The Minnesota House ensured that same-sex marriage is an issue debated there until next year’s election, but New Yorkers are continuing a push to get their legislature to vote for marriage equality in the next month:
– CALIFORNIA: Activists are divided as to whether voters should get the opportunity to repeal Prop 8 on the 2012 ballot or wait for it to work its way through the courts.
– CONNECTICUT: The Senate will today consider a gender identity protections bill that has already been approved by the House. Opponents continue to smear it as a “Bathroom Bill,” using stories of bathroom peeping toms as a scare tactic against protecting transgender people from discrimination.
– ILLINOIS: Same-sex couples are excited to begin getting civil unions next week, but activists will be busy counter-protesting an anti-gay rally. Just today, a last-minute amendment was added to a bill as one last attempt to provide special exemptions for religious adoption agencies to discriminate against same-sex couples.
– IOWA: The Iowa caucuses could be a proving ground for Republican candidates to determine their positions on LGBT equality.
– LOUISIANA: A House committee killed a bill that would have allowed same-sex couples to adopt.
– MINNESOTA: The House approved the constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, ensuring it will be on the 2012 ballot. Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) and the White House have spoken out against the ballot initiative.
– NEVADA: All three bills that would protect transgender Nevadans from discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations have passed the legislature. Gov. Brian Sandoval (R) has already signed one of them and intends to sign the other two. They will take effect October 1.
– NEW YORK: Gov. Andrew Cuomo continues to speak out in support of marriage equality, while opponents rally with religious cries of self-victimization. Today, though, labor leaders offered their support at City Hall in New York City.
– TENNESSEE: Following the passage of the bill overturning Nashville’s non-discrimination protections, the flip-flopping Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and its business membership continue to face blowback while opponents of equality boast the advance of hate.
– TEXAS: The Senate approved bills that support anti-bullying and suicide prevention initiatives while Rep. Wayne Christian’s (R) attempts to defund university LGBT resource centers seem to be stymied for now.
Keep track of how LGBT issues are advancing in the states at our State LGBT Watch.