same-sex marriage

Bans Of Same-Sex Marriage Can Take A Psychological Toll

Submitted by ONE Community on May 20, 2013 - 10:05am

As the country awaits two important Supreme Court decisions involving state laws on same-sex marriage, a small but consistent body of research suggests that laws that ban gay marriage — or approve it — can affect the mental health of gay, lesbian and bisexual Americans. When several states passed laws to prohibit same-sex marriage, for example, the mental health of gay residents seemed to suffer, while stress-related disorders dropped in at least one state after gay marriage was legalized.

Here's the research trail: Read more »

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Minnesota Senate approves same-sex marriage bill

Submitted by ONE Community on May 13, 2013 - 2:31pm

With deafening cheers and overwhelming emotion, the Minnesota Senate voted 37-30 to legalize same-sex marriage.

“Today, love wins,” said Sen. Tony Lourey, DFL-Kerrick.

The vote, on the heels of a vote last week in the House, brings to a close a decade of debate over marriage that has echoed through the Capitol, bringing thousands of friends and foes of gay marriage to its marbled dome to express their deeply held feelings.

The measure next moves to Gov. Mark Dayton, who will welcome it with his signature in a celebratory ceremony likely on Tuesday. Read more »

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Chafee signs same-sex marriage bill after House gives final OK 56-15

Submitted by ONE Community on May 2, 2013 - 4:08pm

Same-sex marriage will be legal in Rhode Island starting Aug. 1 after the R.I. House of Representatives gave final approval to the legislation Thursday, thrilling supporters who've been pushing the issue at the State House for 16 years.

Gov. Lincoln Chafee signed the bill into law at a ceremony on the South Steps of the State House Thursday evening, where he was joined by Rhode Island's congressional delegation, state lawmakers and advocates for same-sex marriage. Read more »

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Gay Marriage: Why Are Wall Street and the Koch Brothers Pro-Equality Now?

Submitted by ONE Community on May 1, 2013 - 5:26pm

Since 2008, the opinion about Wall Street hasn't exactly been positive. Numerous rumors and stories about cronyism and political favorsfrom D.C. have tarnished the reputation of the U.S.' financial heart. Read more »

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Gay Marriage Measure Advances in Rhode Island

Submitted by ONE Community on April 24, 2013 - 3:20pm

Rhode Island took a step on Tuesday toward becoming the 10th state to approve same-sex marriage when a major legislative committee forwarded a marriage bill to the State Senate.

By a vote of 7 to 4, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill that would allow gay and lesbian couples to marry, while allowing religious leaders who oppose such marriages to refuse to perform them. The landmark vote by the full Senate could come on Wednesday. Gay rights advocates said that they think they have the votes to prevail, all but ensuring adoption of same-sex marriage by the only state in New England that does not already allow it. Read more »

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Colorado Civil Unions Law Goes Into Effect May 1, Couples To Have Ceremonies At Midnight

Submitted by ONE Community on April 23, 2013 - 5:49pm

It's been a long and winding road, but civil unions are just around the corner in Colorado.

The law goes into effect at midnight on May 1st and some couples are planning to have their civil union ceremonies right then, at midnight.

The state's largest LGBT rights group One Colorado is hosting a "Civil Soiree" to celebrate the passage of the bill, to which tickets have already sold out.

“We want to honor the hard work and tireless dedication of the thousands of One Colorado supporters who made this moment possible — and that’s what The Civil Soirée is all about!” director Brad Clark said in an email. Read more »

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French Parliament OKs Same-Sex Marriage Law

Submitted by ONE Community on April 23, 2013 - 9:01am

France is poised to become the latest nation to legalize same-sex marriage with Tuesday's passage by its parliament of a bill that also legalizes adoptions by same-sex couples.

President Francois Hollande is expected to quickly sign the bill.

Authorities are bracing for the reaction from opponents. Correspondent Eleanor Beardsley tells our Newscast Desk that "supporters are planning a celebratory rally and opponents will stage protests across the country. Opposition in France to gay marriage has radicalized over the past month as far right extremists have joined the protests." Read more »

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New Zealand Poised to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage

Submitted by ONE Community on April 16, 2013 - 12:18pm

This week New Zealand could become the first Asia-Pacific Nation to legalize marriage equality.

Parliament is set Wednesday for the final hearing on a bill that would amend the 1955 Marriage Act to define marriage as the union of two people, regardless of their sex, sexuality or gender identity

If signed into law, New Zealand would join over a dozen countries to recognize marriage equality nationwide, along with the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Canada, South Africa, Norway, Sweden, Portugal, Iceland, Argentina and Denmark.

Just last week Uruguay’s House of Representatives gave final approval to a nationwide marriage equality bill, which now awaits President Jose Mujica’s signature. Read more »

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Tim Johnson backs same-sex marriage

Submitted by ONE Community on April 8, 2013 - 10:05pm

South Dakota Sen. Tim Johnson, one of the last Democratic senators to oppose same-sex marriage, changed his position on Monday.

“After lengthy consideration, my views have evolved sufficiently to support marriage equality legislation,” Johnson (D-S.D.) said in a statement. “This position doesn’t require any religious denomination to alter any of its tenets; it simply forbids government from discrimination regarding who can marry whom.”

Johnson is the latest lawmaker to reverse positions on the issue: last week saw senators including Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) do the same. Johnson announced last month that he was not seeking reelection in 2014.

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Poll: Constitution should decide gay marriage

Submitted by ONE Community on April 4, 2013 - 9:50am

A new poll puts support for same-sex marriage at 50 percent, with even more Americans saying the issue ought to be decided based on the federal Constitution — not state laws.

Fifty-percent of American voters support same-sex marriage, while 41 percent oppose it and the remaining 9 percent are unsure or did not answer, according to a Quinnipiac University Polling Institute survey released on Thursday. It’s the first time support has reached the 50 percent threshold for Quinnipiac.

Meanwhile, 56 percent of voters say the Constitution and not state laws should determine the legality of same-sex marriage, putting the public at odds with some lawmakers who say it should be left up to the states to decide gay marriage. Read more »

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