Here's an update of what's happening locally around the country:
San Francisco, CA: The city of San Francisco and the State
filed briefs in the California Supreme Court last week. The Supreme Court ruled that in the state's favour and
halted the weddings.
David Knight, whose dad authored the anti-gay marriage Prop. 22, married his longtime partner of 10 years.
In a show of spite, the Social Security Administration has announced that they won't be accepting marriage certificates issued by San Francisco as proof of a change of name. Even those issued to straight couples.
San Jose, CA: San Jose became the first California city to recognize gay marriages performed in other jurisdictions. The practical benefit is that the partners of city employees will be entitled to benefits on par with straight married couples. San Jose doesn't have the power to issue marriage certificates to gay couples, as its only a city. San Francisco is the only combined city and county in California.
Seattle, WA Mayor Greg Nickels has issued an executive order requiring the city to recognize gay marriages of its employees performed elsewhere for the purposes of benefits. He is also going to ask his City Council to create a law that would ban discrimination of gay married couples. This would, among other things, require city contractors to recognize gay marriages of their employees.
New Paltz, NY Mayor Jason West solemnized 25 gay marriages, was charged with 19 misdemeanors and was ordered by a judge to stop performing gay marriages for the next month.
Nyack, NY Openly gay Mayor John Shields has said that he too will start solemnizing gay marriages.
Portland, OR Multnomah County started issuing marriage certificates to same sex couples on March 3.
Asbury Park, NJ Asbury Park performed one gay marriage and has been told by the New Jersey Attorney General to stop. The town has decided to stop issuing licenses until a court rules on the legality. New Jersey's marriage laws don't explicitly allow or disallow same-sex marriage.
Georgia An attempt to amend the Constitution to specifically prohibit same-sex marriage has run into troubles, including a Democratic legislator who wants to ban adultery as well, since adultery is a threat to traditional marriage.
Wisconsin A bill to amend the State Constitution to add a "hate" clause passed the Assembly and goes to the Senate. If it passes in the Senate, then it has to pass in both houses in 2005 and then put to voters in November of 2006. Wisconsin already has a law on the books.
Kansas The Kansas assembly voted by the required 2/3 margin to put a hate amendment to the voters. If the Senate does the same, and apparently there is some rumbling that it might not pass by 2/3, then the measure goes to the voters in November. Kansas already has a law on the books.
Missouri The Missouri Senate passed a bill to amend the Constitution which now goes to the House. If approved, it will appear on the ballot in November.
Michigan A measure in the House to amend the Constitution failed to win enough votes to send it to the Senate. If it were approved by the Senate, it would be taken to voters in the August primary. Michigan has laws that specifically ban gay marriage.
Massachusetts: The state is gearing up for a flood of gay marriages in May as ordered by the Supreme Judicial Court. An obscure 1913 law may prevent out-of-towners from getting married. The Constitutional Convention came to an agreemnt on an amendment today. Some advocates of gay marriage voted in favour. The amending process is somewhat complex and requires more votes this session in order to move forward. It would need to pass this session and next to go to voters in November, 2006.
New Mexico Sandoval County issued marriage licenses a few weeks ago and stopped within a day. Republicans want to call a special session of the legislature to debate a Constitutional Amendment, but Gov. Bill Richardson is opposed.
Maine Both the Maine Senate and House have rejected bills to amend the Constitution voting mainly on party lines.
Indiana A hate amendment passed the Senate, but the speaker of the Assembly won't allow a vote on it. Indiana passed a DOMA in 1997. Indiana has a two consecutive sessions then put to the voters amendment process.
Wyoming A bill was defeated that would have denied recognition of same-sex marriages performed in other states. Wyoming currently has a law on the books defining marriage as between a man and a woman, but none that would deny legally-sanctioned gay marriages from other states.
Minnesota A bill to amend the Constitution got out of committee. If it passes both houses, it will be on the ballot in November. Minnesota already has a DOMA.
Utah Utah voters will decide in November if they want to amend their Constitution. There is also a DOMA bill in front of the governor and she may or may not veto it.
Ohio A DOMA bill was signed into law last month. It is one of the most restrictive bills in the country.
Idaho The Senate rejected voting on a Constitutional amendment that was passed by the House. Idaho has a DOMA.
In other news, support for gay marriage and civil unions has risen nationally according to this poll, though the results tend to be quite volatile. The Log Cabin Republicans have started airing an ad urging Bush to back down on the Federal Marriage Amendment.
Did I miss any?
Cross posted on my own blog
