Gay Marriage/Civil Unions in 10 years

[Holmes]

Looks like Smith won.

[Holmes]

Apparently the issue of same-sex marriage is in court in Louisiana, and those who filed did so under the fact that the constitutional ban contradicts the first amendment. I'm not too clear...

edit: Eep, it's a federal case.
http://www.wxvt.com/Global/story.asp?S=10224633&nav=menu1344_2

[Holmes]

Oh my god.

Not only is the fact that this is in Louisiana delicious, but I just learned that the oldest man in the couple is 33, and the youngest is 18. I have nothing against age difference, but...

[Brittain33]

Oh my god.

Not only is the fact that this is in Louisiana delicious, but I just learned that the oldest man in the couple is 33, and the youngest is 18. I have nothing against age difference, but...

I'm guessing this is a really unfortunate individual case and not something promoted by a rights organization.

[Verily]

The same-sex marriage bill was voted down in NH committee, with Democrat Deborah Reynolds voting against. That doesn't necessarily mean the bill will fail, since bills don't have to go through committee to be approved in NH, but it probably means the Senate will not take up the bill.

[JohnnyLongtorso]

The same-sex marriage bill was voted down in NH committee, with Democrat Deborah Reynolds voting against. That doesn't necessarily mean the bill will fail, since bills don't have to go through committee to be approved in NH, but it probably means the Senate will not take up the bill.

The folks at Blue Hampshire have a whip count going, and it's currently 8 in favor, 13 against (all 10 Republicans and 3 Democrats), and 3 undecided, so barring a miraculous revelation on the part of two Senators, it's not going to pass. Much to Governor Lynch's relief, I'm sure.

[Holmes]

Yes, I go to Blue Hampshire. I'm actually sending the undecided's some messages to try to sway some opinions. And will be working for Senator Reynold's and DeVries' primary opponents. Seriously. They're in safe seats.

But I swear to god that D'Allesandro said he was for it. And actually, the people in New Hampshire have been working alone on this. No help from anyone else like Vermont and Maine got. Just some help from the HRC for Bud Martin, but... yeah.

Btw, for what it's worth, the New Mexico Democratic Party voted 305 - 39 to put marriage equality in the party's platform.

[Verily]

Reynolds is interesting because she represents the part of NH I would expect to be most strongly in favor of same-sex marriage. Basically, the Vermont part of NH. No idea about the other two.

[Holmes]

Well like I said, I swore that D'Allesandro was on board. I read somewhere that he said he was, and I even commented on it somewhere in this thread. I think DeVries jumped ship because of Reynolds.

Silly, Reynolds is putting her re-election over equality for her constituents. She must be unaware that this is something Democrats get primaried over. A lot of reps in her district voted in support of the bill.

Or.. perhaps, she and Papa Sununu both think equality is garbage.

[Frozen Sky Ever Why]

I hope all 50 have marriage.  But I know it won't happen.  <sigh>

Unless Scalia has a heart attack. It won't happen.

Besides, at this point in time, I'd be afraid for a gay couple's safety to get married in a place like Utah or Alabama...

Are Mormons known for being violent?

[Torie]

I hope all 50 have marriage.  But I know it won't happen.  <sigh>

Unless Scalia has a heart attack. It won't happen.

Besides, at this point in time, I'd be afraid for a gay couple's safety to get married in a place like Utah or Alabama...

Are Mormons known for being violent?

They were once, ala Mountain Meadows, and blood atonement, etc. They are gone much more mainstream and "acceptable" to majority  sensibilities since.

[Holmes]

Big few days coming up for marriage equality.

Today, IOWA BEGINS SAME-SEX MARRIAGE! Last I checked, the sky hasn't fallen and a lot more people are happy that their union is recognized by law.

Tuesday, the Maine Judiciary committee will vote on their bill. 8 of the 12 members are co-sponsors of the bill, and one legislator said she supported the bill but didn't want to co-sponsor because she wanted to listen to the public hearing first. Which we blew out of the water.

