SCOTUS will hear Same-Sex Marriage Arguments on April 28th

It just got real folks.

The Supreme Court just announced they will hear arguments over gay marriage bans in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and my home state, Tennessee on April 28th.

Read the announcement here

A little over than a month away.

A Federal Judge strikes down a part of Kentucky's Gay Marriage Ban

Whoa, sorry to be late on this, I was in some meetings.

Kentucky dropped a bomb today. U.S. District Judge John G. Heyburn II struck down a part of Kentucky’s marriage ban, recognizing valid same-sex marriages performed in other states!

Four same-sex couples brought the case up and now it's being completely challenged. Hopefully, soon they will consider destroying the whole ban, making marriage equality legal.

It must be something in the water.

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Virginia AG Mark Herring will Fight State's Gay Marriage Ban

A lot is happening in Virginia regarding the Gay marriage ban. As you watch this clip, you will see the new AG vow to fight the state's ban on gay marriage.

Now watch Fox News' spin on this

In Indiana: Elections committee advances HJR-3 to full House

Yesterday, the Indiana House Elections and Apportionment Committee moved the hateful HJR-3 forward to the House. Quick note, HJR-3 is a constitutional ban on gay marriage.

This bill was advanced due to a dick move by House Speaker Brian Bosma. He reassigned the amendment and a companion bill to the elections committee, claiming he was responding to the wishes of his caucus. However, it's not in the clear yet. This bill has to pass two General Assemblies and be approved by the public in order to be added in the state's Constitution... That could be found unconstitutional possibly?

So, was this move really necessary?

More to come.

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5 Reasons Why NC's Black Church needs to stay out of the Amendment One Battle

The Amendment One battle in North Carolina is hitting inferno status. From folks shooting and pissing on signs to a slew of marriage commercials, the fight to define marriage has everyone talking.

Perhaps one of the most watched factors in this debate is the participation of the Black clergy. It's not a secret that the Black church is split on the matter. NOM and Vote FOR Marriage NC has pulled out all of the shiny anti-gay toys to win this battle and sadly, several Black clergy have taken the bait.

But if they would stop for a minute, they would realize this anti-gay fight is wrong. In fact, it goes against the practices they love to preach. I know they will disagree with me, but I would give them 5 reasons why they should NOT side with NOM and Vote FOR Marriage NC for Amendment One.

NOM was exposed for race baiting. The leaked documents proved that NOM purposely wanted to divide our communities and cause drama. With that said, why would any Black clergy work with a group who wanted to create an divisive atmosphere? 
1. And speaking of divisiveness, there are few Bible verses that strikes down the action. Titus 3:10, 11 says: "Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned." Galatians 5:19-2l links divisiveness to witchcraft and enmity, and clearly states that anyone who is actively divisive will not inherit the kingdom of God. If these church leaders knew the Bible word for word, then they would see how NOM's tactics are not God-like.
Black clergy should also be mindful of the true nature of Amendment One; it's discriminatory. No church should support anything that reinforces discrimination. To use the Bible again, those who discriminate  “judges with evil thoughts,” you can find that one in James 2:1.
2. The wife of  North Carolina Sen. Peter Brunstetter, Jodie Brunstetter, was caught talking about one of the real reasons behind Amendment One. Supposedly, the anti-gay amendment was created to protect the White race. Once Jodie was confronted on this notion, she tried to cover her tracks; but the damage was done. Now, after hearing this story why would any Black church stand for this amendment? 
3. Some of the arguments used to support Amendment One mirrors the same arguments to keep Black people from working, going to school, voting and marrying outside our race.

For the leaders who are supporting Amendment One, please think about why you're doing this. Are to trying to protect God's way? If God is God, he doesn't need your protection. And if you are trying to preserve marriage, well you lost that battle years ago. So, please get out while you can.

Melissa Harris-Perry talks about Amendment One and the "wedge" between Black and Gay communities -VIDEO

Melissa talks with NC NAACP leader Dr. William Barber, Aisha Moodie-Mills, Kai Wright from Colorlines and Jennifer Chrisler from Family Equality Council about Amendment One and the trouble with Black and Gay voters.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

In Ohio: Gays hope to Repeal the Gay Marriage Ban - VIDEO

The White House condemns the North Carolina Marriage Amendment

Since the hateful marriage amendment will be on the ballot in North Carolina, the White House issued a statement:

“The President has long believed that gay and lesbian couples deserve the same rights and legal protections as straight couples. That’s why he has called for repeal of the so-called ‘Defense of Marriage Act’ and determined that his Administration would no longer defend the constitutionality of DOMA in the courts. He has also said that the states should determine for themselves how best to uphold the rights of their own citizens.

