The news keeps getting better: The Washington, D.C. Council voted today to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states. Like Vermont. And Iowa. And Massachusetts. And Connecticut. The Washington Post reports that the Council will likely take a final vote on the legislation next month. Congress must then approve—meaning the outcome is far from certain.
The Vermont Legislature just voted 100-49 to override the Governor’s veto of marriage equality! Yes, that’s right. Iowa and Vermont get marriage equality within one week. Vermont was also the first state to enact marriage equality through the legislative process. I’m thinking maple cornbread to celebrate, followed by massive amounts of Ben & Jerry’s. Congratulations
Why is the Iowa marriage decision good not only for same-sex couples, but also for our children? Lawyer Nancy Polikoff dissects the ruling with her usual perspicacity. She writes, “The Iowa court . . . methodically considered and rejected every conceivable relationship between denying marriage to same-sex couples and the best interests of children. In
Shirley Tan, the lesbian mom in California who was on the verge of being deported and separated from her partner and twin sons by immigration officials, has been given a two-week reprieve. Congressional sponsors reintroduced the Responsible Education About Life (REAL) Act, which states that federally funded sex education programs in the nation’s public schools
Was there any news this week? Things seemed kind of slow . . . . Lots of good news on the marriage front, of course. First, some other national news: President Barack Obama asked former Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy to be part of his Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Dungy has
In a special session of the Utah Legislature, lawmakers of both houses approved a bill that would require all children born in the state to be raised by LGBT people. A delegation rushed the bill to the governor’s desk, where he signed it immediately. “When you look at all the cases of child abuse in
This week, committees in both the Tennessee House and Senate will hear bills that would ban anyone but opposite-sex married couples from using embryo donation to have a child. The House Family Justice Subcommittee is expected to hear it at 10:30 a.m. CDT, today. The Tennessee Equality Project has set up a site for those
I mentioned last week that the Washington Post had come out in support of the Uniting American Families Act, which would allow people to sponsor their same-sex partner for immigration. Here, via Immigration Equality, is why we need this law—parents and children torn apart: March 27, 2009 – Immigration Equality today spoke out about a
Mostly good news this week, huzzah! First, one that didn’t make it into this week’s LGBT Parenting Roundup, but which is excellent news for LGBT families: Congressman Pete Stark (D-CA) reintroduced the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) into the U.S. House, adding important updates that would provide paid leave for all workers to care
What happens when the Massachusetts House Minority Leader visits our home to talk about his bill that could limit the discussion of LGBT families in schools and require parental permission before students participate in gay-straight alliances? Helen and I tell you in our vlog this week. On a lighter note, we give new meaning to
