12 States Have Marriage, Can We Get to 13?

Minnesota passes a marriage bill, bringing the total to twelve states with the freedom to marry. Can we make it thirteen? Time's running out for Illinois to pass its marriage bill this year. And even with public support for marriage soaring, numerous states may be stuck with marriage bans for years to come. At the American Foundation for Equal Rights, I'm Matt Baume, and welcome to Marriage News Watch for May 20th, 2013. It's going to be a busy summer. Marriage equality goes into effect in M...

MNW • May 20, 2013

French gay marriage law gets constitutional all-clear

France's Constitutional Council cleared the way on Friday for same-sex marriage, throwing out a last-ditch effort by opponents to scupper the country's biggest social reform since abolition of the death penalty....

Euronews • May 17, 2013

Gay marriage bill clears Nevada Assembly panel

SRJ13 was approved Thursday by the Assembly Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections. Next up is a full vote by the lower house, where passage is expected. It was previously approved by the Senate. ...

New England Cable News • May 17, 2013

Minn. gay marriage group to live on as PAC

With gay marriage soon to be the law of Minnesota, the political group that led the push to pass it will live on as a political action committee to help legislators who voted for it....

Post-Bulletin • May 16, 2013

Brazil Must Register Gay Unions as Marriages

The council that oversees the country's judiciary says in a Tuesday statement that notary publics cannot refuse to marry gay couples or convert a same-sex civil union into a marriage. ...

AP • May 16, 2013

POLLS: Majorities In Virginia And Michigan Support Marriage Equality

Virginia has also experienced significant progress. A new Washington Post poll shows that 56 percent support marriage equality -- up 10 points from two years ago -- while 43 percent remain opposed....

Think Progress • May 16, 2013

Poll: Majority in Michigan now support gay marriage

Support for same-sex marriage has increased to 56.8 percent, up 12.5 percentage points from last year -- movement fueled largely by shifting opinions from Republicans and independents, the poll of 600 registered voters by the Glengariff Group Inc. showed. ...

Detroit News • May 16, 2013

Poll: Over half of voters in Arizona want to legalise equal marriage

The poll found that 55% of Arizonans were in favour of equal marriage, with 35% opposed and 10% were unsure. ...

Pink News • May 16, 2013

Minnesota Legalizes Gay Marriage: Gov. Mark Dayton Signs Bill Into Law

Minnesota officially became the 12th U.S. state to approve same-sex marriage May 14 when Gov. Mark Dayton appeared before a jubilant crowd to sign a marriage equality bill into law. ...

Huffington Post • May 15, 2013

Same-Sex Marriage Support Solidifies Above 50% in U.S.

Fifty-three percent of Americans say the law should recognize same-sex marriages, the third consecutive reading of 50% or above in Gallup polling over the past year. The 53% in favor ties the high to this point, also measured last November and in May 2011....

Gallup • May 15, 2013

ARIZONA: 55% Back Marriage

After years of beating the drums against same-sex marriage, opponents of the idea in Arizona appear to be losing their grip on public attitudes toward the issue. By a ratio of 55 percent to 35percent, Arizonans say they favor allowing gays and lesbians to marry. ...

Joe My God • May 15, 2013

Equality Illinois: It's time for Illinois to pass the marriage bill

With the Illinois General Assembly entering the final weeks of its spring session, Equality Illinois calls on the Illinois House to finish its work on the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act and pass the bill with the strongest possible majority so Illinois recognizes marriage equality....

GoPride • May 14, 2013

Brazilian Judicial Panel Clears Way For Same-Sex Marriages

The decision of the National Council of Justice could be appealed to the Supreme Court. Same-sex couples in some parts of the country already can marry, but this decision would apply nationwide. ...

BuzzFeed • May 14, 2013

Changes Ahead for Marriage Fight

More victories as a marriage bill clears hurdles in Minnesota. And there's progress in neighboring states as well. But soon, constitutional amendments in 30 states could delay any further success for years to come. At the American Foundation for Equal Rights, I'm Matt Baume. Welcome to Marriage News Watch for May 13, 2013. Marriage equality is moving fast in Minnesota. By the time you watch this, the Senate may already have voted on a bill. It passed the House late last week, and passage in th...

