|
Seven Delaware senators to vote against marriage bill
The Delaware Senate vote on HB 75 is scheduled to take place five days after Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee signed his state's same-sex marriage bill into law.
...
Washington Blade • May 3, 2013
|
|
|
No DOMA repeal bill until court decision
A number of LGBT advocates familiar with the legislation, which has been known as the Respect for Marriage Act, told the Washington Blade its lead sponsors -- Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) in the House and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) in the Senate -- are delaying introduction until after the expected court ruling in June.
...
Washington Blade • May 2, 2013
|
|
|
|
Delaware House approves same-sex marriage bill
The Delaware House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a bill that would allow same-sex marriage in the First State.
The 23-18 vote took place less than a week after the House Administrative Committee advanced House Bill 75 to the full chamber....
Washington Blade • Apr 24, 2013
|
|
|
|
French same-sex marriage bill clears major hurdle
The French Senate on Tuesday approved a proposed amendment to a same-sex marriage and adoption bill that would extend nuptials to gays and lesbians.
Le Monde reported the provision passed by a 179-157 vote margin after senators debated it for more than 10 hours -- lawmakers on April 2 began to consider the same-sex marriage and adoption bill the National Assembly approved in February by a 329-229 ...
Washington Blade • Apr 10, 2013
|
|
|
|
Court grants extended time for DOMA arguments
In its order list, the court granted a total of 110 minutes in arguments before the court -- set for March 27 -- with 50 minutes devoted to jurisdictional issues and 60 minutes devoted to the merits. That's significantly longer than the standard 60 minutes for oral arguments before the court.
...
Washington Blade • Mar 6, 2013
|
|
|
|
Poll indicates majority of Delaware voters back gay marriage
Fifty-four percent of the 600 registered voters the Global Strategy Group surveyed between Feb. 12-14 said they support nuptials for gays and lesbians, compared to 37 percent of respondents who opposed them.
...
Washington Blade • Mar 6, 2013
|
|
|
|
59 percent of Americans oppose DOMA: poll
Fifty-nine percent of the American public say they oppose Section 3 of the anti-gay Defense of Marriage Act after being told it prohibits the federal government from offering benefits to legally married same-sex couples.
The poll, commissioned by the Center for American Progress and Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, asked registered voters this question amid other inquiries regarding their bel...
Washington Blade • Feb 19, 2013
|
|
|
Anti-gay briefs 'mischaracterized' study
Attorneys who submitted anti-gay briefs to the Supreme Court in favor of California's Proposition 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act are continuing the mischaracterization of a 2002 study on child development to suggest same-sex parents are less fit than opposite-sex parents, according to the non-profit that produced the study.
...
Washington Blade • Jan 28, 2013
|
|
|
Colo. fast tracks civil unions; Ill. mulls marriage
Lambda Legal announced last week after conversations with lawmakers that the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act could come to a vote in the lower house as early as January, which would extend marriage rights to same-sex couples in that state....
Washington Blade • Dec 7, 2012
|
|
|
Equality Maryland sets post-marriage agenda
Back in Maryland, Evans said Equality Maryland plans to work to make sure the same-sex marriage law is fully implemented once it takes effect on Jan. 1.
"We have to clean up a few regulations," she said. "There may even be some litigation for clerks of court who aren't complying. We still have some counties that aren't offering spousal benefits to same-sex couples to same-sex spouses despite the ...
Washington Blade • Nov 30, 2012
|
|
|
Marriage vote still in play in Minnesota
The Public Policy Polling survey found 49 percent of likely voters planning to vote against the ballot measure, while 46 percent plan to vote for it, a flip from one month ago when supporters of the ban led 48 percent to opponents' 47 percent....
Washington Blade • Oct 16, 2012
|
|
|
|
Supreme Court asked to hear Conn. DOMA case
Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders is asking the Supreme Court to take up the case of Pedersen et al v. Office of Personnel Management after U.S. District Judge Vanessa Bryant of Connecticut last month ruled against Section 3 of DOMA as a result of the litigation. The organization had earlier called on the high court to take up its case of Gill v. Office of Personnel Management, which led the U.S...
Washington Blade • Aug 22, 2012
|
|
|
Poll: marriage hasn't hurt Obama with black voters
A recent poll of black voters shows that they have remained steadfastly supportive of the president even after his announcement that he supports extending marriage rights to same-sex couples....
Washington Blade • Aug 15, 2012
|
|
|
|
Democratic platform draft includes marriage equality plank
The Democratic Party platform drafting committee approved on Sunday language endorsing same-sex marriage in addition to other pro-LGBT positions as part of the Democratic Party platform, according to two sources familiar with the drafting process.
