By Lisa Keen on May 18, 2013
Former Justice John Paul Stevens, 93, who retired from the high court three years ago after 35 years of service, recently offered his prediction for what the court will do on the two landmark marriage equality cases pending before it.
Posted in News Briefs
By Lisa Keen on May 14, 2013
For the third time in two weeks, a state has been moved into the “marriage equality” column. Democratic Governor Mark Dayton signed legislation Tuesday (May 14) that enables same-sex couples to obtain marriage licenses starting August 1. He did so one day after the state senate voted 37 to 30 to approve the measure.
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By Lisa Keen on May 9, 2013
The Minnesota House voted 75 to 59 Thursday (May 9) to approve a bill to allow same-sex couples to obtain marriage licenses in the state. The bill goes to the state Senate on Monday, where supporters feel confident they have the votes to pass it. And Democratic Governor Mark Layton has said he will sign it. If that scenario plays out May 13,
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By Lisa Keen on April 23, 2013
The 21-member Nevada senate voted 12 to 9 Monday night (April 22) to approve a measure to amend the state constitution to remove language that currently bans recognition of marriages for same-sex couples. Because it is a state constitutional amendment, the measure must still pass the Assembly and then pass both the Senate and Assembly [...]
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By Lisa Keen on April 23, 2013
The Rhode Island Senate is scheduled to vote Wednesday (April 24) on a marriage equality bill that, if passed, will position the state just days away from becoming the tenth state to allow same-sex couples to obtain marriage licenses.
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By Lisa Keen on April 18, 2013
The Obama administration’s highest ranking openly LGBT official has resigned his post, effective today (April 15).
John Berry, director of the Office of Personnel Management, announced his resignation April 11 in an email to OPM employees, just days before his four-year term was up.
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By Lisa Keen on April 1, 2013
Anyone who checked for the Supreme Court orders list before 10 a.m. Monday morning knew instantly it was a prank. But a few followers appeared to believe it, at least momentarily and some didn’t seem to think it was very funny.
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By Lisa Keen on March 12, 2013
The Colorado House passed a civil unions bill Tuesday (March 12), making Colorado the ninth state to pass a civil unions law and the 19th to have some form of legal recognition for same-sex relationships.
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By Lisa Keen on March 8, 2013
In signing the Violence Against Women Act Thursday (March 7), President Obama singled out a number of activists on the issue, including the head of an LGBT anti-violence group.
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By Lisa Keen on March 4, 2013
The U.S. Senate, by voice vote on Monday (March 4), confirmed the nomination of lesbian Pamela Chen to serve on the U.S. District Court bench for the Eastern District of New York.
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By Lisa Keen on March 1, 2013
The Obama administration continues to back up its words of support for marriage equality with action, this week taking the seldom used strategy of submitting a brief in a Supreme Court case in which the United States is not involved. The brief also urges the high court to view discrimination based on sexual orientation with the same sort of heightened scrutiny currently reserved for discrimination based on sex. But the brief does not advocate for a dramatic ruling that all bans on same-sex marriage are unconstitutional.
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By Lisa Keen on February 28, 2013
Openly gay U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin voted for the confirmation of former Senator Chuck Hagel to become Secretary of Defense, in a 58 to 41 vote Tuesday (February 26).
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By Lisa Keen on February 28, 2013
The talk of many political pundits this week is a brief to the U.S. Supreme Court filed by a group of prominent Republicans that argues that California’s Proposition 8, banning marriage for same-sex couples, violates the federal constitutional rights of gay people. As of Thursday, the number of signers was more than 100.
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By Lisa Keen on February 26, 2013
The U.S. House is expected to begin debate Wednesday (February 27) on a bill to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act but one that, once again, eliminates language to ensure that victims of domestic violence can receive assistance from federally funded program regardless of their sexual orientation.
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By Lisa Keen on February 18, 2013
The Illinois Senate on February 14 approved a marriage equality bill by a 34 to 21 vote. Meanwhile, hopes that a marriage equality bill would be moved through the Hawaii legislature were dashed this month when the House Judiciary Committee refused to grant the measure a hearing.
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By Lisa Keen on February 18, 2013
Openly gay U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin was presiding over the Senate February 12 when the U.S. Senate voted 78 to 22 to approve a bill to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, including provisions to include gay male victims of domestic abuse.
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By Lisa Keen on February 14, 2013
The White House announced Wednesday (February 13) that President Obama has selected PFLAG co-founder Jeanne Manford as one of 13 Presidential Citizens Medal recipients for 2012. Manford, who died at the age of 92 just last month, helped co-found Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays in 1972.
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By Lisa Keen on February 13, 2013
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta issued a memorandum to the armed services branches Monday ordering the extension of 22 educational, survivor, travel, and transportation benefits to the “same-sex domestic partners” of service members.
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By Lisa Keen on February 8, 2013
President Obama has once again nominated an openly gay man to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
The president nominated Department of Justice attorney Todd Hughes to serve on the appeals court. Hughes has worked as deputy director of the DOJ Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch since 2007.
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By Lisa Keen on February 7, 2013
President Obama’s new nominee to serve as Secretary of Interior was a staunch supporter of marriage equality in Washington State last year.
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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
President praises pro athlete Jason Collins for courage to come out
Rhode Island marriage bill clears final hurdle with all Republicans