Category Archives: Federal Courts
Mass. likens DOMA to Colorado initiative that Supreme Court struck down
For the second time in three weeks, a federal judge in Boston heard arguments in a lawsuit that asks the court to strike down a significant part of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
White House hints Kagan passive on “Don’t Ask” policy
The number of results from a Google search of "Elena Kagan" plus the word "gay" more than doubled from 722,000 on Monday, when President Obama nominated her to the U.S. Supreme Court, to 1,950,000 on Tuesday night, when Politico.com reported
Reserved ovation for Kagan nomination to high court
Gay legal activists are applauding President Obama’s second nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court: Solicitor General Elena Kagan. But it could hardly be described as a standing ovation.
Court hears first challenge to DOMA
Gay legal activists feel they got a good hearing from U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Tauro May 6, in the first federal district court hearing to examine the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act.
Can activists claim right to privacy?
For the second time this month, the U.S. Supreme Court’s most conservative member, Justice Antonin Scalia, on Wednesday took a surprising position—one that is helpful to gay civil rights.
No on 8 groups relent; turn over documents
No on 8 groups turned over CDs of "highly confidential" material to attorneys for the Yes on 8 coalition this week, ending a months-long effort to fight a court order to do so.
Prop 8 sideline fight rages on
A sidelines skirmish over document production in the Proposition 8 lawsuit rages on this month, forcing the continued delay of closing arguments and, ultimately, a decision on the constitutionality of California’s ban on same-sex marriage. And Ted Olson, the
Gay group sues gay group for bias against bisexuals
In what may be a legal first, a national gay legal group has filed suit against a national gay sports group for discriminating based on sexual orientation—against straights and bisexuals.
High court seems uncertain about beliefs v. bias conflict
By the time a lawsuit reaches the U.S. Supreme Court, the facts of the conflict are rarely in dispute. But Monday’s oral argument at the Supreme Court revealed a great deal of confusion over those very basic facts of the