Retiring gay Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), who sits on the committee, told the Washington Blade on Monday that the 15-member panel unanimously backed th...
Washington Blade • Jul 30, 2012
|
|
|
|
Coakley joins calls for Supreme Court to review DOMA
The brief states Massachusetts agrees with the appellate ruling and "normally would oppose further review in order to ensure that judgment takes effect as soon as possible," but notes DOMA, which prohibit federal recognition of same-sex marriage, is of national importance and the high court in any event is likely to take up its review.
"On that assumption, the Commonwealth believes that the Cour...
Washington Blade • Jul 25, 2012
|
|
|
|
Will Dems include marriage equality in platform?
Three voting members -- Carlos Odio, a Latino Democratic activist, Donna Harris-Aikens, the National Education Association's director of policy and practice, and NARAL Pro-Choice America President Nancy Keenan -- went on the record saying they'd unequivocally back such language, as did two non-voting members -- Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick and Democratic National Committee Secretary Alice Germ...
Washington Blade • Jul 19, 2012
|
|
|
|
Md. marriage advocates target black voters in new ad
The campaign that seeks to defend Maryland's same-sex marriage law on Tuesday released a web advertisement that features black supporters of nuptials for gays and lesbians.
Julian Bond, chairman emeritus of the Baltimore-based National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, previewed the spot that Marylanders for Marriage Equality released. He said in a statement that the video helps ...
Washington Blade • Jul 11, 2012
|
|
|
|
Maryland same-sex marriage opponents report $88,000 in debt
Opponents of Maryland's same-sex marriage law on Monday reported that their campaign to spur a referendum on the issue is more than $88,000 in debt.
Documents that the Maryland Marriage Alliance filed with the Secretary of State on the same day it submitted 39,473 additional signatures to spur a November referendum show the group is $88,277.07 in the red. This figure includes an unpaid invoice of...
Washington Blade • Jun 27, 2012
|
|
|
|
National Council of La Raza board unanimously approves same-sex marriage resolution
Board members of the country's largest Latino civil rights organization earlier this month unanimously passed a resolution in support of marriage rights for same-sex couples.
...
Washington Blade • Jun 25, 2012
|
|
|
Pelosi vows to drop DOMA defense in Democratic House
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) vowed to drop congressional defense of the Defense of Marriage Act in court if Democrats retake control of the House in November.
Pelosi made the remarks Wednesday in an interview with the Washington Blade on Capitol Hill. When asked what could be expected on LGBT issues if Democrats regain control in the 113th Congress, she talked DOMA....
Washington Blade • Jun 7, 2012
|
|
|
|
House approves amendment reaffirming DOMA
Ian Thompson, legislative representative for the American Civil Liberties Union, said the amendment in effect does nothing because although the Justice Department is no longer defending DOMA in court, the Obama administration is still enforcing it.
...
Washington Blade • May 10, 2012
|
|
|
|
Obama changed his mind on marriage months ago: officials
Obama came to the new position supporting same-sex marriage several months ago and planned to make an announcement before the Democratic National Convention takes place this fall. Officials couldn't point to an exact day when the president finished evolving, but said it was sometime in the last few months.
...
Washington Blade • May 10, 2012
|
|
|
|
Court denies request to expedite gay troops' DOMA case
A Massachusetts federal court has turned down a request from attorneys representing gay troops to move up the deadline for House Republicans to intervene in a case challenging the Defense of Marriage Act.
...
Washington Blade • Apr 13, 2012
|
|
|
|
Kerry seeks to aid lesbian bi-national couple
The Democratic senior senator from Massachusetts is seeking to aid a married lesbian couple in his state by asking the Department of Homeland Security to take administrative action to ensure the foreign national in the relationship won't be deported back to Pakistan.
In a redacted letter dated March 27 and obtained Friday by the Washington Blade, Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) asks Secretary of Homela...
Washington Blade • Apr 9, 2012
|
|
|
|
Mormons working to overturn Md. marriage law
Members of the Mormon Church in Maryland are working to overturn the state's recently passed marriage equality law, according to an email obtained by the Washington Blade.
In the message dated March 29 sent to D.C. and Southern Maryland-area church members, the writer states that a coalition of inter-denominational Maryland churches has joined to place a referendum before voters in November on th...
Washington Blade • Apr 6, 2012
|
|
|
|
Elizabeth Warren pledges to lead on LGBT rights
Elizabeth Warren, who is running to unseat U.S. Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.), pledged to support a series of pro-LGBT initiatives and called on President Obama to endorse marriage equality in an exclusive interview with the Washington Blade on Tuesday.
