Maine Pride

Several representatives from GLAD attended the Southern Maine Pride festival in Portland, Maine on June 16^th. We distributed information and fliers, and spoke with members of the Maine LGBT community who were interested to learn more about GLAD and our work.

The festival was a really wonderful event, featuring performances, tables with information and educational presentations. Many people were excited about the results of the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention, as well as the recent inclusion of LGBT domestic partnerships in the Family Medical Leave Act in Maine, and many had questions about GLAD recent legal developments.

This year, Southern Maine Pride had the largest attendance in the history of the event, and it was really encouraging and exciting to see people from around the state coming together to learn and celebrate.

One Step Closer

Janet Jenkins last Friday came one step closer to seeing her daughter again.

In dissolving the Vermont civil union between Janet and her ex-spouse, Lisa Miller, a Vermont Family Court judge ordered regular parent-child contact between Janet and her daughter, Isabella. Her first visit could be as soon as June 30.

The court's order is the latest development in GLAD's case Miller-Jenkins v. Miller-Jenkins, which you can read about here.

Equality Prevails!

The Massachusetts legislature voted just moments ago to defeat an anti-gay, anti-marriage equality amendment, 151 - 45.

Equality prevails in Massachusetts!

It is so nice when people do the right thing. Thank you.

You Should Be At the State House

If you're in Massachusetts, you should be at the State House today, demonstrating your support for equality.

That's where we are.

If you're not in Massachusetts, check back later for news on what happened, or watch the proceedings online, starting at 1pm.

Support Equality June 14

Tomorrow, June 14, the Massachusetts legislature meets to vote on an anti-gay marriage ballot amendment. Despite the fact that a vast majority of legislators oppose the amendment (which would define marriage as being between a man and a woman exclusively, thus stripping rights from lesbian and gay citizens), the amendment needs only 50 yes votes tomorrow to move onto the general ballot in November, 2008.

GLAD will be at the MA State House tomorrow (and has been working for months, along with many other committed, pro-equality organizations, legislators, and citizens) to encourage the legislature to do the the right thing and oppose the amendment. It's wrong to vote on anyone's civil rights.

If you're in Massachusetts and can get to the State House, please join us there. People will be gathering as early as 7am, and the Constitutional Convention starts at 1pm. We need a strong turnout throughout the day to demonstrate Massachusetts' overwhelming commitment to equality.

If you can't make it, visit MassEquality's website to find out what you can do. You can also watch the proceedings online.

New Hampshire Civil Unions: Feedback, Workshop, Radio

When the New Hampshire legislature recently passed a civil union law, they created an opportunity for lesbian and gay couples in the state to receive some of the rights and protections available to heterosexual married couples. However, in not granting full marriage equality, they created some complicated and potentially confusing legal issues for lesbian and gay couples to navigate.

To help New Hampshire couples understand the legal considerations facing them when civil unions become available on January 1, 2008, GLAD is offering a publication, New Hampshire Civil Unions, and, on July 12, a workshop, Civil Union Tips and Traps.

We'd love to hear from New Hampshire citizens on the specific questions you have about the new civil union law.

You can also tune in to New Hampshire Public Radio today at 6:30pm to hear GLAD Attorney Michele Granda discuss civil unions on "The Front Porch."

Pride 2007

The GLAD contingent marches by the State House during Saturday's Pride Parade. We'll be back at the State House on Thursday to show our support for equal marriage. Join us!

See more photos.