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NC House Will Soon Pass Marriage Equality Ban

OIA Staff — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 15:52:39 +0000

After a rushed move to sneak the anti-marriage amendment, a North Carolina House Commitee passed the proposed marriage equality ban to the House Floor. Now “three-fifths of the House members must vote yes twice on the measure before it can move on to the Senate.” via. Read the full article @ NC House Will Soon [...]

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Tennessee Senate Approves ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill

OIA Staff — Fri, 20 May 2011 16:32:39 +0000

Tennessee’s Senate has approved Stacey Campfield’s hideous “Don’t Say Gay” bill which would forbid discussion of homosexuality in classrooms, WMCTV reports: Under the proposal approved 19-11 on Friday, any instruction or materials at a public elementary or middle school will be “limited exclusively to age-appropriate natural human reproduction science.” Republican Senate sponsor Stacey Campfield of [...]

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Indiana Senate panel OKs resolution to ban gay marriage

OIA Staff — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 14:37:43 +0000

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 7-3 Wednesday to pass a resolution amending Indiana’s Constitution to ban gay marriage. The resolution now goes to the full Senate, where it has passed five times in the past. The vote was along party lines, with Democrats against. via. Read the full article @ Indiana Senate panel OKs resolution [...]

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New Hampshire Delays Gay Marriage Repeal Bill

OIA Staff — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 18:37:28 +0000

New Hampshire lawmakers won’t be voting on bills to repeal the state’s gay marriage law until next year. The House Judiciary Committee voted unanimously Thursday to hold onto two bills that would repeal the law that has been in effect a little over a year. via. Read the full article @ New Hampshire Delays Gay Marriage [...]

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Zach Wahls Becomes Internet Sensation after Defending Gay Parents in Iowa State House

OIA Staff — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 18:17:13 +0000

Iowa’s Zach Wahls, the 19-year-old son of two lesbian moms who testified before the State House as they moved to let voters ban gay marriage, has set the Internet on fire. Here he is on MSNBC’s The Last Word. via. Read the full article @ Zach Wahls Becomes Internet Sensation after Defending Gay Parents in [...]

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Virginia DADT Bill Dies In Subcommittee

OIA Staff — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 14:55:43 +0000

A Virginia House subcommittee voted on Tuesday to pretty much kill the bill put forward by Delegate Bob Marshall of Prince William to keep Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell in place for the Virginia National Guard. Marshall had argued that the policy should keep going in Virginia. via. Read the full article @ Virginia DADT Bill [...]

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New York’s Thomas Duane To Introduce Gay Marriage Bill

OIA Staff — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 17:41:28 +0000

New York State Senator Thomas Duane will introduce a gay marriage bill “within weeks,” the New York Daily News reported. Duane said he’ll press for a vote before the end of June. “I think everyone is aware that we have to make the lives of New Yorkers better in every way – economically, as well [...]

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Harry Reid: Vote on ‘DADT’ for Saturday

OIA Staff — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 13:32:40 +0000

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has filed cloture on ‘DADT’ repeal and the DREAM act, with a vote planned for Saturday. via. Read the full article @ Harry Reid: Vote on ‘DADT’ for Saturday Read more articles @ our blogBecome a fan on FacebookFollow us on Twitter

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Senate Bill 4022 to Repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Introduced

OIA Staff — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 17:36:47 +0000

Senators Joseph Lieberman announced that he, Senator Susan Collins, and others are introducing a new stand-alone bill to repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’. He says Harry Reid has promised to bring it up for a vote before the end of the lame-duck session, and says the votes are there. via. Read the full article @ [...]

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Senate Delays Vote on Ban on Gays in Military for Today

OIA Staff — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 14:57:32 +0000

Senate Democrats have put off for now a vote on legislation that would repeal the military’s ban on openly gay troops so that more time can be spent to try to strike a deal with Republicans. A test vote on lifting the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy had been scheduled for late Wednesday. via. Read [...]

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DADT Repeal Is Still Uncertain

OIA Staff — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 14:58:48 +0000

The status of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” changes every minute. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates doubts repeal will happen this month. Sen. Joe Lieberman insists the votes are there, and wants the Senate to stay in session until there’s a vote (that would mean senators working during their Christmas break). VIA. Read the full article [...]

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LGBT Wins and Losses on Election Day

OIA Staff — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 16:07:34 +0000

NATIONAL: Overall, the Republicans landed enough victories to retake control of the House of Representatives from the Democrats, but not enough to take control of the Senate. It remains to be seen what a GOP-controlled House will mean for pro-LGBT measures, like passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, lifting the Defense of Marriage Act, or repealing of Don’t Ask, Don’t [...]