Wednesday, thousands of people are traveling to Albany for a huge rally by the statehouse at the same time the Assembly's Judiciary committee will work on their bill. I dunno if they're gonna debate it, or vote, or what... I'm not too sure.

And finally, New Hampshire's senate is voting on the bill on Wednesday. We've been working on it and I really think they'll do the right thing.

[Lunar]

GO MAINE GO

[JohnnyLongtorso]

It certainly seems like the House isn't the problem in Maine, with a 2-1 Democratic majority; the Senate is a lot closer (20-15), and Baldacci is on the fence.

[Holmes]

Really not worried. Equality Maine has been conducting a perfect and engaging behind-the-scenes campaign. From getting vital endorsements to significantly outnumbering opponents at the hearing.

[Brittain33]

Really not worried.

I am cautiously optimistic, but how can you not be worried? Maine voting for marriage equality on the first try would be unprecedented for both Maine and for marriage equality. Vermont had nine years of civil unions first.

[Holmes]

Well of course I'm cautiously optimistic, but I meant that I'm most certain about Maine. Nothing is given when it comes to gay rights - if a legsialture strongly approves of it, it's the governor who doesn't. If you have a governor who'd love to sign the bill, it's the legislature that's not on board. But I dunno, I have high hopes for Maine.

Doing the right thing is not unprecedented.

[Verily]

The NH Senate vote is today, if you want some bad news to calm your optimism.

Although UNH says same-sex marriage enjoys 55% support to 39% opposed in the state:

http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090429/FRONTPAGE/904290337

[Brittain33]

The NH Senate vote is today, if you want some bad news to calm your optimism.

LOL.

[Verily]

Let's just say that I am shocked...

http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090429/BREAK/904290299/1030

Back to the House for the amendment, though. I have no objection to the amendment, although I think it's frivolous. (Basically, saying that the state won't force churches to conduct marriages--which is implicit anyway.) I can't see the House rejecting this version after passing the earlier version.

No news on who switched their intentions. On BlueHampshire's count, all of the waverers must have voted yes, plus either a Republican, Reynolds or DeVries.

[Franzl]

Let's just say that I am shocked...

http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090429/BREAK/904290299/1030

Back to the House for the amendment, though. I have no objection to the amendment, although I think it's frivolous. (Basically, saying that the state won't force churches to conduct marriages--which is implicit anyway.) I can't see the House rejecting this version after passing the earlier version.

No news on who switched their intentions. On BlueHampshire's count, all of the waverers must have voted yes, plus either a Republican, Reynolds or DeVries.

has Lynch said if he intends to sign it?

[Verily]

No. He's been silent on the issue. I don't think he expected the Senate to pass the bill. There are some indications that the Democratic Senators (in the end, just one or two) who voted against the bill did so to spare Lynch a "tough" political decision. That is, he might only get 65% of the vote in 2010 if he doesn't veto it

[Brittain33]

Back to the House for the amendment, though. I have no objection to the amendment, although I think it's frivolous. (Basically, saying that the state won't force churches to conduct marriages--which is implicit anyway.) I can't see the House rejecting this version after passing the earlier version.

Wow. Unexpected.

The amendment isn't necessary, but it was worth spelling out to dispel one of the more pernicious myths out there about same-sex marriage, which is that churches will be forced to perform them... as if religious anti-discrimination laws have compelled Catholic priests to marry two Jews, for example.

[jamestroll]

I hope Scalia and Thomas retire, so obama can appoint activist judges to replace them, so they can legalize gay marriage nationwide against the will of the people.

[Holmes]

Let's just say that I am shocked...

http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090429/BREAK/904290299/1030

WOO

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


!!!

Oh man, I hope there's a video or a photo of Reynolds after the vote, I wanna see the look on her face!

edit: Wow, so it was D'Allesandro who voted against... wow.