Because today is the Day of Silence, an annual observance to raise awareness of anti-LGBT bullying and harassment, I’ll point out my piece over at Keen News Service on court cases sparked by the event.
A U.S. House subcommittee held a hearing on “Defending Marriage,” in response to the Department of Justice announcement that it would no longer defend Section 3 of DOMA, which prevents federal recognition of same-sex marriages.
The Delaware legislature passed a civil union bill, and the governor has promised to sign, making the First State the third in six months to enact civil unions. Lambda Legal sums it up: “There are now five states plus the District of Columbia where same-sex couples can marry, 18,000 couples married in California, eight states where civil unions are available or will be soon, and four more states with broad protections through domestic partnerships.” Civil unions still need a verb form, though.
Michigan legislators have failed to pass a bill that would repeal domestic partner benefits for state employees.
A Nevada Assembly Committee voted in favor of a bill to prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression in employment.
