In the News

10/25/2010

"Lambda Legal argued [in its friend-of-the-court brief] that the government's continued enforcement of 'don't ask, don't tell' 'exacts an intolerably high cost" on the mental and physical health of gay and lesbian service members because they 'must remain on constant high alert, self-policing every word, gesture, and glance that could arouse suspicion regarding their sexual orientation.'

10/22/2010

"The Justice Department tried to block the Log Cabin Republicans' lawsuit from going to trial, arguing that the organization did not have members who were directly affected by the policy.

"The group initially filed its lawsuit on behalf of John Does and said they were active military members who could not be identified for fear of being discharged. The group later named gay veteran Alexander Nicholson as a plaintiff to better its chances.

"A judge's order this week ending the military ban on openly gay service members capped a ground-breaking year for gay rights advocates, who have won a series of courtroom victories on issues ranging from same-sex marriage to adoption.

10/11/2010

"Eight teenage and adult males were arraigned Sunday on a range of charges including sexual assault, robbery, intimidation and hate crimes. Two were held in lieu of $100,000 bond, and the others were held without bond. Police said a ninth member of the Latin King Goonies, as the group called itself, was still at large.

10/8/2010

by Legal Director Jon Davidson

10/1/2010

10/1/2010

There's no doubt that the U.S. Senate dealt us a major setback last week when it failed to move to a vote a defense bill that contained language that would have overturned "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT), the military's ban on gays and lesbians serving openly. Democrats were unable to gather sufficient support to break a filibuster by born-again conservative John McCain.

9/22/10

"President Obama has had an effect as well, said Jennifer Pizer, director of the national marriage project of the Western regional office of Lambda Legal, a public interest legal group for gay issues.

"Activists have criticized the president for the Justice Department's defense of the federal laws being challenged, but he has also urged the repeal of laws that discriminate against gay men and lesbians.

9/15/2010

"Gay-rights activists are hailing Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s decision to bring legislation to repeal the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy to the Senate floor next week.

"But advocates and congressional aides are cautioning that the measure still faces daunting obstacles before the policy can be repealed — some of which have nothing to do with the gays-in-the-military issue.