Warren endorsed the idea of an executive order from President Obama that would require companies doing business with the U.S. government to have LGB...
Washington Blade • Mar 22, 2012
|
|
|
|
Boehner may intervene soon in gay troops' DOMA lawsuit
The litigation, known as McLaughlin v. Panetta, was filed on behalf of gay troops and veterans by Servicemembers Legal Defense Network and Chadbourne & Parke LLC. It's pending before the District Court of Massachusetts.
Christopher Man, counsel at Chadbourne & Parke LLC, told the Blade via email on Saturday he believes the Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group, led by House Speaker John Boehner, is "li...
Washington Blade • Mar 13, 2012
|
|
|
|
22 U.S. senators call for marriage equality plank in Dem platform
A group of U.S. senators is joining the wave of LGBT rights supporters calling for an endorsement of marriage equality in the Democratic Party platform.
The Washington Blade received statements from the offices of 22 Democratic senators -- including Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) -- expressing support for including a marriage e...
Washington Blade • Mar 3, 2012
|
|
|
|
UPDATE: Md. braces for close vote on marriage
The Maryland House of Delegates is preparing for a close vote on a bill to legalize same-sex marriage on Friday.
The vote is expected just days after the measure was moved to the floor following approval by a joint committee on Tuesday....
Washington Blade • Feb 15, 2012
|
|
|
|
Md. House committees approve marriage bill
The Judiciary Committee and the Health & Government Operations Committee heard joint testimony last week on the marriage bill. The committees voted jointly in a closed session over several hours late Tuesday afternoon. The vote was 25-18 in favor, with one abstention, Del. Sam Arora (D-Mont. Co.), a former supporter of the bill.
...
Washington Blade • Feb 15, 2012
|
|
|
|
MD: Lobby Day set for Feb. 13
Maryland's annual pro-LGBT Lobby Day, which many believe will be critical for proponents of marriage equality and gender identity nondiscrimination legislation in Maryland, will take place on Feb. 13 in Annapolis. The event kicks off with a rally at Lawyers Mall at 6 p.m. that typically draws hundreds of supporters.
...
Washington Blade • Feb 10, 2012
|
|
|
|
Md. Senate committee to consider marriage bill Tuesday
The Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee will hold its first hearing on the Civil Marriage Protection Act tomorrow at 1 p.m. but LGBT supporters will be at work hours before the testimony begins....
Washington Blade • Jan 31, 2012
|
|
|
|
2012 could prove landmark year for marriage rights
Advocates are working to legalize marriage rights for gay couples in Washington State, Maryland and New Jersey; efforts are also underway to pursue civil unions in Colorado. Meanwhile, opponents are hoping to repeal same-sex marriage in New Hampshire.
...
Washington Blade • Jan 20, 2012
|
|
|
|
D.C. Council candidate no longer opposes gay marriage law
An outspoken advocate for placing D.C.'s same-sex marriage law on the ballot in a voter referendum in 2010 says he no longer holds that view and will express "respect" for the law as a candidate for the City Council in a special election this spring.
Civic activist Delano Hunter has announced plans to run for the Ward 5 Council seat that became vacant last week when incumbent Harry Thomas, a Demo...
Washington Blade • Jan 11, 2012
|
|
|
|
Maryland to take up marriage, trans bills
Bills calling for legalizing same-sex marriage and banning discrimination against transgender persons are among the hot-button issues set to emerge next week when the Maryland State Legislature begins its 2012 session.
Officials with an expanded coalition backing the marriage bill and a new transgender advocacy group leading the effort on behalf of the Gender Identity Non-Discrimination Act say t...
Washington Blade • Jan 5, 2012
|
|
|
|
D.C. divorce bill for same-sex couples set for vote in 'early' 2012
In a little noticed development, D.C. Council member Phil Mendelson (D-At-Large) introduced a bill in October that would allow same-sex couples who marry in D.C. but live in states that don't recognize their marriage to return to the District to get a divorce.
...
Washington Blade • Dec 22, 2011
|
|
|
|
Freedom to Marry's change of heart in Maryland
As Maryland prepares for another shot at marriage equality when the legislature reconvenes next month, one national marriage advocacy group has bowed out of the fight.
Evan Wolfson of Freedom to Marry told the Blade last week that because of concerns about a marriage bill being sent to a voter referendum in 2012, that his organization declined to join a high-profile and diverse coalition of group...
