Morning Sweep

Yesterday, the Pride Agenda released an update in conjunction with several other rights groups on how NYS agencies are now recognizing same-sex couples' out-of-state marriages. The update expands on what we told you in our Getting Married Out of State Q&A back in May, when Gov. Paterson first instructed state agencies to respect same-sex marriages performed legally out-of-state. Gay City News and Good As You write on the report, and you can read it here.

The New York Observer has the play-by-play account of Paterson’s pick of Kirsten Gillibrand for U.S. Senator, and how gay rights factored in to the events that unfolded the night before his announcement.

Despite being disappointed that Caroline Kennedy wasn’t chosen, David Mixner is excited that Gillibrand is the first U.S. Senator from New York to support marriage equality.

Last week, a New York appeals court upheld a policy granting benefits to the same-sex married partners of state workers.

Over 2,000 foreign policy government employees signed a letter delivered to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton calling on the government to give equal benefits to same-sex partners.

A Politico blogger thinks “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” will be one of the top 5 legislative fights ahead for Obama’s administration.

Civil union legislation that has stalled for years in Hawaii may finally have a chance at passing.

This L.A. Times op-ed, written by a man who grew up in foster care, does a great job of explaining why same-sex adoption bans are ridiculous: “Based on my own experience, I'd say children in foster care don't care about the sexual orientation of people wanting to adopt them. They want loving, permanent and safe environments.”

Remember those San Diego firefighters who sued the city because they were “forced” to march in a gay pride parade? They’re back.

Sweden is likely to become the seventh country to legalize same-sex marriage.

In Hollywood news, GLAAD has announced its nominees for its media awards and its plans to honor Tyra Banks and Suze Orman, and Sean Penn has won the SAG award for best actor for his performance in Milk.