Author Archives: Tony Infanti

Colorado Civil Unions: Marriage Minus

Did anyone notice that Colorado’s new civil union law purports to create a status that is the legal equivalent of marriage–except that parties to a civil union are prohibited from filing a joint state income tax return? (See § 14-15-117.) … Continue reading

Share
Posted in LGBT Rights | Comments Off on Colorado Civil Unions: Marriage Minus

CFP: Controversies in Tax Law: A Matter of Perspective

Call for contributions to Controversies in Tax Law: A Matter of Perspective (Anthony C. Infanti, editor): The Series The Centre for American Legal Studies at Birmingham City University School of Law in Birmingham, England, has established a “Controversies in …” … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Academia | Comments Off on CFP: Controversies in Tax Law: A Matter of Perspective

More Census Snapshots

Following up on my earlier posts (here, here, here, here, here, here, and here), the Williams Institute has released snapshot reports from the 2010 census this week for Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, and Texas. According to the census, there are 7,004 same-sex couples in Arkansas (or 6.11 … Continue reading

Share
Posted in LGBT Rights | Comments Off on More Census Snapshots

More Census Snapshots

Following up on my earlier posts (here, here, here, here, here, and here), the Williams Institute has released snapshot reports from the 2010 census this week for Illinois, Indiana, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, and Washington. According to the census, there are 32,469 same-sex couples in Illinois (or 6.7 … Continue reading

Share
Posted in LGBT Rights | Comments Off on More Census Snapshots

State College Settles DP Benefits Law Suit

Following up on my earlier post about how the school district in State College, PA (home of Penn State) provided benefits to the domestic partners of its heterosexual, but not its lesbian and gay employees, the school board there has … Continue reading

Share
Posted in LGBT Rights | Comments Off on State College Settles DP Benefits Law Suit

More Census Snapshots

Following up on my earlier posts (here, here, here, here, and here), the Williams Institute has released snapshot reports from the 2010 census this week for Idaho, Missouri, Ohio, Utah, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. According to the census, there are 3,245 same-sex couples in Idaho (or 5.6 … Continue reading

Share
Posted in LGBT Rights | Comments Off on More Census Snapshots

Letting Military Recruiters Back on Campus

Now that the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell has been certified, Vermont Law School has dropped its ban on military recruiters. William Mitchell is also set to drop its own ban on military recruiters. Hat tip: The Advocate. -Tony Infanti

Share
Posted in LGBT Rights | Comments Off on Letting Military Recruiters Back on Campus

More Census Snapshots

Following up on my earlier posts (here, here, here, and here), the Williams Institute has released snapshot reports from the 2010 census this week for Georgia, Maine, New Hampshire, Puerto Rico, Kentucky, and Virginia. According to the census, there are 29,844 same-sex couples in Georgia (or … Continue reading

Share
Posted in LGBT Rights | Comments Off on More Census Snapshots

Drawing Attention to Date Rape Drug Cases

In a column in today’s Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. -Tony Infanti

Share
Posted in Acts of Violence, Feminism and Law | Comments Off on Drawing Attention to Date Rape Drug Cases

More Census Snapshots

Following up on my earlier posts (here, here, and here), the Williams Institute has released snapshot reports from the 2010 census this week for New York, Arizona, Minnesota, Montana, Oklahoma, and Vermont. According to the census, there are 65,303 same-sex couples in New … Continue reading

Share
Posted in LGBT Rights | Comments Off on More Census Snapshots

Rise in Anti-LGBTQ Violence in 2010

The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs has released its 2010 National Report on Anti-LGBTQ Hate Violence. In 2010, NCAVP documented 27 anti-LGBTQ murders, which is the second highest yearly total ever recorded by the organization. For the highlights of the … Continue reading

Share
Posted in LGBT Rights | Comments Off on Rise in Anti-LGBTQ Violence in 2010

No Joint Tax Filing for Same-Sex Couples Who Marry in New York?

