Author Archives: Dana Rudolph
New bill seeks end to adoption bias
Hundreds of thousands of children are in foster care in the United States, while discrimination prevents millions of willing LGBT people from being able to foster or adopt. U.S. Rep. Pete Stark (D-Calif.) reintroduced a bill that aims to fix
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
HHS urges child welfare agencies to better serve LGBTQ youth
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a memo April 6 encouraging child welfare agencies to better serve the needs of “lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth” in the foster care system.
The T-shirt Wars: Courts struggle to find balance between free speech and harassment
A recent federal court decision--in a case stemming from a conservative response to GLSEN's Day of Silence--has upheld the right of students to express certain anti-gay sentiments.
5th Circuit upholds Louisiana’s denial to gay dads
In a case that calls into question the responsibility of states to recognize adoptions granted in other states, a federal circuit court said Louisiana does not have to put the names of two gay fathers on the birth certificate of
New ad campaign promotes equal access to housing for LGBTs
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that it is launching a national media campaign to promote equal access to housing regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity, among other characteristics.
Arkansas Supreme Court strikes down adoption ban
The Arkansas Supreme Court unanimously upheld a lower court ruling that struck down the state’s ban on adoption and foster parenting by any person cohabiting with a sexual partner outside of marriage. The state high court said the law violates
Arkansas Supreme Court reconsiders adoption ban
The Arkansas Supreme Court heard arguments March 17 in a case to determine whether the state constitution will allow a law banning any person cohabiting with a sexual partner outside of marriage from adopting or foster a child. It is
