Marriage Bill Advances in Delaware - April 22 marriage news watch

Marriage equality continues to spread, with major milestones this week that span from the Great Lakes region to the Mid-Atlantic. Plus, New Zealand becomes the 13th country to legalize the freedom to marry, and international progress continues from Colombia to Vietnam. At the American Foundation for Equal Rights, I'm Matt Baume, and welcome to Marriage News Watch for April 22, 2013. As the Prop 8 and DOMA cases work their way through the US Supreme Court, work on marriage legislation has been rapidly accelerating in multiple states. The question for 2013 is not "will any more states legalize marriage this year," but rather, "which ones will legalize marriage?" With the freedom to marry almost a done deal in all of New England, work now is expanding to the Mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes Regions. We're seeing significant progress in states including Minnesota, Ohio, and New Jersey. Organizers in Minnesota convened rallies and an intense lobbying session at the state Capitol last week. Lawmakers have two rival bills to consider: one would legalize marriage, while the other would extend limited civil unions. You can connect with Minnesotans United for All Families to find out more and get involved. Meanwhile, a new study by the Williams Institute shows that marriage equality would add 42 million dollars to the state's economy, including three million in tax revenue. A new survey in Ohio shows public opinion continuing an upward trend in support of the freedom to marry. The Qunnipiac poll shows 48 percent in favor and 44 percent opposed. It's just the second time a survey has shown a majority favoring marriage equality in Ohio. We have even stronger polling in New Jersey, where support stands at 62 percent to 30 percent according to a new Rutgers Eagleton Poll. Work toward marriage is proceeding on three tracking in New Jersey: there's a lawsuit, legislation, and talk of a ballot measure. To New Jersey's north is New York and Connecticut, where marriage is already legal. To the south, in Delware, a House committee passed a marriage bill last week. It's now headed for a full House debate, possibly as early as this week. Polling in Delaware is strong, with a February survey from Global Strategy Group showing support at 54 to 37 percent. And there's more major international news this week. After marriage bills advanced in France and Uruguay two weeks ago, lawmakers have now passed a marriage bill in New Zealand. Marriages there will commence in mid-August. Lawmakers in Colombia have postponed a vote on a marriage bill for another week. Due to a 2011 Supreme Court ruling, marriage will automatically be legalized in that country if a bill is not passed by June of this year. And a Deputy Health Minister in Vietnam has called for marriage equality. The National Assembly is tentatively planning to debate the issue in 2014. Meanwhile we're closer than ever to resolution on the Prop 8 and DOMA cases. Subscribe here on YouTube and at AFER.org for breaking news alerts and to find out how you can help support the cause of equality for all. At the American Foundation for Equal Rights, I'm Matt Baume. We'll see you next week.