The New Jersey marriage decision dominated the political news this week. Time didn’t stand still elsewhere, however:
- The Human Rights Campaign has fired a “junior” staff member after that person admitted to the first—and unauthorized—Web publication of sexual e-mails sent by then-Congressman Mark Foley to former House pages.
- Polls in Arizona and Virginia show opposition to proposed same-sex marriage bans is increasing. In Arizona, the opposition has a slight majority. In Virginia, supporters of the ban still lead, but by a narrowing ten-point spread.
- Republicans in Indiana plan to push for a second vote to ban same-sex marriage. This vote, confirming one held last year, is a prerequisite for amending the state constitution. 365Gay reports that the amendment would also ban civil unions and threaten domestic-partnership benefits and other legal protections for unmarried families. State Republicans also want to bar lesbians and gay men from fostering or adopting children.
- In a meeting with LGBT leaders in New York City, Hillary Clinton says her view on same-sex marriage has “evolved.” She now seems to take a position identical to that of the New Jersey Supreme Court, believing in equality in everything but name: “I believe in full equality of benefits, nothing left out. From my perspective there is a greater likelihood of us getting to that point in civil unions or domestic partnerships and that is my very considered assessment.” (Steve S. also wrote to point out this article on Clinton’s talk.)
- The Washington State Supreme Court said it will not change its endorsement of Washington’s same-sex marriage ban. Gay and lesbian couples had asked the justices to reconsider their earlier ruling upholding the Defense of Marriage Act. The move was a long shot, given that the Court rarely reconsiders previous decisions.
Around the world:
- In Canada, groups are lobbying Parliament on both sides of the same-sex marriage debate, hoping to sway MPs before an expected vote on the issue later this year. The vote could overturn the groundbreaking legislation that legalized same-sex marriage throughout the country. (Thanks, April!)
- In Vancouver, postal workers walked out after refusing to deliver an anti-gay pamphlet that their union regards as “homophobic” and “hate mail.”
- Opposition to the World Pride March continues in Israel. Some conservative activists have threatened violence if the march goes ahead as planned on November 10.
If there’s ever LGBT political news in your locale that you’d like me to consider covering, please drop me a note.