With so many gay marriage bills on the docket in state legislatures across the country, it’s hard to keep track of them all. To make it easy, we’ve put the horse race in perspective. Here’s a snapshot of marriage equality legislation in the United States today. Anyone want to bet on the odds?
dgz
my money’s on Secretariat to win, Gay Horse to place, and Right Winger to show.
but we’ll get a triple crown winner, yet. our symbol IS a triangle, after all.
love the graphic.
Wayne
New Hampshire or Vermont seem poised to cross the finish line and join the winners circle.
ChristopherJ
@dgz: seriously, cute as hell (:
Spartacus
Nevada SB 283
Alec
I’m guessing MA and CT, the states that already have marriage equality, are ahead, having crossed the finish line. Seemingly tied for third place are the states that recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions, followed closely by those that recognize civil unions and domestic partnerships. Internationally, the Netherlands won the race in 2000.
epluribusunum
I find it odd that Illinois is not included in here.
Despite some radical attempts by our local morman population to silence the attempt, a civil unions bill recently left the House committee and moved to general debate in only two weeks time.
It is scheduled for another debate shortly.
RichardR
How would this work in D.C.? Isn’t D.C. controlled by Congress?
Chitown Kev
The Iowa supreme Court rules on Same-Sex Marriage tomorrow! 8:30AM
Alec
@Chitown Kev: You’re closer to Iowa than I am. What are the prospects? I noticed that the overwhelming majority of justices were appointed by a relatively pro-gay Democrat, but that’s no guarantee. I note that they’re selected first by a commission, which does tend to depoliticize the process.
A wise, strategic selection by Lambda Legal, I must say.
Chitown Kev
@Alec:
Iowa actually has a more sizeable gay population than you would think, I am very slightly on the optimistic side but I’ll keep my fingers and toes crossed, anyway.
This will have a lot of ramifications for Illinois, perhaps even moreso than the Prop 8 decision in California.
CHP
I’m hopeful that IOWA will be next!
Mad Professah
Vermont House is voting on their marriage equality bill today, too.
Aren’t any states voting on simple non-discrimination bills already? Especially to ban discrimination on gender identity?
atdleft
@Spartacus: Thanks for posting this! Here’s a recent story from The LV Sun:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/mar/16/bill-would-give-gays-same-rights-married-couples/
Basically, SB 283 would create a domestic partner registry just like California’s and Oregon’s (and may soon be in Washington state, too). While it isn’t marriage, it’s progress considering Nevada passed a marriage ban in 2002. Hopefully soon, we can repeal the marriage ban there just as we will soon get rid of H8 in CA (either by the court this year or by the ballot next year). But until then, this is a good first step in the supposed home state of “Sin City” and “easy marriages”.
atdleft
Btw, here’s the next from the Nevada Legislature:
http://www.leg.state.nv.us/75th2009/Bills/SB/SB283.pdf
Hey, CA & New England can’t have all the fun! 😉
Mark
As usual, Canada wins.
Family Fairness
Excellent visualization! It’s so hard to keep up with everything that’s going on at once, though it’s great that we’re making progress all over the place. This is such a helpful way to review what’s been happening.
I hope this will be a graphic that keeps getting updates.
Alec
@Mark: Did Canada beat the Netherlands? If so, I missed it.
Dan
This is a great way to get a quick perspective!
Many states don’t have employment protections. Any movement there?
DonG90806
@RichardR: The DC City Council passes the law, the mayor signs the law, and then Congress has 30 legislative days to overturn the law. This will be very interesting because it will put Democratic members of Congress on the spot to “explain” their “NO” votes.