Married on Monday
October 18, 2013 12:57 PM Subscribe
New Jersey court to allow same-sex marriages. A stay was not granted to an earlier ruling allowing gay people to marry in New Jersey. Asbury Park and Newark are already issuing marriage licenses for couples to marry at the first possible time on Monday. This defeats a long-term move by governor Christie and conservatives to push a statewide referendum rather than go ahead with the court's ruling. New Jersey is now the fourteenth state to allow gay marriage.
Native born NJ here, daughter of a gay man, spent the afternoon hitting F5 on the NJ Supreme Court website. This is all I have to say to Chris Christie.
From the Order:
"What is the public's interest in a case like this? Like Judge Jacobson, we can find no public interest in depriving a group of New Jersey residents of their constitutional right to equal protection while the appeals process unfolds."
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 1:02 PM on October 18, 2013 [7 favorites]
From the Order:
"What is the public's interest in a case like this? Like Judge Jacobson, we can find no public interest in depriving a group of New Jersey residents of their constitutional right to equal protection while the appeals process unfolds."
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 1:02 PM on October 18, 2013 [7 favorites]
[And also, this does not mean it's over for NJ. The Supreme Court will still hear the State's appeal of the Superior Court ruling the first week of January. But, uh, based on the decision today, I would be very surprised if they overrule it.]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 1:05 PM on October 18, 2013
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 1:05 PM on October 18, 2013
This pushes the number of Americans living in states with legal same-sex marriage over 100 million. Just over 200 million to go.
posted by Etrigan at 1:07 PM on October 18, 2013 [10 favorites]
posted by Etrigan at 1:07 PM on October 18, 2013 [10 favorites]
Marriage is only between a man and a woman? Fuggedaboutit!
posted by zombieflanders at 1:09 PM on October 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by zombieflanders at 1:09 PM on October 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
Someone enterprising in NJ should really start printing up Christie standees and renting them out to folks having LGBT weddings. It would be amazing to see an Internet meme start of gay couples posing, in full wedding regalia and with all their friends, around Chris Christie (maybe throw in a hug or a kiss on the cheek for good measure). It would amuse all the right people, and cause all the wrong ones to blow a gasket when someone they know reminds them in their social media feeds that yes, this is normative and even some of your friends think so and it's never going away and fucking learn to deal with it.
posted by trackofalljades at 1:15 PM on October 18, 2013 [16 favorites]
posted by trackofalljades at 1:15 PM on October 18, 2013 [16 favorites]
Here's the Wikipedia page for same-sex marriage in the United States, which notes that along with 14* states supporting same-sex marriages, there are another 6* states with unions granting rights similar to marriage, not counting New Mexico, where four counties have have been court-ordered to issue same-sex marriage licenses, and three more counties have county clerks who have started issuing marriage licenses on their own volition. Next week, the state Supreme Court will hear a case that may set New Mexico as the 15th state to formally issue same-sex marriage licenses.
* The Wikipedia page has not yet been updated to reflect New Jersey's court decision.
posted by filthy light thief at 1:18 PM on October 18, 2013
* The Wikipedia page has not yet been updated to reflect New Jersey's court decision.
posted by filthy light thief at 1:18 PM on October 18, 2013
God damn it, Pennsyltuckians, look around you!
posted by tonycpsu at 1:19 PM on October 18, 2013 [6 favorites]
posted by tonycpsu at 1:19 PM on October 18, 2013 [6 favorites]
Here is a link to the opinion from the NJ Supreme Court. I'm only part way through, but it looks great so far.
posted by Area Man at 1:21 PM on October 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Area Man at 1:21 PM on October 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
via Senator Elect Booker: Cory Booker
"The arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice" -- thank you NJ Supreme Court for affirming (marriage) equality under the law!
For 7 years I have not officiated NJ weddings because many citizens were denied that equal right. Next week I will officiate. #Equality #Pride
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 1:24 PM on October 18, 2013 [12 favorites]
"The arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice" -- thank you NJ Supreme Court for affirming (marriage) equality under the law!
For 7 years I have not officiated NJ weddings because many citizens were denied that equal right. Next week I will officiate. #Equality #Pride
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 1:24 PM on October 18, 2013 [12 favorites]
Hooray for my ancestral homeland.
posted by entropone at 1:24 PM on October 18, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by entropone at 1:24 PM on October 18, 2013 [2 favorites]
Asbury Park, New Jersey, the epicenter of marriage equality action back in 2004, has begun issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples in anticipation of Monday’s deadline.
