PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The debate over same-sex marriage in Rhode Island is expected to heat up once again now that the state Senate has scheduled a key legislative hearing.

LINCOLN, Neb. — Lawmakers are preparing to hear three bills on Thursday aimed at expanding rights for its LGBT residents. The Legislature’s Judiciary Committee will hear testimony Thursday on legislation that would stop discrimination against LGBT employees, and extend rights to people seeking to adopt or provide foster care to a child.

ALBANY, New York — New York state’s top legal official urged the NFL on Thursday to investigate whether potential players were improperly asked about their sexual orientation during the league’s annual skills exhibition for incoming college players, which he said would be illegal in New York.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A Rhode Island state Senator wants to let voters decide whether to allow same-sex marriage in the state — and he wants to let religious organizations and businesses refuse to participate in providing services for same-sex weddings.

DOVER, Del. — Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden is speaking out in favor of marriage equality, appearing in a new video release Wednesday by Equality Delaware, a statewide LGBT advocacy group.

An Illinois state lawmaker, appearing on a Catholic radio broadcast recently, said same-sex relationships are “completely disordered” and for that reason she is “more than happy” to vote against marriage equality.

The suspect in the slaying of a mayoral candidate was released to Mississippi authorities on Wednesday, an official said. Lawrence Reed 22, is charged with murder in the death of 33-year-old Marco McMillian.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Gay rights activists are at odds over the direction of the LGBT equality movement in Kentucky, with some saying the state needs anti-discrimination laws before activists can pursue marriage equality, while others say the time is now for same-sex marriage.

ST. PAUL, Minn. — A proposal to allow same-sex marriage in Minnesota survived several moves by Senate Republicans Wednesday to block it, an early signal the measure likely has enough votes to pass on the floor.

As a gay dad, and a professional, I thought it would be fitting to do what one should, as a matter of courtesy, when someone gets a new job. You send a note of congratulations. So, on behalf of my family, including my two 10-year old sons, I am doing just that. Our note includes a suggested five point plan based on the principles that I have used with my sons, and that they have found effective…

VATICAN CITY — Argentine Jorge Bergoglio has been elected pope, the first ever from the Americas and the first from outside Europe in more than a millennium. He chose the name Pope Francis.

HARBOR SPRINGS, Mich. — The chairman of a northern Michigan Indian tribe says he’ll sign a same-sex marriage bill Friday, then preside at the wedding of two men.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — A proposal to make Illinois the 10th state to allow gay marriage will face a “very difficult” reception in the Illinois House, Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan said Wednesday as advocates vowed to continue pushing for the legislation.

WARSAW, Poland — Polish prosecutors say they will not charge former President Lech Walesa with hate crimes for recent remarks deemed offensive to gays.

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. — The American Civil Liberties Union is threatening legal action against a central Pennsylvania school board that denied students’ request to form a club that would bring together gay and straight students.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — New Zealand lawmakers voted overwhelmingly in favor of a bill allowing same-sex marriage Wednesday, all but assuring that it will soon become law.

Signaling further evolution on the issue of marriage equality for gays and lesbians, President Barack Obama said he could not imagine a circumstance in which a state could legally justify banning same-sex marriage.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A municipal court judge in Columbus, Ohio, has ordered owners of a private dining and business networking club to pay a $1,000 fine in the city’s first-ever transgender discrimination case.

ST. PAUL, Minn. — A Minnesota House committee moments ago voted to advance a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage.

Clicking those friendly blue “like” buttons strewn across the Web may be doing more than marking you as a fan of Coca-Cola or Lady Gaga. It could out you as gay. It might reveal how you vote. It might even suggest that you’re an unmarried introvert with a high IQ and a weakness for nicotine.