Same-sex Marriage, Senate | featured news

Republican U.S. Sen. Rob Portman is now supporting gay marriage and says his reversal on the issue began when he learned one of his sons is gay. Ohio's junior senator disclosed his change of heart in interviews with several Ohio newspapers and CNN. In an op-ed published Friday in The Columbus Dispatch, he said the decision came after a lot of thought.

Barney Frank, a gay 16-term congressman from Massachusetts, plans to marry his partner, his office said on Thursday.

Senate Democrats who back gay marriage have decided now is the time to repeal a federal law defining marriage as the union of a man and a woman.

Many lawmakers and staff members say the issue would probably pass if it were brought up for consideration.

New Hampshire's Senate passed a bill on Wednesday that would legalize same-sex marriage after an amendment was added that prohibits polygamy and marriage of family members, among other measures.

The Vermont Senate has given its final stamp of approval to a bill that would allow same-sex couples to marry in the state.