New Jersey GOP governor vetoes same-sex marriage bill

It matters when we elect "moderate" Republicans who are too afraid to be moderate in a party that isn't. Read the rest of this post...

Marriage passes in Maryland House of Delegates!

Kiss me, I'm a homophobe!

We got the one vote we needed. Initial reports are that Sam Arora, who ran on a marriage equality platform as a progressive Netroots-friendly candidate, voted against us. More on that below (including his contact info - please visit his Facebook page and Twitter account - again the info is below).

The bill had previously passed the state Senate, and no votes are expected to change there, so this is all but assured to go the Democratic governor, who has said he'll sign it.

The religious right has already said they're going to try to put the issue on the November ballot.

UPDATE: It's confirmed. Sam Arora, after reportedly taking calls from the Governor, Bill Clinton and Terry McAuliffe, still voted against us. All this after he run on a platform including marriage equality.

Something is up with that guy. As a junior member of a state legislature, it's just awfully strange that you would flip on an issue like this, right after taking office, with no good explanation why, and then resist appeals from your former employer's husband (Arora worked for Hillary), who just so happens to be Bill Clinton, and appeals from the current governor, who wants to run for president in 2016.

Rather than ingratiate yourself too all of them, as some junior state delegate, you screw them all.

Regardless of what Arora is hiding in his political closet, his career in Democratic politics is over. A number of high-level Democratic political operatives in DC are talking this evening about the best way, legally and politically, to move ahead with ending Arora's career, starting with his next election. We've taken down bigger bigots than a Maryland House delegate. If he thinks he's going to survive in Democratic politics as a known homophobe, and someone who poked his finger in the eyes of Bill Clinton, Terry McAuliffe and Maryland Governor O'Malley... well, good luck with that.

More from Democratic political consultant Karl Frisch, a former friend and supporter of Arora's:

"Discrimination against gay and lesbian couples is one step closer to being over in Maryland. The same can be said for Sam's career in politics."

"I've already been asked by several high level national and Maryland Democratic operatives to join a call tonight to discuss strategies for sending Sam packing. We -- and by we, I mean many people who helped elect our former equality supporting friend -- will do whatever it takes. Nothing will be left off the table."

Enjoy the next few years in politics, Sam. They'll be your last in elected office.

Twitter: @Sam_Arora
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sam-Arora/334183772314
(410) 841-3528, (301) 858-3528
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3528 (toll free)
e-mail: sam.arora@house.state.md.us
fax: (410) 841-3011, (410) 841-3528, (301) 858-3528, (240) 245-0018

Here's the question on marriage where he said he was with us while running for office - again, he changed his mind weeks after being sworn in.  Suspicious much?
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No update on President Evolving

February 17, 2012

PRESS GAGGLE
BY PRESS SECRETARY JAY CARNEY

Aboard Air Force One
En Route Seattle, Washington

Q Since we're going to Washington, Washington State legalized same-sex marriage this month. And as you know, Governor Christie is promising to veto a bill legalizing same-sex marriage that passed the New Jersey assembly. I’m just wondering what does the President think about Washington State’s decision and then Governor Christie’s vow to veto legislation?

MR. CARNEY: Well, I would say only broadly, as I have said in the past, without weighing into individual states and their actions, that this President strongly supports the notion that the states should be able to decide this issue, and he opposes actions that take away rights that have been established by those states. But I'm not going to comment specifically on individual states.

Q Is his view on same-sex marriage, though, still evolving? Or how would you describe it?

MR. CARNEY: I have no update for you on that.

Read the rest of this post...

Bill Clinton, Terry McAuliffe reportedly making calls for marriage equality in Maryland

Tweet from Amanda Terkel at Huffington Post:

RT @aterkel: Heard that Bill Clinton, Terry McAuliffe called up Sam Arora to pressure him to vote for marriage equality.”

