Tag Archives: Arkansas

BREAKING: Judge Orders Arkansas To Recognize 500+ “Window” Marriages

Via the Associated Press: A judge ordered Arkansas officials on Tuesday to recognize more than 500 same-sex marriages performed in the state last year, a move that will let the couples enjoy a host of benefits such as filing taxes jointly and enrolling together in state health insurance plans. Pulaski County Circuit Judge Wendell Griffen validated marriage licenses that were …

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ARKANSAS: Judge To Rule This Week On 500+ “Window” Same-Sex Marriages

Via the Associated Press: A judge says he’ll rule in the next two days on whether Arkansas should recognize more than 500 same-sex marriages performed in the state last year. An attorney for two of the couples told Pulaski County Circuit Judge Wendell Griffen that her clients’ rights were being deprived by the state not recognizing their marriage licenses. The …

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Arkansas Pol Has The Gay Pride Sadz

“How many parades do you know of that are scheduled to take place on a Sunday? Have you ever wondered why they chose a Sunday to conduct a parade? I believe it is because they understand that the lifestyle they are glorifying on our streets is considered sin by every Bible-believing Christian and they use their parade on a day …

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ARKANSAS: Eureka Springs Voters Block Repeal Of LGBT Rights Bill

Some great news tonight: People in Eureka Springs voted Tuesday to keep a measure that would prohibit the city and private businesses from discriminating against someone based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. The unofficial final tally was 579 votes in favor of ratifying Ordinance 2223, approved by the city council in February. 231 people voted in favor of …

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ARKANSAS: Hot Springs Passes LGBT Rights Bill Despite Statewide Ban

Two weeks ago Arkansas capital Little Rock flipped its middle finger to the state legislature. Last night the town of Hot Springs did the same. The Hot Springs Board of Directors has passed an ordinance that would prohibit the city and its vendors from discriminating against people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. The board voted 6-1 to …

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Eighth Circuit Court Punts On All Cases

“On the court’s own motion, oral arguments and any further consideration of these cases will be deferred pending the Supreme Court of the Unites States’ decisions in James Obergefell v Richard Hodges.”

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ARKANSAS: AG Approves Referendum To Repeal Law Banning LGBT Rights

Via the Associated Press: An effort to repeal a new Arkansas law preventing local governments from extending anti-discrimination protections to gays and lesbians moved closer toward appearing on next year’s ballot Thursday after the state’s attorney general gave initial approval to the referendum. Attorney General Leslie Rutledge certified the proposed ballot measure, which would have voters decide whether to keep …

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ARKANSAS: Christian Leader Of LGBT Rights Repeal Movement Exposed As Convicted Serial Rapist

From You Can’t Make It Up Headquarters: The Arkansas Times has confirmed that a Baptist preacher in Eureka Springs who features prominently in a new video urging repeal of the city’s Ordinance 2223, which protects LGBT people from discrimination, pleaded guilty to a series of violent rapes in Oklahoma in 1977. Acra Lee Turner, 60, currently serves as a pastor …

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ARKANSAS: Little Rock Approves LGBT Rights Bill Despite New Statewide Ban

The capital city of Arkansas just flipped its middle finger to the state legislature. Via the Associated Press: Little Rock officials voted Tuesday to prohibit the city and companies contracting with it from discriminating based on sexual orientation or gender identity, challenging a new Arkansas law criticized as anti-gay. The ordinance approved by the city’s board on a 7-2 vote …

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15 AGs To Supreme Court: Same-Sex Marriage Will Cause Incalculable Damage

The attorneys general of fifteen states have filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court in which they predictably argue that a ruling in favor of same-sex marriage will “irretrievably” destroy their right to self-government. From the brief:  The Constitution takes no sides on same-sex marriage, and therefore leaves the issue up to the free deliberations of state citizens. The …

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ARKANSAS: Gov Appoints Gay Adoption Opponent To Hear Marriage Case

Via the Arkansas Times: Gov. Asa Hutchinson has appointed three special justices to fill openings on the Arkansas Supreme Court in a case to decide which justices should rule on the lawsuit challenging the ban on same-sex marriage. They are former Republican senator Shawn Womack, now a circuit judge in Mountain Home; former Republican attorney general candidate and former appointed …

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ARKANSAS: Governor Vows To Replace Supreme Court Justices Who Recused Themselves From Same-Sex Marriage Case

Via the Arkansas News: Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Thursday he plans to move quickly to appoint special justices to replace members of the state Supreme Court who recused themselves from a new case spun off from a challenge to Arkansas’ ban on gay marriage. On Wednesday, Chief Justice Jim Hannah and Justice Paul Danielson recused themselves from a new case …

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ARKANSAS: Two State Supreme Court Justices Recuse From Marriage Case

Via Arkansas News: Two Arkansas Supreme Court justices on Wednesday recused themselves from a newly created case to determine how the court should proceed in a lawsuit challenging the state’s ban on same-sex marriage. Both of the justices said they see no need for the new case, and one accused the court’s majority of creating the new case as a …

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Eighth Circuit Court Sets May 12th Details For Marriage Cases Out Of Arkansas, Missouri, Nebraska, & South Dakota

It seems unlikely that we’d get a decision before the Supreme Court. But we’ve been surprised many times.

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ARKANSAS: Pro-LGBT Church Banned From Eureka Springs Easter Parade

Ozarks First reports: Eureka Springs Celebrate Jesus Easter parade made its way through downtown Saturday afternoon, but one church was left on the sidelines. First United Methodist of Eureka Springs applied to be in the parade, and was initially accepted. One week before the parade, however, they were told they were no longer welcome. Church member Suzie Bell believes it’s …

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ARKANSAS: Gov. Asa Hutchinson Signs Amended Version Of RFRA Bill

CNN reports: Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed a religious freedom measure into law on Thursday after state lawmakers overhauled their proposal so that it mirrors the federal law. In the wake of intense backlash against a similar law in Indiana, first-term Republican governor had rejected the first version Arkansas lawmakers had sent to his desk, instead asking for two tweaks …

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IBM Joins Gay Borg, Denounces RFRA

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Jake Tapper Battles Double-Talking Author Of Arkansas License To Discriminate Bill

This was recorded before the revised version of the bill was approved late last night by the Arkansas Senate. Watch this guy babble and deflect in some truly Pence-ian doublespeak and note how he repeatedly says “homosexual” rather than “gay.” I’m sure he thinks we find that insulting.

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ARKANSAS: Senate Approves Amended RFRA “Nearly Identical” To Fed Version

Via Arkansas Online: The Arkansas Senate on Wednesday night approved transmitting two amended existing bills to the House that add language that mirrors the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Senate Bills 229 and 975 as amended serve as potential compromises to House Bill 1228, a bill opponents say could allow for discrimination against gay people while the bill’s main sponsor …

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Todd Starnes Has The Walmart Sadz

This one is definitely a boycott threat.

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