Roundup of recent news and commentary

Perry case

Andrew Sullivan, of The Atlantic's Daily Dish, responds to commentary by law professor Vikram Amar. He thinks that whether or not the Perry case reaches the Supreme Court, the trial record gives the case "educational" merit.

Domestic partnerships

The New Mexico Independent reports that after a hearing yesterday by a state Senate Committee, a domestic partnership bill (SB 183) is "on life support." (KOB.com has a video clip on the hearing, showing a gallery "packed" with supporters and opponents.) One participant in the hearing threatened "political payback" if legislators approve the bill, and claimed that "this legislation is a prerequisite for same-sex marriage." Although Governor Bill Richardson supports the legislation, a new governor may oppose it.

Marriage equality

On January 30th, Pennsylvania state Senator Daylin Leach discussed his marrriage-equality bill, SB 935, at the 2010 Pennsylvania Progressive Summit in Harrisburg. I have found no report on what he said. Philebrity has video coverage of comments on marriage equality by gubernatorial candidates - and its own "translation" of their statements.

Advance America calls upon Indiana citizens to lobby for a super-DOMA amendment to the state constitution, after the state Senate (again) approved the amendment (S.J.R. 13).

Jeremiah G. Dys is Executive Director of the Family Policy Council of West Virginia. He has just recycled an editorial about why West Virginia voters should be allowed to decide on a constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. I say "recycled," because the editorial has appeared elsewhere.

Last month, Rep. Jason Chaffetz introduced H.R. 4430, to compel D.C. to hold an election on its marriage equality law - notwithstanding court decisions that a vote would violate the D.C. Human Rights Act. DCAgena reports on the bill here. The National Organization for Marriage announces that a companion bill will be introduced soon in the Senate. The Senate proposal already has 9 co-sponsors.

Adoption

Gideon Alpers, of the Gay Couples Law Blog, explains why a judge in Florida has decided to uphold a gay parent's adoption, even though gay adoption has been illegal since 1977.