UPDATE: The word from Carl is that the Department of Taxation and Finance will permit joint filing by married same-sex couples, without a change in the Tax Law, based on the language in the Marriage Equality Act. Guidance to that effect … Continue reading

Share
Posted in LGBT Rights | 1 Comment

More Census Snapshots

The Williams Institute has issued another round of their census snapshots. This week: Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Nebraska, and North Carolina. And they made my job a lot easier this week by including this table with the snapshots: The female/male ratio … Continue reading

Share
Posted in LGBT Rights | Comments Off on More Census Snapshots

Rhode Island Legislature Passes Flawed Civil Unions Bill

The Rhode Island legislature has passed a civil unions bill and sent it to the state’s governor for his signature. Governor Chafee has indicated that he will sign the bill even though it is opposed by LGBT rights organizations. The opposition … Continue reading

Share
Posted in LGBT Rights | Comments Off on Rhode Island Legislature Passes Flawed Civil Unions Bill

HHS to Begin Collecting LGBT-Related Data

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has announced that HHS is going to begin collecting health data on LGBT populations: “Health disparities have persistent and costly affects for minority communities, and the whole country,” Secretary Sebelius said.  “Today we … Continue reading

Share
Posted in LGBT Rights | Comments Off on HHS to Begin Collecting LGBT-Related Data

Arkansas Obit Update

I posted last week about an Arkansas newspaper that refused to publish the name of a deceased man’s surviving partner unless they were paid $85 (they print the names of surviving spouses for free). In the post, I criticized GLAAD … Continue reading

Share
Posted in LGBT Rights | Comments Off on Arkansas Obit Update

Update: Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed by NY Senate

More details here. The vote is expected to happen this evening. UPDATE: The bill passed by a vote of 33-29 and now goes to Gov. Cuomo for his signature. -Tony Infanti

Share
Posted in Academia | Comments Off on Update: Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed by NY Senate

Cost of Equality

I have written elsewhere about how the costs imposed on same-sex couples to have their relationships recognized can be reconceptualized as a tax on them. The Advocate has another example of such a cost–this one imposed privately but relying on … Continue reading

Share
Posted in LGBT Rights | Comments Off on Cost of Equality

More Census Snapshots

Following up on my post last week, the Williams Institute has released snapshot reports from the 2010 census this week for California, Delaware, Kansas, Pennsylvania, and Wyoming. According to the census, there are 125,516 same-sex couples in California (or 9.98 … Continue reading

Share
Posted in LGBT Rights | Comments Off on More Census Snapshots

List of Employers Who “Gross Up”

I’ve blogged before about employers who “gross up” their LGBT employees to cover the extra taxes that they pay on their domestic partner health insurance coverage. The New York Times has now put together a chart listing the growing number … Continue reading

Share
Posted in LGBT Rights | Comments Off on List of Employers Who “Gross Up”

The More Things Change…

A disturbing piece on gender conformity and anti-LGBT attitudes in sports appeared in the forum section of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette yesterday. The title of the piece is “Ugly Pittsburghers, 1974: What would happen today if a top male athlete came out … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Sports, LGBT Rights | Comments Off on The More Things Change…

UN Human Rights Council Passes Resolution on Gay Rights

From The Advocate: The United Nation’s Human Rights Council has approved for the first time a resolution condemning discrimination and violence against LGBT individuals. In the resolution, passed Friday in Geneva, the council “[expresses] grave concern at acts of violence and … Continue reading

Share
Posted in LGBT Rights | Comments Off on UN Human Rights Council Passes Resolution on Gay Rights

Census and Same-Sex Couples

The Williams Institute has begun releasing snapshot reports from the 2010 census and will continue doing so each week throughout the summer. This week: Hawaii and Alabama. According to the census, there are 4,248 same-sex couples in Hawaii (or 9.33 … Continue reading

Share
Posted in LGBT Rights | Comments Off on Census and Same-Sex Couples

Prop. 8 Motion to Vacate Denied

Chief Judge James Ware of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California has ruled that Judge Vaughn Walker need not have recused himself from the Prop. 8 case because he was in a long-term same-sex relationship. Judge … Continue reading

Share
Posted in LGBT Rights | Comments Off on Prop. 8 Motion to Vacate Denied

Army’s New DADT Web Site

The Army now has a web site relating to Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and its (hopefully imminent) repeal. A few interesting points from the FAQ section: 1. Unrelated to the repeal of DADT, courts have held that consensual sodomy is … Continue reading

