The U.S. and 85 other countries backed a United Nations declaration calling for an end to violence and human rights abuses on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also issued a statement in support of ending such persecution and discrimination.- The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit denied a request from plaintiffs in California’s Proposition 8 case to lift a stay on a lower court ruling and allow same-sex couples to marry while the case is being heard.
- The Colorado Senate passed a civil union bill, which now goes to the House.
- A civil union bill was introduced in the Delaware legislature.
- An Indiana Senate committee voted in favor of a state constitutional amendment to ban marriage and civil unions for same-sex couples. A new poll, however, found more people in the state oppose rather than support the amendment.
- A bill to ban discrimination in employment and housing on the basis of gender identity or expression passed a Maryland House committee. It now goes to the full House, and if approved, to the Senate.
- An immigration judge in New York City has adjourned deportation proceedings for an Argentine woman who is the Connecticut-wed spouse of an American woman. He said the couple could proceed with their application to have their marriage recognized in the hope they may stay together in the U.S.
- The Rhode Island AFL-CIO executive board voted to endorse marriage equality legislation.
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