Marriage Equality News

It has been a busy day on the Equality front. The Vermont House is going to debate the Marriage Equality Bill before it. Governor Douglas has threatened a veto should the bill pass without 100 or more Representatives voting for it. They are to take up the measure at 4PM today. You can see the live feed here.

Meanwhile the Iowa Supreme Court will hand down it's decision in the case of Varnum vs. Brien. From Pam's House Blend:

The case, Varnum vs. Brien, involves six same-sex Iowa couples who sued Polk County Recorder Timothy Brien in 2005, after his office denied them marriage licenses. Polk County District Judge Robert Hanson sided with the couples in a ruling last year, but he suspended his decision until the high court speaks.

The case would have consequences outside the state's borders. Iowa would become the first Midwestern state to allow same-sex marriage and the fourth in the nation if the court sides with the gay couples. Legal experts say such a decision would echo across the country and strengthen the gay rights movement.

...If the court tosses the issue back into the hands of the Iowa Legislature, there are only about two weeks or so left in this session. Openly gay state Sen. Matt McCoy, D-Des Moines, said he doubts lawmakers would take any action on gay marriage this late.

"I would not anticipate that this body would want to take any action in the final, waning days of the session because there's so many other issues involving the budget and taxes but that would be a decision for the leaders to make," McCoy said.

Big doin's around these parts.

Plus:

The New Hampshire Legislature has passed (186-179) a Marriage Equality Bill and has sent it to the state Senate for a vote. Dems control that chamber 24-9. The Governor has not said whether he will sign the Bill.