News (USA)

AUSTIN, Texas — A Democratic lawmaker has introduced a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in Texas, 10 years after the Legislature proposed a constitutional amendment banning it.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Gov. Pat Quinn said Thursday that Illinois is “one step closer” to marriage equality.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois state Senate on Thursday approved a bill that would legalize marriage equality for same-sex couples.

PORTLAND, Ore. – Supporters of same-sex marriage have chosen, not so coincidentally, Valentine’s Day to start their campaign to reverse Oregon’s voter-approved ban on gay marriage.

NEW YORK — A 23-year-old man has been charged with the murder of Joseph Benzinger, a 54-year-old gay man who was found strangled on Saturday in a Queens, N.Y. motel.

WASHINGTON — A group 37 U.S. Senators, led by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), on Thursday called on President Barack Obama to issue an executive order barring federal contractors from discriminating in hiring on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

WEST JORDAN, Utah — A Utah high school will allow “Singing Valentines” to same-sex students on Thursday after students, faculty and parents complained that a flyer distributed last week singled out LGBT students and was described as anti-gay bullying.

LEESBURG, Va. — A special prosecutor appointed to look into allegations of official misconduct by Loudoun County, Va., Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio (R-Sterling, Va.) has begun impaneling a grand jury to review evidence as part of an ongoing criminal investigation.

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Supporters of gay marriage in Minnesota are holding a Valentine’s Day rally at the Capitol as they start a push for its legalization by the Legislature.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — All eyes are on the Illinois state Senate on Thursday, as lawmakers are scheduled to vote on a bill that would legalize marriage equality for same-sex couples.