Defense of Marriage Act

For the gay and undocumented, stakes are high ahead of court ruling | VIDEO

Jens Erik Gould - Huffpost Gay Voices blogger
May 17th, 2013

Eric Manriquez and Juan Rivera's marriage stands at the intersection of two of the most controversial social issues of the year and of our era: gay marriage and immigration reform. As the nation awaits the Supreme Court's highly anticipated ruling on the former, the following "Bravery Tapes" video shows how Manriquez and Rivera are publicly fighting for what they believe in rather than hiding in the shadows:

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Gay Marine captain, fiancé featured in marriage-equality ad | VIDEO

SDGLN Staff
April 10th, 2013

NEW YORK – Openly gay Marine Corps Capt. Matthew Phelps and his soon-to-be husband Ben Schock are featured in the newest video in the “Freedom to Serve, Freedom to Marry” campaign by Freedom to Marry and OutServe-SLDN.

Capt. Phelps and Schock previously made news when they became the first-ever same-sex couple to get engaged through a marriage proposal at the White House.

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Gay detainee accuses immigration authorities of endangering his life

Ken Williams - SDGLN Editor in Chief
April 5th, 2013

(Editor's note: This article contains language that may offend. Because of the seriousness of the allegations, the coarse language and anti-gay slurs are being used in context. Please be forewarned.)

SAN DIEGO – A 26-year-old gay man is accusing two immigration guards in El Centro, Calif. of making anti-gay slurs at him, violently roughing him up while in custody, and putting in danger his health and his life.

He is pleading for immigration officials to give him a crucial medicine needed to prevent seizures and a special diet necessary to control his colitis.

Listen to the full audio of SCOTUS oral arguments on DOMA

SDGLN Staff
March 27th, 2013

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Supreme Court has issued the full audio of today's oral arguments in the appeal of the ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

Click HERE to listen to the audio.

The SCOTUS website also provides the full transcript. Click HERE to read the transcript.

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First impression: Supreme Court justices don't like DOMA

Ken Williams - SDGLN Editor in Chief
March 27th, 2013

WASHINGTON -- For the second consecutive day, the U.S. Supreme Court today tackled crucial gay-rights issues, this time peppering questions at attorneys on both sides of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) appeal.

The initial impression is that if the high court takes the case, instead of refusing it because of serious questions about legal standing about whether House Republicans can defend the law in court, it that a clear majority of justices are in favor of striking down DOMA.

News analysis: Takeaways from SCOTUS on Prop 8

Ken Williams - SDGLN Editor in Chief
March 27th, 2013

WASHINGTON – Dissecting the transcript of the Supreme Court hearing on Proposition 8 and listening to the audio for nuances and emphasis can lead one to conclude that the nine justices are squirming under their black robes and concerned about rendering a sweeping decision that would affect the entire country.

UPDATED: Listen to the full audio of SCOTUS oral arguments on Prop 8

SDGLN Staff
March 26th, 2013

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Supreme Court has issued the full audio of today's oral arguments in California's Proposition 8 appeal.

Click HERE to listen to the audio.

The SCOTUS website offered a link to the full transcript but the link was broken. Click HERE to read the transcript.

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Supreme Court justices skeptical of Prop 8 law | UPDATED

Ken Williams - SDGLN Editor in Chief
March 26th, 2013

WASHINGTON – The nine justices who make up the U.S. Supreme Court grilled the lead attorney for anti-gay supporters of California’s Proposition 8, displaying skepticism about upholding the law that took away marriage rights from gay and lesbian couples. At the same time, the justices seemed united against making any ruling that would have national implications.

Charles Cooper, lead attorney for ProtectMarriage.com - Yes on 8 proponents of Prop 8, was widely criticized for his legal performance at the district court and appeals court. He did not fare much better in front of the high court.

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COMMENTARY: “Hey world, I am what I am”

Barb Hamp Weicksel - SDGLN Contributor
March 26th, 2013

Today is Tuesday, March 26, and by the time most of you read this, the Supreme Court justices will have heard oral arguments on the constitutionality of Proposition 8, which is a voter-approved initiative that banned same-sex marriage in California.

On Wednesday, March 27, the justices will hear oral arguments on the federal Defense Of Marriage Act (DOMA), which defines marriage in the United States of America as between one man and one woman.

Before any of these decisions even take place -– by the end of June -- I want to remind each and every one of us who we are.

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Hundreds of San Diegans rally for marriage equality | VIDEO

Ken Williams and Ben Cartwright - SDGLN Staff
March 25th, 2013

SAN DIEGO – Hundreds of supporters of marriage equality gathered late Monday afternoon at the Federal Courthouse downtown, cheering speakers who called for the striking down of California’s Proposition 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

"We stand here on the shoulders of great civil rights leaders who fought before us," said Navy veteran Sean Sala, the local LGBT activist who organized the "Light The Way To Justice" rally.