Advocate.com Channel Hub - Politics

GOP Decides Fast to Appeal DOMA Ruling

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 19:16:04 GMT

A judge ruled this week that Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional, but House Republicans have moved quickly to appeal that decision.

Surprised? Ken Mehlman Is Still a Republican Loyalist

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 17:55:53 GMT

Just because Republican strategist Ken Mehlman is gay and actively lobbying for marriage equality from New York to Maryland doesn't mean he's stopped supporting the likes of John Boehner.

Lesbian Dallas Judge Takes Brave Stand for Gay Couples

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 15:00:00 GMT

Dallas County judge Tonya Parker says she will not marry heterosexual couples until Texas allows same-sex partners to wed.

Giuliani: Republican Party Not Modern on Social Issues

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:38:32 GMT

Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani criticized the Republican Party for its archaic approach to social issues, specifically marriage equality, saying it “seems to be not modern enough.”

Family Research Council Clamoring to "Stop Fake Marriage"

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:44:06 GMT

With a cinematic soundtrack reminiscent of the National Organization for Marriage’s “Gathering Storm” ad from a few years ago, the Family Research Council has launched a video initiative “to stop fake marriage” following a string of marriage equality victories throughout the country.

Virginia Gov: Gays Are Second-Rate Parents

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:15:33 GMT

"Most of the data that I’ve read that the best environment for a child to grow up to be fully capable of achieving the American dream and having the best start at life in an intact two-parent family made up of a man and a woman," Gov. Bob McDonnell said at a Friday Politico forum. According to the American Psychological Association, no empirical evidence exists to back up such a claim.

Maine Marriage Referendum Gets Green Light

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:46:42 GMT

State officials have given the green light for a referendum to win back marriage equality in the state, more than two years after voters approved a ballot measure repealing a 2009 same-sex marriage law.

SENATE SAYS YES TO MARRY-LAND

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 17:35:00 GMT

The Maryland Senate passed the marriage equality bill as expected Thursday, sending it to Gov. Martin O’Malley, who is expected to sign the measure into law next week.

DENIED: Obama Admin Immigration Decision Puts Couples in Limbo

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 16:33:48 GMT

The Advocate has learned of a high-level meeting with LGBT groups where the administration rejected a hold on deciding gay couples' green card petitions.

Capehart to Christie: You're No President Obama

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 17:27:08 GMT

Gov. Chris Christie defended his veto of marriage equality in New Jersey by saying he's just siding with President Obama, who he says is "silent" and cowardly on the issue.

Government Intervention and HIV

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:08:32 GMT

From New York to California, Big Brother bears down on people living with HIV

Texas Senate Candidate: Gays "Have to Answer to the Lord"

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 14:10:00 GMT

During a debate for GOP Senate candidates, Craig James chastised a politician for marching in a Pride parade, said being gay is a choice, and declared LGBT people will "have to answer to the Lord."

Marriage Equality Law Brings $200,000 to NYC Marriage Bureau

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:35:00 GMT

Revenue to the New York City marriage bureau climbed $200,000 in the five months after the marriage equality law took effect in 2011, compared to the same period in the previous year.

Wyoming Republican Senator Calls Santorum Homophobic

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 14:15:00 GMT

Former Wyoming senator Alan Simpson says Rick Santorum's beliefs are disgusting.

Marriage Equality Proponent Katherine Darmer Dies

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 17:25:00 GMT

M. Katherine Baird Darmer, an active campaigner for marriage equality, passed away Friday after falling from a building in Irvine, Calif.

A Most-Wanted List: Mayors Not for Marriage

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Big names such as Rahm Emanuel and Michael Bloomberg signed a marriage equality pledge from Freedom to Marry. But mayors of 25 of the nation's 50 most populous cities still haven't followed suit.

