LIVE AUDIO: Maryland Marriage Vote

UPDATE: The chamber has reconvened and the feed is live now.

EARLIER: Here we go again. Listen live here. Things are supposed to start up at 12:30pm Eastern and you'll have to refresh the page to get the "play" button once they turn the feed on.

Garden State Equality On Chris Christie

Garden State Equality chair Steven Goldstein has issued a statement about Gov. Chris Christie and his impending veto of the marriage equality bill. An excerpt:

As I have said before, where we agree with them on the issues, Governor Christie and his Administration have treated us with warmth and responsiveness. Yes is yes, no is no, and we’ll get back to you means they get back to you faster than you thought, usually with invaluable help.

And that’s precisely why Governor Christie’s veto of the marriage equality bill will hurt so badly. We’re not naïve – we’ve always known he would veto the bill, and frankly, I was always a bit puzzled by the silly tea-leaf reading and phantasmagoric hopes that perhaps the Governor would look deep inside his heart and let the bill become law. Ridiculous. I know this Governor, and when he says he’ll do something, take him at his word, for better and here for worse.

It’s why I chose not to waste a breath in pleading with the Governor not to veto – and have put Garden State Equality immediately to work to achieve an override. The great news is, we have until the end of the legislative session, in January 2014, to do it.

That doesn’t obviate the pain of the Governor’s veto. Because I do know him, I also know he is not some anti-LGBT nut. He is no Rick Santorum. Frankly, I don’t think Chris Christie has an anti-gay bone in his body, however much I cannot say the same about his impending veto. His veto will be a brutally anti-gay act, pure and simple.

Read the full statement.

LIVE: Maryland House Marriage Vote

UPDATE: Well, bother. The chair gaveled in the proceedings just long enough to delay the vote until tomorrow morning. False alarm, everybody. Now we get to worry about what evil amendments will be pitched during tomorrow morning's committee meetings.

EARLIER: It's a busy day for equality. At any moment from this writing the Maryland House of Delgates is set to vote on its marriage equality bill. Listen live here. Click "current House proceedings."

NJ Assembly PASSES Marriage Bill

UPDATE: By a vote of 41-33 the New Jersey Assembly has approved its marriage equality bill. That's far below the necessary 54 votes for an override of Gov. Christie's promised veto. Nevertheless, we WON and New Jersey can now be added to the lengthening list of states with legislatively approved marriage equality.

UPDATE II: The New York Times says the final vote tally was 42-33 and not 41-33 as displayed by the final tote board in the chamber. That figure matches the 75 reps who responded to the initial quorum call I heard the speaker make.

NOTE: New Jersey has 80 Assembly districts which means that six legislators did not vote. A tipster tells me that one of the missing reps is a Republican who would have been a "yes" vote. As for the other five missing votes, I have no idea. There were no abstentions.

EARLIER: The voting should commence sometime around 1pm Eastern. We need 41 votes to win, 54 to override. Even with Monday's win in the Senate, all this may seem symbolic in the face of Christie's promised veto. But let's not forget the enduring power of the positive press today's vote will get around the nation. Plus we get almost two full years to get those extra votes.

Today In New Jersey

We need 54 Assembly votes to override Christie's veto. The New Jersey Senate vote to approve the bill on Monday with a 24 votes, three short of an override. After Christie's veto, the legislature has until January 2014 to get the needed override votes.

NOTE: NY Sen. Ruben Diaz, NOM, and other anti-gay groups plan to descend on Trenton today for a massive rally similar to the ones seen in Manhattan. Those events took place on the weekend so hopefully today's turnout will be small.

ILLINOIS: Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel Vows To Promote Same-Sex Marriage Bill

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel yesterday vowed to help campaign for the same-sex marriage bill proposed for Illinois.

“I’ll push for it because it is consistent with the values base, and the practical values base, that I think is right as a city, as a state and as a country,” said Emanuel, who supported gay marriage during the campaign. Just Tuesday, Washington became the seventh state to legalize gay marriage, but in Illinois, the effort is seen as an uphill battle, even with Emanuel’s support. It took decades to pass civil rights protects for gays and lesbians and years to pass civil unions, which became the law last June. This year, a bill has been introduced at the Capitol to approve same sex marriages.

