Meghan McCain Says Her Father's "Coming Along" on Freedom to Marry

Valley Fever (Phoenix New Times)
January 29, 2010
During a speech at the University of Florida, Meghan McCain said that her father, Sen. John McCain, is "coming along" on the freedom to marry: "He's 73 years old. It's difficult. I keep telling people 'You continue putting pressure on President Obama, and I'll continue putting pressure on my father.'" [Link]

Arizona's New Budget Cuts Domestic Partner Benefits

Phoenix New Times
September 8, 2009
Arizona Governor Jan Brewer approved the majority of the state Legislature's budget Friday, including cutting domestic partner benefits for state employees, which means roughly 800 people will lose their health insurance. [Link]

Effort to Get Civil Unions on Az Ballot Planned

Tucson Citizen
December 10, 2008
Marriage Equality USA's Arizona chapter is beginning a drive for a 2010 ballot initiative that would establish civil partnerships for gay couples in the state. [Link]

Gay supporters, activists vow to continue fight against Prop. 102

The Arizona Republic
November 10, 2008
Activists say battles will continue in Arizona over issues related to same-sex couples: inheritance rights, medical decision-making and burial rights, to name a few of the estimated 300 rights that Arizona automatically confers on married couples. (Link)
Learn more about Arizona.

Equality’s Winding Path

New York Times
November 6, 2008
The Times editorial staff writes about anti-gay measures passing in California, Florida, Arkansas, and Arizona: "We do not view these results as reason for despair. Struggles over civil rights never follow a straight trajectory, and the ugly outcome of these ballot fights should not obscure the building momentum for full equality for gay people, including acceptance of marriage between gay men and women. But the votes remind us of how much remains to be done before this bigotry is finally erased." (Link)

Loss in Arizona

Prop 102: Anti-gay constitutional amendment would write marriage discrimination into the state constitution

Anti-gay constitutional amendment PASSED

Knights of Columbus donate $100,000 to push Ariz. marriage ban

Phoenix Business Journal
October 21, 2008
The Knights of Columbus has given $100,000 to support a state ballot measure banning gay couples' marriages. Current state law prohibits same-sex couples from the protections and responsibilities of legal marriage but that provision is not in the constitution. [Link]
Learn more about Arizona.

10 Things You Can Do to Stop the Props

Mombian
October 21, 2008
Florida’s Prop 2, California’s Prop 8, Arizona’s Prop 102: You know what they are. You’ve given money to fight them. (If you haven’t, stop right now and click one of the links above, donate, then continue reading.) There are exactly two weeks to go now, folks. What else can you do...Here are some ideas, in no particular order. (Link)

EDITORIAL: Marriage amendment

Arizona Republic
October 20, 2008
The Republic joins seven other Arizona newspapers in urging Arizona voters to reject Prop 102, saying "Arizona must get beyond the acrimony fueled by the fight over Proposition 102... As gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transsexuals no longer feel compelled to hide in the closet, we see that they're our friends, colleagues and, often, family members. Personal relations are dispelling the clouds of prejudice and ignorance. [Link]
Read more about the fight for the freedom to marry in Arizona.

Prop. 102: No

Arizona Daily Star
October 19, 2008
Proposition 102 is a divisive, discriminatory initiative that would threaten to erode the rights of same-sex couples if approved. (Link)
Learn more about Prop. 102.

Arizona's Anti-Marriage Amendment

The Arizona Republic
October 20, 2008
The Republic editorializes, "Proposition 102 is a needless distraction. Voters should reject it." (Link)
Learn more about what's going on in Arizona.

Mom says: Vote no on divisive anti-gay marriage proposition

Tucson Citizen
October 8, 2008
"My faith as a Christian - a follower of Jesus, who told us clearly that we don't get to cast stones at others because we, too, are deeply flawed - that faith demands that I not only refuse to participate in the stone throwing, but also that I stand up and do something to stop it." [Link]
Read more from other non-gay allies.

Cold Stone Creamery Founders Donate Against Marriage Equality in Arizona

Joe. My. God
October 6, 2008
"JMG reader ChrisB in Phoenix tips us to the news that Cold Stone Creamery founders Donald and Susan Sutherland (no relation to the famous acting family) have donated $10,000 to Arizona's anti-gay marriage Proposition 102. You can find the Sutherland's donation on Page 16 of this Prop 102 donors PDF. " [Link]
Learn more about Arizona.

$6.9M raised by backers of gay marriage measure

Associated Press
October 2, 208
Supporters of a measure that would alter Arizona’s constitution to ban gay and lesbian couples' marriages have out-raised opponents by millions of dollars. Figures released Thursday show the campaign in support of Proposition 102 has raised $6.9 million. That’s compared to the roughly $355,000 raised by the measure’s opponents. [Link]
Learn more about Arizona.

McCain, Obama wary of marriage debate

Associated Press
September 22, 2008
Proposed discriminatory amendments against marriage for same-sex couples are on the ballot in three important states this fall, rousing passions on both sides, yet neither John McCain nor Barack Obama seem eager to push the issue high on their campaign agendas. (Link)

Why Each State is Important

Box Turtle Bulletin
September 9, 2008
Collectively, we have the opportunity to send a very strong message this year. Should we win in all three states we will be able to state that those who experience same-sex marriages within their communities have found them to be no threat, that anti-marriage efforts will not win you election in a swing state, and that coming back to a state that has rejected discrimination is a waste of time and money. [Link]

Our Opinion: Vote no on gay marriage ban

Tucson Citizen
September 7, 2008
"We need to send a message to the rest of the U.S. that discrimination is not what Arizona is about. We need to send a message to legislators - think of it as dropping them a card - to stop monkeying with our constitution and to get to work on real issues facing the state." [Link]

Discriminatory marriage ban has no place in AZ

Tucson Citizen
September 8, 2008
Arizona State Senator Paula Aboud writes in opposition to prop. 102 on the 2008 ballot: "Don't write discrimination into the Arizona Constitution. Vote no on Prop. 102 - again." (Link)

Do it for Del

365Gay.com
September 2, 2008
With the passing of leader and pioneer Del Martin, a columnist urges, "Do, for Del, engage in the campaign for “no” votes if you live in one of the states facing an anti-gay initiative." (Link)

For Arizona, Three’s a Crowd

Advocate
September 23, 2008
In the end, gay rights activists are hoping for a hat trick, though that seems unlikely given the odds facing Arizona. But Evan Wolfson insists that one victory is paramount. “Holding California is an outright win,” he says, whereas in Arizona and Florida “we will not have advanced -- but simply beaten back an attack.” [Link]