Topics: Gay and Lesbian issues - 1475 results

The U.S. Supreme Court today heard arguments in a case that could potentially grant marriage rights to gay couples in all 50 states, but the justices indicated that they would punt the issue instead. Hollingsworth v. Perry is the first case the Supreme Court has ever heard on same-sex marriage, at a moment when the country’s support for equality has reached an all-time high. The journey of LGBT marriage to Washington, D.C., has taken years. In 2008, the California Supreme …

By Larry Bodine, Editor in Chief, Lawyers.com Editorial We are on the threshold of a historic decision on individual rights by the Supreme Court of the United States as it considers two cases involving same-sex marriage. The cases about “who you love” could change the laws in 41 states and more than 1,000 federal statutes. Regardless of what is said in the oral arguments, a reading of the merits briefs makes it clear that the Court will have to rule …

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments next week in two cases that have the potential to change the face of LGBT rights and bring marriage equality to all Americans. In Windsor v. United States, the court will rule on the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act, which bans federal recognition of same-sex marriage. In Hollingsworth v. Perry, the justices will consider California’s Proposition 8 measure that banned LGBT marriage in the state. The court could uphold the law, …

The New Mexico Supreme Court heard arguments last week over whether a photographer can refuse to take pictures of a same-sex wedding. In Elane Photography v. Willock, the court will decide whether the photography studio acted in violation of the New Mexico Human Rights Act when its owners declined to shoot the commitment ceremony of Vanessa Willock and her partner, citing religious beliefs. The New Mexico Human Rights Commission found that Elane violated the law, a decision that has twice …

The Puerto Rico Supreme Court last week upheld the island’s ban on same-sex couples adopting children, noting that the legislature could change the law if it wished.   ‘The state … has not criminalized their sentimental relationship, but it does not have a constitutional obligation to award this relationship the same rights that other relationships have when it comes to adoption procedures,’’ the majority opinion said. The ruling quashed the efforts of a woman to adopt her 12-year-old child, who was …