Author Archives: Lisa Keen

Gay appeals court nominee withdraws

The White House sent out notice Thursday night that it was withdrawing the nomination of openly gay attorney Edward DuMont to serve on the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

DOMA repeal advances out of committee

The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday (November 10) voted to recommend passage of a bill to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). The bill is the Respect for

Winning day for openly LGBT candidates

Tuesday was a very good day for openly LGBT candidates around the country, with three out of four of more than 60 candidates having won, including Annise Parker, who secured a second term as mayor of Houston.

Corporations: DOMA burdens business

Fifty major corporations, 11 national law firms, seven trade and professional organizations, and three cities –including Boston and New York—signed onto a legal brief this month supporting a lawsuit that challenges the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act. ??

Nominee advances, DOMA repeal rescheduled

On a voice vote, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday recommended the confirmation of openly gay attorney Michael Fitzgerald to serve on the federal bench in Los Angeles. But, at the request of Republicans, the Committee postponed its vote

Groups angry over omission of bullying

LGBT groups are lining up against the annual bill to reauthorize spending for U.S. Department of Education, but it’s not what the department does that’s making them angry.

BLAG defense of DOMA fees: Triple the fees for half the work

Many people read late last month that Republican leaders in the U.S. House authorized tripling the attorney fees for an outside legal team “to litigate the constitutionality of Section III” of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Far fewer likely

Miller-Jenkins defendant cooperating

A U.S. Attorney this month dropped a grand jury indictment against Timothy Miller, the man accused of helping ex-lesbian Lisa Miller sneak her daughter out of the country in defiance of court orders.

SLDN scoffs at DOD’s “14 benefits”

Just one day after being served notice that a federal lawsuit has been launched against it, the Department of Defense issued a press release saying it has “now identified a total of 14 benefits” available to the “beneficiaries” of all

SLDN challenges use of DOMA against gay service members

The Servicemembers Legal Defense Fund filed suit in a federal district court Thursday (October 27) challenging the federal Defense of Marriage Act and its use in denying to gay service members spousal benefits equal to that given to their straight