Author Archives: Lisa Keen
Seattle gets first gay mayor: Ed Murray
Openly gay Washington State Senator Ed Murray won election Tuesday night to become Seattle’s first openly gay mayor. Seattle is the 22nd most populous city in the nation. There was other good news for gay candidates last night. Houston’s
Hawaii House panel advances bill
A Hawaii House panel voted Tuesday evening to recommend passage of a marriage equality bill with three amendments. The vote was not announced and could not be clearly discerned from the roll call.
Illinois House clears marriage bill: No. 15
The Illinois House of Representatives passed a marriage equality bill Tuesday afternoon, by a vote of 61 to 54, 2 present, following a prolonged debate that centered frequently on religion and race. The bill must now go back to the state
Speed Read: Tuesday 5 November 2013
Debate is expected today in the U.S. Senate as it begins to consider ENDA, following yesterday's successful procedural vote. The Hawaii House hearing on a marriage bill continued late into the night last night. The Illinois House is expected to
U.S. House gay caucus gets new member
In a surprise announcement, U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud, a Democratic candidate for governor next year, acknowledged that he is gay. Michaud (pronounced Mee-show), 58, said he was making the acknowledgement publically because of “whisper campaigns, insinuations and push-polls” by opponents
ENDA clears Senate procedural vote
The U.S. Senate invoked a motion for cloture this afternoon, 61 to 30, just one vote more than the 60 it needed to force the chamber to take up debate and consideration of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). It is not
Speed Read: Monday 4 November 2013
This could be an historic week for LGBT civil rights or a dud. The potential exists for final passage of marriage equality bills in Hawaii and Illinois, and the possibility of passage of ENDA in the U.S. Senate.
Speed Read: Friday 1 November 2013
The Senate will vote Monday evening on whether to debate and vote on ENDA. Senator John McCain says he's leaning against ENDA and expects some amendments to address "religious oriented" concerns. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is cracking down on the
Speed Read: Thursday 31 October 2013
ENDA now has a pretty solid 60 votes in the Senate to overcome any filibuster attempt to block a vote. Equality Florida lobbied aggressively for Senator Bill Nelson to co-sponsor and now all Democrats are ready to back the bill.
