Category Archives: News Briefs
Colorado approves civil unions
The Colorado House passed a civil unions bill Tuesday (March 12), making Colorado the ninth state to pass a civil unions law and the 19th to have some form of legal recognition for same-sex relationships.
Obama signs inclusive VAWA bill
In signing the Violence Against Women Act Thursday (March 7), President Obama singled out a number of activists on the issue, including the head of an LGBT anti-violence group.
Senate confirms Chen to federal bench
The U.S. Senate, by voice vote on Monday (March 4), confirmed the nomination of lesbian Pamela Chen to serve on the U.S. District Court bench for the Eastern District of New York.
Obama DOJ weighs in on Prop 8
The Obama administration continues to back up its words of support for marriage equality with action, this week taking the seldom used strategy of submitting a brief in a Supreme Court case in which the United States is not involved.
Baldwin joins Senate to confirm Hagel
Openly gay U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin voted for the confirmation of former Senator Chuck Hagel to become Secretary of Defense, in a 58 to 41 vote Tuesday (February 26).
100+ GOPs urge striking Prop 8
The talk of many political pundits this week is a brief to the U.S. Supreme Court filed by a group of prominent Republicans that argues that California’s Proposition 8, banning marriage for same-sex couples, violates the federal constitutional rights of
House VAWA excludes LGBT victims
The U.S. House is expected to begin debate Wednesday (February 27) on a bill to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act but one that, once again, eliminates language to ensure that victims of domestic violence can receive assistance from federally
Illinois marriage bill takes the lead
The Illinois Senate on February 14 approved a marriage equality bill by a 34 to 21 vote. Meanwhile, hopes that a marriage equality bill would be moved through the Hawaii legislature were dashed this month when the House Judiciary Committee
Anti-violence measure clears Senate
Openly gay U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin was presiding over the Senate February 12 when the U.S. Senate voted 78 to 22 to approve a bill to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, including provisions to include gay male victims of
PFLAG founder wins presidential medal
The White House announced Wednesday (February 13) that President Obama has selected PFLAG co-founder Jeanne Manford as one of 13 Presidential Citizens Medal recipients for 2012. Manford, who died at the age of 92 just last month, helped co-found Parents,