Share
Posted in LGBT Rights | 1 Comment

DP Benefits for Different-Sex, but not Same-Sex Partners

What is going on up in State College, PA (home of Penn State University)? The local school district has a benefits policy that covers spouses (which in PA means only different-sex married couples) and the different-sex domestic partners of its … Continue reading

Share
Posted in LGBT Rights | Comments Off on DP Benefits for Different-Sex, but not Same-Sex Partners

Nevada Adopts Trans Protections

The Governor of Nevada has signed a bill banning job discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression. The bill takes effect October 1. The Governor has apparently also promised to sign legislation banning discrimination on the basis of … Continue reading

Share
Posted in LGBT Rights | Comments Off on Nevada Adopts Trans Protections

Tennessee, Open for Discrimination

Yesterday, Tennessee’s Governor signed HB 600 into law. This bill–with the appropriately Orwellian title “Equal Access to Intrastate Commerce Act”–“effectively reverses an ordinance passed by [Nashville] Metro Council that required contractors with the city to agree to follow Metro’s rules … Continue reading

Share
Posted in LGBT Rights | Comments Off on Tennessee, Open for Discrimination

NY Times Coming Out Project

In the face of a society that is still deeply divided over LGBT issues, the New York Times has a new Coming Out project. Here is a description of the project from the accompanying story: The New York Times embarked … Continue reading

Share
Posted in LGBT Rights | Comments Off on NY Times Coming Out Project

Wis. Governor Wants to Stop Defending State DP Registry

Taking a page from the Democratic playbook, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker has asked a court to allow his administration to stop defending the state’s domestic partner registry from a constitutional attack. Here is an excerpt from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel … Continue reading

Share
Posted in LGBT Rights | Comments Off on Wis. Governor Wants to Stop Defending State DP Registry

Delaware Gets Civil Unions

Starting Jan. 1, 2012. For more on the story, click here. -Tony Infanti

Share
Posted in LGBT Rights | Comments Off on Delaware Gets Civil Unions

Gay Rights History at Library of Congress

As part of an exhibition on constitutional history and civil rights protections, the Library of Congress is, for the first time, displaying documents relating to gay rights history. The documents are from “gay rights pioneer Frank Kameny, who was fired … Continue reading

Share
Posted in LGBT Rights | Comments Off on Gay Rights History at Library of Congress

Barbara Lenk Confirmed for Seat on Mass. SJC

Barbara Lenk has won confirmation for a seat on the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. She now becomes the first openly gay or lesbian person to sit on Massachusetts’s highest court. Here is Justice Lenk’s bio from the Massachusetts Appeals Court’s … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Law, LGBT Rights | Comments Off on Barbara Lenk Confirmed for Seat on Mass. SJC

ABA Launches LGBT Antibullying/Antidiscrimination Campaign

The American Bar Association’s Opening Doors Project has launched a new LGBT antibullying/antidiscrimination campaign–“the kids are listening.” Here is a video with a call for people to stand up against hate speech and discrimination that they produced and are encouraging … Continue reading

Share
Posted in LGBT Rights | Comments Off on ABA Launches LGBT Antibullying/Antidiscrimination Campaign

Questioning Judge Walker’s Impartiality

As we warned might happen more than a year ago, the seeds planted by (since confirmed) rumors about Judge Walker’s sexual orientation have now borne fruit. Last week, proponents of Prop. 8 filed a motion to vacate Judge Walker’s judgment … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Academia, LGBT Rights | 1 Comment

PA Marriage Protection Amendment

At a time when our governor’s budget includes 50% cuts in funding for higher education and drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus shale is raising issues about (the lack of) a severance tax and (already occurring) environmental damage, Pennsylvania … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Academia, LGBT Rights | Comments Off on PA Marriage Protection Amendment

Discount for Lesbian Moms

A Brooklyn maternity store that is now giving a 10% discount to lesbian moms has prompted both criticism and now threats. In a one-week period, Paperno [the owner of the store] says she’s fielded five crazed callers — mostly homophobes … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Families, LGBT Rights | Comments Off on Discount for Lesbian Moms

King & Spalding Fired for “Obsequious Act of Weakness”

The notoriously anti-LGBT Attorney General for the State of Virginia has fired King & Spalding in retaliation for its withdrawal from representing the U.S. House of Representatives in defending the constitutionality of the federal DOMA in court: “King & Spalding’s … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Law, LGBT Rights | Comments Off on King & Spalding Fired for “Obsequious Act of Weakness”

