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 22, 2010
A Florida appeals court ruled September 22 that a gay man, Frank Martin Gill, has the right to adopt the two boys he and his partner have raised for almost six years. The decision upholds a lower court ruling that found the state law banning gay men and lesbians from adopting is unconstitutional.
Posted in Adoption, Issues, Law, Lawsuits, News, State Courts
By Lisa Keen on September 21, 2010
The Senate rejected a motion to break a Republican-led filibuster against an annual defense spending bill that includes language aimed at ending the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell law banning gays. The vote was 56 to 43.
Posted in Congress, Don't Ask Don't Tell, Issues, National Politics, News, Politics
By Lisa Keen on September 15, 2010
Vice President Joe Biden said Democrats in the Senate have the votes not only to pass the measure to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” but also to thwart any attempt by Republicans to defeat the measure through some other tactic.
Posted in Congress, Don't Ask Don't Tell, Issues, 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 14, 2010
The story of Air Force Reserve Major Margaret Witt has some drama to it and that drama may well be trotted out this week as a U.S. District Court judge hears the lawsuit challenging her discharge under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
Posted in Don't Ask Don't Tell, Federal Courts, Issues, Law, Lawsuits, News
By Lisa Keen on September 13, 2010
A Senate Democratic leadership aide said Monday that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid would bring the defense spending bill with the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell repeal measure to the floor next week.
Posted in Congress, Don't Ask Don't Tell, Issues, News, Politics
By Lisa Keen on September 10, 2010
A U.S. District Court judge in California Thursday declared the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy unconstitutional, saying it violates both the First and Fifth Amendments.
Posted in Don't Ask Don't Tell, Federal Courts, Issues, Law, News
By Lisa Keen on September 8, 2010
The California Supreme Court Wednesday night denied a petition from a conservative group seeking to force California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to participate in an appeal of the Proposition 8 case.
Posted in Lawsuits, News, State Courts, State Supreme Courts
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 26, 2010
Former Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman acknowledged publicly this week that he is gay. Mehlman was a close colleague of President George W. Bush’s political architect Karl Rove.
Posted in National Politics, News, Politics
By Lisa Keen on August 16, 2010
A three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals issued an order granting Yes on 8’s request for a stay of Judge Vaughn Walker’s ruling that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional.
Posted in Federal Courts, Issues, Law, Lawsuits, Marriage/Relationships, News
By Lisa Keen on August 12, 2010
There were cheers outside San Francisco City Hall as news emerged that Judge Vaughn Walker had denied a request to delay enforcement of his ruling against Proposition 8. But those cheers were mitigated when details of the judge’s order were revealed: Walker continued to delay enforcement of his decision until August 18.
Posted in Federal Courts, Issues, Law, Lawsuits, Marriage/Relationships, News
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
By Lisa Keen on August 4, 2010
U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker ruled Wednesday that California’s ballot measure banning same-sex marriage violates the federal constitution’s guarantees to equal protection and due process of law.
Posted in Federal Courts, Issues, Law, Lawsuits, Marriage/Relationships, News
By Lisa Keen on August 4, 2010
Senator Jon Kyl, a Republican from Arizona, said he would oppose Elena Kagan’s appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court because she has “a history of ignoring the law when it conflicts with the gay rights agenda.”
Posted in Federal Courts, Issues, Law, News, Nominees, U.S. Supreme Court
By Lisa Keen on August 4, 2010
Proposition 8 passed in November 2008 because parents with kids living at home were scared and the LGBT community did nothing to assuage that fear.
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
President praises pro athlete Jason Collins for courage to come out
Rhode Island marriage bill clears final hurdle with all Republicans