Prop 8 Trial Tracker

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• 1. Michelle Evans  |  February 23, 2011 at 9:48 am

  Wonderful news on top of wonderful new today. Obama not defending DOMA! And our Senator Feinstein here in California has said she will officially introduce a bill to fully repeal the law in the Senate. Yeah!!

• 2. Chris in Lathrop  |  February 23, 2011 at 9:49 am

  Excellent! Thanks for the update, Michelle! What a great day for equality, and may the ripples keep spreading from here to the other side of the world.

• 3. Elizabeth Oakes  |  February 23, 2011 at 9:51 am

  This has been a real head-spinner of a Wednesday, I tell ya whut.

  I hope each of these things plays out to its rightful, just, and humane end. Soon. I'm looking forward to the NH vote next week too!

• 4. Ronnie  |  February 23, 2011 at 9:53 am

  MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!…….<3…Ronnie

• 5. Kathleen  |  February 23, 2011 at 10:00 am

  Keep it coming!!

• 6. Straight Ally #3008  |  February 23, 2011 at 10:03 am

  Keep it coming, you say? Gov. Abercrombie just signed Hawaii's civil unions law.

• 7. JonT  |  February 23, 2011 at 10:07 am

  ☮

  To quote another poster in a previous thread – It's a great day to be gay

  I also posted this in a previous thread: JMG has another poll to freep, if any of you feel so inclined:

  Do you support the Defense of Marriage Act?
  http://www.boston.com/news/polls/022311_Defense_o…

• 8. Richard A. Jernigan  |  February 23, 2011 at 10:09 am

  Well, there is a chance also that we could pick up even more in favor on the final vote!

• 9. Richard A. Jernigan  |  February 23, 2011 at 10:10 am

  Try clicking the box before clicking submit!

• 10. Ann S.  |  February 23, 2011 at 10:12 am

  Aloha!

• 11. Paul in Minneapolis  |  February 23, 2011 at 10:19 am

  What an amazing day — I was refreshing my browser at work all day (wish I could post from there, but I can't)!

  And I had a smile on my face all day thinking about all of those heads exploding at NOM!!!!!!!!

• 12. Steve  |  February 23, 2011 at 10:34 am

  I actually like the title change

  Admitting that this has anything to do with religion or religious freedom is just appeasing the theocrats and buying into their arguments

• 13. Sagesse  |  February 23, 2011 at 10:44 am

  Is there any way the Maryland House could, say, pass the bill on April 15, so NOM won't have time to collect signatures?

• 14. Elizabeth Oakes  |  February 23, 2011 at 10:52 am

  SURF'S UP!!!

• 15. Elizabeth Oakes  |  February 23, 2011 at 10:53 am

  …and as someone posted on the Equality on Trial Facebook thread: "It's a bad day to be Maggie Gallagher."

• 16. Straight Ally #3008  |  February 23, 2011 at 10:58 am

  I hope so! It would be Prop 8 part 2, with the same result – the referendum will pass and be overturned in court. Waste of time and money.

  I'd love to find out more about this so that the Maryland House could be lobbied to do it.

• 17. Elizabeth Oakes  |  February 23, 2011 at 10:58 am

  Wow, there's only one lonely Republican supporter? We should really thank him for standing up.

• 18. Bob Barnes  |  February 23, 2011 at 11:02 am

  OT: but worth it, consider this an action item, so go and respond.

  Posted on the Ruthblogs

  The only ethical way to create a person is through married sexual intercourse. That’s easy, isn’t it?

  Perhaps what we need is a more extreme position than simply prohibiting surrogacy and sperm donation, in order to make that position seem less extreme. So I propose we make surrogacy and sperm donation capital crimes, where everyone involved in aiding and abetting the non-marital procreation gets stoned to death. That’s actually not a very radical position, we could even do that for fornicators and homosexuals, like is done in many other countries. Now, does that make simply prohibiting it seem less harsh?

