What will be the next state to legalize same-sex marriage? My guess is New Jersey. Governor Corzine is in favour of same-sex marriage and the Civil Union Review Commission has determined that civil unions have failed to provide equality and unanimously recomended that marriage laws be made gender neutral. Most New Jerseyans seem to be in favour and Democrats control both houses of the state legislature.
I’m thinking Rhode Island.
I have nothing to back that up.
You probably just heard it on NPR like I did. The only caveat is Gov. Carccieri is not against same sex marriage, but he is a “traditionalist” [his words] and may only allow those who are married outside of the state to divorce in RI. Whatever that means. I’d favor a provision like Vermont just enacted. Basically simply stating that marriage does not have to be just between a man and a woman.
Hopefully there is a livestock provision. 
I doubt it will be Rhode Island.
This doesn’t speak of legal inertia or court rulings, but Nate Silver’s predictions are here
Okay, who else finds this hilarious?
Democrats control the RI House of Representatives 69 to 6 and the RI Senate 33 to 5.
Ne Hampshire’s working on it, and maybe somebody will convince Lynch not to be a douchebag.
Yeah, the NH house passed it, now it’s on the the senate. And Lynch did allow civil unions.
C’mon NH make me proud! (Ok, so I’m already ridiculously patriotic about my state. Make me more so!)
raises hand
[picture of cat]
nom nom nom
do not want
My money’s on NJ. There’s already been quite a move within the state towards benefits for same-sex partners, civil unions, etc, and the population does tend to skew a bit liberal.
The day it happens will be the second day of my life when I will not feel the slightest shame in saying, “Yeah, I grew up there.” C’mon, guys, it’s not too big of deal, just do it!
If you want it to happen in New Jersey, there’s a group called Garden State Equality that would love your support!
:eek:
D.C. isn’t a state, obviously, but it’s expected to pass a same-sex marriage bill by this summer. (They unanimously passed a bill this week recognizing SSM’s from other jurisdictions.) However, D.C. is not in charge of its own fate; the federal government has a 30-day window to pass legislation blocking the enaction of D.C. laws. We’ll see what happens.
–Cliffy
How’s Maine doing? I saw it listed as one of the candidates somewhere, but can’t find that somewhere now.
I find it interesting that those who claim to be most in favor of marriage are trying to pass legislation banning marriage.
The irony is fabulous.
I’m a gonna email my state rep and sen today. You better not be hating on gays Albio Sires!
Surely we can beat Rhode Island, right guys?
What about New York? It recognizes gay marriages in other states, and the original plan was to introduce a gay marriage bill this year. Did the state senate leader end up shelving that to hold onto the seat?
I do.
They should instead go around encouraging unmarried couples (of any persuasion) to marry, if they are in favor of marriage. I don’t follow the argument that allowing gay marriage impinges in any way on traditional marriage.
In Quebec something over 50% of children are now being born to unmarried couples.