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DOMA ruling leaves Obama administration pondering next move
The ruling in U.S. District Court in Boston on Thursday, in which Judge Joseph Tauro declared the “Defense of Marriage Act” as “unconstitutional,” has left the Obama administration pondering its next move — under the careful watch of gay rights advocates.
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Gay service members subpoena Obama in defense of DADT protest
Two openly gay U.S. Army National Guard soldiers who were arrested for handcuffing themselves to a White House fence, have subpoenaed President Obama to defend them in court, citing they were following orders to lobby him for gay rights.
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Obama hosts White House pride reception
President Obama hosted a reception at the White House to honor LGBT Pride Month, and vowed to push ahead with his gay rights agenda, assuring the audience that he remains committed to repealing DOMA and “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
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Obama administration to expand family, medical leave benefits to same-sex parents
President Obama is taking another step to expand the rights of gay workers by allowing them to take family and medical leave to care for sick or newborn children of same-sex partners, administration officials annoiunced Monday. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis is scheduled to make the announcement on Wednesday that will require employers to allow gay […]
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Obama expands healthcare benefits for same-sex partners of federal employees
President Obama on Wednesday extended a wider range of benefits to the same-sex partners of eligible federal workers, including access to medical treatment, relocation assistance, credit unions and fitness centers. The move goes beyond a memo Obama signed last June, which permitted same-sex partners to use the government’s long-term-care insurance and other fringe benefits. The […]
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Obama declares June ‘LGBT Pride Month’ in presidential proclamation
On Friday, President Obama declared June as “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, “and called upon Americans to “renew our commitment to the struggle for equal rights for LGBT Americans and to ending prejudice and injustice wherever it exists.” Following is the full text of the Presidential Proclamation, issued by the White House: As […]
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House passes amendment to repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ — Obama hails Congress’ efforts
The U.S. House of Representatives voted Thursday night to authorize the Defense Department to repeal the ban on gays serving openly in the military, clearing another hurdle toward dismantling the 1993 law widely known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” The provision to allow military commanders to repeal the ban was adopted as an amendment to […]
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Obama orders hospital visitation rights for same-sex partners
President Obama mandated Thursday that hospitals extend visitation rights to the partners of gay men and lesbians and allow same-sex couples to share medical power of attorney, perhaps the most significant step so far in his efforts to expand the rights of gay Americans. The president directed the Department of Health and Human Services to […]
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Obama uses recess appointment to name lesbian activist to EEOC board
President Barack Obama on Saturday appointed lesbian law professor Chai Feldblum to a position on the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Feldblum was key in the drafting and negotiations over the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). She and three others were appointed using a constitutional provision known as a recess appointment. While a Senate committee voted […]
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Obama criticizes Uganda’s ‘odius’ anti-gay legislation at prayer breakfast
President Barack Obama on Thursday sharply criticized the proposed anti-gay laws in Uganda that has drawn international condemnation for its severely penalties for homosexual behavior. “We may disagree about gay marriage, but surely we can agree that it is unconscionable to target gays and lesbians for who they are — whether it’s here in the […]