Massachusetts News
GLAD Praises Blue Cross/Blue Shield Decision to Cover HPV Vaccine for Males
GLAD praised the decision by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) to cover the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for males. The Food and Drug Administration has approved the vaccine for girls aged 9-26 to protect them against cervical cancer, and boys of the same age to protect …
Fighting DOMA in the Courts and the Legislature
While moving ahead with two legal challenges to the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), GLAD has produced the publications, How DOMA Hurts Americans and DOMA Stories: Federal Marriage Discrimination Hurts Families, in support of efforts to repeal the law legislatively.
On Friday GLAD filed …
U.S. House Files Motion to Intervene in GLAD’s DOMA Challenge
The U.S. House of Representatives filed a motion to intervene May 20 in Gill v. Office of Personnel Management the multi-plaintiff challenge to Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), filed by GLAD with co-counsel Foley Hoag LLP, Sullivan & Worcester and Jenner & Block in March 2009.
…Study Finds Employment Discrimination Against Transgender MA Residents Costs State Millions Annually
A new research study released today by The Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Law and Public Policy shows that employment discrimination against transgender residents of Massachusetts likely costs the state millions of dollars each year. These costs are the result of …
AIDS Law Project Director Ben Klein Testifies On MA HIV Testing Bill
GLAD’s AIDS Law Project Director Ben Klein today presented testimony before the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Public Health in support of S 1108 and H 2906, which would streamline HIV testing while safeguarding patients’ essential legal rights.
DOJ Backs Away Again From DOMA
The Department of Justice followed Wednesday’s withdrawal from two DOMA cases in the Second Circuit, including GLAD’s Pedersen v. OPM by notifying the clerk of the First Circuit that they will also “cease to defend” the two consolidated DOMA cases, Gill v. Office of Personnel Management and …
Governor Patrick Signs Historic Executive Order Protecting Transgender State Employees
Today, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed an historic Executive Order prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity and expression in state employment. It applies to all state agencies in the Executive Branch, as well as businesses and organizations that contract with the Executive …
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 …
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 …