same-sex marriage

UPDATED! In Mexico, Supreme Court axes same-sex marriage ban

SDGLN Staff
December 5th, 2012

MEXICO CITY -- Gay-rights advocates in Mexico today are hailing a ruling by the nation's Supreme Court that says that marriage is not just between a man and a woman, a decision that will have widespread implications throughout the country.

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LGBT movement, enjoying rising public support and historic wins, gains financial clout

SDGLN Staff
December 5th, 2012

DENVER-- Following several years of declining revenue, LGBT social justice organizations experienced a 17% revenue increase from 2010 to 2011, according to a new report by the Movement Advancement Project (MAP).

Organizations are reaping the benefits of improved efficiency during the belt-tightening years, with increased funding, primarily fueled by an increase in individual donations, helping secure historic victories in the 2012 election.

Law school professor co-authors “Same-Sex Legal Kit”

SDGLN Staff
December 4th, 2012

Widener Law professor John G. Culhane has co-authored a new book in the “Dummies” line of publications that will serve as a legal resource for people in same-sex relationships.

“Same-Sex Legal Kit for Dummies,” published by John Wiley & Sons, is a compilation of useful information on everything from financial and estate planning to wills and trusts to employment benefits and the tax consequences of being in a domestic partnership.

Lambda Legal blog: What happened — or didn’t happen—at the Supreme Court today

Jon W. Davidson, Legal Director of Lambda Legal
December 3rd, 2012

Contrary to many people’s expectations, the U.S. Supreme Court did not issue any orders last Friday or today in any of the four challenges to a provision of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), in the Hollingsworth v.

Maryland: Same-sex weddings can begin New Year's Day

LGBTQ Nation Staff Reports
December 3rd, 2012

ANNAPOLIS, MD -- Marriage officials in Maryland can begin processing marriage applications for same-sex couples, allowing them to wed on New Year's Day, according to an opinion by the state's Attorney General.

Maryland AG Douglas Gansler released a lengthy opinion Thursday that makes it possible for gay and lesbian couples to apply for and process marriage licenses to facilitate January 1st ceremonies, and still comply with the mandatory waiting period in Maryland law.

Maine: Same-sex wedding can begin on Dec. 29

SDGLN Staff
December 3rd, 2012

PORTLAND, Maine -- Maine's new freedom to marry law, which allows same-sex couples to receive a marriage license, will take effect on Saturday, Dec. 29.

According to the Office of the Secretary of State, the certified election results for the state were signed off on by Gov. Paul LePage on Thursday, Nov. 29. The new law becomes effective 30 days from that date.

"The long wait for marriage for same-sex couples in Maine is almost over," said Betsy Smith, the executive director of EqualityMaine. "Before the end

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UPDATED: U.S. Supreme Court distributes Prop 8 and DOMA cases to its Dec. 7 private conference

Ken Williams - SDGLN Editor in Chief
December 3rd, 2012

WASHINGTON – The waiting game continues for LGBT Americans in their quest to achieve full equality.

Once again, the U.S. Supreme Court leaves LGBT Americans hanging in the wind, wondering whether the justices will ever make a decision about the Proposition 8 and Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) cases that are before them.

This morning, the high court announced its order list from last Friday's conference and it did not include any of the gay-rights issues.

History-making: First same-sex wedding today at West Point chapel

SDGLN Staff
December 1st, 2012

WEST POINT, N.Y. -- Brenda S. "Sue" Fulton and Penelope Dara Gnesin will go into the history books today when they get married in the hallowed Cadet Chapel at West Point.

Fulton, 53, graduated from West Point in 1980 in the first class of cadets that included women, another milestone for her. She is the communications director of Outserve, a group representing actively serving gay, lesbian and bisexual troops.

In the face of Prop 8, San Diego couple fly to Massachusetts to tie the knot

Adam Polaski - Freedom to Marry
December 1st, 2012

About a year ago, Corrie Sharp picked Jennifer Tom up from work with a big surprise: Corrie had a dinner reservation at a beautiful restaurant on the bay in San Diego, and she wanted to enjoy a romantic dinner and watch the sunset with Jennifer.

No decision today by U.S. Supreme Court on Prop 8/DOMA cases

Ken Williams - SDGLN Editor in Chief
November 30th, 2012

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Supreme Court did not place any of the gay rights cases on its orders today, adding to the incredible drama that is building up about whether the justices will take up California’s Proposition 8 and the nine DOMA cases.

The high court could also have decided not to take up any of the cases, which would have widespread implications for millions of LGBT Americans. If the justices let lower court rulings stand, Proposition 8 and DOMA would be dead.