  Where does anyone get the idea that they are entitled to a baby? Tough cookies, just endure a childless life, it won’t kill you.
  http://www.ruthblog.org/2011/02/23/the-tangled-we…

• 19. Ronnie  |  February 23, 2011 at 11:15 am

  Wow… head meet keyboard …. > / …Ronnie

• 20. Kathleen  |  February 23, 2011 at 11:16 am

  That's Sen Kittleman, who made news earlier this month by announcing his support (with a most eloquent statement about civil rights) and was basically booted out of his position as minority leader because of it.

• 21. Manilow  |  February 23, 2011 at 11:17 am

  Wow – Harsh statements. I would be interested to find out why JRoMo adopted and whether it had anything to do with not being able to carry a child – let me be very clear, I am not wishing this on her. But I would find it very interesting if that was the case and this was posted on the Ruth Blog – maybe this poster thought that she should have just eaten her "tough cookies" instead of raising a child that wasnt her own?

  (Again – I am not gloating or wishing anything on anyone – just pointing out what could be very ironic.)

• 22. Kathleen  |  February 23, 2011 at 11:20 am

  It’s a great day to be gay

  A friend just quipped, in response to this – "I imagine we'll get some converts out of this."

• 23. Straight Ally #3008  |  February 23, 2011 at 11:28 am

  Actually, strike that, wouldn't it be easier for the governor to hold off until it was too late to gather signatures?

• 24. nightshayde  |  February 23, 2011 at 11:54 am

  When I read that, I figured it was someone making a (dark) tongue-in-cheek comment, pointing out how ridiculous the RuthBlog position is, but knowing that any comment going against the NOMbie position will get deleted.

  Do you think it was a serious comment? I'm having trouble reading it as such.

• 25. Ray in MA  |  February 23, 2011 at 12:18 pm

  Boehner responds to DOMA:

  "While Americans want Washington to focus on creating jobs and cutting spending, the President will have to explain why he thinks now is the appropriate time to stir up a controversial issue that sharply divides the nation."

• 26. Ray in MA  |  February 23, 2011 at 12:19 pm

  I smell trouble!

• 27. Ray in MA  |  February 23, 2011 at 12:24 pm

  So it looks to me like the Republicans planned this far in advance… making the economy sooooo bad that know one should even consider equal rights for GLBT.

• 28. DaveP  |  February 23, 2011 at 12:27 pm

  Until today, it has been feeling like one disapointment after another for quite a while and I found myself slipping into lurker mode here at P8TT for the past couple of months. I have still been here reading every day, but I just felt I didn't have much to contribute. I was starting to feel a bit depressed.

  But what a difference a day makes, right? DOMA, AFER filing to get the stay lifted, Hawaii, Maryland…. This is all adding up to some really good momentum again.

  I just finished watching the evening news, flipping between channels to catch the coverage on all the networks here in the bay area. Like a breath of fresh air.

  Thanks all you guys & gals for keeping the conversation rolling while I was not feeling up to it. I promise I'll do my best to get back to being my usual chatty self . You guys are awesome : )

• 29. Straight Dave  |  February 23, 2011 at 12:27 pm

  According to the MD Constitution, Article XVI, Sec 3(b), they always get at least 2 months to collect signatures. We can't squeeze them out – gotta play fair.

  "If an Act is passed less than 45 days prior to June 1, it may not become effective sooner than 31 days after its passage. To bring this Act to referendum, the first one-third of the required number of signatures to a petition shall be submitted within 30 days after its passage. If the first one third of the required number of signatures is submitted to the Secretary of State within 30 days after its passage, the time for the Act to take effect and for filing the remainder of the signatures to complete the petition shall be extended for an additional 30 days."
  http://www.iandrinstitute.org/New%20IRI%20Website…

• 30. Straight Dave  |  February 23, 2011 at 12:30 pm

  Signature gathering can start as soon as the legislature approves, without waiting for the Governor.

