News

WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration has released new medical certification procedures for transgender pilots, eliminating unnecessary psychological testing that had previously been required.

Richard Tisei, an openly gay Republican candidate for Congress in Massachusetts, now has an even shot at beating his opponent, incumbent Democratic Rep. John Tierney, according to a new rating of the race by the paper Roll Call.

A committee of more than 100 Democrats unanimously approved on Saturday a version of their party’s platform that includes a plank endorsing marriage equality as well as other pro-LGBT language.

CHARLOTTE — Walk into Steve Kerrigan’s office on the 13th floor of the old Wachovia Center in Uptown Charlotte and you’ll get a sense that this is a man on the move. He has no choice. The countdown clock mounted firmly across from his desk says it all. The 2012 Democratic National Convention used to be months away, but time is ticking.

The Human Rights Campaign – the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization – on Saturday denounced presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney’s selection of Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) as his vice-presidential running mate.

Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney announced on Saturday Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan is his pick for vice presidential running mate.

SAN FRANCISCO — A local gay recovery group will not be holding its annual fall fundraiser in the social hall of the Castro neighborhood’s Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church after officials said that no drag queens would be allowed.

D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier, a contingent of police officials, two members of the City Council, and civic activists from the city’s Bloomingdale and Eckington neighborhoods participated in a rally and walk Thursday night against anti-LGBT violence.

JACKSON, Miss. — A Mississippi woman and her partner, who were previously denied use use of a state-owned museum facility that is routinely hired out for weddings and other functions because they are gay, will be permitted to hold their commitment ceremony there after all.

The draft language in the Democratic Party platform endorsing marriage equality has been revealed and shown to say “we support marriage equality” is set to become a tenet of the party’s beliefs.