Senate Hearing On The Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act Scheduled

Originally posted at Lez Get Real. Thanks Paula!

S. 1102, The Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act, sponsored by Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT), and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) has been scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Dec. 16th, to consider amendments to the bill before voting to pass it on to the Senate floor for full debate. Lieberman is Chairman of that committee.

The Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act (DPBO) would provide the same family benefits to lesbian and gay federal civilian employees as are already provided to employees with different-sex spouses. To receive benefits, employees would have to submit an affidavit of eligibility for benefits with the Office of Personnel Management, certifying that the employee and domestic partner meet necessary criteria, as provided in the Act.

Last month the House Oversight and Government Relations Committee voted 23-12 to send its version of the DPBO Act, H.R. 2517, sponsored by Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) to the House floor for a vote.

In a ceremony at the White House in June, President Obama voiced his support for the measure.

Fifty-nine percent of Fortune 500 companies currently provide domestic partner benefits to their employees. In addition, 22 states, the District of Columbia, and over 150 local governments make benefits available to public employees and their same-sex partners. DPBO would bring employment practices in the federal government in line with those local governments and companies.

VIDEO: New Jersey Senate Judiciary Committee Approves Marriage Bill 7-6

From Blue Jersey, who blogged the public hearing live.

The New Jersey State Senate Judiciary Committee approved the marriage equality bill by a vote of 7-6, with amendments. Two Democrats voted no, while one Republican, Bill Baroni, voted yes. A vote on final passage in the full Senate is expected to be held on Thursday.

Also, thanks to Blue Jersey, I have how each senator voted:

NO - Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen): Chairman, opponent of marriage equality. Doesn't have a law degree.
NO - John Girgenti (D-Passaic): Vice Chairman
YES - Nia Gill (D-Essex): Black Senator from Montclair, a diverse college town with a large gay population. Strong supporter of marriage equality
YES - Ray Lesniak (D-Union): Sharp, articulate lawmaker who led the fight to abolish the death penalty in New Jersey. Strong supporter of marriage equality.
YES - Nick Scutari (D-Union): a supporter of marriage equality.
YES - Bob Smith (D-Middlesex): a supporter of marriage equality. Smith represents a liberal district in Central NJ which includes New Brunswick and Piscataway.
YES - Brian Stack (D-Hudson): a supporter of marriage equality. Stack is also mayor of Union City, and an powerful Hudson County political boss.
YES - Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen): the sponsor of the bill and a progressive stalwart in the legislature.
YES - Bill Baroni (R-Mercer): very smart, well-liked Republican, and a supporter of marriage equality
NO - Christopher Bateman (R-Somerset)
NO - Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth): a wild card, and an up-and-comer in the Republican party.
NO - Gerald Cardinale (R-Bergen): probably the most outspoken opponent on the committee. A dentist by trade; has no law degree.
NO - Joe Kyrillos (R-Monmouth): former R party chair, probably an opponent.

Supporter Gov. Jon Corzine, who has pledged to sign a marriage bill if it reaches his but will be replaced by anti-gay Republican Chris Christie in January, said in response:

I commend the Senate Judiciary Committee for allowing a thorough, open discussion on the proposed marriage equality law and approving the bill for action by the full Senate. This is an action that is long overdue. For far too long, a large segment of our population has been denied the fundamental rights and protections of a civil liberty that is granted to all Americans.

Throughout the history of our nation, New Jerseyans have been among the first to champion the fundamental rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness - from the fight for independence to the civil rights movement. By moving forward with marriage equality, today we have taken a significant step toward adding yet another chapter.

I am confident that through this process, the marriage equality issue will be recognized for what it truly is - a civil rights issue that must be approved to assure that every citizen is treated equally under the law.

Senate committee hears emotional testimony on same-sex marriage bill

Senate judiciary committee vote to approve same-sex marriage bill

First image: Matt Rainey/The Star-Ledger. See his slide show of hearing.

David Badash of The New Civil Rights Movement has more audio of testimony.

