but this week several presidential frontrunners had some particularly unpleasant things to say about LGBTs. And after a year of monetary and staffing battles, there's fresh conflict in Maryland. How'...

MNW • Dec 19, 2011

What's Next for Prop 8

Prop 8's finished -- or at least, oral arguments in the appeals court are all done. Now a ruling on California's marriage ban could come at any minute. A couple in Hawaii sues for marriage; Scotland may reform its marriage laws; Australian legislators are moving towards equality but the battle's still far from over.

How exciting was that Prop 8 hearing last week? It was about as exciting...

MNW • Dec 12, 2011

Cheat Sheet for Thursday's Prop 8 Hearing

Prop 8's back in court -- but why, exactly? I'll answer all your questions about what's going on this time. Plus, the backstory behind the most effective -- and adorable -- marriage equality video ever made. Prop 8's legal team celebrates a bill in Nigeria that would throw you in prison for over a decade just for witnessing a gay couple getting married. All that, plus robot marriage, and one gay c...

MNW • Dec 5, 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

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

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

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

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

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

Stepping up the Assault on DOMA

We're counting down to the next ruling in the Prop 8 case. A Republican-backed bill in New Hampshire would replace marriage with civil unions for everyone -- including siblings. Get ready for a showdown on the Defense of Marriage Act, and things are heating up in Ohio. December 5th and 10am. That's the deadline for the California Supreme Court to rule in the Prop 8 case. And the good news is that...

MNW • Oct 29, 2011

Secret Anti-Gays Unmasked, Then Re-Masked

Hello from our new headquarters! It's been a crazy week, with secret anti-gay activists unmasked and then re-masked in Washington state. A Maryland football player is our new best friend, DOMA continues to crumble but not before costing taxpayers $520 per hour. And why is Australia's Prime Minister resisting a marriage equality measure that would increase public support for her party? http://www....

MNW • Oct 24, 2011

Maryland Marriage Alert

Say what you will about Bank of America, but they gave their LGBT employees a pretty remarkable gift this week. A phony anti-gay survey backfires in Washington when voters refuse to fall for discriminatory talking points. Turmoil at Equality California with a surprise resignation, and it's all hands on deck right now in Maryland. Do you live in Maryland? Do you know anyone who does? ...

MNW • Oct 17, 2011

Why are we still deporting married LGBTs?

As the legal challenge to Prop 8 continues, Equality California backs away from a repeal campaign in 2012. More Republicans than ever back marriage equality, but deportation still looms for legally married LGBTs. And why should the nation's cops have to pay for John Boehner's $1.5 million anti-gay lawyer? This was a big week for bi-partisan agreement on marriage equality. In North Carolina, Demo...

MNW • Oct 10, 2011

You're Making Things Up Again, Senator Forrester

President Obama's doing everything right for the LGBT community -- except marriage. An anti-gay senator from North Carolina is things up again. And Senators in Rhode Island and Maine need to hear from you. President Obama addressed the Human R...

MNW • Oct 3, 2011

Marriage Bans Even Worse than we Thought

Holy cow. Where to begin? Dustin Lance Black's play about Prop 8 hit Broadway for an incredible night. The tapes of the Prop 8 trial might actually get released. Florida's working on domestic partnerships, North Carolina's marriage ban is even worse than we thought, New Hampshire might repeal marriage, and Missouri -- yes, Missouri -- favors legal recognition for gay couples. All that, plus the fi...

MNW • Sep 26, 2011

Having "Standing" isn't the Same as Winning a Case

A legal skirmish in the Prop 8 case sets the stage for a big victory down the line. Meanwhile, A-list celebs come together to tell the story of the Prop 8 trial. Marriage debate is slated for Monday morning in North Carolina, and Minnesota's newest anti-gay activist comes with some skeletons in his closet. The Prop 8 Proponents dragged everyone back into court last week for some arguments over le...

