The First Circuit US Court of Appeals ruled today that the Defense of Marriage Act, that Clinton-era relic designed to defend the institution of marriage against gays like a football team defends the end zone (if the gays get into the marriage zone, game over for straights!),  is unconstitutional on the grounds that it…

Last month homosexuals serving in the military won a huge battle in the fight for gay rights when Don't Ask, Don't Tell was repealed, and now they're taking on the other major federal policy that discriminates against gay people: The Defense of Marriage Act.  In a lawsuit filed today in Boston, a group of legally…

Guys, these are really tough economic times, and according to legislators, we're all going to have to tighten our belts!  Unless of course, you're a high-priced lawyer who's helping Republicans discriminate against gays.  In that case, the House has $1.5 million with your name on it. 

The Australian half of a couple married in Massachusetts is being deported, despite the fact that the Obama administration has stopped defending the Defense of Marriage Act and has urged discretion on deportations. 

Funny how these things work.  You may recall that the Republican-controlled House conveniently found $500,000 marked "uphold a law that discriminates against gay people" despite President Obama's declining to defend the Defense of Marriage Act in court.  That money went to a contact for a law firm, much to Democrats'…

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is not known for its rapid responsiveness, but that's belied by its announcement recently that same-sex partners of citizens won't automatically be denied green cards, now that the Obama administration has announced it won't fight for the Defense of Marriage Act. 

Hawaii's governor signed a bill into law yesterday legalizing civil unions for gay and straight couples in his state, marking another step forward for gay rights.  But Obama's still "grappling" with his feelings on gay marriage. 

The Obama Justice Department has announced it will no longer fight for the Defense of Marriage Act in court.  Gay rights advocates had long been infuriated that despite the administration's opposition to it, government lawyers were still defending in court the act that prohibits federal recognition of gay marriage. 

The past 24 hours are typical of the strange, complex position of gay rights today: On the same day of a judge's injunction blocking Don't Ask, Don't Tell, the Obama administration appealed on behalf of the Defense of Marriage Act. 

Now that the so-called "Defense of Marriage" act has been declared unconstitutional, I've made some maps to show everyone where we stand right now in terms of marriage equality rights — and, of course, our right to marry guinea pigs. 

A Massachusetts district court judge sided with Massachusetts' argument that the Defense of Marriage Act requires discrimination against its own citizens.  The Justice Department had argued that the federal government "has the right to set eligibility requirements for federal benefits." 

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley is challenging the Defense of Marriage Act, arguing that it violates Massachusetts' right to regulate marriage as it sees fit.  Several Massachusetts couples filed an equal protection suit again DOMA in March. [ Boston Globe]