Search

This section offers news briefs of interest to gays. The California Supreme Court dismissed an appeal from county assessors, which challenge the state's domestic partnership law regarding property tax breaks among spouses. Pope Benedict XVI reiterated his opposition against same-sex marriage and civil unions. Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano's proposal to grant domestic partner benefits to state government employees and retirees drew a large public support.

The article reports on the opposition of the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) against marriage equality, particularly on Proposition 8 in California and Maine's Question 1. It notes that NOM had disagreed over the legalization of gay marriage in Maine, Maryland, and Washington, of which NOM president Brian Brown was worried over the acceptance of same-sex marriage. Moreover, the U.S. Supreme Court had challenged the Defense of Marriage Act concerning domestic partner benefits.

The article reports that Wisconsin Representative Tammy Baldwin is seeking her proposed Domestic Partnership Benefits & Obligations Act to be passed in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The article focuses on the decision of Geoff Kors, executive director of Equality California (EQCA), to leave the organization, effective March 31, 2011. His contributions to the state of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) politics in California include conceiving the Equal Benefits Law, passage of the domestic partner registration bill and passage of two marriage equality bills in 2005 and 2007. Statements from Governor-elect Jerry Brown and Attorney General-elect Kamala Harris on Kors' resignation are provided.

The article reports on the signature campaign to conduct a repeal referendum regarding the Domestic Partnership Expansion Law of 2009 in Washington. It states that the state law signed by Governor Christine Gregoire in May allows domestic partners to have equal rights and obligations as married couples. According to Josh Friedes of Washington Families Standing Together (WAFST), people's idea of campaigning for their rights for the protection of their families is wrong.

The article reports on the claims of the White House that it will include same-sex marriages, civil unions and domestic partnerships in 2010 Census data. It states that U.S. President Barack Obama has signed a memorandum that provides federal employees with protection from discrimination based on sexual orientation and expands benefits to same-sex partners. In addition, the administration has drafted guidelines to bar workplace discrimination against transgender federal employees.

The article reports that Oregon's domestic partnership law has been put on hold pending a hearing in February 2008. The law was set to take effect on January 1, 2008. A U.S. District Court judge gave the hold order after opponents of the law failed to gather enough signatures to block it. Jeanna Frazzini, a spokesperson for Basic Rights Oregon, called the decision unfair.