- A U.S. House panel ordered the House general counsel to defend the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in court, even though President Obama recently said his administration would no longer defend it.
- Members of the U.S. Congress introduced a passel of bills this week designed to protect students from bullying, and including explicit protections on the basis of real or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity: my coverage at Keen News Service.
- The Maryland House voted to recommit the marriage equality bill to committee, which likely kills the bill for the year. Equality Maryland put out a statement saying, “It is best to delay this historic vote until we are absolutely sure we have the votes to win.”
- A judge in Hennepin County, Minnesota dismissed a lawsuit from three couples that argued the state’s ban on marriage for same-sex couples violates their rights to due process, equal protection, religious freedom and freedom of association.
- The Rhode Island Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on a marriage equality bill. You should read this story of a Pat Baker, who is battling lung cancer and fighting for her spouse to have the right to collect her Social Security benefits when she (Baker) dies.
Around the world:
- With sympathies to all people in Japan affected by the recent earthquakes and tsunami: The Japan Times has an article today reviewing the state of LGBT rights and activism there.
- The European Parliament said Turkey and Montenegro must “ensure that equality, regardless of sex … or sexual orientation, is guaranteed by the law and effectively enforced” before it can join the European Union.