I fully expect *every* just married tweet to be titled "Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ."
Because it is required. Not by law. Not by justice. Not by morality.
It's just required, because they're gonna make it through the night.
posted by eriko at 1:29 PM on October 18, 2013 [5 favorites]
I fully expect *every* just married tweet to be titled "Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ."
Because it is required. Not by law. Not by justice. Not by morality.
It's just required, because they're gonna make it through the night.
posted by eriko at 1:29 PM on October 18, 2013 [5 favorites]
[And also, this does not mean it's over for NJ. The Supreme Court will still hear the State's appeal of the Superior Court ruling the first week of January. But, uh, based on the decision today, I would be very surprised if they overrule it.]
Yeah, no kidding. The unanimous court has already found that the State is unlikely to succeed in its appeal, and it used pretty strident language in doing so.
posted by Area Man at 1:29 PM on October 18, 2013
Yeah, no kidding. The unanimous court has already found that the State is unlikely to succeed in its appeal, and it used pretty strident language in doing so.
posted by Area Man at 1:29 PM on October 18, 2013
First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win. - Mahatma Gandhi
I think we're moving into that fourth thing.
posted by Lulu's Pink Converse at 1:33 PM on October 18, 2013 [12 favorites]
I think we're moving into that fourth thing.
posted by Lulu's Pink Converse at 1:33 PM on October 18, 2013 [12 favorites]
Nice to have some good news in politics for a change. Hurray NJ! Go love!
posted by Joey Michaels at 1:39 PM on October 18, 2013
posted by Joey Michaels at 1:39 PM on October 18, 2013
I am so viciously homesick for New Jersey right now. The NJ Supreme Court standing up for equality, the ersatz change of seasons in Texas which only serves to activate my foolish and invincible hope for a proper autumn, the opening to Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's "Americanah," which reminded me of working in Princeton, and my own hospital opening a satellite branch mere steps away from where I first landed in Camden... it's enough to make a boy pop in the ol' rhinestone earrings, slick his hair back and go get a spray tan. *wistful sigh*
posted by jph at 1:41 PM on October 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by jph at 1:41 PM on October 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
trackofalljades: Someone enterprising in NJ should really start printing up Christie standees and renting them out to folks having LGBT weddings.
I'm happy to help: Here's a great full-body pose of Christie, then find a high-res image of his head to get some decent resolution when you scale up the image (I didn't have any luck finding a stand-alone pose for him at higher resolutions). I'll leave it up to y'all to do the photo editing and poster printing and such. Good luck!
posted by filthy light thief at 1:43 PM on October 18, 2013
I'm happy to help: Here's a great full-body pose of Christie, then find a high-res image of his head to get some decent resolution when you scale up the image (I didn't have any luck finding a stand-alone pose for him at higher resolutions). I'll leave it up to y'all to do the photo editing and poster printing and such. Good luck!
posted by filthy light thief at 1:43 PM on October 18, 2013
We did something right! Quick, get married before the waste management jokes start!
posted by mintcake! at 1:45 PM on October 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by mintcake! at 1:45 PM on October 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
I'm glad for Jersey, but still bitter for the rest of us. I managed to move from one state that doesn't recognize my marriage to...another state that doesn't recognize my marriage. Thanks loads, OH and PA. I'll be over here, smiting you with my brain.
posted by MeghanC at 2:13 PM on October 18, 2013
posted by MeghanC at 2:13 PM on October 18, 2013
MeghanC, I think we're getting close to a tipping point. States and governors are increasingly likely to going to have to justify going against the norm by not having SSM.
posted by jaduncan at 2:16 PM on October 18, 2013
posted by jaduncan at 2:16 PM on October 18, 2013
FYI: The City of Hoboken has begun accepting applications from same sex couples for marriage licenses. City Hall will be open on Saturday, October 19 from 10:00am to 12:45pm to accept marriage license applications. Applications will be accepted at the Health Department, located on the third floor of City Hall
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 2:16 PM on October 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 2:16 PM on October 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
tonycpsu: "God damn it, Pennsyltuckians, look around you!"
Hey, we're marginally more progressive than West Virginia. That's got to count for something.
posted by octothorpe at 2:32 PM on October 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
Hey, we're marginally more progressive than West Virginia. That's got to count for something.
posted by octothorpe at 2:32 PM on October 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
States and governors are increasingly likely to going to have to justify going against the norm by not having SSM.
