From May, 2010 eNews Vol. 7, No. 5

At Lambda Legal, we make the case for equality in the courts and in the court of public opinion. We are never satisfied when we lose a case, but sometimes a setback in court can lead to greater gains than anyone might have imagined.

5/4/2010

"New York State’s highest court somewhat expanded the rights of gay and lesbian parents on Tuesday in a narrow ruling that said nonbiological parents in same-sex relationships should be treated the same as biological parents.

"...'In many ways this is a real breakthrough in New York,' said Susan L. Sommer, who argued the case before the Court of Appeals and is senior counsel and director of constitutional litigation for Lambda Legal, a gay-rights advocacy group.

"This is a terrific outcome for our client and her six-and-a-half-year-old son. New York has recognized the legal parent-child relationship established after this couple entered into a civil union in Vermont."

5/4/2010

5/3/2010

"Supporters and opponents of the civil unions bill are eagerly awaiting Governor Lingle's decision on whether to sign it. House Bill 444 was passed three days ago, but people on both sides of the hot-button issue say the battle isn't over.

"...The measure provides gay couples the same rights and responsibilities as married couples in Hawaii.

"LGBT undocumented immigrants are among the most invisible of the invisible. Many inhabit a double closet, afraid of disclosing their sexual orientation and/or gender identity and afraid of disclosing that they are undocumented."

"There's no denying it's been a bumpy road, but like all arduous journeys, it makes the destination that much sweeter."

"This clarification helps close the healthcare access gap facing many lesbians in Illinois."

4/20/2010

"After the joy of a wedding and the adoption of a baby came arguments that couldn't be resolved, leading Angelique Naylor to file for divorce. That left her fighting both the woman she married in Massachusetts and the state of Texas, which says a union granted in a state where same-sex marriage is legal can't be dissolved with a divorce in a state where it's not.

4/20/2010

"The Nashville-area high school that sent a student home earlier this month for wearing a t-shirt that said 'I (Heart) Lady Gay Gay' has agreed to stop censoring clothing with gay messages.