Equally Speaking
The following is a transcript of HRC’s morning news webcast "Equally Speaking." To view the current videos visit the main Equally Speaking page.
Good morning, and thanks for tuning in to Equally Speaking, your morning dose of GLBT news from the Human Rights Campaign for Wednesday, March 5th. I’m Bradley Mayer.
And I’m Cuc Vu. First up, news from California.
Yesterday, the California Supreme Court heard oral arguments in six cases challenging the constitutionality of state laws denying marriage equality to same-sex couples. A decision is expected in early June. Meanwhile, opponents of marriage equality in California are collecting signatures to put a discriminatory marriage amendment on the ballot in November. For more on HRC’s work towards marriage equality in California, visit the Backstory blog at www.hrcbackstory.org.
Two Oregon lawmakers have filed an initiative to repeal the state’s domestic partnership law, which went into effect last month. Supporters of the repeal have until July 3rd to collect 83,000 signatures to place a measure on the November ballot. Two groups who attempted to force a referendum on the law in 2007 are under investigation for violating campaign finance laws.
Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley testified yesterday in support of a bill that would amend the state’s civil rights laws to include gender identity and expression. As the state’s top law enforcement officer, Coakley is the highest ranking and most influential official to support the bill. She regularly expressed support for marriage equality during her 2006 campaign for attorney general.
A new study shows same-sex couples in Arizona generally make less money, are less likely to own a home, and have fewer resources to raise children than their married counterparts. 63 percent of same-sex couples own their homes in Arizona compared with 81 percent of married couples. Almost 17,000 same-sex couples live in the state.
A state representative’s attempt to push through legislation to amend the Iowa constitution to ban same-sex marriage has failed. The issue of same-sex marriage is currently being reviewed by the Iowa Supreme Court. Last year, a lower court ruled Iowa’s 1998 marriage law defining marriage as only between a man and a woman was unconstitutional.
Sydney, Australia celebrated its 30th annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras this year. The event began in 1978 as a protest march and has grown into one of the world’s largest gay pride events. Around 300,000 people attended, and 10,000 marched in the parade.
That’s the news from us today. Thanks for tuning in to Equally Speaking.
Have a great day, and we’ll see you back here again tomorrow morning.