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Lawsuit challenges DOMA, Veterans Affairs over denial of benefits to married same-sex couples
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) refusal to grant equal disability benefits to an Army veteran in a same-sex marriage is a violation of the veteran’s constitutional rights, according to a federal lawsuit filed Wednesday by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and the law firm of WilmerHale.
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Federal appeals court upholds Maine law requiring anti-gay NOM to release donor list
A federal appeals court on Tuesday upheld Maine’s campaign disclosure law that requires the anti-gay National Organization for Marriage to release its donor list, but the group vowed to take the fight to the U.S. Supreme Court to prevent revealing who financed a $1.8 million movement that helped overturn the state’s gay marriage law.
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Advocates to deliver 24,000 postcards to Washington state senators prior to gay marriage vote
OLYMPIA, Wash. –A broad statewide coalition of organizations, congregations, unions and business associations that will work to obtain civil marriage for lesbian and gay couples in Washington State in 2012, will deliver more than 24,000 constituent postcards to every state senator on Wednesday prior to tonight’s historic vote on marriage equality legislation, SB 6239.
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Maryland Senate hearing on marriage equality bill draws hundreds
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Over the course of four hours on Tuesday, opponents and supporters of same-sex marriage delivered compelling testimony before a Maryland Senate committee in hopes of swaying lawmakers on a landmark bill.
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New Mexico state legislator introduces anti-gay ‘Defense of Marriage’ bill
SANTA FE, N.M. — A New Mexico lawmaker has reintroduced a state-level Defense of Marriage Act that would amend the constitution to ban same-sex marriage and void recognition of marriages and civil unions from other states.
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Maryland youngster asks legislators to vote ‘no’ on gay marriage for her birthday
The Maryland Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony on Tuesday from advocates and opponents of the marriage equality bill currently pending in the state legislature, including 14-year-old Sarah Crank, who told legislators that it “would be the best birthday present ever if you would vote no on gay marriage.”
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Protestors rally outside Maryland state House in opposition to same-sex marriage
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — More than 300 protesters rallied outside the Maryland State House in Annapolis on Monday evening, listening to ministers and chanting slogans in opposition to a same-sex marriage bill introduced by Gov. Martin O’Malley.
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Washington state House committee advances same-sex marriage bill
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Marriage equality in Washington state moved another step forward as a House panel on Monday approved its version of a bill to legalize same-sex marriage. The House Judiciary Committee voted along party lines in favor of the bill, with seven Democrats voting for, and six Republicans voting against. The state’s Senate is […]
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O’Malley calls for compassion, justice in debate over same-sex marriage
BALTIMORE — Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley — who has said legalizing marriage equality is a high priority for his administration — underscored a need for rational thinking and polite public discourse over the issue in a speech Sunday at the 24th National Conference on LGBT Equality.
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Why voting on rights is a lousy idea…
Maine, Washington, and Maryland are all closer than ever to marriage equality, but the Governor of New Jersey thinks that civil rights should be put to a popular vote — whether it’s marriage today, or school desegregation in the 1950s. This week’s Marriage News Watch report is here…