Transgender Californians could soon find it easier to change their legal names.  The State Assembly this week passed a bill introduced by openly lesbian Majority Leader Toni Atkins (pictured) that would make the process easier, less expensive and more private, according to San Diego Politico.

“Transgender people are entitled to have their official documents and their legal name reflect their true identity without a burdensome and expensive process that endangers their personal safety,” said Atkins.  Currently those seeking name changes must get approval from a court and have the name change application published in a newspaper, which could expose transgender individuals to discrimination or harassment.

“Having identity documents that accurately reflect who you are is vital in so many areas of every day life – from applying for a job to exercising our rights at the ballot box,” said Masen Davis, Executive Director of Transgender Law Center. “Many of us wouldn’t think twice when asked to show our ID, but this is a very serious issue for transgender people.”

The legislation now heads to the California Senate.

The Minnesota House of Representatives has passed a bill legalizing marriage for same-sex couples, and the legislation is expected to be taken up by the state Senate in the next few days.

“This is a historic day for Minnesota,” said Karen Clark, the openly lesbian sponsor of the bill.  ”In Minnesota we don’t turn our back on family… Freedom means freedom for everyone.”

Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Victory Fund, congratulated Clark and her colleagues.  ”We’re incredibly proud that out lawmakers like Representative Clark are leading the fight to win more freedom for LGBT Americans.  She stood up and asked her colleagues to see her as their equal, and that’s an incredibly powerful request,” Wolfe said.

Sen. Scott Dibble, an openly gay Democrat, will lead efforts to pass the bill in the state Senate.

Photo:  Minnesota Public Radio

Hot on the heels of marriage equality victories in Rhode Island and Delaware, state lawmakers in Minnesota are also moving this week to legalize marriage for same-sex couples, according to the Minneapolis StarTribune.

Marriage legislation introduced by openly lesbian state Rep. Karen Clark will get a vote on the House floor this Thursday.  In the Senate, where openly gay state Sen. Scott Dibble is the lead sponsor, the bill could be voted on sometime this weekend.

Officials with Minnesotans United for All Families, the advocacy group working to pass the legislation, say they’re still having conversations with wavering legislators, but so far no Republicans have indicated they will vote “yes,” according to the Pioneer-Press.

The push to allow same-sex couples to marry in Minnesota comes just a few months after voters rejected an effort to add a ban on marriage equality to the state constitution.

Same-sex couples in Delaware won the right to marry today after the state Senate voted in favor of marriage equality legislation.  During the debate, state Sen. Karen Peterson came out as a lesbian and challenged her colleagues, saying, “If my happiness somehow demeans or diminishes your marriage, you need to work on your marriage.”

The measure, already passed in the state House, now heads to Gov. Jack Markell, who has vowed to sign it.

“We congratulate Senator Peterson for telling her colleagues what marriage equality means to her and her partner, and for standing up for freedom and fairness for everyone in Delaware,” said Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Victory Fund.

Delaware becomes the 11th state to change its laws to allow same-sex marriages, which are also legal in the District of Columbia.

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady today resigned his post in part, he said, because his personal support for marriage equality cost him the support of social conservatives in the party.  The move comes as some in the GOP are resisting efforts to broaden the party’s appeal and tone down anti-gay rhetoric.

Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk is one of two Senate Republicans to announce their support of marriage rights for same-sex couples.  ”I agree with him, we need to get on the right side of history,” said Brady.  ”It’s about addition and not subtraction, and if we come off as mean-spirited or angry or too dogmatic, then we don’t attract people to the party,” Brady told the Chicago Tribune.

State GOP operatives upset with Brady’s vocal support for a pending marriage equality bill have tried for weeks to remove him, finally settling on a transition plan that made clear Brady was no longer welcome.