Human Rights Campaign

After Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. said, "The case is submitted," on March 27, the justices of the Supreme Court presumably took a private vote and now are at work writing the opinions that will decide the fate of same-sex marriage in the United States. But real life doesn't stop just because the justices have commenced their labors. And what has happened since raises the question of how events outside the Marble Palace affect the deliberations within. Over two days in March, the justices heard...

After Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. said, "The case is submitted," on March 27, the justices of the Supreme Court presumably took a private vote and now are at work writing the opinions that will decide the fate of same-sex marriage in the United States. But real life doesn't stop just because the justices have commenced their labors. And what has happened since raises the question of how events outside the Marble Palace affect the deliberations within. Over two days in March, the justices heard...

Imam Daayiee Abdullah arrives by bus, sweaty and lugging a green bag stuffed with a Koran, two books of poetry by Persian mystic Rumi and three Islamic prayer rugs. Tonight, he's speaking to a room full of young, gay activists and progressives after a screening of the documentary "I Am Gay and Muslim" at the Human Rights Campaign 's bright white Equality Center in downtown Washington. But when the openly gay imam takes the stage, he stuns even this audience. "I think we're at the start of a movement: a...

Important segments of President Obama 's base have been hammering him for not appointing enough Latinos and African Americans — and no gays — to his second-term Cabinet. Thirty-two years ago, when Ronald Reagan 's first-term team was coming together, the Cabinet included one woman, U.N. Ambassador Jeane Kirkpatrick , and one African American, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Samuel Pierce . But the number of women and minorities increased later in Reagan's term, and he named the first Hispanic Cabinet member.

Mike Bosia and Steven Obranovich, of Hardwick, Vt., were married three years ago after Vermont legalized same-sex marriage . As Bosia's spouse, Obranovich is entitled to health insurance through Bosia's employer, Saint Michael's College in Colchester. But that coverage comes at a cost. The couple estimates that they have had to pay $4,500 in additional federal income tax and filing-related expenses because the federal government is prohibited by the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)

The governing board of the Boy Scouts of America on Friday recommended ending the organization's ban on openly gay Scouts but keeping its prohibition on gay troop leaders. The proposal displeased advocates on both sides and ensured a new flurry of lobbying before the larger national body votes on the matter at its annual meeting next month. The executive committee's resolution follows a year of shifting signals from the massive youth organization as it tries to finds its place in a...

Just a few months ago, Chad Griffin conferred with British Prime Minister David Cameron over plates of bison Wellington during a state dinner at the White House in Cameron's honor . How, Griffin wanted to know, did the leader persuade his fellow conservatives to back same-sex marriage? A few seats away, at the head table, was Griffin's boyfriend, Jerome Fallon, and a few seats from him was President Obama, who had not yet announced his support of gay marriage. "I didn't eat a...

Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) took a terrific, brave step in announcing his support for same-sex marriage, citing the example of his gay son. But here's the missing piece in the current gay-rights debate: When Portman's son graduates from Yale, no federal law will prevent an employer from denying him a job because of his sexual orientation. If Will Portman or a classmate came out of the closet after being hired, they could be fired for being gay. Really? you may ask. If so, you're not alone in your incredulity.

President Obama on Monday became the first president to use the word "gay" as a reference to sexual orientation in an inaugural address, declaring the movement for equality to be part of the pantheon of America's great civil rights struggles. "Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law," the president said. "For if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal, as well. " Obama also made another reference in...

Morgan's sorry for rant With prominent gay rights groups demanding an apology over jokes he made during a June 3 performance in Nashville, Tracy Morgan issued one Friday, TMZ.com reports. During his set at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium, Morgan said that he would stab his son to death if he talked to him in "a gay voice. " After the performance, at least one gay fan expressed outrage online, and the Ryman Auditorium issued a statement apologizing to anyone offended by the comic's remarks.

