Thursday, May 6, 2010
News Sweep
A ruling by the New York Court of appeals found that the lesbian non-biological mother of a child who she had raised with her former partner has the right to seek custody of the child because the couple has a Vermont civil union. The court's decision doesn't clarify exactly what this means for out-of-state marriages or for non-bio parents without legally recognized relationships.
Jurors in the trial of two men who attacked a Brooklyn man in 2008 are attempting to figure out what factors set off the violence. The defendants reportedly yelled anti-gay and anti-Hispanic slurs during the attack, and their motives will determine whether they are convicted of a hate crime.
A married gay couple from Rye, NY writes eloquently in the Journal News about the unfairness of their relationship being treated differently in the eyes of the law.
Argentina may be the next country to legalize gay marriage. The Argentine House of Deputies on Wednesday approved marriage equality legislation and sent it to the Senate for consideration. The country's president has promised not to veto the measure if it reaches her desk.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Morning Sweep
The Sag Harbor Express interviews several local lesbian and gay couples who hope that the Senate will vote to provide them the protections of marriage equality that their families need.
In response to DC’s new law to recognize marriages of same-sex couples, a group of Republicans have introduced a new bill to define marriage between one man and one woman in the District.
The Obama administration is insisting that despite recent controversy, they are proactively working toward repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Morning Sweep
NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn lobbied for marriage equality in Albany on Tuesday.
New Hampshire’s same-sex marriage bill has hit a snag, as the House was two votes short of approving Gov. Lynch’s new religious exemptions yesterday. The bill now goes to committee to be considered further.
A gay veteran speaks out against “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in a Wall Street Journal op-ed.
The Wall Street Journal writes on the Massachusetts lawsuit challenging DOMA.
In light of D.C.’s decision to recognize the marriages of same-sex couples, the AP writes on the shifting opinions in the black community there.
The ACLU is threatening to sue a San Diego County school that refused to let a student present a report on Harvey Milk until her classmates got their parents' permission to hear it due to its “sex education” nature. The student’s mother is outraged, saying “Harvey Milk was an elected official in this state and an important person in history. To say my daughter's presentation is sex education because Harvey Milk happened to be gay is completely wrong.”
Pam Spaulding blogs on The Dallas Principles, a document drafted by her and 23 other LGBT equality advocates "to see how we could seize this special moment in history, to think outside of the box about how we can accelerate achieving full civil rights" for LGBT people.
Pam’s House Blend also has an interesting video created to discuss the controversy surrounding the Gender Identity Disorder diagnosis and its inclusion in the DSM.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Morning Sweep
Gay rights activists are mourning the death of Rodger McFarlane, who was a leader in the 1980s of New York’s Gay Men’s Health Crisis, the nation’s first organization to provide services for people with AIDS.
The Connecticut border town of Greenwich is proving to be a popular wedding destination for same-sex couples from out of state.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Morning Sweep
Joe.My.God has pictures.
The New York Times covers both the Times Square rally and the anti-marriage rally in front of the Gov’s office earlier in the day.
The Journal News editorializes poignantly that we know more about Miss California’s stance on marriage for same-sex couples than we do of New York’s State Senators – and it’s time for them to take a stand on the side of equality for their LGBT constituents.
The Democrat & Chronicle ran two excellent opinion pieces yesterday highlighting religious voices in support of marriage – one by Pride Agenda Board Director Rev. Jen Crow, and the other by Rev. Prince Singh, the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester who also spoke at Equality & Justice Day this year.
The D&C also featured a story on marriage for same-sex couples that mentioned the Pride Agenda’s Spring Dinner this past Saturday in Rochester and quoted Dinner Co-Chairs Emily Jones and Matt Haag.
The AP has a great rundown of last week’s marriage debate in the New York Assembly.
New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch says he will only sign the state’s marriage bill if extra protections for religious groups and their employees are added.
RNC Chairman Michael Steele says Republicans should fight against same-sex marriage with the argument that it will hurt small businesses that will be required to provide additional benefits as a result. Perhaps he should check out the studies that have already shown this to be false – on average, employers’ costs only increase 1% to 2% as a result of providing benefits for same-sex couples.
And what about the revenue that marriage for same-sex couples brings to states -- like the $111 million so far in Massachusetts, Mr. Steele?
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Morning Sweep
A New York Times columnist writes that although some people think Obama is moving slow on the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and other LGBT issues, recent advances and shifting public opinion could drive him to take more action in the near future.
A Maine transgender woman writes in the New York Times on the complexities of marriage for trans people.
The Times also writes on NYS Assemblymember Danny O’Donnell’s efforts to secure increased support for marriage in his chamber.
The Boston Globe writes on the New England states’ characteristics that make them more friendly to marriage for same-sex couples.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Morning Sweep
The New York Times’ City Room blog has a run-down of last Thursday’s conference of New York legal experts in support of marriage equality.
The Obama administration has indicated that it is having “preliminary discussions” about repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” – but has made no promises on a timeline for action.
In the Washington Post, at at-large member of the D.C. Council praises its decision to extend recognition to legally married same-sex couples, while an anti-gay rally organizer writes that the decision “marked a new low in irresponsible leadership.”
Five years after marriage for same-sex couples first became legal in Massachusetts, the AP reflects on how it has affected lesbian and gay couples in the state.
