Gay Marriage News Spinning You Right Round Like A Record, Baby?

The Shape Of Things To Come

 

 

The way I see it, there’s so much gay marriage news happening right now that if even I, a gay-rights blogger, (and, I might add, Twitter’s gay uncle) feel like I’m spinning around trying to keep up, Mr. & Mr. John Doe out there must really confused. So, I thought I’d give you a quick rundown of what’s been going on this past week, and what’s on the calendar for this coming week.

In no particular order, here’s a stream-of-consciousness roundup:

LAST WEEK:

New York: After a grand introduction by New York Governor Paterson two weeks ago, the governor announced Wednesday he would defer to the state senate majority leader and not demand the bill receive a vote without knowing if there were enough votes to pass. On Friday we learned, NY Gay Marriage Back In The Game! Read below for update.

New Hampshire: The New Hampshire Senate Judiciary Committee voted against moving forward with a bill to legalize same-sex marriage. The Democratic Chairwoman said she thought her state “wasn’t ready” to accept gay marriage.

The Federal Hate Crimes Bill made it out of committee despite Steve King (R-IA) who tried to change the bill, also known as The Matthew Shepard Act, to the “Local Law Enforcement Thought Crimes Prevention Act of 2009”. Nice job, Steve.

We’ll remember Steve King when he tries to run for governor. It’s easy to remember him, at least, according to him: “For some reason my voice is distinct and people recognize my voice and also my name and they associate it whole family effort.” King lent his voice and message to Maggie Gallagher‘s NOM, the National Organization for Marriage, to do election-style robocalls, in an attempt to get his constituents to call their local lawmakers and ask them for a state law, yes, you guessed it, delcaring marriage can only be between a man and a woman, overturning his own state’s Supreme Court unanimous ruling legalizing gay marriage.

Connecticut: Republican Governor Jodi Rell signed her state’s gay marriage bill into law. Not big news, as last fall Connecticut’s State Supreme Court ruled that gay couples have the right to wed in Connecticut.

New Mexico: Democrats added gay marriage to their state’s official party platform. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson supports civil unions/domestic partnerships.

Maine: Three thousand people attended a public hearing on a gay marriage bill. Democracy done right!

NOM’s Magie Gallagher wrote a Letter to the Editor of The New York Times describing her thoughts against gay marriage. “I am proud of the “Gathering Storm” ad precisely because it lets the American people know the truth: Gay marriage has consequences. Name-calling will not change that.” If she had any credibility they would have offered her an Op-Ed.

San Francisco Mayor and Gubernatorial candidate Gavin Newsom said he wants the 2010 U.S. Census to count same-sex couples who say they are married.

New York Times‘ Frank Rich wrote, “It is justice, not a storm, that is gathering. Only those who have spread the poisons of bigotry and fear have any reason to be afraid” in his Op-Ed, “The Bigots’ Last Hurrah“.

One Iowa released their beautiful, brilliant, video response to “The Gathering Storm”.

COMING UP THIS WEEK:

MONDAY:

Run, do not walk, do not pass Go, do not collect two hundred dollars. Run to Iowa and get married! Iowa begins issuing marriage licenses to homosexual couples. The real question: Who’s the first to catch the bouquet? The other question? Why is this woman organizing a statewide prayer service against gay marriage on Monday?

TUESDAY:

Albany, New York becomes Maggie Gallagher’s nightmare: Thousands of gay-rights activists descend upon the state capitol as part of the Empire State Pride Agenda’s Equality & Justice Day. Appropriately that same day, the New York State Senate Judiciary Committee is taking up the gay marriage bill. Were they to decide to not move it to the full Senate for a vote that day, I’m not sure they’d be let out of their offices. That’s a lot of gay protestors to contend with!

After last week’s public gay marriage hearing, the Maine Legislature’s Judiciary Committee will vote on the bill Tuesday, and, if successful, as it is expected to be, from there it will go to the Senate for consideration.

For now, that’s all, but you never know what could happen next. Stay tuned!

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And, enjoy!