There will always be Indiana. Steadfastly defending the 19th century.
posted by Thorzdad at 3:10 PM on October 18, 2013
There will always be Indiana. Steadfastly defending the 19th century.
posted by Thorzdad at 3:10 PM on October 18, 2013
I am so pleased for my home state. I am fond of you too, new home state that was first in the US to have same-sex marriage, but there's just something... sniffle-inducing when it's the place you grew up.
*wipes away tears*
So glad NJ is finally joining the rest of the Northeast.
posted by lysimache at 3:19 PM on October 18, 2013
*wipes away tears*
So glad NJ is finally joining the rest of the Northeast.
posted by lysimache at 3:19 PM on October 18, 2013
Welcome to the Northeast, New Jersey! I am very very happy about this.
posted by jessamyn at 4:07 PM on October 18, 2013 [5 favorites]
posted by jessamyn at 4:07 PM on October 18, 2013 [5 favorites]
Woo-Hoo! :)
posted by Hanuman1960 at 4:10 PM on October 18, 2013
posted by Hanuman1960 at 4:10 PM on October 18, 2013
One by one, the dominoes fall.
posted by Devils Rancher at 4:18 PM on October 18, 2013
posted by Devils Rancher at 4:18 PM on October 18, 2013
Speaking as a New Jersey native: FUCK YEAH!
Speaking as a long-time resident of Chicago, Illinois: FUCK SPRINGFIELD!
Speaking as a member of MetaFilter: WHAT. THE. FUCK. MATT?
posted by tzikeh at 4:53 PM on October 18, 2013 [4 favorites]
Speaking as a long-time resident of Chicago, Illinois: FUCK SPRINGFIELD!
Speaking as a member of MetaFilter: WHAT. THE. FUCK. MATT?
posted by tzikeh at 4:53 PM on October 18, 2013 [4 favorites]
!
posted by Jacqueline at 4:57 PM on October 18, 2013
posted by Jacqueline at 4:57 PM on October 18, 2013
This is probably a somewhat pointless question, but is there a general consensus on why Christie is so opposed? A sense of obligation to the republican party, conservative religiosity, run-of-the-mill douchebaggery, all or none of the above?
posted by treepour at 6:04 PM on October 18, 2013
posted by treepour at 6:04 PM on October 18, 2013
"Speaking as a member of MetaFilter: WHAT. THE. FUCK. MATT?"
how come metafilter no recognize legal spousening
posted by klangklangston at 6:27 PM on October 18, 2013
how come metafilter no recognize legal spousening
posted by klangklangston at 6:27 PM on October 18, 2013
This is probably a somewhat pointless question, but is there a general consensus on why Christie is so opposed? A sense of obligation to the republican party, conservative religiosity, run-of-the-mill douchebaggery, all or none of the above?
If I had to guess, I would guess that Christie is one of many Republican politicians who knows in his heart of hearts that it's wrong, but feels he has to oppose same-sex marriage in order to avoid committing political suicide. I wouldn't be surprised if that's also true of George W. Bush, John McCain, and Mitt Romney. I haven't voted for any of them. But I don't get the sense that any of them are maliciously bigoted; they're just willing to take positions that are effectively bigoted. I wouldn't even argue against you if you want to say that's an act of evil. But I don't think they're driven by a desire to prevent gays from having equal rights; I think they simply care more about their careers than taking the right position on every issue. This is all just a guess; it's really not possible to know.
posted by John Cohen at 7:54 PM on October 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
If I had to guess, I would guess that Christie is one of many Republican politicians who knows in his heart of hearts that it's wrong, but feels he has to oppose same-sex marriage in order to avoid committing political suicide. I wouldn't be surprised if that's also true of George W. Bush, John McCain, and Mitt Romney. I haven't voted for any of them. But I don't get the sense that any of them are maliciously bigoted; they're just willing to take positions that are effectively bigoted. I wouldn't even argue against you if you want to say that's an act of evil. But I don't think they're driven by a desire to prevent gays from having equal rights; I think they simply care more about their careers than taking the right position on every issue. This is all just a guess; it's really not possible to know.
posted by John Cohen at 7:54 PM on October 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
only 36 more threads like this to go. they cannot come fast enough.
posted by cristinacristinacristina at 8:01 PM on October 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by cristinacristinacristina at 8:01 PM on October 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
If this weren't a significant topic you wouldn't see 36 more threads.
posted by one4themoment at 9:25 PM on October 18, 2013
posted by one4themoment at 9:25 PM on October 18, 2013
Anyone want to take bets on the last state to legalize gay marriage? (Or will the federal government step in before it gets that far)?
