1.  The Massachusetts Attorney General has filed suit to overturn the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

Massachusetts became the first state to challenge DOMA. The 1996 statute, which was signed into law by President Bill Clinton, defines marriage as "a legal union between one man and one woman," denies federal recognition of homosexual marriages, and gives states the right to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states.

In a news conference, State Attorney General Martha Coakley said the federal law interferes with the right of Massachusetts to define and regulate marriage as it sees fit. 

Approximately 16,000 homosexuals have "married" in Massachusetts since the state began performing gay marriages in 2004. 

"Our families, our communities, and even our economy, have seen the many important benefits that come from recognizing equal marriage rights, and frankly, no downside," Coakley said.

Although constitutionally required to enforce federal laws, President Obama has pledged to work for the repeal of DOMA.

2. Maine's citizens apparently will get to decide the future of "gay marriage" after all.

The state's Stand for Marriage coalition took only four weeks to gather more than the 55,087 signatures necessary to prevent a homosexual marriage law from going into effect pending a vote of the people.

The Baptist Press states that the coalition collected a tremendous number of signatures in an extremely short time span to overturn the new law passed by the Democratic-controlled Maine Legislature and signed by Democratic Governor John Baldacci.

Carole Edgerly, a pastor's wife who helped with the signature drive at the Farmington Baptist Church, says the outpouring of support was "amazing."

Bob Emrich, an executive committee member of Stand for Marriage, said, "Traditional marriage has never lost on the ballot in any state. We expect it to prevail in Maine." 

Members of the Stand for Marriage coalition include the Catholic Diocese of Portland, the Knights of Columbus, Eagle Forum, and Concerned Women of America.

3.  A group of 19 Democrats in the House have written to Speaker Nancy Pelosi vowing to oppose any health care legislation that does not exclude abortion coverage.

CNSNews.com reports that their letter to Pelosi warns, "We cannot support any health-care reform proposal unless it explicitly excludes abortion from the scope of any government-defined or subsidized health insurance plan.  Plans to mandate coverage for abortions, either directly or indirectly, are unacceptable."

The letter was signed by:

Dan Boren (OK)
Bart Stupak (MI)
Colin Peterson (MN)
Tim Holden (PA)
Travis Childers (MS)
Lincoln Davis (TN)
Heath Shuler (NC)
Solomon Ortiz (TX)
Mike Mclntyre (NC)
Jerry Costello (IL)
Gene Taylor (MS)
James Oberstar (MN)
Bobby Bright (AL)
Steve Driehaus (OH)
Marcy Kaptur (OH)
Charlie Melancon (LA)
John Murtha (PA)
Paul Kanjorski (PA)
Kathleen Dahlkemper (PA)