VIDEO: NOM's Brian Brown Faces D.C. Councilman and Marriage Equality Bill Sponsor David Catania

At yesterday's public hearing on D.C.'s marriage equality bill, Councilman and lead sponsor of the bill David Catania faced down the National Organization for Marriage Executive Director Brian Brown.


(video via NGBlog)

VIDEO: Second Half of D.C.'s Marriage Equality Hearing Happening Today

So many signed up for D.C.'s City Council public hearing on the proposed marriage equality bill, they had to split it in two. Last Monday over 100 people spoke. Today, 169 are scheduled to speak.



Watch the proceedings live.

VIDEO: Watch DC's Public Hearing on Their Marriage Equality Bill

With much thanks to NGBlog, I have some video to post for your viewing pleasure of some of the amazing and admittedly crazy testimony given yesterday by those against the marriage equality bill.

However, don't let these videos give the wrong impression. Michael Crawford of D.C. for Marriage says that out of the 100 testimonies yesterday, 79 were for marriage, 13 against equality, 8 no shows.

The #1 crazy testimony floating around the internet today is this woman. Who saw demons everywhere. She was the last to speak. What a way to end with a bang!



This woman talked about kids watching zoo animal sex and icky condoms. She never really got around to talking about marriage equality.



Here's the infamous Bishop Harry Jackson.



But thankfully, these types of speeches were few and far between. (You can see more here.)

Many were supportive and gave moving testimony. I'm looking for video of these, but in the meantime, you can view the opening of the hearing with the D.C. City Council expressing support.

Here's MyFoxDC's newsreport:



169 more people are expected to give testimony next Monday, November 2nd. It will be held at the same location, the the City Council chambers on the fifth floor of the John Wilson City Hall Building at 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.starting at 9:30am EST. You can watch it live here.

The Washington Post reports on the other hearing that day. Marriage equality opponents spoke before the Districts Board of Elections and Ethics urging for a Prop 8 style initiative. If board doesn't decide in their favor, they threaten to go to the courts. Again. But when they tried that last time, didn't they lose? YES.

Image: Marriage equality opponent Bishop Harry Jackson by MyFoxDC

Washington D.C. Marriage Equality Hearing Expects 269 People to Testify

Due to D.C. Councilman David Catania submitting a marriage equality bill that would legalize same-sex marriage in the nation's capital, several hearings on marriage equality will be held in Washington D.C. in the coming weeks, two to be held this Monday, October 26.

First on Monday, starting at 10am, marriage equality opponents led by Maryland's Bishop Harry Jackson and the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), will speak at the D.C.'s Board of Elections & Ethics hearing, urging them to grant their request for a Prop 8 style ballot initiative so that D.C. residents can vote on whether or not to allow same-sex marriage to be performed. (Get info to attend!)

When the City Council voted in May to recognize legal same-sex marriages performed outside its borders, Bishop Jackson failed to get an initiative off the ground to stop them, with the same Elections board turning him down. This time, he wants to avoid the marriages being performed in the District at all.

Jackson has faced harsh criticism for meddling in the District's affairs and not even being a resident.

At 3:30pm the City Council will begin one of two separate public hearings on the marriage equality bill itself (not to consider an initiative). Due to over 269 witnesses on both sides expected to testify, and with it being the largest public hearing since City Council member Phil Mendelson can remember, the board has decided to split the hearing in two, the second being on Monday, November 2.

This Monday's hearing will have the first 100 testimonies.

The DCist reports that each speaker will only get 3 minutes each. As for this Monday, "Bob Summersgill and Rick Rosendall, two local gay rights activists, open up the proceedings. Bob King, the Ward 5 ANC commissioner who has been part of the push for a referendum goes 7th, followed by Kathryn Pearson-West, a resident who has strongly sided with the pro-referendum forces in repeated postings to local online newsletters. Our favorite, Bishop Harry Jackson, will speak 14th, while influential gay Ward 8 activist Phil Pannell goes in the #45 slot. As for organizational showing, the Human Rights Campaign is flexing some muscle with six of the 100 testimonies."

