- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced new guidance related to rules that protect hospital patients’ right to choose their own visitors, including a visitor who is a same-sex partner.
- On a related note, HHS’ Health Resources and Services Administration awarded $248,000 to the Fenway Institute in Boston, Mass., to create a National Training and Technical Assistance Center to help community health centers improve the health of LGBT people.
- A federal appeals court upheld a temporary injunction against against an Arizona law that would take away the right of state employees to obtain health coverage for their domestic partners.
- California’s Proposition 8 battle continued, with proponents arguing to the state Supreme Court that Yes on 8 must be granted standing to defend the marriage ban in federal court, and opponents arguing Yes on 8 must be denied standing, per the state constitution.
- U.S. Representative Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin), the only out lesbian to serve in Congress, has announced her run for the Senate. If elected, she would be the first out LGBT U.S. senator.
Around the world:
- Iran executed three men on charges of having sexual intercourse with other men.
- The U.K. Department of Health said it will change the lifetime blood donation ban on any man who has ever had sex with another man and allow men to donate blood if they have not had sex with another man for at least a year.
