Category Archives: Federal Courts
Michigan marks 9th win in post-Windsor federal court challenges
A federal judge in Detroit ruled Friday that Michigan’s ban against same-sex couples marrying violates the couples’ constitutional rights to due process and equal protection. The Michigan decision, from U.S. District Court Judge Bernard Friedman (a Reagan appointee) falls squarely in
Lambda and others weigh in on ‘religious employers’ at Supreme Court
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear two cases next week that test the degree to which employers may use their personal religious beliefs to deny certain health coverage for employees. Neither case involves any LGBT-related health coverage; but the decisions
Federal judge says Texas marriage ban ‘demeans’ gays for ‘no legitimate reason’
A federal judge in San Antonio, Texas, ruled Wednesday that Texas’ ban on same-sex marriage violates the U.S. Constitution and demeans the dignity of gay couples “for no legitimate reason.”
Olson lauds Virginia judge’s ‘eloquent’ decision, expresses confidence on appeal
A federal judge in Norfolk, Virginia, today struck down the state’s ban on same-sex couples marrying but stayed the execution of her order, that the state stop enforcing the law, pending appeal to the Fourth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. The
Olson: Judge in Virginia marriage ban case says she’ll rule ‘soon’
A federal judge in Norfolk, Virginia, told attorneys in a lawsuit challenging Virginia’s ban on same-sex couples marrying that she will render her decision “soon.” According to David Boies, one of the lead attorneys arguing against the ban, U.S. District Court
GLAD scores major victory in Maine supreme court for transgender students
In an historic first, a state supreme court ruled yesterday that a male-to-female transgender student who was accepted by school staff and students as a girl could not be barred from using the girls’ bathroom at school.
Virginia attorney general won’t defend marriage ban in court
The attorney general of Virginia announced this morning that his office will no longer defend the constitutionality of the state’s ban on same-sex marriage.
Prisoner with GID has right to accepted medical treatment, says fed appeals court
A federal appeals court Friday affirmed a district judge’s order that a state prison violated the constitutional rights of a prisoner with severe gender disorder when it refused to provide sex reassignment surgery.
Oklahoma ban ‘insulting’ to same-sex couples, says federal judge
In yet another stunning victory for marriage equality, a federal judge in Oklahoma ruled Tuesday that the state’s ban on same-sex couples obtaining marriage licenses is unconstitutional.
Utah AG says state may not recognize 1,300 marriages of same-sex couples
The Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes issued a statement Wednesday afternoon saying that he was “unable to reach a legal conclusion as to the ultimate validity of marriage between persons of the same sex who completed their marriage ceremony in
