Angelisa Young and Sinjoyla Townsend, an African American lesbian couple who have been together for 13 years, were first in line to get their marriage license in Washington, DC this morning after the Supreme Court refused to stop the DC marriage equality ordinance from going into effect.Couples must wait three business days, and then can have their marriages solemnized and witnessed, which is when they go into effect. The first same-sex weddings in the District are expected on Tuesday March 9th.Evan Wolfson, executive director Freedom To Marry, released the following statement:"Today is a day of jubilation ...

Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler made big news on Wednesday by finally issuing an advisory opinion (53 page pdf) on whether Maryland law allows recognition of legal same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions. His conclusion? It does!Law Dork Chris Geidner analyzes the opinion:The A.G.’s Opinion basically says that the law could be interpreted so as to allow out-of-state marriages to be recognized and that Gansler believes the Maryland courts would decide that way. He reaches this conclusion despite the state’s ban on performing same-sex marriages in the state.[...]Nonetheless, to the extent that Gansler determined the ...

The Department of Defense rejected a proposed policy by the DoDEA (Department of Defense Education Activity) giving teachers in a same-sex relationship the same consideration as married heterosexual teaching couples when transferring overseas. The policy was rejected because it conflicts with DOMA (The Defense of Marriage Act). DOMA denies federal recognition of gay marriages and continues to be enforced and rigorously defended in court by the Obama administration despite President Obama’s campaign promise to repeal DOMA in its entirety. “The department supports extending federal benefits to same-sex partners of federal civilian employees, [but] it must do so consistent with ...

While several states allow gay marriage in the US, the federal government does not recognize same-sex marriage due to the Defense of Marriage Act. However, there are several countries that do recognize gay marriage.Here is a resource page that contain... ...

President Obama got a message from "liberal" Massachusetts yesterday that I hope is a wake-up call about not putting off to tomorrow what can be done right now (and really should have already been done).  There are no guarantees in politics and the electorate is fickle.  Important issues like repealing Don't Ask, and Don't Tell and the Defense of Marriage Act, passing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, and providing Federal Benefits for same-sex couples need to be addressed toot sweet.    My guess is Obama didn't get the message.  My guess is that progress will continue to be painfully slow.  Let's ...

January 11, 2010 (LOS ANGELES) — Over the past few decades, the Democratic Party has continually courted the support of and accepted large monetary contributions from gay and lesbian constituents. Now top LGBT activists and bloggers are taking a stand against the party. Not only are LGBT leaders calling for more aggressive action on issues important to the community, including the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act and the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” military policy, they have proposed a donor boycott of the Democratic National Committee. Journalist James Kirchick talks with writers and activists — including AmericaBlog’s John Aravosis, ...

This is how the ferociously 'mo-hostile lawyers at the Alliance Defense Fund sum up the "stakes" in the federal Prop 8 trial: FOCUS OF HEARING – WHAT IS AT STAKE? A federal court decision overturning Proposition 8 may not only eliminate Californians’ right to reaffirm marriage in the state constitution, but may ultimately nullify marriage laws in 45 states, including the 30 states in which voters adopted state constitutional amendments, and the federal Defense of Marriage Act passed by Congress in 1996. Also at stake is... • Whether voters can collectively decide through the democratic process that marriage between one man and ...

The off-season election to replace the seat of the late Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy will take place on January 19th. Democrat Martha Coakley is running against Republican Scott Brown and the decision is a clear one for those who support LGBT equality.The Republican contender is on the record opposing marriage equality and gay families:"Brown believes that marriage should be between a man and a woman. In 2007, Brown voted in favor of a failed effort to place a proposed constitutional amendment on the statewide ballot that sought to ban additional gay marriages" (Daily Kos).He also weighed in ...

Two men in southern Malawi held a traditional but symbolic engagement ceremony Saturday, reportedly the first of its kind in the southern African country where homosexuality is still illegal and carries a maximum sentence of 14 years. Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza held the celebration at Mankhoma Lodge in Blantyre amidst hundreds of onlookers. From Richard Chirombo at the Zachimalawi blog, Mr. Monjeza said: "We met at church where we both congregate and have been together for five months now. I have never been interested in women, neither has Chimbalanga, and we stay together at Chileka Roundabout." The courageous duo intends ...

Here are a few Mandrake Society Radio stories on Dallas movers and shakers from 2009. Well-known personality in the Dallas gay community, Venton Jones, became a key figure in the creation of two new organizations to the scene. Venton serves a full-time project coordinator for United Black Ellument, a community where young black men ages 18-29 become empowered about HIV/AIDS prevention, as well as President of DFW Pride Movement, hosts of a new Black gay pride in Dallas and I spoke with him about both here. Speaking of DFW Pride Movement, if you missed The Movement’s keynote address presented by ...