Sam Arora has been given a political gift by this vote. At this stage in his political career, you don't usually get calls from, a chance to endear yourself to, Bill Clinton and Terry McAuliffe. Read the rest of this post...

Justice Dept refuses to defend laws that discriminate against service members with same-sex partners

Excellent. Now we need to win back the House so John Boehner will stop defending these cases.  From Chris Geidner at MetroWeekly.

The Department of Justice sent a letter to House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) today stating that the Defense and Veterans Affairs departments would not be defending the government's laws preventing equal treatment for servicemembers who have same-sex spouses, a decision confirmed by Metro Weekly that was first reported by Talking Points Memo's Ryan Reilly.

The move by Attorney General Eric Holder comes in the context of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network's lawsuit in McLaughlin v. Panetta. Metro Weekly reported on Thursday, Feb. 16, that the parties to the case had agreed a day earlier to a 60-day delay in the government's deadline for filing a response to the lawsuit.

McLaughlin raises challenges involving DOMA and two military-specific statutes implicated by today's decision -- 38 U.S.C. 101(3) and 38 U.S.C. 101(31) -- and could potentially involve other issues relating to the military-specific context, but today Holder told Boehner that these other provisions also "violate the equal protection component of the Fifth Amendment."

Read the rest of this post...

Oklahoma GOP trying to reinstate DADT for local National Guard

And supposedly the federal government may have to cut of hundreds of millions of dollars of state National Guard funds if that happens.

Good.

Cut em off.

Nothing would make me happier than to watch an already not very rich state grow even more impoverished because of its own bigotry.  And here's a two-fer.  Next time there's a natural disaster in Oklahoma, who are they gonna call if they don't have a National Guard in place?

Seriously.  Maybe it's just time we let the southern bigots metaphorically hang themselves by their own bigotry.  Virginia (surprise) tried the same thing last year and failed.

No I don't want people discriminating against gays.  But at some point, it's tempting to let the south (and near-south ilk) go as backwards as they wants to go.  If Oklahoma bigots want to waste $300 million that they don't have call their bluff.  Then let the Republicans explain to Oklahomans why they have no more money for vital state services.

More from the Oklahoma Daily.

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NJ top gay rights official responds to GOP governor’s impending veto

As you know, the New Jersey legislature just passed marriage equality, but GOP Governor Christie says he'll veto it. Below is a statement from Steven Goldstein, the head of the big gay group in New Jersey. It's an interesting statement. Some felt it was too nice. Others felt that it actually was quite strong, just somewhat nuanced. I'd argue that to some degree the statement calls the governor a hypocrite and a panderer, though it's done with a polite tone. Is that really being nicer than outright calling him a bigot? At least a bigot is true to his convictions. It's sort of like comparing Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney - at least you can respect (albeit slightly) that Santorum is true to his bigotry.  Whereas Romney...

What do you think? Good nuanced statement, or too nice?

Statement of Garden State Equality Chair Steven Goldstein on Governor Christie's impending veto of the marriage equality bill:

As we await the Governor's veto of the marriage equality bill, I beg your indulgence if this statement is a bit more personal than usual. Many in Trenton know that Governor Christie and I have a good relationship. This may come as a surprise, and even disappointment, to some of Garden State Equality's members, but I like the Governor personally even though I agree with him on almost nothing.

I came of political age where leaders who disagree passionately on the issues, who even fight with one another like cats and dogs in the political arena, were able put the fights aside and see one another as people. I grew up at a time when the legendary Democratic Speaker of the U.S. House, Tip O?Neill - a hero of mine - and President Reagan did exactly that. And it's always been my philosophy in dealing with Governor Christie and his Administration.

And having worked for several public officials myself, I know there's a heck of lot more to them than their public images would suggest. No public figure is the two-dimensional character of the headlines. As Garden State Equality's leader, I have worked closely with this Governor on issues upon which we agree, notably to counter school bullying.