• 31. Ronnie  |  February 23, 2011 at 12:33 pm

  Because discrimination is unconstitutional & un-American….there answered…now get over it, Boehner….. : I ….Ronnie

• 32. Bob  |  February 23, 2011 at 12:34 pm

  trouble indeed, and great timing,,, especiallly with the Wisconsin labour union strikes, and those huge rallies,,, big money trying to break the middle class, and blame it on the poor,,,
  wouldn't say republicans are doing anything for creating jobs, they're actually caught in the act of trying to break labour unions and threatening to lay off thousands fo workers,,,,

  the news tonight on the Maddow show was exhilarating,,, and as close as we've come to getting these two issues together,,, workers rights,,, are part of human rights,,, if you could meld the two you'd have the powerhouse that would create the change that's needed,,, one big push for HUMAN RIGHTS

  love that energy in Wisconsin woot woot bring it on,, and as far as DOMA goes NOW is the right time for human rights,,,, no matter how sharp the divide,,,, Obama threw that into the ring for a reason,,,,,,,, he's ready to deal with it,,,,, but like DADT, we're going to have to do the lifting,,,,,, all in,,,,

• 33. Shannon  |  February 23, 2011 at 12:39 pm

  Hoorah for Senator Feinstein, but what was stopping her (or anyone else) from doing it earlier… and more importantly, what's the chance such a repeal will pass the House?

• 34. Steve  |  February 23, 2011 at 12:43 pm

  Poe's Law at work again:
  “Without a winking smiley or other blatant display of humor, it is impossible to create a parody of fundamentalism that someone won't mistake for the real thing."

  Or more accurately the corollary:
  "It is impossible for an act of fundamentalism to be made that someone won't mistake for a parody."

• 35. Steve  |  February 23, 2011 at 12:45 pm

  Because Republicans have been doing such a stella job of creating jobs instead of introducing anti-gay or anti-abortion legislation…oh wait

• 36. Bob  |  February 23, 2011 at 12:51 pm

  interesting,,, eh ,,, Obama sent a signal,,, Feinstein took action,,,,, and it's up to us to push to get it through the house,,, Obama is putting his whole term in office on the line with this move,,,,, people power now or never…..

• 37. grod  |  February 23, 2011 at 1:17 pm

  @ Bob
  I agree that there is much lifting to be done.
  I
  suspect that the tipping point has been reached today. A conservative religious writer in the last few days ask if civil rights of non-believers was the hill that the Christian Church was prepared to die upon? As a regular at Sunday Church, I'd guess NOT. G

• 38. Southern Bell  |  February 23, 2011 at 1:18 pm

  Anyone know what happened in NC today? Did the Senate vote to pass SB 106 to limit marriage or did we defeat it once again??

• 39. Richard A. Jernigan  |  February 23, 2011 at 1:22 pm

  I haven't heard yet. I will go to the website shortly and see if I can find out for you.

• 40. Southern Bell  |  February 23, 2011 at 1:28 pm

  Thanks! I live in CO now and it's a bit hard for me to keep up on NC news. *crossing my fingers*

• 41. Bob  |  February 23, 2011 at 1:34 pm

  grod,,, sooo well put,,, but we need to push that question to the churches,,,, "is the civil rights of non-believers the hill that the Christian Church is prepared to die upon?" that gets to the very point,,,,

  I'm for equal lifting, I will lift believers and non-believers to the higher ground ,,, when we are all are equal, we truly will have choice of what we believe, and the freedom to choose it..

• 42. Kathleen  |  February 23, 2011 at 1:45 pm

  DaveP, it's so nice to see you here. I've missed you!

• 43. Bob  |  February 23, 2011 at 1:47 pm

  right Richard, Obama put all his faith back on the people,,,, no matter how this plays out,,, his actions are on the right side of history,, The American people must choose,,, he's played his hand,,,, and he favours human rights,,,,,, smart cookie,,,

• 44. Straight Ally #3008  |  February 23, 2011 at 2:23 pm

  Yeah, true, can't sink to their level. Leave the obfuscation, lies, and dirty tricks to the professional bigots. Unfortunately, it means they'll gather the signatures for sure.

• 45. Straight Ally #3008  |  February 23, 2011 at 2:25 pm

  Hey Boehner: CRY SOME MORE!
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_cSnpoKMMk

• 46. Carpool Cookie  |  February 23, 2011 at 2:34 pm

  "While Americans want Washington to focus on creating jobs and cutting spending, the President will have to explain why he thinks now is the appropriate time to stir up a controversial issue that sharply divides the nation.”