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Out members of Congress issue letter to LGBT community

OIA Staff — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 14:49:35 +0000

“Elections matter,” begins an open letter from U.S. Representatives Tammy Baldwin, Barney Frank and Jared Polis, issued this afternoon. The intended recipients? The entire LGBT community. … In the 111th Congress, we passed the Matthew Shepherd and James Byrd Jr. Federal Hate Crimes Act, admittedly no small feat, while the State Department adopted inclusive passport procedures [...]

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House Places DADT Repeal Compromise Into Defense Budget Bill

OIA Staff — Fri, 28 May 2010 12:41:30 +0000

The House voted late Thursday to let the Defense Department repeal the ban on gay and bisexual people from serving openly in the military, a major step toward dismantling “don’t ask, don’t tell.” The House vote was 234-194, with 229 Democrats and five Republicans in favor. Opposed were 168 Republicans and 26 Democrats. The Washington [...]

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Mass. Legislature approves anti-bullying law

OIA Staff — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 15:56:48 +0000

The state Legislature has unanimously approved a state law cracking down on bullying, following two cases of Massachusetts youths committing suicide after allegedly being bullied. The legislation would require school employees to report all instances of bullying and require principals to investigate them. “We’re going to send out a message that this kind of behavior [...]

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New Yorkers Fight Back and Win: Hiram Monserrate Loses

OIA Staff — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:05:38 +0000

In what should become a model for how LGBT activists deal with elected officials who vote against equal rights, Fight Back New York’s campaign to defeat former State Senator Hiram Monserratte paid off big. Monserratte was defeated easily by Jose Peralta by a 3 -1 margin. Perralta is a member of the State Assembly who [...]

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Iowa Legislature Votes to Protect Equality

OIA Staff — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 13:46:00 +0000

The Iowa legislature acted yesterday to reject an effort to repeal the existing marriage equality law. Opponents of same-sex marriage have attempted to override the Supreme Court’s decision by amending the state constitution to make marriage between one man and one woman. Polls show the majority of Iowans consider the issue settled and do not [...]

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Washington D.C. Legalizes Gay Marriage!

OIA Staff — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:21:37 +0000

The Washington D.C. city council has finalized a bill legalizing same-sex marriage by a vote of 11-2. The two councilmembers who opposed the measure were Marion Barry, and Yvette Alexander. The bill now goes to the Mayor who has promised to sign the bill into law. [ Queers United ] Read the full article @ Washington [...]

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Annise Parker Elected Mayor: Houston is the Winner

OIA Staff — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:36:08 +0000

Voters in the nation’s fourth largest city went to the polls today and elected Equality Texas-endorsed candidate Annise Parker the next mayor of Houston. Parker was elected with 53 percent of the vote, defeating her runoff opponent Gene Locke who garnered 47 percent. Houston is the winner because Annise Parker’s prior experience will serve her [...]

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NYS Senate Promises Marriage Equality 09 Debate, Vote

OIA Staff — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:15:45 +0000

Flanked by four members of the State Senate Democratic majority and the leader of New York’s LGBT lobby, Governor David A. Paterson announced an agreement by which the Senate leadership has, for the first time, agreed to debate and vote on a marriage equality bill before the end of 2009. “This is the first time [...]

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The Dangers of Voting on Civil Rights

OIA Staff — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:52:06 +0000

In an election that had been billed for weeks as too close to call, Maine’s often unpredictable voters repealed a state law Tuesday that would have allowed same-sex couples to wed. Gay marriage has now lost in all 31 states in which it has been put to a popular vote — a trend that the [...]

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Anti-gays Eye Repeal of Marriage Equality in New Hampshire

OIA Staff — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:21:49 +0000

The recent victory of bigots in Maine has cause some anti-gay lawmakers in New Hampshire to consider a repeal of that state’s marriage equality law, which was signed by Governor John Lynch in June. Foster’s Daily Democrat reports: “Two proposals are being drafted in the N.H. House: One would repeal the law Gov. John Lynch [...]

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And Now the Good News – R-71 Wins in Washington!

OIA Staff — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:18:07 +0000

With 100% of the vote counted. Everything but marriage wins 51.03%-48.97% After the results from Maine, we needed some positive news. County Results & Map Last updated on 11/4/2009 7:56 AM Referendum Measure 71 concerning rights and responsibilities of state-registered domestic partners Measure Vote Vote % Approved 511,651 51.03 % Rejected 490,948 48.97 % Total [...]