While the President does not weigh in on every single action taken by legislative bodies in our country, the record is clear that the President has long opposed divisive and discriminatory efforts to deny rights and benefits to same sex couples. The President believes strongly in stopping laws designed to take rights away.”

The good thing is the majority of the people of NC oppose this amendment.

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Interesting Quote: Rev. William Barber

”Our legislature and all North Carolinians should focus on providing sound basic education for every child; equal access to good health care; living wages; workers rights; recovery from natural disasters; and protections for maximum voter turnout.


Who can tell thousands of families living without health care that they are better served by the legislature debating whether to amend the Constitution to address a personal religious issue in a way that will enshrine discrimination into the sacred document?


Who wants to stand in the face of parents whose children are receiving a sub-par education at woefully under-resourced public schools that their primary concern should be about our legislature dictating which families are worthy of the law’s protections and which ones are not?


Who would dare go to unemployed workers and tell them they should clamor to see another group of North Carolinians forever excluded from the guarantee of equal protection under the laws rather than demand that we work to provide jobs and economic empowerment for them so they can feed their families and keep a roof over their heads?


Who will look in the eyes of women victimized by brutal sterilization and tell them to put their pain and hurt aside and join the chorus of those who want to write laws that hurt other people?


The NAACP strongly urges you to reject the so-called same sex amendment and any other present or future proposals of constitutional amendments that would permanently deprive any person in our great state of his or her inalienable rights.”

Rev. William Barber is the NAACP president in NC. He sent a open to all North Carolinians to condemn marriage amendment.

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Take a Look at the North Carolina's Marriage Amendment

H61- NC's Constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

Rep. Michele Bachmann wants to be Anti-Gay to Win Votes

The Eyes of Michele Bachmann don't lie... She's an idiot!

Especially after cheering her state's effort to ban gay marriage at the Faith and Freedom Coalition conference this weekend.

She hopes that other states follow Minnesota's hateful stance. Listen to this she-mess:

Oh Snap! Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton Vetoes the Anti-Gay Marriage Amendment

Great Hera! The Governor has vetoed the gay marriage ban in Minnesota! Please watch

Watch live streaming video from theuptake2 at livestream.com

WATCH: Rachel Maddow talks about the Gay Marriage Drama in Minnesota

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UPDATED: Anti-Gay Marriage Amendment will be on the 2012 Ballot in Minnesota

In a late night move yesterday, the Minnesota House voted to put the Gay Marriage ban on the ballot for 2012.

And if the five-hour House debate is any indication, Minnesotans are in for 18 months of emotional and hard-fought campaigning. The campaign is expected to bring in millions of dollars for both sides.

An hour after the House voted 70-62 to ask voters to decide whether marriage should be defined as between a man and a woman, those opposed to the amendment launched their campaign, Minnesotans United for All Families.

Bill sponsor Rep. Steve Gottwalt, R-St. Cloud, said the issue is so important that the public should decide it.

“Not all wisdom resides here in the state Legislature and not all wisdom resides in our courts,” Gottwalt said as debate wound down.

As votes were tallied, “just vote no” chants came from outside the House chamber.
Opponents said they do not like where the amendment campaign could take Minnesota.
“That makes me fear for our state,” Rep. Kate Knuth, DFL-New Brighton, said.

WATCH how this went down

All eyes will be on Minnesota in the upcoming months. I can't believe our rights are up for a vote.

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Gay Marriage Drama from State to State

In Minnesota, their Rules Committee of the House approved a floor vote on the constitutional gay marriage amendment. The committee voted 13-12 to put it before the full House.

In North Carolina, thousands of haters rally for a constitutional ban on gay marriage. Tony Perkins leads this group of ignorant fools in this silly crusade.

In Rhode Island, their House Committee passed the same-sex civil union bill, 9-3.

And in New York, gay marriage struggles to gain ground for support. However, Mayor Micheal Bloomberg endorses gay marriage and calls for a floor vote to see where folks stand.

