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Marriage Equality
Same-sex marriage, also known as gay marriage, is marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or gender identity. Legal recognition of same-sex marriage is sometimes referred to as marriage equality, particularly by advocates and supporters.
Since 2000, eleven countries (Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, South Africa, Sweden) have legalized same-sex marriage, as have parts of Brazil and Mexico. In 2013, bills to legalize same-sex marriage were passed in Uruguay, New Zealand and France, although those laws have not yet taken effect.
In the United States, same-sex marriage is legal in nine states (Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont and Washington), and in the District of Columbia. (Same-sex marriage will become legal in Delaware on July 1, 2013, and in Rhode Island on August 1, 2013.)
Archives | Mentions:
Ex-Iowa official guilty of fraud in issuing marriage license to Fla. couple
Monday, May 6, 2013
IOWA CITY, Iowa -- A former rural Iowa court official pleaded guilty Monday to forgery for filing false documents to issue a marriage license to a same-sex couple from central Florida, in the first case of its kind in Iowa. [ Read more → ]
Another previously undecided Minn. lawmaker says he’ll support marriage equality bill
Monday, May 6, 2013
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- A Democratic state representative, who's also a Lutheran pastor, says he'll vote to legalize same-sex marriage in Minnesota. [ Read more → ]
Minn. House panel to review impact of marriage bill on state’s general fund
Monday, May 6, 2013
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The bill to make same-sex marriage legal in Minnesota is getting a last-minute committee hearing in the Minnesota House. [ Read more → ]
Gingrich claims religious rights are being ‘outlawed’ by marriage equality
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Former U.S. House Speaker, and failed GOP presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich, appearing Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press," falsely claimed that Catholic adoption agencies are being "outlawed" in some states where marriage equality laws take effect. [ Read more → ]
R.I. bishop warns Catholics against attending ‘immoral’ gay weddings
Saturday, May 4, 2013
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Roman Catholic Bishop Thomas Tobin issued a warning to Catholics this week that are not free to “endorse or ignore immoral or destructive behavior,” and advised against attending any gay weddings now that same-sex marriage has been legalized in Rhode Island. [ Read more → ]
With marriage now legal, Md. to end partner benefits for gay state workers
Saturday, May 4, 2013
ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- The Governor of Maryland has notified state employees that shared benefits for domestic partners will end on December 31, and if they want to continue their health insurance coverage, they'll have to get married. [ Read more → ]
Texas AG’s opinion on same-sex partner benefits doesn’t worry cities, counties
Friday, May 3, 2013
EL PASO, Texas -- Cities and counties that offer same-sex partner health benefits don't anticipate altering their policies after the Texas attorney general called the practice unconstitutional, though his opinion does serve as fuel for litigation against entities providing benefits to gay couples. [ Read more → ]
Effort to cut Iowa Supreme Court justice pay over gay marriage vote withdrawn
Friday, May 3, 2013
DES MOINES, Iowa — A proposal to cut the salaries of four state Supreme Court justices who joined in a unanimous ruling four years ago that legalized same-sex marriage in Iowa, was withdrawn on Thursday and no vote was taken on the measure. [ Read more → ]
Undecided lawmakers take opposite sides on Minn. marriage equality bill
Friday, May 3, 2013
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Two freshman Democratic state representatives from socially conservative districts took opposite sides in their support for legalizing same-sex marriage in Minnesota, the latest among undecided lawmakers weighing their personal feelings against their political future. [ Read more → ]
Four country music stars announce their support for Ill. marriage equality bill
Friday, May 3, 2013
CHICAGO -- Four country music stars are announcing their support for legislation that would legalize same-sex marriage in Illinois. [ Read more → ]
Rhode Island approves marriage equality, Governor signs bill into law
Thursday, May 2, 2013
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Rhode Island on Thursday became the nation's 10th state to allow gay and lesbian couples to wed, as a 16-year effort to extend marriage rights in this heavily Roman Catholic state ended with the triumphant cheers of hundreds of gays, lesbians, their families and friends. [ Read more → ]
Colorado leaders move on same-sex marriage, even before civil unions begin
Thursday, May 2, 2013
DENVER -- With only a few hours between the past and the future of relationship recognition for Colorado’s same-sex couples, leaders of the state’s LGBT and allied community seized the present and made their strongest and most public case for marriage equality. [ Read more → ]
Dallas mayor says resolution to support marriage equality is a waste of time
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Dallas mayor Mike Rawlings said Wednesday that a proposed city council resolution supporting marriage equality is a political distraction and a waste of the council’s time. [ Read more → ]
Final vote, signing ceremony planned for R.I. marriage bill on Thursday
Thursday, May 2, 2013
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Rhode Island is joining nine other states and the District of Columbia in allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry. [ Read more → ]
Three more Brazilian states rule in favor of allowing same-sex marriage
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Justices in the Brazilian states of Rondônia, Paraíba and Santa Catarina have ruled to authorize marriage equality for same-sex couples, bringing the total to 14 of the country's 27 states to legalize same-sex marriage. [ Read more → ]
Delaware Senate committee advances marriage equality bill
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
DOVER, Del. — A state Senate committee on Wednesday sent a bill authorizing same-sex marriage in Delaware to the full Senate for a vote next week. [ Read more → ]
Delaware Senate panel to consider same-sex marriage bill
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
DOVER, Del. -- A state Senate committee on Wednesday will consider a bill authorizing same-sex marriage in Delaware. The measure narrowly won passage in the House last week. [ Read more → ]
New chapter for Colorado families begins as civil unions law takes effect
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
DENVER -- A new chapter for Colorado families began today at 12:01 a.m. when hard-fought legislation for civil unions took effect, allowing same-sex couples to form civil unions for the first time. [ Read more → ]
R.I. House committee clears same-sex marriage bill for final approval
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Only a few legislative steps remain before Rhode Island becomes the nation's 10th state to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry. [ Read more → ]
Former GOP lawmaker, Iraq war veteran featured in Minn. gay marriage ads
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Building off the growing momentum across Minnesota to extend the freedom to marry to same-sex couples in 2013, Minnesotans United on Tuesday announced the release of a new broadcast television ad featuring former Minnesota State Representative, Republican, and Iraq War veteran John Kriesel. [ Read more → ]
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