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:
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.
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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.
