Tag Archives: Senate

Speed Read: Surprises in Sochi

It wasn't a Dutch band but Sochi Olympics organizers themselves that included the iconic gay anthem "YMCA" on an approved playlist and pumped it into the speed skate arena Saturday. Holder's announcement on same-sex couples gets mixed reviews. And an

Speed Read: 40 arrested in Idaho

Police in Boise arrested more than 40 protesters for trespassing Monday as they stood silently for more than three hours, blocking three entrances to the Idaho senate chamber. Scotland becomes the 18th country to approve marriage equality. Virginia lawsuit heard

Speed Read: Tuesday 17 December 2013

The Senate votes today on the House-Senate budget agreement but the nation's largest LGBT community center says it still leaves community groups underfunded. Post-DOMA regulation changes may make it more difficult for students who have same-sex spouses or same-sex parents

Hawaii Senate sends marriage bill to governor

The debate went on much longer than expected but the Hawaii Senate voted Tuesday to give final legislative approval to a bill allowing same-sex couples to obtain marriage licenses. The bill now goes to Democratic Governor Neil Abercrombie, who has

Historic Senate vote: ENDA passes, 64 to 32

The U.S. Senate today approved the flagship piece of legislation that the LGBT community has fought for over the past 19 years and more. The vote of 64 to 32 marked the first time the Senate has approved the Employment

Toomey expansion of ENDA religious exemptions fails, 43 to 55

The U.S. Senate just rejected an amendment to dramatically expand the number of employers who could claim a religious exemption to the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). The amendment, introduced by Senator Pat Toomey (R-Penn.), needed 60 votes to pass. The

Speed Read: Thursday 7 November 2013

The Senate is expected to pass ENDA today at 1:45 EDT, but not before wrestling first with an amendment to dramatically expand who can be exempt from the law. Rancor continues in Hawaii as the House rejects attempts to delay

ENDA clears Senate procedural vote

The U.S. Senate invoked a motion for cloture this afternoon, 61 to 30, just one vote more than the 60 it needed to force the chamber to take up debate and consideration of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). It is not

Speed Read: Thursday 17 October 2013

A federal judge in Michigan decided he needs a trial before deciding whether the state's ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. Lambda appeals to Alaska Supreme Court for worker's comp death benefits for surviving partner. Newark Mayor Cory Booker, who

Speed Read: Wednesday 16 October 2013

Clerks in 10 Michigan counties are ready to start issuing marriage licenses this week if a federal judge rules today that the state's ban on same-sex couples marrying is unconstitutional. Three of six openly LGBT members of the U.S. House