MNW • Sep 12, 2011

New Arguments and New Judge in Prop 8 Case

More courtroom drama over Prop 8, with new arguments and a new judge. Recent surveys have been so encouraging for our side that this week our opponents resorted to creating a fake survey to spread misinformation. And civil unions are poised to make way for full marriage equality in Scotland and New Zealand. Early last week, a federal court heard arguments about releasing the tapes of the Prop 8 t...

MNW • Sep 5, 2011

What are they Trying to Hide?

Just what are the Prop 8 proponents trying to hide, and why are they afraid to let the public see their witnesses being cross-examined? We may find out after a hearing on Monday. John Boehner's defense of DOMA is found to be full of junk science, a semi-reprieve for LGBTs fearing deportation, and there's lots of work still to do in Maine. By the time you watch this, a judge in San Francisco has p...

MNW • Aug 28, 2011

Morgan Freeman & Friends to the Rescue!

This week's all about Minnesota, Maine, North Carolina, Colorado, and Broadway. All four of those states have months of bitter fighting over marriage to look forward to, with millions of dollars likely to be spent on both sides. Fortunately, we've got a secret weapon: Morgan Freeman. I have to apologize for another lo-res video this week -- there is a lot going on and I'm rushing to get this vide...

MNW • Aug 22, 2011

Debunking Mitt Romney's Wrong Beliefs

There's a lot of news this week and almost all of it's good: from NOM's legal slapdown; to Irish protests for marriage equality; to warming attitudes in, of all places, Utah. We'll also take a look at Mitt Romney's stance on parenting, which is precisely incorrect; and the fight is on in Oregon. I'm Matt Baume, and welcome to Marriage News Watch for August 16, 2011. Lots of news this week from c...

MNW • Aug 17, 2011

Bedding the Cast & Creatives of "Husbands," a New Marriage Equality Sitcom

What would happen if "Will and Grace" had a baby with "Mad About You," with "Dr. Horrible" acting as surrogate? You'd have "Husbands," a brand new marriage equality sitcom premiering September 13. MarriageNewsWatch.com visited the set of the show for a chat with executive producer Jane Espenson (Buffy, Firefly, Dollhouse, Battlestar Galactica), Brad "Che...

MNW • Aug 11, 2011

Congress Lashes out at Gay Families

It's been a busy week, with an incredibly offensive anti-gay brief coming out of Congress. But a surprise announcement from the American Psychological Association could  put a stop to such briefs in the future. Time's running out before North Carolina votes on banning civil unions, a tribe in Washington state votes unanimously to recognize LGBT marriage, and a survey in New Jersey proves that we'r...

MNW • Aug 8, 2011

The Latest Wrinkle in the Prop 8 Trial

A new twist in the Prop 8 case, with a court date coming just days after a controversial new judge is expected to join the Supreme Court. New York launches its own attack on the Defense of Marriage Act, and polling brings mostly good news, and a little bad. Well that didn't take very long. After just one day of marriage equality, ...

MNW • Aug 1, 2011

As New York Marries, Al Franken Catches a Fibber

Pretty quiet week, nothing too exciting -- except everyone in New York getting married! Plus hearings on DOMA repeal, with Al Franken calling out an anti-gay liar. Plus more news from Maryland to Washington state.

Here's Kitty Lambert...

MNW • Jul 26, 2011

Prop 8 Trial will Premiere on Broadway

The Prop 8 trial is coming to Broadway -- and then to theaters all over the country. The fallout from New York continues, with renewed efforts in Maryland and Colorado. The Senate Judiciary Committee will hear testimony on DOMA's repeal on Wednesday, the 20th, and meanwhile Canada makes us look bad celebrating the sixth anniversary of marriage equality. We may never see the actual Prop 8 trial, s...

MNW • Jul 19, 2011

New York's Impact is Already Spreading

It's been another super busy week so let's get right to it: Rhode Island is getting civil unions but along with them come some dangerous anti-gay laws. Maine will collect signatures to overturn that state's marriage ban, and seven couples have sued New Jersey to do the same there. The American Medical Association endorsed marriage equality, the National Organization for Marriage won't be allowed t...

MNW • Jul 5, 2011

Will New York Marriage Spread to Other States?

