Massachusetts News
GLAD Files Complaint on Behalf of MA Transgender Woman Denied Access at Homeless Shelter
In a case highlighting both the clear need for anti-discrimination protections for transgender people in public accommodations, and the critical issue of LGBT youth homelessness, GLAD filed a complaint March 22 with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) on behalf of a young …
GLAD Urges Appeals Court to Uphold Medical Treatment for Incarcerated Transgender Woman
GLAD filed an amicus brief in an appeal challenging the Massachusetts District Court ruling that the Commonwealth cannot deny an incarcerated transgender woman, Michelle Kosilek, gender reassignment surgery that multiple doctors determined is essential medical care for her.
At the heart of the …
DESE Issues New Guidance for Implementing Transgender Non- Discrimination Law in Public Schools
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) on Feb. 15 issued comprehensive guidelines that aim to ensure Massachusetts public schools comply with the new transgender non-discrimination law that prohibits discrimination against transgender students in all school programs and …
Legislation Introduced to Require Coverage for Lipodystrophy Treatment
GLAD is working with Massachusetts Representative Carl Sciortino to pass an Act Relative to HIV-Associated Lipodystrophy Treatment (HD2612), introduced on Jan 18. The bill requires private insurers, MassHealth, and the Group Insurance Commission to provide medical treatment for lipodystrophy, a …
SJC: Massachusetts Recognizes California Registered Domestic Partnerships
In an important decision issued today, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled unanimously that Massachusetts must recognize other states’ parallel spousal statuses for same-sex couples, such as California registered domestic partnerships. Under the ruling, both spouses are the legal …
SJC: Civil Unions Equivalent to Marriage
In an important unanimous decision issued today, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled for the first time that a civil union must be treated as equivalent to marriage.
The ruling came in the case Elia-Warnken v. Elia. Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) represented Richard Elia, …
GLAD To Respond to DOJ, BLAG Petitions for Supreme Court Review of DOMA Case Gill
DOJ Filing Follows Last Week’s BLAG Move
GLAD will respond by August 2 to the petition filed last night by the Department of Justice for certiorari in the case Gill v. Office of Personnel Management, a challenge to the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). DOJ’s filing comes on the heels of …
Congressional Leadership Seeks Supreme Court Review of GLAD’s DOMA Case Gill
Case Could be Decided in 2012-2013 SCOTUS Term
Congressional leadership in the form of the Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group (BLAG) today filed a petition for certiorari in the case Gill v. Office of Personnel Management, a challenge to the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
The petition …
Video: Blogging for Transgender Equality
GLAD’s Transgender Rights Project Director Jennifer Levi joined bloggers Monica Roberts, Autumn Sandeen, Jos Truitt and moderator Dr. Jillian T. Weiss for a look at the role of blogging and online advocacy in the movement for transgender equality.
This panel was part of the Netroots Nation 12 …
U.S. First Circuit Appeals Court Unanimously Rules DOMA Unconstitutional
In a 3-0 ruling, the First Circuit Court of Appeals today upheld the U.S. District Court decision in GLAD’s case Gill v. Office of Personnel Management finding the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) unconstitutional.
This marks the first time that a Federal Appeals Court has found DOMA …