Topics: Gay and Lesbian issues - 1595 results

The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to soon announce its decision on Proposition 8, a 2008 California law, which banned same-sex marriage. The high court could strike down Prop. 8, finding it unconstitutional; decline to rule, noting the proponents’ lack of standing; or uphold the law, citing states’ rights. The American Foundation for Equal Rights infographic below also maps out the possible status of gay marriage across the country, depending on the court’s decision. Let us know in the comment …

The Boy Scouts of America voted today to lift its ban on openly gay members. The Scouts’ National Council, comprising of around 1,400 members, cast the hotly contested ballot at a conference in Texas today. Up until the moment the results were released this evening it was unclear whether the organization would retain or drop its discriminatory policy. Ultimately, about 60 percent of members voted to drop it. The result is that “no youth may be denied membership in the …

Months after Minnesota voters declined to enshrine a ban on gay marriage in the state constitution, Gov. Mark Dayton today signed a bill that permits gay and lesbian couples to tie the knot. “What a difference a year and an election can make in our state,” Dayton said at the signing. “Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness should certainly include the right to marry the person you love.” The state Senate passed the bill yesterday by a 37-30 vote …

The Iowa Supreme Court ruled on May 3 that the state must recognize children born to lesbian couples as having two parents on their birth certificate, ensuring full parental rights for both parents and equal treatment for gay and heterosexual couples.   ‘Biology’ Cited by State Heather and Melissa Gartner, a lesbian couple, were legally married in Iowa in 2009 after the state’s “Defense of Marriage Act” was held unconstitutional. They had already wed via a civil commitment ceremony and …

The U.S. Supreme Court is still deciding the legal rights in gay marriages. The high court is expected to announce its rulings in June on whether the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which denies federal benefits to legally married same-sex couples, and California’s ban on gay marriages (Proposition 8) are unconstitutional. Meanwhile, different states continue their own disputes on the issue. As Lawyers.com reported, the Illinois attorney general and Cook County clerk are refusing to defend their state’s law that …