News :: Legal

Appeals court rules for gay man in pension case

Appeals court rules for gay man in pension case

  • by Meg Elison
  • May 22, 2019

In a reversal of a lower court decision, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals awarded spousal survivor benefits to a gay widower whose spouse worked for years at a San Francisco television station.

Gay Pittsburg man sues city for seizing property

Gay Pittsburg man sues city for seizing property

  • by Meg Elison
  • May 8, 2019

Pittsburg resident Larry R. Reasoner is suing the East Bay city and several officials over a recent incident in which he alleges he was involuntarily committed while his home and belongings were confiscated and — in many cases — destroyed.

Palo Alto resident alleges harassment, assault by cops

Palo Alto resident alleges harassment, assault by cops

  • by Meg Elison
  • May 8, 2019

Gustavo Alvarez had had enough, according to his lawsuit filed last month in federal court, following a pattern of what Alvarez described as ongoing harassment from the Palo Alto Police Department because he is a gay Latinx man.

Herrera sues Trump administration over HHS rule

Herrera sues Trump administration over HHS rule

  • by Cynthia Laird
  • May 2, 2019

City Attorney Dennis Herrera files suit against Trump administration over new HHS rule that would allow health care staff to refuse to provide medical treatment to people, even in emergencies.

Supreme Court will hear 3 LGBT cases

Supreme Court will hear 3 LGBT cases

  • by Lisa Keen
  • Apr 22, 2019

In what one legal expert called an "aggressive move," the U.S. Supreme Court announced Monday that it will take up the issue of whether existing federal law prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in the workplace.

Supreme Court denies appeal for gay man on death row

Supreme Court denies appeal for gay man on death row

  • by Lisa Keen
  • Apr 17, 2019

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday refused to hear an appeal from a man on death row who said anti-gay bias motivated his jury's decision to give him the death penalty.

Trans military ban goes into effect

Trans military ban goes into effect

  • by Lisa Keen
  • Apr 17, 2019

President Donald Trump's impulsive Twitter post two years ago, saying the military should ban transgender people, became reality last Friday.

Online Extra: Political Notes: Lambda Legal interim ED steadies LGBT agency

Online Extra: Political Notes: Lambda Legal interim ED steadies LGBT agency

  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Mar 25, 2019

Interim leader of Lambda Legal provides steady hand for the national LGBT law agency following years of internal strife.

US Supreme Court will not hear appeal in bed and breakfast case

US Supreme Court will not hear appeal in bed and breakfast case

  • by Lisa Keen
  • Mar 19, 2019

The U.S. Supreme Court said Monday (March 18) that it would not hear an appeal from the owner of a bed and breakfast in Hawaii who refused to accommodate a same-sex couple.

LGBT legal groups ask high court to hold off on trans military cases

LGBT legal groups ask high court to hold off on trans military cases

  • by Lisa Keen
  • Jan 2, 2019

LGBT legal groups told the U.S. Supreme Court last week that it is simply too soon for the court to become involved in litigation over President Donald Trump's proposed ban on transgender people in the military.

Supreme Court justices to decide whether to hear 3 LGBT cases

Supreme Court justices to decide whether to hear 3 LGBT cases

  • by Lisa Keen
  • Nov 20, 2018

Three big LGBT cases will be part of a private discussion at the U.S. Supreme Court next Friday, November 30, when the justices meet to conference about what appeals to hear in the coming months.

Kavanaugh confirmation means legal activists will likely change strategies

Kavanaugh confirmation means legal activists will likely change strategies

  • by Lisa Keen
  • Oct 8, 2018

A new era in the U.S. Supreme Court's history began Saturday afternoon, October 6, when the Senate voted 50-48 to confirm the nomination of a federal judge who is expected to provide a fifth and majority vote against equal rights for LGBT people.

Gay judge to preside over San Mateo courts

Gay judge to preside over San Mateo courts

  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Sep 19, 2018

Judge Jonathan Karesh is set to become the second LGBT judge to preside over the San Mateo County Superior Court when he begins a two-year term in the leadership position in January.

LGBT groups call for delay in Kavanaugh vote

LGBT groups call for delay in Kavanaugh vote

  • by Lisa Keen
  • Sep 19, 2018

LGBT groups have been among those calling for the Senate Judiciary Committee to delay its vote on the confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court.