Massachusetts News
ABA Passes Resolution Urging Repeal of DOMA Section 3
The American Bar Association (ABA) House of Delegates voted at its 2009 annual meeting in Chicago last week to pass a resolution calling for Congress to repeal Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which disrespects the legal marriages of same-sex couples for the purposes of federal …
Amended Complaint Filed in DOMA Challenge
On Friday, July 31, GLAD filed an amended complaint in Gill v. Office of Personnel Management, our lawsuit challenging Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act.
In the amended complaint, we officially added tax plaintiffs Mary and Dorene Bowe-Shulman and Marlin Nabors and Jonathan Knight. We …
Hearing on MA Transgender Civil Rights Bill July 14
Read a wrap up of the hearing and see other material (including video) in the resources section below.
“An Act Relative to Gender-Based Discrimination and Hate Crimes” (H. 1728/S. 1687) was heard by Massachusetts’ Joint Committee on the Judiciary on Tuesday, July 14. This bill would give all …
Commonwealth Files Suit Challenging DOMA Sec 3
Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley today announced that the Commonwealth has filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
The suit, Commonwealth v. United States Department of Health and Human Services, states that “In enacting …
New Video Shows Need for Transgender Inclusive Laws
GLAD announces the launch of Everyone Matters: Dignity and Safety for Transgender People. The first of its kind video, produced in conjunction with Massachusetts Transgender Politcial Coalition and MassEquality, highlights the need for transgender-inclusive non-discrimination and hate crimes …
GLAD Files Suit Challenging DOMA Section 3
GLAD has filed the first concerted, multi-plaintiff legal challenge to Section 3 of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
Gill et al. v. Office of Personnel Management et al. targets the denial of certain federal rights and protections to married same-sex couples in Massachusetts. This …
MA RMV Updates Policy for Changing Gender Markers
The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) has revised its policy on changing gender markers on Massachusetts drivers’ licenses to more accurately reflect the experience of transition for transgender people.
Now, instead of having to submit medical proof of sex reassignment surgery as …
MA Transgender Equality Bill To Be Filed For 09-10 Session
An Act Relative to Gender-Based Discrimination and Hate Crimes is being filed for the 2009-2010 legislative session in the House by lead sponsors Representative Carl Sciortino and Representative Byron Rushing and in the Senate by lead sponsor Senator Ben Downing.
The bill would ensure that …
GLAD Honored for Marriage Equality Success
GLAD was honored November 18 - the fifth anniversary of the Goodridge decision - by the Boston History and Innovation Collaborative for bringing marriage equality to Massachusetts. Civil Rights Project Director Mary Bonauto accepted the Social Innovation Award - presented by Governor Deval …
Five Years After Goodridge, GLAD Announces “6x12”
Five years ago today, the world changed for the better when the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court issued its decision in GLAD’s marriage equality case, Goodridge v. Department of Public Health. Six months later, same-sex couples started marrying, strengthening families, communities, and the …