Weekly Political Roundup

Flags

  • The U.S. House Armed Services Committee approved three amendments that would delay implementation of the repeal of the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy.
  • Air Force Major Margaret Witt, who was discharged in 2003 under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, will receive full retirement, the government will drop its appeal against her, and the discharge will be removed from her service record.
  • California Gov. Jerry Brown and Attorney General Kamala Harris joined the American Foundation for Equal Rights in filing in U.S. District Court against the motion by Prop 8 supporters to vacate the ruling that declared Prop 8 unconstitutional. Prop 8 supporters say the ruling should be vacated because the judge, Vaughn Walker, is gay.
  • Delaware Gov. Jack Markell signed a bill to allow same-sex couples to enter into civil unions beginning in 2012.
  • Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette is suing the Michigan Civil Service Commission after it decided to offer benefits to unrelated adults living with state employees—MCSC’s attempt to get around the state’s ban on offering the “benefits of marriage” to non-man-woman couples.
  • A new poll by the Minneapolis Star Tribune has found that 55 percent of adults oppose a state constitutional ban on marriage for same-sex couples. The state Senate, however, approved a bill this week that, if approved by the House, would put such a ban on the 2012 ballot for voter approval.
  • Some opponents of marriage for same-sex couples in Rhode Island don’t want civil unions for them, either. And supporters of marriage equality would rather have marriage. That makes the prospects for the state’s civil union bill rather grim.
  • Wisconsin Senator Herb Kohl (D) is retiring, sparking rumor that openly gay Wisconsin Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D) might run for his seat.

Around the world:

  • Uganda’s parliament looks like it has closed its session without taking up a harsh anti-gay bill that called for the death sentence in some cases.
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