Topic: Same-Sex Marriage
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How much do you know about gay rights in America? Take the quiz!
Throughout much of the 20th century, an admission of homosexuality could result in a felony conviction and a lengthy prison sentence. Even as late as 1970, Connecticut denied a drivers license to a gay man on the basis of his sexual orientation. Today, gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender people get considerably more legal protection. Twenty-one states plus Washington, D.C. outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation, and nine states plus Washington, D.C. recognize same-sex marriage. But 39 other states prohibit same-sex marriage, either in their state constitutions or by statute. And LGBT people in every state still face bullying that can range from taunting to physical violence.How much do you know about the history of gay rights in America? Take our quiz to find out!
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Senate freshmen: What the 14 new members bring to Capitol Hill
A freshman Senate class was sworn in Jan. 3, bringing diverse skills and experience – not to mention agendas – to the legislative body. Whether the 14 newest senators help break partisan gridlock, or refuse to work across the aisle, will be the test for the 113th Congress.Twelve were elected on Nov. 6, including three Republicans, eight Democrats, and an independent. In addition, a Republican and a Democrat were appointed to vacant seats after the election. Here is a look at the 14 and what they bring to the Senate:
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10 most-looked-up words of 2012, according to Merriam Webster
Here are the 10 words that most often sent Americans to the dictionary in 2012.
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Obama or Romney? How 5 undecided voters are making up their minds.
Last month, the Monitor profiled five undecided voters whose allegiances were especially prized because they live in swing states. Now, less than two weeks before Election Day, we check in with them to see what they’re thinking now.
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Mexico elections: How 5 local issues could impact the next president
Mexicans will elect 128 senators, 500 deputies, six governors, the mayor of Mexico City, and their new president tomorrow. Some of these key local races will have implications for the new president's mandate, and the governing party's ability to pass much needed reforms.
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Francois Hollande signs France's same-sex marriage bill into law (+video)
On Friday, France became the fourteenth country to legalize same-sex marriage. A campaign promise by French President Francois Hollande, the bill was hotly contested by conservatives in France.
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When Minnesota approves gay marriage, does Supreme Court listen? Maybe. (+video)
Minnesota on Tuesday became the third state in two weeks to legalize gay marriage. According to one exchange at the Supreme Court earlier this year, that's exactly why the justices shouldn't get involved.
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Minnesota governor expected to sign same-sex marriage bill (+video)
The Minnesota state Senate passed a bill to legalize same-sex marriage Monday. If the governor signs it, Minnesota will become the 12th state to sanction gay marriage.
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Rand Paul for president? Why else is he in Iowa? (+video)
US Sen. Rand Paul is making a splash in Iowa this weekend, and he'll soon visit New Hampshire and South Carolina. Can the libertarian-tinged maverick Republican successfully run for president?
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Gay marriage hat trick: Will Minnesota make three?
As the US awaits the Supreme Court's ruling on marriage laws for same-sex couples, the states are approaching a gay marriage hat trick: Rhode Island last week, Delaware today, and possibly Minnesota by Saturday.
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Delaware passes gay marriage: Is Minnesota next?
Less than a week after Rhode Island, Delaware has passed gay marriage. The law will take effect July 1. Minnesota lawmakers could pass marriage equality within the week.
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Chapter & Verse David Sedaris's new essay collection: big sales, mixed reviews
David Sedaris's new essay collection, 'Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls,' is his first work focusing on his own life since 'When You Are Engulfed in Flames' in 2008.
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Decoder Wire Paul Ryan gay adoption: Is his support a big deal?
Paul Ryan: Gay adoption is an idea he now supports, although the former GOP VP candidate still opposes gay marriage. His change of heart is another indication that the political ground on gay rights is shifting rapidly in the US.
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NBA's Jason Collins comes out: What does that mean for gay rights? (+video)
Jason Collins became the first active player in America's four major professional team sports to come out as gay. Given sports' elevated place in society, Collins might have just made a significant step for gay rights.
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Rhode Island's marriage equality strategy a 'recipe' for other states?
Rhode Island is days away from becoming the 10th US state to allow same-sex marriage. The combination of coalition building and old-fashioned politics that got it passed is 'a recipe that could definitely be replicated in other states,' says Speaker of the House Gordon Fox, but opponents credit shifting national attitudes.
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France approves gay marriage after surprisingly violent debate
The French parliament voted to legalize gay marriage today, becoming the 14th country to do so. But France's road to marriage equality has been surprisingly divisive, bitter, and even bloody.
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Hasty, last-ditch gay marriage protest held in Paris
Opponents of France's same-sex union and adoption law, expected to pass next week, marched in Paris on Sunday, arguing the government should hold a referendum on such a fundamental issue.
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Bill Clinton honored at GLADD Awards
Former President Bill Clinton received the first advocate for change award at the annual GLAAD Media Awards, which celebrates inclusive representations of the LGBT community in the media.
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USA Update Florist sued again for refusing to provide flowers for gay wedding
The ACLU has filed a discrimination lawsuit against a florist in Washington State who says she would not sell flowers for a gay couple's wedding because of her religious beliefs. The state is already prosecuting her under a consumer protection law.
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New Zealand legalizes gay marriage
On Wednesday, gay rights supporters celebrated the passage of a bill that will allow same-sex couples to marry for the first time in New Zealand. Though thousands of New Zealanders do not support the measure, polls show two-thirds do. Some say the bill may spur a boom in same-sex travelers from nearby Australia.
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Global News Blog New Zealand becomes first country in Asia-Pacific to legalize same-sex marriage
The change in New Zealand's law could pressure neighbors such as Australia to consider revising their laws.
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Ireland takes step toward gay marriage rights
Ireland's Constitutional Convention voted Sunday, with 79 percent in favor of extending marriage rights to same-sex couples. Next up will likely be a referendum.
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Gay marriage: Is Delaware next?
Delaware legislators proposed marriage equality legislation today, saying that they expect gay marriage to be legal in Delaware by June.
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Bill Nelson, Fla. Sen., declares support for gay marriage
Bill Nelson wrote Thursday in a Tampa Bay Times column, 'The civil rights and responsibilities for one must pertain to all. Thus, to discriminate against one class and not another is wrong for me.'
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Vox News Bill O'Reilly battles Laura Ingraham: Is 'thump the Bible' a slur? (+video)
O'Reilly says that civil rights is a 'compelling' argument for gay marriage, and conservatives won't win if they just reference ('thump') the Bible. Ingraham says conservatives can do better but that, yes, 'thump,' is an insult.
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Republican Sen. Mark Kirk backs gay marriage: How big a deal?
Sen. Mark Kirk became the second Republican senator in as many months to declare his support for gay marriage. But he's a moderate from a solidly blue state.
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Editor's Blog Trees, meet forest
Navigating an unfamiliar city is a breeze with turn-by-turn directions on Google Maps or other such applications. But are we losing the big-picture view of where we are going?
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Senior Catholic clerics weigh in on gay marriage
Religion plays a big role in individual and institutional decisions about same-sex marriage. Senior Roman Catholic clerics spoke out Sunday on TV news shows – expressing love and compassion but holding to the church's opposition to gay marriage.
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Gay marriage opinion shift: conservative lawmakers, pundits left scrambling
As public opinion moves in favor of gay marriage, members of Congress find they have to adjust their stance. Conservative pundits are beginning to acknowledge this as well.
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Robert Reich Why don't politicians listen to public opinion on the economy?
Why are politicians so sensitive to public opinion on equal marriage rights, immigration, and guns – Reich asks – and so tone deaf to what most Americans want on the economy?
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