Wingnut Marriage Map

I guess the eagle is crying a giant gay Iowa tear. Source. (Tipped by JMG reader Dan)

Gregoire's Letter To Christie

Igor Volsky reports that Christie has not bothered to respond. What a classy guy.

Two Minutes Of Minnesota Hate, Vol. 7

(Via Good As You)

Pelosi Endorses Dem Marriage Plank

Big news from Freedom To Marry:

"Freedom to Marry is proud to have Leader Pelosi joining our call to put the Democratic Party squarely on record in support of the freedom to marry as part of the national platform. A strong majority of Democrats and Independents support the freedom to marry, and standing up for all families is not just the right thing to do morally, it's also right to do politically. I hope more people will quickly join Leader Pelosi by signing Freedom to Marry's Democrats: Say I Do petition so together we can get the party, and the country, where the majority of Americans already are."

Chris Geidner got the scoop at Metro Weekly. He notes:

The former House speaker's support for the move comes in response to Freedom to Marry's announcement on Feb. 13 that it was launching a campaign to ask the Democrats, as the group put it, to "Say I Do" to including such a marriage equality plank in the party's platform. The platform, a detailed statement of the party's positions that will be finalized at the Democratic National Convention this September, has never included language in support of the right of same-sex couples to marry. And the leader of the party, President Obama, opposed marriage equality in the 2008 campaign. He said in December 2010 that his position on marriage equality was "evolving" but that he still "struggle[s]" with it. His press secretary, Jay Carney, said this past week of Obama's position, "You know his position, where it stands now, on the issue of same-sex marriage, so I really don't have much to add on that."

MARYLAND: Marriage Bill Clears House Committee By 25-18 Vote

The bill had to survive the usual bullshit poison pill amendments from the GOP, including one that would require parental consent before teachers could mention "non-traditional" families. The full chamber will debate and vote later this week. And if you're counting, that's THREE big honking wins for the good guys this week. And it's only Tuesday.

NJ Gov. Chris Christie: The Legislature Doesn't Have The Votes To Override

Christie says yesterday's vote in the state Senate was nothing more than "a good bunch of theater." The Assembly votes on Thursday.

NEW JERSEY: Christian Hate Groups Plan Massive Anti-Gay Rally For Trenton

The same coalition of anti-gay Christian groups that led tens of thousands of raving Hispanic evangelicals through the streets of Manhattan is planning to repeat that repulsive event this Thursday in the capital of New Jersey.

From the official state website of New York Sen. Ruben Diaz:

New York State Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz (D-Bronx) and fellow Ministers from the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization have accepted an invitation to travel to the New Jersey State Legislature in Trenton to join New Jersey ministers in support of Traditional Marriage. The Pentecostal ministers will depart from the Bronx on Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 9AM from the Christian Community Neighborhood Church located at 1437 Longfellow Avenue (between Jennings and Freeman Avenues). Senator Rev. Diaz stated: “I am honored that Rev. Jose C. Lopez, the President of the Evangelical Pastors Association of Hudson County, has invited me and my ministers to join him along with Brian Brown, President of the National Organization for Marriage, to once again unite in prayer for the protection of the traditional family.”

At their last hate march through Manhattan, the most prominent chant was "Let us vote! Let us vote!" Which was more than idiotic because as gay bloggers pointed out, the majority of the marchers were bussed in from northern New Jersey courtesy of a local Dominican radio station. If the same bigots attend in Trenton, at least this time they would be voters.

The ACLU's Valentine To Obama

They write on their site:

This has been a big couple of weeks in the fight for the freedom to marry for same-sex couples. Yesterday, Washington became the seventh state to stand up for the fundamental right of same-sex couples to marry. And last week, a three-judge panel of the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Proposition 8 unconstitutional. We know where the GOP frontrunners stand on marriage for gay couples—it’s not pretty—that’s why we need the support of a critical player: President Obama. As the leader of the most LGBT friendly administration in history, we need him to lead on this issue too.

Hit the link to add your name to their letter to the president.