As I have said before, where we agree with them on the issues, Governor Christie and his Administration have treated us with warmth and responsiveness. Yes is yes, no is no, and we'll get back to you means they get back to you faster than you thought, usually with invaluable help.

And that's precisely why Governor Christie's veto of the marriage equality bill will hurt so badly. We're not naïve - we've always known he would veto the bill, and frankly, I was always a bit puzzled by the silly tea-leaf reading and phantasmagoric hopes that perhaps the Governor would look deep inside his heart and let the bill become law. Ridiculous. I know this Governor, and when he says he'll do something, take him at his word, for better and here for worse.

It's why I chose not to waste a breath in pleading with the Governor not to veto - and have put Garden State Equality immediately to work to achieve an override. The great news is, we have until the end of the legislative session, in January 2014, to do it.

That doesn't obviate the pain of the Governor's veto. Because I do know him, I also know he is not some anti-LGBT nut. He is no Rick Santorum. Frankly, I don't think Chris Christie has an anti-gay bone in his body, however much I cannot say the same about his impending veto. His veto will be a brutally anti-gay act, pure and simple.

The Governor keeps calling for a referendum, which everyone knows will never happen in New Jersey. To borrow the Governor's words, it's time for him to stop engaging in political theater. Our lives are not La Cage Aux Folles: LGBT people fall in love, raise families, often children whom the rest of society shuns, and pay taxes in what is still one of the most heavily taxed states in the country.

Our Governor knows our contributions to society. He won't veto the bill because he's anti-gay. He'll veto the bill because the 2016 South Carolina Republican Presidential primary electorate is anti-gay. And if I get flooded with letters now from Charleston, so be it.

And that's what hurts so badly. I like this Governor and am able to see him beyond the headlines. When you are rejected by someone you want so badly to love you unconditionally - my own parents have taught me what that's like - the pain is searing. Rick Santorum I can live with. Gerry Cardinale I can live with, too. But Chris Christie's rejection? That hurts.

Governor, rest assured that even though I came of political age in an era where political adversaries could be friends - and if you're game, we'll continue that good relationship - Garden State Equality and I will continue to fight you on marriage equality with every bone in our bodies. You would expect no less.

For us, this is not about politics. This is about our fundamental American right to conduct our lives with a full life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Equality.

And until we achieve it, we will fight with our every last breath. And we will win, so help me God.

Read the rest of this post...

Dick Cheney is lobbying for gay marriage in Maryland?

Buried in Annie Linskey's Baltimore Sun story today about GOP Maryland Delegate Wade Kach coming out in support of marriage equality is this little tidbit:

[Kach] also became the target of a last-minute lobby effort, and said his voice mail was full of messages from important people, including Mehlman, Bloomberg and an offer to talk with former Vice President Dick Cheney, whom Kach regards as a "great man." All three are recognized for their support of gay rights issues.

Dick Cheney is personally lobbying on behalf of gay marriage? Really?

If true, that's freaking huge.

It would be interesting to know who made the offer to Kach on behalf of Cheney.  Was it Mehlman?

I don't want to put the cart before the horse, since it would be nice to confirm this first, but it's hard to believe that someone just made this up when talking to Kach, though I suppose it's possible (albeit dumb).   If Dick Cheney is actually lobbying for gay marriage, that is simply huge.  Not only is he a huge heavyweight, but he also provides a good deal of cover for other Republicans, like Governor Christie in New Jersey, who says he's going to veto marriage equality legislation just passed by that state's legislature.

Oh what a difference a few years makes.  It was only 2004 that I launched DearMary.com, a Web site begging Mary Cheney, Dick's daughter, to intercede with her father regarding the planned effort to push for the Federal Marriage Amendment.  You'll recall that the Cheneys weren't saying boo about gay rights or their daughter being a lesbian.  Then, four months or so into the campaign, Mary's mom, Lynne Cheney, suddenly is on CNN opposing the marriage amendment. This is a woman who basically denied her daughter was even gay in an interview a few years earlier.