Washington Blade • Dec 16, 2011
|
|
|
|
Gay Iowa lawmaker fears undoing of marriage rights
The only openly gay member of the Iowa State Senate believes marriage equality in the state could "absolutely" be in danger, despite a recent win solidifying a Democratic majority in the chamber for the remainder of the year.
State Sen. Matt McCoy, who's served in the legislature since 1993 -- first as a House member and then as a senator -- said marriage rights for gay couples could be in jeopar...
Washington Blade • Dec 9, 2011
|
|
|
|
DNC hiring of minister disappoints activists
The DNC's announcement in October that it had named Rev. Derrick Harkins, senior pastor of D.C.'s Nineteenth Street Baptist Church, to head its faith outreach program created an immediate stir when news surfaced that Harkins doesn't support same-sex marriage and that he was incorrectly identified in 2009 as a supporter of D.C.'s same-sex marriage law.
...
Washington Blade • Dec 6, 2011
|
|
|
|
Freedom to Marry spurns Md. marriage campaign
The head of the national advocacy group Freedom to Marry startled leaders of Maryland's campaign to pass a same-sex marriage bill in 2012 when he implied this week that organizers weren't doing the work needed to defeat an expected voter referendum to overturn such a bill.
Evan Wolfson, executive director of Freedom to Marry, told the Washington Blade on Monday that his group chose not to join a c...
Washington Blade • Dec 6, 2011
|
|
|
|
DOMA repeal unlikely to find a single GOP vote in committee
Although the committee action on the legislation is set begin on Thursday, the panel will likely hold off on consideration of the bill for another week. Committee rules allow for any member of the panel to hold bills over when they first appear on the executive committee agenda.
...
Washington Blade • Nov 3, 2011
|
|
|
|
Levin Agrees To Co-Sponsor DOMA Repeal
A U.S. senator seen as a leader in the fight for "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal has agreed to sign on as a co-sponsor to legislation that would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act.
On Thursday, Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) officially signed on as a support of the bill, known as the Respect for Marriage Act, bringing the total of co-sponsors to 31....
Washington Blade • Oct 21, 2011
|
|
|
|
High Hopes For Obama's Speech To HRC
Obama is scheduled to keynote HRC's 15th annual National Dinner in Washington, D.C. on Saturday. About 3,000 attendees are expected for the event, which will take place at the Washington Convention Center.
Obama has suggested since last year that his views could "evolve" to support same-sex marriage, but he hasn't yet endorsed marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples....
Washington Blade • Sep 28, 2011
|
|
|
House Dems Renew Request For DOMA Briefing
Democratic U.S. House members pushing for an end to the Defense of Marriage Act have renewed their request with House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) for a briefing on his defense of the anti-gay law in court.
In a letter dated Sept. 26, Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), the sponsor of DOMA repeal legislation, and Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) as well as gay Reps. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), Tammy Baldwin (D...
Washington Blade • Sep 27, 2011
|
|
|
White House Responds To N.C. Marriage Amendment
The White House today responded to efforts in the North Carolina Legislature to ban same-sex marriage via constitutional amendment, saying that President Obama opposes laws "designed to take rights away."
Shin Inouye, a White House spokesperson, issued the following statement in response to the Washington Blade's inquiry as to whether President Obama opposes the North Carolina amendment banning s...
Washington Blade • Sep 14, 2011
|
|
|
|
Mikulski To Co-Sponsor DOMA Repeal
The senior U.S. senator from Maryland has agreed to co-sponsor legislation that would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act after LGBT rights supporters sent a petition of nearly 3,000 names to her office urging her to support the bill.
Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) announced via her Facebook page on Thursday that she would become a co-sponsor of the Respect for Marriage Act, which is sponsored by S...
Washington Blade • Sep 9, 2011
|
|
|
|
Prop 8 Opponents: Calif. Civilians Can't Defend Case Against State
Today the California Supreme Court heard oral arguments over whether or not under state law civilian supporters can take the place of the state, specifically in the Federal case challenging anti-marriage equality Proposition 8.
The hour long hearing was followed by press conferences in which both sides expressed pleasure in the outcome. The court, however, still has 90 days to come to a decision,...
Washington Blade • Sep 8, 2011
|
|
|
|
HHS Expands Hospital Visitation Rights For Gay Couples
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid sent a letter on Wednesday to states building off the memorandum President Obama issued last year mandating that hospitals receiving Medicare and Medicaid funds allow patients to designate their own visitors during a hospital stay, including a same-sex partner.
In November, HHS issued the final rule implementing Obama's proposed change. The letter sent to state...
