Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) said he would work to help implement the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, even though he opposed the legislation.- President Barack Obama renominated Edward C. DuMont to be a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. If the Senate approves his nomination, DuMont would become the first out gay appellate judge in the country.
- The LGBT community held its collective breath when news broke Tuesday that the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals was about to issue a ruling in Perry v. Schwarzenegger, aka California’s Proposition 8 case. Alas, there was no ruling, only a request from the court to the California Supreme Court to clarify whether Yes on 8 (anti-equality) proponents have legal standing in the federal appeal to represent the voters who passed the initiative.
- John Laird has become secretary of California’s Natural Resources Agency. Laird was one of the first openly gay people elected to the state legislature.
- Could Maryland become the next state to enact marriage equality? The speaker of the House of Delegates appointed a majority of supporters of a same-sex marriage and a transgender non-discrimination bill to the committees that must approve them. That’s only the beginning of the road, of course.
- New Mexico Attorney General Gary King released an opinion that same-sex marriages performed elsewhere would be recognized in New Mexico. The next day, new Gov. Susana Martinez (R), said she is reviewing whether to eliminate domestic partner benefits for state employees.
- Rhode Island might just beat Maryland to the punch. Bills to legalize marriage for same-sex couples were introduced in both the state House and Senate.
- And even though it’s the smallest state, it has double LGBT news this week: David Cicilline (D) of Rhode Island became the fourth out U.S. Congressperson and one of the Washington Post’s “Freshmen to Watch.”
- A Texas appeals court upheld the divorce of a lesbian couple that was granted in Austin, even though Texas did not recognize the couple’s Massachusetts marriage. The Court said Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott can’t appeal the divorce because he intervened too late.
Around the world:
- Civil partnerships became legal in Ireland starting January 1, but couples must give three months’ notice—just as straight couples do for marriage—so the first ceremonies won’t happen until April 1st.