WASHINGTON (CNN) — A prominent gay rights advocacy group says a key congressional Democrat will push for new rights for same-sex couples in the Senate’s immigration reform bill — a move which could undermine the legislation’s bipartisan support. According to a spokesman for Immigration Equality, Vermont Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy intends to offer an amendment…
In promoting the “Gang of 8” immigration bill, Sen. Marco Rubio emphasized one point: “This is not amnesty.” Whether you use Rubio’s definition – “the forgiveness of something,” or Merriam-Webster’s – “the act of an authority by which pardon is granted,” I agree. This is not amnesty. Forgiveness and pardon suggest that any debt is…
In the age of ubiquity, where pathologies of every stripe, human or otherwise, have been hyper-indexed, a certain degree of detachment is required in recognizing the barbaric acts of others. We may not understand how (or, more importantly, why) a mob of people, with the full participation of its citizenry, may close in on a…
State Rep. John Kavanagh (R-8th District) recently submitted an amendment for state Senate bill SB 1432. He’s stated that the amendment is a response to Phoenix passing an ordinance granting housing, employment and public accommodation antidiscrimination protections based on gender identity for transgender citizens. His proposal is to limit public restrooms and locker rooms usage…
WASHINGTON (CNN) — Struggling again with an issue important to women and minority groups, House Republicans on Thursday failed to pass their version of a new Violence Against Women Act and then split over a Senate version that won approval with unanimous Democratic support. The measure now goes to President Barack Obama, who said in…
John O’Connor was appointed as executive director of Equality California (EQCA) December 2012. O’Connor brings much experience to the role with more than 15 years of cause-related work and a strong record of accomplishment. In his previous role as executive director of the LGBT Community Center of the Desert, O’Connor planned and executed a complete…
On the heels of the controversy surrounding the Boys Scouts of America’s policy to exclude members of the LGBT community as scouts or adult leaders, today state Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Long Beach) and Equality California announced the introduction of new legislation that would remove a state tax exemption for any youth group, including the Boy…
(CNN) — President Barack Obama said Friday that children from communities wracked by poverty and violence need help from the government, schools, family and clergy to have a chance to climb “ladders of opportunity” to reach the middle class and beyond. Speaking at a Chicago high school near where he used to live, Obama cited…
(CNN) — Same-sex marriage in France came one step closer to legality Tuesday, as lawmakers in the lower house of parliament approved a controversial bill that would extend the right to marry and adopt to same-sex couples. The measure was voted through in the National Assembly by 329 in favor to 229 against, with 10…
LONDON (CNN) — UK lawmakers are to vote on a bill to introduce same-sex marriage Tuesday, an issue that has prompted widespread rebellion within Prime Minister David Cameron’s Conservative Party. Three top party members appealed to Conservative MPs to get behind the controversial legislation in a letter published in the Telegraph newspaper Tuesday. The letter,…
