News

BURLINGTON, Vt. — A Vermont federal judge has ordered a pastor to be held in custody after the man refused to answer grand jury questions about his role in helping a woman and her daughter flee the country in a same-sex custody case.

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.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Rhode Island House is poised to debate and vote on legislation that would allow gay and lesbian couples to marry — the first time the issue has gone to a legislative vote in the only New England state without same-sex marriage.

Rather than honor Martin Luther King Jr.’s commitment to civil rights, or the President’s call for LGBT equality during his inaugural address, vandals at Boston College Law School used the three-day weekend to deface the office of an LGBT student group, reports Above The Law.

A bill to establish relationship recognition for Colorado same-sex couples passed its first legislative test today. The Colorado Senate Judiciary Committee gave initial approval to The Colorado Civil Union Act 3-2 on a party line vote.

KETCHUM, Idaho — LGBT folks who live, work and play in the south-central Idaho town of Ketchum will soon be included in a city wide non-discrimination policy.

KATMANDU, Nepal (AP) — An official says Nepal’s government will begin issuing citizenship certificates with the category “third gender” for people who do not wish to be identified as male or female.

The reports of the death of Equality California (EQCA) are greatly exaggerated, the nonprofit’s new boss tells San Diego Gay & Lesbian News. Like Mark Twain once did, John O’Connor, who became EQCA’s executive director about six weeks ago, is dispelling rumors about the health of the organization.

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.”

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.