Maine has the Marriage Signatures

Maine's activists have raised almost twice the required petition signatures to place marriage equality on the 2012 ballot. In 2009 the state legislature approved same-sex marriage, but that action was undone by the fascist criminals at NOM, who immediately launched their successful repeal campaign. No gay marriages ever took place in Maine.

"Not only were we incredibly successful at gathering signatures at the polls today, but volunteers all over the state met voters who have changed their minds on this issue in the last two years," said Betsy Smith, EqualityMaine Executive Director. EqualityMaine filled more than 500 volunteer shifts, from Aroostook to York County and many places in between. The enthusiasm was incredible, we had a volunteer in Gardiner who kept calling to extend her shift because she was so excited at how many people were signing," Mello said. Volunteers from around the state reported Mainers who said they'd had changes of heart since 2009. "I met a man today in Caribou, who told me he wouldn't have signed two years ago, but his daughter has now convinced him," said EqualityMaine Political Director Ali VanderZanden, who spent the day with volunteers in Aroostook County.

About 35,000 of the over 100K petitions were signed last month on Election Day.

Massachusets' Passes Transgender Equal Rights Bill

Massachusetts' transgender community had a reason to feel extra celebratory this holiday weekend, as the state's governor signed legislation Wednesday forbidding discrimination based on "gender identity" to anyone seeking housing, employment or post-secondary education.

As The Patriot Ledger is reporting, the Transgender Equal Rights Bill also expands the state's hate crime statutes to include violence against transgender men and women, although the removal of a provision that would have required all "sex-segregated facilities" such as rest rooms or locker rooms to grand admission to people based on gender identity was heavily criticized by many who considered it a key component.

"No individual should face discrimination because of who they are,” Patrick said in a statement. "This legislation gives Massachusetts the necessary tools to stop hate crimes against transgender people and to treat others fairly. I am proud to sign it."

In what may have been a nod to the provision's removal, Patrick added that state lawmakers would "come back around to public accommodations," according to the Ledger.

Patrick's decision to sign the bill, which had been widely expected, drew praise from many transgender rights advocates. “Gov. Patrick was a staunch advocate of the Transgender Equal Rights Bill from the earliest days of his administration,” Gunner Scott, executive director of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC), is quoted by LGBTQ Nation as saying in a statement. “We are so grateful for his leadership in getting this bill passed and for his unwavering commitment to ensuring that all residents of the Commonwealth, including transgender people, are treated with dignity and respect under the laws of our state."

When the bill takes effect next July, Massachusetts will become the 16th U.S. state, along with Washington, D.C., to offer vital protections against discrimination to its transgender residents.

Newt Gingrich views on LGBTQ equatlity

This is what a President Gingrich would mean to us...

-He has been an active and vocal supporter of placing an amendment banning marriage in the United States Constitution

-He has called marriage equality an aberration!

- He supports the lawsuit by Congressional Republicans to defend DOMA.

-He is even opposed to domestic partnerships in private industry.

-He is absolutely against adoption by same sex couples

-He is against the passage of ENDA

-He has personally called homosexuality a sin and should be treated as such.

-He explained in a radio interview last week that “the secular world,” which advocated same sex marriage, was connected to the United State’s economic downfall.

“The concept of family being between man and woman and the concept of all these core values that grow out of 3,000 years of Judeo-Christian tradition,” he said on Catholic Radio San Diego, according to On Top Magazine. “This is a direct threat to the entire secular world.”

-In an Iowa Conservative Forum Newt indicated he would 'abolish' or 'ignore' courts that made marriage equality decisions

With DADT Gone, Pentagon Decides Military Chaplains May Perform Gay Marriages

The Pentagon on Friday announced it would allow military chaplains to officiate the marriages of gay service members, including on a military installation, the AP reported.

Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Clifford Stanley issued the ruling in a memo released this morning.

“A military chaplain may participate in or officiate any private ceremony, whether on or off a military installation, provided that the ceremony is not prohibited by applicable state and local law,” Stanley wrote.

The ruling comes 10 days after the military ended an 18-year-old policy that banned gay and bisexual troops from serving openly, known as “Don't Ask, Don't Tell.” Full story here via On Top Magazine!