Relationships News
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 …
RI Gov Chafee Issues Order for State Agencies to Recognize Marriages of Same-sex Couples
Today Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee (I) issued an executive order directing state agencies to recognize the marriages of the state’s same-sex couples, in compliance with established Rhode Island marriage recognition law. Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) commended the action and …
GLAD Argues One Spouse At A Time Rule Applies to Civil Unions As Well As Marriages
In a case involving a man who married in Massachusetts without dissolving his Vermont civil union to a different man, GLAD will argue before the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) that the marriage should be considered void.
“It has always been the law of the Commonwealth that a person …
Statement of Mary Bonauto on DNC Fundraiser
There have been recent discussions regarding whether our LGBT community should support the Democratic National Committee (DNC) at an upcoming fundraiser. For the reasons below, I have decided that I will not be attending that fundraiser next week.
I was invited as a guest, and not as 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.
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 …
Gay Mainers to Have Family Medical Leave
Maine’s legislature passed a bill extending the protections of the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to same-sex couples and their families. Working with Equality Maine, the Maine Civil Liberties Union, and the Maine Women’s Lobby, GLAD helped organize testimony, planned media strategy, and talked …
Victory for Gay New Hampshire Employees Seeking Family Benefits
GLAD declared victory today as the state of New Hampshire dropped its appeal in the case Bedford and Breen v. New Hampshire Community Technical College System. The case involves Patricia Bedford and Anne Breen, two state employees who sought the same benefits for their same-sex partners and their …
GLAD Supports Protections for Rhode Island Couples
GLAD is working with Marriage Equality Rhode Island (MERI) to advance an affirmative marriage equality bill during the 2007 legislative session. The bill was drafted by GLAD attorney Karen Loewy.
GLAD and MERI are also working to build a set of legal protections for same-sex couples through new …
New Hampshire House Votes Down Anti-Gay Amendment
In another victory for equality, the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted Wednesday against CACR1, a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban all recognition of same-sex partnerships.