Category Archives: News Briefs

Conservatives raise $1.2 million for Prop 8 litigation

The group sponsoring the legal challenge to California’s same-sex marriage ban announced Thursday that a recent fundraiser by conservative supporters in New York brought in more than $1.2 million for the effort.

Tally on DADT-Defense procedural vote still uncertain

Senator Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) issued a statement Monday saying she would oppose the motion to proceed to consideration of the defense authorization bill, the legislation that includes language seeking repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.

McCain re-pitches his position on DADT, again

Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) was for repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell before he was against it. Now, he’s neither for nor against it. That’s right: DADT repeal’s most vociferous opponent now says he’s neither for nor against repeal of the

Reid: Vote to break DADT filibuster Tuesday afternoon

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Thursday filed a motion for cloture on the defense authorization bill, meaning that the first showdown vote affecting the language to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) will take place on Tuesday afternoon.

Citizen letter to court: Walker should have recused himself

In one of the more unusual documents filed with the 9th Circuit in regards to the Proposition 8 appeal, a “citizen of the State of California” asks to file a brief in the case to discuss Judge Vaughn Walker’s bias,

LGBT candidates fare well in Tuesday’s primaries

The Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund announced Wednesday that 29 of the 33 openly LGBT candidates in Tuesday’s primaries won their races.

Schwarzenegger Won’t Appeal

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger told the state supreme court today that he has decided not to appeal the Proposition 8 court decision to the 9th Circuit.

Gay Rep among wealthiest in Congress

Openly Gay U.S. Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) is the seventh wealthiest member of Congress, according to a report this week by The Hill, a newspaper specializing in coverage of Capitol Hill and its lawmakers.

President uses recess appointment for gay man

The White House announced Thursday, August 19, that President Obama was using the recess appointment to install openly gay nominee Richard Sorian as Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Health and Human Services.

Clock ticking down on DOMA cases

It’s been 40 days since U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Tauro ruled—in two cases—that the federal benefits provision in the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional. But the Department of Justice has still not indicated whether it intends to appeal