Brisbee, Arizona: A few weeks ago, I wrote about the small community of Brisbee, AZ, and their desire to legalize civil unions within city limits. I thought it had already been approved, but maybe that was just a first hearing. Regardless, on April 2nd, the Brisbee City Council voted 5-2 to legalize civil unions for all couples. This ordinance allows "any two unrelated, unmarried adults of any sexual orientation to enter into a civil union." It goes into effect in 30 days from the actual vote. It should be noted that Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne was not pleased and warned them against making that vote.
Florida: I learned a few weeks ago of a statewide domestic partnership bill being proposed within the Florida Senate. Looks like there has been some developments in this situation. The Florida Senate Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs passed the "Families First" billon April 1st by a 5-4 vote, which would allow unmarried couples to register as domestic partners and receive a variety of statewide rights and responsibilities, including hospital visitation rights, correctional facility visitation rights, end of life decision making rights, and the ability to make burial arrangements for deceased partners. The "Families First" bill will be considered next by the Senate Judiciary Committee. It's unclear to me whether or not this bill has the support to successfully become law.
Pokagon Band of Potawatomi: Last month, there was a lot of news about the tribal council of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians voting 5-4 in favor of equal marriage rights and responsibilities for members of the tribe. However, there was very little attention made in early March 2013 about a similar action by the tribal council for the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi. I learned of this from another blogger named Adrienne, who pointed out two sources for this information (here and here). Otherwise, there has been very little information about the Pokagons embracing marriage equality for its tribal members. Wikipedia and other sources indicate only three American Indian tribes that recognize same-sex marriages for members of their tribes, but the Pokagons are not listed as part of the three. If you have any additional information about this decision, pass that information on to me in the comments sections because I would really love to learn more!
Tempe, Arizona: Following the vote to legalize civil unions within the city limits of Brisbee, AZ, the City Council of Tempe, AZ, has begun the process of mulling over whether or not to implement their own civil union bill. They have no immediate plan of action besides considering the pros and cons of this process.
Utah: A little over a week ago, three same-sex couples filed lawsuits in U.S. District Court attempting to eliminate Utah's 2004 constitutional amendment against same-sex marriage. They are arguing that the marital rights of gay and lesbian couples are being denied as affirmed in the interracial marriage case, Loving v. Virginia. Most of the plaintiffs in this case are gay or lesbian couples who want to get married, though one of the plaintiff couples are a lesbian couples who got married here in Iowa -- that last marriage is not recognized by the Federal government or by the state of Utah.