Weekly Political Roundup

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  • The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) released a new report, “Injustice at Every Turn,” that demonstrates the extent of discrimination against transgender and gender non-conforming people in many areas, including education, health care, employment, and housing.
  • Thirty-three members of Congress are calling on the departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs to extend veterans benefits to servicemembers discharged under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
  • The California Supreme Court could decide next week whether to respond to the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals request on whether state law gives Yes on 8 Proponents the standing to defend Proposition 8 in court.
  • Barbara Bush, daughter of former President George W. Bush, taped a video calling on New York to enact marriage equality.
  • Matt Comer explains why next year’s Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina could help improve the city’s poor record on LGBT rights.
  • South Dakota is refusing to recognize the name changes of lesbians who took married names after marrying in Iowa.
  • Utah state Rep. LaVar Christensen (R-Draper) has introduced two bills, one that would define “family” as a man, a woman, and their children, as consistent with God’s law, and one that says “An arrangement, agreement or transaction that is unlawful or violates public policy is void and unenforceable.” LGBT advocates fear that the combination of the laws could void contracts between members of same-sex couples, such as wills and medical directives.

Around the world:

  • A judge in Britain issued a stay of deportation for Brenda Namigadde, a Ugandan woman who says she is a lesbian and her life would be at risk if she returned to her home country.
  • Several U.K. couples will file a lawsuit at the European Court of Human Rights challenging the U.K.’s ban on marriage for same-sex couples and civil partnerships for opposite-sex ones.
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