Category Archives: Federal Courts
Hearing Monday on release of Prop 8 videotapes
Even before the August 29 hearing takes place on whether to release to the public videotapes of the landmark trial challenging California’s same-sex marriage ban--Proposition 8--there has already been decision to prohibit the recording of the hearing on whether to
A new era of litigation: The complications of defining spouse
A lesbian's surviving spouse is fighting her parents in two different courts. In probate court in Illinois, they are fighting over her will. In a federal court in Pennsylvania, they are trying to influence a judge's determination of who should
9th Circuit: DADT in place but no investigations or discharges
The 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals granted an emergency order Friday night (July 15) temporarily reinstating its original stay of an order that had prohibited the government from enforcing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
Grassley hints at trouble ahead for lesbian judicial nominee
There was a hint of trouble ahead for the nomination of lesbian attorney Alison Nathan to the U.S. District Court for Southern New York.
Lambda takes family case to the U.S. Supreme Court
Lambda Legal Defense is taking its fight for same-sex families to the U.S. Supreme Court. The case, Adar v. Darlene Smith, involves a gay male couple--Oren Adar and Mickey Ray Smith--who sought an amended birth certificate for the boy they
9th Circuit orders end to DADT enforcement
A 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals panel on Wednesday issued an order that the Defense Department stop enforcing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and the Pentagon quickly announced that it will comply.
DOJ comes out swinging against DOMA
The Department of Justice on July 1 recommended a federal appeals court in California dismiss a motion promoted by the House of Representatives to dismiss a challenge to the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
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.
