“Those in control of this state need to stop fighting the future. They must stop governing by fear. They must stop pretending there’s some security blanket in laws that treat others unfairly.”
Arizona Governor Vetoes Bill Permitting Use of Religion as Cover to Discriminate
The bill was strongly opposed by LGBT groups who have seen businesses in other states – such as florists, photographers, and bakers – refuse to provide services to same-sex couples. Members of the Arizona business community also opposed the bill, as did politicians on both sides.
Republican Senators Introduce Bill to Limit Benefits for Same-Sex Spouses
Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced a bill last week that would give states the power to decide whether to give married lesbian and gay couples the same federal benefits that heterosexual married couples receive.
Kansas Senate Comes Out Against Anti-Gay Legislation
If signed into law, HB 2453 would allow the refusal of government services to same-sex couples, as well as private services such as access to stores and medical services, making LGBTQ people effectively second-class citizens.
Supreme Court Temporarily Halts Same Sex Marriages in Utah
The Supreme Court issued a temporary order today blocking new same-sex marriages in Utah in order to allow more time for a federal appeals court to consider the issue.
New Mexico Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Marriage Equality
Although the Court has not expressed when it will make its decision, it will allow same-sex marriages to continue pending the outcome.
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California Approves Law Protecting Transgender Students
“[This law is] going to send [students] a message that they are a part of the school community and that they are valued and that we want to see them participate fully and want to see them succeed. That’s a powerful message that, frankly, they have not been getting up to this point.”
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Obama Criticizes Russia’s Anti-LGBT Position
On Tuesday, President Obama vocalized concern over Russia’s anti-LGBT government policies on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
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Federal Bill Introduced to Protect LGBT Youth at Homeless Shelters
Representatives Mark Pocan (D-WI) and Gwen Moore (D-WI) have introduced legislation in Congress to protect homeless LGBT youth from discrimination. The bill seeks to include LGBT protections within the Reconnecting Homeless Youth Act, which is up for reauthorization this year.
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Virginia Couples Fight Same-Sex Marriage Ban
Two Virginia couples filled a federal class action lawsuit Thursday against the commonwealth’s same-sex marriage ban.
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Mexican State of Colima Legalizes Same-Sex Civil Unions
Lawmakers in the Mexican state of Colima voted to change the state constitution to allow civil unions Monday. Seven of the 10 municipality officials in the state approved the constitutional reform.
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Olympic Committee says LGBT Activists Will Not Be Punished in Russia Under Anti-Gay Law
The International Olympic Committee has stated that LGBT athletes and visitors of the 2014 Winter Olympics will not be penalized under extreme anti-gay legislation passed in Russia last month.
DOMA Speaks, States React: The Marriage Equality Movement Goes to Pennsylvania and Beyond
Different states have had different reactions to the recent SCOTUS decision. Some state policies remain relatively similar to what they were before the decision and some states are taking action to pass same-sex marriage laws. Here’s the latest on the new frontier of marriage equality: a state-by-state strategy to legalize gay partnerships.
From the Other Side: Prop 8 Through The Eyes of an Ex-Mormon
In 2008, I was a Mormon sitting on the receiving end of congregational announcements about Prop 8.
Remembering The 40th Anniversary of the Upstairs Lounge Massacre
The movement for LGBT equality is about more than marriage. It’s about the ability to exist in the world without being burned alive.
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Supreme Court Rules In Favor Marriage Equality
Today the Supreme Court handed down two decisions affirming marriage rights for same-sex couples in the cases of US v Windsor and Hollingsworth v Perry.
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Senator Lisa Murkowski Endorses Same-Sex Marriage
Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski came out in support of same-sex marriage Wednesday during an interview with Anchorage television station KTUU. She also posted an op-ed about her position on her Senate website.
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Delaware Legislature Passes Gender Identity Non-Discrimination Act
The Delaware Legislature passed the Gender Identity Non-Discrimination Act Wednesday, adding gender identity as a protected nondiscrimination category alongside race, age, religion, and sexual orientation.
Gay Marriage is About to Have Its Golden Moment, But What About the Rest of Us?
As we await the SCOTUS ruling on Proposition 8, I can’t help but be bothered that there are many more urgent, pressing issues facing the LGBTQ community.
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Syracuse Passes Transgender Nondiscrimination Legislation
In a 7-1 vote yesterday, the Syracuse Common Council amended the Syracuse Fair Practice Law to include the protection of transgender and gender non-conforming people against discrimination. The passage of this legislation will prohibit discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations (such as restaurants, hotels, and stores) based on a person’s gender identity or expression. […]