In federal news, the Pension Protection Act signed into law by President Bush includes two provisions extending important financial protections to same-sex couples as well as other Americans.- Across the U. S., LGBT activists have begun a “Right to Serve” campaign, trying to enlist at military recruiting offices and staging sit-ins if they are rejected.
- Patricia Todd, the white lesbian who narrowly won the Democratic runoff for a seat on the Alabama legislature, says the state party vice-chair paid for a challenge to her win filed by the mother-in-law of her black opponent. If true, this would be against party rules that say a challenge must be paid by the challenger. A hearing on the challenge was delayed this week because of a mixup over membership on the hearing panel.
- A New York State Supreme Court judge ruled that a woman could not seek wrongful-death damages after her partner of 18 years was killed in a car accident. The judge said existing law required him to deny the surviving partner spousal status. He did add, however, that because she was named as the beneficiary and executor of her partner’s will, she could continue pursuing damages related to the pain and suffering of her partner in the accident. A tragic reminder of why these sorts of documents are so critical for LGBT couples. (Thanks to the Victory Fund SmartBrief for the link.)
- Finally, two victories: An anti-LGBT group in Cincinnati gave up their efforts to put a referendum question on November’s ballot asking to remove anti-discrimination protections for gay citizens. It had become clear that many of the signatures on their petitions were forgeries. This follows last week’s decision by the Illinois Board of Elections to reject an proposed anti-gay- marriage referendum question because of a lack of valid signatures. Opponents have, however, filed in federal court to declare the Illinois referendum requirements unconsitutional.
