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America's Most Followed LGBTQ News Source
Lawmakers introduce bill to promote LGBT rights in U.S. foreign policy
The International Human Rights Defense Act would appoint a special envoy within the U.S. Department of State to coordinate efforts to prevent discrimination and advance the rights of LGBT people worldwide. The bill would establish a Special Envoy position in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor to coordinate that effort.
USA
Alabama same-sex marriage supporters to hold free weddings in Huntsville
Supporters of same-sex marriage are organizing free weddings in Huntsville once a judge's ruling legalizing same-sex unions takes effect.
World
Cumberbatch, Fry urge UK to pardon gays convicted under ‘gross indecency’ law
Oscar-nominated actor Benedict Cumberbatch has joined others in calling for the British government to pardon gay and bisexual men convicted in the past under the defunct "gross indecency" law.
USA
Gay dating app scores billboards outside Super Bowl host stadium
Sports enthusiasts visiting Glendale, Ariz., for Super Bowl XLIX will be greeted by two 48- by 14-foot digital billboards hoping to spark conversation about equality and acceptance in sports.
USA
Montana Senate panel tables bill that would create statewide LGBT protections
Montana lawmakers all in one day heard testimony, voted against and then tabled a bill that would provide protections for gay, lesbian, transgender and other people in the state.
USA
California Supreme Court ruling on sex crimes criticized as unfair to gays
The California Supreme Court ruled Thursday that adults convicted of engaging in unforced oral sex with minors must register as sex offenders, while those guilty of sexual intercourse with minors may not have to.
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USA
Montana lawmakers consider eliminating law banning same‑sex marriage
Rep. Bryce Bennett of Missoula introduced House Bill 282 in the House Judiciary Committee Friday. The Democrat's bill would remove same-sex couples from a list of prohibited marriages.
USA
Wyoming state House gives initial approval to religious freedom bill
The bill would allow businesses to deny services when their religion disagrees with another person’s actions, including potentially allowing county clerks to deny issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
USA
ExxonMobil adds LGBT protections to employment, harassment policies
ExxonMobil has reversed its longstanding opposition to LGBT employment protections, adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the company's non-discrimination policies on employment and workplace harassment.
USA
Oklahoma lawmaker withdraws anti-gay ‘license to discriminate’ bill
An Oklahoma lawmaker who has introduced several anti-gay bills for the upcoming session is withdrawing one measure, widely criticized as a licensing businesses to discriminate against LGBT people.
World
Brazil’s largest city to pay transgender youth to finish school
The program being offered by Sao Paulo's Municipal Human Rights and Citizenship Secretariat is intended to help transgender youth from having to turn to prostitution to support themselves.
USA
Va. House panel kills bill that would have allowed widespread LGBT discrimination
A Virginia legislative panel has killed a so-called “conscience clause” bill that would have allowed widespread discrimination against the LGBT community under the guise pf religious freedom.
USA
Alabama plaintiffs ask 11th Circuit to allow marriage victory to take effect
Lawyers for Cari Searcy and Kim McKeand on Thursday asked the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta to reject Alabama's request to place the ruling on hold for months.
USA
Louisiana Supreme Court urged to rule in same-sex marriage case
Lawyers on both sides of a same-sex marriage case have urged Louisiana's Supreme Court to rule on the matter even though the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to do so by June.
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USA
Virginia to pay $520K to attorneys in same-sex marriage case
The settlement agreement was filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Norfolk. The attorneys had sought more than $1.7 million.
Newsmakers
Utah governor: Legislation to protect gay rights must also protect religious liberties
Gov. Gary Herbert used his sixth annual State of the State address Wednesday night to call on Utah lawmakers to ensure the state protects religious rights in the upcoming legislative session.
USA
Iowa venue settles bias complaint filed by gay couple, will discontinue all weddings
The owners of a gallery and bistro who refused to hold a same-sex wedding ceremony at their central Iowa business have stopped doing weddings altogether.
Newsmakers
Despite the ‘firing’ of Bryan Fischer, his attacks on the LGBT community to continue
Bryan Fischer, the virulently anti-gay mouthpiece of the American Family Association, has reportedly been stripped of his position as Director of Issues Analysis, but will retain his daily radio program, a forum from which he bashes the LGBT community on a daily basis.
USA
Idaho legislative panel kills proposal to add statewide LGBT protections
Idaho lawmakers have essentially killed a bill that would create protections for LGBT people, once again blocking attempts by gay rights supporters to amend the state's anti-discrimination law.
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USA
Former Ford worker says he was fired for his anti-gay religious beliefs
A former contractor at Ford Motor Company says he was fired for expressing his religious beliefs when he criticized the automotive company for supporting its LGBT workers.
USA
Alabama judges group reverses course on marriage licenses for same-sex couples
An Alabama judge's group has reversed course and now says same-sex couples may apply for marriage licenses once a hold comes off a federal judge's order that overturned the state's ban on same-sex marriage.
