Author Archives: Lisa Keen
First circuit drills down on DOMA
BOSTON — A three-judge panel in Boston heard oral arguments Wednesday (April 4) in the first challenge to the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) to reach a federal appeals court.
Anchorage rejects anti-bias measure
Voters in Anchorage, Alaska, overwhelmingly rejected a ballot measure Tuesday that sought to add “sexual orientation” and “transgender identity” to the city’s human rights law. With 102 of 121
NC ban confusing but likely to pass
North Carolina will vote on a proposed marriage ban May 8, when they go to the polls for the Republican and Democratic presidential primaries. And a recent survey indicates that most are likely to approve a constitutional ban on same-sex
Golinski gains benefits; appeal continues
Lesbian attorney Karen Golinski can now get health coverage for her spouse, but no other federal employee can so Lambda Legal’s lawsuit challenging the Defense of Marriage Act in the Ninth Circuit continues.
Ads loom over Anchorage vote Tuesday
A political ad on the airwaves in Anchorage, Alaska, claims that a day care center would be forced to hire a “transvestite who wants to work with toddlers” if the city approves an amendment to its human rights law to
Chief Justice: Why should all pay for what only some need?
Tuesday’s landmark oral argument in a case testing the constitutionality of President Obama’s Affordable Care Act had some very interesting moments—such as when the chief justice seemed to support the notion that if a person doesn’t have kids he or
Foremost DOMA case in appeals court Wednesday
One of the biggest lawsuits against the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is back in court next week, and for the first time for any DOMA challenge, it is at the federal appeals level.
NH House rejects marriage repeal
In a dramatic surprise and major victory for supporters of marriage equality for same-sex couples, the Republican-dominated New Hampshire House voted Wednesday (March 21) not to repeal the state’s two-year-old marriage equality law. The vote was 102 to 133.
Anti-gay robo-calls continue but Romney wins Illinois
A robo-called aimed at attacking Republican frontrunner Mitt Romney over his positions--and alleged positions--on gay civil rights apparently had little effect in Illinois’ primary Tuesday. Romney won the primary with ease and racked up the lion’s share of its delegates.
High court says no to second Christian student appeal but trend continues
The U.S. Supreme Court refused Monday to grant review for a second attempt to challenge school non-discrimination policies by saying they violate the free exercise of religion. But the conflict between the First Amendment and laws prohibiting discrimination is far