Washington Blade • Sep 8, 2011
|
|
|
|
Immigration Change Could Help Gay Foreign Nationals Facing Deportation
The Obama administration unveiled on Thursday new immigration policy that could enable many undocumented immigrants facing deportation to stay within the United States -- a move that could enable bi-national same-sex couples at the risk of separation to stay together within the country.
Under the new guidance, immigration authorities within the Obama administration will conduct a case-by-case rev...
Washington Blade • Aug 19, 2011
|
|
|
|
Senate DOMA repeal hearing set for July 20
One additional senator that Jacobs is eyeing as a potential new co-sponsor for the bill is Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.), who voted for "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal and who's facing re-election in a heavily Democratic state in 2012....
Washington Blade • Jul 13, 2011
|
|
|
|
Senate to hear testimony on DOMA 'in the next few weeks'
According to a Senate Democratic aide, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, intends to hold a hearing on DOMA repeal "in the next few weeks." A more definitive date for when the hearing would take place or the individuals who would be invited as witnesses weren't immediate known....
Washington Blade • Jul 8, 2011
|
|
|
|
DOJ to file appeal of Bankruptcy court's DOMA ruling
In a surprising move, the United States Trustee for California -- an agent representing the United States and the Department of Justice in Bankruptcy court -- has appealed a ruling in the United States Bankruptcy Court of the Central District of California which found Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional.
The June 15 ruling by U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge, Thomas Donovan, in t...
Washington Blade • Jun 29, 2011
|
|
|
|
Carney: Obama to 'mention' N.Y. marriage bill, but won't endorse it
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said on Thursday that President Obama plans to "mention" during an LGBT fundraiser later in the evening a pending marriage equality bill in the New York Legislature, but won't come out either for or against the legislation....
Washington Blade • Jun 23, 2011
|
|
|
|
Immigration bill includes pro-gay language
A new path has also been opened to address the hardships faced by bi-national same-sex couples through legislative means. On Wednesday, Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) introduced comprehensive immigration reform legislation that includes a family reunification provision for gay couples....
Washington Blade • Jun 23, 2011
|
|
|
|
Senate panel leaves out anti-gay provisions in defense bill
A Senate defense panel late Thursday approved major Pentagon budget legislation lacking anti-gay provisions found in the House version of the bill, although questions remain on whether amendments related to same-sex marriage or "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" could come up on the Senate floor....
Washington Blade • Jun 20, 2011
|
|
|
|
NETROOTS: Pfeiffer suggests 1996 Obama statement supporting marriage equality a fake
White House Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer on Friday suggested President Obama's stated support for same-sex marriage in a 1996 questionnaire response was fake, despite the signature from Obama attached to the statement.
"If you actually go back and look, that questionnaire was actually filled out by someone else, not the president," Pfeiffer said....
Washington Blade • Jun 17, 2011
|
|
|
|
Boehner denies DOMA contract violates law
During a news conference, Boehner denied the agreement was in violation of any House rules when asked by the Washington Blade if he's confident the contract doesn't violate a law mandating that government-allocated funds be approved through the congressional appropriations process before they're obligated for any purpose.
"This hiring was approved by the Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group," Boehner ...
Washington Blade • Jun 4, 2011
|
|
|
|
Equality Md. leader's status uncertain
Lynne Bowman, interim executive director of Equality Maryland, told the Blade today that she has left the state and is headed to Ohio for a previous commitment and is unsure when she will return.
She said she has not resigned her post, and that she is in "conversation with the board about what next month could look like."...
Washington Blade • May 28, 2011
|
|
|
|
White House issues statement on Minn. marriage amendment
The White House on Monday issued a statement in response to a proposed measure in Minnesota that would make a ban on same-sex marriage part of the state constitution.
The complete statement follows:
"The President has long opposed divisive and discriminatory efforts to deny rights and benefits to same sex couples or to take such rights away. While he believes this is an issue best addressed by t...
Washington Blade • May 27, 2011
|
|
|
Prop 8 lawyers honored at D.C. events
The two lead attorneys in the widely followed lawsuit seeking to overturn the California ballot measure that bans same-sex marriage in the state and the attorney who successfully argued the Supreme Court case that overturned anti-gay sodomy laws were honored this week in Washington.
The Cato Institute, an LGBT supportive libertarian think tank, held a forum on Wednesday that featured presentation...
Washington Blade • May 21, 2011
|
|
|
UAFA-inclusive family immigration bill introduced
A U.S. House member from California on Thursday introduced family immigration legislation that includes language allowing gay Americans to sponsor their foreign partners for residency in the United States.
Rep. Mike Honda (D-Calif.) introduced the Reuniting Families Act, which has a provision that would protect bi-national same-sex couples as one of its six prongs to keep families together in the...