I think I'd go for Arizona (they were hold-outs on Martin Luther King day, have a huge elderly population, and keep re-electing sheriff 'Joe').
[also, YAY NJ!]
posted by el io at 11:30 PM on October 18, 2013
I think I'd go for Arizona (they were hold-outs on Martin Luther King day, have a huge elderly population, and keep re-electing sheriff 'Joe').
[also, YAY NJ!]
posted by el io at 11:30 PM on October 18, 2013
I think the Feds are going to have to enforce that Full Faith and Credit thing... It must be getting expensive for say, Bank of America to keep having to maintain all these different standards for benefits.
posted by mikelieman at 2:29 AM on October 19, 2013
posted by mikelieman at 2:29 AM on October 19, 2013
Anyone want to take bets on the last state to legalize gay marriage?
Utah. Arizona leans more libertarian. I'd think they'd be more likely to try to abolish civil marriage entirely (with no success) but at the end of the day I don't think some of the racial/racist politics will get a foothold in marriage equality. Utah is probably the closet thing we have to one of those ideal state ideas where the people who live there share a set of values enough so that they hold a lot of sway (via influence or election) over the people who run various levels of government. Not saying everyone who lives in Utah (at all) shares those ideas but that there have been other "The feds say this but a faction of people from Utah say NO" issues and it's been interesting to watch them unfold.
That said, I might have made the same argument about Massachusetts 20 years ago, so I think a lot of it depends where there are focused resources to work on marriage equality
posted by jessamyn at 7:30 AM on October 19, 2013
Utah. Arizona leans more libertarian. I'd think they'd be more likely to try to abolish civil marriage entirely (with no success) but at the end of the day I don't think some of the racial/racist politics will get a foothold in marriage equality. Utah is probably the closet thing we have to one of those ideal state ideas where the people who live there share a set of values enough so that they hold a lot of sway (via influence or election) over the people who run various levels of government. Not saying everyone who lives in Utah (at all) shares those ideas but that there have been other "The feds say this but a faction of people from Utah say NO" issues and it's been interesting to watch them unfold.
That said, I might have made the same argument about Massachusetts 20 years ago, so I think a lot of it depends where there are focused resources to work on marriage equality
posted by jessamyn at 7:30 AM on October 19, 2013
Interestingly, Nate Silver projected that Arizona would actually be ahead of the National average in arriving at legalization by ballot initiative, and that Utah would be towards the middle of the pack among states that currently oppose it (according to the last chart in the post.)
Of course, ballot initiatives can't overturn state constitutions, and Nate's model for these projections doesn't have nearly as much data to work with as his electoral models. Still, it's an interesting thought experiment, and shows that, if these decisions were left up to the people, Arizona and Utah might get there sooner than many other states.
posted by tonycpsu at 8:36 AM on October 19, 2013
Of course, ballot initiatives can't overturn state constitutions, and Nate's model for these projections doesn't have nearly as much data to work with as his electoral models. Still, it's an interesting thought experiment, and shows that, if these decisions were left up to the people, Arizona and Utah might get there sooner than many other states.
posted by tonycpsu at 8:36 AM on October 19, 2013
Happening right now: Chris Christie Administration Withdrawing Appeal Of Gay Marriage Ruling In New Jersey
posted by zombieflanders at 6:49 AM on October 21, 2013 [5 favorites]
posted by zombieflanders at 6:49 AM on October 21, 2013 [5 favorites]
Happening right now: Chris Christie Administration Withdrawing Appeal Of Gay Marriage Ruling In New Jersey
And with that, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania stands alone in the entire Northeast in defending traditional marriage against this onslaught of un-American adults who want to do something as despicable and intolerable and alien to the heritage of Pennsylvania as express lifelong devotion and commitment to one another. As a resident of the City of Philadelphia, a city founded on Quaker values, I salute my Governor for making sure that the State meddles extensively in deciding what marriages and civil rights should be permitted, just as the Founder of our Commonwealth would have wanted. William Penn, after all, was nothing if not a jackass happiness-hating spiteful fucktard.
