News

New Hampshire civil unions bill gets governor's nod

Openly LGBT lawmakers worked hard to pass a bill establishing civil unions in the state.

Missouri abortion measure set aside

http://www.kansascity.com/115/story/74591.html

Paper: Conn. lawmaker changes marriage debate

Bay Windows credits openly lesbian Rep. Beth Bye's testimony for helping to personalize the marriage debate in the Connecticut state legislature this week. 

Directors rushing to make Harvey Milk films

Whose film about Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in the U.S., will make it to production first?  Directors Gus Van Sant and Bryan Singer are both out to make a movie about the San Francisco supervisor who was murdered while in office.

Oregon Rep.: "World will be different"

Oregon state Rep. Tina Kotek hailed the Tuesday passage of domestic partnership and gay-inclusive civil rights bills in the State House.  "The world will be different," Kotek said.  "This is about bringing people in, not shutting them out."

Out Oregon Rep. asks colleagues to support gay rights

Oregon Rep. Tina Kotek, the legislature’s only openly gay member, testified alongside her partner yesterday as the State House took up a Senate-passed measure that would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Dallas mayoral candidate running strong

Dallas City Councilman Ed Oakley , who could become the first openly gay mayor of one of the largest U.S. cities, is among the race's front runners.  

Legislature hears testimony on identity theft bills

http://masspirg.org/MA.asp?id2=32154

Washington Legislature passes domestic partner bill

Today the Washington State Legislature passed a bill creating domestic partnerships for same-sex couples.  The legislation, which was sponsored by Victory endorsee Sen. Ed Murray, marks "a really important first step in providing some first protections for same-sex couples and their families," according to Rep. Jamie Pedersen, another Victory-endorsed official.

Jarrett Barrios helps repeal law banning out-of-state same-sex marriage

http://news.bostonherald.com/localPolitics/view.bg?articleid=192511

Chairman Barney Frank discusses coming out in politics

In part four of an interview on the financial cable channel CNBC, House Financial Services Committee Chairman Rep. Barney Frank discusses coming out in office, the mistakes he made then, and how being open about his sexuality has made him a more effective legislator.

Out state senator advances adoption measure in Colorado

A bill that would permit legal adoptions by same-sex couples has been approved by a key Senate Committee in Colorado.  Out state Sen. Jennifer Veiga said the measure would allow second-parent adoption by gay couples, which is already legal in 21 other states.

Darrell Watson gaining support in Denver council race

Victory endorsee Darrell Watson has picked up broad support in his race to represent District 8 on the Denver City Council.

New Hampshire Democrats elect openly gay party chair

Ray Buckley has become the nation’s first openly gay chair of a state political party after New Hampshire Democrats elected him to lead their party.

Arkansas Rep. Kathy Webb stops anti-gay adoption bill

Rep. Kathy Webb, a Victory-endorsed candidate in 2006, has been instrumental in stopping a bill that would have banned adoption by gay couples in Arkansas.  Webb, the state's first openly gay elected official, lobbied her colleagues on the State House Judicicary Committee to kill the measure, and many groups involved in the fight say her mere presence on the committee and in the House went a long way to stopping the vicously anti-gay measure.

Dallas Mayoral Candidate Could Make History

Dallas City Councilman Ed Oakley is off and running in what could be an historic quest. If elected, the Victory endorsee could become the first openly gay mayor of one of the ten largest U.S. cities.

Scott McCoy fights for gay youth rights

Utah State Senator Scott McCoy is speaking out against a recently-passed law that would effectively eliminate gay-straight alliance clubs in Utah's school system.

Chicago's 'Winning Women' meet

On March 15th, Victory held a "Winning Women" reception, showcasing local lesbian politicians and the important impact they have made as active lawmakers.