In a big reversal from the Illinois Department of Revenue, couples who have entered into civil unions will be able to jointly file their 2011 state tax returns. Illinois recently moved to offer statewide protections supposedly equal, but separate, to marriage with the passage of the ‘Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act.’ The…
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Lakeview sister establishments Taverna 750 and Scarlet Bar Chicago are gearing up to celebrate their four year anniversary, Sunday Dec. 4, with a star-studded, day-long fundraiser sponsored by Belvedere (RED). Using their anniversary as a way to raise funds and awareness for charities of choice, proceeds will benefit Project (Red) and Test Positive Aware Network…
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In part 1 of “Breaking down the DOMA Repeal Vote,” we looked at the difficult legislative path ahead for the “Respect for Marriage Act” (RFA) that the Senate Judiciary Committee passed last week which would repeal the anti-gay “Defense of Marriage Act” (DOMA). With all the roadblocks and uncertainty around the actual passage of the…
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Last week, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 10-8 to pass the “Respect for Marriage Act” (RFA). This legislation, introduced by Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), would repeal the so-called “Defense of Marriage Act” (DOMA), which bans federal recognition of same-sex marriages. The vote was down strict party lines, with the 10 Democrats voting for repeal of…
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The legal battle between Catholic Charities and the state of Illinois over the organization’s state-funded adoption and foster care contracts, and their refusal to grant those services to same-sex couples in civil unions, is finally over. The dioceses of Joliet, Springfield, and Belleville released a statement saying they were withdrawing their lawsuit with “reluctance.” Illinois…
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On Thursday, the Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on the ‘Respect for Marriage Act’ introduced by Senator Dianne Feinstein. This legislation would repeal the so-called ‘Defense of Marriage Act,’ which bans federal recognition of same-sex marriages. DOMA’s impact is far reaching for same-sex couples, affecting Social Security survivor benefits after a spouse passes away, the…
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In a major and somewhat unusual move, over 70 major businesses and organizations filed a legal brief stating their opposition to the anti-gay “Defense of Marriage Act” (DOMA), which bans federal recognition of same-sex marriages. Some of the major corporations signed on to the brief include Microsoft, Starbucks, Google, Nike, Levi Strauss, and many others.…
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I recently posted about a comprehensive new study on LGBT families and the impact that discriminatory laws have on the children of same-sex couples. One of the solutions that the study came up with to combat this impact was increased visibility and expanded research & reporting on LGBT people. A campaign by the National Gay…
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A comprehensive and important new study has just been released about LGBT families. All Children Matter: How Legal and Social Inequalities Hurt LGBT Families brings together a coalition of LGBT leaders, policy experts and child advocates that includes the Movement Advancement Project, the Family Equality Council, the Center for American Progress, the National Association of…
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The ongoing legal battle between Catholic Charities and the state of Illinois over the organization’s state-funded contracts, and their refusal to grant adoption and foster care services to same-sex couples in civil unions, continues with the church losing another round. Circuit Judge John Schmidt, who ruled earlier that the state does not have to renew…
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