All News
Verdict Watch is On in Transgender/IRS Trial
GLAD and the IRS have completed post-trial briefing in the case of O’Donnabhain v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue. In this case, Rhiannon O’Donnabhain sued the IRS after their refusal to treat her expenses for hormone therapy and sex reassignment surgery as a legitimate medical deduction. A …
The Importance of Family, at Any Age
Starr Waisenen and Connie Bergen have raised their daughter Melissa together for the past 24 years. But until a recent Maine Law Court decision (see story below) allowing same-sex couples to jointly adopt, Starr and Melissa had no legal relationship. In this story from Maine Public Broadcasting …
Appeals Court Upholds School’s Right to Teach About Family Diversity
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit today unanimously affirmed District Court Judge Mark L. Wolf’s dismissalof a lawsuit brought by two sets of parents against the Lexington school system. In the suit, parents David and Tonia Parker and Robert and Robin Wirthlin claimed that a …
Civil Unions in New Hampshire
As of January 1, 2008, New Hampshire same-sex couples are able to enter into civil unions. If you are a New Hampshire resident and have questions on the new law, please contact GLAD’s Legal InfoLine.
Rhode Island Court Blocks Couple’s Divorce
The Rhode Island Supreme Court ruled today that the state’s Family Court does not have jurisdiction to recognize a same-sex couple’s Massachusetts marriage for the purpose of granting them a divorce.
Read More:
- The decision [PDF]
- GLAD’s statement on the decision [PDF]
- …
Limited ENDA Passes House
With a vote of 235-184, the US House of Representatives passed HR 3685, a version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) which does not include protections based on gender identity. The vote came after a period of strong community mobilization in support of an inclusive bill. GLAD, along …
GLAD Files Amicus Brief in Massachusetts Loss of Consortium Lawsuit
GLAD has filed an amicus brief in the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in a medical malpractice case involving an alleged failure to appropriately test for and diagnose breast cancer. The case raises the question of whether the now-surviving same-sex spouse has the right to bring a claim for …
Victory for Same-Sex Parents and Children in Maine
At last, Ann Courtney and Marilyn Kirby of Portland will be able to form a permanent, legal parental relationship with their foster children, 10-year-old “M” and her brother, six-year-old “R”. In a unanimous decision, Maine’s Law Court issued a ruling that paves the way for the siblings to be …
Vermont Commission Studying Marriage Equality
Legislators have formed the Vermont Commission on Family Recognition and Protection to study the possibility of bringing full marriage equality to Vermont. The commission held their first meeting on Thursday, August 23, and plans to hold public hearings throughout the state to determine public …
Vermont Adds Gender Identity to Anti-Discrimination Law
Vermont joins Maine and Rhode Island as the third New England state to protect transgender residents by explicitly banning discrimination based on gender identity. On May 22, 2007, Governor Douglas signed legislation adding “gender identity” to the state’s non-discrimination law.
Similar …