Yearly Archives: 2011

Dramatic increases continue as Census data rolls out for California and four more states

The number of same-sex couples identifying themselves on the U.S. Census grew by 36 percent in California between 2000 and 2010, according to Census data analysis released Thursday by the Williams Institute. And, with the release of data available now

New York passes marriage equality

New York State on Friday night, June 24, became the sixth and most populous state to legalize marriage for same-sex couples, after a tense several days past the scheduled end of the legislative session, in which it was unclear if

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.