The US Supreme Court has declined to issue a stay of a federal court ruling that Alabama’s same-sex marriage ban is unconstitutional, clearing the way for marriage equality in the state and possibly signaling their intent ahead of an expected June ruling that could legalize same-sex marriage in all 50 states. Judge Ginny Granade, an…
The Supreme Court has agreed to take up a consolidated set of same-sex marriage cases that could settle the issue once and for all in the United States. According to the Huffington Post: Meeting behind closed doors on Friday, the nine justices decided to review a 2-1 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for…
The apparent suicide of 17-year-old Leelah Alcorn, a transgender girl from Ohio who documented her struggle and loneliness online, is galvanizing a movement against transphobia. Several vigils are planned in the U.S. and Canada for Friday and Saturday; petitions calling for Alcorn’s family to use her chosen name on her headstone and for President Barack…
2014 will go down in history as the year of marriage equality. Same-sex marriage bans have fallen like dominoes across the United States since the Supreme Court ruled in 2013 that the Defense of Marriage Act was unconstitutional. Lower courts have used the rationale in the Windsor v. United States ruling to throw out marriage…
South Bend is receiving national recognition for its efforts at promoting gender and sexual orientation equality among its residents. The city scored a 67 out of 100 in the Human Rights Campaign’s 2014 Municipal Equality Index Scorecard. The report rates cities across the country for municipal government policy responses on a range of LGBT issues….
First-term Councilman Gavin Ferlic is running for re-election to the South Bend Common Council. “If elected to a second term, Ferlic will continue his dedication to economic development, neighborhoods, and public safety,” the candidate said in his announcement. Ferlic touted his support for “successful economic development and neighborhood improvement initiatives.” The Councilman was a supporter…
Looking for something fun to do on Saturday night? Guerrilla Gay Bar is hosting its monthly event at The Exchange in downtown South Bend on 112 W Jefferson Boulevard. As we reported last month, Guerrilla Gay Bar has filled a void in the South Bend LGBT community after the region’s largest gay bar — Truman’s…
A federal appeals court has ruled that the gay marriage bans in four states are constitutional. The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed rulings from lower courts that had legalized gay marriage in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee. It is the first time since the Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act that…
Fort Wayne-South Bend Bishop Kevin Rhoades writes in an online Catholic publication that Notre Dame was hasty in its decision to extend employee benefits to same-sex spouses. Two federal courts ruled Indiana’s gay marriage ban earlier this year. The Supreme Court effectively legalized marriage equality in Indiana last week. “Notre Dame believes that the law…
The University of Notre Dame made a groundbreaking announcement via email to its employees on Wednesday. The Catholic university is extending benefits to same-sex spouses. The news comes during the same week that the Supreme Court effectively legalized same-sex marriage in Indiana and ten other states. Notre Dame’s employee email cited Indiana law, which now…