  Mr. Boehner is free to lead Repugs toward working on the economy, creating jobs, etc. rather than squandering uphill time and money fighting the inevitable.

• 47. Carpool Cookie  |  February 23, 2011 at 2:37 pm

  Yes! Welcome back!

• 48. chris from co  |  February 23, 2011 at 2:37 pm

  Welcome to CO.

• 49. Elizabeth Oakes  |  February 23, 2011 at 2:48 pm

  Um…Mr. Boehner?

  Before you start weeping, I think it would be fair to point out that perhaps the Executive Branch no longer wants to defend DOMA precisely so it CAN focus more fully on creating jobs and cutting spending. See, those are things that might help our nation get back on track, and DOMA will NOT. And lawsuits are expensive, even when you have a whole Justice Department to handle them. So um…it makes SENSE to not defend DOMA when our nation's in a financial crisis, you see.

  You may commence with the waterworks now.

• 50. LCH  |  February 23, 2011 at 2:51 pm

  ♀♀=♂♂=♀♂=∑♡

• 51. Richard A. Jernigan  |  February 23, 2011 at 2:55 pm

  Southern Bell, it has not been voted on. They only had the first reading in today's (February 23) session.

• 52. chris from co  |  February 23, 2011 at 3:34 pm

  Over at NOM's website I love how they are trying to say "this fight just begun" @ 5:10 p.m., then they posted "This is it. The whole ball game. If we back down here, it will be all over." at 6:30 p.m. why I not surprized they don't know wether to wind their butt's or scratch their watches. LOL.

• 53. chris from co  |  February 23, 2011 at 3:36 pm

  so much for proof reading before sending.

• 54. JonT  |  February 23, 2011 at 4:02 pm

  Great! Maybe we can reach our recruiting goal for the month

• 55. Bob Barnes  |  February 23, 2011 at 6:27 pm

  Welcome to my world, and auto-correct doesn't make it easier.

• 56. Richard A. Jernigan  |  February 23, 2011 at 8:16 pm

  Amen on that one, Bob!

• 57. Matthew  |  February 23, 2011 at 9:54 pm

  What an exciting day! It's like a one two three knockout punch to NOM and their radical, anti-marriage, CINO ilk.

  On their blog it's clear they know it. They are freaking out in all CAPS and everything, lol.

• 58. AnonyGrl  |  February 23, 2011 at 10:13 pm

  Just signed the poll… and the numbers are 10.9% in favor of DOMA, 89.1% against.

  Wooot!

• 59. AnonyGrl  |  February 23, 2011 at 10:27 pm

  If you go to the NOMblog now, they have an automatic letter to your congressperson set up to protest about Obama and DOMA…

  I hijacked it, rewrote the letter, and sent one. It seems to have gone out the way I wrote it, if you want to go try it… and got myself signed up as a NOMBIE in the process. LOL

• 60. Zak  |  February 23, 2011 at 10:44 pm

  (CNN) — Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed into law a bill that will legalize civil unions for same-sex couples in the Aloha State.

  The law goes into effect on January 1.

  Why such a long wait? This allows too much time for NOM to play some dirty tricks.

• 61. Gregory in Salt Lake  |  February 23, 2011 at 11:16 pm

  Hi DaveP!

• 62. Gregory in Salt Lake  |  February 23, 2011 at 11:17 pm

  Fun!!!

• 63. Lesbians Love Boies  |  February 23, 2011 at 11:25 pm

  lol – no we won't get any converts. But some of those so dreadfully fearful of coming out are starting to understand 'hey, it's okay that i'm gay'!

  It is great that I am gay everyday!!

• 64. Lesbians Love Boies  |  February 23, 2011 at 11:26 pm

  I don't dare – but you know how fidgety I am around scary people.

• 65. Lesbians Love Boies  |  February 23, 2011 at 11:29 pm

  Mr. Boehner – WE matter too and have been ignored for far too long. You can spend a bit of time thinking about the rest of your constituents, not just the ones who are the way you want.

