News – Nationwide Pro-Equality Legislation Roundup (OR, HI, IA, MD, MN, NH, NM, OH, TX, UT, VA, WA, CA)
A fantastic summary via Gay Rights Watch and California Ripple Effect:
First off, here in Oregon. After passing a statewide, inclusive anti-discrimination law and domestic partnership law — Basic Rights Oregon, the state’s largest pro-GLBT group, has plans to push for safer schools, trans rights and there is talk of a push for marriage on the horizon. More details soon.
A majority of Hawaii’s House now back a measure granting civil unions.
Sioux City, Iowa’s city council may urge the legislature to officially block lesbians and gays from marriage. Iowa’s Supreme Court is expected to make a decision soon on the constitutionality of the current ban.
Civil rights and privacy advocates in Maryland are working on legislation responding to a spying incident involving LGBT activists and other peaceful groups being spied upon for suspected “terrorism.”
Minnesota legislators want to help grant gay partners their “final wishes”, and make end-of-life decisions easier for grieving partners.
New Hampshire lawmakers want to add insurance protections to the state’s year-old domestic partnership laws, but anti-gay lawmakers are pushing a bill that would make marriage between a man and a woman the only legal union in the state, stripping away existing protections!
In New Mexico, a domestic partnership bill passed its first hurdle in the Senate. Meanwhile, commissioners in Las Cruces unanimously passed a resolution supporting marriage-like rights for all couples, to be delivered to the legislature.
Pushing for housing and employment protections, advocates in Ohio held a rally at the capitol.
And the Texas House has undergone a centrist rebellion, putting in a moderate, gay-friendly Republican as speaker, possible opening the door for pro-LGBT legislation.
Utah’s Common Ground Coalition seems to be faltering, with the first of its bills axed. The Church of Latter-day Saints had said they wouldn’t stand in the way of other legal protections short of marriage, and LGBT groups were attempting to take them at their word. No such luck. But spirits are still high, as about 300 advocates braved the rain in a march to the state Capitol, seeking “common ground.”
Equality Virginia’s top legislative priority is to grant workplace protections for state and local government employees.
In Washington State, lawmakers could pass an “everything but marriage” bill granting virtually all the rights of marriage to domestic partners.
And California has their hands full too.
Visit the original posts for links to more information about activity in each state.
