Monday, January 30, 2006

News bits on Marriage Equality

BALTIMORE - A Maryland circuit court ruled on 1/20/2006 that it is a violation of the state constitution to deny same-sex couples the numerous protections provided to married couples. The American Civil Liberties Union and Equality Maryland hail the decision as an historic step toward the ability of same-sex couples to legally marry in the state. Read more here.

BUT, at the same time:

(AP) ANNAPOLIS, Md. The agenda this week in the state legislature includes work on two leading issues -- gay marriage and electronic voting.

The House Judiciary Committee is scheduled tomorrow to hold a hearing on a proposed ban of same-sex marriage. The panel has killed similar bills in the past and Republican Delegate Don Dwyer of Anne Arundel County expects the same result for his bill this year. Read more here.

AND, in Jerry Falwell country:

Virginia voters will decide this fall if an anti-gay marriage amendment should be tacked onto their commonwealth's constitution, now that lawmakers have overwhelmingly approved it. So much for "Virginia is for Lovers."

ELSEWHERE:

Rhode Island's Senate and House are both facing bills that seek to legalize same-sex marriage.
Sen. Rhoda Perry, D-Providence, introduced the Senate version Tuesday. Rep. Art Handy, D-Cranston, reportedly introduced a similar bill in the lower house Wednesday.


GUTSY:

(Hendersonville, North Carolina) A Hendersonville, North Carolina same-sex couple is refusing to pay Federal and North Carolina Income Tax to protest the refusal of both levels of government to recognize them as a couple. Imagine the penalties...

Nothing new to report on our lawsuit these days. I think Laboriously S-L-O-W is an understatement in describing this process. Hell, I'm eligible for social security in just 12 more years.

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