civil unions

The AP reports that voters in three states will decide this fall on whether to reverse gay rights initiatives ranging from anti-discrimination measures to marriage benefits.

In Maine, voters will decide whether or not to uphold the state's legalization of same-sex marriage. In Washington state, a so-called "everything but marriage" law that expands the state's current domestic partnership law will be on the ballot. And in Kalamazoo, Mich., voters will decide on an ordinance that prohibits discrimination against gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender individuals.

The Washington Post reports:

President Obama made clear that he favors the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act [DOMA], and intends to ask Congress to repeal the 13-year-old law that denies benefits to domestic partners of federal employees and allows states to reject same-sex marriages performed in other states.

Governments and citizens are accepting gay partnerships at a rapid pace. The recent Iowa court's meaningful decision was followed four days later by the Vermont Legislature’s legalizing gay marriage over Gov. Jim Douglas’ veto. Then the Washington, D.C., City Council unanimously voted to recognize same-sex marriages from other states. And President Obama personally invited families headed by gay and lesbian couples to this year’s Easter Egg Roll.

The Vermont House passed a same-sex marriage bill by 95-52, which is not enough of a margin to override a veto promised by the governor.

The vote came late in the day after five hours of debate before a crowded chamber, said the group Vermont Freedom To Marry, in a posting on its website.

"It's a testament to the power of telling our stories," said Beth Robinson, a spokeswoman for the group. "We know we've got more work to do in the run-up to the override vote."

Last week, the bill passed the Senate 26-4.

Gay couples can marry in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Civil unions are granted in Vermont, New Jersey, California and New Hampshire. And Oregon, Washington and the District of Columbia issue domestic partnerships.

The AP reports that supporters of gay marriage say 2009 could be the year Illinois seriously considers establishing civil unions, but opponents say the pendulum of public support is swinging the other way.

Hawaii's House passed a civil union bill yesterday by a vote of 33-15, one vote short of a veto-proof majority:

President-elect Barack Obama has posted his plan to strengthen civil rights for gay Americans, and his agenda is more comprehensive than anything proposed from an incoming president.

The Obama-Biden Plan includes:

* Expand Adoption Rights: Barack Obama believes that we must ensure adoption rights for all couples and individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation. He thinks that a child will benefit from a healthy and loving home, whether the parents are gay or not.