Richard Adams, an early pioneer in the fight for marriage equality for gays and lesbians, died Dec. 17 in the Hollywood home he shared with Anthony Sullivan, his partner of 43 years, his attorney said Sunday. Adams was 65.

Adams and Sullivan made history nearly four decades ago when they became one of the first gay couples in the country to be granted a marriage license.

As lawmakers prepare to bring same-sex marriage legislation up for vote in the Illinois General Assembly early next month, a group of conservative religious organizations have formed a coalition against the bill.

At least nine organizations have joined what has been dubbed the Coalition to Protect Children and Marriage, including the Illinois Family Institute, the Thomas More Society and Catholic Citizens of Illinois, the groups announced Tuesday.

WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign today released an analysis of donors to the four states with marriage equality on the ballot this year. The number of contributors who gave in support of marriage for gay and lesbian couples was thirteen times greater – about 133,000 compared to an estimated 10,500 - than those giving financial resources to oppose marriage equality.

Sign our petition: To President Obama and the Department of Justice: Please speak out on Prop 8 as the Supreme Court prepares to hear the case. Submit a friend-of-the-court brief arguing that a state ban on same-sex marriage violates the U.S. Constitution.