Who's Next? The Marriage Equality Waiting Room

[William769]

Within just a few weeks, Delaware, Rhode Island, and Minnesota have established marriage equality for same-sex couples, following an equally successful Election Day in Maryland, Maine, and Washington last November. In the past year, the number of states that extend marriage rights to same-sex couples has literally doubled. But now that same-sex couples in 12 states plus the District of Columbia can legally wed, LGBT people in 38 other states are left waiting for full marriage rights. That's why we've ranked the remaining states in the order of likeliness to establish marriage rights for same-sex couples.

The Advocate's ranking takes into account current relationship laws, pending lawsuits and legislation, the number of gay state officials, the percentage of gay couples, the latest opinion polls, the governor's political affiliation, and whether there has been any attention from national organizations such Freedom to Marry, the Human Rights Campaign, or the American Civil Liberties Union on particular states. The states were awarded points based on these various factors, with the number after each state representing its total score. This produces a list of sure bets and surprises that outline the marriage equality lobby's playbook for the next couple of years. That is, of course, unless the U.S. Supreme Court miraculously decides to not only overturn the Defense of Marriage Act but also Proposition 8 and all constitutional marriage bans in every state.

If the miracle route doesn't take shape, James Esseks of the ACLU says the first step is to continue winning marriage in states where passing a law is all that's required. The next battle would target states with constitutional amendments by working on repealing them, and then replacing those laws with marriage equality laws, as is currently the plan in Nevada and Oregon. Those states also would require a voter initiative to legalize marriage, which has become a successful effort for marriage equality activists as of late.

"We're going to need to keep doing this work and keep working in state legislatures where there isn't a constitutional amendment and pushing to get every one of those states," Esseks says.





















http://www.advocate.com/politics/marriage-equality/2013/06/05/whos-next-marriage-equality-waiting-room?page=0,0

[xchrom]

1. du rec.

[William769]

2. I am surprised at the one's at the bottom.

Theres more in long shot than when pigs fly. I guess they are just being optimistic.

[xchrom]

3. very true. never say never, i guess. nt

[LuvNewcastle]

4. I'm crossing my fingers that the Supreme Court will

decide that each state must recognize marriages performed in other states. I think that it violates the full faith and credit clause for one state to refuse to recognize a marriage that's legal in another state.

[William769]

5. I just don't understand how they can't reach that conclusion.

It seems pretty cut & dry to me (unless of course your just a RAGING BIGOT!).

[femmocrat]

6. I think PA is more of a long shot.

Except for the corners, this is a conservative state and currently in red hands. Of course, if Corbutt is defeated and takes the legislature down with him, anything is possible.

[William769]

7. I agree with you I myself would have placed them lower also.

[LonePirate]

8. For some states without a constitutional ban, a legislative and executive flip to the Dems is needed

To pass marriage equality. Other states with bans, especially those controlled exclusively by Tea Party bigots like much of the South and Midwest, marriage equality will need judicial intervention before it is available in the next 20 years.

[William769]

9. The State of Illinois would disagree with you.

[LonePirate]

10. That is why I said some states and not all states. NJ is one such flip state.