Jeremy Hooper at Good As You calls our attention to Sunday's televised "debate" on same-sex marriage between Freedom to Marry President Evan Wolfson and National Organization for Marriage President Brian Brown.

From the repeal of "Don't Ask-Don't Tell," a policy which had banned gays and lesbians from serving openly in the U. S. military, to winning strategic battles in gaining civil unions and full marriage equality for same-sex couples in several states, victories in a significant series of elective offices across the country, 2011 ended on an upbeat note for the nation's LGBTQ community.

One leading advocate called 2011 an “epic” year for marriage equality. Was it? While only one state -- New York -- enacted full marriage rights for same-sex couples, it was the most populous state to do so. Five other states also moved closer to marriage equality than ever before. Public opinion shifted dramatically towards supporting equality. And the Obama administration announced that it no longer considers a key part of the Defense of Marriage Act constitutional.

A new law in Ireland means that New Yorkers now have more rights on the Emerald Isle than they do in their own country. A hospital in Tennessee violates federal guidelines in denying visitation to a lesbian couple. There's a new ad for marriage equality in New Hampshire that epitomizes Yankee thrift. And 20,000 Australian doctors agree: marriage equality is good for your head.

NEW YORK -- A federal immigration judge has signed an order dismissing the case against an Argentine woman who had married a U.S. citizen and was facing deportation.

EAST AMHERST, N.Y. -- The Williamsville Central School District concluded its investigation into the Jamey Rodemeyer case last week by suspending some North High School students after Amherst police closed their criminal investigation Nov. 22 without filing charges.

ELMIRA, N.Y. -- A jury in Chemung County, N.Y. has found Louis M. Duffy guilty of murder in the May 1 killing of Clinton "Billy" Lewis, the owner of Club Chill, a gay bar in Elmira, N.Y.

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Tired of waiting for Albany lawmakers to toughen the state’s anti-bullying laws, two Erie County legislators have proposed making cyber-bullying a misdemeanor.

The number of adoptions by gay and lesbian parents has almost tripled over the past ten years, despite the "patchwork of discriminatory policies" that often make it difficult for gays and lesbians to adopt, as either couples or individuals, according to a new study released this week.

More than 250 gay, lesbian, and same-sex marriage activists have officially registered as members of the Erie County, N.Y. Conservative Party -- which strongly opposes same-sex marriage -- an effort by activists to ensure the re-election of GOP state Sen. Mark Grisanti.

A fringe Hassidic group based in Brooklyn is claiming that "man-on-boy" pedophilia has "surged" in New York State since same-sex marriage was legalized bill was passed a few months ago, and is launching an awareness campaign to thwart, repo gay married child molesters.

The U.S. Senate on Thursday confirmed openly lesbian Alison Nathan as the newest U.S. District Court Judge for the Southern District of New York. The vote was 48-44 in favor of Nathan's nomination to the Court -- among the 44 nay votes were five Democrats and all Republicans.

The Williamsville School District appears to have only one documented case of bullying involving Jamey Rodemeyer, police say. The incident apparently happened when he was a student at Heim Middle School, and disciplinary action was promptly taken.

The National Organization for Marriage is erecting more billboards aimed at intimidating pro-marriage equality legislators, and gloating that it was their efforts that cost David Weprin a seat in the U.S. House.

The Williamsville, N.Y., Central School District on Friday announced the suspension of a student in connection with an alleged bullying incident of Jamey Rodemeyer's sister at a homecoming event just days after the gay teen took his own life.