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June 19, 2013
Senator receives 14,000 name petition ahead of same-sex marriage vote

Greens senator Hanson-Young received a 14,000 signature petition today pledging support for her bill to recognize overseas same-sex marriages in Australia, which will be debated tomorrow

A petition of 14,000 signatures of people who support the legal recognition of same-sex marriages performed abroad in Australia was delivered to Australian Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young today.

June 14, 2013
New hope for gay couples in Italy ahead of marriage bill fight

Gay Star News talks to gay Senator Sergio Lo Giudice from Partito Democratico, as sources suggest a compromise of registered partnerships could be on the cards

The full marriage equality bills which will be discussed at the Italian upper chamber of the parliament from next Tuesday (18 June) ‘are not likely to pass’.

That’s what a source from the Italian Senate told Gay Star News but he added ‘a sort of civil partnership in the UK and German style is more likely to be approved.’

Once the bills are discussed by the Justice Commission, they will be voted by the Senate and then by the Camera, the lower chamber.

June 12, 2013
Italy's Senate makes fresh bid for gay marriage

Italy's Senate will start the debate on a new law allowing same-sex marriage. Senator Sergio Lo Giudice: 'We are very late'

Italian Senators are to start debating new laws that may give same-sex couples full marriage rights.

The gay marriage debate in the upper chamber of parliament will start on Tuesday (18 June).

The Justice Commission, one of the parliament’s organizations, is going to analyze several bills which have been presented by left and right-wing politicians.

The main one is the DDL (Disegno di Legge, the draft of a new law) presented by senator and former LGBT association Arcigay’s president Sergio Lo Giudice.

June 4, 2013
Democratic legislators in Illinois issue apology on failure to vote on gay marriage bill

'We must come together, assess our strategy, and redouble our efforts'

A group of Democratic members of the Illinois House of Representatives on Monday (3 June) issued a public apology for the failure last week of the House to call for a vote on a marriage equality bill.

'We want to extend our sincerest apologies to the families who rushed to Springfield in the waning hours of session to support equality in anticipation of this historic vote,' read part of the apology. 'You have been and continue to be our inspiration and we pledge to fight together until we achieve full equality for all Illinois families.'

June 1, 2013
No gay marriage in Illinois this year

Illinois House of Representatives fails to vote on marriage equality bill

After two days of suspense, the Illinois House of Representatives on Friday (31 May) failed to vote on a bill to make same-sex marriage legal in the state.

The Illinois General Assembly adjourned for the summer without calling for a vote on SB10, the the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act.

Though the marriage equality bill has already passed in the Illinois Senate, 60 votes were needed in the House in order for the bill to move to Governor Pat Quinn for signature.

May 31, 2013
A Nigerian reacts to the Jail All The Gays Bill

As Nigeria passes a law jailing all gays and anyone who even knows someone gay who doesn’t report them, leading Nigerian LGBT activist Bisi Alimi responds

When on the afternoon of 30 May 2013 the news broke that Nigeria’s House of Representatives had finally passed the hideous and draconian Anti-Same-Sex Marriage Bill, I was in total shock.

I was at my best friend’s house with other secondary school colleagues of mine. We were there reminiscing on the glorious days we had in school. We remembered 20 years ago when we all left secondary school at the age of 18 years.

May 31, 2013
Michigan Governor sidesteps gay marriage issue, wants to focus on 'jobs and kids'

Republican Rick Snyder evasive when asked about proposed legislation to repeal gay marriage ban introduced in his state

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder would rather talk about jobs and kids than gay marriage.

The Associated Press reports that the first-term Republican sidestepped the issue at Mackinac Island conference Thursday (30 May),  a day after four pieces of legislation related to marriage equality were introduced in the State Senate.

When asked about his personal position on the issue of gay marriage, Snyder said he hasn’t gotten involved because he wants to focus on 'jobs and kids.'

May 30, 2013
California State Senate votes to end tax exempt status for Boy Scouts for anti-gay policy

First time an LGBT rights bill has passed with a two-thirds majority

The Boy Scouts of America's steadfast refusal to allow openly gay adults to be leaders and volunteers has earned the group a stinging rebuke from the California Senate.

