ANNAPOLIS, MD - State and national Catholics for Equality leaders testified on March 7 before the Maryland House Health Government Operations Committee, urging state legislators to pass House Bill 235, the Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination Act. This bill would prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity in the areas of employment, housing, and credit purposes. Catholic social teaching emphasizes the right to housing and employment for all people.

On Wednesday, February 16, 2011, The California Supreme Court decided to take up a legal question regarding Prop 8. The legal question is this: Does ProtectMarriage.com, under California law, have the right to defend Prop 8 in federal court?

The question originated in the Perry v. Schwarzenegger case. Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and former Attorney General Jerry Brown -- who have the legal duty to defend state laws -- chose not to defend Prop 8 in court.

On June 4, 2011, friends and alumni of Stepping Stone of San Diego, Inc., will bring together hundreds of people for an outdoor extravaganza from 2 – 6 pm to celebrate the 35th Anniversary of the organization.

“Live It Up,” hosted at Board Chairperson Tom Reise’s estate in Normal Heights, will include a car show, entertainment, and food from local restaurateurs.

The event program objectives include promoting alcohol and drug recovery, celebrating “life,” and raising funds for Stepping Stone’s treatment and support services.

On January 18, 2011, a new federal regulation that prohibits discrimination for gay and lesbian families visiting their family or friends in the hospital has finally taken affect.

President Obama announced the new regulation last year in response to a Florida incident where a lesbian couple was kept apart while one partner passed away in a Miami hospital. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, hospital gay patients can now designate their own visitors. The Human Rights campaign has also prepared an official Hospital Visitation Guide for LGBT Families.