WASHINGTON STATE: Santorum Protesters Get Tasered And Arrested

Igor Volsky has the transcript of Santorum's speech:

I know this is a very important day in Washington. And in many respects a sad day for many people. We saw the law signed into here in Washington sate. But it is very important you understand what just happened in another place….in the Ninth Circuit….The Ninth Circuit decided that anybody that disagrees with any of these folks, anyone who disagrees with these folks when it comes to the issue if what marriage is in this country, well they are irrational. That’s what the Ninth Circuit said. They said anybody who disagrees with their decision to shoot down Prop 8 in California, they do so because they are irrational and the only possible reason they can possibly…

And that's when things went nuts.

Tony Adams: A Letter From The Bishop

Tonight: A special JMG event as Father Tony Adams presents the first public reading of his new play, A Letter From The Bishop.

In November of 2011, Father Tony wrote "A Letter From The Bishop", a play about three gay priests and their Catholic bishop who is against marriage equality. It is also about promises, obedience and conscience. Most of you are familiar with the energetic homophobia of the Roman Catholic bishops of America, but obscure is the soul of the gay priest who must follow that agenda. Or not. Although the characters are entirely fictional, the business of the play is being repeated in cities across the country. The four readers are Ken Averett, Philip Brisbois, Tim Rogers and Chad Thilborger. (That cast includes an Episcopalian priest, an ex-Jesuit and two professional actors. You'll be hard pressed to assign the labels correctly!) The reading is hosted by Stonewall National Museum and Archives in Fort Lauderdale.

The reading begins at 7pm Eastern time. You may see a short commercial before the feed goes live. If you'd like to chat with others watching the feed, hit the large mid-screen play button to open a new window. Click the lower play button to stay on JMG.

UPDATE: The performance is completed. Thanks everybody!

VIDEO: WA Gov. Gregoire Delivers Impassioned Speech & Signs Bill

You won't regret treating yourself to this fantastic bit of LGBT history. Our thanks again to Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire!

(Via JMG reader Brandon)

Washington Marriage Reactions

Washington United

“We thank Gov. Gregoire for her tremendous leadership in passing this landmark legislation,” said Lacey All, Chair of Washington United for Marriage. “From her moving remarks endorsing the legislation to her unwavering courage and commitment throughout the legislative process, the Governor has been a key ally in forming the bipartisan coalition that passed this bill. Without her years of dedication to equality, Washington’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community would not enjoy antidiscrimination protections, domestic partnerships or marriage equality. We owe her our heartfelt gratitude and sincerest thanks.”

Human Rights Campaign

“Today’s signature of the marriage equality law puts Washington on the road to fairness for all families,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “While those opposed to marriage for gay and lesbian couples will no doubt try to undo this progress, I am confident that equality will prevail in Washington.” “This victory was possible thanks to the hard work of so many on the ground in Washington,” said Solmonese. “Our congratulations go to Sen. Ed Murray and Rep. Jamie Pedersen, along with Gov. Gregoire, who were incredible leaders in this effort.”

GLAAD

“Today, yet another state has rendered into law what a majority of Americans already know in their hearts: committed couples should be able to marry the person they love. As millions of people celebrate their love this Valentine’s Day, countless gay and lesbian couples in Washington State are finally one step closer to enjoying the vital protections that only marriage can afford.”

Lambda Legal

Governor Christine Gregoire today signed a historic measure into law that ends the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage in Washington. Gov. Gregoire has been a champion of marriage equality this year, and we thank her for her leadership and the many brave members of the state legislature who voted for this bill. We also thank Washington United for Marriage, the coalition of organizations, congregations, unions, and business associations that has worked tirelessly to secure civil marriage for loving, committed gay and lesbian couples.

VIDEO: Signing Of WA Marriage Bill

The ceremony is planned for 11:30am Washington time.

Watch live online here.

Marriage Passes NJ Senate

As expected the New Jersey Senate today voted 24-16 to approve its marriage equality bill. The bill should pass even more easily in the state Assembly. Gov. Chris Christie has vowed to veto the bill. Proponents need 27 Senate and 54 Assembly votes for an override of the veto.