Shocking: Bush Signs Gay Rights Law

Wow. Well Happy New Year! This is pretty huge, sadly it remedies one of the over 1200 rights, privileges and responsibilities that come with marriage rights at the federal level. It’s a step though.

Call it a Christmas present for gay and lesbian couples. President Bush signed the Worker, Retiree and Employer Recovery Act of 2008 (WRERA) two days before Christmas. The new law makes it mandatory for businesses to roll over retirement benefits to a same-sex partner in the event of the employee’s death. Read more

Oregon: No Vote to Repeal Domestic Partnership Laws

Amazng news today in the Lemons v. Brabury case. The three judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court denied the Lemons Appeal. Read more

HIV/AIDS Funding Bill & Discriminatory Immigration Ban Repeal Heads to Bush

After passing the Senate (80 to 16) last week, the House passed the PREPFAR bill 303 to 115. Read more

VIDEO: Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Hearing Highlights

Thanks to Chris Johnson at HRC who was live blogging at the hearing today - here are some of the highlights. Read more

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell: First Hearing in 15 Years

For the first time since it was enacted 15-years ago, a congressional hearing will be held on the impact of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Read more

Senate Votes to Repeal HIV Travel & Immigration Ban

Today, by a vote of 80-16, the U.S. Senate voted to pass legislation that will triple anti-HIV/AIDS funding to $48 billion over the next five years — including to lift the ban on HIV positive individuals who travel to the United States, or attempt to become citizens. Read more

Elizabeth Dole Adds Jesse Helms Name to HIV/AIDS Funding Bill, Says F#%k You to HIV/AIDS Victims

Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-NC) yesterday introduced an amendment that would have added the name of Jesse Helms to the title of the HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria bill that is before the Senate. Helms, who died eleven days ago, was the nation’s most vociferous foe of federal funding for HIV/AIDS programs from the epidemic’s beginning until he left the Senate. Read more

Marilyn Musgrave Co-Sponsors Marriage Amendment - Again

Most likely because the ban gay marriage party simply wasn’t too fun of a party, Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R - Colorado) has joined in. Sources indicate it’s because some of the others involved were a little preoccupied. Read more

David Vitter (Adulterer) & Larry Craig (Bathroom Sex Sting Fame) Introduce Federal Marriage Amendment

Sounds like a joke huh? It’s not. Disgraced Republicans David Vitter (Louisiana) and Larry Craig (Idaho) both signed on as sponsors for another attempt on a federal marriage amendment which I believe has already failed 3 times in previous years. Read more