The governing board of the Boy Scouts of America on Friday recommended ending the organization's ban on openly gay Scouts but keeping its prohibition on gay troop leaders. The proposal displeased advocates on both sides and ensured a new flurry of lobbying before the larger national body votes on the matter at its annual meeting next month. The executive committee's resolution follows a year of shifting signals from the massive youth organization as it tries to finds its place in a nation where views...

Imam Daayiee Abdullah arrives by bus, sweaty and lugging a green bag stuffed with a Koran, two books of poetry by Persian mystic Rumi and three Islamic prayer rugs. Tonight, he's speaking to a room full of young, gay activists and progressives after a screening of the documentary "I Am Gay and Muslim" at the Human Rights Campaign 's bright white Equality Center in downtown Washington. But when the openly gay imam takes the stage, he stuns even this audience. "I think we're at the...

Mike Bosia and Steven Obranovich, of Hardwick, Vt., were married three years ago after Vermont legalized same-sex marriage . As Bosia's spouse, Obranovich is entitled to health insurance through Bosia's employer, Saint Michael's College in Colchester. But that coverage comes at a cost. The couple estimates that they have had to pay $4,500 in additional federal income tax and filing-related expenses because the federal government is prohibited by the Defense of Marriage Act...

Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) took a terrific, brave step in announcing his support for same-sex marriage, citing the example of his gay son. But here's the missing piece in the current gay-rights debate: When Portman's son graduates from Yale, no federal law will prevent an employer from denying him a job because of his sexual orientation. If Will Portman or a classmate came out of the closet after being hired, they could be fired for being gay. Really? you may ask. If so, you're not alone in your incredulity.

President Obama on Monday became the first president to use the word "gay" as a reference to sexual orientation in an inaugural address, declaring the movement for equality to be part of the pantheon of America's great civil rights struggles. "Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law," the president said. "For if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal, as well. " Obama also made another reference in...

President Obama's leading choice to head the Pentagon, former senator Chuck Hagel , issued an apology Friday for "insensitive" comments he had made about gays, moving to shield his potential nomination from a growing chorus of criticism. Hagel's apology came a day after the country's leading gay rights organization, the Human Rights Campaign, described the Nebraska Republican's past statements and record as "unacceptable. " The flash point was a 1998...

Important segments of President Obama 's base have been hammering him for not appointing enough Latinos and African Americans — and no gays — to his second-term Cabinet. Thirty-two years ago, when Ronald Reagan 's first-term team was coming together, the Cabinet included one woman, U.N. Ambassador Jeane Kirkpatrick , and one African American, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Samuel Pierce . But the number of women and minorities increased later in Reagan's term, and he named the first Hispanic Cabinet member.

Lady Gaga came to Washington over the weekend to accept her crown as the gay community's reigning pop culture icon, snatching the title from the clutches of Britney (too fake), Kelly Clarkson (too "Idol") and Beyoncé (too Diana Ross in "Mahogany"). The outlandish, platinum-selling, bisexual, 23-year-old pop singer was the highest-wattage celebrity to attend both the Human Rights Campaign dinner Saturday night and the National Equality March on Sunday. Her name was on everyone's lips for a solid 48 hours.

National advocacy groups — and a few high-profile donors, including a Las Vegas-based casino company — helped fuel the closing weeks of Maryland's same-sex marriage campaign, new disclosure reports show. All told, supporters raised more than twice as much money as opponents for the successful effort to uphold the state's gay nuptials law, which takes effect Jan. 1. Marylanders for Marriage Equality reported raising a total of $5.2 million for the campaign on Question 6,...

S ometimes in politics, you have to listen for what's not being said to understand how things really stand. In the 2012 presidential campaign, the telling — and comforting — silence involves same-sex marriage and gay rights. Think about it: In 1992, Pat Buchanan, speaking at the Republican convention in Houston, warned that Bill Clinton wanted to impose a "homosexual rights" agenda on America. In 2004, Republicans engineered ballot initiatives against same-sex marriage in 11 states, hoping to bolster George...