DOL Adds Gender Identity and Pregnancy to Nondiscrimination Policy

Here is the press release: US Department of Labor announces renewed commitment to fair treatment and equal opportunity for all of its employees New policy statements prohibit discrimination based on gender identity and pregnancy WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and the Workplace, LGBT Rights, Reproductive Rights | Comments Off on DOL Adds Gender Identity and Pregnancy to Nondiscrimination Policy

Transgender Professor Denied Tenure and Fired

In contrast to the good news for Danne Johnson, a professor at another Oklahoma university has apparently been denied tenure and terminated for being transgender: Despite the complete support of her colleagues and direct superiors within Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s … Continue reading

Share
Posted in LGBT Rights | Comments Off on Transgender Professor Denied Tenure and Fired

Another Pro-LGBT Billboard

Following up on my earlier post today, this billboard in Toledo has also given rise to a mixed reaction: According to a local news report, the Central United Methodist Church hoped that its billboard would generate conversation. And that it … Continue reading

Share
Posted in LGBT Rights | Comments Off on Another Pro-LGBT Billboard

Planned Parenthood Taking Flak for LGBT Outreach

Planned Parenthood of the Southern Finger Lakes, which is an affiliate located in upstate New York, has been taking flak (reports here and here) for this billboard: A local politician objected to this billboard, which is part of the organization’s … Continue reading

Share
Posted in LGBT Rights | 2 Comments

CFP: Critical Perspectives on Tax Policy Workshop

Dorothy Brown, a leading (and always exciting, interesting, and provocative!) voice in critical tax theory, is organizing a critical tax workshop to take place this fall at Emory University. Here is the call for papers that she has begun circulating: … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Call for Papers or Participation | Comments Off on CFP: Critical Perspectives on Tax Policy Workshop

Paul Clement Leaves King & Spalding to Continue Defending DOMA

Following up on my earlier post today, there are now reports that Paul Clement has left King & Spalding so that he can continue to defend DOMA on behalf of the House of Representatives. According to his letter, Clement’s decision … Continue reading

Share
Posted in LGBT Rights | Comments Off on Paul Clement Leaves King & Spalding to Continue Defending DOMA

King & Spalding Withdraw from Defending DOMA

After a week of weltering criticism, King & Spalding has decided to withdraw from defending DOMA on behalf of the U.S. House of Representatives. The reason: the process used for vetting the assignment was “inadequate.” Given the concerns that Katherine … Continue reading

Share
Posted in LGBT Rights | Comments Off on King & Spalding Withdraw from Defending DOMA

ACLU’s “Don’t Filter Me” Project

As part of its “don’t filter me” project, the ACLU of Pennsylvania recently sent a letter to a Philadelphia-area school district demanding that it lift its ban on accessing LGBT content on the internet. But this problem is in no … Continue reading

Share
Posted in LGBT Rights | Comments Off on ACLU’s “Don’t Filter Me” Project

Putting a Price on Discrimination

The Huffington Post has obtained a copy of the agreement retaining the law firm of King & Spalding to step in to defend section 3 of the federal Defense of Marriage Act. (Click here and here for prior posts on … Continue reading

Share
Posted in LGBT Rights | Comments Off on Putting a Price on Discrimination

Arizona–Compassionless Conservatism

Coming on top of its xenophobic racial profiling law and the decision to help balance the state budget by cutting funding for organ transplants, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed into law yesterday S.B. 1188, which gives a specific preference to … Continue reading

Share
Posted in LGBT Rights | Comments Off on Arizona–Compassionless Conservatism

Shh! Today Is the Day of Silence

 For more info from GLSEN (the Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network), click here. -Tony Infanti

Share
Posted in LGBT Rights | Comments Off on Shh! Today Is the Day of Silence

Transmen’s Health Care at Planned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania, which is located in Pittsburgh (where I live and teach), has announced “Extended Clinic Hours for Transgender, FTM, Two-Spirit, Genderqueer, Gender Nonconforming, Butch Women, Queer and Questioning people.” They explain the impetus for the extended … Continue reading

Share
Posted in LGBT Rights | Comments Off on Transmen’s Health Care at Planned Parenthood