(SFGate) The Wisconsin Supreme Court has upheld the state’s constitutional ban on gay marriage and civil unions. In a 7-0 ruling, the court on Wednesday ruled that the 2006 constitutional amendment was properly put to voters in a statewide referendum. The court…

(HRC Back Story) Today, Adrian and I, along with four other leading LGBT organizations in Hawaii, delivered letters from members of the Hawaii Business Roundtable to the Governor. 23 HBR members – a full 50% – have come out in opposition to the original stance by the executive committee of the organization calling for a veto of HB 444, the civil unions bill. This was a significant development and complete turnaround following the news on June 10 th that Hawaii’s most prominent business policy working group had urged a veto of the bill.

(ACLU) To mark Pride, the New York Civil Liberties Union today released a new web video reminding New Yorkers that, despite a temporary setback last year in the State Senate, the fight for fair marriage laws is not over. “The majority of New Yorkers support fair marriage laws that protect lesbian and gay families,” said NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman. “We must keep working and show our elected officials that they must stand up for all New Yorkers.” In December, the State Senate rejected a bill that would have given gay and lesbian couples in the state the ability to marry by a vote of 38 to 24.

(SFGate) European nations do not have to allow same-sex marriage, the European Court of Human Rights has ruled, though gay rights groups claimed a partial victory Friday because the court acknowledged growing agreement that their relationships should be recognized in… Same-sex marriage – Human rights – Marriage – United States – Austrian Empire

(The Boston Globe) A group that helped fund a successful effort to repeal Maine’s gay marriage law is going to ask the state ethics commission to dismiss an investigation into the fundraising techniques it used prior to last year’s vote. Maine – Same-sex marriage – Law – United States – Marriage

(Gay Politics) Gov. Linda Lingle has informed the Hawaii state legislature that she may veto a sweeping civil unions bill that would give same-sex couples the rights and responsibilities of marriage, according to KITV . Lingle, a Republican, faced a Monday deadline to tell state lawmakers which bills they passed that she plans to veto.

(Advocate) Maggie Gallagher, former president of the National Organization for Marriage, expressed her belief that Judge Vaughn Walker will strike down California’s anti-gay-marriage Proposition 8 via her Statement From Maggie on NOM’s website.

(CNN) While closing arguments have ended in California’s Proposition 8 trial — a case that will determine the constitutionality of California’s same-sex marriage ban — the outcome may not have an impact on states considering similar legislation.

(Politics Daily) Opponents of same-sex marriage put on a weak case in a California courtroom. The likely result: A ruling in favor of gay couples.

(HRC Back Story) Some of Hawaii’s largest businesses today spoke out in favor of the pending Civil Unions bill demonstrating that fairness is good for the economy and good for the community. The business push comes after the Hawaii Business Roundtable sent a letter to the Governor late last week urging a veto of the bill. HBR members made clear today that the organization was not speaking for its membership.