Roundup of recent news and commentary

Perry case

Judge Walker's sexual orientation remains a target of ad hominem attack. Opponents of same-sex marriage continue to impugn his impartiality and integrity, with a perceived claim to advantage in public perception, however he rules. Do any readers see signs of a smear campaign? Sympathetic media provide an echo chamber for a statement by the National Organization for Marriage. (See, for example the Baptist Press.) Marriage Equality New York asks why his sexual orientation matters, and so does Rusty Shackleford of LegalMatch Law Blog.

"Suzanne Goldberg, Director of Columbia Law School’s Sexuality & Gender Law Clinic and the Center for Gender & Sexuality Law filed a friend of the court brief this week in Perry v. Schwarzenegger on behalf of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Foundation." (Gender & Sexuality Law Blog)

Constitutional amendments - New Hampshire, Iowa, and Indiana

Yesterday in New Hampshire, the House Judiciary Committee voted against a proposed constitutional amendment (CACR 28) that would invalidate the state's marriage-equality law. "Gay marriage opponents know their chance of success on such measures in New Hampshire is slim, but they want to keep the issue before voters in hopes Republicans will regain control of the State House from Democrats in November and succeed then in banning gay marriage." (Concord Monitor) Citizens in some New Hampshire towns will vote next month on an article calling on the legislature to approve an amendment like CACR 28. (Union Leader)

The Des Moines Register describes a failed attempt by Republican state legislators to advance legislative action on a super-DOMA amendment (Iowa S.J.R. 2001 / Iowa H.J.R. 2001) that would invalidate the Supreme Court's marriage-equality ruling. [Varnum v. Brien, 763 N.W.2d 862 (Iowa 2009)]

The Indiana state Senate recently approved a resolution for a super-DOMA amendment, S.J.R. 13. In the state House, it has been assigned to the Courts & Criminal Code Committee. (Indiana Equality)

Domestic partnerships - Ohio

In August, the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) - with attorney David Langdon of Cincinnati - filed a legal challenge to Cleveland's domestic partners registry. Plaintiffs claimed that the registry violated Ohio's super-DOMA amendment. ( Ohio Const. Art. XV, sec. 11) Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Joseph D. Russo dismissed the lawsuit in November. Now ADF and Langdon - who helped draft the amendment - have appealed Russo's dismissal in order to have the case reinstated. (Gay People's Chronicle.com)

Immigration equality

The Uniting American Families Act of 2009 (H.R. 1024 / S. 424) would allow gay and lesbian Americans to sponsor their partners for residency in the United States. Sixty members of Congress have sent a letter to President Obama asking him too support the legislation. (cross-posted at Pam's House Blend)

Related news

Equality California is honoring "Freedom To Marry Week" (February 8th - 14th) with a statewide canvass. (Straight Talk on Marriage).

Phillip Minton, of Unite The Fight, bids farewell to his thousands of readers. He has provided exceptional coverage of the movement for equality and has shown inspiring dedication to advocacy. He would like to preserve his blog for use by researchers. As a librarian and admirer of his work, I hope that he succeeds.