Marriage equality supporters urge California Supreme Court to reject federal appeals court request
Posted on Jan 26, 2011 at 02:00 pm
An attorney for same-sex couples hoping to overturn Proposition 8 in federal court urged the California Supreme Court on Tuesday to reject a federal appeals court request to determine whether state law gives initiative sponsors legal authority to defend ballot measures.
Marriage equality could move forward in some U.S. states
Posted on Jan 24, 2011 at 09:30 am
A handful of U.S. states are poised to take up the issue of marriage equality afresh, due largely to incoming lawmakers who may tip the balance in favor of the controversial measure.
"The work of persuasion, of personal conversations, of talking to lawmakers and mobilizing against a well-funded anti-gay opposition" are among the primary tasks for the lobbying group Freedom to Marry, said founder Evan Wolfson. "With the freedom to marry within reach this year in states such as New York, Maryland and Rhode Island, now is the time to have those conversations and move marriage forward," he said.
California court win for same-sex couples seeking benefits
Posted on Jan 21, 2011 at 07:30 am
In a victory for gay rights advocates, a federal judge has ruled that state employees in California can sue for discrimination over the federal government's exclusion of their same-sex spouses from a long-term health care program.
U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken of Oakland denied an Obama administration request to dismiss the suit Tuesday and signaled that she is likely to overturn provisions of the 1996 so-called Defense of Marriage Act, which denies federal benefits to same-sex couples.
IRS tax change for domestic partners causes headaches
Posted on Jan 20, 2011 at 01:00 pm
The Internal Revenue Service is requiring registered domestic partners and married same-sex couples to split their income equally on their federal tax forms. This change in policy toward what is known as community property has been anything but easy to implement. And tax professionals are warning LGBT couples they need to begin thinking about their taxes now to avoid headaches later.
The state of Marriage Equality in 2011
Posted on Jan 18, 2011 at 03:30 pm
After a 2010 with few marriage equality measures contested outside the courtroom, 2011 will likely see a number of battles state by state across the country.
For same-sex couples, a tax victory that doesn’t feel like one
Posted on Jan 14, 2011 at 03:30 pm
A decision in May by the Internal Revenue Service that was hailed as a step toward equality for same-sex couples has instead become a headache for tens of thousands of gay and lesbian families in California.
Same-sex couples who are registered domestic partners — or who married during the brief legal window — are facing a new, more complicated tax status, one that has raised a litany of expensive concerns.
Pro-LGBT officials sworn into office in California
Posted on Jan 06, 2011 at 01:00 pm
California state officials recently sworn into office include: Attorney General, Kamala Harris, Governor Jerry Brown, Oakland Mayor Jean Quan, Alameda County Superior Court Judge Victoria Kolakowski, and Betty Yee, a member of the California Board of Equalization. Harris: "And in the spirit of Earl Warren, we are going to fight for the civil rights of every Californian – to worship as you will ... to live and work where you choose ... and to marry the person you love."
9th Circuit punts key Prop 8 question to California Supreme Court
Posted on Jan 05, 2011 at 10:30 am
The 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals panel said Tuesday it would not rule on the constitutionality of Proposition 8 until it gets a ruling from the California Supreme Court as to whether Yes on 8 proponents of the initiative have an “authoritative” entitlement to represent the voters who passed the initiative in the appeal in federal court.
Evan Wolfson: "Further delay in restoring the freedom to marry in California is a lamentable hardship on couples, but I am confident that we will regain the freedom to marry in California soon."
Hers is the ministry of ‘yes’
Posted on Jan 05, 2011 at 08:30 am
The Rev. Jane Adams Spahr (a Freedom to Marry Voice for Equality) was found guilty of violating the Presbyterian constitution. Her offense? Officiating at same-sex weddings.
A lesbian herself, she says she won't quit the church she loves.
9th Circuit Wants Help With Prop. 8
Posted on Jan 04, 2011 at 04:00 pm
The ninth circuit court of appeals is asking the California supreme court to advise on whether antigay groups have standing to appeal a federal judge's decision that struck down Proposition 8.