News

The former U.S. senator whom President Obama is reportedly considering for defense secretary on Friday apologized for using anti-gay remarks 14 years ago to describe a gay nominee for U.S. ambassador.

SAN FRANCISCO — A federal appeals court on Friday blocked the start of a new California law that prohibits therapists from practicing sexual orientation conversion, or “reparative,” therapy on minors.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — The Boca Raton City Council has appointed an openly gay teen to the city’s community relations board after he urged the council to update its 46-year-old anti-discrimination policy for city employees.

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — A meeting lasting more than an hour on Thursday brought no resolution to nearly two weeks of controversy surrounding the denial of Ashley Broadway, the wife of an Army Lieutenant Colonel, for membership in the Association of Bragg Officer’s Spouses.

In an interview with Time magazine, which named him “Person of the Year,” President Obama said an “incredibly rapid transformation” has taken place during the course of his administration on LGBT issues — claiming his leadership played a role in moving them forward.

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) on Friday praised the nomination of U.S. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) to be Secretary of State during President Obama’s second term.

ATLANTA — The number of new HIV infections for young gay and bisexual men has risen by 22 percent between 2008 and 2010, according to a new study released this week by the Centers For Disease Control (CDC).

SAN FRANCISCO — A federal appeals court on Thursday said that two leases held by the Boy Scouts of America do not violate the constitutional separation of church and state, despite the Scouts’ policies that prohibit atheists, agnostics and homosexuals from becoming members.

In the wake of a string of victories for same-sex marriage, former Republican presidential contender Newt Gingrich has reportedly called on the Republican Party to accept the “reality” of marriage equality.

TRENTON, N.J. — A bill has been introduced that could make New Jersey the nation’s second state to impose limits on gay-to-straight “reparative,” or “conversion” therapy.