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A closer look
By Dana Rudolph on January 18, 2011
After a 2010 with few marriage equality measures contested outside the courtroom, 2011 will likely see a number of battles state by state across the country.
Three states are facing the prospect of losing marriage equality, an additional seven states could start the process of amending their state constitutions to ban marriage equality, and five could gain marriage equality. Here are the key states to watch.
Posted in A closer look
By Lisa Keen on December 21, 2010
The suspense is over: The U.S. Senate finally took a vote on a bill to repeal the ban on openly gay people in the military and passed it, 65 to 31. Having Congress pass that bill, to repeal Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT), and having that bill signed by the president is an important legislative and political milestone.
It is not the first time the LGBT community has ever succeeded at dismantling a form of institutionalized discrimination. That honor goes to the eradication of laws prohibiting consensual sex between same-sex partners. That was done state by state and, eventually, in the U.S. Supreme Court. The community has, in several states, won the right to obtain marriage licenses the same as straight couples. And, in 2010, it made enormous progress towards marriage equality nationwide through several lawsuits.
Posted in A closer look
By Lisa Keen on November 29, 2010
A federal appeals panel in San Francisco will hear oral arguments Monday in the landmark challenge to Proposition 8—California’s voter-passed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
We’ve compiled some key information most court watchers will need to know and will want to take notice of Monday.
Posted in A closer look
By Lisa Keen on November 17, 2010
The number seemed startling: 31 percent of voters who identified as “gay, lesbian, bisexual” in a national exit poll on November 2 said they voted Republican. Just two years ago, only 19 percent voted for Republican presidential candidate John McCain.
Is the “gay vote” for Republicans really changed that much?
Posted in A closer look
By Lisa Keen on November 9, 2010
For two years, Democrats held the White House and the majority in both chambers of Congress. The window of opportunity for eliminating federal laws that treated the LGBT community as second-class citizens was open. The window of opportunity for passing federal legislation to provide equal benefits of citizenship was open. Some hoped the windows might be open for as long as eight years. But last week’s mid-terms are shutting those windows now–in fewer than eight weeks.
Posted in A closer look
By Lisa Keen on November 3, 2010
Republicans won control of the U.S. House in Tuesday’s elections. As of 3 a.m. Wednesday, it appears the GOP will hold at least 234 seats, to Democrats’ 180.
Posted in A closer look, Election 2010
By Lisa Keen on October 25, 2010
For hard-core political junkies in the LGBT community, there’s a lot to worry about in the November 2 voting—and not just because there’s the possibility of Republicans taking over the U.S. House and Senate. A number of races around the country could have significant impact on both the climate and the landscape for LGBT civil rights nationally.
Posted in A closer look, Election 2010
By Lisa Keen on October 18, 2010
One word stuck out as tough, but basically Bridget Todd’s query to President Obama was delivered very respectfully: She told the president that she had voted for him based on his “alleged” commitment to equality for all Americans, gay and straight. But she now had a “question” about his commitment to Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT).
Posted in A closer look
By Lisa Keen on October 12, 2010
The mid-term election for Democrats is beginning to sound like the Titanic. The gigantic wonder that set sail in January 2009 is now sinking, the passengers are in a state of panic, and the rich corporations have taken all the lifeboats.
Posted in A closer look, Election 2010
By Lisa Keen on October 7, 2010
The first in a three-part series on the mid-term elections
It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the angst surrounding next month’s Congressional elections. The 24/7 media are hyping a Republican takeover of the House and maybe the Senate. A switch in party leadership of either chamber will represent a major setback for pro-LGBT goals in Congress.
So, how likely is it that Republicans will take back leadership of either chamber? Polling data are our crystal balls.
Posted in A closer look, Election 2010
By Dana Rudolph on October 3, 2010
The string of recent suicides by teens bullied for being gay or perceived to be captured nationwide media attention last week. But what seemed like an emerging new problem for the public at large is not new at all for most in the LGBT community.
Posted in A closer look
By Lisa Keen on September 28, 2010
Imagine Ted Olson, the champion against a California law banning same-sex marriage, teaming up with attorneys who want to enable unlimited amounts of money to be spent to promote bans on same-sex marriage.
Posted in A closer look
By Lisa Keen on September 24, 2010
The U.S. Department of Justice urged a federal district court judge Thursday not to issue an order that would stop enforcement of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.
The request is yet another instance of the incongruity some LGBT activists see between the Obama administration’s political statements—that it supports repeal of the federal law which bans gays from the military—and its legal activities– to defend and preserve that law.
Posted in A closer look
By Lisa Keen on September 23, 2010
Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives revealed their “Pledge to America,” and it includes a pledge to “to honor families, traditional marriage, life, and the private and faith-based organizations that form the core of our American values.” That reference to traditional marriage was too much for most LGBT leaders and too little for right-wing conservatives.
Posted in A closer look, Issues, Marriage/Relationships, National Politics, News, Politics
By Dana Rudolph on September 15, 2010
One in seven same-sex couples won’t be identified as such in 2010 U.S. Census results, according to a new study. And the options on the Census form to indicate relationship status are problematic for same-sex couples because they don’t reflect the differing ways that states—and the couples themselves—view their relationships.
Posted in A closer look, Census, News
By Lisa Keen on September 14, 2010
At first glance, it might draw a yawn: Elena Kagan, the U.S. Supreme Court’s newest member, has recused herself from some upcoming cases. But ruminate for a few minutes over this list of cases that could be before the court within a few years.
Posted in A closer look, Don't Ask Don't Tell, Issues, Law, Marriage/Relationships, News, U.S. Supreme Court
By Lisa Keen on September 7, 2010
Supporters of Proposition 8 this month conjured up the ghost of Ronald Reagan to defend the voter-approved state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. But, so far, it hasn’t worked.
Posted in A closer look, Federal Courts, Issues, Law, Lawsuits, Marriage/Relationships, News
By Lisa Keen on August 31, 2010
Equality in hospital visitation policies is not a controversial issue. That’s what seems apparent from the 427 comments received during the just ended public comment period on the proposed regulation to implement President Obama’s hospital visitation memorandum.
Posted in A closer look, Health, Issues, National Politics, News, White House
By Lisa Keen on August 9, 2010
The waiting game around the Proposition 8 challenge in a federal court in San Francisco grows curiouser and curiouser.
U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker has issued his decision in the case. Now, people interested in the case are waiting again—this time, for Judge Walker’s decision on whether to approve a permanent “stay” until the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals can weigh in on the merits of the case.
Posted in A closer look, Federal Courts, Issues, Law, Lawsuits, Marriage/Relationships, News
By Lisa Keen on August 4, 2010
In an historic, potent, and eloquent decision, U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker ruled Wednesday, August 4, that California’s constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage violates the federal constitution’s guarantees to equal protection and due process of law.
Posted in A closer look, Federal Courts, Issues, Law, Lawsuits, Marriage/Relationships, News
Ginsburg on Roe: Is it a signal she’d curb a decision on marriage?
Leahy submits language to help bi-national same-sex couples
Delaware votes for marriage equality; becomes 11th state to make it the law
Rhode Island marriage law signed; Two more states could vote next week
Rhode Island marriage bill clears final hurdle with all Republicans