Mary Ritchie, a Massachusetts State Police trooper, has been married for almost five years and has two children. But when she files her federal income tax return, she's not allowed to check the "married filing jointly" box. That's because Ritchie and her spouse, Kathleen Bush, are a gay couple, and the federal Defense of Marriage Act makes them ineligible to file joint tax returns. Now Ritchie, Bush and more than a dozen others are suing the federal government, claiming the act discriminates against gay couples and is unconstitutional because it denies them access to federal benefits that other married couples receive, such as pensions and health insurance. Plaintiffs also include Dean Hara, the widower of former U.S. Rep. Gerry Studds, the first openly gay member of the House of Representatives. ...more

March 3, 2009

Floridians voted Tuesday night to amend the state's constitution to prohibit gay marriage. ...more

November 5, 2008

A fellow Democrat recently urged his constituents to vote "Yes" on amendment two. As usual the reasoning was certain Bible verses stating "man shall not lie with man as with woman" and pro-creation reasoning. These verses have been used by religion to put fear in mankind through history. Early on we learned it is a sure way to ask for donations to fight evil. Facts are, polls show a major majority of Floridians both straight and gay do not want same sex marriage. There are over six separate laws already on the books that prohibit such a marriage license. Now the most important change to Floridians is the next part of this amendment. This amendment goes on to state that any other unions shall be void and not recognized. This will possibly hurt hundreds of thousands of the straights and gays from all age groups. ...more

October 17, 2008

This responds to The Tampa Tribune's Sept. 28 editorial that opposed Amendment 2, the Florida Marriage Protection Amendment. The Tribune's basis for opposing the marriage amendment is contradicted by their own facts and by the Florida Supreme Court. ...more

October 12, 2008

Campaign rhetoric from both political parties confirms that voters this November are looking for change. Certainly Floridians are looking to our leaders to propose effective solutions to pressing issues involving the real estate debacle, taxes and education, among others. ...more

September 25, 2008

Proponents of Amendment 2 are deliberately misleading the public by calling it the "gay marriage" or "same-sex" marriage amendment. ...more

June 7, 2008

Local governments and state universities in Michigan cannot offer health insurance to the partners of gay workers, the state Supreme Court ruled Wednesday. ...more

May 8, 2008

The two brides from Massachusetts got dolled up in white and made their way down the staircase at the Highlands Inn, a guesthouse for women tucked away in the New Hampshire woods. ...more

October 28, 2007

You can look at it either way. Marriages in New York City start with a $1 discount. Or, domestic partnerships are assessed a $1 tax. ...more

October 19, 2007