Senator Gillibrand Introduces Bill to De-Fund Don't Ask Don't Tell

A bill that would withhold the cost of implementing the “don't ask, don't tell” policy is expected to be announced tonight by New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand at a gay fundraiser, the New York Times reported. Gillibrand is the keynote speaker at the Human Rights Campaign's (HRC) ninth annual greater New York fundraiser in Manhattan. HRC, the nation's largest gay rights advocate, recently endorsed Gillibrand's 2010 candidacy.

The bill seeks to deny funding to the military for the costs of implementing the policy that bans gay troops from serving openly in Armed Forces. Gillibrand is expected to introduce her proposal as an amendment to the federal budget.

The policy has come under heavy scrutiny since President Obama called for an end to the law during his first State of the Union address. On Tuesday, the Pentagon's top brass – Admiral Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Defense Secretary Robert Gates – told a key Senate panel considering the issue that the military should end the policy.

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NY: Possible Ousting of Anti Gay Marriage Queens Senator

A special New York Senate committee is likely to recommend that his fellow Senators consider ousting state Sen. Hiram Monserrate for beating up his domestic partner. You may remember, Monserrate, a Queens Democrat, was convicted in October of misdemeanor assault, and was sentenced to 3 years probation, ordered to serve 250 hours of community service and undergo a year’s worth of counseling for jealousy and anger issues, for slashing his live in girlfriend, Karla Giraldo, in the face with a broken glass last year after dragging her across the lobby of his apartment building. You may also remember Monserrate joined Republican senators last month to “defend traditional marriage” and vote against marriage equality legislation for New York State. Full Story from Lez Get Real: http://lezgetreal.com/?p=24354

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Uniting American Families Act Gets New Sponsor - Specter

Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee (and formerly that committee’s Republican Chairman), has signed on as a cosponsor of the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA). At last June’s Senate Judiciary Committee UAFA hearing, Specter expressed strong support for ending discrimination against gay and lesbian Americans and their families in immigration law. Immigration Equality applauds Senator Specter for his support for LGBT binational families. Eight of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s twelve Democrats are now cosponsors of UAFA. A ninth, Senator Ted Kaufman of Delaware, recently publicly stated his support for equal immigration rights for LGBT families. Full Story from SDGLN.com: http://sdgln.com/causes/2009/11/19/uafa-gains-influential-new-cosponsor

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Senator Schumer: We Must Not Rest Until Gay Marriage Legalized Nationwide

Senator Charles Schumer told gay marriage supporters last week that we "must not rest" until it is legalized in all 50 states. The third ranking member of the Senate made these comments as Maine prepares for Tuesday's vote to decide the future of marriage equality in their state. If Proposition 1 passes it will overturn a new state law that legalized same-sex marriage in Maine. But if it fails it will be the first time that any state approves gay marriage through a state-wide vote. "Ten years ago, many thought that civil unions were about the best we could hope for. But the time for marriage has come," Schumer, speaking at the Empire State Pride Agenda dinner, said. "I call on all of my colleagues -- Democrat and Republican, in the Congress, in the state senate, in the state legislature, to support full marriage equality now.... Equality should know no bounds, and we must not rest until we have [gay] marriage in all 50 of these United States." Full Story from Gay Socialites: http://gaysocialites.com/2009/10/senator_chuck_schumer_says_we_1.html

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Senator Arlen Spector Changes His Mind on Gay Marriage

Arlen Specter, the Democrat senator for Pennsylvania, has changed his mind on the issue of gay marriage. In 1996, he voted for the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which prohibits the federal government from recognising gay marriage. In 2006, he voted for a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage in his state. But writing in the Huffington Post this week, Specter said it was time to repeal DOMA and allow states to decide for themselves.  He wrote: “Enacted 13 years ago when the idea of same sex marriage was struggling for acceptance, the Act is a relic of a more tradition-bound time and culture. Full Story from : http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/28/pennsylvania-senator-changes-mind-on-gay-marriage/

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Senate Leader Harry Reid Says Mormon Church Should Stay Out of Gay Marriage Fight

In a meeting with gay-rights activists last week, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid criticized the LDS Church for backing a ballot measure banning same-sex marriage in California, saying the leaders of his faith should have stayed out of the contentious political fight. Reid, a Democrat from Nevada, is the highest ranking elected official who is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He previously has not commented on the flood of Mormon money and volunteers who helped propel Proposition 8 to victory in November. But three organizers of the past weekend's National Equality March said Reid brought up the topic during a conversation in his office. "He said that he thought it was a waste of church resources and good will," said Derek Washington, a Nevadan who worked as the outreach director for the march. "He said he didn't think it was appropriate." Full Story from The Salt Lake Tribune: http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_13546968

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