"Joy and pleasure are as real as pain and sorrow and one must learn what they have to teach. . . ." -- Sean Russell, from Gatherer of Clouds

"If you're not having fun, you're not doing it right." -- Helyn D. Goldenberg

"I love you and I'm not afraid." -- Evanescence, "My Last Breath"

“If I hear ‘not allowed’ much oftener,” said Sam, “I’m going to get angry.” -- J.R.R. Tolkien, from Lord of the Rings

Friday, April 05, 2013

The Domino Effect

There are now only four Democratic senators who have not come out in support of marriage equality: Tim Johnson (D-SD), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Joe Manchin (D-WV), and Mark Pryor, (D-AR). The latest two to go public are Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, and Joe Donnelley of Indiana. Donnelley surprises me a little -- Indiana is not known as a hotbed of pro-gay sentiment. (Both of my senators, Dick Durbin (D), and Mark Kirk (R) are on record as pro.) Here's a report on the latest two from TalkProgress. (And note that Kirk was the second Republican to voice his support, after Rob Portman.)

And it looks as though Brazil is doing it American style: there are now ten states in Brazil in which same-sex marriage is recognized. And Brazil doesn't have a DOMA.

And the Senate of Uruguay has passed an equal marriage bill, with some small amendments to the House version, so it goes back for reconciliation. It looks like a sure bet, though -- the majorities in both houses were decisive, and President Jose Mujica has said he will sign it.

OK -- which country will be next to recognize same-sex marriages? And which U.S. state?




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