marriage equality

Jon Huntsman: Republicans should embrace marriage equality

Brody Levesque - LGBTQ Nation
February 22nd, 2013

ARLINGTON, Va. — Jon Huntsman, a former GOP presidential contender and Utah governor, on Thursday urged the Republican party to embrace marriage equality for gays and lesbians, and warned that failure to do so will continue to result in the electorate becoming further disenchanted with the party.

"Collateral Damage" reveals how DOMA harms troops, undermines the U.S. military | VIDEO

SDGLN Staff
February 21st, 2013

WASHINGTON — Following Defense Secretary Leon Panetta’s recent announcement that the Department of Defense would extend some benefits to same-sex couples, advocates quickly turned to another stumbling block — the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), awaiting a Supreme Court ruling on its constitutionality this summer.

Proposition 8 plaintiffs call on Supreme Court to recognize marriage equality for all

SDGLN Staff
February 21st, 2013

WASHINGTON – Plaintiffs challenging California’s Proposition 8 today filed their brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in Hollingsworth v. Perry, urging the justices to recognize the fundamental right of all Americans to marry by affirming the landmark federal court of appeals ruling that upheld the historic decision of the federal district court that found Proposition 8 unconstitutional.

Anti-gay FRC urges Congress to "pressure the Supreme Court" on marriage cases

Peter Montgomery - Right Wing Watch
February 20th, 2013

The Family Research Council has launched what it is describing as “an ambitious, no-holds-barred campaign to keep marriage as between one man and one woman and preserve the American family.”

Oregon marriage equality supporters submit sponsorship petitions

LGBTQ Nation Staff Reports
February 20th, 2013

Oregon United for Marriage, a broad coalition working to legalize same-sex marriage in Oregon, submitted 2,000 sponsorship signatures to the Secretary of State Elections Office on Tuesday, twice the number needed to move move into the ballot title process.

New poll: More Americans oppose DOMA, support equal treatment under the law

SDGLN Staff
February 19th, 2013

WASHINGTON –The Center for American Progress and Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders today released the results of a national voter survey showing an increase in public opposition to the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) as a clear case of discrimination and support for equal treatment for legally married same-sex couples under federal law — even if the individual polled is generally opposed to marriage equality.

Prop 8 judge speaks out as case reaches Supreme Court

SDGLN Staff
February 19th, 2013

SAN FRANCISCO – Vaughn Walker, the federal judge who made the historic ruling that California’s Proposition 8 was unconstitutional, says in an interview with the San Jose Mercury News that he makes no predictions about how the U.S. Supreme Court will decide the appeal.

Walker, who has since retired from the bench, also said he was not shocked that Prop 8 supporters made a big deal that he was gay and in a long-term relationship. He called it a “Hail Mary” play insinuating that he was biased, a point decisively rejected by the appeals court.

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First 2013 marriage equality poll shows growing bipartisan majority support

SDGLN Staff
February 19th, 2013

WASHINGTON – The Respect for Marriage Coalition today released a memo from Anzalone Liszt Grove Research summarizing key findings from the first public opinion poll of 2013 on marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples.

The poll found that a growing bipartisan majority of registered voters support marriage rights. Three-quarters of voters believe that the freedom to marry is a constitutional right, and an even higher 83% believe that marriage for same-sex couples will become legal nationwide in the next decade.

The memo is included below.

eHarmony founder: Homosexuality is "a painful way for people to have to live"

LGBTQ Nation Staff Reports
February 18th, 2013

Neil Clark Warren, the Christian co-founder of the dating site eHarmony, said he’s “tired” of the debate over marriage equality for gays and lesbians, and blamed same-sex marriage for damaging his company.

BREAKING NEWS: Illinois Senate OKs marriage bill

Ken Williams - SDGLN Editor in Chief
February 14th, 2013

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – On Valentine’s Day, the Illinois Senate voted 34-21 to approve same-sex marriage. Two did not vote.

The bill now goes to the state House of Representatives, where anti-marriage forces are hoping to defeat the measure. Democrats control the House 60% to 40%.

Gov. Pat Quinn has been pushing hard for marriage equality for all Illinois residents. The state already offers civil unions.

"Marriage equality is coming to Illinois," Quinn vowed in his State of the State address last week.