And you thought advocates for equality would take a break after the election.

Not really. You know better.

Here, Matt Baume tells us which states may take up the fight next, why marriages could resume in California by the end of the month, and more.

The remains of the historic Lewis-Huey-McElroy House, ca. 1895.

One month ago today the historic home that my partner and I shared burned. No one was at home when the fire began, and no one was injured. We lost most of what we owned, and are still playing catch up as far as day to day life goes.

That is why there have been no posts during the past few weeks. Hopefully, within a week or so, my life will be such that I can resume posting important information about marriage equality. In the meantime, there is still helpful information on this site…take a look around.

September 1 marks the 3 year anniversary of  marriage equality in Vermont. Listen to Matt Baume as he recounts the history behind this.

Matt Baume with this week’s Marriage News Watch. Two cases are up for a ruling by SCOTUS, and we should know in September if either will be reviewed.

And Young Conservatives for the Freedom to Marry are disappointed in the GOP platform.

The Republican Party has proposed a platform that does nothing for the LGBT community.
Here is what the Republicans say about marriage and the so-called activist judges.

A serious threat to our country’s constitutional order, perhaps even more dangerous than presidential malfeasance, is an activist judiciary, in which some judges usurp the powers reserved to other branches of government. A blatant example has been the court-ordered redefinition of marriage in several States. This is more than a matter of warring legal concepts and ideals. It is an assault on the foundations of our society, challenging the institution which, for thousands of years in virtually every civilization, has been entrusted with the rearing of children and the transmission of cultural values.

As for marriage itself:

We reaffirm our support for a constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

and:

We recognize and honor the courageous efforts of those who bear the many burdens of parenting alone, even as we believe that marriage, the union of one man and one woman must be upheld as the national standard, a goal to stand for, encourage, and promote through laws governing marriage.

And then they follow with:

We embrace the principle that all Americans should be treated with respect and dignity.

Somehow the first three quotes do not add up to equal the last one.

But you have followed the posts on this site, and read the text of the marriage plank in the Democratic Party proposed platform.

We support the right of all families to have equal respect, responsibilities, and protections under the law. We support marriage equality and support the movement to secure equal treatment under law for same-sex couples. We also support the freedom of churches and religious entities to decide how to administer marriage as a religious sacrament without government interference.

We oppose discriminatory federal and state constitutional amendments and other attempts to deny equal protection of the laws to committed same-sex couples who seek the same respect and responsibilities as other married couples. We support the full repeal of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act and the passage of the Respect for Marriage Act.

We are a non-partisan group, but we believe in the issue of equality. You must decide which party, and which candidate, represents your view. Please respond with a comment letting us know: Republican or Democrat.

Matt Bauer with his Marriage News Watch. Not smooth sailing for the marriage plank in the Democratic platform. And the importance of the fights in various states where marriage is coming up for a vote.

More on the Democrat Platform plank on marriage.  And more.

Buzzfeed has received the proposed text of the marriage equality plank in the Democrat Platform for 2012, from members of the Democratic Platform Drafting Committee.

We support the right of all families to have equal respect, responsibilities, and protections under the law. We support marriage equality and support the movement to secure equal treatment under law for same-sex couples. We also support the freedom of churches and religious entities to decide how to administer marriage as a religious sacrament without government interference.

We oppose discriminatory federal and state constitutional amendments and other attempts to deny equal protection of the laws to committed same-sex couples who seek the same respect and responsibilities as other married couples. We support the full repeal of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act and the passage of the Respect for Marriage Act.

This still must be approved by the Platform Committee, which is different from the Drafting Committee. That could happen this weekend in Detroit, and then the platform would have to be approved at the Convention in September.

In 2008 Republicans included a plank calling for an amendment to the U. S. Constitution restricting marriage to between one man and one woman. We have yet to hear what the GOP platform for 2012 will include, but there is likely to be a sharp contrast between the two platforms regarding marriage equality.

Matt Baume updates us with more news on the unconstitutionality of DOMA and some survey results.

Why Marriage Matters Alabama has a donor who will match any contributions during the month of August up to a total of $2000, including those already made this month.

In other words, if you contribute $50, WMMA gets $100. If you contribute $25, we get $50.

Now is a great time to speak up for marriage equality. Donate today!