News

HARRISBURG, Pa. — A federal court challenge to Pennsylvania’s 17-year-old law banning the recognition of same-sex marriages took an important step toward a trial Friday when a judge rejected two different attempts to block the lawsuit.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate has confirmed James “Wally” Brewster to serve as the country’s ambassador to the Dominican Republic.

BRIDEWATER, N.J. — A New Jersey waitress and former Marine says she was “offended” after a customer left an anti-gay note on a check in place of a tip because she is a lesbian.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — A Roman Catholic bishop in Illinois said Thursday he will preside over a prayer service of “supplication and exorcism” next week to coincide with they ceremony in which Gov. Pat Quinn will sign the state’s marriage equality bill into law.

MOSCOW — A Russian newspaper is the first organization to come under scrutiny for alleged violation of the country’s anti-gay “propaganda” law after it published an interview with a openly gay middle school teacher.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon said Thursday he is directing officials to accept tax returns jointly filed by same-sex couples who were legally married in other states.

HONOLULU — A Hawaii judge on Thursday ruled the state’s brand new gay marriage law is legal, despite a challenge saying voters thought they barred same-sex marriage 15 years ago in the state constitution.

WASHINGTON — A new report released Thursday finds LGBT workers of color are among the most disadvantaged workers in America.

RALEIGH, N.C. — LGBT advocates in North Carolina on Thursday questioned the appointment of a Winston-Salem, N.C. school board member they say is anti-gay to the state’s Task Force on Safer Schools.

WASHINGTON — U.S. House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), on Thursday reiterated his opposition to federal legislation to prohibit workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.