Washington Blade • May 10, 2011
|
|
|
|
Top Gill officials depart to form new firm
Gay philanthropist Tim Gill announced today that the two top officials of Gill Action Fund will depart the organization this summer to launch their own public affairs firm.
Patrick Guerriero and Bill Smith serve as executive director and deputy executive director, respectively, of Gill Action Fund, which funds organizations and individuals "working to advance equality."...
Washington Blade • May 8, 2011
|
|
|
|
Conference set Monday for ACLU lawsuit against DOMA
A schedule could be established on Monday for federal litigation challenging the Defense of Marriage Act during a status conference before a New York federal district court.
The status conference concerns the case of Windsor v. United States, which was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union, and will take place before Magistrate Judge James Francis at the Southern District of New York Courth...
Washington Blade • May 7, 2011
|
|
|
Votes lined up in Senate committee for DOMA repeal
...
Washington Blade • Apr 28, 2011
|
|
|
|
Carney: No list of LGBT promises for 2012 election
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said Monday he doesn't expect President Obama to issue a list of promises to the LGBT community as part of his re-election campaign as he did during the 2008 election season.
During a news conference, Carney made the remarks in response to a question from the Washington Blade on whether Obama would publish a list of objectives he wanted to achieve for the LG...
Washington Blade • Apr 26, 2011
|
|
|
Tough questioning for Gallagher at marriage hearing
Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), ranking Democrat on the subcommittee, asked Gallagher if the children of Jen and Dawn BarbouRouske, a married same-sex couple from Iowa who were present during the hearing, should have parents who can receive the full protections of marriage or if she considers these children "expendable."
"I think no children are expendable," Gallagher replied. "Gay people have fami...
Washington Blade • Apr 18, 2011
|
|
|
|
Another shot for UAFA in House, Senate
Lawmakers initiated on Thursday a two-pronged approach to stop the separation of bi-national same-sex couples in the United States by introducing legislation and sending a letter to the Obama administration urging executive action.
Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) reintroduced in the House the Uniting American Families Act, which would enable gay Americans to sponsor their foreign partners for reside...
Washington Blade • Apr 18, 2011
|
|
|
|
Delaware approves civil unions
The House voted 26-15 in favor of the measure. The Delaware Senate voted 13-6 to approve the bill on April 7, and the state's governor, Democrat Jack A. Markell, has said he plans to sign it
"Today, we celebrate a victory for all Delaware families who will have the tools to protect themselves in good times and in bad," said HRC President Joe Solmonese. "We look forward to Governor Markell signing...
Washington Blade • Apr 15, 2011
|
|
|
|
Senators: Stop separating married bi-national couples
Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) is leading a group of 12 Democratic U.S. senators who are calling on the Obama administration to allow legally married bi-national same-sex couples to remain together in the United States.
In a letter dated April 6, the senators urge the Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security to take action to protect these couples until the courts determine the const...
Washington Blade • Apr 9, 2011
|
|
|
|
Delaware Senate to vote on civil unions
SB 30 would give gay and lesbian couples access to the responsibilities and rights of marriage; partners in a civil union would be included wherever terms like "dependent," "next of kin" and "family" are used in Delaware regulations, codes and court decisions. If passed, Delaware would also recognize civil unions performed in other states.
The measure passed out of committee and is expected to be...
Washington Blade • Apr 8, 2011
|
|
|
|
Boehner has no estimate on DOMA defense costs
U.S. House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) said Thursday he doesn't have an estimate for the cost of the House defense of the Defense of Marriage Act in court as he maintained congressional action was necessary to uphold the anti-gay statute.
During a news conference on Capitol Hill, Boehner said he doesn't have information on the expenses for defending DOMA -- including the cost of any private att...
Washington Blade • Apr 7, 2011
|
|
|
|
DOMA repeal supporters seek Senate hearings
A Senate Democratic aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity, also emphasized the importance of hearings as legislative repeal remains unlikely during the 112th Congress.
"One of the key steps that senators can take to build momentum is to have a hearing, or hearings, on the topic," the aide said. "I think a thorough and perhaps even a dramatic hearing could galvanize opinion in the Senate and h...
Washington Blade • Mar 24, 2011
|
|
|
|
Behind Maryland's marriage debacle
One key lesson from this failure: Do not underestimate the influence of black pastors. Equality Maryland failed to solidify support among black lawmakers from Baltimore City and Prince George's County. And when the preaching began on Sundays in February, several black delegates caved under the pressure. Equality Maryland must take a page from their counterparts in D.C., where the visibility of pro...