The Times also covers some of the basics of health insurance for gay couples.
In honor of Mother’s Day this past weekend, a Huffington Post blogger wrote on the powerful experiences of children raised by gay parents.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Morning Sweep
Edge News has Sen. Duane and NYC Council Speaker Quinn’s reactions to Maine winning marriage.
Opponents who are already challenging Maine marriage equality must collect 55,087 signatures by mid-Sept. in order to put the issue on the Nov. ballot. If they succeed, the marriage law will be stayed until after the voters weigh in.
The New York Times editorial board urges New Hampshire’s Gov. John Lynch – as well as officials in other states with same-sex marriage bills on the table – to stand on the side of fairness and make marriage equality the law.
The Times’ ed board also encourages Obama to choose a gay Supreme Court Justice to replace Souter.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said that she hopes Congress won’t interfere with D.C.’s passage of a marriage recognition law.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Morning Sweep
Maine marriage may face a so-called “people’s veto” – a voter referendum in the state. The Bangor Daily News editorializes against a referendum with this simple and eloquent argument: “Many lawmakers believe the issue should be decided by the voters…This is a popular argument, but it overlooks the basis of a representative democracy. The fight for minority rights always faces opposition, which is why we rely on elected officials. Giving a different — and small — group something the majority already has should not always face a veto from the “haves.”
Meanwhile, New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch is deciding whether to veto or sign the state’s marriage bill. “''I'm going to talk to legislators and I'm going to talk to the people of New Hampshire and ultimately make the best decision I can for the people of New Hampshire,'' he said. If Lynch vetoes the bill, it is unlikely that the legislature would have enough votes to override it.
The New York Times analyzes what Obama has done for LGBT rights so far, and what some advocates in the community are asking of him, including potentially nominating an out candidate for Justice Souter’s Supreme Court seat.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Morning Sweep
Maine’s House will vote on the State’s marriage equality bill today, but even if it passes, it still faces obstacles including a likely “people’s veto” – a voter referendum that could overturn it.
The New York Times has an interesting series of commentary from a variety of sources for and against the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
Monday, May 4, 2009
Morning Sweep
Suffolk County legislator John Cooper legally married his partner in CT last week, saying that although he would have liked to legally marry in New York, the formal recognition was important to his 29-year-long relationship.
A national equality rally drew hundreds of LGBT advocates in Philadelphia on Sunday.
Much has been written on N.C. Rep. Virginia Foxx's comments about Matthew Shepard’s murder being a "hoax" during recent debate over the federal hate crimes act, and though Washington Post columnist Kathleen Parker is right that Foxx’s comments were “not one of the GOP's brighter moments” she seriously misses the point when she asks "Does our revulsion at hate-motivated crimes justify creating special laws only for certain people?"
Parents.com’s online TV channel has a great video on same-sex parenting featuring former Pride Agenda Long Island Program Organizer Jeff Friedman, husband Andrew Zwerin and son Joshua.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Morning Sweep
Gay City News has an interview with Gov. Paterson expanding on some of his recent statements surrounding the marriage bill.
Maine’s Senate has passed the state’s marriage equality bill, which will now go to the House for a vote.
The New York Times writes on advocacy groups’ efforts to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
Bernard Whitman, president and CEO of a public opinion polling firm, writes in Forbes that marriage for same-sex couples in all 50 states is inevitable.
Huffington Post writes on clergy leading the way for LGBT equality.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Morning Sweep
Good As you has the full video of Gov. Paterson’s bold and incredibly moving press conference yesterday, where he explained the purpose of his directive and more than once proclaimed his support for marriage equality.
After passing the Assembly Codes committee last week, the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) is slated for a favorable vote very soon.
Gay couples can marry in California starting June 17 and State residents approve.
The Atlantic Monthly publishes “The Libertarian Argument for Gay Marriage.”
Senator John McCain’s recent appearance on the Ellen Degeneres show raises questions about his support of same-sex civil unions.
LGBT activists call for head doc to resign after APA issues an alarming gender diagnosis review, which recommends reparative therapy for transgender youth.
A transgender activist and fundraiser from Madison, Wisconsin was murdered while on vacation in Mexico.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Morning Sweep
Despite his support of DOMA in the past, new libertarian presidential candidate Bob Barr says he would now repeal the act if elected (his support was all about states’ rights and not discrimination, who knew?), and he supports the
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Morning Sweep
Christine Quinn spoke with Ernst & Young’s LGBT employee group last week to help kick off their Pride Month activities.
Gay couples in
The "Sex and the City" actresses reflect on the show’s gay fans.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Morning Sweep
Gay City News reports on the possibility that GENDA will get a floor vote in the Assembly by the end of the legislative session.
McCain has rejected an endorsement from Rev. John Hagee, the controversialThursday, May 22, 2008
Morning Sweep
The Ithaca Journal has a great guest column about the strong presence of constituents at State Sen. James Seward’s (R-51st Dist.) legislative meeting on E&J Day.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
The future of LGBT workplace equality
From left to right: Richard Oceguera, Emily Jones, Leotis Sanders, and Marla Hassner.
Morning Sweep
The New York Times celebrates Florent, the iconic meatpacking district restaurant that has been a longtime favorite of the gay community. Florent will close on June 29.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Morning Sweep
The Wall Street Journal continues to argue that the