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USA
Oklahoma governor Mary Fallin refuses to take position on LGBT discrimination
Gov. Mary Fallin won't say whether she thinks Oklahoma businesses should be allowed to discriminate against gay people.
USA
Same-sex marriage takes center stage at first work day of N.C. General Assembly
Thee Senate's top leader pushed for religious exemptions for some court officials from performing marriage duties, months after the state's same-sex marriage ban was struck down.
World
Chile approves bill authorizing civil unions between same-sex couples
Chile's Congress on Wednesday approved the country's first law authorizing civil unions between same-sex couples.
USA
Federal judge: Issue same-sex marriage licenses in Alabama when stay expires
The federal judge that overturned Alabama's same-sex marriage ban said state probate judges should begin issuing licenses to same-sex couples when the hold she put on her ruling expires next month.
USA
Legal group files judicial ethics complaint against Alabama chief justice
The complaint to Alabama’s Judicial Inquiry Commission stems from Roy Moore’s criticism of a federal judge’s ruling in favor of a Mobile couple in a same-sex marriage. Moore called it “judicial tyranny.”
LGBTQ Life
Broadway legend, Oscar winner Joel Grey comes out at 82
Joel Gray reached the heights of stage and screen, was married for 24 years and raised two children, but for decades, he kept one aspect of himself decidedly out of the spotlight. Now, at 82, the Cabaret Oscar winner talks for the first time about his sexuality in an interview
World
French court allows marriage between French, Moroccan same-sex couple
France’s highest court has ruled that a gay French-Moroccan couple are allowed to marry despite the North African kingdom’s refusal to recognize marriages between two men.
USA
Charlotte, N.C., business guild proposes protections for LGBT workers
The plan includes publicizing businesses that voluntarily provide protections, as well as trying to convince state lawmakers to require protection for employees.
USA
Shaheen reintroduces bill to extend veterans benefits to same-sex spouses
The Charlie Morgan Military Spouses Equal Treatment Act is named after a New Hampshire National Guard officer who died in 2013 after a battle with breast cancer.
USA
Virginia Senate panel votes to leave gay marriage ban in state constitution
On an 8-7 party-line vote Tuesday, a GOP-controlled committee rejected a proposal to begin the process of repealing the amendment approved by Virginia voters in 2006 defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
USA
Judge says challenge to Nebraska gay marriage ban can go forward
A federal judge won't delay a lawsuit challenging Nebraska's gay marriage ban while the U.S. Supreme Court is considering the issue for the country.
USA
Southfield, Mich., city council passes LGBT‑inclusive human rights ordinance
Officials in the Detroit suburb have passed an ordinance prohibiting discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodation based on a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.
USA
Va. Senate panel advances bill to bar LGBT discrimination in public employment
A Virginia Senate committee voted Monday to prohibit discrimination in public employment on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
USA
Federal judge issues second ruling against Alabama same‑sex marriage ban
U.S. District Judge Callie V.S. Granade on Monday issued a second ruling blocking Alabama attorney General Luther Strange and other state officials from enforcing the ban.
Newsmakers
Alabama chief justice criticizes same-sex marriage ruling
Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore says he's concerned that the recognition of same-sex marriages will lead to the recognition of marriages with multiple partners or marriages within a family.
USA
Mormon leaders call for ‘balanced approach’ in clash between gay rights, religious freedom
The church is promising to support some housing and job protections for gays, but still wants to hire and fire workers based not only on religious beliefs, but also on honor codes that require gays to remain celibate.
USA
Ala. lawmaker threatens to out immoral ‘hypocrites’ over same-sex marriage
Alabama's only openly gay lawmaker is threatening to expose state politicians who have extramarital affairs, but claim that same-sex marriage is immoral or bad for children.
Newsmakers
Meet the group working to repeal Texas’ LGBT-inclusive non-discrimination laws
Several Texas cities have taken the historic step of passing non-discrimination laws protecting LGBT people, only to see those laws challenged by the extreme right-wing U.S. Pastor Council -- a group that has labeled gay people "forces of spiritual darkness."
USA
Va. couple wins legal fight to have both names listed on twins’ birth certificates
A Richmond judge has ordered the Virginia Department of Health's Office of Vital Records to amend the birth certificates to show that Maria Hayman and her wife, Joanie Hayman, are the "only parents of the children."
USA
Alabama appeals decision overturning state’s ban on same-sex marriage
Alabama on Monday began the process of appealing a federal judge's decision that overturned the state's ban on same-sex marriage, a decision that was put on hold to allow time for the appeal.
USA
Some California judges with ties to Boy Scouts question ban
The California Supreme Court's unanimous decision to prohibit state judges from belonging to the Boy Scouts and other youth groups that discriminate against gays comes against the wishes of some jurists with ties to scouting.