Washington Blade • Mar 17, 2011
|
|
|
Maryland: 'Strategic blunder of monstrous proportions'
The decision to cancel a March 11 vote on a same-sex marriage bill in the Maryland House of Delegates was a mistake that could hurt rather than help the chances for passing the bill within the next several years, according to Maryland-based advocates who lobbied for the bill.
The advocates who expressed this view, some of whom spoke on condition that they not be identified, said at least four nat...
Washington Blade • Mar 17, 2011
|
|
|
|
DOMA repeal bills introduced in House, Senate
In the House, Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) introduced the legislation, known as the Respect for Marriage Act, along with 108 co-sponsors. Among the supporters are the four openly gay members of Congress: Reps. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Jared Polis (D-Colo.) and David Cicilline (D-R.I.).
On the same day, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), among the 14 senators who voted again...
Washington Blade • Mar 17, 2011
|
|
|
|
Dozens testify at Md. House hearing on marriage bill
The Civil Marriage Protection Act, which would legalize marriage for gay and lesbian couples, was approved one day earlier in the Maryland Senate by a vote of 25-21, prompting LGBT activists to celebrate what they called a historic victory.
But officials with the statewide LGBT advocacy group Equality Maryland expressed concern that an expected vote on the bill in the House of Delegates within th...
Washington Blade • Feb 27, 2011
|
|
|
|
Del. lawmakers prep civil unions bill
Lawmakers plan to introduce the measure next month. It is anticipated that if the bill passes that civil unions in Delaware would be available only to gay and lesbian couples. Full marriage rights would remain limited to opposite-sex couples.
Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, the House Majority Leader, whose district includes Rehoboth Beach, attended the meeting. Schwartzkopf is a longtime supporter of the...
Washington Blade • Feb 22, 2011
|
|
|
|
Former GOP Senate leader backs marriage in Md.
Maryland State Sen. Allan Kittleman has released a bombshell of a statement today, announcing that he will support a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in the state.
Kittleman had served as Senate minority leader until last month, when he stepped down from his leadership post over his plan to introduce a civil unions bill. In today's announcement, Kittleman says he is abandoning the civil unions ...
Washington Blade • Feb 2, 2011
|
|
|
Anti-gay group to fight marriage efforts in D.C.
In a little noticed development, a national organization credited with playing a lead role in persuading California voters to ban same-sex marriage through Proposition 8 moved its headquarters last month to Washington, D.C.
The National Organization for Marriage plans to use its projected 2009 budget of $6 million to, among other things, help ban same-sex marriage in the District of Columbia and ...
Washington Blade • Aug 26, 2009
|
|
|
|
Feingold lobbied to push DOMA repeal
Equal rights activists in D.C. are lobbying a Wisconsin lawmaker to introduce in the Senate legislation that would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, according to the Human Rights Campaign.
Allison Herwitt, HRC's legislative director, told the Blade on Friday that her organization has been communicating with Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) to introduce DOMA repeal legislation that would complement a...
Washington Blade • Aug 7, 2009
|
|
|
|
Navigating a sea of LGBT lawsuits
A raft of court cases pending throughout the country could advance marriage rights and other priorities for LGBT Americans....
Washington Blade • Jul 20, 2009
|
|
|
|
Success comes one state at a time
In every state we are at different stages in fighting for our rights....
Washington Blade • Jul 20, 2009
|
|
|
|
March on Washington seen as 'bare-bones' affair; Some activists skeptical about need for D.C. demonstration
A number of activists are skeptical about whether the LGBT community should pursue a march this fall.
Stampp Corbin, a gay activist in San Diego, Calif., called Jones "one of our most beloved activists," but said "it would be unconscionable" to think that activists would be able to plan for and draw LGBT Americans to an October march.
"He couldn't possibly be talking about a march on Washington ...
Washington Blade • Jun 9, 2009
|
|
|
|
Equal rights bills remain stalled in Congress
U.S. House and Senate lawmakers apparently hold conflicting views on the best way to pass hate crimes legislation....
Washington Blade • May 30, 2009
|
|
|
|
Illinois poised to approve civil unions
The Illinois General Assembly is expected to approve a measure next week that would legalize civil unions, according to an LGBT activist.
Rick Garcia, political director for Equality Illinois, said Thursday he's "absolutely" expecting the full state House and the Senate to pass a civil union measure either Tuesday or Wednesday. The bill has support from Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn (D)....
Washington Blade • May 21, 2009
|
|
|
|
Same-sex marriage at a tipping point?