posted by Tomorrowful at 6:57 AM on October 21, 2013 [1 favorite]
And with that, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania stands alone in the entire Northeast in defending traditional marriage against this onslaught of un-American adults who want to do something as despicable and intolerable and alien to the heritage of Pennsylvania as express lifelong devotion and commitment to one another. As a resident of the City of Philadelphia, a city founded on Quaker values, I salute my Governor for making sure that the State meddles extensively in deciding what marriages and civil rights should be permitted, just as the Founder of our Commonwealth would have wanted. William Penn, after all, was nothing if not a jackass happiness-hating spiteful fucktard.
posted by Tomorrowful at 6:57 AM on October 21, 2013 [1 favorite]
only 36 more threads like this to go. they cannot come fast enough.
There will be either a federal edict or a mass ignoring of such laws (like interracial marriage or exclusionary covenants on deeds) before some states (in the South in particular) allow marriage equality on their own. The question is how many individual states will do it before the tipping point happens and it's either explicitly or de facto legal everywhere all at once.
posted by Etrigan at 8:56 AM on October 21, 2013 [1 favorite]
There will be either a federal edict or a mass ignoring of such laws (like interracial marriage or exclusionary covenants on deeds) before some states (in the South in particular) allow marriage equality on their own. The question is how many individual states will do it before the tipping point happens and it's either explicitly or de facto legal everywhere all at once.
posted by Etrigan at 8:56 AM on October 21, 2013 [1 favorite]
The question is how many individual states will do it before the tipping point happens and it's either explicitly or de facto legal everywhere all at once.
My rough guess is 30, but I despair that the de facto part will come true before a federal edict, particularly in the South and especially those run mostly or entirely by the GOP. Why? Because as of 2011, 33% of likely Alabama GOP voters and 46% of likely Mississippi GOP voters (PDF) thought that interracial marriage should be illegal or were "unsure" if it should be legal. That's almost half a century after Loving v. Virginia. We haven't even had a Loving-level decision on gay marriage yet.
posted by zombieflanders at 10:11 AM on October 21, 2013
My rough guess is 30, but I despair that the de facto part will come true before a federal edict, particularly in the South and especially those run mostly or entirely by the GOP. Why? Because as of 2011, 33% of likely Alabama GOP voters and 46% of likely Mississippi GOP voters (PDF) thought that interracial marriage should be illegal or were "unsure" if it should be legal. That's almost half a century after Loving v. Virginia. We haven't even had a Loving-level decision on gay marriage yet.
posted by zombieflanders at 10:11 AM on October 21, 2013
Congrats, USA! You now have a population of 100,000,000+ in equal-marriage states, 33%! Keep at it!
posted by Theta States at 12:31 PM on October 22, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Theta States at 12:31 PM on October 22, 2013 [1 favorite]
And we're about to have one more:
Hawaii's state Senate approved legislation on Wednesday to legalize same-sex marriage in a state long popular as a wedding and honeymoon destination, voting overwhelmingly to repeal a voter-approved constitutional amendment banning gay matrimony.posted by zombieflanders at 7:56 AM on October 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
The 20-4 vote in favor of the bill, with three Democrats joining the state Senate's lone Republican to oppose the measure, came two days after the start of a special session called by Democratic Governor Neil Abercrombie to take up the legislation. One senator was absent for the vote.
If the bill is approved, as expected, by the state House of Representatives - where Democrats outnumber Republicans 44-7 - Hawaii would become the 15th vote to make it legal for gay and lesbian couples to wed.
And now there may be more progress on the federal front:
Senate Vote on Workplace Bias Against Gays Poses a Test for the G.O.P.
Senate Vote on Workplace Bias Against Gays Poses a Test for the G.O.P.
Democrats are confident they will have a good outcome regardless of the final vote, and have pressed ahead despite not being absolutely certain that the bill can pass. If they succeed, it will be the first time the Senate has passed an anti-discrimination bill that protects gay men and lesbians. One failed in 1996, the last time the issue came to a vote on the floor.posted by zombieflanders at 4:27 AM on November 4, 2013
And if it fails this time, Democrats will be able to frame the loss as a victory by Republican extremists.
“How can they justify voting against it?” said Barney Frank, who tried to get a nondiscrimination bill passed when he was a Democratic congressman from Massachusetts.
