Author Archives: Lisa Keen

White House threatens veto as House omits LGBTs in two bills

Despite a warning that President Obama may exercise his veto power, the U.S. House Wednesday (May 16) approved a version of the Violence Against Women Act that omits provisions, approved in the Senate, to help LGBT victims of domestic violence.

Loud clash over same-sex marriage: Where personal and political meet

It has been a dizzying week for same-sex marriage. Consider this: The front cover of Newsweek magazine on Monday (May 14) carried a photograph of President Obama with the caption “The First Gay President.” The president appeared on a nationally televised

House GOP shoot down effort to insert LGBT protections in VAWA

In a strict party line vote, Republicans on the U.S. House Judiciary Committee rejected three attempts Tuesday (May 7) to add protections for LGBT victims of domestic abuse in a bill to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act.

Obama: ‘I think same-sex couples should be able to marry’

President Obama said in a White House-arranged interview Wednesday afternoon that “same-sex couples should be able to get married.”

NC approves constitutional ban: 61 to 39

For those in the LGBT community who have watched state after state pass constitutional amendments to ban same-sex marriage, the results in North Carolina were expected: Voters approved the ban by a margin of roughly 61 percent to 39 percent,

GOP to grill Holder over DOMA defense

The head of the House Judiciary Committee is planning recently released a report, charging that the U.S. Attorney General has repeatedly disregarded the Constitution and the rule of law, and calling for a hearing to question him about decisions regarding

Iowa justices explain why they didn’t campaign to retain seats

BOSTON—Three Iowa state supreme court justices ousted by voters in 2010 for ruling that same-sex couples were due the same rights as other couples under the state constitution were honored May 7 with the prestigious JFK Profiles in Courage Award.

Biden: Pressuring Obama, or paving the way?

Responding earnestly to a question, Vice President Joe Biden has hoisted personal and legal support for same-sex marriages back into the presidential campaign.

Grenell: Uncharacteristic surrender

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s openly gay advisor on foreign policy resigned Tuesday (May 1), just two weeks after the campaign announced his role.

Senate defeats effort to drop LGBT protections from domestic abuse bill

A casual listener to U.S. Senate debate Thursday (April 26) would not have heard the skirmish over protections for LGBT victims of domestic abuse.