The California Supreme Court ruled Thursday that “official proponents” of Proposition 8 can defend the ballot initiative in court. Proposition 8 has long been considered a discriminatory legislation that prohibits the legalization of same-sex marriage in the state of California. The court unanimously ruled with Proposition 8 sponsors who ultimately argued that due to a…
A Tennessee woman is asking her state to comply with federal recognition that establishes her gender as female. The state of Tennessee has refused to acknowledge Andrea Jones’ gender reassignment after her local DMV office labeled her a male on her driver’s license, despite her female recognition by the Social Security office. In a protest…
An important bill that will protect transgendered Massachusettians passed both house and state legislature Wednesday and is pending signage into legislation by Gov. Deval Patrick, who supports the bill. The pending legislation will protect transgender people from hate crimes, violence, and discrimination. “Transgender individuals in Massachusetts face unacceptably high levels of violence and discrimination in…
The small community of Fire Island was struck with nearly uncontrollable fires Monday night, requiring nearly 20 fire departments to help squelch the flames, reports Newsday. The fires were devastating to the small community and were difficult to contain due to the location of the island. The blaze is reported to have begun at Sip…
Gov. Jerry Brown and San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders are a part of a larger network of local and state officials who are urging the federal government to pass the Respect for Marriage Act, the San Diego Union Tribune reports. The legislation passed the Senate committee and now awaits voting by the full Senate. If…
San Diego mayoral candidate Bonnie Dumanis has won the endorsement of the San Diego Police Chiefs’ and Sherriff’s Association. The association represents the top law enforcement leaders from many local, state, and federal agencies. “You are a proven and recognized leader in the San Diego law enforcement and legal communities. Additionally, you have dedicated your…
The Internal Revenue Service has announced that it would abide by a 2010 decision that would allow transgendered people to deduct medical expenses associated with gender reassignment surgery. Originally, the IRS had chalked up sex-change surgery as purely cosmetic, reported TIME. But after an acquiescence was filed earlier this month, the government agency notified the…
Barbara Grier, a major contributor to gay literature, died Thursday in her Tallahassee, Fla. home due to lung cancer at the age of 78. Known for her non-fiction chronicle about lesbian nuns that later garnered complaints from the Roman Catholic church, Grier was a revered author and gay activists, later becoming the founder of Naiad…
Jackson and Coleman Vrana – of the angst-ridden, twin gay brother hip hoppers known as Elephant – return to the airwaves this month with the release of their new single, “Queer Nation.” A call-to-arms for gay youth to claim their rightful place in pop culture, the song is the band’s first track from their new…
The new neighbors moved in last week, and you don’t quite know what to think. There are three adults in the household, and two of them seem to be married but you don’t know which two. They obviously work, but at the oddest of times and there are bikes in the yard, though not on…
