USA: Updated Gay Marriage Map

Minnesota: Celebration In The State Capitol Rotunda

Bill Maher: New Rules 5/10/2013

NYC: Cops Make Two Arrests After Midtown Gay Bashing

The DOMA Project: Missing Husband

More on this couple’s story is here.

Minnesota: Senate Passes Marriage Equality Bill 37-30

Joe.My.God. reports:

The Minnesota Senate will begin debate on its marriage equality bill at noon local time (1pm Eastern).   The bill is expected to pass and Gov. Mark Dayton is likely to sign it in a ceremony presently scheduled to take place tomorrow.  You can watch today’s proceedings live on the website of theStar-Tribuneand on the Senate’s official page.  You’ll probably want to save both links as high traffic often makes these streams crash.  Zoom, zoom, zoom, y’all.

Liza Minnelli Joins NOH8 Campaign

Via press release, Liza’s message: “Here’s what I believe … no shame, no blame, no guilt. Be happy. And be who you are. I love you.” [Photo credit: Adam Bouska courtesy of NOH8 Campaign.]

AFER’s Matt Baume: Marriage News Watch

Of course, Oprah shoots and scores the first interview with NBA’s Jason Collins since he came out earlier this week. During Oprah’s Next Chapter (airing May 5 on OWN) Collins reveals how he struggled with his sexuality and hid his truth from even his twin brother and their parents, Portia and Paul Collins. His parents tell&

Via Queerty.

Obama On Collins: I Couldn’t Be Prouder

The New York Times: No Real AIDS Cure, But A Step Forward

Cher & Georgia Holt On The Tonight Show With Jay Leno - Cher’s Mugshot At Age 13

Ellen DeGeneres Congratulates Jason Collins

Northern Ireland Rejects Marriage Equality

The Telegraph reports:

A bid to legalise same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland has failed.
Unionists voted down a motion at Stormont’s Assembly which called on the power-sharing ministerial Executive to legislate.
Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK without marriage rights for gay couples.
The issue sparked impassioned debate, with protests outside the legislature and verbal clashes between campaigners in favour of or opposed to the change. Amnesty International has warned of a likely legal challenge.
Sinn Fein South Down MLA Caitriona Ruane said: “Attitudes in Ireland are changing because people do not want to see people discriminated against.
“The gay community has said enough is enough, they are standing up for themselves and their communities.”
She claimed young people were turning to suicide by because of the taunts.
“If they don’t have an alternative voice to the vitriolic gay bashing they will internalise it,” she said.
“There is no room for sitting on the fence on this, this is about fighting for all our children’s rights.”
Church leaders had urged Assembly members to vote against the legislation, with the Catholic church asserting marriage was between a man and a woman.
However, Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty’s orthern Ireland programme director, said: “States may not discriminate with regards to the right to marry and found a family, on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.”
Yesterday’s petition of concern at the Assembly tabled by the largest unionist party, the Democratic Unionists, ensured Sinn Fein’s motion would be defeated after a majority of unionists failed to back the change.
John O’Doherty, director of the Rainbow Project health organisation for gay men and a rights campaigner, said he would continue to press for change.
“This will be won slowly so we appreciate every vote that we got. We are disappointed with the outcome. It has always been a difficult march towards equality here but we will continue to fight the good fight.”

Clintons: We’re Proud Of Jason Collins