Statement by NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell, Esq. (San Francisco, CA, June 29, 2011)—Today, the Rhode Island legislature approved a bill that would permit same-sex couples to enter into civil unions in the state. Unlike similar legislation passed in other states, however, the Rhode Island bill creates a sweeping exemption that would permit individuals and organizations, such as hospitals, schools and adoption agencies, to completely disregard the validity of a civil union because of...
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civil unions
Statement by NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell, Esq. (San Francisco, CA, April 14, 2011)—Today, the Delaware General Assembly passed a bill to establish a system of civil unions—available to both same-sex and different-sex couples—that grants partners in civil unions virtually all of the rights, benefits, and obligations granted to married couples in that state. Today’s 26 to 15 vote by the Delaware House of Representatives sends the bill to Governor Jack Markell, who has indicated he will...
A statement from Executive Director Kate Kendell (San Francisco, CA, July 6, 2010)—Today, the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) condemned Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle’s veto of a bill that would have allowed both same-sex and different-sex couples in Hawaii to protect their families by entering into civil unions. A statement from NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell: “Governor Lingle has demonstrated a shocking disregard for the well-being of Hawaii families. The civil-union bill...
A Statement from NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell (Washington, D.C., April 15, 2010) — Today President Barack Obama ordered the Department of Health and Human Services to prohibit discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in hospital visitation. The new rule will grant hospital visitation rights to same-sex partners, and making it easier for LGBTQ people to make medical decisions on behalf of their partners. A statement from Kate Kendell, Executive...
Business pledges family memberships to married same-sex couples after meeting with Equality Florida (St. Petersburg, Florida, July 23, 2009) — Yesterday, famed auto club AAA South, the fourth largest AAA affiliate in the country, committed to recognizing all spouses, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, in company policies and services. The policy now allows married same-sex couples to receive spousal discounts under AAA’s Associate Membership program. The National Center for Lesbian...
Jennifer Tobits and Sarah Ellyn Farley married in Toronto in 2006. Two weeks after their wedding, Ellyn was diagnosed with cancer. The Chicago couple fought the disease together for their entire marriage, until Ellyn passed away in September 2010. Because Ellyn’s parents had never accepted her marriage to Jennifer, they feared that Ellyn’s parents would make legal claims to their property and generally attack Jennifer’s status as Ellyn’s spouse. Shortly after...