Senate Denies Equal Veterans Benefits for Married Same-Sex Couples and their Children
The U.S. Senate yesterday failed to pass legislation that would have granted equal veteran’s benefits to married same-sex couples and their children.
Politics and Law
Equality Across the Generations
Watch 79-year-old George Smith, an Air Force veteran, Baptist church trustee, and father of Equality Florida CEO Nadine Smith, share his personal journey of coming to support Nadine in her marriage.
Every Child Deserves a Family–Some States Make It Hard
Today sees the reintroduction of a federal bill to give more children homes by preventing discrimination against LGBTQ prospective parents in fostering or adoption.
Tell Florida Governor to Meet with Dying Mom About LGBT Rights
Marie Bristol has a terminal disease, and likely has fewer than six months to live. Her dying wish is to meet with Florida Governor Rick Scott to convince him that her gay son and other LGBT people should have the same civil rights as everyone else.
Most LGBTQ-Inclusive National Foster Care Month Proclamation Ever
For the first time, a president has been fully inclusive of LGBTQ parents in a proclamation for National Foster Care Month or its counterpart, National Adoption Month. We still have a long way to go before equality in foster care and adoption, however.
Opponent Admits Supreme Court Plaintiffs “Are Bonded to their Kids”
There’s lots of analysis zipping around about yesterday’s U.S. Supreme Court arguments on marriage equality. We won’t know the outcome until June—but I’m heartened by this exchange about the role of children.
Parents Moving Marriage Forward
The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on marriage equality today—which has gotten me thinking about my own twisty road to marriage and the importance of parents in moving equality forward.
Adoptions Under Threat
A Florida bill that would have allowed adoption agencies receiving public funds to discriminate against LGBTQ people looks dead for now—but similar bills are alive in several other states.
Stop Florida Adoption Discrimination Bill
The Florida Senate is set to vote today on a bill that would allow adoption agencies using public funds to discriminate because of their “written religious or moral convictions or policies.” The bill is aimed primarily at stopping adoptions by LGBTQ prospective parents—but could also be used to discriminate based on race, religion, or other factors.
Youth Leaders Say #ItsOurTurnNow to Support Marriage Equality
Inspired by the idea of a 12-year-old girl, youth leaders from several national organizations have launched #OurTurnNow, a social media campaign “to raise youth voices in support of nationwide marriage equality.”