Marriage Equality Update

Wyoming Legislature considers domestic partnership, discrimination protection.

Ben Neary, Associated Press

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A bill that would allow same-sex couples in Wyoming to create domestic partnerships carrying most of the legal rights of conventional marriage cleared a committee vote Monday, a move that sends pro-gay legislation on to a full floor debate in the state Legislature for the first time.

Rep. Cathy Connolly, a Laramie Democrat and a lesbian, sponsored both bills.

"Today I bring you bills that address what I consider some of the most important work that we can do as legislators: to provide for justice and opportunity for our citizens," she said.

The House Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions Committee advanced the domestic partnership bill on a seven-to-two vote. The bill would give same-sex couples the same property and hospital-visitation rights as same-sex couples. The committee shot down the full gay marriage bill by a vote of five-to-four. Speaking after the votes, Connolly said she expects the domestic partnership bill together with a bill pending in the Wyoming Senate that would outlaw discrimination against people on the basis of their sexual orientation both will pass the full Legislature this session. She has sponsored similar bills in past legislative sessions only to see them fail.

Connolly said she sees societal changes as responsible for the vote to advance the domestic partnership bill.

"It's the reality that everyone now is touched by someone who is gay or lesbian in their lives, their friends, their neighbors, their churches," she said.

In the Wyoming House, Republicans hold 52 of 60 seats; in the Senate, 26 of 30 seats.

Illinois Senate President wants a vote to legalize gay marriage

Sophia Tareen, Associated Press

CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois Senate President John Cullerton said Monday that the timing is right to legalize gay marriage and possibly expand gambling, previewing what could be a packed spring legislative session.

Advocates have been pushing for legislation that offers same-sex couples marriage rights currently only available to heterosexual couples. They'd hoped to capitalize on momentum from other states and President Barack Obama's support. “We're getting more support in the public every day," he said. "I expect we will call it very early on in the session, if not in the first few weeks."

Bloomington IN mayor planning same-sex wedding to protest proposed constitutional amendment 

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) — The mayor of Bloomington plans to conduct a wedding ceremony for more than a dozen gay and lesbian couples this week to protest a proposed constitutional amendment banning gaymarriage in Indiana.

The ceremony Thursday in Bloomington coincides with a local lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender festival. The Indianapolis Star reports (http://indy.st/WMketT ) Mayor Mark Kruzan announced his plans in a news release.

Local clergy and city officials are expected to attend.

Legislators approved a constitutional ban in 2011, but it must be approved again and pass a referendum before taking effect. Two ban bills were introduced in the Indiana House last week, but their future is unclear.

Critics say a constitutional amendment is unnecessary because same-sex marriage is already illegal under current Indiana law.

French gay marriage bill presented to Parliament 

PARIS (AP) — The French government has presented a divisive plan to legalize gay marriage and adoption to Parliament for debate.

Justice Minister Christiane Taubira told the national assembly Tuesday that the bill constitutes an "act of equality. ... Finally, marriage will be a universal institution."

"We have never underestimated the importance of this reform," Taubira said of the plan that's divided the Catholic-majority country.

President Francois Hollande's "marriage for everyone" pledge has seen hundreds of thousands of supporters and opponents take to the Paris streets in separate demonstrations in the past two weeks.

Concessions have already been made to opponents, with plans to replace "father" and "mother" with "parent 1" and "parent 2" in official documents being ditched for straight couples.

The bill is set to be debated over two weeks.

Compiled from AP Dispatches