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 the Judiciary Committee.

State Senator Daylin Leach introduced a similarly timed bill to extend marriage to same sex couples.  SB 461 was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee on February 9, 2011. More on why Senator is ardent on this issue.

In addition, State Representative Josh Shapiro is poised to introduce legislation which would amend the Hate Crimes statute to include sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. 

Also, Representative Dan Frankel from right here in Pittsburgh plans to reintroduce legislation that expands protected class to include sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.  This would provide protectsion in housing, public accomadation and in the workplace. 

Interesting situation to have 4 critical pieces of legislation in a state controlled by Republicans.  I'm sure there's a strategy.  I'll keep you informed on any momentum these pick up as well as the potential reintroduction of marriage discrimination legislation to put a DOMA referendum before the voters. 

From Thursday's Post-Gazette comes word of a new LGBTQ radio program called "The Gay Agenda"

The idea behind "The Gay Agenda," which airs on FM 92.1 from 4:30 to 5 p.m. Thursdays, is to discuss issues of concern to people in the gay community of greater Pittsburgh. The show began in January, and has included visits from people in the local gay community and discussions about crimes against gays and other topics.

Mr. Elko said he is involved with the project partly because of his commitment to social and community betterment.

"I feel an obligation to shed light on GLBT issues. ... Where there's ignorance, there's potential for fear," he said, noting that there is a higher suicide rate among young gays than among their straight peers

I urge you to read the story to see why the co-hosts signed on for this volunteer project.  Kudos to Pitt to bringing a pro-LGBTQ show back to the airwaves.

The Defense of Marriage Act took another blow this when the Department of Justice (part of the Executive Branch) anounced it will no longer defend DOMA in court.  Pittsburgh's own Reg Henry weighs in with a very pragmatic priece.

DOMA, on the other hand, is increasingly uncool, being social and religious prejudice written into law.

I am of the view that if you don't like gay marriage, don't marry a gay person. Otherwise, shut up and mind your own business.

However, isn't part of the president's job defending the indefensible? The president, under the Constitution, is supposed to take care that the laws are faithfully executed. It is the Supreme Court that is ultimately supposed to decide whether laws are constitutional.

Mostly I fear the return of the culture wars, the greatest excuse for avoiding the nation's real problems that was ever invented. I fear the prospect of Rick Santorum getting on his high horse and saying, "DOMA, he's making eyes at me!"

Still, to the extent it encourages a put-upon minority, I am glad.

The attorney general issued a statement, part of which I believe addresse Reg's concerns.

After careful consideration, including a review of my recommendation, the President has concluded that given a number of factors, including a documented history of discrimination, classifications based on sexual orientation should be subject to a more heightened standard of scrutiny.   The President has also concluded that Section 3 of DOMA, as applied to legally married same-sex couples, fails to meet that standard and is therefore unconstitutional.   Given that conclusion, the President has instructed the Department not to defend the statute in such cases.   I fully concur with the President's determination.

Consequently, the Department will not defend the constitutionality of Section 3 of DOMA as applied to same-sex married couples in the two cases filed in the Second Circuit.   We will, however, remain parties to the cases and continue to represent the interests of the United States throughout the litigation.   I have informed Members of Congress of this decision, so Members who wish to defend the statute may pursue that option.   The Department will also work closely with the courts to ensure that Congress has a full and fair opportunity to participate in pending litigation.  

Furthermore, pursuant to the President ' s instructions, and upon further notification to Congress, I will instruct Department attorneys to advise courts in other pending DOMA litigation of the President's and my conclusions that a heightened standard should apply, that Section 3 is unconstitutional under that standard and that the Department will cease defense of Section 3.

This is not a blanket denial of the appropriate role of the DOJ, but a clear statement that DOMA cases will be subjust to a higher level of scrutiny based on the Administration's interpreation of certain segments of the law.  My understanding is that the DOJ does not routinely defend every such case anyway, but we must be wary of greater state momentum to implement DOMA state by state.  This, of course, includes Pennsylvania. 

North Carolina is already pushing an constitutional amendment. 

Advocates have been warning for years that the increasing tangled web of equality will create a myriad of problem for everyone, including the IRS.  If marriage equality challenges to DOMA are subject to a heightened level of scrutiny, what impact will that have on the courts and the 10th Amendment?

It is complicated my friends, but imperative that we try to stay on top of these changes.  And even more imperative that we work hard to elect pro-LGBTQ officials locally and statewide.

Good news from Maryland.  

The fight for marriage equality in Maryland took a giant step forward tonight as the State Senate voted to approve a bill that extends legal marriage to same-sex couples.  The  legislation now heads to the House of Delegates for debate.  If it wins approval in the lower chamber, Maryland Gov. Martin O?Malley has vowed to sign the bill into law.

The bill?s openly gay co-author, Sen. Rich Madaleno, was a leading force in persuading his colleagues to support the measure.  Madaleno told Gay Politics last year that an increase in the number of openly gay and lesbian state legislators would have an impact on their straight colleagues.  ?Just by having out people there to participate in the conversation fundamentally alters the discussion.  The tenor of the conversation changes.  It humanizes it,? Madaleno said.

Maryland has seven openly gay and lesbian state lawmakers, six of whom serve in the House of Delegates.

Obviously good news, but also note the role that electing LGBTQ legislators on the state level played in changing the conversation. In Maryland, LGBTQ legislators "humanize" the rhetoric around the dialogue --- "gays" suddenly become your colleagues leading lives probably similar to the other electeds. 

While we don't have this dialogue on a state level, a positive step forward is electing local leaders who are openly gay and willing to have those significant conversation.  City Councilman Bruce Kraus, for example, changes the dynamic on the regional level simply by being at the table as a peer to those who might otherwise not really know an openly gay person.  Electeds don't have to preach, they simply need to be themselvces as they work on budget, parking and gas drilling issues. 

Meanwhile, Hawaii has embraced civil unions.  The legislation was signed by the Governor and goes into effect in January 2012.  This makes civil unions available to both same sex and opposite sex couples.  Read what Hawaii Equality has to report on how the legislation moved forward and what sort of impact this step toward marriage equality will have for resident of Hawaii.

Pennsylvania has legislation for both civil unions (House Bill 708) and mariage equality (SB461 ) on the table. It will be interesting to see how these bills progress through a very Republican controlled state government. 

This looks interesting ...

GOT MESSAGE? Would you like to add to the progressive message and maybe win a few hundred bucks? The Pittsburgh 14th Ward Independent Democratic Club is holding a contest for best visual - film, video, slide show, performance art, stand-up, whatever you can record - that inspires people to action toward progressive goals.

START NOW! (You can enter something you've already done, too

Sounds interesting. The winning pieces will be part of the Club's annual fundraiser.

For more details go here