Morning Sweep

The NYS Senate impasse is over, as Senator Pedro Espada has rejoined the Democrats as their new Majority Leader.

A trans woman in Queens was assaulted on Wednesday. Her attackers may be charged with a hate crime.

Trans activist Melissa Sklarz writes on her experience last week at Obama’s meeting with LGBT leaders. She has a cautiously optimistic outlook on his future promises.

In a recent sit-down with reporters from the Catholic media, Obama made this statement: "For the gay and lesbian community in this country, I think it's clear that they feel victimized in fairly powerful ways and they're often hurt by not just certain teachings of the Catholic Church, but the Christian faith generally. And as a Christian, I'm constantly wrestling with my faith and my solicitude and regard and concern for gays and lesbians."

Pennsylvania Senators have introduced a marriage equality bill.

Hateful Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kearn is back to her usual anti-gay shenanigans. Her new, pointless “morality proclamation” states that “this nation has become a world leader in promoting abortion, pornography, same-sex marriage, sex trafficking, divorce, illegitimate births, child abuse and many other forms of debauchery."

A new "refuse to sign" campaign is urging clergy to avoid signing marriage licences and to stick to just blessing the unions in order to create a more clear-cut distinction between church and state.