Uganda lawmaker refuses to withdraw anti-gay bill

(Kampala, Uganda) The Ugandan lawmaker who proposed a bill that would give some gays the death penalty said Friday he will refuse any request to withdraw the legislation after a minister said the government would ask him to.

Lawmaker David Bahati said he felt the bill is necessary in the conservative …

US lawmakers condemn anti-gay Uganda legislation

Five Republican House members are urging the president of Uganda to oppose a proposed law that would impose the death penalty for some gay Ugandans. The lawmakers say they are all men of faith, and that the bill is antithetical to the Christian belief of “inherent dignity and worth” of …

Austrian parliament OKs gay civil unions

(Vienna) Austria’s parliament passed legislation Thursday allowing homosexual couples to enter into civil unions, a move hailed by proponents as a historic win for gay rights in the country.

The bill, slated to become law Jan. 1., will give same-sex couples a series of rights enjoyed by their heterosexual counterparts, including …

Australian territory OK’s CU’s

The Australian Capital Territory enacted civil partnership legislation to grant almost 100 rights.

House committee to hold vote on ENDA

From HRC:

The Human Rights Campaign can now confirm the House Education and Labor Committee will vote on Wednesday, November 18, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. on legislation to end the widespread practice of employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The vote was noticed moments ago.

The Employment Non-Discrimination …

R.I. gov. vetoes gay funeral rights bill

Rhode Island legislators learned yesterday that Gov. Carcieri vetoed the gay funeral rights bill that passed in October.

The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Rhoda Perry and state Rep. David Segal, would have added “domestic partners” to the list of people legally authorized to make funeral, cremation or burial arrangements for their …

Dept. of Justice testimony on ENDA: Pass it now

Thomas E. Perez, head of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, testified before a Senate committee that the Obama Administration supports ENDA.

He said, “The Administration strongly supports fully-inclusive legislation that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.”

Perez thanked Congress for passing the Matthew …

Obama signs HIV/AIDS bill extension; implements lifting of AIDS travel ban

(Washington) President Barack Obama signed an extension of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS bill this morning.

The legislation provides care, treatment and support services to nearly half a million people, most of whom are low-income.

Obama also announced that the Department of Health and Human services has finally crafted a new regulation spelling …

Corvino: The work left to do

Less than a week before the election, polls continue to show close races in both Washington State, where voters may substantially expand domestic-partner legislation, and Maine, where they may rescind marriage-equality. We could win in either state (or both)—but we could lose, too.

Win or lose, there’s one truth this campaign …