The senate voted to pass a bill that yanks the tax exempt status of any public charity youth organization - like the BSA - that discriminates on the basis of sexual orientation.

The BSA voted last week to end its policy banning gay members under the age of 18. But it left in place a policy that does not allow LGBT adults to be a part of the organization.

May 30, 2013
Nigeria officially passes 'Jail All The Gays' law

House of Representatives has banned same-sex marriage, outlaws anyone from forming organizations supporting gay rights, and sets up prison terms of up to 14 years

Nigeria have passed the ‘Jail All The Gays’ law, punishing not only gay sex but gay people, today (30 May).

It bans same-sex marriage, outlaws anyone from forming organizations supporting gay rights, and sets up prison terms of up to 14 years.

Approved by Nigeria’s House of Representatives in a voice vote, the bill will be sent to President Goodluck Jonathan for him to sign into law.

Under the bill the Senate passed in November 2011, openly gay people would be imprisoned whether or not they have sex.

May 30, 2013
No marriage equality vote before general election in Australia

The Labor party and the Liberal party block a vote on gay marriage on 6 June, Australian parliament will not look at the issue again before the general election on 14 September

Marriage equality advocates in Australia are 'disappointed' that there will be no vote on marriage equality before the general election on 14 September.

Greens MP Adam Bandt had been pushing for a vote on his same-sex marriage bill next week, but the Labor and Liberal parties did not supporting holding a vote at this time.

A vote on a same-sex marriage bill last September was defeated in the House of Representatives and the Senate.

May 29, 2013
Grenada Senate leader says gay sex ban should be lifted

Senator Lawrence Joseph says the ‘day is fast approaching’ for Grenada and other Caribbean nations to lift colonial-era sodomy laws

Grenada’s Senate president says the island should reconsider its laws prohibiting gay sex.

The Associated Press (AP) reports Senator Lawrence Joseph said ‘the day is fast approaching’ for Grenada and other Caribbean conservative countries to amend their anti-sodomy laws to ‘fall in line with the mainstream’.

He also states it is reasonable to question why sex between two men should be outlawed in Grenada.

Joseph, who presides over the 13 person senate, writes that acceptance of gays is becoming a modern-day trend.

May 25, 2013
Puerto Rico's House of Reps approves sweeping measures to protect LGBT people

Senate already has approved and governor has promised to sign into law

The Puerto Rican House of Representatives on Friday (24 May) approved a sweeping nondiscrimination bill that protects lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in employment, housing, governmental services, public accommodations and private entities.

The Senate has already approved the bill and Governor Alejandro García Padilla has vowed to sign the legislation into law.

The vote occurred as similar legislation - the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) - remains stalled in the US Congress.

May 24, 2013
Rift in largest trade union in Australia threatens gay marriage influence in the Labor Party

Members of Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA) say anti-marriage-equality leaders don't speak for them

A rift between marriage-equality supporting members and social conservative leaders has erupted in Australia's largest trade union, the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA).

The conflict has potentially far-reaching consequences as the national leader of the SDA is Joe de Bruyn who is hugely influential in the Labor Party and rumored to be the reason Prime Minister Julia Gillard is so stubbornly opposed to marriage equality.

May 22, 2013
Proposed US immigration act will not recognize gay couples

Democrat and Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee say they do not want to jeopardize immigration reforms

Gay couples have not been included on a new bill offering US citizenship to immigrants living across the country.

The Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act was introduced on 17 April offering full citizen rights to illegals who have lived in the US before 31 December 2011.

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 17, 2013
France gives final yes to gay marriage

French Constitutional Council has validated same-sex marriage equality

France has passed the final hurdle to make same-sex marriage law after the Constitutional Council ratified the legislation passed by parliament.

President Francois Hollande has promised to rapidly sign the bill as soon as possible.

Both France’s National Assembly and Senate had already passed same-sex marriage and adoption.

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).

