Marriage News Watch: July 22, 2013

Colombia's Marriage Equality Limbo

From The Advocate: 

“Colombia’s Constitutional Court in 2011 ruled gays and lesbians can legally register their relationships on June 20 if the country’s lawmakers failed to extend to them the same benefits heterosexuals receive through marriage,” the Washington Blade notes. “The Colombian Senate in April overwhelmingly rejected a measure that would have allowed same-sex couples to tie the knot in the South American country.” 

The ruling did not use the term “marriage” but said couples could “formalize and solemnize their contractual link” before a notary or a judge. Some officials have said this excluded the possibility of equal marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples, but Colombia’s attorney general, Eduardo Montealegre Lynett, “said notaries and judges are free to interpret the court’s decision” as they wish, the Blade reports, citing a Colombian newspaper.

Marriage News Watch: April 29, 2013

Marriage News Watch: April 22, 2013

Marriage News Watch: April 15, 2013

Lowlights & Highlights: December 8, 2012

Rest in peace Dave Brubeck.

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When it comes to marriage equality, the very Catholic and very Christian Latin America is about the last place you wold expect to see progress. However, there was news from three countries that flies in the face that "conventional wisdom.

In Mexico, Mexico City currently has full equality, although other parts of the country do not, and Mexico has no DoMA-type legislation. The Supreme Court ruled that marriages performed in Mexico City must be recognized in other parts of the country. While this does not immediately get rid of existing marriage bans, the Supreme Court has given the country a pathway to marriage equality.

In Colombia, equality legislation passed the first of four votes 10-5 in committee. The next step is Senate debate, though no date has been set for that to begin. The Colombian legislature is up against a court-imposed deadline, June 20, 2013. If the legislature does not act by then, "...couples will automatically gain the right to go to any judge or notary public to formalize their union." (Gay Star News). It is sort of win-win, though like here in the states, conservatives are calling for a referendum.

In Uruguay, the lower legislative chamber is set to vote on marriage equality next week. It is expected to pass there and in the Senate (though the Senate vote will not be for some months).

When it comes to marriage equality, Latin America is kicking the States' ass. While this makes us look bad by comparison, I'm definitely happy for the couples in these countries who are moving closer to being seen as the equals of their hetero-counterparts in the eyes of the law.

Colombia Advances Marriage Equality

From Gay Star News:

A bill legalizing gay marriage past the first of four votes amid criticism from conservative groups.

The bill was was approved on Tuesday (4 November) by 10 votes against five senators of the first committee of the Senate responsible for constitutional matters, reported the portal Univision.

The bill will now face a vote in the Colombian Senate however no date was yet set for a debate and vote.

Senator Armando Benedetti, of the ruling Social Party of National Unity party said: ‘The marriage of couples of same-sex couples is a clear manifestation of respect and non-discrimination of groups that have been permanently marginalized.

The Wrap-Up: December 2, 2011

Current Governor Bob McDonnell (R-VA)

Larry Sabato of UVA's Center for Politics has a rundown of the Senate races for the 2012 election.

Virginia's 2013 gubernatorial race may get a little cannibalistic on the GOP side. Given the likely players, that suits this Virginia boy just fine.

A Russian group has begun airing this ad to counter a proposed anti "gay propaganda" measure.

The Colombian government is using  false pretense to keep a gay dad from his adoptive sons.

Here is a video so good, it went viral...TWICE!!!

House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH)

Just as his star starts to rise in this election cycle, Newt Gingrich says something like this. He really loves America's youth (at least the ones with trust funds).

As if there had been any questions about it before, John Boehner has announced he is NOT an economist. Given his positions on economic issues, I'm pretty sure everyone had assumed as much. 

To clarify, raising taxes on millionaires is bad. Raising taxes on the middle-class? That's another story...

Two separate attempts to extend the payroll tax, one from each party, both failed in the Senate. It looks like some of these Senators have been listening to Grover Norquist.

Daniel Craig

In some shocking news, there is a Republican in the Senate for ending all of those tax loopholes for the wealthy. Call me a skeptic, but I'll wait until I see how he votes on such a measure.

One of the most well known conservative pollsters seems to think that Democrats talking about taxing the rich will help them win...mainly because it would (and is).

Why does the New Hampshire Republican want to keep young people from voting?

And lastly, Daniel Craig pretty much spoke for me in this assessment of the Kardashian herd.