MNW • May 13, 2013

IL: Quinn calls on House to send him gay marriage bill

Supporters have said they are closing in on the 60 House votes required to send the bill to Quinn. But backers also are not expected to call the bill until they're sure they have enough votes lined up to pass it. The thinking is that gay marriage supporters don't want to ask allies to take what for some is a tough vote politically if the measure is going to fail because that would make it more difficult to muster support a second time. ...

Chicago Tribune • May 10, 2013

Dozens testify on Nevada same-sex marriage

The committee ended after almost three hours of testimony on SJR 13. No action was taken on the resolution Thursday. It will be brought to committee again for a work session. ...

Reno Gazette-Journal • May 10, 2013

Ohio Democratic Party Endorses Effort To Repeal Gay Marriage Ban

Ian James, a co-founder of FreedomOhio, has previously said that while his group will easily surpass the roughly 385,000 valid signatures needed by July 3 to qualify for this November's ballot, a decision to put the question before voters this year hinges on public support and available resources....

On Top Magazine • May 10, 2013

BREAKING: Minnesota House Approves Marriage Equality 75-59

The Minnesota House of Representatives approved a bill legalizing marriage equality Wednesday afternoon by a vote of 75-59, earning "aye" votes from two Republicans. The bill will likely be heard by the full state Senate next week. ...

Advocate • May 9, 2013

Minn. House schedules Thursday gay marriage vote

Democratic leaders in the state House have scheduled a vote they expect will lead to Minnesota joining a growing list of states to authorize marriage between same-sex couples. House Speaker Paul Thissen said the 73-member Democratic majority had at least the 68 votes needed to send the bill on to the Senate and that a debate and vote on the bill in the 134-member House would take place Thursday....

Minneapolis Star-Tribune • May 8, 2013

Over 50% of Pennsylvanians Support Real Marriage Equality

That means, generally speaking, Pennsylvanians "generally" support marriage equality, 54-41 (up two points from last month) -- while Pennsylvanians specifically support a PA constitutional amendment to legalize marriage for same-sex couples, 53-43 (up 11 points from last year). ...

Keystone Politics • May 8, 2013

Gay marriage bill clears Minn. House committee

The House Ways and Means Committee gave its stamp to the bill after a brief hearing that focused only on its minor impact to the state general fund. Earlier, dozens of gay marriage opponents demonstrated outside the House chamber, while another House Democrat whose vote was seen as important to the bill's success or failure said that he would vote for it. ...

Seattle PI • May 7, 2013

Same-sex marriage will cost Minnesota $678,000 a year, report finds

Budget officials have determined the state would have to spend $688,000 each year to provide health insurance benefits to same-sex spouses of state employees. Those costs will be slightly offset by thousands of dollars in fees collected from gay couples getting marriage licenses in the state. In another twist, budget officials are banking on 86 same-sex couples getting a divorce in 2015 and collecting fees from those divorce filings. ...

Minneapolis Star-Tribune • May 7, 2013

Report: 70 percent of millennials support marriage equality

According to a report from the Pew Research Center, millennials are the most likely age group to support marriage equality in the United States. Research reveals that seven in 10 young adults born after 1980 believe that gay couples should be able to marry. ...

Salon • May 7, 2013

Marriage Wins in RI! Now Here's What's Next

Another state finally recognizes the freedom to marry, bringing the national total to ten. With work accelerating in Delaware and Illinois, that could increase to eleven or twelve in the next few weeks. Civil unions start in Colorado, and a civil union bill in tiny Arizona town could bring about civil unions for the whole state. At the American Foundation for Equal Rights, I'm Matt Baume, and welcome to Marriage News Watch for May 6, 2013. It's a huge victory in Rhode Island this week, as year...

