Gay Marriage Watch this Week

 

USA: President Obama Issues Proclamation for Gay Pride Month (LGBTQ Nation)
The White House on Friday issued this proclamation by President Barack Obama, declaring June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, calling on Americans to “eliminate prejudice everywhere it exists, and to celebrate the great diversity of the American people.”
http://purpleunions.com/blog/2012/06/usa-president-obama-issues-proclamation-for-gay-pride-month.html

USA: Michelle Obama Releases Statement in Support of Marriage Equality (Think Progress)
In President Obama’s public endorsement of marriage equality, he noted that he arrived at his position partly because he wants to impart the value of equality to his daughters, Sasha and Malia, who have friends with same-sex parents.
http://purpleunions.com/blog/2012/06/usa-michelle-obama-releases-statement-in-support-of-marriage-equality.html

USA: Will New DOMA Ruling Force States to Accept Same Sex Marriages? Not Exactly…
The statement at issue: “In allowing one state to hold the federal government, and potentially other states, hostage to redefine marriage, the First Circuit [Court] attempts a bridge too far. Under this rationale, if just one state decided to accept polygamy, the federal government and perhaps other states would be forced to accept it, too.”
http://purpleunions.com/blog/2012/06/will-new-doma-ruling-force-states-to-accept-same-sex-marriages-not-exactly.html

USA: Conservative Jewish Movement Approves Same Sex Ceremonies (The Washington Post)
The Conservative branch of American Judaism has formally approved same-sex marriage ceremonies, nearly six years after lifting a ban on ordaining gays and lesbians.
http://purpleunions.com/blog/2012/06/conservative-jewish-movement-approves-same-sex-ceremonies.html

USA: Two Thirds of Presidential Candidates Now Support Marriage Equality (MEUSA)
With Newt Gingrich and Buddy Roemer recently out of the US Presidential race, Marriage Equality USA’s Ned Flaherty points out that two thirds of the remaining candidates now support full marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples.
http://purpleunions.com/blog/2012/06/usa-two-thirds-of-presidential-candidates-now-support-marriage-equality.html

Illinois, USA: Almost 5,000 Couples Joined in Civil Unions in First Year (Patch.com)
As the gay and lesbian community in Illinois celebrates the first anniversary of a state law that allows civil unions, two lawsuits filed in Illinois challenge another state law that does not allow same-sex marriage.
http://purpleunions.com/blog/2012/06/illinois-usa-almost-5000-couples-joined-in-civil-unions-in-first-year.html

Illinois, USA: Attorney General’s Office Backs Lawsuits Against Marriage Equality Ban (Chicago Tribune)
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office has filed a notice in Cook County Circuit Court saying it will present arguments in support of two lawsuits that question the constitutionality of the state’s gay marriage ban.
http://purpleunions.com/blog/2012/06/illinois-usa-attorney-generals-office-backs-lawsuits-against-marriage-equality-ban.html

Maine, USA: Marriage Equality Group Raises $464K, Opponents Only $11K (Portland Daily Sun)
Raising nearly half a million dollars in cash donations to further its fight to legalize gay marriage in Maine, Mainers United for Marriage is dwarfing its opposition, according to fundraising records issued by political action committees Friday.
http://purpleunions.com/blog/2012/06/maine-usa-marriage-equality-group-raises-464k-opponents-only-11k.html

Missouri, USA: New Poll Shows African American Voters Supporting Marriage Equality 50-31% (Think Progress)
A new Public Policy Polling poll finds that African-American voters in Missouri have shifted drastically on the question of same-sex marriage since they were last polled in January.
http://purpleunions.com/blog/2012/06/missouri-usa-new-poll-shows-african-american-voters-supporting-marriage-equality-50-31.html