Same-sex marriage included in top 10 lists

Same-sex marriage made the top 10 stories lists in many states, and nationally, for 2015. Granted, it was a banner year for LGBT rights in other areas, but marriage equality seemed to top the list of LGBT victories. Here is a synopsis of national and state reaction to gay marriage, and what were other top stories.

Nationally (according to the AP): The No. 2 story was the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling that led to legalization of same-sex marriage in all 50 states.

But several of the other stories among the Top 10, including the No. 1 story, reflected the impact of the Islamic State, while another group of major stories related to the series of mass shootings in the United States.

Kansas (AP): No. 3 in the state was “Kansas gradually extending rights to gay couples after a series of court rulings.” No. 1 was tax increases, No. 2 was the KC Royals’ first World Series win since 1985. “Gradually” was the correct choice of words for Kansas’ public officials reaction to marriage equality. At every associated issue – joint tax returns, birth certificates, as an example – officials led by Gov. Brownback pushed back against the US Supreme Court decision. Still to come, a “review” of whether same-sex couples should be able to be foster parents.

Missouri (AP): Gay Marriage ranked No. 10 among the top stories in the state. Within hours of the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark decision in June to legalize gay marriage — upending Missouri's constitutional ban on the practice — same-sex couples in the state applied and were granted marriage licenses.

"We were crying," said Angela Boyle, of Columbia, who received a marriage license with her partner, Laura Zinszer. "We were ecstatic. We were just out of this world."

Some counties in Missouri had started issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples long before the June 26 Obergefell decision. The top story in the state was the KC Royals World Series win.

Arkansas (According to the Arkansas Times). Instead of listing the top 10 stories, the Arkansas Times offered a comprehensive list of “best and worst.” Some quotes from that list offered a decidedly positive approach to same-sex marriage, as well as LGBT rights.

“Best day - June 26, when a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court brought the long-sought dream of full marriage equality for LGBT couples to Arkansas and the rest of America.

“Best win - In spite of the objections of Pastor Turner and the efforts of outside groups, Eureka Springs city voted May 12 to keep its LGBT anti-discrimination ordinance by a margin of more than 2 to 1.

“Worst legislation - In March and April, a firestorm erupted over House Bill 1228, a bill that purported to protect religious freedom, but which critics said would legitimize discrimination against LGBT Arkansans in housing, employment and public accommodations.

“Worst bar (as in low bar to jump over) - During the protests in Indiana and Arkansas over ‘religious freedom’ legislation that LGBT rights advocates said could be used to discriminate against gays and lesbians, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Eally Likes Birthday Cake) told CNN that the protestors needed to ‘get perspective,’ saying, ‘In Iran, they'll hang you for the crime of being gay,’ revealing that his personal bar for how America should treat LGBT folks is apparently set at: ‘Somewhat Better Than Iran.’

“Worst grasp of civics  - Team Baptistaliban MVP Sen. Jason Rapert (R-Conway) was in full effect following the SCOTUS ruling granting LGBT people marriage equality, at one point replying to a Facebook user who correctly said that the civil rights of minority groups cannot be overruled by the whims of the majority with: ‘We, the majority, grant you rights by choice.’ The comment, which likely caused immediate, blinding migraines in civics teachers statewide, brought down a blizzard of scorn and mockery on Rapert's head, with posters from across the political spectrum piling on to set him straight.”

Texas (according to the Houston Chronicle): Same-sex marriage placed 7th in a list of legal stories for the state. Marriage proceeded relatively easily, no thanks to Attorney General Ken Paxton. The Chronicle reported “Diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer, Sarah Goodfriend needed to provide her longtime partner Suzanne Bryant with the protections that only a marriage license can deliver. On the morning of Feb. 19 following a state judge’s order, they became the first legally married same-sex couple in Texas. Attorney General Ken Paxton’s fight to void the union was mostly rendered moot in June with the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, which guaranteed same-sex couples the right to marry. After Paxton issued a written opinion that county clerks with religious objections could opt out of issuing same-sex marriage licenses, a few initially heeded his advice while others resigned in protest as the vast majority of Texas counties quickly began issuing licenses to same-sex couples.

LGBT rights placed No. 6 in the Lone Star State: “Although designed to protect 15 different classes of people in matters of employment, housing and public accommodations, the opposition to the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO) assured its defeat in the November elections by focusing on just one small aspect of the ordinance – the rights of transgendered citizens to use public bathrooms. Opponents of the law ignored the protections that would be granted to other citizens based on race, age, military status, national origin and disability under HERO, instead claiming that male sexual predators could misuse the ordinance to enter women’s restrooms. Enlisting civic and religious leaders, sports heroes and citizens to campaign against passage, the opponents defeated HERO with 61 percent of the vote, leaving Houston as the largest city in the country without guaranteed nondiscrimination protections for all citizens.”

Oklahoma (The Gayly): Rounding out The Gayly’s area, Oklahoma’s top stories were (somewhat predictably) about the football fortunes of OU and OSU. However, it is unlikely that same-sex marriage would have been at the top of the list, or even on the list. Marriage equality came to Oklahoma in October 2014, marriages began immediately with little pushback, and state offices moved rapidly to make marriage equality just that – equality. Tax returns, drivers’ license name changes – no problem. Still uncertain – birth certificates, but likely to be solved relatively easily.

In some other southern states, same-sex marriage placed in the top 10.

Florida (AP): No. 1. “Florida's biggest news story for 2015 happened in the year's first days, when the state became the 36th with legalized gay marriage [marriage equality], according to an Associated Press poll of the state's newspaper and broadcast editors.”

Mississippi (AP): No. 6, when the state’s Supreme Court allowed a lesbian couple to divorce.

Alabama (AP): No. 1. “A federal judge in Mobile overrules Alabama's ban on gay marriage and the U.S. Supreme Court then legalizes same-sex marriage nationally, decisions that spark both celebrations and opposition across the state. The fallout from the rulings is Alabama's No. 1 news story of 2015, and the reverberation could continue into 2016 as gay marriage supporters consider whether to sue counties that quit issuing marriage licenses altogether rather than grant any to same-sex couples.”

The Gayly – December 28, 2015 @ 3:20 p.m.