Category Archives: Lawsuits

Judge rejects call to vacate decision in Proposition 8 case

As expected, a federal judge in San Francisco on Tuesday refused to vacate last year's landmark ruling that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional.

Motion to vacate Proposition 8 ruling seems unlikely

SAN FRANCISCO - It now seems unlikely that a federal judge will vacate a landmark decision in which a gay judge ruled that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional.

Judicial neutrality on trial, with a Supreme backdrop

Openly gay Judge Vaughn Walker won’t be in the courtroom next Monday (June 13)—at least not physically. But he’ll certainly be there in name--and so may be U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito.

Yes on 8: Gay judge’s ruling shouldn’t count

Proponents of Proposition 8 filed a motion Monday, April 25, in federal district court, seeking to vacate the August 2010 ruling by Judge Vaughn Walker that the initiative is unconstitutional, citing Walker’s recent disclosure that he is gay.

The T-shirt Wars: Courts struggle to find balance between free speech and harassment

A recent federal court decision--in a case stemming from a conservative response to GLSEN's Day of Silence--has upheld the right of students to express certain anti-gay sentiments.

5th Circuit upholds Louisiana’s denial to gay dads

In a case that calls into question the responsibility of states to recognize adoptions granted in other states, a federal circuit court said Louisiana does not have to put the names of two gay fathers on the birth certificate of

Court loss with a silver lining

Efforts to secure equal benefits for a gay federal court employee in San Francisco suffered a setback Wednesday when a federal judge dismissed the employee’s lawsuit. But Lambda Legal Defense says the dismissal has a silver lining.

Obama DOJ says DOMA is unconstitutional

The Obama administration made a blockbuster announcement Wednesday, saying it has concluded that one part of the Defense of Marriage Act will not be able to pass constitutional muster in the 2nd Circuit and that DOJ would not defend that

Olson-Boies ask 9th Circuit to lift stay on lower court ruling

Ted Olson, lead attorney for the lawsuit challenging California’s same-sex marriage ban, announced Wednesday that he is asking the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals to lift a stay on a district court ruling that found Proposition 8 unconstitutional.

Federal Court Hears Case on Interstate Recognition of Same-Sex Adoption

A federal circuit court heard arguments January 19 in a case that asks whether states must recognize adoptions by same-sex parents from other states--and the outcome could have "frightening" implications for the rights of adoptive parents.