WATCH: Rep. Steve Simon calls out the Supporters of the Gay Marriage Ban in Minnesota

This is from the House Civil Law Committee meeting yesterday in Minnesota. They were debating an amendment to make marriage solely between a man and woman. Rep. Steve Simon had this this to say:

Great point made by Steve, however the House committee voted 10-7 to allow Minnesotans to vote on a constitutional amendment that could ban gay marriage in their state.

For more on this story go here

In Minnesota: The Senate Committee approves Gay Marriage Ban

The gay marriage ban is moving fast in Minnesota. Yesterday, the haters in the state Senate committee passed a bill that will allow folks to vote on banning gay marriage.

The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the bill 8-4, with all Republicans in favor and all Democrats opposed. Passage by the full Senate and the House appears likely with solid Republican majorities in both chambers, meaning voters in 2012 would be asked to enshrine in Minnesota's Constitution a prohibition on same-sex marriage that already exists in state law.

Supporters said the constitutional definition of marriage is important enough to give the final say to voters, rather than elected officials or judges. Critics said the bill reflects a narrow religious agenda that doesn't belong in the state Constitution and that a months-long, divisive debate will distract from more important issues facing the state.

It's the first time in five years that a Minnesota legislative committee held a hearing on gay marriage. Two hours of testimony from both sides grew heated at times, and an overflow crowd that didn't fit into the Capitol hearing room could nonetheless be heard loudly cheering at pivotal moments as they watched nearby on closed-circuit TV.

The chief Senate sponsor of the bill, Republican Sen. Warren Limmer of Maple Grove, said a recent Hennepin County lawsuit challenging Minnesota's statute banning gay marriage demonstrated the need for a stronger constitutional prohibition. A judge dismissed that challenge earlier this year, but Limmer said it showed the risk to the traditional definition of marriage.

"This issue is on track to go forward to our court system," Limmer said.

More to come as this issue continues.

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Indiana Senate approves banning gay marriage

Mess! Mess! Mess!

The Indiana Senate has the nerve to approved a possible amendment banning gay marriage and civil unions by a vote of 40-10.

If the General Assembly passes the measure again in 2013 or 2014, it would go to the voters in 2014, before the state constitution can be amended.


The Indiana House already approved the measure.


Democratic Sen. Tim Lanane of Anderson argued that attitudes toward same-sex marriages are rapidly changing and the amendment would make it difficult for future changes in state law.


Current state law prohibits gay marriages. Amendment sponsor Sen. Dennis Kruse of Auburn says the measure would provide maximum protection for the basic family unit of society.

This is ridic! Protection for the family unit? How? How, does ban gay marriage protect the family? If they can prove that to be true... Oh, they can't!

Indiana Continues their Anti-Gay Marriage push

Indiana, come on! It's already known as one of the racist states in the US and now this?

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 7-3 Wednesday to pass a resolution amending Indiana’s Constitution to ban gay marriage.

The resolution now goes to the full Senate, where it has passed five times in the past.
The vote was along party lines, with Democrats against.

Indiana state law already limits marriage to between one man and one woman, but supporters want the language inserted into the state Constitution so judges can’t overturn the law in the future. 

The proposed language specifically says “only a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Indiana. A legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized.”

The second sentence effectively would ban legislators from enacting civil unions in the future.
If the resolution passes the Senate again, no other action is necessary this session because it already passed the House.

The General Assembly would need to approve the measure again in 2013 or 2014 before reaching a statewide ballot for Hoosiers to make the final decision in 2014.

Indiana, get with the times and get it together


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Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) leads the push for a Gay Marriage Ban in D.C.

In hopes to gain votes and support from hate groups, certain GOP fools will pursue legislation to ban gay marriage in D.C.

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), chairman of the conservative Republican Study Committee (RSC), told The Hill that he will push for a vote on the controversial issue in the 112th Congress. The RSC has 175 members. “I think RSC will push for it, and I’m certainly strongly for it. I don’t know if we’ve made a decision if I’ll do it or let another member do it, but I’m 100 percent for it,” Jordan said.

In the last Congress, Jordan was the lead sponsor on the D.C. Defense of Marriage Act. The bill was introduced after the D.C. City Council and then-Mayor Adrian Fenty indicated they would recognize same-sex marriages.

Jordan’s measure garnered 53 co-sponsors last year. But it is expected to attract more support in the GOP-led House in 2011.

This is so ridic! Why are they interfering in this?  Idiots! And let's remember Jim's name. He should be on the list of folks to vote out of office.

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