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Gay marriage: Judge overturns DOMA, stepping up pressure on Supreme Court

A federal judge struck down the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which precludes gay couples from receiving federal marriage benefits. She is the third federal judge to do so, suggesting that the Supreme Court might need to step in soon to clarify its position.
Prop. 8 ruling: why it might not go to the Supreme Court

A federal court overturned Prop. 8 Tuesday, apparently setting the stage for the case to move to the Supreme Court. But the judge's ruling has made some legal analysts think twice about what might happen next.
Pastors who play politics from the pulpit

On Oct. 2, a large group of American pastors plans to purposely violate a law barring houses of worship from endorsing or opposing political candidates. This legal challenge from the pulpit won't help people of faith.
Victory for stem-cell research: Court backs Obama's guidelines

Federal funds can support research using human embryonic stem cells, ruled a D.C. district court Wednesday. Two scientists had sued President Obama and the NIH in efforts to overturn their regulations.
Obama, in stand for gay rights, calls for repeal of DOMA

In nod to gay rights, Obama backs repeal of DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act), which defines marriage as between one man and one woman and withholds federal benefits from gay married couples.
US will no longer defend Defense of Marriage Act in court

The president and attorney general conclude the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutionally discriminates against same-sex married couples. Decision is a major policy shift on gay rights.
Why California gay marriage ruling may not head to US Supreme Court

US District Judge Vaughn Walker, who invalidated Proposition 8, doubts the proponents of California's gay marriage ban have any standing to appeal his ruling.
Judge: Prop. 8 backers might not have legal standing to appeal

The legal proponents of Prop. 8 vow to appeal a federal judge's Thursday ruling to allow gay marriage in California, perhaps as early as next week. But the judge raised questions about their legal standing.
Proposition 8: federal judge overturns California gay marriage ban

Proposition 8, the 2008 California ban on gay marriage, is unconstitutional, a federal judge ruled Wednesday. Supporters of Proposition 8 say they will appeal the decision.
DC's gay marriage law survives court challenge

The DC Court of Appeals ruled Thursday that Washington was within its rights to block a popular vote on same-sex marriage because the results could violate its human rights law. The city legalized gay marriage in March.
Gay marriage in DC cannot be put to a vote, court rules

Gay marriage cannot be overturned by a ballot initiative, ruled the District of Columbia's highest court Thursday.
Will California gay-marriage trial go to Supreme Court?

As a federal court considers the constitutionality of a voter-approved ban in California, some gay-marriage advocates say a Supreme Court decision could be the best path to legalization.
At Calif. gay marriage trial, marriage is not the only flash point

Lawyers for two same-sex couples, over nine days of testimony, have examined general attitudes about modern marriage, homosexuality, and whether sexual orientation warrants special legal protection. They seek to overturn Proposition 8, which bans gay marriage in California. Defenders of the ban are up next.
California's top court upholds Prop. 8 ban on same-sex marriage

The court says the measure only takes away the term 'marriage' – not a gay couple's legal rights. The ruling also preserves 18,000 marriages that took place before the ban.
Pulpit politics: Pastors to defy IRS

Some plan to endorse a candidate Sunday, challenging federal rules that limit partisan activity by tax-exempt groups.