This Week in Lesbian News…

Pro-equality laws went into effect in D.C. and Mexico City last week and a bill that would repeal the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy was introduced in the U.S. Senate. It’s all that and more in a week of lesbian news…

D.C. Law Permitting Same-Sex Marriages Takes Effect. The nation’s capital became the sixth U.S. jurisdiction to permit same-sex couples to marry on Wednesday (3/3/10). “This law is an important step towards equal dignity, equal respect and equal rights for all residents of our nation’s capital,” said Human Rights Campaign (HRC) President Joe Solmonese in a press release issued by his organization.  “Starting today, same-sex couples in D.C. will be able to enjoy all the rights and responsibilities that come with civil marriage.  At the same time, the law also preserves the right of clergy and congregations to adhere to their faith traditions.  Today represents a hard-fought victory for D.C. residents and a poignant reminder – here in the home of our federal government and most cherished national monuments  – of the historic progress being made towards ensuring equality for all across the nation.” As same-sex couples began applying for marriage licenses, however, groups began demonstrating in opposition to the new law but found themselves being outdone by pro-LGBT clergy at the D.C. courthouse. Activists and supportive clergy joined together outside of the courthouse to sing “This Little Light of Mine” to drown out anti-gay protesters. Video can be found on the HRC blog at HRCBackstory.org.

Gay Marriage and Adoption in Mexico City Begins. Thursday (3/4/10) was the first day that same-sex couples were able to marry and adopt in Mexico City. http://www.cherrygrrl.com/mexico-city-passes-marriage-equality/ Mexico City became the first Latin American city to pass a marriage equality bill in December 2009. However, despite this milestone, activists in pro-LGBT groups in Mexico worry that the new law will be challenged.

Bill That Would Repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Introduced. On Wednesday (3/3/10), Senator Joseph Lieberman introduced the Military Readiness Enhancement Act of 2010 in the U.S. Senate. The bill would repeal the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) law, which prohibits lesbians and gays from serving openly in the U.S. Armed Forces.  Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA), an Iraq War veteran and a former paratrooper in the U.S. Army’s elite 82nd Airborne Division, is the lead sponsor of similar legislation in the U.S House of Representatives. As the HRC pointed out in their press release in response to the news, “Military leaders, including Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen, recognize that DADT is a failed law and support its repeal.  Former Vice President and Defense Secretary Dick Cheney also recently came out for repeal by stating, ‘When the chiefs come forward and say, ‘We think we can do it,’ then it strikes me as it’s time to reconsider the policy, and I think Adm. Mullen said that.’ Moreover, former supports of the law, such as General Colin Powell, former Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and General John M. Shalikashvili, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, have all indicated their support for repealing DADT as well.”

Openly Gay Speaker Sworn In. State lawmaker John Perez was sworn in as the speaker of the California assembly on Monday (3/1/10). Perez became the first openly gay man to lead either house of the California Legislature.

Update From Uganda. The HRC reported last week that activists protesting the Ugandan anti-homosexuality bill have now collected over 500,000 signatures demanding that the bill be rejected. The petition was delivered to the parliament on Monday (3/1/10) and lawmakers are expected to debate the bill later this month.