After the New Hampshire Senate voted 14-10 to approve revised  gay marriage legislation earlier in the day, the House 0f Representatives has now voted against the bill 188-186, taking issue with enhanced religious protections requested by Governor Lynch.

More from WMUR TV:

One House member who voted in favor of same-sex marriage but against the amendment was Rep. Steve Vaillancourt, R-Manchester. He said the governor’s amendment would create discrimination in a bill intended to bring equal rights to people. “This bill has nothing to do with gay marriage,” Vaillancourt said. “This bill is a homophobic bill put in by a governor who was backed into a corner, hoisted on his own petard. My job is not to get the governor out of his corner. My job is to do what’s best for society. It is not best to send a message across the country that we’re going to give gay marriage with lots of strings attached.”

The bill is now back in committee where the House will attempt to negotiate a compromise with the Senate.

As suspected the California Supreme Court delayed their ruling on Proposition 8 thanks to a last minute called place by San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom.

From Towleroad:

Confidential sources close to San Francisco City Hall told Towleroad’s Corey Johnson that the California Supreme Court was prepared to release its opinion on Proposition 8 tomorrow, but decided to delay the ruling after a call from Mayor Gavin Newsom.

“Newsom reached out to the Supreme Court and asked them to hold off releasing their decision so it did not coincide with the White Night riots,” said our source.

I’m glad at least that the mayor was cognizant of the timing of the ruling, which would have fallen on the 30th anniversary of the White Night riots. But what of the California Supreme Court… Didn’t they know? Or did they know their decision would cause celebrations, not mayhem?

UPDATE: Gavin Newsom’s office has issued a statement denying he contacted the California Supreme Court with regards to the Prop 8 ruling.

Move along. Nothing to see here. At least this week. From the court’s website:

May 20 2009 — No opinions were announced for filing on Thursday, May 21, 2009.
There is no pending notice of forthcoming opinion filings. When opinions are expected to file, notices are generally posted the day before. Opinions are normally filed Mondays and Thursdays at 10:00 a.m.

The California Supreme is Court is taking its sweet precious time in delivering a ruling on Proposition 8. Time is running out for the court as they have to reach a decision before June 5. But considering a ruling tomorrow would have fallen on  the 30th anniversary of the White Night riots, and on the eve of Harvey Milk’s birthday , perhaps it’s wise for the court to wait at least another week.

When the ruling is finally announced, celebrations or protests are scheduled to occur throughout the state and across the nation. To find out about events that may be occurring in your area visit the DayOfDecision.com

A California elementary school sixth grader has been banned from giving a presentation on Harvey Milk in class as it violates the school’s sex education policy. Natalie Jones, a student at Mt. Woodson Elementary School in Romana, California,  based her presentation on an independent research project she wrote about the gay civil rights leader. After reviewing the incident, the ACLU determined that it is a free speech issue, particularly since the school referenced its sex education policy in its decision, and is now pursuing the case. From the ACLU press release:

“The principal and superintendent grossly misinterpreted school policy. They illegally censored student speech protected by the First Amendment and the California Education Code,” said David Blair-Loy, Legal Director of the ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties. “Writing or talking about a gay historical figure who advocated for equal rights for LGBT Californians is in no way the same thing as talking about sex, and school officials should not pretend otherwise.”

The student’s mother Bonnie Jones:

“This whole thing is unbelievable – first my daughter got called into the principal’s office as if she were in some kind of trouble, and then they treated her presentation like it was something icky. Harvey Milk was an elected official in this state and an important person in history. To say my daughter’s presentation is ‘sex education’ because Harvey Milk happened to be gay is completely wrong.”

Below is the part of the school’s sex education policy which is in question:

“(P)arents/guardians shall be notified in writing about any instruction in which human reproductive organs and their functions, processes, or sexually transmitted diseases are described, illustrated, or discussed. In addition, before any instruction on family life, human sexuality, AIDS or sexually transmitted diseases is given, the parent/guardian shall be provided with written notice explaining that the instruction will be given…”

The ACLU is seeking an apology for Natalie, an opportunity for her to give the presentation in front of her class, and a clarification of parental notification issues with regards to the sex education policy.