First up: Virginia.
Lambda Legal today announced its intent to sue the state of Virginia alongside the American Civil Liberties Union in what will likely be the LGBT organization’s first new federal lawsuit over marriage rights since the U.S. Supreme Court found section 3 of DOMA unconstitutional.
"The end of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act opens a new chapter in our work to ensure same-sex couples and their families across the country are treated with dignity and respect," said Greg Nevins, supervising senior staff attorney in Lambda Legal's Southern Regional Office based in Atlanta.
"We know that many same-sex couples and their families have waited a long time and we are excited to announce that the campaign for the freedom to marry is coming South,” Nevins said.
The corner of 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue in Midtown was taken over by hundreds of gay and queer people basking in victory on Wednesday, June 26, as just one of dozens of Day of Decision rallies taking place across the country. It was beautiful.
We were there to celebrate the Supreme Court's ruling against DOMA and its ruling that the supporters of Prop 8 in California had no standing, leading to legal same-sex marriages starting back up on Friday. And it was beautiful.
The clever signs, the cheers, the smiles, the hugs, the loud honking from supportive motorists passing through the busy intersection — all of it was part of a community coming together for some merry making. And it was beautiful.
A man who was denied employment with the Atlanta Police Department because he is HIV positive will receive a $250,000 settlement from the city.
"We are pleased with this resolution and expect that the city of Atlanta will never let this happen again," said Scott Schoettes, HIV project director for Lambda Legal, the non-profit group that represented the anonymous plaintiff, identified in court records as "Richard Roe."
"People with HIV are working in law enforcement all across this country, and there is no reason their service should not be welcomed and encouraged by the Atlanta Police Department," Schoettes said in a press release announcing the settlement.
The settlement announcement today comes six months after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit sent the case back to the federal district court to resolve unaddressed issues.