equality act

Immediately after the state House of Representatives approved the Marriage Equality Act, Gov. Lincoln Chafee signed the measure into law.

The Equality Act would include protections in public accommodations, public education, employment, housing, federal funding, jury service, legal protections, and credit.

After more than a week of often heated debate, Hawaii's House passed the Marriage Equality Act by a vote of 30-19. After a confirmation vote from the Senate, the bill will go to supportive Gov. Neil Abercrombie for his signature

The New Jersey Assembly passed the marriage equality bill Thursday, promising to intensify the standoff with Governor Chris Christie, who has vowed to veto the measure. The New Jersey Assembly passed the Marriage Equality and Religious Exemption Act for the first time on Thursday afternoon in a 42-33 vote. The historic passage, following Senate approval on Tuesday, turns the spotlight to Governor Chris Christie, who has vowed to veto the measure once it reaches his desk.

While the Third Wave feminist movement fades away and nobody is sure who is going to claim the Fourth Wave (Mama grizzlies fighting for rigid heteronormative lifestyles or women fighting for equal rights), the Paycheck Fairness Act for Women finally makes its way to the Senate after passing in the House two years ago. It’s not a surprise that the Republicans blocked its passage. What has grabbed my attention regarding this political battle is the underlying psychological implications this issue has for all women. 

But federal laws make some married same-sex couples ineligible for certain Social Security and veterans' benefits, explains a new report.

Florida governor and independent U.S. Senate candidate Charlie Crist is set to endorse a broad package of gay rights, including adoption rights, the right to serve openly in the military, and employment nondiscrimination, as early as this week.

A statement of support for marriage equality will be subject to approval by the Democratic Platform Committee meeting this weekend. The Democrats' Drafting Committee released the proposed language to Buzzfeed Thursday. The draft language, expresses the party's support for marriage equality, while also supporting the "freedom of churches and religious entities to decide how to administer marriage as a religious sacrament without government interference."

The Paycheck Fairness Act, a bill that would work to ensure fair pay for women, was shot down in the senate Wednesday on a 58 - 41 vote with Republicans unanimously against it. Even though the Senate had a majority support, it failed to overcome a Republican filibuster which would have required 60 votes.