Afternoon Roll-Up: Marriage Equality Battlegrounds!

Marriage Equality Activists To Rally In D.C.

WASHINGTON (AP) – Activists from D.C.’s gay community plan to hold a meeting to rally people around the campaign to allow gay couples to marry in D.C.

Advocates said Wednesday they’ve scheduled the gathering for 7 p.m. on Sept. 30, at the True Reformer Building on U Street northwest. They are dubbing the event a “call to action” to legalize same-sex marriage in the city.

D.C. leaders recently voted to recognize such unions performed in other states and countries. Council member David Catania has said he intends to introduce a bill by the end of the year that would allow same-sex wedding ceremonies to be performed in Washington.

At the September gathering, organizers say they will outline steps residents can take to help make the anticipated legislation successful.

This article originally published via the Associated Press

Wisconsin AG Believes Domestic Partner Law Is Flawed

MADISON — Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen has explained why he refused to defend the state’s new domestic partnership law in court.

In a letter to Gov. Jim Doyle last week, Van Hollen said he believes the state could offer some benefits to same-sex couples, but not “in this current form.”

He said domestic partnerships violate the state’s ban on gay marriage by creating a legal status that is “substantially similar” to traditional marriage. He noted the criteria for forming both relationships are nearly identical.

Van Hollen’s decision forced Doyle to hire an outside attorney to defend the law against the challenge brought by members of Wisconsin Family Action.

This article was originally published via the Associated Press

Gay Rights Activists, Opposition Both Complain Of Wrongdoing; Preparing to Appeal

OLYMPIA — For a month, rotating teams of gay-rights supporters and opponents have crowded into a basement room, watching as state workers check every signature on a referendum that seeks to overturn the latest expansion of gay rights.

They have not become friends. In fact, they’ve had complaints.

Religious conservatives with Protect Marriage Washington, the group trying to put Referendum 71 on the ballot, speak of a chumminess between elections workers and gay-rights supporters that excludes them.

They’ve complained about signature checkers who wear headphones while they work, saying the music could be distracting. They’ve accused staff of speeding up the count, which they believe has led to the rejection of more signatures. They’ve complained that supervisors have rolled their eyes at their concerns … READ MORE

Maine Marriage Campaign Draws Complaint

AUGUSTA (AP) — A California-based gay rights group has filed a complaint with Maine’s campaign oversight agency against groups pushing for a people’s veto vote in November on Maine’s new gay marriage law.

Californians Against Hate founder Fred Karger filed a complaint with the ethics commission asking for an investigation into what he alleges is illegal fundraising reporting. Karger says the groups are contributing to the Stand for Marriage campaign without reporting the names of their donors.

The ethics commission is likely to decide whether to order an investigation during its October meeting, according to its executive director Jonathan Wayne.

Stand for Marriage co-chair Bob Emrich said Wednesday the complaint is bogus and that the groups have been very careful to follow the reporting law.

Marriage Equality Opponents Target Iowa

DES MOINES — A group that helped to outlaw gay marriage in California is turning its focus to Iowa, hoping to begin the process of overturning a state Supreme Court decision earlier this year that legalized same-sex marriage.

The National Organization for Marriage has launched the Reclaim Iowa Project, targeting legislative races in the state in an effort to elect candidates who support putting the issue of gay marriage before voters.

“Iowa is important because the Supreme Court decision was so against the will of the people of Iowa and the Legislature and Gov. (Chet) Culver showed absolutely no backbone in giving the people the right to have their voices heard,” said Brian Brown, the organization’s executive director … READ MORE

NJ Bishops Campaign Against Marriage Equality

Roman Catholic bishops in New Jersey have begun a new campaign opposing same-sex marriage.

The push comes in anticipation of a possible vote on the issue by state lawmakers after the November election.

At the bishops’ direction, a 2,300-word letter was distributed in parish bulletins last Sunday. It notes long-standing Catholic teaching that marriage is “the union of one man and one woman.”