News

The American “radical right” grew explosively in 2011, a third consecutive year of extraordinary growth that has swelled the ranks of extremist groups to record levels, contributing to a significant increase in the number of anti-gay hate groups, according to a report issued today by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC).

WASHINGTON — The Obama camp continues to have no answers on whether President Obama will complete his evolution to endorse marriage equality and support including it in the Democratic Party platform.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who serves as chair of the Democratic National Convention and a co-chair of the “Mayors for the Freedom to Marry” coalition, has announced his support for a marriage plank in the Democratic Party’s 2012 national platform

The field of Republican presidential candidates didn’t become any more clear Tuesday night after results were declared for the largest number of contests on a single day during the GOP primary season.

SUFFOLK, Va. — The Suffolk, Va. school board has abandoned a plan that would have prohibited gender-cross dressing after the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia threatened to file a lawsuit if the school district implemented the new policy.

BOSTON — Three Iowa Supreme Court justices who were ousted from the bench in a retention vote after ruling that Iowa’s ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional, will be honored with the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award, according to an announcement by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation.

FLORENCE, Ariz. — The former boyfriend of embattled Pinal County, Ariz. Sheriff Paul Babeu has filed a $1 million notice of claim against the sheriff and the county.

COON RAPIDS, Minn. — The Anoka-Hennepin School District on Monday night voted to accept a settlement agreement with six former and current district students who had filed two lawsuits over a policy requiring staff to remain neutral on topics related to sexual orientation.

FLINT, Mich. — The Flint city council on Monday passed an non-discrimination ordinance that includes crucial protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in housing and public accommodations.

CHARLES CITY COUNTY, Va. — A 17-year-old openly gay high school student was issued a three-day suspension last week for refusing to remove a pair of high heels he was wearing.