Civil Rights Project News
GLAD Statement on DOJ’s Announcement it Won’t Defend Constitutionality of DOMA in Pedersen
Statement of Mary L. Bonauto, GLAD Civil Rights Project Director
The Department of Justice announced today that it will not defend the constitutionality of Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in two challenges pending in the District Courts within the jurisdiction of the Second …
GLAD Launches New Website for Maine Marriage Equality Stories
Today, GLAD launched a new website campaign in collaboration with EqualityMaine to help bolster public support for marriage equality. Maine LGBT couples are encouraged to submit their stories to the site to help spread the word that LGBT couples in Maine are severely disadvantaged without …
GLAD Files Second Legal Challenge to DOMA
On November 9, 2010 GLAD is filing our second major, multi-plaintiff lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and the government’s denial of protections and responsibilities to married gay and lesbian couples. This new action specifically addresses …
VT Supreme Court Again Affirms Custody for Janet Jenkins
The Vermont Supreme Court has issued a unanimous decision affirming a trial court’s 2009 order giving Janet Jenkins sole physical and legal custody of her daughter Isabella Miller-Jenkins. The Court’s decision can be viewed here.
The court wrote that Vermont “has determined that same-sex …
Government Appeals GLAD’s Victory in DOMA Lawsuit
Today, the Department of Justice filed a notice of appeal in Gill v. Office of Personnel Management, GLAD’s challenge to Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). The case was heard in May 2010 by U.S. District Court Judge Joseph L. Tauro, who issued a decision finding DOMA Section 3 …
Amended Judgment Entered in Gill DOMA Challenge
An amended judgment was entered August 18, 2010 in Gill v. Office of Personnel Management, GLAD’s challenge to the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Simultaneously, a stay was issued pending any appeal by the government to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. It supersedes a judgment …
Poll Shows Majority in Rhode Island Support Marriage Equality
Today, the Rhode Island Marriage Coalition (RIMC) released the results of a new poll showing that 59 percent of Rhode Island voters support allowing same-sex couples to legally marry in the state. This marks the first time a majority of voters voiced support for marriage equality since advocates …
Federal Court Strikes Down DOMA Section 3
Today, U.S. District Court Judge Joseph L. Tauro ruled that Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional with respect to claims brought by seven married same-sex couples and three widowers from Massachusetts. Under the ruling, the plaintiffs are entitled to the same federal …
U.S. Supreme Court Rules Against Anti-LGBT Groups in Doe v. Reed
Last week, the U. S. Supreme Court handed a defeat to anti-gay groups in the State of Washington with an 8-1 decision in Doe v. Reed. Doe addressed the efforts of anti-marriage equality groups to prevent the release of the names of ballot petition signers, contrary to the terms of the state’s …
Incarcerated Transgender Woman Can Pursue Case for Medical Care
A U.S. district court judge in Massachusetts has denied the government’s request to dismiss the case of Vanessa Adams, a Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) inmate with gender identity disorder (GID). For years, the BOP denied Ms. Adams treatment for her serious medical condition. As a result, Ms. …