Category Archives: News Briefs

Yes on 8 files appeal of decision, awaits action on request

As expected, attorneys for the Yes on 8 campaign which secured passage of Proposition 8 in November 2008 filed notice of appeal of the U.S. District Court ruling in Perry v. Schwarzenegger. The appeal was filed one day after Judge

Kagan confirmed, rancor over DADT intensifies

The U.S. Senate Thursday, August 5, confirmed the appointment of Solicitor General Elena Kagan to the U.S. Supreme Court, but not without complaints from nearly every Republican opposing her nomination about her actions concerning Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) and

Yes on 8 petitions for stay of decision before issued

Attorneys representing supporters of Proposition 8 filed a motion with U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker Tuesday asking that—if he should rule Wednesday in favor of Proposition 8 opponents—he issue a stay of his decision to enable them to appeal.

Kagan hearing: Day 1: partisan bickering

Except that she was wearing a bright blue jacket and sitting in the middle of the Senate hearing room, U.S. Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan was, in one sense, invisible on the first day of her confirmation. The members of the

White House hosts Pride event

It was not exactly the same rousing, sustained cheer of last year that greeted President Obama as he entered the East Room Tuesday evening for a reception in honor of LGBT Pride month. There was an awkward quiet as he

Prop 8 proponents lose pre-closing skirmish

Closing arguments get underway Wednesday in the Proposition 8 case in California, and attorneys representing the various officials who campaigned for the ban on same-sex marriage were just dealt another blow.

No cameras for Prop 8 closing

U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker gave no explanation late Wednesday for his decision to keep cameras out of the courtroom next week when he hears closing arguments in the landmark Proposition 8 trial.

Lesbian U.S. Attorney Nominee Approved

The full Senate on Friday, May 28 unanimously confirmed Laura Duffy as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California, making her the second openly lesbian or gay U.S. attorney. Jenny Durkan, the first, was confirmed in September as U.S.

DADT repeal likely on House floor Friday

The House Rules Committee was back in session Wednesday night, addressing 193 amendments submitted for consideration during floor action on the annual defense authorization bill. As of 9 p.m. Wednesday, the committee had not yet taken up Rep. Patrick Murphy’s

Media asks for broadcast of Prop 8 closing

More than a dozen mainstream media news organizations petitioned the federal judge Tuesday to allow broadcast and webcast of closing arguments in the Proposition 8 lawsuit “to enhance the public’s ability to witness the parties’ respective closing arguments in this