US Senate to Vote on Respect for Marriage Act – Call Today

lesbian wedding

Today, the United States Senate may hold a procedural vote to forward the process of passing the ‘Respect for Marriage Act’ – federal recognition of marriage equality. The Respect for Marriage Act, abbreviated as RFMA (H.R. 8404, S. 4556), is a bill in the United States Congress to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and require the U.S. federal government to recognize the validity […]

Baby, Don’t You Dare Sleep While I Drive

Missed exits

This morning after I dropped my wife at her office, I came home and dragged out the snowshovel with a beatup broom to the front street. One of the trash bags with our cat litter had broken open and the trash folx just left it there in the middle of the street. The edges of […]

While We Are Talking Equality …

While We Are Talking Equality …

Other good stuff happened … In New York, openly gay State Assemblyman Danny O'Donnell has announced the introduction of a marriage equality bill.  He announced it by Twitter.  You can follow him @DanielJODonnell  How can you not follow this guy?  It would be like denying yourself a breath of fresh air.  I just nearly gassed […]

Good Legislative Stuff Happens in PA, too

Good Legislative Stuff Happens in PA, too

It is hard to keep up with the good stuff, but I'm sure you want to know about it …. Anti-Discrimination HB 300 sponsored by Representative Dan Frankel SB 910 sponsored by Senator Lawrence Farnese These bills will expand the Human Relations Act to include sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes. […]

Blog for Equality Pgh 2011 – Tuesday May 10, 2011

(scroll down for links to the 2011 Blog for Equality participating blogs) When it comes to LGBTQ equality blogswarms in Pgh, we've had good company back in 2008 and 2010.  I'm sad that we need to rally the troops once again to stand up against yet another attempt to amend the Pennsylvania Constitution in order […]

Diane Gramley and the AFA of PA weigh in on “marriage amendment”

Diane Gramley and the AFA of PA weigh in on “marriage amendment”

They have a fancy new website which makes it easier for me to find the press releases since they keep kicking me off their email lists … On HB 1434 “Representative Metcalfe understands the need to do more than simply protect the word ‘marriage.’  A strong two-part amendment is what is needed to preserve the institution […]

More on Marriage Amendment

More on Marriage Amendment

UPDATE: I didn't dig deep enough when I originally posted.  Western PA Reps Krieger and Mustio also cosponsor this legislation. My apologies. ********************************************************************** Metcalfe's plan to amend the Pennsylvania Constitution begins in the State Government Committee of which he is the Majority Chair. As Chair, he has the power to bring the amendment to a […]

Metcalfe introduces “Marriage Protection” constitutional amendment

Metcalfe introduces “Marriage Protection” constitutional amendment

From the Trib … Metcalfe, R-Cranberry, who chairs the House State Government Committee, on Monday announced he is sponsoring a constitutional amendment to define marriage. It would need to be approved in two successive sessions of the Legislature and would then be submitted for approval or rejection by the state's voters. The earliest that could […]

Update on pro-equality legislation in Pennsylvania

Update on pro-equality legislation in Pennsylvania

State Representive Cohen has introduced a measure that would expand existing law to recognize civil unions.   HB708 has several familiar cosponsors, including Dan Frankel, Jake Wheatley, Chelsa Wagner, Dom Costa, Paul Costa, Mark Gergely.  41 sponsors in total. This legislation has been referred to the Judiciary Committee as of February 12, 2011. Several cosponsors sit in […]

Trib Letter to the Editor Prognosticates Intro of Pro-Gay PA Legislation

Trib Letter to the Editor Prognosticates Intro of Pro-Gay PA Legislation

John DeBartola from the Keystone Alliance/Gaylife Newsletter wrote to the Trib earlier this month.  He forecasts introduction of 4 pieces of pro-LGBTQ legislation:  marriage, civil unions, hate crimed and non-discrimination legislation. Both [Senator] Leach and [Rep.] Cohen have agreed to submit their respective bills for marriage equality and civil unions on Feb 7. Rep. Dan […]