Recently passed in California’s state Senate, and now officially signed into legislation, the FAIR (Fair, Accurate, Inclusive and Respectful) Education Act has shown immediate promise to protect marginalized teens in public schools, ensuring students have the opportunity to learn about all spectrums of LGBT people, the disabled, and members of other cultural groups. Up until…
Michael Irvin, a Dallas Cowboy superstar and prizeholder to three Superbowl wins, joins Ben Cohen, Hudson Taylor, Mike Chabala, and Nick Youngquest as the latest ally to support gay rights and marriage equality. And now, in his recent interview and cover shoot at OUT Magazine, Irvin emerges as much more than a football legacy: rather,…
Billows of smoke and flame were abound in Hillcrest Wednesday afternoon as a mixed-use Hillcrest apartment complex caught fire on the southern side of the 1000 block of University Avenue. About 100 firefighters were called on scene to squelch the flames, but the damage had already been done – nearly $1 million in damages were…
Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann signed a controversial pledge on Thursday that established her intent to implement rigid anti-gay policies if elected. The Candidates’ Pledge, also known as The Marriage Vow, was created by The Family Leader, a prominent Iowa group that promotes Christian conservative social values. Bob Vander Plaats, CEO of the conservative organization,…
The U.S. House of Representatives held a vote Thursday evening on an amendment reaffirming the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). In response to the vote (which was carried with a heavy Republican majority and a final tally of 248 in favor, 175 against), HRC president Joe Solmonese issued a response in which he called the…
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy announced Thursday that the committee intends to hold the first-ever congressional hearing concerning DOMA repeal in the coming weeks. The announcement follows actions taken earlier this year by Senators including California Senator Dianne Feinstein and New York Senator Kristen Gillibrand on behalf of the Respect for Marriage Act, a…
In June of 2011, the state of Illinois legalized civil unions for straight and LGBT couples alike. Now, little more than a month later, gay and lesbian rights activists with Equality Illinois have deemed the new law a resounding success. The Chicago Tribune reports that, according to Equality Illinois, approximately 1,618 civil union licenses have…
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision Wednesday ordering the government to put an immediate end to “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the 17-year-old ban that has kept gay and lesbian service members from serving openly in the U.S. armed forces. According to the courts, the DADT policy must be lifted in light…
New York City officials announced plans this week to extend the gesture of opening city clerk’s offices on Sunday, July 24 in order for gay couples to marry on the day that the same-sex marriage law goes into effect. According to The New York Times, a number of clerk’s offices throughout the city will be…
President Barack Obama has appointed the first openly gay individual to the United States Military Academy Board of Visitors, an act that underlines the imminent dissolution of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy banning gays and lesbians from open military service. The historic appointment of Army veteran Brenda S. “Sue” Fulton to the West Point…
