The Wrap

Valentine’s Day 2012 was marked with more progress on marriage equality front, this time in Maryland where a joint panel of two committees in the state legislature advanced a bill to legalize same-sex marriage.

Guest columnist Craig Cassey shared his Valentine message for LGBT teens, a gay couple set a new world record for the longest kiss, and a Google doodle sends a Valentine to gay couples. Here’s today’s wrap-up:

Nontawat Jaroegenasornsin and Thanakorn Sittiamthong

Gay couples sets record for longest kiss

A gay couple in Thailand celebrated their love this Valentine’s Day with a two-day kiss. The 50-hour, 25-minute and one-second smooch set a new world record.

The two men were taking part in the annual “Ripley’s Believe It or Not” longest kissing competition in Pattaya, Thailand.

Illinois governor unsure of marriage equality

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn says he doesn’t know if he would support legislation that would give same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexual couples. The “Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act” was introduced in the Illinois House earlier this month, and would allow same-sex marriage in Illinois.

Uganda LGBT activist forced into hiding

Prominent Ugandan gay and lesbian rights activist Kasha Jacqueline — who has a history of being harassed by the authorities — has been forced into hiding after police raided the hotel where she was participating in a workshop on the rights of sexual minorities.

The raid comes the week after Uganda’s parliament reintroduced its controversial anti-homosexuality bill.

Google ‘doodle’ gives a nod to same-sex couples

The Valentine’s Day Google Doodle included a message of support for same-sex marriage.

The one-minute animation of young love between a boy and girl ended with a montage of other couples — including two guys dressed in tuxedos holding hands. The Valentine’s message was a subtle nod to marriage equality supporters and gay and lesbian couples everywhere.

In case you missed it:

TOMORROW’S NEWS

The Colorado Civil Union Act of 2012 will have its first senate hearing at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15. The bill is expected to sail through the Senate with bipartisan support.

Tags: Google, Marriage Equality, Maryland, Pat Quinn, Uganda, Valentines Day

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