U.S. government will recognize marriages of same-sex couples who wed in Michigan

WASHINGTON— The federal government will  recognize same-sex marriages performed in the state of Michigan. Attorney General Eric Holder issued the following statement today on the status of those marriages: “I have determined that the same-sex marriages performed last Saturday in Michigan will be recognized by the federal government.  These families will be eligible for all…

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San Diego Opera to cease operations at conclusion of 2014 season

SAN DIEGO – The San Diego Opera (Opera) will wind down operations upon the conclusion of its final performance of Don Quixote April 13 according to Opera General & Artistic Director, CEO Ian D. Campbell. “After nearly 50 years as a San Diego cultural cornerstone providing world-class performances, we saw we faced an insurmountable financial…

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DCCC launches online game targeting Republican candidates opposed to Obama’s Healthcare Act

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has launched a new ad campaign targeting Republican candidates opposed to the American Healthcare Act. The San Diego campaign targets Carl DeMaio, under the headline: DCCC Launches New Campaign: ‘Sick n’ Broke: The Game Carl DeMaio is Playing with Your Health’ From the DCCC press release: As Carl DeMaio continues his efforts to stack…

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Ariz. Gov. Brewer vetoes ‘License to Discriminate’ law

Today Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed a recently-passed bill that would have allowed businesses to refuse services to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community on the basis of religious freedom.  This morning, HRC delivered 65,000 petition signatures to Gov. Brewer calling on her to veto the bill.  The so-called Religious Freedom Restoration Act…

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Historic injunction for marriage equality in Texas

Today, U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia ruled that Texas’ ban on marriage for lesbian and gay couples is unconstitutional in the lawsuit brought by Cleopatra DeLeon, Nicole Dimetman, Vic Holmes and Mark Phariss who were represented by the law firm Akin Gump. The ruling is stayed pending appeal, meaning marriages will not occur immediately in…

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Uganda’s president signs anti-gay bill, defies West

Uganda’s president, Yoweri Museveni signed a law imposing harsh penalties for homosexuality today, defying protests from rights groups, criticism from Western donors and a U.S. warning that it will complicate relations. Reuters reported that the new bill strengthened existing punishments for anyone caught having gay sex, imposing jail terms of up to life for “aggravated…

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Members of Pussy Riot released in Sochi

Two members of Russian punk band Pussy Riot were detained briefly Tuesday in central Sochi, after apparently being considered suspects in a theft at their hotel, and then released, CNN reported. Earlier in the day, band members Maria Alyokhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova were meeting with journalists when police detained them, according to Tolokonnikova’s husband, Petr…

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President Barack Obama endorses David Alvarez to be the next mayor of San Diego

Today President Barack Obama endorsed David Alvarez to be the next mayor of San Diego, applauding his focus on creating jobs and ensuring every child has access to a high-quality education. President Obama said, “As a native San Diegan, David Alvarez has been a fierce advocate for his city, and on the Council, has led…

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