As one of 18,000 legally wed same-sex couples in California, Brad Levenson and Tony Sears file state income taxes as a married couple.
But they file their federal taxes as single individuals, paying hundreds of dollars more each year. That's because a law called the Defense of Marriage Act bars federal agencies from recognizing gay marriages.
Backers of gay rights are pushing to repeal the law, buoyed by a growing acceptance of same-sex marriage, which is now legal in six states.
But Republicans on Capitol Hill are ready to fight....
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Gay couples challenge federal marriage law as Republicans prepare for battle
Posted by
uluckidog 962 days ago
(http://www.sacbee.com)
Congress Makes A Move
Posted by
UnitedByLove 962 days ago
(http://pargoletta.livejournal.com)
It's not a perfect bill; if you click a few links and look at the text, it wouldn't immediately make gay marriage the law of the entire land. What it would do is entitle the federal government to recognize same-sex marriages contracted in those states and foreign countries that allow them. My college friend and her wife in Massachusetts, for instance, could get federal marriage benefits as well as state benefits, but their marriage would still probably not be recognized in Arkansas. However, the bill also recognizes foreign gay marriage, so that, say, a married Canadian couple could move to Massachusetts and still have their marriage be recognized.
The other thing I like about this bill is that it smooths a little more of the path for the Uniting American Families Act, which is a bill that would try to take care of Americans who go abroad to marry same-sex partners who are
The other thing I like about this bill is that it smooths a little more of the path for the Uniting American Families Act, which is a bill that would try to take care of Americans who go abroad to marry same-sex partners who are
No hope repealing DOMA through Congress
Posted by
OurHero-Tan 962 days ago
(http://gayimmigration.blogspot.com)
Let me get this straight. When President Obama was put on the spot after DOJ released the disastrous DOMA brief, he reiterated his support for DOMA repeal but said Congress has to act on it. When Congress answered his call and introduced a DOMA Repeal bill, his associates then called it hopeless. Now they say our only hope is the Supreme Court, which of course is a convenient thing for the White House since the social conservatives can't blame him if DOMA is repealed through the Court.
NYC Council Supports Gay Immigration Bill
Posted by
BrenDAL 962 days ago
(http://www.advocate.com)
The New York City Council passed a resolution Wednesday supporting a congressional bill to allow American citizens to sponsor their foreign-born, same-sex partners in the naturalization process.
The resolution on the Uniting American Families Act of 2009 was passed within two weeks of being introduced. Eight people, including Immigration Equality executive director Rachel Tiven, testified to the Immigration Committee on September 29 in favor of the resolution.
The resolution on the Uniting American Families Act of 2009 was passed within two weeks of being introduced. Eight people, including Immigration Equality executive director Rachel Tiven, testified to the Immigration Committee on September 29 in favor of the resolution.
In spite of hard times in Sacramento LGBT rights advance in California
Posted by
UnitedByLove 970 days ago
(http://socalvoice.net)
... that bans healthy gay and bisexual men from donating blood; and passage of the Uniting American Families Act, which would keep bi-national same-sex couples together by allowing one partner to sponsor the other for immigration. ...
(Gay Immigration Rights) Rep Jared Polis on DOMA Repeal chances
Posted by
OurHero-Tan 970 days ago
(http://gayimmigration.blogspot.com)
In an interview with David Thielen at the Huffington Post, Rep. Polis stated that we'd need 25 to 30 states allowing gay marriage to get Federal recognition.
We discussed the Defense of Marriage Act also (hey, I do know those two) and he think we will have to get to 25 to 30 states recognizing gay marriage and then the federal government will recognize it.
We discussed the Defense of Marriage Act also (hey, I do know those two) and he think we will have to get to 25 to 30 states recognizing gay marriage and then the federal government will recognize it.
Rep. Earl Blumenauer, who wrote an article on the Huffington Post explaining his vote for DOMA in 1996 and his current support of the RMA, tells the AP that he thinks there's a 50% chance for this congress to repeal either DADT or DOMA.
Jeana Frazzini, the executive director of Basic Rights Oregon, said Blumenauer's 50-percent prediction might not be that far off.
"It's just a very different climate than it was 10 years ago, so I think it's completely do-able for this congress to repeal 'don't ask don't tell' or the Defense of Marriage Act," Frazzini said....
Jeana Frazzini, the executive director of Basic Rights Oregon, said Blumenauer's 50-percent prediction might not be that far off.
"It's just a very different climate than it was 10 years ago, so I think it's completely do-able for this congress to repeal 'don't ask don't tell' or the Defense of Marriage Act," Frazzini said....
(EXCLUSIVE) Bloomberg Puts Gay Marriage Chances This Year at Zero
Posted by
ExileComingHome 970 days ago
(http://www.chelseanow.com)
Even as he put the chances of moving a gay marriage bill in Albany this fall at “zero, zero,” Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg argued that he has the political clout to win support from key New York Republican state senators, including two from the city who are vociferous in their opposition.
As early as 2005, the mayor pledged to lobby the Legislature to enact marriage equality legislation passed twice since then by the State Assembly and actively pushed by Governor David A. Paterson. In a series of high profile appearances this year, Bloomberg has reiterated that commitment.
As early as 2005, the mayor pledged to lobby the Legislature to enact marriage equality legislation passed twice since then by the State Assembly and actively pushed by Governor David A. Paterson. In a series of high profile appearances this year, Bloomberg has reiterated that commitment.
Are You Happy (March on Washington)
Posted by
ExileComingHome 970 days ago
(http://www.windycitymediagroup.com)
Many things have been written on whether one should march or not march Oct. 11 in Washington, D.C. Let me make it easy for you.
