Gay-rights measure closer to ballot
Senate likely to OK bill to put benefits question to voters
By April M. Washington,
Rocky Mountain News
May 4, 2006

It's likely Coloradans will vote in November on whether gay couples should enjoy the legal rights and benefits afforded married couples.

On Wednesday, the Senate gave initial approval to a measure that would put the question on the ballot.

The Senate is expected to give formal approval to House Bill 1344 today and return it to the House, where passage also is expected.

The referred ballot measure, as it is called, does not require Gov. Bill Owens' signature.

Wednesday, several Republicans vehemently denounced the measure, calling it a surreptitious attempt to sanction gay marriage. the rest


'Gay History' Pushed in Calif. Textbooks
Thursday, May 4, 2006 10:53 a.m. EDT

A Senate committee approved a bill Wednesday that would require California's textbooks to include the contributions of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people to the state and nation's history.

The bill outraged some religious and conservative family groups, which said it would indoctrinate students in what they view as an unacceptable lifestyle.

The Senate Education Committee passed the bill by state Sen. Sheila Kuehl, D-Santa Monica, 8-3, along party lines. It now goes to the full Senate. the rest