Justice Department

Justice Department releases best practices guide to reform HIV-specific criminal laws to align with scientifically-supported factors

Steve Lee, Editor10 years ago04 mins

WASHINGTON – The Justice Department has announced that it has released a Best Practices Guide to Reform HIV-Specific Criminal Laws to Align with Scientifically-Supported Factors. This guide provides technical assistance regarding state laws that criminalize engaging in certain behaviors without disclosing known HIV-positive status. The guide will assist states to ensure that their policies reflect contemporary understanding of…

Obama administration weighs in on defense of marriage law

Steve Lee, Editor12 years ago010 mins

WASHINGTON (CNN) — In a preview of a major constitutional showdown at the Supreme Court over same-sex marriage, the Obama administration said on Friday that a federal law denying financial benefits to legally wed gay and lesbian couples is unconstitutional. The Justice Department filed the first of a series of briefs in a pair of…

Pot smokers enter legal limbo in Washington, Colorado

Steve Lee, Editor12 years ago010 mins

(CNN) – The crowd at the base of the Space Needle in Seattle began counting down as midnight approached. It wasn’t New Year’s Day they were anticipating, but the moment that marijuana would become legal in Washington state. As midnight hit, smokers hit their pipes and joints to celebrate. Technically, what they were doing —…

Convicted men acquitted of hate crime

LGBT Weekly12 years ago12 years ago03 mins

LONDON, Ky. (CNN) – Two cousins have been convicted of kidnapping a gay man in Kentucky, but the Justice Department failed in the same case to win a guilty verdict in the first test of an expanded hate crimes provision covering sexual orientation. The jury verdict against David Jason Jenkins, 37, and Anthony Ray Jenkins,…

New York appeals court strikes down DOMA

Steve Lee, Editor12 years ago12 years ago03 mins

NEW YORK (CNN) — A federal appeals court in New York on Thursday became the nation’s second to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act, finding that the Clinton-era law’s denial of federal benefits to married same-sex couples is unconstitutional. The divisive act, which was passed in 1996, bars federal recognition of same-sex marriages and…

Attorney General: ‘meaningful, measurable and enduring change in LGBT equality as a result of Obama administration’

Steve Lee, Editor12 years ago04 mins

At last week’s 2012 Lavender Law Conference in Washington D.C. Attorney General Eric Holder spoke about how President Obama and his administration had taken important steps to ensure equality and justice for LGBT people. Speaking before approximately 1,000 lawyers and legal professionals, at the annual gathering hosted by the National LGBT Bar Association, the attorney…

Gay Hate Crime: Anthony Ray Jenkins Mugshot

Guilty pleas entered in Kentucky hate crime case

LGBT Weekly13 years ago25 mins

(CNN) — Two Kentucky women have pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting a kidnapping and hate-crime assault involving a gay man, the Justice Department announced Friday. Mable Ashley Jenkins and Alexis LeAnn Jenkins entered guilty pleas Wednesday, according to the Justice Department. The pleas were under seal for two days. The two women, both…

DOMA: Federal definition of marriage ruled unconstitutional by U.S. District Court judge

LGBT Weekly13 years ago13 years ago15 mins

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California ruled Wednesday that Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional. The order comes in wake of a lawsuit filed by Karen Golinski, a federal court employee, based on the denial of equal health insurance benefits by her employer, California‘s Office of…

HRC releases 2018 Buyer’s Guide just in time for holiday shopping season

LGBT Congressional Staff Association joins call for action to address sexual harassment

Jeff Sessions joins anti-LGBTQ Heritage Foundation in a closed door meeting

Fourth annual Truth Awards to honor and recognize African Americans in the LGBTQ community

Sen. Toni Atkins to become first woman to lead California Senate

HRC joins allies to demand a clean DREAM Act

Justice Department releases best practices guide to reform HIV-specific criminal laws to align with scientifically-supported factors

Obama administration weighs in on defense of marriage law

Pot smokers enter legal limbo in Washington, Colorado

Convicted men acquitted of hate crime

New York appeals court strikes down DOMA

Attorney General: ‘meaningful, measurable and enduring change in LGBT equality as a result of Obama administration’

Guilty pleas entered in Kentucky hate crime case

DOMA: Federal definition of marriage ruled unconstitutional by U.S. District Court judge