House Republicans Secretly Squander More Money Defending DOMA

The fact that the cap of $2 million was set on 28 September was not revealed to the public, or even to the House Democrats, until this week is causing some concerns. House Administration Chairman Dan Lungren signed off on the increase in the cap with the contracted law firm this past September. This week, he informed House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of the increase in funding to defend DOMA. ...

Lez Get Real • Dec 17, 2012

Illinois May Vote On Marriage Equality This Veto Session

Many pro-marriage groups have noted that civil unions are not adequate when it comes to marriage equality. To this end, The Civil Rights Agenda out of Illinois founded the pro-marriage group the Equal Marriage Illinois Project. The two groups have learned that marriage equality legislation may be introduced during the legislative veto session, which is when the Illinois Assembly meets to pass any ...

Lez Get Real • Nov 5, 2012

New Mexico DOMA DOA

New Mexico State Representative David Chavez' HJR-22, aka Super-DOMA, has been defeated. ...

Lez Get Real • Feb 17, 2012

New Mexico Super-DOMA Reintroduced

Well here is a nice how-do-you-do. Apparently, Representative Devid Chavez has reintroduced his super-DOMA bill today after pulling it from consideration just before it was set to go before the House Consumer & Public Affairs Committee. ...

Lez Get Real • Feb 15, 2012

New Mexico's DOMA Bill Yanked

Progress New Mexico has sent out word that Representative David Chavez, a Republican, has withdrawn his DOMA bill from consideration. ...

Lez Get Real • Feb 10, 2012

Author Of New Mexico DOMA Has History Of Domestic Abuse

When it comes to respecting marriage, though, Chavez has a pretty spotty record. In October 2010, Chavez was accused of domestic abuse, and his wife filed for divorce. The two were married for four years and two months. ...

Lez Get Real • Feb 3, 2012

Equality Michigan Pride PAC Launches Campaign Against Gov. Snyder

Equality Michigan Pride PAC has launched an ad campaign which encourages voters to "talk back to Rick." That would be Rick Snyder, the Governor of Michigan who recently signed HB 4770. It stripped away healthcare coverage for domestic partners of public employees. ...

Lez Get Real • Feb 3, 2012

SPLC Files Suit Challenging DOMA On Behalf Of Disabled Lesbian Veteran

The Southern Poverty Law Center has filed a lawsuit challenging the Defense of Marriage Act. They have filed the suit on behalf of Tracey Cooper-Harris, who served in the US Army for twelve years. She received multiple commendations while in the military. She is also married. . .to a woman. This means that she does not get the same disability benefits as heterosexual veterans. ...

Lez Get Real • Feb 2, 2012

Widower Loses Home Because of DOMA

Ron and Tom were together for fifty-five years. They lived as husband and husband, and eventually got married. Unfortunately, Tom died of cancer in 2010, and that means that Ron must not only face the rest of his life alone, but he must give up the house that they owned together for all those years because, without Tom's pension and social security, he cannot continue the expenses....

Lez Get Real • Apr 29, 2011

Colorado House Judiciary Committee Stops Civil Union Bill From Advancing

Today, the House Judiciary Committee in Colorado voted to stop all progress on the Colorado Civil Union Act, which would have provided committed lesbian and gay couples the same legal protections such as the inheritance of property, family leave rights, hospital visitation rights, and medical and end of life decisions for a partner. The bill has the support of 72% of Coloradans, but does not have ...

Lez Get Real • Apr 1, 2011

CPAC Loses Another Politico As LGBT Issues Threaten To Split GOP

Democrats are even poised to use the divisions between the pro-equality Republicans and the anti-equality Tea Partiers in 2012 by targeting five seats currently held by pro-equality Republicans. According to the LogCabinRepublicans, these are Congressman Charlie Bass (R-NH), Congressman Bob Dold (R-IL), Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Congresswoman Nan Hayworth (R-NY), Congressman Dave Reiche...

Lez Get Real • Feb 1, 2011

Hopes are High for Marriage Equality in New York

It appears the battle over same-sex marriage is about to heat up in New York Senate and hopes are high for winning that battle, as State Sen. Thomas Duane announced yesterday he would introduce legislation "within weeks" to legalize same-sex marriage in the Empire State and will push for a vote by the end of June....

Lez Get Real • Jan 22, 2011

Kamala Harris- California Cannot Afford Prop 8 Appeal

Kamala Harris has made it clear- the state of California cannot afford to appeal the Prop 8 decision and that means that she will "not defend Proposition 8 because it is simply unconstitutional." Harris is the newly elected attorney general of California, and her position mirrors that of current attorney general and governor-elect Jerry Brown. This leaves the defense of Prop 8 in the hands of thos...

Lez Get Real • Dec 2, 2010

Anti-Gay Donor Writes Check to Meg Whitman

As if she did not have enough money; well after the controversial giving of $125,000 to pass Prop. 8, San Diego businessman Doug Manchester is now supporting Meg Whitman's bid for governor. He's not alone. The National Organization for (Straight-Only) Marriage has pledged $200,000 to defeat Barbara Boxer and elect Carly Fiorina to the U.S. Senate. Both Whitman and Fiorina oppose equality....

Lez Get Real • Oct 8, 2010

California Man Sues Company That Fired Him For Being Gay, Opposing Prop 8

On 20 October 2008, Sampaio came to work with a "No on Prop 8″ poster in his truck. Other vehicles in the parking lot had "Yes on Prop 8″ posters and Sampaio wanted to express his view on the subject. The president of the company stated in Sampaio's presence "I will not permit gays to work here because they contaminate us with their lifestyle. I have a way of getting that out of my parking lot." T...

Lez Get Real • Sep 29, 2010

Prop. 8 Day of Decision

You can find out where your nearest gathering location is and more information on how you can participate by visiting www.equalrightsfoundation.org....

Lez Get Real • Jul 8, 2010

Hate Crimes Against LGBT-Americans and Jews Rose In California in 2008

Hate crimes against LGBT-Americans have more to do with the push for marriage equality rather than economics. When it comes to civil rights pushes, there tends to be a push back irregardless of economic situation. Often times, those perpetrating hate crimes often seek to punish the minority trying to gain equality. This is usually meant to make sure that the group caves in on its demands regarding...

Lez Get Real • Nov 15, 2009

Tempers flare and emotions show during Nevada gay rights bill debates

Debate was intense, tempers flared and emotions ran high during committee hearings in the Nevada Senate and State Assembly on Friday as several bills dealing with same-sex domestic partnerships and discrimination based on sexual orientation and "gender identity or expression" were discussed. Last week, Sen. David Parks, D-Las Vegas, introduced two of these bills into committee... Senate Bill 283,...

Lez Get Real • Mar 30, 2009

Equality Utah uses the LDS own words in a new campaign for Gay Rights

This week in an effort to sway voters in that state and prevent other of Equality Utah's legislative initiative's remaining bills from going down in flames, Equality Utah has come out swinging with a major multimedia ad blitz that turn the tables and proclaims... "The Church does not object to rights for same-sex couples ..."...

Lez Get Real • Mar 8, 2009