This week, Congressman James Clyburn signed on as a co-sponsor for the Respect for Marriage Act.
In doing so, Rep. Clyburn, who serves as the Assistant Democratic
Leader and is from South Carolina, became the last member of the House of Representatives' Democratic Leadership to
co-sponsor the bill. His support follows previous support from House
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer, and
Democratic Caucus Chairman John Larson. The total number of co-sponsors
for the Respect for Marriage Act now stands at 157 in the House and 33
in the Senate.
The Respect for Marriage Act is the bill that would repeal the so-called Defense of Marriage Act,
which federally prohibits respect of lawful marriages between same-sex
couples and denies married same-sex couples over 1,100 protections
afforded to different-sex married couples.
Saturday night saw another GOP presidential debate, which means more factual inaccuracies (I'm looking at you Michele Bachmann).
This report on the failing health of Etta James makes me sad. I decided a long time ago that "At Last" will be playing at my wedding reception. Again, about that so-called defense of marriage thingy...
It's pretty amazing that an anti-bullying measure, which also protects based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression, was passed in West Virginia of all places...and here is how it happened.
A bi-national couple's deportation case has been dropped by the Immigration & Customs Enforcement. Of course, if DoMA were repealed (or never existed), these types of cases would not be necessary. Christmas just got a lot better for these guys.
Elizabeth Warren
Another GOP family values, anti-gay politician gets caught. This happens so much that it's really news when it DOESN'T happen.
Here is yet another dose of GOP family values hypocrisy. When will they learn? Honestly... P.S. I swear I'm taking joy in this. It's actually rather sad when you think of these people's families and such.
I have been supporting Elizabeth Warren (in case you haven't noticed) because of her work on financial reform but wondered where she stood on LGBT issues. She answered that question.
That gay soldier who was booed at the Tea Party debate is getting a much better response from his comrades. Seriously, I wouldn't mess with a guy with biceps like that even if he was a million miles away.
Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ)
A California gay rights group has gotten the go ahead to start collecting signatures to repeal Proposition 8. The clock is now ticking...
Further proving that there is hope in the next generation, even young Republicans are on-board with LGBT equality, including marriage equality.
Also in evolving views, Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), who originally voted FOR DoMA, is now supporting the Respect for Marriage Act (which would repeal DoMA).
And lastly, "Absolutely Fabulous" takes on the Kardashians.
I'm sure that many of you who have read this blog are aware that there is currently a piece of legislation in the United States Senate called the Respect For Marriage Act which would repeal the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DoMA), thus allowing the United States government to recognize same-sex marriages/civil unions performed in states that allow such unions. It was introduced by Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and committee hearings have already begun thanks to Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT).
The political reality is that this will probably not get through the Senate (if it did, it would be just barely) despite it being held by a Democratic majority, and it has zero percent chance of getting through the Republican-held House of Representatives. House Speaker Boehner has said that he won't even bring it up for debate (he is almost single-handedly spearheading the House's defense of DoMA). I guess this is something being done symbolically, but the postive thing is that it gets the conversation going and lays the groundwork for when there is a better chance the passage of the RFMA. Positive results have already come to fruition as during the Senate Committee Hearings, Senator Al Franken exposed yet another lie by the opposition to marriage equality. I have posted this video before, but it is certainly worth seeing again:
BUSTED!!!
The real reason that I brought this up, other than awareness, is because I wanted people who read this blog to show some love to the Respect For Marriage Act's Facebook page and stay updated on the goings-on where DoMA and RFMA are concerned. Stay informed.
Of course the saddest part is that there are people completely devoid of compassion and empathy who would hear these words and just not give a damn (or worse, they would actually laugh). Such is the sad state of this world.
This week, Congressman James Clyburn signed on as a co-sponsor for the Respect for Marriage Act. In doing so, Rep. Clyburn, who serves as the Assistant Democratic Leader and is from South Carolina, became the last member of the House of Representatives' Democratic Leadership to co-sponsor the bill. His support follows previous support from House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer, and Democratic Caucus Chairman John Larson. The total number of co-sponsors for the Respect for Marriage Act now stands at 157 in the House and 33 in the Senate.
See all 157 of the House co-sponsors and all 33 of the Senate co-sponsors for the Respect for Marriage Act.The Respect for Marriage Act is the bill that would repeal the so-called Defense of Marriage Act, which federally prohibits respect of lawful marriages between same-sex couples and denies married same-sex couples over 1,100 protections afforded to different-sex married couples.
