By Lisa Keen on July 13, 2011
The campaign of Republican presidential frontrunner Mitt Romney and four other GOP presidential candidates said this week they would not sign the bizarre pledge that at least two other GOP competitors did sign–a pledge that promises the candidate will vigorously oppose even “court-imposed recognition” of same-sex marriage.
Posted in Election 2012, Presidential 2012
By Dana Rudolph on July 12, 2011
The United Church of Christ (UCC), the denomination to which President Obama belonged for two decades, resoundingly approved two resolutions support of civil rights for LGBT people–including the first-ever resolution by a major Christian denomination affirming the right of LGBT parents to adopt and raise children.
Posted in Adoption, Issues, National Politics
By Dana Rudolph on July 3, 2011
Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee (I) signed a civil union bill into law on Saturday, July 2–but LGBT civil rights advocates are not happy with his decision to do so. And Chafee himself said the bill “fails to fully achieve” the goal of providing same-sex couples with equal rights.
Posted in Issues, Marriage/Relationships, News, Politics, State Politics
By Dana Rudolph on July 1, 2011
For the first time in history, LGBT activists are initiating a ballot measure to win marriage equality. EqualityMaine and Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD) announced that they are taking steps to place a citizen’s initiative on the November 2012 ballot.
Posted in Ballot Measures, Issues, Marriage/Relationships, News, Politics, State Politics
By Dana Rudolph on June 30, 2011
The Rhode Island Senate passed a civil union bill 21 to 16 on Wednesday, June 29, which the governor has said he will sign but which LGBT civil rights advocates are not happy with and are urging he veto.
Posted in Issues, Marriage/Relationships, News, Politics, State Politics
By Lisa Keen on June 29, 2011
President Obama at a mid-day nationally televised press conference on Wednesday was repeatedly pressed for his views on marriage equality. But he continued to dodge questions.
Posted in News, Politics, White House
By Lisa Keen on June 27, 2011
The news that New York State passed a marriage equality law last Friday night was big news and, not surprisingly, drew comments from various presidential candidates over the weekend.
Posted in Campaigns, Issues, Marriage/Relationships, News, Politics, Presidential 2012
By Dana Rudolph on June 24, 2011
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 Republican leaders in the state Senate would even allow a marriage bill to come up for a vote.
Posted in Issues, Marriage/Relationships, News, State Politics
By Lisa Keen on June 24, 2011
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.
Posted in Politics, White House
By Lisa Keen on June 19, 2011
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.”
Posted in International, News, Politics
By Dana Rudolph on June 16, 2011
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.
Posted in Health, Issues, National Politics, News, Politics
By Dana Rudolph on June 15, 2011
With only a few days remaining in the legislative session, marriage equality took a step closer to reality in New York State this week.
Posted in Issues, Marriage/Relationships, News, Politics, State Politics
By Lisa Keen on June 10, 2011
Lesbian judicial nominee Alison Nathan told the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday that, despite her relative youth and inexperience, she thinks she is well qualified to be a U.S. District Court judge.
Posted in Congress, Politics
By Lisa Keen on June 9, 2011
Openly gay candidate Fred Karger will not be on the stage next Monday night when CNN broadcasts the first major debate of the 2012 presidential campaign. But enough major candidates will take part in this event to ensure a significant audience.
Posted in Campaigns, Politics, Presidential 2012
By Dana Rudolph on June 1, 2011
Kevin Jennings, the openly gay head of the federal office that manages its largest safe-schools and anti-bullying programs, will be leaving the U.S. Department of Education next month. But he said President Obama and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan remain committed to addressing the bullying of LGBT students.
Posted in Health, Issues, National Politics, News, Politics
By Dana Rudolph on May 31, 2011
When Congress and the White House worked out their differences in early April concerning the Fiscal Year 2011 budget, it was clear that some programs important to the LGBT community would take a hit. But the consequences of their final agreement are now being felt.
Posted in Health, Issues, National Politics, News, Politics
By Lisa Keen on May 26, 2011
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 Marriage Act.
Posted in Congress, Don't Ask Don't Tell, Issues, Marriage/Relationships, Politics
By Lisa Keen on May 17, 2011
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 money unless Congress appropriates it to be spent.
Posted in Congress, Issues, Marriage/Relationships, National Politics, News, Politics
By Lisa Keen on May 16, 2011
U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin’s office is, thus far, silent on whether the openly gay legislator might make a bid for the U.S. Senate. But buzz about that possibility is hot.
Posted in Campaigns, Politics, Senate
By Lisa Keen on May 12, 2011
The full U.S. House Armed Services Committee approved three amendments late Wednesday night that seek to delay implementation of repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and to reiterate Congress’s support for the Defense of Marriage Act.
Posted in Congress, Don't Ask Don't Tell, Issues, National Politics, News, Politics
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