(As provided by the Out & Equal Newsletter)
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In the News
Vermont and Iowa to support marriage equality
In a historic move, the Vermont Legislature today overturned Gov. Jim Douglas’s veto of a bill, allowing LGBT couples to marry.
The decision makes Vermont the first state to support marriage equality – effective on Sept. 1 – through legislative action instead of a court ruling.
The decision comes days after the Iowa Supreme Court overturned a 1998 law banning LGBT couples to marry, calling the ban unconstitutional. The Supreme Court ruled that the 1998 law violated the equal protection clause in the state’s constitution, systematically making Iowa the third state in the country to legalize LGBT marriages.
Proponents expect challenges to the Iowa ruling, which would likely result in the issue resurfacing as a potential constitutional amendment. The constitutional amendment process takes three-steps: approval from two consecutive legislative sessions and then a public vote. At this point, the earliest an amendment could be on the ballot would be in 2012.
"These are incredible and historic decisions," says Out & Equal Workplace Advocate Executive Director Selisse Berry. "I applaud lawmakers for taking positions for progress and equality. This is a sign of change that will eventually be experienced in every state, with LGBT couples no longer treated as second-class citizens."
Vermont and Iowa are now the third and fourth states to allow marriage equality. Massachusetts and Connecticut are the others.
Sweeping federal hate crimes bill re-introduced in House
Michigan Representative John Conyers has introduced the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act in the House, the first federal law that would make it illegal to inflict harm on anyone based on disability, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity.
If passed, it would be the first law that specifically includes protections for transgender people, wording that transgender advocates and the transgender community have sought for several years.
In Conyers’ blog, he says he is hopeful that the bill – which is similar to a bill vetoed by President Bush – will be passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama.
Out & Equal Executive Director Selisse Berry says: "Now is the time for positive changes, and the introduction of the proposed law is a sign that equality for everyone is in our near future."
Under the proposed law, federal authorities could assist in investigations and prosecution of hate crimes committed against LGBT people that resulted in serious injury or death.
The federal government could also lend its assistance to local authorities or take the lead in cases if local officials are unwilling or unable to prosecute the cases.
Hey gang! Here's a great event to get you out of the house on Friday!
The event will be this Friday at the Featherston gallery from 5:30pm to 8:30pm, see the flyer below or visit their website for more details.
www.puffinsproductions.com
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