Photo credit: http://geott.wordpress.com/2010/08/04/californias-prop-8-overturned/

A decision to overturn Proposition 8, the 2008 California state law denying marriage to same-sex couples, was made today by U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker in the case Perry v. Schwarzenegger.

Walker ruled that the legislation is “unconstitutional under both the due process and equal protection clauses” and orders to permanently prevent any further enforcement.

Two sentences of an 136-page decision read:

Proposition 8 fails to advance any rational basis in singling out gay men and lesbians for denial of a marriage license. Indeed the evidence shows Proposition 8 does nothing more than enshrine in the California constitution the notion that opposite sex couples are superior to same sex couples.

The case is expected to reach the Supreme Court later this year.

For more on this story visit the New York Times Magazine.

Olivia Stephens

Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle

Hawaii maybe next to join a small group of states that offer same-sex couples all of the state rights associated with marriage without the title itself.

In a 31-20 vote, the house passed a bill that will grant same-sex couples the same state rights and protections offered to married couples, if signed by the governor.

The Senate passed the civil unions bill in January.

The bill now goes to Republican Gov. Linda Lingle who has not vocalized any plan yet to veto or sign the bill.

Nevada, Washington, Oregon, California and New Jersey are the current states that offer equal state rights to same-sex couples without the title or contract of marriage.

Visit  the Honolulu Advertiser to read more about this story.

Illinois Rep. Deb Mell announced her lesbian engagement to the house yesterday. (Courtesy of Deb Mell's website)

Rep. Deb Mell announced her engagement to partner of six years Christin Baker yesterday, according to the Chicago Tribune via Towleroad.

“I am aware that our governor and many of you on both sides of the aisle do not consider me equal to you,” Mell said on the floor, “and our relationship equal to the relationship you share with your spouse.”

Mell said she will probably exchange vows in Iowa, the Tribune continued.

For the original Chicago Tribune article, click here.

Alejandro Freyre (R) and Jose Maria Di Bello getting married in 2009 (AFP).

An Argentine judge ruled that Alejandro Freyre and Jose Maria Di Bello’s marriage was “non-existent” after he cited a civil code which forbids two people of the same sex to marry.

The couple, who were granted permission in December to marry, said they plan to appeal the ruling.

“We are married and are confident that the Supreme Court will prove us right,” Alejandro Freyre told AFP.

To read more about this story visit the Agence France-Presse.

Iceland's Johanna Sigurdardóttir is set to see her country allow same-sex marriages. (Courtesy of Telegraph.co.uk)

According to the San Diego Gay and Lesbian News via Towleroad, Iceland is finalizing a same-sex marriage equality bill.

The bill, according to SDGLN, was submitted March 23 and is expected to be approved shortly, with same-sex marriages commencing as soon as June 27.

Iceland, the nation that went bankrupt in 2009, has the world’s only lesbian leader.

For the original Towleroad article, click here.

(courtesy of the Associated Press

The Public Policy Institute of California released a survey Wednesday showing Californian support for gay marriage for the first time since 2000 when the institute began tracking the approval rating of gay marriage in the Golden State.

In the survey, 50 percent of respondents favored gay marriage and 45 percent of respondents opposed it.

The findings comes two years after Proposition 8′s passage when 52 percent of California voters voted to repeal gay marriage in the state, reversing a state supreme court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage for only 6 months.

To learn more about this story, visit the Christian Post.

The first wedding magazine based entirely for same-sex couples will address all the wants--and needs--of that special day. (courtesy of queerty.com)

Even in states where same-sex marriage is not allowed, two Georgia women will provide an online wedding magazine for same-sex couples.

Kristen Palladino and her partner Maria recently launches an online wedding magazine called Equally Wed. Although their state of Georgia does not allow same-sex marriages, they did not let that stop them.

Along with stories of fairytale weddings, queerty.com reports, Equally Wed provides information about caterers, wedding halls, photographers, cake wizards, and tuxedo and gown designers. In its first issue, the magazine outlines the legal standings of same-sex marriage across the country.

Equally Wed is the first magazine devoted entirely to the weddings of same-sex couples. While other magazines have sections or inclusions for the needs of such individuals, Equally Wed indulges in all their possible wants.

To read more on this story, visit Queerty.com.

Lambda Legal is suing the state for marriage equality rights. (Courtesy of the UK's Pink News)

Lambda Legal heads a group preparing to sue the state for gay marriages, according to APP.com.

In 2006 the group missed legalizing gay marriage by one vote in the state’s Supreme Court, the article states. However, that litigation eventually instituted the state’s domestic partnership laws.

Earlier this year, members stated they would return to court “after state
lawmakers defeated a bill that would have legalized same-sex marriage,” APP.com reported.

For the original article, click here.

Advocates for same-sex marriage in New Jersey push for marriage equality laws. (courtesy of nbcnewyork.com)

Two months after New Jersey legislators denied the Marriage Equality law, gay rights advocates and Lambda Legal are teaming up to again fight for the right to marry in their state.

The advocates are prepared for a tough battle, according to NBC. “It’s hard to tell [how long this will take],” said Lambda Legal spokeswoman Lisa Hardaway to NBC New York.

Although legislators did pass a Civil Union law, gay rights advocates are not satisfied. Such a law is not recognized by hospitals, doctors or employers. Therefore, Lambda Legal and gay-right advocates continue to push.

Gay marriage proponents are hoping the courts take their case immediately.

According to NBC, “Gay marriage is legal in the District of Columbia and five states; Connecticut, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont and Iowa. It was repealed last November in Maine, and is banned by law or constitutionally in dozens of states.”

To read more on this story, visit NBC New York.

Sen. John Eichelberger introduced legislation to define marriage in Pennsylvania as between one woman and one man. (Courtesy of The Pennsylvania Senate)

Pennsylvania senators are expected to vote today on legislation excluding gays from marriage, Penn Live.com reports.

Sen. John Eichelberger (R-Blair County) initiated the constitutional amendment which would add, “Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid and recognized as a marriage in this Commonwealth,” to the state’s laws.

Former attempts to pass such legislation failed, the article states, requiring passage in both the House and Senate before going to voters.

For the original Penn Live.com article, click here.