Category Archives: Law

GOP abandons ‘transparency’ vow; blocks videotape of DOMA proceeding

Remember last year’s Pledge to America from the Republican Party? It promised three times to make government “more transparent.” Well, apparently, that pledge had a hidden expiration date.

New guidelines for same-sex parenting and custody

Many contentious lawsuits involving the rights of LGBT people have occurred when a biological parent uses anti-LGBT laws to try and deny a child’s non-biological parent custody or visitation. Several LGBT organizations have published a revised set of standards aimed

California court seems torn over Prop 8 standing issue

Proponents of Proposition 8 argued Tuesday that Yes on 8 must be granted standing to defend the California same-sex marriage ban in federal court; opponents argued Yes on 8 must be denied standing.

‘History could repeat itself’ on DADT, warns Log Cabin attorney

"Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" will be off the books September 20. But there is still concern among some that the removal of that specific law barring gays from the military will not stop discrimination against gays in the military.

Judge ponders whether videotape of Prop 8 trial constitutes evidence

A federal district court judge in San Francisco Monday (August 29) heard vigorous arguments over a request to release for public viewing a videotape of last year’s historic trial on Proposition 8.

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

Triad certifies military ready to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

President Obama, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mike Mullen signed and submitted a one-page written certification to Congress Friday afternoon (July 22) that the military is ready to implement repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.

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.