A round-up of the marriage equality news we've been tracking this week.
NORTH CAROLINA
A battle to defeat Amendment One is engaged, organized, and underway, but needs financial support. Protect All NC Families is spearheading the campaign, which this week received support from the state's Libertarian Party, and will get a visit from Prop 8-battling attorney Ted Olson in April. Activists opposed to the measure held a rally and march in Raleigh. Find out how you can help HERE.
PENNSYLVANIA
An amendment to ban same-sex marriage was withdrawn from consideration on Tuesday by the House State Government Committee.
MAINE
The Maine House of Representatives voted unanimously Tuesday morning to indefinitely postpone a same-sex marriage bill, which has the effect of sending it directly to voters. The measure will appear on the November ballot and supporters are optimistic that it will pass.
WASHINGTON
A Thurston County judge approved language for Referendum 74, which would appear on the state's ballot should opponents of same-sex marriage succeed in collecting nearly 121,000 signatures by June 6. The language does not contain the phrase "redefine marriage", which is good news for pro-equality advocates.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
GOP Rep. David Bates introduced a bill that would repeal the state's marriage equality law by replacing it with civil unions, and then allow the voters to decide afterward whether they like that or not. The bill is set for a vote next Wednesday. State Rep. Seth Cohn says he plans to offer an amendment to that bill barring two left-handed people from marrying.
MARYLAND
Marriage equality opponents launched a petition drive on Wednesday to overturn the recently passed law. They must collect 56,000 signatures to bring the law to referendum on the November ballot.
MINNESOTA
Former Vice President Walter Mondale and Retired Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Kathleen Blatz have signed their names to a campaign letter for Lawyers United for All Families, a group working to fight the anti-gay marriage amendment that will appear before voters in November. Said Mondale: "Our constitution is a hard-earned gift from those who preceded us, and an enduring promise to those who will follow us. It should be used to protect individual liberty, not to take it away."