Gay activists are saying it's possible, even likely, that the issue is far enough along to have reached an unquantifiable inevitability now that same-sex marriage is legal in four states (Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont and Iowa). But last year's bitter loss in California (Proposition 8's approval on the November ballot outlawed same-sex marriage there, which had been legal since a state Supre...
Washington Blade • Apr 27, 2009
|
|
|
|
Same-sex marriage at a tipping point?
Gay activists are saying it's possible, even likely, that the issue is far enough along to have reached an unquantifiable inevitability now that same-sex marriage is legal in four states (Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont and Iowa). But last year's bitter loss in California (Proposition 8's approval on the November ballot outlawed same-sex marriage there, which had been legal since a state Supre...
Washington Blade • Apr 17, 2009
|
|
|
|
Could new moderate Senate group threaten LGBT bills?
The formation of a moderate Democratic working group in the U.S. Senate is raising questions about whether the group could obstruct the advancement of pro-LGBT legislation.
Dan Pinello, who's gay and a government professor at the City University of New York, said he doesn't think the group's formation is "a good sign for LGBT rights."
"Anything ... that splinters the Democratic majority, however...
Washington Blade • Apr 3, 2009
|
|
|
|
D.C. activists launch grassroots campaign for same-sex marriage
About 25 volunteers with D.C. for Marriage collected nearly 600 signatures Saturday from people who support enacting same-sex marriage in the nation's capital.
Organizers called their ability to gather so many signatures in less than two hours on a rainy Saturday a positive start to a campaign that aims to build support for a same-sex marriage rights bill expected to be introduced soon in the D.C...
Washington Blade • Apr 1, 2009
|
|
|
|
Gay donors propose omnibus rights bill
The leaders of a nonprofit LGBT donors group in Florida are calling on members of Congress to introduce a far-reaching omnibus LGBT rights bill that combines all of the gay- and transgender-related bills that have been pending before Congress, some for as long as 30 years.
Called the Equality & Religious Freedom Act, the combined measure also includes new provisions, including a clause that requi...
Washington Blade • Mar 31, 2009
|
|
|
|
Cast of characters downs civil unions
A complex mix of personalities, career ambitions and individual motivations led to the defeat of civil unions for gay couples in Hawaii.
In the end, it was a political soap opera, full of emotion, strong characters and plot twists.
Some of the reasons state senators voted to scrap the measure Wednesday had more to do with politics than principle.
How else could 18 of 25 Democratic senators clai...
Washington Blade • Mar 31, 2009
|
|
|
|
McCain strategist endorses same-sex marriage
"If I [were] to offer free political advice to the gay community in California," Schmidt said, "it would be don't spend your time looking for people about why it was defeated, but instead focus on what you could do next time and get ready to run the next campaign, because they were very, very close to succeeding."...
Washington Blade • Mar 27, 2009
|
|
|
|
California court to hear Prop 8 case next week
Despite the hype surrounding the oral arguments, Kendell said by the time the court hears them, "much of its main deliberation and thinking has already occurred."
"The conventional wisdom is that oral argument rarely wins you a case, but it can hurt you if you're not well-prepared and ready to answer the court's questions," she said.
A number of activists are taking steps to encourage the Suprem...
Washington Blade • Feb 27, 2009
|
|
|
|
Hawaii lawmakers to consider gaming, gay marriage
Hawaii lawmakers convene a new session tomorrow. They expect to consider legalizing gambling, recognizing gay marriage and preserving Hawaiian lands. The session runs through May 7th....
Washington Blade • Jan 21, 2009
|
|
|
|
Tim Kaine on gay rights
The Washington Post reports that Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine is going to be appointed the next chair of the Democratic National Committee, replacing Howard Dean.
In 2005, when Kaine was running for governor, he was the only candidate to respond to questions from the Blade regarding gay rights. Though he has said he opposes gay marriage and civil unions, he doesn't believe the federal government shoul...
Washington Blade • Jan 12, 2009
|
|
|
|
Crowded marriage meeting yields no consensus
Three gay activists on a panel leading the discussion and nearly all of the 25 audience members who spoke at the forum expressed support for moving ahead sometime soon with the bill, but no consensus emerged on the timing of a marriage bill....
Washington Blade • Dec 16, 2008
|
|
|
|
Gay orgs cut staff to cope with recession
...a reduction in donations coupled with the nation's ongoing financial crisis meant that GLAAD had to make job cuts to stay within budget and prepare for 2009....
Washington Blade • Dec 6, 2008
|
|
|
|
Obama names 7 gays to transition team
...
Washington Blade • Nov 19, 2008
|
|
|
|
Thousands turn out for D.C. Prop 8 protest
...
Washington Blade • Nov 15, 2008
|
|
