Marriage equality update
The cause of marriage equality continues to move forward, with supporters hoping add states. Below, news from Colorado, Oregon and Illinois. In addition, as previously reported by the Gayly, both Britain and France are moving forward to legalize marriage.
COLORADO: Senate gives final approval to civil unions, prospects in house hopeful
DENVER (AP) — Civil unions for same-sex Colorado couples have cleared the state Senate for a third and possibly final time.
The Senate approved civil unions 21-14 without debate. All Democrats voted for the legal recognition for gay partners. Republican Sen. Ellen Roberts of Durango joined them. The other 14 Republicans voted no.
Monday's vote is expected to be the curtain call for civil unions in the state Senate. That's because the House is now under Democratic control and is likely to approve the measure, sending it to the governor's desk. Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper has said he plans to sign civil unions into law.
Civil unions would grant gay couples rights similar to marriage. More than a dozen states allow either civil unions or gay marriage. Colorado's constitution bans gay marriage.
OREGON: Same-sex marriage backers plan 2014 vote
JONATHAN J. COOPER,Associated Press
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Supporters of same-sex marriage said Monday they're aiming at a vote next year to reverse Oregon's ban on gay marriage, which was approved in 2004.
The state's leading gay-rights group, Basic Rights Oregon, said it's formed a campaign organization to get a constitutional amendment on the November 2014 ballot. The group will need to collect at least 116,000 valid signatures.
Voters in Oregon have become more inclined to support gay marriage since they approved the ban by a vote of nearly 57 percent to 43 percent, said Jeana Frazzini, Basic Rights Oregon's executive director. Approval of gay marriage in other states and vocal public support from President Barack Obama have helped shift momentum with supporters of same-sex unions, Frazzini said.
"We've seen the state and the country on a journey of understanding that loving and committed same sex couples want to marry, and they want to do so for reasons similar to any couple: for love and commitment and taking care of one another in good times and bad," Frazzini.
Theresa Harke, a spokeswoman for the Oregon Family Council said the group has been preparing to oppose such a measure and said both sides would have a difficult fight.
Only one man and one woman can procreate, Harke said, so that unique arrangement deserves a unique name.
"Oftentimes we get away from what we're actually talking about, which is the definition of marriage, as opposed to how we feel about same-sex couples and the rights of same sex couples," Harke said.
A 2007 Oregon law allows same-sex couples to register a domestic partnership that provides the same rights as marriage under state law. Last year, Oregon had 558 domestic partnerships through October, according to the Oregon Health Authority, which tracks vital statistics.
Basic Rights Oregon decided against seeking a same-sex marriage initiative in the 2012 election, saying at the time that it wasn't clear they could win.
ILLINOIS: Judge won't delay lawsuit over gay marriage ban
CHICAGO (AP) — A Cook County judge on Wednesday denied a request to delay action on a lawsuit seeking to overturn Illinois' ban on same-sex marriage.
The Chicago-based Thomas More Society requested the delay. The public interest law firm opposes gaymarriage and wanted the lawsuit delayed pending U.S. Supreme Court action on gay marriage.
The lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and New York-based Lambda Legal. It represents 25 couples who were denied marriage licenses in Cook County and challenges a state law that defines marriage as between a man and woman. Illinois has civil unions, but many couples in the lawsuits said civil unions made them feel like second-class citizens.
"We are pleased that our case will move forward and that loving, committed Illinois couples will have the chance to get to the heart of this case and explain to this Court why marriage is so important to their families," said Camilla Taylor, Marriage Project Director for Lambda Legal.
Thomas More Society attorney Tom Brejcha said his firm isn't displeased with Wednesday's ruling and instead is looking forward to briefings on their motion to dismiss the case.
"We fully expect the motion to dismiss will be granted and that we will prevail," Brejcha said.
Cook County Prosecutor Anita Alvarez and Attorney General Lisa Madigan have refused to defend the suit in court, claiming the gay marriage ban violates the Illinois Constitution.