Supreme Court invites lawyer to argue DOMA is outside their jurisdiction

The court asked lawyer Vicki C. Jackson of Cambridge to join the gay marriage arguments this spring, but she won't be arguing whether it's legal for governments to treat gay Americans differently in issues of marriage. Instead, at the court's invitation, Jackson will be arguing that it's improper for the Supreme Court to even consider making a ruling on a federal law that treats gay married couple...

Christian Science Monitor • Dec 14, 2012

New York gay marriage bill: What would happen if it passes?

Today, same-sex couples can't marry in New York - though the state government does recognize gay marriages performed in other states, due to a 2008 executive order issued by then-Gov. David Paterson. If the law passes, gay couples in New York would be able to tie the knot 30 days later....

Christian Science Monitor • Jun 23, 2011

Has California Supreme Court ruling 'wiped out' Prop. 8 opposition?

"Both the Governor and the Attorney General were convinced by the merits of Judge Walker's comprehensive factual findings and legal conclusions," says Joan Hollinger, professor of law at the UC Berkeley School of Law. "And," she adds, "as is their prerogative under our state law, they have decided not to appeal his ruling to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal. They are both discharging their obliga...

Christian Science Monitor • Sep 10, 2010

Prop 8 stay ends next week, setting stage for California gay marriage

US District Judge Vaughn Walker refused Thursday to extend a stay - placed on his ruling that declared California's gay-marriage ban unconstitutional - beyond next week. The decision clears the way for same-sex marriages to begin again in California on Aug. 18, barring intervention from the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Judge Walker did not immediately end the stay to give the appea...

Christian Science Monitor • Aug 12, 2010

Surprise outcome of museum shooting: gay rights

Now, Congress is under greater pressure to acknowledge that gays face the same threats as the Jews and blacks targeted by Mr. Von Brunn, and it could take action as soon as this week....

Christian Science Monitor • Jun 16, 2009

Gay marriage ruling has Iowans weighing their values

Legalization, however, means something different for Iowa than for its predecessors. The ruling is destined, for one thing, to reposition the heartland state as more progressive than it's usually perceived, especially by people who have never been to Iowa and dismiss the entire region as "fly-over" territory. There is also the economic capital: Because legal status is granted only to residents, s...

Christian Science Monitor • Apr 7, 2009

California's same-sex marriage case affects all of us

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Christian Science Monitor • Nov 14, 2008