legislation

The Washington Blade reports on the results of a recent poll conducted by City University of New York’s Hunter College. The poll asked if the U.S. Constitution bans same-sex marriage, whether gays can serve openly in the U.S. military, whether same-sex marriages were legal in the respondent’s state, and if there’s a federal law barring the firing of workers based on their sexual orientation.

Only 38 percent of poll respondents answered all four questions correctly.

State Senator Nan Rich (pictured) has introduced a new bill that would allow judges to consider the child's best interest when placing them in permanent homes. Representative Mary Brandenburg is sponsoring the bill in the House.

The Salt Lake Tribune is reporting a defeat for lesbian and gay Americans living in Utah. Legislation proposed by Rep. Rebecca Chavez-Houck (pictured) would have repealed Utah's ban on same-sex couples adopting children.

But reporter Jennifer Francis writes "the bill was closeted in the Rules Committee without a single public hearing".

Rep. Chavez-Houck said:

Tennessee's Attorney General - Bob Cooper - has stated that no current laws specifically bar gay couples from adopting in his state. Now there's a push in the General Assembly to get laws changed to ban adoption by gay couples.

Proposed legislation in the state would not only prevent gay couples from being able to adopt children but would bar heterosexual couples who are not married from adopting. Single people could still adopt, but unmarried couples could not.

The Tennessean has posted its position on the subject:

Two courts in Iowa have different views of adoption legislation in the state. The Supreme Court has sided with fair-minded citizens.

The AP is reporting on a story involving a female couple raising two children. One mom is biological, and one adoptive. They have separated, and the adoptive mom has asked the courts to determine custody and support for the kids.

Gay rights groups are celebrating the failure of a signature drive by ultra-conservatives to overturn civil rights protections for California students.

State Sen. Sheila Kuehl (D) - from Santa Monica - is responding to the misleading information being spread about Senate Bill 777.

SB 777 requires the California Department of Education to monitor the way schools adhere to the state's anti-bias laws and specifically mandates the department to ensure the protection of LGBT students.

Right-wing press and leaders of conservative groups say the legislation orders public schools to allow boys and girls to use the same restrooms and locker-rooms.