Opposing Marriage Bills in Pennsylvania Legislature

Local KYW Newsradio reports that state Senator Daylin Leach (D- Montgomery & Delaware) plans to introduce a bill in the Pennsylvania Senate to extend full marriage equality to same-sex couples. Equality Advocates Pennsylvania states that the proposed legislation is currently circulating for co-sponsorship in the Senate. Senator Leach's announcement came days after Senator John Eichelberger (R-Blair) announced his intent to reintroduce a measure to amend the state constitution to ban gay marriage.

Cal. Supreme Court Upholds Prop. 8

Although I am sure that most of you know that the California Supreme Court released its decision yesterday, upholding Proposition 8, I thought it might be helpful to have some explanation of why and how.


I hope to read and summarize the main points of the opinion in the somewhat near future, but, in the meantime, here is a link to the full California Supreme Court opinion.

Press Release from LGBT Organizations Discouraging More Litigation

A coalition of organizations released a statement entitled, "Why the Ballot Box and Not the Courts Should Be the Next Step on Marriage in California." The statement warns against filing ill-timed lawsuits pursuing marriage equality based on the federal constitution. Instead, the organizations argue that the focus for the time being should be on state laws and public opinion. A federal lawsuit challenging Proposition 8 is simply too risky. The statement also draws a distinction between GLAD's challenge to federal DOMA and a federal lawsuit challenging Prop 8, stating that GLAD's lawsuit is carefully timed and narrowly tailored.

New York State Assembly Passes Gay Marriage Bill

The New York Times reported yesterday that the New York State Assembly passed the same-sex marriage bill by a vote of 89-52. The bill moves next to the state Senate, where a contentious debate is expected.

Maine Governor Signs Gay Marriage Bill

Today, Maine Governor Baldacci was the first governor to sign a bill allowing gay and lesbians couples to marry (Vermont achieved this by overruling the veto).

Full text of the law and bill tracking here.

The governor's full statement:

I have followed closely the debate on this issue. I have listened to both sides, as they have presented their arguments during the public hearing and on the floor of the Maine Senate and the House of Representatives. I have read many of the notes and letters sent to my office, and I have weighed my decision carefully. I did not come to this decision lightly or in haste.

I appreciate the tone brought to this debate by both sides of the issue. This is an emotional issue that touches deeply many of our most important ideals and traditions. There are good, earnest and honest people on both sides of the question.

In the past, I opposed gay marriage while supporting the idea of civil unions. I have come to believe that this is a question of fairness and of equal protection under the law, and that a civil union is not equal to civil marriage.

Article I in the Maine Constitution states that 'no person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law, nor be denied the equal protection of the laws, nor be denied the enjoyment of that person's civil rights or be discriminated against.'

This new law does not force any religion to recognize a marriage that falls outside of its beliefs. It does not require the church to perform any ceremony with which it disagrees. Instead, it reaffirms the separation of Church and State," Governor Baldacci said. It guarantees that Maine citizens will be treated equally under Maine's civil marriage laws, and that is the responsibility of government. Even as I sign this important legislation into law, I recognize that this may not be the final word. Just as the Maine Constitution demands that all people are treated equally under the law, it also guarantees that the ultimate political power in the State belongs to the people.

While the good and just people of Maine may determine this issue, my responsibility is to uphold the Constitution and do, as best as possible, what is right. I believe that signing this legislation is the right thing to do.

See news coverage at MSNBC and CNN.