Author Archives: Dana Rudolph

Marriage: Maryland advances

Marriage equality in Maryland got a boost in the past week from two prominent politicians, but a winter storm delayed a marriage equality hearing in Rhode Island. Elsewhere, conditions were variable.

Marriage battles ramping up; NH repeal bills introduced

Two New Hampshire legislators have introduced bills to repeal the state’s marriage equality law, even though Republican leaders said such a repeal is not a party priority in 2011. And several other states saw legislative moves toward or away from

Federal Court Hears Case on Interstate Recognition of Same-Sex Adoption

A federal circuit court heard arguments January 19 in a case that asks whether states must recognize adoptions by same-sex parents from other states--and the outcome could have "frightening" implications for the rights of adoptive parents.

HUD Announces Proposed New LGBT Anti-Discrimination Rule

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced proposed new regulations intended to ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in its core housing programs--programs that impact 4.4 million units of housing in the

Marriage Equality in 2011: Opportunities and Risks

After a 2010 with few marriage equality measures contested outside the courtroom, 2011 will likely see a number of battles state by state across the country. Three states are facing the prospect of losing marriage equality, an additional seven states could

National LGBT youth suicide prevention task force and grants announced

The federally supported National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (NAASP) on December 30 officially announced a task force dedicated to suicide prevention among LGBT youth.

North Carolina Ruling Jeopardizes Same-Sex Families

The North Carolina Supreme Court on December 20 voided the adoption by a lesbian mother of the child who she and her former partner, the biological mother, were raising together. The ruling jeopardizes the legality of all other such "second-parent

LGBT housing bill faces long odds

Three weeks before the end of a session of Congress may seem an odd time to introduce any new bills, much less one dealing with always-contentious LGBT civil rights. But three representatives introduced a bill 12/8 that would better protect

Feds support new national LGBT youth suicide prevention task force

A national task force dedicated to suicide prevention among LGBT youth will be part of the new National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, a public-private partnership supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

HHS awards up to $22.4 million for suicide prevention

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) this month announced a grant of up to $22.4 million for suicide prevention, some of which will be used to address the needs of LGBT youth.