In Brief

Staff Reports

Debate On Tennessee’s “Don’t Say Gay” Bill Delayed

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE -- A pending piece of legislation dubbed the "Don't Say Gay" bill- which would ban Tennessee public schools from teaching about LGBTQ issues- was delayed from a vote Wednesday after its sponsor claimed two fellow Republicans on the committee "weren't very familiar with it" and wanted more time to review the proposal.

The legislation sponsored by Representative Joey Hensley, (R-Hohenwald) which was scheduled to be heard Wednesday by the House Education Subcommittee, limits all sexually related instruction to "natural human reproduction science" in kindergarten through the eighth grades. A similar measure passed the Senate in 2011. Representative Hensley said he plans to now amend his version to reflect the language of the Senate measure telling reporters that he believes it will pass. Opponents of the bill claim it will prevent teachers and school officials from preventing the bullying of LGBTQ youths.

Opponents To Proposed Constitutional Amendment Banning Same Sex Marriage In North Carolina Announce Strategy

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Coalition to Protect All North Carolina Families made up of state and national LGBTQ and human rights groups, faith organizations, communities of color, nonpartisan organizations, and business and community leaders are organising to lobby one million persons in the state before the May 8th primary in hopes of defeating the proposed North Carolina constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages.

The Coalition maintains that if passed, the amendment could have dangerous implications on domestic violence laws, threats to domestic partner benefits for public employees, harm to the state's most vulnerable populations, including the working class, disabled, elderly and children.

North Carolina's state law currently defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman, but supporters of a constitutional amendment say it doesn't go far enough.

NBC17 News in Wake County, North Carolina reported:

"What the amendment does is lets the citizens of North Carolina to determine what constitutes a marriage," said Rep. Nelson Dollar, co-sponsor of the amendment.

Dollar said it will have no effect on private companies that pay for partner benefits.

North Carolina is the only state in the Southeast that doesn't have an amendment banning gay marriage in its constitution. The North Carolina Senate voted 30-16 and the House 75-42 in September to take the issue to voters.

According to an Elon University poll done in September, 56 percent of North Carolinians oppose a ban on gay marriage. Elon surveyed 594 North Carolina residents, including both landlines and cellular phones.

Planned vote to repeal same-sex marriage in New Hampshire has been delayed

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE -- Republican House leaders have delayed the vote on the repeal of the state's same-sex marriage law marriage according to House Majority Leader D.J. Bettencourt, (R-Salem), said in an e-mail to the media Tuesday afternoon.

"We must deal with some critical financial and economic-related legislation first, as well as legislative redistricting, prior to any discussion of gay marriage," he said. "It's critical to keep to keep legislative priorities in their proper order. The legislation [The Repeal Bill] will not be considered for a floor vote until February." 

Bettencourt had previously indicated in late December that the House would most likely vote on the issue Jan. 11 or today.

Legislative sources said Wednesday that the bill was not listed on the House legislative agenda, however, one lawmaker told a New Hampshire newspaper that she had been ready to vote today to oppose a repeal of the state's same-sex marriage law.

State Rep. Laura Pantelakos, D-Portsmouth, confirmed that the measure did not appear on the House calendar, but lawmakers were expected to cast their votes Wednesday, she said. According to the House Majority leader, the vote on House Bill 437 was never formally scheduled, claiming that he was only speculating as the House Speaker William O'Brien, R-Mont Vernon, is in charge of the House calendar.

But Pantelakos, a lawmaker in the House for 34 years, said that was news to her. "I was definitely looking to vote on it today," she said.

Pantelakos, 76, said she spent the entire day in Concord yesterday and had not heard about a delay. She said it's not unusual for the GOP leadership to postpone action on bills.

"I don't know why it was put off," Pantelakos said. "I assume someone has said they won't get enough votes for it and want to push it back. It's not a good way to do business."

The bill's lead sponsor is Rep. David Bates, R-Windham. Bates said yesterday there was never any plan to debate his legislation today. The top priority today is a legislative redistricting bill, he said.

Although the vote on gay marriage will occur in February, the overall focus has not changed, Bettencourt said.

"Today, our citizens are most concerned about pocketbook issues like taxes, controlled spending, job creation and creating a business-friendly environment, and that is where we intend to remain focused," he said.

More than 1,800 gay couples have gotten married in New Hampshire since the same-sex law took effect two years ago, according to the state Division of Vital Records.

Pantelakos said she has received many emails from constituents who say the law should remain in place. "It's an issue we don't ever need to be dealing with," she said. "Our Constitution, it says we are all equal, so why shouldn't they be allowed to marry?" Pantelakos said. ~ The New Hampshire Eagle Tribune

More than 1,800 gay couples have gotten married in New Hampshire since the same-sex law took effect two years ago, according to the state Division of Vital Records. The state's Democratic Governor John Lynch, has promised to veto the same-sex marriage repeal bill.