Lambda Legal today asked a federal court to end the U.S. Social Security Administration’s (SSA) categorical refusal to provide spousal survivor’s benefits to a 64-year-old lesbian whose partner of 27 years died before same-sex couples in the State of Washington were able to marry.
Today, U. S. District Court for the Northern District of California William Alsup struck down the Denial of Care Rule proposed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), becoming the third judge in two weeks to vacate the rule, recognizing the rule’s discriminatory and unconstitutional scope. Judge Alsup’s ruling came in the lawsuit filed by Lambda Legal, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, the Center for Reproductive Rights, and the County of Santa Clara.
Sasha Buchert, Director of the Non-Binary and Transgender Rights Project
Health and Human Services (HHS) is the federal agency tasked with enhancing the health and well-being of all Americans. Yet under the Trump-Pence administration, no other federal agency has leveled more attacks targeting the LGBTQ community—particularly the transgender community.
“Two judges in two days have recognized the Denial of Care Rule for what it is, an egregious and unconstitutional attack on women, LGBT people and other vulnerable populations.”
Today, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York issued an order and opinion in State of New York v. HHS, completely vacating the Denial of Care Rule.
Last night, Charles Rhines, a South Dakota gay man, was put to death by lethal injection after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a final motion that would have allowed Rhines to bring new evidence to the Court showing that antigay bias may have motivated the jury to sentence him to death.
Last night, Charles Rhines, a South Dakota gay man, was put to death by lethal injection after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a final motion that would have allowed Rhines to bring new evidence to the Court showing that antigay bias may have motivated the jury to sentence him to death.
