Idaho lawmakers put same-sex marriage ban on November ballot News
Idaho lawmakers put same-sex marriage ban on November ballot

[JURIST] Reversing a stance taken in previous years, Idaho state senators Wednesday voted to put on the November ballot a constitutional amendment [HJR002 text] that would establish one man and one woman marriages as the "only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized." The same measure was defeated in the Senate in 2004 and 2005 [JURIST report], but passed easily this time by 26-9 after sailing through the House last week, 53-7.

The extent to which the amendment would further restrict same-sex couples is unclear since Idaho law already defines marriage as being between one man and one woman, but supporters [Cornerstone Institute advocacy website] say the constitutional amendment would be a backstop against any court ruling that that law is invalid. AP has more. The Idaho Statesman has local coverage.

THIS DAY @ LAW

International Day Against Fascism and Anti-Semitism

November 9 is the International Day Against Fascism and Anti-Semitism [UNITED factsheet]. On November 9, 1924, American gay activist Henry Gerber and several associates formed the Society for Human Rights, the first gay rights organization in the United States. The Society received a charter from the State of Illinois in December but was disbanded in July 1925 after a police raid which led to Gerber's arrest and trial (albeit not conviction). Pay a virtual visit to Henry Gerber House, now a registered Chicago landmark.

Supreme Court strikes down Massachusetts anti-draft law

On November 9, 1970, the Supreme Court voted 6-3 in Massachusetts v. Laird not to hear the case of the state's anti-draft law. Massachusetts had passed a law, which allowed its citizens to decline to fight in any undeclared war, even if the person was drafted. The law was passed in opposition to the draft and the war in Vietnam. The First Circuit found the war constitutional and thus struck down the law.