The Senate Judiciary Committee on May 21 passed a massive immigration reform bill that includes sweeping changes. But the measure lacks protections for LGBT families that are needed because the federal government does not recognize same-sex relationships.
President Barack Obama had made it clear he supported such protections when he called for immigration reform, and many Democrats in the Senate support such protections.
Pocatello city officials met with an attorney for a Washington, D.C.-based conservative group brought in by the Mormon church a few weeks before councilors rejected an ordinance intended to protect gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people from discrimination.
The Idaho State Journal reported that Jacki Pick of the American Religious Freedom Program on April 4 met with Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad and council members Jim Johnston, Steve Brown, Roger Bray, Eva Johnson-Nye and Craig Cooper. City attorneys also took part.
Sen. Mark Rubio, R-Fla.
The Senate Judiciary Committee is marking up the massive bill that leaders in both parties agree presents the best opportunity to reform immigration policy in decades. The bill contains many provisions sought by progressive groups, but lacks protections for LGBT families, specifically binational same-sex couples whose relationships are not recognized by the government.
Mayor Michael Nutter says he hopes Philadelphia can be “the most LGBT-friendly” city in the world.
Earlier this month, Nutter signed legislation that makes Philadelphia the first city in the United States to offer tax credits to companies that extend the same health care coverage to LGBT employees’ domestic partners and their children as they provide to heterosexual spouses and their children.
Dozens of religious leaders have signed a statement supporting marriage equality in New Mexico, the only state in the U.S. that has not specifically addressed same-sex marriage in its statutes or its Constitution.
In March, a lawsuit was filed in Albuquerque’s district court on behalf of two same-sex couples seeking the freedom to marry. The lawsuit claims that the New Mexico marriage statutes and New Mexico Constitution do not bar same-sex couples from marrying, and therefore the state should issue civil marriage licenses to any same-sex couple who applies for one.
Openly gay U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan’s husband has received an ID issued only to the spouses of federal lawmakers. It is the first time the House has recognized a same-sex couple with the House Spouse ID credential.
“We’re very happy that my husband Phil (Frank) was able to get a House Spouse ID,” said Pocan, a Democrat from Madison.
A monthly look at the 2016 presidential race shows a statistical tie for four potential candidates in the GOP field.
Public Policy Polling’s survey shows Marco Rubio at 16 percent, Jeb Bush and Chris Christie at 15 percent and Rand Paul at 14 percent.
State lawmakers gave final approval on May 13 to a measure that will decriminalize possession of limited amounts of marijuana in Vermont.
The bill is headed to Gov. Peter Shumlin, who is expected to sign it into law in coming weeks and make Vermont the 17th state in the nation to decriminalize or legalize marijuana.
The White House says it was inappropriate for the Internal Revenue Service to target tea party groups for additional reviews during last year's presidential election to see if they were violating their tax-exempt status.
White House spokesman Jay Carney said he did not know when administration officials learned of the practice.
Opponents of the Boy Scouts of America’s ban against gay youth and adults delivered petitions – signed by more than a million people – to the nonprofit’s headquarters in Texas in early February. -Photo: Courtesy of GLAAD
The Boy Scouts of America continues to scout for compromise on its long-standing policy against gays, but its draft policy – released in advance of a national meeting set for May 23 – didn’t earn any merit badge.
Can we agree on this? Americans still think alike much of the time even if our politicians don't.
To get heads nodding, just say something worrisome about the economy or dismissive of Washington. Almost all Americans consider themselves very patriotic, believe in God, value higher education and admire those who get rich through hard work.
U.S. Reps. Mark Pocan of Wisconsin and Keith Ellison of Minnesota recently announced legislation to explicitly guarantee the right to vote in the Constitution.
The proposed Pocan-Ellison Right to Vote Amendment would amend the Constitution to provide all Americans the affirmative right to vote and empower Congress to protect this right, according to a news release.
Former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist has declared his support for gay marriage.
Crist made the announcement earlier this week through a post on Facebook.