Mitt Romney Brags, But Won't Say "Gay"

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:16:03 GMT

If you paid close attention, Mitt Romney made a number of allusions to same-sex marriage while going out of his way not to say "gay" during Wednesday's debate in Arizona.

Judge Finds DOMA Unconstitutional

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:30:00 GMT

A Bush-era judicial appointee finds the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional.

We Imagine Dan Savage's ENDA Ads

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:37:28 GMT

Inspired by an idea that Dan Savage floated in a recent interview with The Advocate, we created these ads calling for the passing of ENDA.

Colo. Catholic Group Threatens to End Adoption Services

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:00:00 GMT

Catholic Charities of Colorado fears a civil unions law would require it to place children with gay couples, says Colleen Haggerty (left), while Sen. Pat Steadman (right) says that's not the case.

Congressional Hopeful Kyrsten Sinema Picks Up Two Endorsements

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:01:37 GMT

The Human Rights Campaign and the Victory Fund have announced their endorsements to former Arizona state senator Kyrsten Sinema, who is now running for a new Congressional seat.

Extreme Oklahoma DADT Bill Scrapped

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:43:50 GMT

A bill authored by state representative Mike Reynolds that would have reintroduced the "don't ask, don't tell" policy for the Oklahoma National Guard has been reassigned to a house committee, effectively killing it.

Maryland Senate Set to Debate Marriage Bill

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:25:58 GMT

The Maryland state Senate could begin debate on a marriage equality bill as soon as Wednesday, less than one week after the House of Delegates passed the legislation in a 72-67 vote.

Hawaii Gov. Won't Defend State's Gay Marriage Ban

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:15:01 GMT

Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie has refused to defend a constitutional ban against gay marriage in light of several pending lawsuits.

HRC's Joe Solmonese Named National Co-Chair for Obama Campaign

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:28:44 GMT

Solmonese, who will leave his position as president of the national LGBT organization next month (a successor has not yet been named), is one of 35 co-chairs announced early Wednesday by campaign officials.

10 Members of Congress Pose for NOH8 Campaign

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:52:40 GMT

The NOH8 Campaign focused its camera on the nation’s capitol earlier this month, with 10 members of Congress donning white to pose. Was your representative among them?

N.C. Senator Kay Hagan Speaks Out Against Antigay Amendment 1

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:20:31 GMT

In a Wednesday statement, the Democratic senator said Amendment 1 threatens North Carolina’s ability to attract business while harming the state's "resolve to make all people and all families great.”

Orange County, Fla., To Allow Domestic-Partner Registry

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:10:00 GMT

Lawmakers in Orange County, Florida, agreed Tuesday to broaden the scope of the domestic-partner registry currently in effect in the city of Orlando, which will extend certain benefits to unmarried gay and straight couples throughout the county.

Va. OK's Discrimination in Adoption Services

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:30:00 GMT

Virginia governor Bob McDonnell (pictured) is ready to sign a bill that would allow private adoption agencies in the state to discriminate against prospective LGBT parents.

Rick Santorum Attacks Media for Asking About Social Issues

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 01:52:53 GMT

The candidate now says it's the media who keeps forcing him to talk about his antigay stances. But we looked around, and at almost every point across the country the topic has come up.

Facing Deadline, Prop. 8 Backers Seek New Review by Court

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:55:00 GMT

Proposition 8 proponents are requesting another appeal on the ruling that declared the voter initiative unconstitutional, this time seeking a full review by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

U.K. Prime Minister: Won't Back Down on Marriage Equality

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:10:00 GMT

David Cameron will continue to fight for marriage rights for gay couples, despite opposition from religious leaders and members of his own party, a spokesman says.

Baltimore Passes Amended Transgender Rights Bill

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:15:44 GMT

The Baltimore County Council passed a bill today to extend its standing human rights law to protect LGBT citizens from discrimination.

Maryland Committee Sends Marriage to Full Senate for Vote

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:16:00 GMT

Moving marriage equality one step closer toward successfully navigating the Maryland legislative process, a committee voted to send the bill on to the full Senate for a vote later this week.