Who are the leading advocates for LGBT rights inside the Beltway? Well, common sense would lead you to the three openly gay and lesbian politicians currently serving in the U.S. Congress –- Rep. Tammy Baldwin, Rep. Barney Frank, and Rep. Jared Polis. Great or legendary figures, but what happens when you get beyond these three folks?5. Senator Tom Harkin – Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin did what a handful of Senators did this year –- publicly stated that he regretted his vote on the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996. Harkin joined Sen. Arlen Specter and Sen. Chris Dodd in ...

Monday’s gay headlines include Colin Farrell’s marriage support, no Queer Lounge at the Sundance festival, pissed-off trans people, and the steamiest lesbian moments of 2009. Gays left out of U.S. House immigration reform bill. With Health Care inclusion already in jeopardy, it’s just another way that the Defense of Marriage Act stands in the way of more than our pride. Actor Colin Farrell (top photo) attends Dublin celebration of his gay brother’s Canadian marriage, points up need for full same-sex marriage rights in Ireland. How badly do you need a ride? Bad enough to hop on a D.C. Metro bus emblazoned with an ...

What do you get when Gareth Thomas is still gay, “Glee” star Matthew Morrison never was, Tila Tequila is lesbian again, and a “fugly” lawsuit always was? With those and more, it’s Wednesday headlines. • Senate health care bill still includes ‘gay tax’ for partner benefits. Legally married spousal coverage is not taxed—a tangible way the Defense of Marriage Act affects us, not just insults us. • Superstar British rugby captain Gareth Thomas (top photo) talks about why he came out, and the worldwide ‘amazing response’ to the news. • It’s good to have allies. “Glee” star Matthew Morrison (middle photo) is ...

The Miami Herald is reporting that a technicality in the wording of the Texas Defense of Marriage Act may actually ban all marriages, not just those pesky homo ones. In the state constitutional amendment it states, “Marriage in this state shall consist only of the union of one man and one woman.” But the huge issue is in [...] ...

Dec. 2 marks the fifth anniversary of Ohio’s Defense of Marriage Act. In 2004, Ohio passed a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. In honor of the banniversary, Equality Ohio has created a video to be delivered to members of the Ohio legislature. It is a part of the organization’s Our Stories project, which seeks to share [...] ...

Our ramble through gay world headlines fetes Houston’s gay mayor, misses gay TV characters, catches Disney star with iPhone, sees possible e-marriages, and always more legal wrangling. • National reaction as Houston becomes largest in U.S. to elect gay mayor (Annise Parker, right, with partner Kathy Hubbard) • Anti-gay bill may cost Uganda valuable research center, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams makes first public statement about proposed law • Disney’s ‘Waverly Place’ star David Henrie (bottom photo) shows up on GuysWithiPhones.com • Gay U.S. soldier returns home from Iraq under ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ after comrade outs him • ‘Don’t Ask’ not an issue for ...

TIME is reporting a fascinating story today. Turns out, the Obama Administration just got a kick to the behind over the Defense of Marriage Act. How? Well, it took the form of a letter sent by a California Chief Judge in which he ordered an executive ... ...

   ::: Charlie Baker, a moderate Massachusetts Republican running for his party’s gubernatorial nomination, has chosen State Sen. Richard Tisei as his running mate, GayPolitics.com reports. Tisei last week told the Boston Globe that he’s gay. “It is not exactly a news flash,” Tisei said of his sexual orientation, which has been well-known on Beacon Hill, but not explicitly disclosed until that interview. “I don’t think people really care these days,” he said. Tisei fought for marriage equality in the Massachusetts legislature and supported a state challenge to the federal Defense Of Marriage Act (DOMA), ...

    ::: Sen. Arlen Specter (D,PA)—who was previously (R,PA) when he campaigned for his senate seat—has signed on in the past month as a co-sponsor of three important LGBT-related bill. He announced last week that he will co-sponsor the Uniting American Families Act, a bill that would give gay and lesbian citizens equal right to petition for their same-sex spouses or partners to live in the USA, LezGetReal reports. Although he voted for the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996, Specter announced in a Huffington Post column last month that he will now co-sponsor a bill to ...

Prop 8 defenders still haven't handed over documents even after third order from judge? Oprah show finished in 2011.The abs and poetry of hot NJ Guidos.NJ Democrats search for spine on marriage equality as state senator says economy takes precedence.Judge orders OPM to offer health benefits to lesbian employee and family: "It was the second order from a Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals judge in two days rebuking the Office of Personnel Management for denying insurance coverage to the same-sex spouses of court-supervised employees. The agency, whose director was appointed ...