While we've documented changes in the law favoring recognition of same-sex relationships in the past, today we look at challenges to these advances.
In Maine, opponents of same-sex marriage delivered signatures to the Secretary of State's office to have the May 2009 statute put on the ballot for a "citizen's veto." Maine voters will then be asked in the November election whether they want to preserve same-sex marriage or repeal the statute. Unlike in California with Prop 8, the state legislature would be able to pass the law again and restore marriage equality.
In Washington State, a similar vote may happen on the recent statute expanding the state's domestic partnership law to include all rights and privileges of marriage. Turns out that a lot of the signatures submitted are invalid, so it may not qualify for the ballot. Stay tuned for future updates!
We're also tracking events in Wisconsin with great interest. Voters there approved a constitutional amendment in 2006 banning same-sex marriage and civil unions and the equivalent. This year, however, the state legislature initiated a domestic registry providing same-sex couples with about 40 of the rights afforded to opposite-sex couples. (For example, if we were suddenly 80 years old and infirm, we would be allowed to room together in a nursing home. This is the kind of thing that gets Kevin really, really fired up.) Not surprisingly, some people believe that this law violates the state constitutional amendment and a lawsuit has been filed.
So, bottom line? In order to protect three advances in Maine, Washington and Wisconsin, state and national groups still need our support. Please consider giving to The Task Force, whose mission includes campaigns to fight anti-gay measures at the ballot box, and Lambda Legal, which fights for partnership and marriage rights in the courts.
In Washington State, a similar vote may happen on the recent statute expanding the state's domestic partnership law to include all rights and privileges of marriage. Turns out that a lot of the signatures submitted are invalid, so it may not qualify for the ballot. Stay tuned for future updates!
We're also tracking events in Wisconsin with great interest. Voters there approved a constitutional amendment in 2006 banning same-sex marriage and civil unions and the equivalent. This year, however, the state legislature initiated a domestic registry providing same-sex couples with about 40 of the rights afforded to opposite-sex couples. (For example, if we were suddenly 80 years old and infirm, we would be allowed to room together in a nursing home. This is the kind of thing that gets Kevin really, really fired up.) Not surprisingly, some people believe that this law violates the state constitutional amendment and a lawsuit has been filed.
So, bottom line? In order to protect three advances in Maine, Washington and Wisconsin, state and national groups still need our support. Please consider giving to The Task Force, whose mission includes campaigns to fight anti-gay measures at the ballot box, and Lambda Legal, which fights for partnership and marriage rights in the courts.
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