In Georgia, the state ACLU, Lambda Legal, and a local law firm filed suit against that state's attempt to change their constitution by way of a referendum on the Nov. 2 ballot, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. As in other states, the challengers say the referendum is invalid because it addresses more than one issue. The groups say the referendum would affect marriage, civil unions, and court jurisdiction.
Openly gay former Wilton Manors, Fla., mayor Jim Stork stepped down from his campaign for U.S. representative for the Mid-Broward County area of Florida, reports the Sun-Sentinel. The Democratic Party had high hopes to overtake the 12-term Republican Congressman Clay Shaw until Stork withdrew for health reasons. Stork raised more than $1 million to fight Shaw.
Gay couples married in New Paltz, N.Y., are still married—for now, reports AP. State supreme court justice Michael Kavanagh refused to invalidate the marriages while maintaining the ban on new marriages. Kavanagh said a suit filed by the Liberty Counsel failed to name specific couples, allowing them a chance to defend himself or herself.
A federal judge delayed ruling on the California case of free speech versus hate speech, reports the L.A. Times. In response to students participating in the Day of Silence, Tyler Chase Harper, 16, wore a T-shirt to school saying homosexuality is shameful. School officials asked Harper to remove the shirt because they say it contained hate speech. Harper's parents are asked the judge to allow the boy to wear the shirt to school.
Gender identity may be an acceptable reason for seeking asylum in the U.S., reports AP. A federal appeals court ruled Luis Reyes-Reyes, who was kidnapped and raped at 13 before he fled El Salvador, should have another chance to argue his asylum case. Reyes-Reyes fled El Salvador at 17 because of the harassment he suffered for his 'female behaviors.' If Reyes-Reyes can convince immigration officials that the same environment exists today, he may be allowed to stay here.
Democratic politicians in Massachusetts suffered in the state primary. MassEquality targeted Democratic incumbents who backed the failed state constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. Eight-term incumbent Rep. Vincent Ciampa supported the ban and lost to gay newcomer Carl Sciortino, 26.
If you are a gay adoptive parent, you may not have parental rights if you travel to or live in Oklahoma, according to opponents of an existing adoption law. WHDH-TV reports that three gay couples filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Oklahoma law that prohibits the state from recognizing adoptions performed in other states and countries if the parents are gay.