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Content about Marriage Equality Act

May 31, 2013
One day left to legalize gay marriage in Illinois

The Illinois House of Representatives will need to secure 60 votes today to legalize same-sex marriage in the state

Today Illinois could become the 13th state in the US to legalize same-sex marriage.

The Illinois General Assembly adjourned last night (Thursday) without calling for a vote on SB10, the the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, and today is the last day for House representatives to vote before the session adjourns for the summer.

Marriage equality supports are told to call House Speaker Madigan to call the vote at (773) 581-8000. Today’s legislative session is due to begin at 9:30 am (Central Time).

May 30, 2013
Obama fights for gay marriage bill in Illinois

US president returns to Chicago where he was a senator to fight for a marriage equality bill at a fundraising dinner

President Barack Obama has reiterated his support for the Illinois marriage equality bill.

The former Illinois senator was speaking at a fundraising dinner in Chicago last night (29 May) as the state government’s legislative session ends this week.

May 21, 2013
Former US President Bill Clinton championing gay marriage in Illinois

Legislation has been passed by Senate but is stalled in House of Representatives

Former President Bill Clinton is using his still considerable political clout to try and get Illinois to become the 13th state in the US to make gay marriage legal.

Proposed marriage equality legislation, already passed by the State Senate, has been stalled for some time in the Illinois House of Representatives.

In a statement released Tuesday (21 May) Clinton urged members of the House to pass the bill before the legislature adjourns its spring session on 31 May.

May 13, 2013
Minnesota State Senate passes gay marriage bill by a close vote of 37-30

Becomes the 12th state in the US to pass marriage equality

After more than four hours of debate, the Minnesota State Senate passed a bill that will make their state the 12th in the US to make gay marriage legal.

The bill passed by a margin of 37-30.

Minnesota is the first state legislature in the Midwest to pass marriage equality as gay marriages became legal in Iowa through the courts. Governor Mark Dayton will sign the bill into law on the steps of the capitol on Tuesday (14 May).

April 23, 2013
Colombia senate gay marriage champion speaks ahead of key vote

Straight Green party senator John Sudarksy has emerged as a champion of LGBT equality and talks about why he thinks it unlikely Colombia’s Senate will say ‘I do’ to gay marriage

As the Colombian Senate prepares its second attempt to vote on marriage equality bill shortly today, we speak to Green Party senator John Sudarsky, an ardent supporter of LGBT rights in Colombia.

Last week Colombia’s Senate decided to postpone the debate on same sex marriage until today (23 April).

However most commentators are pessimistic, after an agreement was allegedly reached between Colombia’s two largest parties, the Conservative and the ‘U’, to not allow the bill to become law.

March 28, 2013
Son of anti-gay New York state senator publicly supports gay marriage

Ruben Diaz Jr: says decision 'comes after years of thought and reflection on the issue'

His father has been one of the most outspoken critics of gay marriage in New York politics but Ruben Diaz Jr. on Wednesday (27 March) showed that he is his own man in the issue.

The younger Diaz, who is president of the Bronx borough in New York City, said in a blog post that he came to the decision after 'considerable deliberation and introspection.'

January 22, 2013
Rhode Island faces next gay marriage hurdle

The smallest US state's House Judiciary Committee is expected to pass the marriage equality legislation later today (22 January)

Rhode Island’s House Judiciary Committee will vote on legislation to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry today (22 January).

The full House of Representatives could take up the bill later in the week if the committee votes to send it to the floor.

The state’s lawmakers, a majority of Democrats, are expected to pass the measure. However gay rights activists say they are less confident about the Senate.

If the bill passes, the proposal would legalize marriage equality as well as recognize the already legal same-sex civil unions as marriages.

November 8, 2012
LGBT leaders reflect on breakthrough gay marriage ballot wins

Focus placed on commitment of loving couples rather than legal and judicial equality

After more than 30 consecutive defeats at the polls, marriage equality activists in the US knew all about running an unsuccessful campaign.

Finally, after breakthrough victories in four states this week - Maine, Maryland, Washington and Minnesota - they now know a lot about winning.

They abandoned a previous strategy that placed an emphasis legal and judicial equality and in instead featured loving couples and highlighted the importance of commitment.

September 15, 2012
Is it smart for Republicans to vote for gay marriage?

Will Republicans lose Republican support if  they vote for gay marraige?

If you're a Republican who wants to vote for gay marriage legislation, it might be a good idea to reconsider.

This week,  Republican state senators from New York who gave their vote for gay marriage faced difficult primary races. The Daily Beast wonders if this is a sign GOP politicians, even of they want, should steer away from supporting gay marriage.