This is a HUGE step into the 21st century by Nevada ~ yes ... NEVADA ~ and VERY courageous for the governor, who is up for reelection this year ~ ~ there are "live links" to more/corroborating info in the original ~ Sooz

Nevada moves away from gay-marriage ban
02/11/14 08:36 AM
By Steve Benen

A couple of weeks ago, Virginia’s state attorney general, the newly elected Mark Herring (D), announced that Virginia’s gay-marriage ban is unconstitutional and his office will not defend it in court. It was a bold move, with a decidedly partisan twist – the announcement was made on the heels of sweeping Democratic victories in the commonwealth, and the shift was quickly denounced by Virginia Republicans.

But in Nevada yesterday, we saw a similar announcement under very different political circumstances.


It has, indeed. Since November 2012, for example, the U.S. Supreme Court has struck down the Defense of Marriage Act as unconstitutional.

But the political landscape has changed, too. Note that the move was initiated by Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto, who is a Democrat, but it was also endorsed by Gov. Brian Sandoval, who happens to be a Republican. What’s more, while in Virginia the news came after an election, in Nevada, the shift came in advance of an election – Sandoval is currently seeking a second term and will be on the 2014 ballot.

The governor’s spokesperson told BuzzFeed last night, “Based upon the advice of the [state] Attorney General’s office and their interpretation of relevant case law, it has become clear that this case is no longer defensible in court.”

For context, it’s worth emphasizing that Sandoval is himself a former federal judge, appointed to the federal bench during the Bush/Cheney administration.

Note, this does not mean marriage equality is imminent in Nevada; the legal proceedings will continue despite yesterday’s announcement. It does mean, however, that Nevada’s Republican governor and Democratic attorney general no longer believe the state’s ban on same-sex marriages is defensible in court.

As for Sandoval, it stands to reason a move like this will undermine his support with the Republican Party’s far-right base, but he’s probably used to that – the Nevada governor has already embraced Medicaid expansion and created a state-based exchange marketplace to implement the Affordable Care Act in his state.

Politico recently suggested that Sandoval is “arguably doing more to put the Democrats’ signature law into place than any other Republican.”

With this in mind, if conservatives have unkind things to say about the governor following yesterday’s announcement, Sandoval is likely to find the criticisms familiar.

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/nevada-moves-away-gay-marriage-ban

Baby steps, but in the right direction ~ who will be next? ~ Sooz

Anti-gay law in Kentucky struck down
02/12/14 02:40 PM—Updated 02/12/14 04:12 PM
By Steve Benen

Nearly a decade ago, Kentucky voters approved a ban on marriage equality that included a specific and important provision: if a same-sex couple gets legally married in another state and then moves to Kentucky, the Bluegrass State will not recognize that marriage.

Today, a federal court ruled that the law is unconstitutional.

In a ruling that could open the door to gay marriage in Kentucky, a federal judge on Wednesday struck down Kentucky’s ban on recognizing valid same-sex marriages performed in other states, saying it violates the U.S. Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection under the law.

U.S. District Judge John G. Heyburn II joined nine other federal and state courts in invalidating such bans.

In his ruling, Heyburn concluded, “[I]t is clear that Kentucky’s laws treat gay and lesbian persons differently in a way that demeans them.”

Note, Heyburn was nominated for the federal bench by Bush/Quayle. He’s a former aide to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who recommended Heyburn for the judiciary.

It will be awkward, in other words, for opponents of marriage equality if they try to characterize Heyburn as a liberal activist. Indeed, it will be especially difficult if McConnell himself pushes the argument.

So what happens now?

Kentucky will likely appeal today’s ruling, but it’s worth emphasizing that this decision does not automatically clear the way for same-sex marriage in the state.

The Courier-Journal’s report explained, “The suit asked only that Kentucky be required to recognize gay marriages performed elsewhere; it is unclear whether the ruling also opens the door to allowing gay couples to get married in Kentucky, which the state’s constitution forbids.”

Update: The ruling is already being hailed by one prominent Kentucky Democrat, Rep. John Yarmuth, who said in a statement, “I am proud of the four Kentucky families who are standing up for marriage equality in this lawsuit and of the thousands more who continue this fight every day. Today’s ruling is an important step forward in the march toward recognition of all marriages under the law and full equality in our Commonwealth.”

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/anti-gay-law-kentucky-struck-down

More and more homophobic politicians are looking at public opinion and worrying about their election chances.

the GOP could easily embrace this as a libertarian position, if they could get over their Bibleyness.....