new york liberty

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals in New York ruled against the Defense of Marriage Act today in the case, Windsor v. United States, involving the lesbian widow, Edith “Edie” Windsor, marking the second time a federal appeals court has found the 1996 law unconstitutional. Defenders of DOMA could not demonstrate a legitimate interest for the federal government to treat same-sex married couples differently from any other married couples, the court ruled.

New York state has expanded the rights for gay and lesbian parents. New York's highest court ruled in two cases Tuesday that nonbiological parents involved in same-sex relationships have rights similar to those of biological parents. In one case, the court ruled unanimously that a woman can seek visitation rights from her former partner because she is a legal parent, even though she is not the child's biological mother. "In many ways this is a real breakthrough in New York."

Paris celebrates Pride this weekend as France prepares to usher in marriage equality. Our Paris contributor offers us five left-of-center things to see in the City of Light.

McCoughtry posted a picture of herself and her girlfriend to Instagram, along with a tale of discrimination.

A lesbian couple who were told they could not hold their wedding at a farm near their home in Albany, N.Y., have filed a discrimination complaint with a state agency.Melisa Erwin and Jennie McCarthy wanted to wed at the Liberty Ridge Farm next summer. They knew it when they first saw the space.

A time for reflection...

The Talk co-host delivered a rousing speech for LGBT rights at the Lambda Legal West Coast Liberty Awards.

Every year I submit this piece for Thanksgiving because it captures, in my humble opinion, the best way I can express my outrage of the genocide of Native Americans that is summarily glossed over with a national celebration and an annual holiday of its occupiers. "Yes, there's internalized homophobia in every gay community, but as Native Americans we are taught not to like ourselves because we're not white. In our communities, people don't like us because we're gay."

President Bill Clinton endorsed marriage equality legislation in New York as it appears increasingly likely that lawmakers will vote on the measure by June. “Our nation's permanent mission is to form a ‘more perfect union’ - deepening the meaning of freedom, broadening the reach of opportunity, strengthening the bonds of community,” said Clinton.