We did it! New York Marriages can start in less than a month. That success gives us new leverage in the 44 states that have yet to enact marriage equality. We also won victories this week in Wisconsin and Maryland, but gay couples in Illinois are just discovered a dangerous new civil unions loophole. And phony anti-gay polls could skew voting in Minnesota. This was the scene outside the Stonewall...

MNW • Jun 27, 2011

Bad Week for the Anti-Gay Industry

I've been doing some really cool work on marriage equality that's kept me so busy, I didn't even have time for a proper green screen this week. But try to ignore that, because a lot is happening right now. We're down to the last possible second for marriage in New York, there was a major victory in California, new challenges to the Defense of Marriage act, bad news in France, and good news in Lic...

MNW • Jun 21, 2011

Prop 8 On Trial Yet Again

Today's the day for the hearing over whether a gay judge is allowed to hear a case about marriage. It's also the anniversary of the ruling that ended the ban on interracial marriage. A Catholic adoption agency in Illinois is suing for the right to stop foster kids from going to adoptive LGBT parents. And you can't get married in Wyoming, but you can get divorced. It's going to be a really qu...

MNW • Jun 13, 2011

Encouraging New Polls in NY and MN, but is it Enough?

By Matt Baume A new poll shows us neck-and-neck in Minnesota, with a vote on marriage still a year off. There's just two weeks left to pass marriage in New York, but a Senate bill still hasn't even been introduced yet. Illinois launched civil unions this week as Rhode Island debated doing the same. And a Michigan Republican can't tell the difference between gay couples and child abu...

MNW • Jun 6, 2011

This Could be the End for Equality Maryland

By Matt Baume This week: The chaos at Equality Maryland has gotten so bad, the organization may have to shut down altogether. Time's nearly run out to pass a marriage bill in New York. Catholic Charities is so unwilling to provide adoption services to gay couples that they simply abandoned 350 children to the state of Illinois this week. And it looks like the Prop 8 proponents just ...

MNW • May 31, 2011

Bad News from Coast to Coast

It's almost all bad news this week, with an anti-gay measure gaining ground in Minnesota, slow progress in New York, a resignation in North Carolina, and Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker staking out a position against LGBT hospital visitation. http://youtu.be/RkVHecHFiQU Another survey out this month shows that ...

MNW • May 23, 2011

Republicans Could Tip the Scales for Marriage: Marriage News Watch for May 16, 2012

The fight for marriage intensifies in New York with the long-awaited marriage bill finally introduced. But do LGBT groups have the support needed to pass it? Cathy Marino-Thomas will fill us in on their latest lobbying progress. New York's pro-marriage Republicans could tip the scale in our favor, but in other states Republicans are working to ban marriage, and to penalize employers who provide he...

MNW • May 16, 2011

Should we Push for Marriage or Compromise on Civil Unions? May 9th Marriage News Watch

Disagreement over marriage versus civil unions could drive Rhode Island's LGBT activists against each other. Meanwhile, an unknown source is funneling millions of dollars to anti-gay groups in fifteen states. We'll talk about Target's role in Minnesota's proposed double-ban on marriage, and share some good news from Brazil, Scotland, and Taiwan. The fight for marriage grew even more heated this ...

MNW • May 9, 2011

Irrational Prop 8 Demands Get Their Day in Court

What really prompted a prominent law firm to give up its defense of DOMA, and lose a key lawyer in the process? The date's been set for a showdown over the secret Prop 8 trial tapes, and over Judge Walker's personal life. Rhode Island legislators give up on marriage in favor of civil unions, and New York keeps ratcheting up the pressure with a massive lobbying effort slated for next week. There w...

MNW • May 2, 2011

Couples Torn Apart by the Government

There's going to be marriage than ever before, with another survey showing majority support for the freedom to marry. So why are Republicans spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to defend a law that could tear apart legally married couples like Henry and Josh? There's promising signs for marriage in New York and Scotland, but a legal setback in Montana is likely to postpone weddings for years...

MNW • Apr 25, 2011