Three Indicted For Two Separate New York City Hate Crimes, Illinois Governor Quinn Supports Civil Union Law, Southern Australian Members Of Parliament Continue To Push For Gay Marriage, Mexico House Of Representatives Pass Amendments To Social Security To Include Same Sex Couples

CNN reports that Tuesday, three indictments were delivered on two separate anti-gay attacks that occurred in New York City. 21 year old Matthew Francis and 17 year old Christopher Orlando, both from Staten Island, were charged with two counts of attempted robbery as a hate crime and one count of assault as a hate crime. Francis was also charged with one count of criminal possession of a weapon. The charges stem from an incident in the early evening hours of October 3rd in the bathroom of the iconic Stonewall Inn bad in lower Manhattan, when a 34 year old male was attacked by the two, suffering serious injuries that required hospital treatment. Also Tuesday, Frederick Giunta of Queens was charged with attempted robbery and assault as a hate crime, Giunta accused of stealing an unidentified victim’s wallet October 11th, then the same day making anti-gay and racist comments at Julius, a popular gay bar, before assaulting a bartender.

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, Democrat, said Wednesday that it would be prudent for legislators when they return to the state capital next week to pass a law allowing same sex couples to form civil unions, Quinn telling the Associated Press that the bill, sponsored by Democratic state Representative Greg Harris would benefit the Illinois economy. Quinn said it was a “good” bill and that “To have a strong economy you embrace diversity.”

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Green Party MP Tammy Franks and Labour MP Ian Hunter are partnering to introduce a bill to the South Australian parliament to legalise same sex marriage, following the introductions of similar bills in Tasmania and another to soon be introduced in Victoria. The bill, which will go before the upper house of state parliament, according to Franks reflects “The majority of Australians (who) support the campaign for equal love and to allow same sex couples to marry. Indeed, most of us cannot understand why we even have to argue the case in the 21st century.”

Mexico’s House of Representatives voted to amend social security regulations to include medical and social benefits for same sex couples reports the Associated Press. Tuesday’s vote was 232 for and 58 against. The measure now moves to the Senate for debate.