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Will Obama Speak Out on Maine’s Anti-Gay Marriage Measure?

OIA Staff — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:38:17 +0000

“If the president doesn’t want his own words to be used in a hate-filled campaign then he better speak up now. We all remember what happened in California. Even though Obama opposed Proposition 8, his profile on the initiative was very low. As a result, the YES on 8 folks did mass mailings using Obama’s [...]

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Rep. Blumenauer Blogs About Worst Vote of His Career

OIA Staff — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:01:13 +0000

On July 12, 1996, Congressman Blumenauer (D-Ore) cast what he calls the “worst vote of my political career.” He explains why his vote for the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was a mistake and candidly addresses the time he has spent “understanding the problems in his, which has “resulted in frank and important conversations with [...]

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No on 1 Response Ad: “Clearing Up Distortions”

OIA Staff — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 18:24:05 +0000

The anti-gay right has been misleading the public in Maine to suggest that the government forced marriage in order to avoid a peoples vote, and that if the referendum passes that there will be a flood of lawsuits and homosexual marriage will be taught in schools. These lies are being used as scare tactics… [ [...]

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Gay marriage Repeal on Ballot in Maine

OIA Staff — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:06:41 +0000

State election officials announced Wednesday that opponents of Maine’s gay marriage law had gathered enough signatures to trigger a statewide vote on the issue this November. Maine has already attracted the attention — and money — of national groups on both sides of the debate over same-sex marriage. That focus is bound to intensify now [...]

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Wis. AG will not defend gay partnership law

OIA Staff — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 19:10:32 +0000

Wisconsin’s attorney general said Friday he will not defend a new law that grants same-sex couples spousal benefits such as hospital visitation and inheritance, saying lawmakers went against voters’ decision not to extend such privileges. [ Topix ] Read the full article @ Wis. AG will not defend gay partnership law Read more articles @ [...]

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Mainers, Request an Early Ballot to Vote No on 1!

OIA Staff — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 19:07:02 +0000

Mainers don’t have to wait for the November 3rd referendum election to cast their vote for marriage equality. People can vote as soon as September against referendum 1 which if passed will eliminate same-sex marriage. Registered voters can request an absentee ballot via mail and cast their vote early. Request your ballot! [ Topix ] [...]

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Anchorage Mayor Vetoes Nondiscrimination Ordinance

OIA Staff — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:33:46 +0000

Mayor Dan Sullivan vetoed discrimination protection that would have covered gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transpeople in that city of Anchorage. According to Mayor Sullivan there was no need for the order. This is despite the fact that there were 20 hours of hearing concerning this issue and it is clear that this was necessary. The [...]

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Senate Approves Bill Containing Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act

OIA Staff — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 15:24:21 +0000

The Senate has approved a defense-spending bill that included the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act by an 87-7 vote late yesterday evening… The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act will expand protections under the federal hate-crime law to those attacked because of their sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or disability and would also give [...]

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Hate Crimes Law Expansion Passes Senate To Include Sexual Orientation And More

OIA Staff — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:59:04 +0000

People attacked because of their sexual orientation or gender would receive federal protections under a Senate-approved measure that significantly expands the reach of hate crimes law. The Senate bill also would make it easier for federal prosecutors to step in when state or local authorities are unable or unwilling to pursue hate crimes. “The Senate [...]

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Maine’s marriage equality threatened by 55,087 signatures

OIA Staff — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:43:35 +0000

In a great move for companies Montblanc and Dunder Mifflin, opponents to the passage of Maine’s same-sex marriage law have gathered the necessary 55,087 signatures required to put a repeal up for a statewide vote come this November. [ Queerty ] Read the full article @ Maine’s marriage equality threatened by 55,087 signatures Read more [...]

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Delaware: State votes to end gay bias

OIA Staff — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:06:12 +0000

Gays and lesbians in Delaware will have legal protection from discrimination under a bill that passed the General Assembly late Wednesday night, more than a decade after supporters started fighting for it. [ Topix ] Read the full article @ Delaware: State votes to end gay bias Read more articles @ our blogBecome a fan [...]

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Maine Governor Signs Same-Sex Marriage Bill

OIA Staff — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:21:35 +0000

Gov. John Baldacci on Wednesday signed a gay marriage bill passed just hours before by the Maine Legislature. Baldacci made his announcement within an hour of the Maine Senate giving its final approval to LD 1020. The Senate voted 21-13 in favor of the measure after a short debate. “In the past, I opposed gay [...]

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