Morning Sweep

There will be a special election for the 105th Assembly seat (Albany area) tomorrow. The seat was formerly held by Democrat Paul Tonko, who voted in favor of the marriage equality bill on June 19. Although the Albany Times Union endorses Edward Kosiur (D) for the seat, it points out specifically that his position for civil unions and against marriage equality demonstrates a "lack of leadership." We will miss Assemblymember Paul Tonko--and wish him well in his new role as a member of the Spitzer Administration.

Gay rights activists protested the arrival of U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon in San Francisco, demanding that the multinational body take a more active role in ending violence against LGBT people around the world.

A showdown is looming in Florida over its constitutional amendment to define marriage as between one man and one woman. The language of the amendment may also jeopardize domestic partner benefits for straight couples.

Vermont, which already provides civil unions for gay couples, is now looking into legalizing same-sex marriage.

Freedom to Marry's Evan Wolfson contributes a piece to the Huffington Post calling for more leadership from the Democratic presidential candidates. In it he points out that all lawmakers in state legislature races who have supported same-sex marriage legislation have been re-elected--and that the vast majority of those who were openly in favor of marriage during races for open seats have won.

In its review of "I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry" Reuters suggests that Hollywood is simply evolving " to keep up with the times" because support for same-sex marriage is steadily growing nationally.

Colombia looks to be moving forward in granting legal recognition to its same-sex couples.