News

TRENTON, N.J. — For same-sex couples waiting to marry in New Jersey, the Legislature’s most important vote will come after the November election.

SANTA FE, N.M. — Nearly two dozen current and former Republican legislators are urging New Mexico’s highest court to declare that state law prohibits same-sex marriage.

VICCO, Ky. — Eight months after this tiny Appalachian town took a stand against gay-based discrimination, it’s basking in a flurry of attention and even an infusion of much-needed cash. All that hoopla has its openly gay mayor dreaming of reviving a place that had long seemed past its prime.

CHICAGO — The second-ranking Democrat in the Illinois House has become the latest elected official urging lawmakers to support same-sex marriage as a matter of equality and as a boost for the state’s economy.

NEW YORK — In recent years, many American bishops have drawn a harder line with parishioners on what could be considered truly Roman Catholic, adopting a more aggressive style of correction and telling marriage equality and abortion rights supporters to stay away from the sacrament of Communion.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee is turning away same-sex couples married in other states who seek to have their names changed on driver’s licenses and other state documents.

ROME, Italy — An anti-homophobia bill approved by Italy’s lower Chamber of Deputies (Parliament) on Thursday has been criticized as having loopholes that will continue allow anti-gay hate speech to go unpunished.

AUSTIN, Texas — As legal questions surrounding gay rights become major issues in Texas, Republicans running for the top statewide offices unanimously oppose expanding protections based on sexual orientation.

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — A transgender student made history Friday night when she was elected crowned homecoming queen at an Orange County, Calif. high school.

SAN FRANCISCO — An effort to overturn a new law allowing transgender students to choose which school restrooms they use and whether to play boys or girls sports got a boost Friday when a major player in the passage of California’s now-defunct same-sex marriage ban threw its support behind the campaign.