Courts consistently allow flagrant discrimination against LGBT jurors

“I believe that people who are either transsexuals or transvestites — I don’t know what the proper term is — traditionally are more liberal-minded thinking people, tend to associate more with the defendants because, obviously, they have been either ridiculed before or are feeling in a position of being in a microscope all the time and are outcasts which lends themselves to associating more with the defendant.”

Civil rights groups seething over NOM tactics

Civil rights groups this week blasted a confidential memo by the National Organization for Marriage which outlined a strategy of pitting the gay community against the black and Latino communities in order to score points in the group’s efforts to ban marriage rights for same-sex couples.

NOM strategy revealed: Drive a wedge between blacks and gays

The National Organization for Marriage, the nation’s largest lobby against marriage rights for same-sex couples, faced criticism on Tuesday over documents unsealed by a court in Maine outlining a plan to “drive a wedge between gays and blacks” on the issue. LGBT rights groups in Colorado and the nation are calling the strategy hurtful, divisive and cynical.

As marriage equality marches forward, NOM forced to defend its positions

In the wake of the Washington State Legislature’s vote in favor of marriage equality for same-sex couples and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision to overturn California’s Prop 8, which rescinded marriage rights for same-sex couples,

representatives of the National Organization for Marriage were put on the defensive in a number of media appearances.

VIDEO: Al Franken cuts ad supporting marriage equality

Sen. Al Franken, D-Minnesota, lent his likeness to a new video series launched by the Human Rights Campaign called “Americans for Marriage Equality.” Franken is the first member of Congress to appear in a video for the campaign, which supports equal rights for same-sex couples, even as legislators in his home state have put a constitutional measure banning marriage equality on the 2012 ballot. The video was released late last week.

Discriminate against same-sex couples? Hell yes, say churches

Should religious organizations that receive public subsidies and take special tax breaks be allowed to discriminate against couples of the same gender? Yes, declare 39 religious leaders in an open letter (PDF) to “all Americans” released last week.

Archbishop orders priests to oppose or stay silent on gay-marriage

“There ought not be open dissension on this issue,” is the message the Catholic hierarchy is telling priests in Minnesota — “this issue” being same-sex marriage.

Bill to end insider trading by members of Congress is picking up steam

A little-noticed bill by Rep. Tim Walz is gaining national attention this week after CBS’ “60 Minutes” aired an exposé on insider trading by members of Congress. Walz, along with Rep. Louise Slaughter of New York, introduced a bill to make the practice illegal in March.

DOMA repeal passes out of committee

The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced by a party-line vote Thursday legislation that would repeal the federal Defense of Marriage Act.

Bachmann says she would seek federal ban on same-sex marriage

At a speech Monday hosted by the Family Research Council—a conservative Christian organization that the Southern Poverty Law Center has identified as a hate group—U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann said she would defeat socialism, described leading Republican candidates for the White House as “frugal socialists” and accused Pres. Barack Obama of working to “usurp” the U.S. Constitution.