Category Archives: Marriage/Relationships

Judicial neutrality on trial, with a Supreme backdrop

Openly gay Judge Vaughn Walker won’t be in the courtroom next Monday (June 13)—at least not physically. But he’ll certainly be there in name--and so may be U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito.

Full House passes Defense bill with three anti-gay amendments

The U.S. House on Thursday, May 26, passed the House Armed Services Committee authorization bill that includes three amendments aimed at delaying implementation of the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and shoring up the impact of the Defense of

Gallup shows dramatic uptick in support for same-sex marriage

A survey by the respected Gallup poll organization reports a stunning jump in support for legal recognition of the marriages of same-sex couples.

As DOMA lawsuits proliferate, Boehner has a spending problem

The Antideficiency Act is not the sort of federal law that an ordinary American would be familiar with. It applies to government officials who are in a position to spend government money. And it prohibits those officials from spending federal

Marriage equality: It’s up to you, New York

The openly gay sponsor of a marriage equality bill in Rhode Island has said he would push for civil unions instead. Six states are considering legislation that would ask voters to ban recognition of marriage for same-sex couples. And all

Yes on 8: Gay judge’s ruling shouldn’t count

Proponents of Proposition 8 filed a motion Monday, April 25, in federal district court, seeking to vacate the August 2010 ruling by Judge Vaughn Walker that the initiative is unconstitutional, citing Walker’s recent disclosure that he is gay.

Law firm drops contract to defend DOMA

Less than a week after a law firm signed a contract to represent the U.S. House in defending DOMA in federal court, the law firm began to withdraw from the agreement.

House hired gun goes to work on DOMA; HRC attacks

The U.S. House has obligated itself to pay more than $500,000 for outside attorneys to defend the Defense of Marriage Act in federal courts. And the House has chosen a firm which clearly prides itself on including LGBT lawyers among

House hearing contentious on DOJ-DOMA decision

Democrats came out swinging Friday, April 15, during a House subcommittee hearing on the Department of Justice announcement that it would curtail its defense of the federal ban on recognition of same-sex marriages.

DOJ to married green card applicants: DOMA still applies

Just days after putting the applications for green cards on hold for same-sex married couples, the U.S. Citizens and Immigration Service (USCIS) announced it is back to processing them again--with the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in play.