MNW • May 6, 2013

Seven Delaware senators to vote against marriage bill

The Delaware Senate vote on HB 75 is scheduled to take place five days after Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee signed his state's same-sex marriage bill into law. ...

Washington Blade • May 3, 2013

Delaware State Senate to vote on gay marriage bill next week

A committee on Wednesday (1 May) voted to send the bill on to the full Senate for a vote. Senate passage is likely since that legislative body is dominated by Democrats 13-8. ...

Gay Star News • May 2, 2013

Coordinated Strategy Propelled Gay Marriage in RI

Rather than court one-issue candidates, marriage advocates formed ties with the AFL-CIO, environmental activists and other progressive groups. By teaming up, the coalition was able to pool their support for candidates with wider voter appeal -- and who also happened to support gay marriage. The strategy worked, and in November several new gay marriage supporters were elected to the House and, more significantly, the state Senate. ...

ABC News • May 2, 2013

Gay Marriage in New Mexico? Could Happen

The percentage of New Mexicans approving of gay marriage rose to 47 percent last year from 38 percent in 2004, according to the Williams Institute, a public policy think tank at the University of California at Los Angeles. New Mexico had the country's seventh-highest concentration of same-sex couples in 2010, according to the group's analysis of census data. ...

Business Week • May 2, 2013

No DOMA repeal bill until court decision

A number of LGBT advocates familiar with the legislation, which has been known as the Respect for Marriage Act, told the Washington Blade its lead sponsors -- Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) in the House and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) in the Senate -- are delaying introduction until after the expected court ruling in June. ...

Washington Blade • May 2, 2013

Celebrate civil unions today, push for marriage equality tomorrow

Fewer Americans are getting married, yet we prohibit marriage for many who yearn to join the institution. Something's not right with that picture....

Denver Post • May 2, 2013

Gov. Quinn details efforts to pass equal marriage

Hopefully between now and the 31st of May, Greg Harris, our sponsor, will find a moment to call the bill for a roll call....

Windy City Media Group • May 2, 2013

Arizona: State spells it out on civil unions

The compromise that came out of the closed-door meeting is that Horne will not challenge local laws that mention things like property and inheritance. "They can list what contracts people can enter into and what they can provide for in their wills, and other things that they're entitled to do under current law," he said. "And then they can say, if you enter into these contracts, which you have a right to do now, we will recognize that and we will make a record of it, we will formalize it, we wil...

Sierra-Vista Herald • May 2, 2013

Same-sex couples celebrate civil unions in Boulder

More than 50 people gathered at Fate Brewing Co. in Boulder on Tuesday night for a "pre-union" party celebrating Colorado's civil union law taking effect at midnight. Several LGBT couples planning to obtain their licenses from the Boulder County Clerk and Recorder's Office when it opened just for the occasion at 11:30 p.m. came together at the small brewery....

Daily Camera • May 2, 2013

Rhode Island lawmakers to give gay marriage bill final approval

Rhode Island lawmakers were expected to give final approval to a bill legalizing gay marriage on Thursday, making it the 10th U.S. state to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples and the last of the six New England states to do so....

Reuters • May 2, 2013

New study outlines economic impact of same-sex marriage

The study predicts that in the first three years after legalizing same-sex marriage, Rhode Island's wedding and tourism businesses would see total spending increase by $7 million, including $5.5 million in additional wedding spending and $1.5 million in tourism expenditures made by out-of-town guests. ...

WPRI • May 2, 2013

Early polling in Oregon shows plurality of voters voters support same-sex marriage ahead of planned 2014 ballot initiative

Voters in Oregon favor marriage equality, though the number is still below 50 percent. 49 percent are supportive, with 42 percent in opposition....

Equality on Trial • May 2, 2013

After narrow House passage, gay marriage bill sent to Delaware Senate for vote

A state Senate committee has sent a bill authorizing same-sex marriage in Delaware to the full Senate for consideration. The measure cleared the Senate executive committee Wednesday after a 90-minute hearing....

