Chris Geidner
Appropriations Bill Includes Measure To Ban LGBT Discrimination In Jury Selection
"The judicial process should represent our nation's principles of inclusion and acceptance, and eliminating the discriminatory exclusion of LGBT jurors is a necessary step to meeting that goal," Sen. Jeanne Shaheen says.
Chris Geidner
Human Rights Campaign Calls On NBC For Action About Olympics
"NBCUniversal ... has a unique opportunity — and a responsibility — to expose this inhumane and unjust law to the millions of American viewers who will tune in to watch the Games," HRC president writes to the company that will broadcast the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
Chris Geidner
Federal Officials Protect Transgender Student Against Discrimination
"[T]ransgender students ... are protected from sex-based discrimination under Title IX," Education and Justice department officials wrote. Federal law keeps moving toward transgender protections.
Chris Geidner
Veterans' Affairs Committee Advances Gay Couples' Benefits Bill
"I am pleased the Veterans' Committee has built on the landmark progress we've seen for marriage equality," bill sponsor Sen. Jeanne Shaheen says.
Chris Geidner
California High Court Denies County Clerk's Request To Halt Gay Couples' Marriages
The San Diego County clerk had filed a request asking the state's supreme court to order him to stop marrying same-sex couples immediately. A further briefing schedule in the case has been set for other requests made in Friday's filing.
Chris Geidner
Anti-LGBT Developments In Russia "A Complete Travesty," Advocate Says
"Most nations on the cusp of hosting Olympic Games would want to make their country seem more hospitable, not less," a Human Rights Campaign spokesman says. HRC is not, however, yet taking a position on whether it supports calls for a boycott of the 2014 Olympics.
Chris Geidner
Ohio Officials Ordered To Recognize Gay Couple's Marriage
Married on July 11 in Maryland, John Arthur is in hospice care and "certain to die soon." He and his husband have sued to ensure their marriage is recognized by Ohio officials at Arthur's death.
Chris Geidner
"The View" Takes On Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli's Sodomy Fight
"He wants the government on my back and my husband off it," Joy Behar says. Cuccinelli is asking the Supreme Court to hear a case involving Virginia's sodomy law.
Chris Geidner
San Diego County Clerk Asks Court To Order Him Not To Marry Gay Couples
Ernest Dronenburg says California officials exceeded their authority by ordering county clerks to marry same-sex couples. He's asked the California Supreme Court to issue an order that he not do so.
Chris Geidner
White House "Forbade" Labor Department Action On LGBT Workers' Rights, Advocate Says
As a new secretary takes over the helm at the Labor Department, LGBT advocates raise questions about inaction on transgender workers' protections — and the White House's role in that inaction.
Chris Geidner
Justice Department Opposes Gay Veterans' Request On Procedural Grounds
A rare legal disagreement between LGBT advocates and the Obama administration.
Chris Geidner
House Democrat Joins Uphill Effort To Stop All Same-Sex Couples’ Marriages
Rep. Nick Rahall of West Virginia wants a constitutional amendment to end the debate. He joins 39 Republicans in the uphill effort.
Chris Geidner
House Republicans Cave On Marriage Fight
"[T]he House now seeks leave to withdraw as a party defendant." House Republicans stop defending statutes similar to the Defense of Marriage Act that ban recognition of same-sex couples’ marriages.
Chris Geidner
Meet The Labor Secretary That No Republican Wanted
On a 54-46 vote — with no support from any Republicans — the nomination of Thomas Perez to be Secretary of Labor was confirmed Thursday.
Chris Geidner
Ken Cuccinelli Is All In On Keeping Virginia's Sodomy Law Safe
"Why is Terry McAuliffe Playing Politics Instead of Protecting Our Children?" the Cucinelli for Governor campaign's website asks. "Everyone supports strong laws to protect children," McAuliffe's spokesman counters. "Ken Cuccinelli ... believes that being gay should result in criminal prosecution and jail time."
Chris Geidner
House Republicans Face Decision On Fighting Gay Veterans' Spousal Benefits
A federal judge has set a Thursday deadline for parties to tell him why he shouldn't side with gay service members and veterans and their spouses in an ongoing challenge to benefits statutes. The deadline comes three weeks after the Supreme Court ruling struck down the federal definition of marriage in the Defense of Marriage Act.
Chris Geidner
California Supreme Court Denies Request For Immediate Halt To Same-Sex Couples' Marriages
The justices' order comes three days after the supporters of Proposition 8 asked the court to stop the marriages, which resumed in the state on June 28.
Chris Geidner
Federal Government Decisions Mark A Changed Landscape For Transgender Workers
In cases against both government and private employers, transgender workers — with the federal government's backing — are successfully using the Civil Rights Act's sex discrimination protections to fight anti-transgender discrimination.
Chris Geidner
Cory Monteith: "I Was Fortunate To Have The Arts Inspire Me"
"When I was a kid, I struggled a lot with who I was and where my life was going and what I was interested in," said Monteith, who was found dead Saturday, said in a Project Limelight video discussing the importance of the arts and arts education. Earlier this week, he shared a meal at Vancouver's East of Main Cafe, a restaurant whose proceeds benefit the Project.
Chris Geidner
Social Security Administration Is Now Accepting Married Gay Couples' Claims
"We are taking claims now from individuals who believe they may be eligible for Social Security benefits," spokesman says.
Chris Geidner