• 66. Carpool Cookie  |  February 24, 2011 at 12:24 am

  And what about the LOSER having to pay court expenses for the side that wins? THAT"S going to look nice on our national expenditures list!

• 67. Cat  |  February 24, 2011 at 12:58 am

  I hope NOM and any Republicans wanting to defend DOMA, biological-parents-with-kids-only-marriage, etc., listen to the loudest voices in their midst, and in the process alienate the vast majority of voters.

  If they really stick to their rhetoric they should say: Federal government limiting the definition of marriage? Talk about government overstepping its boundaries! If government shouldn't regulate health care, it certainly shouldn't limit the definition of marriage for all the people in all the states. Very un-American. America is the greatest country on earth! Freedom and liberty for all! Even state governments shouldn't limit marriage. Stop interfering in my life. Anybody who is not pro marriage equality is not a patriot!

  (How am I doing so far?)

• 68. Lesbians Love Boies  |  February 24, 2011 at 1:34 am

  I think this is where you will be able to watch the hearing. It starts (according to their schedule online) at 1pm (and I think that's eastern time) so, 10am in Cali.
  http://mgahouse.maryland.gov/House/Catalog/catalo…

• 69. Mark M - Seattle  |  February 24, 2011 at 1:49 am

  I have enough toaster ovens though…I need a new blender!

• 70. Mark M - Seattle  |  February 24, 2011 at 1:55 am

  Welcome 'home' Dave

• 71. mackenzie  |  February 24, 2011 at 2:06 am

  Do we know what time today Maryland senate plans to vote?

• 72. AnonyGrl  |  February 24, 2011 at 2:41 am

  (I didn't give them my real name… hope my senator doesn't hold that against me).

• 73. Maggie4NoH8  |  February 24, 2011 at 3:01 am

  OT – but I have long wished for an email for Maggie… Just yesterday, she published this – which includes her email at the bottom…
  http://nomblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/The…

  maggiebox2004@yahoo.com

• 74. Lesbians Love Boies  |  February 24, 2011 at 3:20 am

  Not sure if this link will work for all
  http://mgahouse.maryland.gov/House/SilverlightPla…

• 75. Lesbians Love Boies  |  February 24, 2011 at 3:20 am

  http://mgahouse.maryland.gov/House/SilverlightPla…

• 76. Lesbians Love Boies  |  February 24, 2011 at 3:22 am

  Yes, they are discussing the marriage equlaity

• 77. Lesbians Love Boies  |  February 24, 2011 at 3:23 am

  It's on now, look at the links above, if they don't work, I can find a link that will

• 78. Lesbians Love Boies  |  February 24, 2011 at 3:27 am

  Now they are discussing another bill. Don't know exact time, but I am watching – and if they start on the bills we are interested in, I will post.

• 79. Lesbians Love Boies  |  February 24, 2011 at 3:36 am

  Here is the standard player, in case you don't have silverlight
  http://mgahouse.maryland.gov/House/Viewer/?peid=2…

• 80. Lesbians Love Boies  |  February 24, 2011 at 3:37 am

  and, the standard player – live now
  http://mgahouse.maryland.gov/House/Viewer/?peid=2…

• 81. Ronnie  |  February 24, 2011 at 4:04 am

  HD Video of speech by Hawaii Governor, Neil Abercrombie & signing of the Civil Union bill……<3…Ronnie:
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embed…

• 82. Gregory in Salt Lake  |  February 24, 2011 at 4:22 am

  tx! was wanting to watch this…hadn't searched for link yet

• 83. Ronnie  |  February 24, 2011 at 4:24 am

  Watch: Gay Former Coal Miner, Lawmakers Speak for Anti-Discrimination Bill at West Virginia Capitol. http://www.towleroad.com/2011/02/wv.html

  Hall was joined by Democratic Sen. Jeff Kessler, acting as senate president, who told the crowd that it is time for West Virginia to recognize "that all men are created equal," and Del. Barbara Fleischauer (DMonongalia). A crowd of hundreds rallied in support of Hall, chanting "stand with Sam."