Church Blocked From Recalling Mayor Who Signed Gay Policy

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:14:25 GMT

El Paso, Texas, Mayor John Cook won his appeal in a lawsuit he filed against groups trying to recall him.

Australian Prime Minister Dines with Gay Couples

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 12:25:00 GMT

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard dined with two lesbian couples and a pair of gay men on Tuesday and told them that marriage equality would assuredly happen in the country, although she remains opposed to changing the law.

WATCH: Babeu Says Politics Are Behind Charges

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 01:18:59 GMT

Paul Babeu, the Arizona sheriff accused of threatening his Mexican ex-boyfriend with deportation, says he's not ashamed to be a gay man but the "embarrassing" allegations against him are politically motivated.

WATCH: Ex-Boyfriend of Arizona Sheriff Babeu Speaks to CNN

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:39:57 GMT

The Mexican man who says Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu threatened him with deportation if he divulged the news of their romantic involvement tells CNN's Miguel Marquez he stands by the allegation.

Damage Control: Sheriff Acknowledges He's Gay

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 12:18:16 GMT

Sheriff Paul Babeu, a GOP candidate for Congress in Arizona, admitted he's gay but not that he ever threatened to deport his ex-boyfriend back to Mexico as part of an effort to keep his sexual orientation quiet.

Is Marriage Equality a Campaign Issue?

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 13:54:58 GMT

When David Gregory, moderator of Meet the Press, asked his guests whether same-sex marriage should be a campaign issue, both answered by doing their best to talk about the economy.

GOP Candidate Outed, Accused of Threat to Deport His Ex

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 16:22:17 GMT

Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu is accused of threatening to deport his ex-boyfriend if he wouldn't keep silent about their relationship. Now Babeu has quit his post with the Mitt Romney campaign.

Bill Maher: Chris Christie Is Ruining My State's Reputation

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 16:05:00 GMT

Comedian Bill Maher says that when New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie vetoed same-sex marriage on Friday, it took the already bad reputation that his home state has and made it worse.

Why One Mitt Romney Donor Is Threatening a Gay Writer

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 12:33:00 GMT

Salon reports that billionaire Frank VanderSloot apparently doesn't like like being called antigay even when he's paid for ads outing a writer, and a series of antigay billboards.

LAST-MINUTE WIN: MARYLAND HOUSE PASSES MARRIAGE

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 20:31:37 GMT

Nearly a year ago, the House voted to shelve a marriage bill while the Senate passed it. This year is looking different.

Christie Vetoes N.J. Marriage Equality Bill

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:20:00 GMT

New Jersey Republican governor Chris Christie made good Friday on his promise to veto a marriage equality bill, possibly sending the legislation to its death.

Jon Stewart: Glitter Bombers Act Like Petulant Children

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:05:00 GMT

The Daily Show's Jon Stewart is none too impressed with the "glitter-bombing" of GOP candidates, saying it's "more clever than a pie in the face, but less clever than something actually clever."

Dick Cheney, Pro-Marriage Equality Lobbyist in Maryland?

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:56:19 GMT

Former vice president Dick Cheney is reportedly a part of the lobbying blitz happening just before the vote on marriage equality in Maryland today.

Justice Department Won't Defend DOMA in Service Members' Lawsuit

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:16:33 GMT

In a letter to congressional leaders Friday, Atty. Gen. Eric Holder wrote, “The legislative record of these provisions contains no rationale for providing veterans’ benefits to opposite-sex couples of veterans but not to legally married same-sex spouses of veterans."

White House: No Comment on Washington Marriage, Christie Veto

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:22:19 GMT

White House press secretary Jay Carney dodged comment on this week’s marriage equality victory in Washington as President Obama was scheduled to visit the state for a Friday tour at Boeing Co., where he spoke about measures to boost American exports.