May 12, 2013
‘I’ll shoot you’ for teaching marriage equality, tweets professional wrestler

Pro wrestler Jay Briscoe posted a violent message in response to Delaware legalizing same-sex marriage

An American professional wrestler promised to get violent over gay marriage.

Pro athlete Jay Briscoe sent a violent and homophobic tweet the day after Delaware became the 11th state in the US to legalize same-sex marriage.

May 9, 2013
Minnesota House of Reps passes gay marriage bill in 75-59 vote

If also passed by the senate,  Minnesota would become first legislature in Midwest to pass marriage equality

The Minnesota House of Representatives on Thursday (9 May) passed a marriage equality bill 75-59 after more than three hours of debate.

The vote was largely split down party lines although four of the House's 61 Republicans voted for the bill while two of its 73 Democrats voted against it.

If also passed by the State Senate then signed into law, Minnesota would become the 12th state in the US to allow gay marriage.

May 8, 2013
Delaware Governor Jack Markell on gay marriage: 'Hopefully everyone will see the inevitability here'

He quickly signed marriage equality bill into law because same-sex couples in his state had already waited too long to get married

Shortly after the Delaware State Senate passed a marriage equality bill on Tuesday (7 May), Governor Jack Markell wasted no time and signed the legislation into law within an hour.

'The fact is, there were a lot of people in that (capitol) building who have been waiting for years or even decades for something like this to happen,' he said in an online Google chat after the signing. 'I wasn't going to make them wait any longer.'

May 7, 2013
Delaware set to vote on gay marriage

US state's governor has vowed to sign the approval into law when the general assembly go to the polls on 8 May

Delaware is to vote on whether they wish to become the 11th US state to pass same-sex marriage today (7 May).

The US state's Democrat-controlled Senate is expected to pass the bill after the General Assembly approved it several weeks ago.

Governor Jack Markell is an outspoken supporter of gay marriage and has vowed to sign the bill into law if it is cleared by the US senate.

May 7, 2013
Delaware State Senate passes gay marriage bill in 12-9 vote, governor quickly signs into law

State now the 11th in US to have marriage equality

The Delaware State Senate on Tuesday (7 May) passed a marriage equality bill in a 12-9 vote clearing the way for same-sex marriages to begin in the state this summer.

The senate chamber erupted in cheers after the vote which took place after three hours of heated rhetoric on both sides.

Similar legislation had already been approved by the House of Representatives which allowed Governor Jack Markell, an outspoken supporter of gay marriage, to quickly sign the bill in to law.

May 4, 2013
Minnesota lawmakers to begin voting on gay marriage bill

As early as next week, Minnesota House and Senate representatives may vote on a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in the state

Minnesota state representatives may vote on a gay marriage bill as early as next week.

Though no votes have been scheduled in either the House or Senate, according to The Associated Press, if the bill passes, gay marriage in Minnesota could come as quickly as 1 August.

As state representatives continue to debate their vote, one more Minnesota swing vote representative announced his support for the gay marriage bill.

May 2, 2013
Delaware State Senate to vote on gay marriage bill next week

Bill has already passed House and Governor Jack Markell has promised to sign into law

Delaware could become the 11th state in the US to legalize gay marriage when its State Senate votes on a marriage equality bill next week.

A committee on Wednesday (1 May) voted to send the bill on to the full Senate for a vote. Senate passage is likely since that legislative body is dominated by Democrats 13-8.

Governor Jack Markell stated last month that he will sign marriage equality into law if it passed both houses of the legislature.

May 2, 2013
Rhode Island to become 10th state to pass gay marriage

All New England states are to have same-sex marriage after Governor Lincoln Chafee passes the equal marriage bill into law

Rhode Island is set to become the 10th state to legalize same-sex marriage today (2 May).

While it is the last holdout among the other five New England states, the heavily Catholic state will join its neighbors when Governor Lincoln Chafee signs the bill into law at 6pm EDT.

The first weddings could occur on 1 August when the new law will take effect.

Same-sex marriage supporters renewed their fight to get it legalized this year, and the recent Senate vote was seen as the final test after the House easily passed the bill.