Gay Rights Gain Upper Hand in Courts

Jokes during amateur's show were discriminatory, says victim

(NEWSER) - A Canadian human rights tribunal has ordered a stand-up comedian to pay a woman $15,700 after he insulted her and her partner at a show. Lorna Pardy says amateur comic Guy Earle discriminated against her based on gender and sexual preference, the Vancouver Sun reports. The owner of the Vancouver restaurant that hosted the 2007 event must pay Pardy an additional $7,900, the tribunal ruled. Earle plans to appeal the decision. More»

It's an issue of 'religious freedom,' say lawyers

(NEWSER) - An association of Catholic bishops is battling a pending regulation that would ban discrimination against anyone based on "sexual orientation or gender identity" in federally funded housing projects. The rules would force some religious groups to compromise their beliefs or quit the housing programs, argued lawyers for the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. "Faith-based organizations should retain the freedom they have always had to make housing placements in a manner consistent with their religious beliefs," said a statement from the lawyers. More»

That it's a big deal shows how much must be done

(NEWSER) - President Obama's decision to give gay partners visitation rights in hospitals and medical power of attorney is generally being hailed in a let's-not-get-carried-away way:

• David Dayen, Firedog Lake : "Hospital visitation is important, and this is a compassionate order. But it’s a small step in the grand scheme of things, one that the president has offered in the past in place of movement on marriage equality or repealing the Defense of Marriage Act."
• John Cole, Balloon Juice : "This puts the power with the patient—where it should be."

GOP's McDonnell excises protection for state workers

(NEWSER) - Gay state workers in Virginia are no longer protected from discrimination after new Republican governor Bob McDonnell excised sexual orientation from the state’s policy. McDonnell’s predecessor, Democrat Tim Kaine, added protection for homosexuals and veterans days after he took office in 2006, Talking Points Memo notes; McDonnell aides say the Feb. 5 executive order prevents all discrimination, but the gay press has nevertheless taken him to task. More»

Conservative attorney has long opposed discrimination

(NEWSER) - Conservative lawyer Ted Olson fought Bush’s side against Gore, loosened government regulations under Reagan, and helped impeach Bill Clinton. So how did the man liberals love to hate end up on their side of the gay marriage fight? Olson, who filed a lawsuit challenging California’s ban on same-sex marriage, tells the New York Times that this case aligns perfectly with the other causes he espouses: It involves "the rights and happiness and equal treatment of millions of people." More»