Approximately 24 bills favoring basic civil rights for lesbians and gay men, including making discrimination in areas such as the workplace, housing and public accommodation illegal, have been introduced in at least 18 states.

These measures remain alive in 11 states (AZ, CA, IL, LA, ME, NE, NH, NY, OR, TX, WA). West Virginia's died in committee last week. Including West Virginia, civil rights measures are now dead in seven states (AR, CO, DD, MT, NM, VA, WV).

In Washington, the group Hands Off Washington continues its signature gathering to put a pro-gay employment non-discrimination measure on the ballot in November.

MARRIAGE:

Approximately 61 bills banning same gender marriage have been introduced in 32 states. In Rhode Island and West Virginia, the defeat of anti-marriage bills last week was celebrated. This brings to six the number of states (MD, NH, NM, RI, WV, WY) where marriage bans were defeated this year. Anti-marriage bills remain pending in 20 states (AL, CA, CO, CT, FL, HI, IN, LA, MN, MT, NE, NJ, OH, OR, TX, VT, WA, WI). In five states (IL, MD, NE, RI, WA), pro-marriage bills were introduced. Only those in Illinois and Washington remain alive.

This year, marriage bans have been signed into law in five states (AR, ME, MS, ND, VA). Marriage bans have become law in 21 states since 1995. (AK, AZ, AR, DE, GA, ID, IL, KS, ME, MS, MI, MO, NC, ND, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, UT, VA).

(For Hawaiian legislature update: See GayToday Archives, Events, April 18)

In Nebraska, anti-marriage foes were unsuccessful in bringing the anti-gay marriage bill to a vote. During debate, an amendment was introduced to prohibit people three times convicted of assault on a spouse from obtaining a marriage license. The amendment failed, 17 to 15. It is possible the bill will not be scheduled for another vote.

In Indiana the LGBT community is battling its fourth anti-gay marriage bill of the year. Three House bills were killed earlier in the session. The newest bill is a House amendment to a welfare-to-work bill. The full House will be voting on the bill in the near future. In Washington state, a bill remains alive that, if passed, provides for a ballot measure on the issue by as early as June of this year.