  (me)…..Equality activism happening everywhere….I love it…..<3…Ronnie
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embed…

• 84. Gregory in Salt Lake  |  February 24, 2011 at 4:27 am

  voting now? I can't watch but hubby relaying can't tell what they are voting on/discussing

• 85. Lesbians Love Boies  |  February 24, 2011 at 4:31 am

  No, they are currently discussing another bill. I will post when they get to the marriage house bill.

• 86. Gregory in Salt Lake  |  February 24, 2011 at 4:35 am

  tx : D

• 87. Ronnie  |  February 24, 2011 at 5:29 am

  Is there something in the air?…so much is happening:

  Asheville Approves Resolution Supporting Same-Sex Couples
  Resolution Also Puts Anti-Bullying Ordinance In Place http://www.foxcarolina.com/news/26973651/detail.h…

  "In a 5-1 vote Tuesday night, the Asheville City Council approved a resolution that creates a city registry for same-sex couples and endorses more rights for the gay community."………."This isn't just looking narrowly at these issues just for LGBT," said Westleigh Heath, a member of People of Faith for Just Relationships. "I think it's for everyone in Asheville. It's a gift to all of us."

  ————————————–

  Supporters of bill to expand anti-bullying law rally in capitol http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/Supportors_of_…

  “What do we want? Fairness!When do we want it? Now!,” the crowd gathered in the rotunda exclaimed Wednesday afternoon.
  Among the main goals of the fairness coalition is House Bill 370, which expands upon the current anti-bullying statutes in Kentucky schools.

  ———————————–

  Montana Sens. OK Sodomy Law Repeal
  Montana state senators Wednesday gave bipartisan endorsement to removing the state’s antisodomy law from the books, following moving testimony in support of repeal by Sen. Christine Kaufmann (pictured). http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2011/02/2…

  (me) "I am somebody….and I deserve full EQUALITY….right here….right NOW!!!!"……..<3….Ronnie

• 88. Mackenzie  |  February 24, 2011 at 6:02 am

  wait…this is some house judiciary committee thing. Will it eventually switch over to the senate.

• 89. Straight Dave  |  February 24, 2011 at 6:16 am

  @Montana sodomy law
  I'd love to hear the rationales excuses of those 9 senators who voted to keep a completely dead, null and void law on the books just for show. TWO supreme courts struck it down 8 and 14 years ago. Are they just keeping it for sentimental value?

  And they're not the least bit embarrassed? Sheesh, people! Find a new country.

• 90. Mark M - Seattle  |  February 24, 2011 at 7:38 am

  Last time we drove through Montana my husband and I made it a point to break their law
  hehehehehehehe

• 91. Richard A. Jernigan  |  February 24, 2011 at 7:57 am

  But it also gives more time for the advance troops to work on pre-emptive strikes to NOM's already shaky credibility.

• 92. Richard A. Jernigan  |  February 24, 2011 at 8:16 am

  Boehner is just jealous because we actually have gained the courage to come out, which he is still unable to do. It has been my experience over the past 48 years that the ones who are the most afraid of the fact that I am openly gay are those who are very deep in that prison that is misnamed the closet and cannot handle the rejection of those they think are friends, who are anything but friends. If someone cannot accept me for who I am, and yet they want to say they are my friend, then they are lying about being my friend!

• 93. Richard A. Jernigan  |  February 24, 2011 at 8:27 am

  And I need a new Wilton Ultimate Tool Caddy for my cake decorating supplies! Here's hoping that either Michael's or A. C. Moore runs a special on them soon. I start gum paste and fondant on March 9th.

• 94. nightshayde  |  February 24, 2011 at 8:44 am

  You just made me blush … and that's not all that easy to do!

• 95. Gregory in Salt Lake  |  February 24, 2011 at 11:30 pm

  Big Sky Country is inspiring!

• 96. Lesbians Love Boies  |  February 24, 2011 at 11:32 pm

  I had to think about that for a moment…then it fave me a good laugh.

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