Are you really happy with the progress we have made over the last eight months with this Administration and Congress? Are you really happy with the progress we have made on the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and Defense of Marriage Act ( DOMA ) ? Do you think that the leaders of our political parties have embraced marriage equality and our God given rights, benefits and protections that come with it? Are you content, relaxed and happy with where we are at this moment in history in the struggle for freedom?
Are you really happy with the progress we have made over the last eight months with this Administration and Congress? Are you really happy with the progress we have made on the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and Defense of Marriage Act ( DOMA ) ? Do you think that the leaders of our political parties have embraced marriage equality and our God given rights, benefits and protections that come with it? Are you content, relaxed and happy with where we are at this moment in history in the struggle for freedom?
Logo Goes Dark for National Equality March
Posted by
freedom2immigrate 983 days ago
(http://news.prnewswire.com)
The weekend of October 10th and 11th 2009 will see thousands of fair-minded Americans congregating in our nation's capital for Equality Across America's "National Equality March 2009." The March serves as a call to action for a new generation of activists, gay and straight, to join the movement for LGBT equality. The event's goal is to reinvigorate the LGBT movement on a national level so participants can take their experiences home to their communities across America and convey the urgency behind their quest for demanding equal rights. Logo, a division of Viacom Inc.'s (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B) MTV Networks, announced today that it will support the March by participating in a number of events surrounding the weekend.
Most notably, Logo is joining the cause by "going dark" from...
Most notably, Logo is joining the cause by "going dark" from...
Jerrold Nadler vs Barney Frank and LGBT Unity
Posted by
DividedByLaw 983 days ago
(http://www.pinkbananaworld.com)
Here is the dilemma – enter my other Congressional Hero, Rep Barney Frank, openly Gay and yet has not signed on to cosponsor this Bill with other “OUT” Representatives such as Tammy Baldwin and Jared Polis. The reason apparently is because of “strategic differences.” In a nutshell he believes that the “Certainty Clause” could in fact turn out to be an impediment to the passing of the Bill.
Now I have to think about where I stand on this one. Do I support The Nadler Bill? Of course I must support the Nadler Bill. Just think – if DOMA is repealed, Binationals seeking immigration rights will automatically be included, and of course all those 1,138 benefits would apply to every gay married couple. This would have the impact of a catchall amendment to the Civil Rights Act. It would eliminate the need for some (exclude DADT/ ENDA and HATE CRIMES) of other stand alone/ piecemeal l
Now I have to think about where I stand on this one. Do I support The Nadler Bill? Of course I must support the Nadler Bill. Just think – if DOMA is repealed, Binationals seeking immigration rights will automatically be included, and of course all those 1,138 benefits would apply to every gay married couple. This would have the impact of a catchall amendment to the Civil Rights Act. It would eliminate the need for some (exclude DADT/ ENDA and HATE CRIMES) of other stand alone/ piecemeal l
Apparently, Rep. Barney Frank, considered the most influential gay congressman, is not signing on to the DOMA Repeal bill due to his "strategic differences" with supporters of the bill. From the Washington Blade:
Politico's Glenn Thrush echoes Frank's conclusion that the DOMA Repeal bill has no hope of passing in this Congress:
Even if Nadler's bill passes the House, it is likely to have a tough time in the Senate, despite the apparent support of Judiciary Committee Chairman Pat Leahy (D-Vt.) who says DOMA needs to go....
Even if Nadler's bill passes the House, it is likely to have a tough time in the Senate, despite the apparent support of Judiciary Committee Chairman Pat Leahy (D-Vt.) who says DOMA needs to go....
DOMA Repeal Bill to be introduced next week
Posted by
OurHero-Tan 986 days ago
(http://gayimmigration.blogspot.com)
At a busy legislative moment, foes of the Defense of Marriage Act are re-starting the campaign against it. Rep. Jerry Nadler is, I'm told, expected to introduce a bill that would repeal the legislation next week, and today Human Rights Campaign is delivering a survey of 50,000 gay and lesbian members and supporters to Congress, intended to convey the concrete harm the bill does them.
The survey results stress the mundane benefits of marriage -- first among them, Social Security survivor benefits. HRC also officially launched their DOMA Repeal push by delivering the surveys results of 50,000 LGBT people on DOMA to Congress. In their announcement, they also confirmed timing of the DOMA Repeal bill, to be introduced by Nadler.
The survey results stress the mundane benefits of marriage -- first among them, Social Security survivor benefits. HRC also officially launched their DOMA Repeal push by delivering the surveys results of 50,000 LGBT people on DOMA to Congress. In their announcement, they also confirmed timing of the DOMA Repeal bill, to be introduced by Nadler.
Gay rights groups praise state resolutions (The Desert Sun)
Posted by
USAFrance 986 days ago
(http://www.mydesert.com)
The Assembly Judiciary Committee passed three resolutions this week that gay rights group consider critical for federal laws affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
The committee passed resolutions on the U.S. Blood Donor Nondiscrimination Resolution, which would lift the ban against gay men donating blood; urged the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, which forbids federal recognition of same-sex couples; and supported of the Uniting American Families Act.
The committee passed resolutions on the U.S. Blood Donor Nondiscrimination Resolution, which would lift the ban against gay men donating blood; urged the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, which forbids federal recognition of same-sex couples; and supported of the Uniting American Families Act.
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Promoting public awareness of the need for fairness in immigration policy particularly as it relates to the rights of same-sex bi-national couples in the United States who seek equal immigration rights; Providing information regarding political issues relating to gay immigration equality issues, rights and policy.