Category Archives: Law
House hearing contentious on DOJ-DOMA decision
Democrats came out swinging Friday, April 15, during a House subcommittee hearing on the Department of Justice announcement that it would curtail its defense of the federal ban on recognition of same-sex marriages.
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
Arkansas Supreme Court strikes down adoption ban
The Arkansas Supreme Court unanimously upheld a lower court ruling that struck down the state’s ban on adoption and foster parenting by any person cohabiting with a sexual partner outside of marriage. The state high court said the law violates
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"
Arkansas Supreme Court reconsiders adoption ban
The Arkansas Supreme Court heard arguments March 17 in a case to determine whether the state constitution will allow a law banning any person cohabiting with a sexual partner outside of marriage from adopting or foster a child. It is
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.
Delaware Supreme Court confirms lesbian mom is a parent
The Delaware Supreme Court issued a ruling upholding the right of a woman to be identified as a "de facto" parent of a child she had been raising with her former same-sex partner—a child the partner adopted but that the
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.
