Overview

Major milestones this week, with a vote in Rhode Island and hearings in Colorado. A setback in Virginia, but polling shows the state may soon turn around. Plus, support from an unexpected source in an unexpected state.

Transcript

Major milestones this week, with a vote in Rhode Island and hearings in Colorado. A setback in Virginia, but polling shows the state may soon turn around. Plus, support from an unexpected source in an unexpected state.

At the American Foundation for Equal Rights, I’m Matt Baume. Welcome to Marriage News Watch for January 21, 2013.

It’s going to be another busy week for marriage equality, with a committee vote slated for Tuesday in Rhode Island. The House Judiciary Committee heard testimony last week. This first vote is an early test of our renewed momentum in the state. And a full House vote has been promised within the next two weeks.

Passage in the House appears likely, but it’s far from certain in the Senate. Visit RIUnitedForMarriage.org for more information about the vote, and ways that you can help.

We’re also expecting a Tuesday hearing in Colorado. The Senate Judiciary Committee will hear Senate Bill 11, which would legalize civil unions in the state. Sponsors are hoping to get the bill to the governor’s desk by mid-February, but there may be obstacles to a speedy passage. Visit one-colorado.org for the latest updates on the campaign for civil unions.

Meanwhile in Illinois, support is growing for a marriage equality legislation. Major employers, including Google, Orbitz, Groupon, and Cubs co-owner Laura Ricketts have signed a letter urging lawmakers to pass the bill. Legislators are likely to take up the measure sometime after early February.

And there’s some good news from an unexpected source: Republicans in Wyoming. Democratic lawmakers introduced marriage and civil union bills in the House. And now Republican Representative Keith Gingery supports the marriage bill, with Republican Representative Ruth Ann Petroff supporting civil unions. Both measures are long shots, but it’s an encouraging bipartisan start.

And some disappointment in Virginia, where Delagate Scott Surovell’s attempt to overturn a marriage ban has failed in committee. The good news is that polling has gradually improved in the state. Two years ago, marriage equality had just 34% support. By June of 2012, that number had risen to 42%.

And finally this week, the price of marriage discrimination has gone up yet again. Congressional Republicans have authorized nearly $3 million for defending DOMA before the US Supreme Court. The court is scheduled to hear arguments in the Prop 8 and DOMA cases in late March.

We’ll have breaking news on those cases, as well as developments from the states, in the coming weeks. Subscribe here on YouTube, @AFER on Twitter, and at Facebook.com/AmericanEqualRights. You can also pledge your support at AFER.org and sign up for breaking email alerts.

At the American Foundation for Equal Rights, I’m Matt Baume. Thanks for watching.