Washington Post • May 1, 2013

Smooth sailing ahead for RI gay marriage bill

The first gay marriages in Rhode Island could take place Aug. 1, when the legislation would take effect. Civil unions would no longer be available to same-sex couples as of that date, though the state would continue to recognize existing civil unions. Lawmakers approved civil unions two years ago, though few couples have sought them. ...

Boston Globe • Apr 29, 2013

Long road ahead for marriage equality in Nevada

Although it passed the state Senate last week, Senate Joint Resolution 13 must also pass the Assembly in the next six weeks. If that happens, it must pass both houses of the Legislature in 2015. And if that happens, it must pass a general-election test with voters in 2016....

Reno Gazette-Journal • Apr 29, 2013

Victory in Delaware & Rhode Island

We're celebrating some major victories with week, with two more states about to gain the freedom to marry. Civil unions begin in Colorado, and voters appear ready to upgrade that to marriage. Plus, legislation advances in Pennsylvania and Nevada. At the American Foundation for Equal Rights, I'm Matt Baume, and welcome to Marriage News Watch for April 29, 2013. With a victory in the Senate last week, Rhode Island is set to become the next state with marriage equality. One more procedural vote i...

MNW • Apr 29, 2013

New Version of Civil Union Bill to be Introduced

A new version of the civil union bill is said to go for its first reading Thursday at the Minnesota capitol. It would make civil unions for everyone, gay or straight, and leave the term marriage specifically for churches....

KAAL • Apr 25, 2013

Colorado voters support gay marriage

Colorado voters like the civil unions bill the legislature passed earlier this year, supporting it by a 50/38 margin. But they'd also like to take it a step further, supporting full marriage rights for same sex couples by a 51/43 spread. Voters under 30 favor it by a 74/17 margin....

Public Policy Polling • Apr 25, 2013

PHILLY REP. PROPOSES CIVIL UNIONS BILL IN HARRISBURG

Currently, the bill has 27 supporters, a list of which can be seen here, and has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee. ...

Philly Magazine • Apr 24, 2013

Civil union ceremonies scheduled to begin at midnight May 1 in Denver

Colorado's civil unions law that takes effect on May 1 will have a midnight coming-out party in Denver's Webb Building, where Mayor Michael Hancock will preside over some of the first ceremonies. The event in the atrium of the Webb Building at 201 W. Colfax Ave. is being organized by One Colorado -- a statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender advocacy group. Denver's Office of the Clerk and Recorder is facilitating the event, opening the doors at 10:30 p.m. April 30 to welcome couples who w...

Denver Post • Apr 24, 2013

Gay Marriage Measure Advances in Rhode Island

By a vote of 7 to 4, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill that would allow gay and lesbian couples to marry, while allowing religious leaders who oppose such marriages to refuse to perform them. The landmark vote by the full Senate could come on Wednesday. Gay rights advocates said that they think they have the votes to prevail, all but ensuring adoption of same-sex marriage by the only state in New England that does not already allow it....

NY Times • Apr 24, 2013

Malta: Bill on same-sex civil unions by summer

A Bill on civil unions for same-sex couples will be moved in Parliament before the summer recess, Social Dialogue Minister Helena Dalli said yesterday. The Bill, she said, was one of the main priorities of a new consultative council set up to address LGBT issues....

Times of Malta • Apr 24, 2013

Delaware House approves same-sex marriage bill

The Delaware House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a bill that would allow same-sex marriage in the First State. The 23-18 vote took place less than a week after the House Administrative Committee advanced House Bill 75 to the full chamber....

Washington Blade • Apr 24, 2013

Same-sex marriage: French parliament approves new law

France has become the 14th country to approve a law allowing gay marriage. The bill, which also legalises adoption by same-sex couples, was passed by 321 votes to 225 in the French parliament....

