Breaking: Federal Judge Says Utah Must Allow Same-Sex Couples to Marry
This just in: A federal district court judge has ruled that it is unconstitutional for Utah to prevent same-sex couples from marrying.
milestone
Marriage Equality in New Mexico Shows the Power of Parents — and One Mom’s Passing
New Mexico makes 17! Yesterday, the state Supreme Court ruled unanimously in favor of marriage equality, making 17 states, plus the District of Columbia, that allow same-sex couples to wed — eight states in 2013 alone. All of the plaintiff couples in the case are parents. But in our celebrations of the Land of Enchantment, we should take a moment to remember one mom who was fighting for marriage there while she was fighting for her life.
Colorado Court Says Nonbio Mom Can Be a Parent
The Colorado Court of Appeals has ruled that a child can have two parents of the same sex, even if they have not done a second-parent adoption. This is good news—but behind it is yet another case of a biological mother trying to deny parental rights to a nonbiological mother.
President Speaks of Equal Love in Bill of Rights Day Proclamation
Today is Bill of Rights Day, commemorating the day the first ten amendments to the Constitution came into effect. President Obama, in his proclamation of the event, spoke obliquely but to my mind undoubtedly about equality for LGB people. This, on a day to honor what he called “the foundation of American liberty, securing our most fundamental rights” is a significant statement.
Federal Financial Aid Forms to Recognize Married Same-Sex Parents
The U.S. Department of Education announced today that it will recognize a student or a parent as legally married if they were legally married in any jurisdiction that recognizes the marriage, regardless of the gender of the spouses, where they live, or where they are attending school.
U.S. Customs Changes Will Benefit Same-Sex Couples, their Children, and Taxpayers
Ever get annoyed when you return to the U.S. from abroad with your same-sex sweetie and kids and have to fill out two customs forms because your family relationship wasn’t recognized? As of January, that will be no more. U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced today that it is expanding its definition of family to include same-sex couples and their children, even if the couple is not legally married or if the parent is not related by blood or adoption to the children.
President Includes Same-Sex Parents in National Family Week Proclamation
It’s National Family Week. The President said so. And for the first time ever, he explicitly included same-sex parents in his proclamation. That’s great news — but he could do more.
Illinois Makes 15 for Marriage Equality
Congratulations to Illinois, which today became the 15th state to pass marriage equality. State Rep. Kelly Cassidy, a lesbian mom of three, told her colleagues before the vote to think of future generations, reported the Windy City Times. “It is their opinion of your actions today that really matters,” she said.
A Two-Fer of Good News from California
Despite that whole Prop 8 thing, California continues to be a leader in legal protections for LGBT families.
An Epic Win for Marriage — and a Caution for Same-Sex Parents
My 10-year-old son throws around the word “epic” on a daily basis. His newest Pokémon card? Epic. His latest zombie-defeating battle in Minecraft, his favorite online game? Epic. The word seemed in danger of losing its original clout—and then the U.S. Supreme Court struck down part of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). That, I told him, was epic.