If this is true, the Cheney family has come a long way.  And as much as it will annoy some to admit it, they deserve our thanks.

Also, this poses a bit of a dilemma for Democrats in general, and the President in particular.  If this story is true, then Dick Cheney will be doing more than the Democratic party to help on marriage equality.  That's not a terribly helpful message for Democrats walking into an important election. Read the rest of this post...

Maryland House preps for marriage debate, GOP delegate who switched to yes has State Police protection

Looks like the Maryland House of Delegates debate on the marriage equality bill will begin at 11 AM ET.

Via email from Equality Maryland:

As you may have heard, HB 438 was not debated last evening on the floor on the House of Delegates. More than 200 amendments have been offered to the bill and the joint committee chairpersons asked for some time today to review all of these. The full House agreed and that is why debate did not occur.

Today we are expecting the joint committees to plow through these amendments and try to get the bill back on the full House floor for debate (called Second Reader) later in the day. Depending on how quickly the floor debate goes, they may get to the final vote late in the day.

Listen get to the audio of the debate here when the session begins.

Some background from Baltimore Sun's Annie Linskey. LInskey is on twitter here. The GOP Delegate who switched his vote to yes, Wade Kach, got lobbied by some GOP heavyweights. He is also under the protection of state police:

By far the biggest boost came in the morning when Republican Del. Wade Kach, who was considered a sure-fire no vote, threw his support behind O'Malley's bill. Kach had voted against the bill two days earlier in committee.

The Baltimore County delegate said he reached his decision after mulling the testimony he'd heard during a nearly 11-hour hearing on the bill last week and watching how same-sex couples supported one another. "I thought to myself, if my constituents were here, they'd have a different perspective on the issue," Kach said. "I'm sure of it."

He also became the target of a last-minute lobby effort, and said his voice mail was full of messages from important people, including Mehlman, Bloomberg and an offer to talk with former Vice President Dick Cheney, whom Kach regards as a "great man." All three are recognized for their support of gay rights issues.

Like all of the delegates interviewed, Kach said the out-of-state calls didn't have an impact on his decision making. As of Thursday morning, he had not returned any of them. "I'm more interested in talking to my constituents and my colleagues here," said Kach. "I just didn't call them back."

After announcing his position, the state police offered to provide Kach protection, aides to the delegate said. He accepted and was accompanied by a trooper in the State House on Thursday.

Read the rest of this post...

Web database documents everyone who support repeal of WA state domestic partners law

And the bigots are officially exposed. Read the rest of this post...

Update on marriage in Maryland from the Washington Post

They start again at 11am, apparently. The Washington Post has a good summary. I thought this argument was interesting. Though I think it's based on racial stereotypes. But it might help sway African-American legislators.

Del. Mary Washington (D-Baltimore), the only openly gay African American member of the legislature, has been working a different angle. She’s offering not so much an emotional appeal as a logical one.

“I want to talk about equal treatment under the law,” she explained. She’s a little tired of African Americans who dismiss the issue as one that matters only to a bunch of well-to-do gay white men.

Rich gay white folks, she argued, can hire expensive lawyers to write complex legal contracts to protect partners when it comes to benefits, medical issues and so forth. Marriage is nice, yes, but they don’t need necessarily need it to protect themselves.

When you look at the socioeconomics of it, Washington said, it’s black gays and lesbians who are more likely to be struggling with finances and unable to afford a lawyer to help them secure their lifetime partner’s pension, get access to medical insurance or untangle housing issues.

“I try to tell them that this is also about protecting our families, our poor and working- class people,” she said.

I know some "white gays" who couldn't get married, had a kid, and now are splitting up, and it's a mess because they were never able to get legally married in the first place.  (I'm also betting that there are a lot of "white gays" in Alabama and Mississippi who aren't any richer than anyone else in those states.)  Also, interesting that it was black gay leaders at CAP who recently tried to diss marriage equality's impact on the black community. Read the rest of this post...