“How can they justify voting against it?” said Barney Frank
Oh, you scamp!
posted by Theta States at 6:04 AM on November 4, 2013
Oh, you scamp!
posted by Theta States at 6:04 AM on November 4, 2013
“How can they justify voting against it?” said Barney Frank
Oh, you scamp!
Sure. But also, how can you justify voting against it? It's the type of thing where you either have to transparently flim flam about lack of evidence of harm (and I suspect the Democratic members will bring evidence) or just outright embrace the hate. It's a very poisoned chalice indeed for the religious right.
Passing it is, as it happens, also very much the right thing to do.
posted by jaduncan at 7:23 AM on November 4, 2013
Oh, you scamp!
Sure. But also, how can you justify voting against it? It's the type of thing where you either have to transparently flim flam about lack of evidence of harm (and I suspect the Democratic members will bring evidence) or just outright embrace the hate. It's a very poisoned chalice indeed for the religious right.
Passing it is, as it happens, also very much the right thing to do.
posted by jaduncan at 7:23 AM on November 4, 2013
Nevermind, the Grand Old Party of Homophobes won't even let it come to a vote in the House. Anyone who had money on WHARGARBL about trial lawyers and job creators as the reasons, collect your winnings.
posted by zombieflanders at 7:26 AM on November 4, 2013
posted by zombieflanders at 7:26 AM on November 4, 2013
But also, how can you justify voting against it?
"This law will make it impossible to fire bad workers just because they're [insert protected class here]!" resonates, regardless of how untrue it is. Everyone has had a bad co-worker at some point, and there's always some "reason" that the person didn't get fired -- if the person isn't a straight cis white male, then the easiest "reason" to come up with is Affirmative Action.
posted by Etrigan at 7:27 AM on November 4, 2013
"This law will make it impossible to fire bad workers just because they're [insert protected class here]!" resonates, regardless of how untrue it is. Everyone has had a bad co-worker at some point, and there's always some "reason" that the person didn't get fired -- if the person isn't a straight cis white male, then the easiest "reason" to come up with is Affirmative Action.
posted by Etrigan at 7:27 AM on November 4, 2013
"The legislation would severely undermine civil liberties"
...I would not have put money on something that was quite so barefaced.
posted by jaduncan at 7:37 AM on November 4, 2013
...I would not have put money on something that was quite so barefaced.
posted by jaduncan at 7:37 AM on November 4, 2013
House GOP regresses on gay rights
[A]s late as 2010, when the measure was being debated again, both Ryan and Walden were sticking up for the basic principle at the heart of ENDA. Said Ryan: “I think ENDA’s the right thing to do.” Said Walden: “I don’t believe in discrimination in the workplace.”posted by zombieflanders at 1:46 PM on November 4, 2013
In fairness, in those same interviews, both Ryan and Walden opposed the inclusion of protections for transgender Americans. And that protection is in the current version set to pass the Senate. But Boehner’s statement grounds House GOP opposition to today’s version of ENDA in the notion that it will lead to frivolous lawsuits and kill jobs, not in transgender protections.
Beyond this, gay rights advocates point to a culture that has advanced significantly on gay rights issues since 2007, and even since 2010 (Obama became the first American president to endorse gay marriage in May of 2012, and polls have only recently started to show majority support for it). And to their mind, the fact that today’s House Republicans may not even allow a vote on ending anti-gay workplace discrimination — even as two current GOP leaders voted for it in 2007, along with 33 other House Republicans – is a sign (transgender protections or No) that the House GOP has gone in the exact opposite direction the rest of the culture has taken.
The Post’s Monkey Cage Blog took a look at the polling on ENDA and found:Nearly all recent opinion polls indicate that a large majority of the American public — more than 70 percent — supports efforts to make employment discrimination against gay men and and lesbians illegal…when we use national polls to estimate opinion by state, we find that majorities in all 50 states support ENDA-like legislation (note that in 1996, majorities in only 36 states supported ENDA). Today, public support ranges from a low of 63 percent in Mississippi to a high of 81 percent in Massachusetts.“In 2007, this might have been a difficult vote for Republicans to have taken,” Fred Sainz, a spokesman for the Human Rights Campaign, tells me. “In 2013 you cannot make this claim seriously. We’ve come a long way in six years. On gay issues, it has been a lifetime.”
Or, as Benjy Sarlin puts it: “The segment of socially conservative Republicans strongly opposed to these measures can’t hold back these floodwaters for much longer.”
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posted by Old'n'Busted at 12:59 PM on October 18, 2013 [1 favorite]