Marriage Equality Set Backs (and Gains)

The fight for marriage equality too a few steps back in the U.S., but seems to be advancing in other countries.
New Jersey Defeats Gay Marriage Bill
The State Senate on Thursday rejected a proposal that would have made New Jersey the sixth state in the nation to allow marriages involving same-sex couples. The vote was the latest in a succession of setbacks for advocates of gay marriage across the country.

Hill Republicans Join Fight Against D.C. Gay Marriage
Republican congressional leaders have joined local activists in a court fight to allow voters to decide whether same-sex marriage should be legal in the District, underscoring the continued uncertainty surrounding the issue.
Thirty-nine GOP legislators, including 37 members of the House and two senators, James M. Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), have filed an amicus brief supporting a public vote on the issue. The House members include Minority Leader John A. Boehner (Ohio) and Minority Whip Eric Cantor (Va.).

While anti-gay groups and Republicans continue to fight marriage equality in the U.S., other countries are taking the lead to legalize gay marriage:

Portugal Approves Gay Marriage
Portugal's parliament Friday approved plans to legalise gay marriage, less than three decades after revoking the country's ban on homosexuality, but rejected proposals to allow same sex couples to adopt.
The bill passed with limited public controversy in what has traditionally been one of Europe's most socially conservative countries.

Catholic Portugal Legalizes Gay Marriage

Citizen Crain: Latin States of America Lead US of A

Will most of the Western democracies legalize marriage for gays and lesbians before the U.S.??

UPDATE: Gay Marriage Ban Goes on Trial in CA