Category Archives: Federal Courts
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
DOJ to married green card applicants: DOMA still applies
Just days after putting the applications for green cards on hold for same-sex married couples, the U.S. Citizens and Immigration Service (USCIS) announced it is back to processing them again--with the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in play.
Green card applications for married gays on hold awaiting DOJ guidance
U.S. immigration officials confirmed that the green card applications of immigrants who are in marriages with same-sex partners who are American citizens will be "held in abeyance" until the Department of Justice provides "final guidance related to distinct legal issues"
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.
Supreme Court rules Phelps hate protests are protected speech
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that an anti-gay protester’s demonstrations in close proximity to a private funeral service are protected by the First Amendment.
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.
HHS rescinds Bush era reg that gave doctors a broad religious excuse to to refuse care
The Dept. of Health and Human Services said it "strongly supports" regulations which protect the rights of health care providers from being "compelled to perform or assist in an abortion." But what it did not say was of greater interest
California high court will weigh in on Yes on 8 standing issue
The road to marriage equality in California just got a little longer. The California Supreme Court said today it would make ruling on whether Yes on 8 proponents have authority, under California law, to appeal a federal court ruling that
