Category Archives: Law

9th Circuit: DADT stay continues

The 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals on Monday granted the government’s request to permanently delay enforcement of a lower court order to stop enforcement of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT).

Fed to schools: Law requires actions against bullying

The U.S. Department of Education is issuing guidance to school officials today (October 26), reminding them that federal law requires schools to take action against bullying—including gender-based and sexual harassment of LGBT students.

Florida attorney general does not appeal gay adoption ruling

Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum announced Friday that he will not challenge a September 22 state appellate court ruling that overturned Florida’s ban on adoption by gay men or lesbians. This means the 33-year-old ban has ended.

Marriage referendum reaches high court

A lawsuit over a referendum on same-sex marriage has reached the U.S. Supreme Court. And it’s not Proposition 8.

9th Circuit puts DADT injunction on hold

The 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals Wednesday night stopped the enforcement of a federal district court judge's order that the military stop enforcing "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell."

Florida Gov. and agency won’t appeal court adoption ruling

Neither the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) nor Governor Charlie Crist will appeal a September 22 ruling that overturned the state ban on adoption by gay men or lesbians. But will state Attorney General Bill McCollum appeal on

DADT injunction: Now and global

A federal judge in California Tuesday issued an order to put an “immediate” and global halt to all discharges and investigations under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.

High Court ponders another exception to 1st Amendment

Fred Phelps’ followers say their hate-filled messages constitute a contribution to public discourse. But, in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, attorney Sean Summers argued that these messages, when conveyed outside the funeral of a fallen soldier, inflict an injury

GOP rep. wants to defend DOMA in Mass. cases

Claiming that the Department of Justice is not doing enough to defend the Defense of Marriage Act, U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas) has asked a federal court for permission to serve as an intervenor-defendant in two cases expected to come

First Amendment fights to dominate high court

There are some important First Amendment cases coming before the U.S. Supreme Court in the session that begins today. The most important case for the LGBT community at the moment is Snyder v. Phelps, which the court will hear on