USA
Marriage News Watch: January 26, 2015
There’s a big fight underway right now in Alabama, with a judge overturning a marriage ban and state officials refusing to obey his order to issue licenses. Anti-gay politicians are threatening to ban all marriage licenses if the Supreme Court rules in favor of equality. And one lawmaker even wants
Arts
Easy chemistry between James Franco, Zachary Quinto in ‘I am Michael’
The film, which premiered Saturday at the Sundance Film Festival, is a sensitive, complicated and provocative story about a prominent gay activist who, in just a few years, denounces his homosexuality.
USA
Judge issues 14-day stay of order striking down Alabama gay marriage ban
U.S. District Callie V.S. Granade issued the temporary stay on Sunday of her ruling striking down Alabama's gay marriage ban to allow the state to seek relief from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
LGBTQ Life
‘Snooki’ becomes ordained minister so she can officiate gay pals’ wedding
The motivation behind Snooki's new side career? She plans to officiate the June 19 wedding of her hairstylists, Bradley Moreland and Luis Miller.
USA
Couple behind Alabama same-sex marriage challenge to refile adoption paperwork
Cari Searcy and Kim McKeand, the couple whose lawsuit toppled Alabama's gay marriage ban said they are grateful, overjoyed and still a little a bit in disbelief.
USA
First 24 hours of new Maryland governor’s tenure ‘not good’ for LGBT community
In one of his first acts as Maryland's new GOP governor, Larry Hogan has held up a regulation that would have banned Medicaid providers from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
World
France fines Twitter users for sending tweets advocating anti-gay violence
Three French Twitter users were fined this week for sending tweets that included homophobic hashtags. It's the first time a French court has handed out convictions for homophobic abuse on Twitter.
USA
Okla. career anti-gay lawmaker introduces three bills targeting LGBT community
Oklahoma state lawmaker Sally Kern, who once called homosexuality “the biggest threat our nation has, even more so than terrorism or Islam,” has introduced three new measures targeting the LGBT community.
USA
Tennessee school turns away prospective students because parents are gay
A private, non-denominational Christian-based school in Nashville has turned away prospective students because their parents, one of whom is a local pastor, are gay.
USA
Federal government spends $432K studying effects of gay hook-up apps
The federal government has spent nearly half a million dollars studying gay hookup apps to determine whether they increase the likelihood that gay men will engage in risky sexual behavior.
USA
Former Atlanta fire chief files religious discrimination complaint against city
The former chief of Atlanta's fire department has filed a federal complaint alleging that the city discriminated against him when he was fired for publishing a book that contained offensive comments on homosexuality.
USA
GOP presses state bills limiting gay rights ahead of Supreme Court marriage ruling
Lawmakers in a handful of states are backing long shot legislation targeting gay rights. Most, if not all, of the efforts are led by Republicans.
USA
Ala. AG seeks to stay order to block same-sex marriages until Supreme Court rules
The Alabama attorney general is asking a federal judge to stay a ruling that overturned Alabama's ban on gay marriage, as advocates cheer what once seemed an improbable victory in the deeply conservative state.
USA
California bars judges from joining Boy Scouts due to anti-gay discrimination
California's Supreme Court voted Friday to prohibit state judges from belonging to the Boy Scouts on grounds that the group discriminates against gays.
USA
Mich. governor hopes to revive legislation prohibiting anti-LGBT discrimination
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder hopes to resuscitate legislation that would protect gay and transgender residents from discrimination, while LGBT advocates explore asking voters to pass the bill since it's unlikely to clear the GOP-led Legislature.
USA
Federal judge strikes down Alabama same‑sex marriage ban
Alabama became the latest state to see its ban on gay marriage fall to a federal court ruling Friday, as the issue of same-sex marriage heads to the U.S. Supreme Court. The ruling is the latest in a string of wins for advocates of marriage rights.
USA
Nebraska wants lawsuit challenging same-sex marriage ban put on hold
The Nebraska Attorney General's Office has filed a motion to put a federal lawsuit challenging Nebraska's gay marriage ban on hold pending a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court.
USA
Arkansas AG asks for new arguments in same-sex marriage case
Attorney General Leslie Rutledge is asking the Arkansas Supreme Court to hold new oral arguments in the lawsuit challenging the state's same-sex marriage ban.
USA
Va. Senate panel rejects second parent adoptions for unmarried, same-sex couples
A proposal to allow adoption by the partners of unmarried same-sex parents was rejected Friday by a Virginia Senate committee.
LGBTQ Life
Gay twins whose coming out video went viral, appear with dad on Ellen
Popular YouTube vloggers, twins Austin and Aaron Rhodes (The Rhodes Bros.), whose emotional video of them coming out to their father has been viewed nearly 15 million times, were guests this week on the Ellen DeGeneres show.
USA
Dispute over Bible cake with gay slurs raises charge of religious discrimination
A dispute over a cake in Colorado raises a new question about gay rights and religious freedom: If bakers can be fined for refusing to serve married same-sex couples, can they also be punished for declining to make a cake with anti-gay statements?
