Category Archives: Politics

Cold feet: Maryland House backs off vote on marriage

Supporters of allowing same-sex couples to marry in Maryland could see the altar: passing the House and sending the bill to a governor who said he would sign it. But on March 11, the House unanimously voted to send it

White House Calls for Coordinated Anti-Bullying Efforts

The White House held a high-visibility conference on bullying prevention March 10, with the President and First Lady calling on parents, teachers, students, and communities to address the problem together.

Student anti-bullying, non-discrimination bills face uncertain path

Members of Congress are introducing a flurry of bills this week designed to address bullying and harassment of students, including LGBT students, and timed to coincide with a major White House conference on bullying prevention March 10.

Marriage Equality Hanging Tough in Md., N.H.

Proponents of marriage equality are holding their own this week in two battleground states, despite tough skirmishes that threatened ground they had previously gained. But in both states--Maryland and New Hampshire--more critical battles seem almost inevitable, perhaps on the ballot

Gay federal appeals nominee: 11 months and still waiting for hearing

Republican members of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee have been holding up the nomination of President Obama’s only openly gay nominee to a federal appeals bench.

Marriage equality in Maryland: still a long road ahead

Marriage equality in Maryland looks set to take one of two paths--and neither is likely to enable same-sex couples to marry in the Free State for many months to come.

Obama DOJ says DOMA is unconstitutional

The Obama administration made a blockbuster announcement Wednesday, saying it has concluded that one part of the Defense of Marriage Act will not be able to pass constitutional muster in the 2nd Circuit and that DOJ would not defend that

Marriage two-step: forward in Maryland, backward in Indiana

Marriage equality and legal recognition for same-sex relationships took a few big steps forward this past week—in Maryland, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, New Mexico, and Rhode Island. But they took a few steps backward, too—in Indiana, New Hampshire, and Wyoming.

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

House plays “chicken” with budget votes; seeks huge cuts in current year

The U.S. House of Representatives over the weekend passed a $1.2 trillion budget for the current Fiscal Year (FY 2011), one that includes significant cuts likely to impact the LGBT community and “massive” cuts to programs for people with HIV.