BBC • Apr 23, 2013

Federal judge rules Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional in immigration visa cases

A federal judge has ruled that the Defense Of Marriage Act is unconstitutional as it discriminates against same-sex married persons seeking immigration visas. District Court Judge Consuelo Marshall ruled late Friday in Los Angeles that only state laws govern marriage, and that Congress has no rational basis to deny lawfully-married same-sex immigrants the same constitutional rights kept by opposite-sex applicants....

Long Beach Press-Telegram • Apr 23, 2013

Pa. lawmaker introduces civil unions bill

Rep. Mark Cohen (D-Philadelphia) said his measure, House Bill 1178, would define a civil union as a union between two members of the same sex. ...

WHTM • Apr 23, 2013

France to approve gay marriage but debate to rumble on

France's parliament will finally approve a bill to legalise gay marriage on Tuesday after months of protests that have shown no sign of abating in the run-up to the historic vote. The bill, intended to make France the 14th country in the world to allow same-sex marriage, is expected to be comfortably carried given the comfortable majority enjoyed by the ruling Socialists and their allies in the lower house National Assembly....

NDTV • Apr 23, 2013

Gay marriage resolution advances in Nevada

Senate Joint Resolution 13 repeals a constitutional provision enacted by voters in 2002. It also declares that Nevada recognizes all marriages, regardless of gender. The resolution was approved on a 12-9 vote, with Sen. Ben Kieckhefer, R-Reno, voting with the Democratic majority. It now goes to the Assembly. If passed by lawmakers this year and in 2015, it would go to voters in 2016 for ratification....

New England Cable News • Apr 23, 2013

Delaware House set to vote on bill legalizing same-sex marriage

The bill is scheduled for a House vote Tuesday. It was introduced earlier this month, a little more than a year after Delaware began recognizing same-sex civil unions. ...

Washington Post • Apr 23, 2013

It Might Be Civil Unions For Colombia As Congress Prepares To Reject Gay Marriage

The high court in 2011 ordered Congress to approve a law recognizing the relationships of gay couples before June 20. If a law is not approved by that date, 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," the court wrote. ...

On Top Magazine • Apr 23, 2013

Algiere, Bates join RI Senate GOP bloc in backing bill favored by same-sex marriage supporters

All five Republicans in the 38-member Rhode Island Senate - including Minority Leader Dennis Algiere of Westerly - plan to support the same-sex marriage bill backed by supporters of the issue, RIPR has learned. ...

RIPR • Apr 23, 2013

Push for gay marriage ramps up at Capitol

The event was part of a day-long lobbying effort sponsored by Minnesotans United for All Families aimed at ramping up pressure on lawmakers to vote for same-sex marriage. DFL legislative leaders have repeatedly said they want to deal with the budget before taking up social issues. Minnesotans United's Executive Director Richard Carlbom said he fully expects the Legislature to vote on the issue and that it will pass....

Post-Bulletin • Apr 19, 2013

Quinnipiac poll: Ohioans support gay marriage

According to a survey released this morning by the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, more Ohioans support same-sex marriage than don't by a margin of 48 percent to 44 percent. Results follow a Saperstein Poll for The Dispatch from last month which showed that 54 percent backed a proposed new Ohio constitutional amendment to repeal existing law and allow gay marriage. ...

Columbus Dispatch • Apr 19, 2013

Same-sex marriage should be legalized, Vietnam minister says

Vietnam should legalize same-sex marriage immediately, the deputy minister of health was quoted as saying today by local media....

Union Bulletin • Apr 18, 2013

RC Poll: Virginians Support Immigration Reform; Split on Same-Sex Marriage; favor firearm regulations

Virginians are mostly split on the issue of same-sex marriage, with 45 percent favoring it (20% strongly) and 42 percent opposing it (19% strongly)....

Roanoke College • Apr 18, 2013

New Zealand Lawmakers Burst Into Song as They Legalize Gay Marriage

New Zealand became the 13th country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage today after their parliament easily approved an amendment to their 1955 marriage laws. The country is the first in the Asia-Pacific region to allow gays and lesbians to walk down the aisle. ...

Slate • Apr 17, 2013