National Headlines

Attorneys who submitted anti-gay briefs to the Supreme Court in favor of California’s Proposition 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act are continuing the mischaracterization of a 2002 study on child development to suggest same-sex parents are less fit than opposite-sex parents, according to the non-profit that produced the study. [ Read more → ]

The U.S. Supreme Court does not have the authority to rule on the constitutionality of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, argued a Harvard professor in a brief filed Thursday with the high court. [ Read more → ]

Support for same-sex marriage rose to 75 percent among incoming freshmen at four-year colleges, according to a massive survey conducted by UCLA's Higher Education Research Institute. [ Read more → ]

Gay rights advocates are renewing their push for President Barack Obama to sign an executive order banning federal contractors from discriminating against gay employees. The drive comes as Obama included an unexpected declaration of support for gay rights in his inaugural address on Monday. [ Read more → ]

Republican members of the U.S. House leadership on Tuesday told the U.S. Supreme Court it should uphold the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) as constitutional, arguing that gays and lesbians are a powerful interest group, and do not warrant "judicial intervention." [ Read more → ]

President Barack Obama's emphatic gay rights advocacy in his inaugural address thrilled many activists. Yet almost immediately came the questions and exhortations as to what steps should be taken next. [ Read more → ]

Congressional Democrats have renewed their push to revive the key federal program that protects women against domestic violence. They sought to diminish Republican objections that blocked passage of the legislation last year by removing a provision that would increase visas for immigrant victims of domestic abuse. [ Read more → ]

WASHINGTON — Even though an increasing number of states are legalizing gay marriage, same-sex married couples still won't be able to file joint federal tax returns this year. The federal Defense of Marriage Act defines marriage as "a legal union between one man and one... [ Read more → ]

WASHINGTON -- White House Press Secretary Jay Carney maintained on Tuesday that President Obama’s LGBT remarks in his inaugural speech weren’t an attempt to nationalize the issue of marriage. [ Read more → ]

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-Calif.) has re-introduced legislation to prohibit a person from being removed from a jury because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. [ Read more → ]

In this scene from Monday night's Inaugural Ball, President Barack Obama bows as he and first lady Michelle Obama, wearing a ruby colored chiffon and velvet Jason Wu gown, gets ready to dance as singer Jennifer Hudson, right, sings Al Green's "Let's Stay Together." [ Read more → ]

Poet Richard Blanco delivers his an inaugural poem "One Today" on Monday at President Barack Obama's second term inauguration. In addition to being the youngest ever inaugural poet, Blanco, 44, is the first Hispanic and the first openly gay person to serve in the role.... [ Read more → ]

LGBT advocacy groups on Monday hailed President Barack Obama's historic call for LGBT equality, becoming the first American president to include his support for marriage equality as part of his inaugural address. [ Read more → ]

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama referenced the Stonewall gay rights riots in his inaugural address, classing them as a civil rights watershed along with key moments in the struggles for blacks and women. [ Read more → ]

WASHINGTON — Poet Richard Blanco has delivered an inaugural poem paying homage to the American experience. Blanco, at age 44 the youngest ever inaugural poet, recited a poem that painted vivid scenes about America and included reflections on his experience growing up as Cuban exile... [ Read more → ]

To mark the occasion of his second term in office, the White House last week released President Barack Obama’s new, official portrait. The photo was taken last month by White House photographer Pete Souza in the Oval Office. [ Read more → ]

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama on Monday promised to uphold the Constitution in a public swearing in ceremony that signals the beginning of his second term in office. Placing his hand on two Bibles -- one used by President Abraham Lincoln at his first Inauguration... [ Read more → ]

In two separate, private ceremonies, President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden were officially sworn into office, marking the start of their second term in office. [ Read more → ]

Mayors from across the country on Friday attended a reception during the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ annual D.C. meeting to commemorate the first anniversary of a campaign that features city executives who support marriage rights for same-sex couples. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Philadelphia Mayor... [ Read more → ]

RALEIGH, N.C. — Sgt. Karen Alexander fought for her country in Iraq, but back home she often feels the U.S. Army is fighting against her. Married to another female soldier with a 4-year-old son, Alexander is denied the same housing allowance and other family-friendly benefits... [ Read more → ]