Monthly Archives: June 2011

Gates leaves certification to Panetta

Defense Secretary Robert Gates told a French newspaper Thursday, June 23, that the Pentagon hopes to certify the military is ready to implement repeal of "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" "in the last half of July, early August."

House panel doesn’t go after D.C. marriage law

The Republican-led House Appropriations Committee did the unexpected last Thursday, June 23. It advanced an appropriations bill involving District of Columbia funding without attaching language to repeal the city’s marriage equality law.

Reaction “tepid” to President Obama at LGBT fundraiser

An audience of about 600 people gave President Obama money Thursday night at an LGBT fundraising event in New York City for the Obama 2012 campaign.

Committee vote on lesbian court nominee on hold for at least a week

Republicans on the U.S. Judiciary Committee on Thursday asked to hold over the nominations of openly gay federal court nominee Alison Nathan and three other court nominees until next week.

2010 Census: Early hint shows dramatic upsurge in same-sex couples

U.S. Census 2010 data on same-sex couples has begun trickling out and, if the first two states are any measure, there are dramatically more same-sex couples in the United States than previously counted.

UN human rights council passes first ever effort to address LGBT discrimination

The United Nations’ Human Rights Council voted to approve a resolution that expresses "grave concern at acts of violence and discrimination, in all regions of the world, committed against individuals because of their sexual orientation and gender identity."

Schools have right to form GSAs, reminds Department of Education

Schools receiving federal funds must provide equal access to school resources for all student groups, including gay-straight alliances (GSAs), said Secretary of Education Arne Duncan in a "Dear Colleague" letter to educators on June 14.

Marriage bill in New York going down to the wire

With only a few days remaining in the legislative session, marriage equality took a step closer to reality in New York State this week.

Judge rejects call to vacate decision in Proposition 8 case

As expected, a federal judge in San Francisco on Tuesday refused to vacate last year's landmark ruling that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional.

Some surprises in GOP presidential debate

The seven Republican presidential candidates showed some differences on gay-related issues in their first high-profile debate Monday night--with some surprises.