The Council’s Committee on Public Safety & Judiciary will hold the hearing in the City Council chambers on the fifth floor of the John Wilson City Hall Building at 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.

Co-Chairs of D.C. for Marriage Michael Crawford and Hilary Treat wrote to members and residents, "Anti-equality activists led by National Organization for Marriage are pressuring members of the City Council to support a Prop 8 style ballot fight to ban marriage for same-sex couples. That makes telling our stories all the more important. By sharing our stories, we'll be making the most powerful case for marriage equality yet."

If you plan to attend and support marriage equality, show your support by wearing red.

Judge Sotomayor Questioned on Marriage Equality in Senate Hearing

During the Judge Sonia Sotomayor senate hearings yesterday, Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA) asked her a question related to marriage equality, but she refused to answer citing that an answer could affect the cases currently in the court system that are dealing with the issue.

However, Grassley pressed for an answer and referred to the Minnesota Baker v. Nelson case, in which the state Supreme Court ruled against two men applying for a marriage license. Sotomayor remarked she would have to review the case and return with comments.



This line of questioning is not surprising since many believe that the federal case against Prop 8 and the federal cases coming out of Massachusetts could make it to the Supreme Court. Leave it to a conservative senator to first bring it up and try to figure out how a possible future Supreme Court judge would rule.

W. Virginia Legislature Holds Public Hearing on Possible Marriage Equality Ban

On Tuesday, a public hearing with West Virginia lawmakers was held in which a ban on marriage equality was discussed.

Groups from both sides of the issue appeared. Members of Advocates for Change and Family Policy Center said allowing voters to make this decision lets people take ownership of the Constitution.

Fairness West Virginia was there to counter the argument for a referendum on marriage equality, stating it would create a dangerous and divisive atmosphere and sends a negative message to the gay community.

The State Journal reports that they randomly approached people asking for their opinion on marriage equality.

Locally we asked residents if they wanted the state to ban marriage between same sex couples. Nearly everyone we randomly approached on the street said they didn't have a problem with it.

Some criticized the state for denying men and women equal rights.

Cookie Henderson said, "Why would you take away their right to happiness?"

Ralph Mason said he's against it. He says that marriage is sacred between a man and woman.

James Cavanaugh told wtrf.com that if two people want to say they're in love and married then it is ok with me.

Fran Kinley of Wheeling says she doesn't have a problem with it and she says people should be tolerant of one another.

West Virginia State Senator Jack Yost though tells us that he believes marriage is between a man and a woman. He says though he can't say right now how he would vote if a ban of same sex marriage would come across his desk. He said he would have to see the bill and how it is worded.

The Legislature is taking time during the interim session to take a closer look at the possibility of amending the Constitution with a definition of marriage. If they vote in favor of that, voters across the state would make the final decision.

The state's Constitution has only been amended a handful of times.

Maine Marriage Bill Public Hearing Info Changed

An email from Equality Maine on the Maine Marriage Bill public hearing:

Today we received important information that the public hearing of our marriage bill has been changed to WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22 at the AUGUSTA CIVIC CENTER (Map).

Given the overwhelming number of people on both sides who are planning to attend the hearing, the Legislature made the decision to move the location to the Augusta Civic Center on the nearest available day, Wednesday April 22.

Now more than ever, we need you at the public hearing. RSVP to april22@equalitymaine.org. Include your name, address, and phone number.

This will be the most important day of the campaign outside the final vote. The media, legislators, governor, and the people of Maine will be watching. We cannot let the opposition outnumber us on this critical day.

Please spread the word to your friends and family. This will be a family-friendly event, with activities and spaces for children and their loved ones.

The hearing starts at 9am. Doors open at 8am. Large crowds are expected, please plan to arrive early.

Remember to RSVP to april22@equalitymaine.org. Once you RSVP, you will receive important details about the hearing.

We cannot win without you. See you on April 22.

Betsy Smith
Executive Director