Exclusion of jurors based on sexual orientation prohibited, MA SJC finds
For the first time, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court "made explicit that the state and federal constitutions prohibit the exclusion of individuals from a jury simply because of their sexual orientation," writes...
Maine Judiciary Committee kills bill that would have ensured trans health care for those...
Maine’s Judiciary Committee last week voted 12-0 to kill House Bill 1735, which would have prevented the enforcement, in Maine, of other states’ laws that ban gender-affirming health care for those seeking...
North Brookfield agrees to not block future Pride events as part of lawsuit settlement...
The town of North Brookfield, Mass. has stripped its Select Board of approval power for future events in local parks as part of a settlement in a recent lawsuit filed by the...
Gov. Healey’s ‘Hero Act’ would allow IVF for veterans in same-sex marriages
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey's administration has filed new legislation that would allow thousands of military veterans in same-sex marriages to receive in vitro fertilization therapy, which the federal Veterans Administration does not...
Connecticut Parenting Act sails through state’s house and senate
The Connecticut Parentage Act — a bill that would extend parenting rights to all couples regardless of their gender, sexual orientation or marital status — sailed through the...
GLAD announces appointment of new chief legal strategist, Michael Johnson
After a year-long search, Boston-based GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) announced they have appointed Michael Johnson to be their new chief legal strategist.
“Michael brings to GLAD...
GLAD Legal Briefs: Urgent action needed for LGBTQ youth in the MA child welfare...
There is increasing understanding among those who advocate for children that structural biases embedded in the child welfare system hurt youth and families, and that these harms fall...
ME parent files federal suit over middle school not disclosing child’s gender ID
Despite a state privacy statute and federal law protecting students' privacy, the mother of a middle school student in New Castle, Maine has filed a federal lawsuit against her 13-year-old child's school...
LGBTQ families, advocates call on legislature to pass MA Parentage Act
Despite rain and chilly weather, LGBTQ families, advocates and allies kicked off Pride month on June 1 with the Rally for Massachusetts Families outside the State House, calling on the legislature to...
GLAD welcomes three new board members with expertise to meet unprecedented challenges
Facing unprecedented anti-LGBTQ attacks to our community, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) has appointed three new legal experts and advocates to their board of directors to help meet the challenges of...
