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- Harsh anti-gay bill close to passage in Uganda
The Ugandan Parliament this week could pass anti-homosexuality legislation that would penalize touching with the intent to commit a homosexual act and grant permission to "victims" of homosexuality to respond without fear of criminal prosecution, a clause some say encourages violence against and even the murder of homosexuals. The bill also calls for prison sentences for those who fail to report violations of the law, including clergy, medical staff and family members. The Guardian (London)/Black Looks
(11/26), GlobalPost.com/GP Rights blog
(11/26)     
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U.S. anti-gay leaders defend Uganda measure: American anti-gay leaders, including Tony Perkins of the Family Research Institute and the Rev. Scott Lively, are defending Uganda’s move to enact a draconian anti-homosexuality bill. "American liberals are upset that Ugandan Pres is leading his nation in repentance," Perkins tweeted on Monday. Meanwhile Lively, who has campaigned in Uganda against homosexuality, wrote that the pending approval of the legislation is "a huge blessing for Uganda and for me personally." The New Civil Rights Movement
(11/26), BoxTurtleBulletin.com
(11/25)
| Politics and Policy | | |
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- Supreme Court could enter marriage fray this week
The Supreme Court is expected to decide Friday which, if any, marriage equality cases it will hear during its current term. Legal experts say the court is most likely to take cases on the Defense of Marriage Act, as numerous federal courts have struck down the law as unconstitutional. Ten U.S. senators filed a brief arguing Congress is within its rights to keep federal marriage benefits from same-sex couples, and some analysts say it's not clear the Court is ready to gut the law. The justices could decline to hear an appeal of the federal case involving Proposition 8, an outcome that would make marriage legal again for same-sex couples in California. San Jose Mercury News (Calif.) (free registration)
(11/26), KOMO-TV/KOMO-AM (Seattle)/The Associated Press
(11/25)
- Married gay workers at Boeing might not get survivor pension benefits
Boeing might not provide survivor pension benefits to the same-sex spouses of its gay and lesbian workers as pensions are regulated by the federal government, which does not recognize same-sex married couples. Boeing says it's studying the issue, but union officials negotiating with the company said they were told Boeing had no intention of providing the benefit. The Seattle Times
(11/25)
- Maine judge rules against transgender student in bathroom case
A judge has ruled a school district in Maine did not violate the state’s human rights law when it prevented a female transgender student from using the girls' bathroom at school. "It is no doubt a difficult thing to grow up transgender in today's society. This is a sad truth, which cannot be completely prevented by the law alone. The law casts a broad stroke where one more delicate and refined is needed," wrote Justice William Anderson. Bangor Daily News (Maine) (free registration)
(11/21)
- Former French first lady backs marriage equality
Carla Bruni, the wife of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, has come out in favor of pending legislation that would establish marriage equality in France. Sarkozy opposes the measure, Bruni said, for political reasons. "He sees people as groups of thousands rather than people we know personally," she explained. The legislation has the support of a majority of French voters and is being pushed by the new socialist government, but critics of the law have grown vocal recently. ABC News/The Associated Press
(11/26)
| Opinion | | |
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How should world leaders react if Uganda enacts a pending anti-homosexual bill?
 | Cease foreign aid and disengage from the country's leadership |
| Express strong disapproval, but continue much-needed foreign aid |
| Encourage LGBT Ugandans to emigrate |
| I'm not sure |
- Analysis: High court has options in marriage cases
BuzzFeed's Chris Geidner explores the four most likely approaches the Supreme Court will take to addressing the numerous marriage-related cases up for consideration this week. Most activists think the court will decline to hear a case on the constitutionality of California's Proposition 8, but it could simply hold the case without dismissing it, Geidner writes. BuzzFeed
(11/26)
| Leadership Spotlight | | |
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- LGBT leader in Utah engages Mormon church
Jim Dabakis, the openly gay chair of the Utah Democratic Party, says reaching out to the dominant Mormon church in his state has led the church to ease its involvement in anti-gay campaigns such as California's Proposition 8. The church was not a major contributor to campaigns against marriage equality in states such as Maryland, Washington and Maine this year, and church officials gave their blessing to a local LGBT nondiscrimination law in Salt Lake City. The Washington Post
(11/26)
| Beyond Politics | | |
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- Russian court dismisses lawsuit against Madonna
A judge in Russia has dismissed a lawsuit against the singer Madonna. The suit was brought by anti-gay activists who objected to Madonna's statements in support of LGBT rights during a concert in St. Petersburg. The one-day hearing featured testimony from plaintiffs that drew laughter from assembled journalists, including a claim that approval of homosexuality would deprive the country of soldiers and weaken its defenses. USA Today
(11/22)
| SmartQuote | | |
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 | This is the gay moment, momentum is building. The politics are profound, and politics influence what the court does."
--Lynn Wardle, a Brigham Young University law professor, speaking about the LGBT-related cases awaiting action by the U.S. Supreme Court, as quoted by The Associated Press.
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