News (USA)

GRESHAM, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Justice is investigating a complaint that a bakery in Gresham, Ore., refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex wedding, a possible violation of an Oregon law that prohibits discrimination in places of public accommodation.

The gay rights movement is working to make sure bi-national, same-sex couples are included in immigration reform legislation making its way toward Congress, a tricky task for a constituency at the nexus of two hot-button social issues. So far, it has done so with strong backing from its liberal Latino partners.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Four organizations serving the needs of Ohioans living with AIDS or HIV-related diseases have won approval from the state for grants totaling more than $1.2 million.

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Gov. Rick Perry said emphatically Saturday that the Boy Scouts of America shouldn’t soften its strict no-gays membership policy, and dismissed the idea of bending the organization to the whims of “popular culture.”

WILMINGTON, Del. — As advocates prepare to push for a bill authorizing gay marriage in Delaware, the bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington is weighing in with a pastoral letter on marriage.

LANSING, Mich. — Anti-LGBT discrimination is destructive to Michigan’s economy, according to a report released Friday by the state’s Department of Civil Rights.

OMAHA, Neb. — A petition effort by led by local churches and family values organizations in Omaha has failed to gather enough signatures to launch a referendum to repeal an Omaha city ordinance that protects its LGBT citizens.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — The mayor of Bloomington presided over a symbolic “wedding” ceremony for 13 same-sex couples to protest a proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage in Indiana.

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — Rutgers University has announced it has named a new student named for Tyler Clementi, a gay student who jumped to his death in 2010 after his roommate used a webcam to record Clementi in an intimate encounter with another man.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois Senate President John Cullerton said he wants to pass same-sex marriage legislation on Valentine’s Day.