GAY Politics Report this Week

Much gay and LGBT news for the past week and here are some reports you may find worthy of a read- From the LA Times to the Boston Globe, gay equality and related news abounds-

• Prop 8 case headed to Supreme Court
  The battle over the constitutionality of California’s anti-gay Proposition 8 shifted to the U.S. Supreme Court this week, after a federal appeals court refused to rehear the case. Both a federal district court judge and a 3-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit have said Prop 8 violates the U.S. Constitution. If the Supreme Court decides this fall that it will not hear the case, same-sex couples will once again be allowed to marry in California. Los Angeles Times (tiered subscription model) (6/5), Metro Weekly (Washington, D.C.)/Poliglot blog

• Gay man to become New Mexico’s first out state legislator
  Jacob Candelaria, the former head of Equality New Mexico, won a decisive primary this week for a seat in the New Mexico House and faces no Republican opposition this fall, meaning he will become the state’s first openly LGBT state legislator. Candelaria was endorsed by the Victory Fund, whose president and CEO, Chuck Wolfe, said he was “thrilled for Jacob and for New Mexico.” GayPolitics.com (6/5), Albuquerque Journal (N.M.) (subscription required)
  

• Wis. could decide balance of power in U.S. Senate
  The race to represent Wisconsin in the U.S. Senate took on new significance this week after Gov. Scott Walker won a recall election, boosting the spirits of the state’s Republicans. But independent observers say Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., could win the race if the Democratic base gets fired up, and some add that Walker’s win signals the GOP may nominate a candidate too conservative for November voters. A Baldwin victory could keep the Senate in Democratic hands and give the U.S. its first openly LGBT senator. The Washington Post (6/6), The Wall Street Journal/Washington Wire blog
  

• Another federal judge rules DOMA violates U.S. Constitution
  This week a federal district judge in Manhattan ruled in favor of a woman who was forced to pay $363,053 in estate taxes when her wife died because she did not qualify for a marital exemption. U.S. District Judge Barbara Jones said the federal government’s definition of marriage as outlined in the Defense of Marriage Act “intrude(s) upon the states’ business of regulating domestic relations.” The case is the latest in what one advocate called “an avalanche” of rulings undercutting DOMA. The Boston Globe/The Associated Press 
  

• Boy Scouts will review request to drop gay ban
  A spokesman for the Boy Scouts of America said the organization will review requests to end its policy that excludes openly gay scouts and leaders, but added that it continues to support the current policy. Zach Wahls, an Iowa Eagle Scout who delivered petitions signed by 275,000 users on Change.org to a BSA national meeting, said the announcement is a sign that internal discussions about the issue are taking place. USA TODAY (6/6), MSNBC
• Obama Cabinet secretaries come out for marriage equality
  Four more Cabinet secretaries in the Obama administration have been confirmed as supporting the right of same-sex couples to legally marry. HHS Secretary Kathleen Sibelius, Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and Commerce Secretary John Bryson joined the list of high-ranking executive branch officials to embrace marriage equality. Advocate.com
  

• Progress on tap in Penn.?
  The election of openly gay public officials is one sign that Pennsylvania may be less conservative than its reputation, and may be a harbinger of progress on LGBT equality issues, according to this article. Brian Sims, a Philadelphia attorney, is set to become Pennsylvania’s first openly LGBT state legislator. Washington Blade  

• Report details experiences, needs of transgender seniors
  A report on transgender aging calls for better awareness and training at long-term care facilities, as well as changes in federal programs serving seniors. “Improving the Lives of Transgender Older Adults: Recommendations for Policy and Practice,” was released jointly by Sage (Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders) and the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE). Philadelphia magazine/GPhilly 

• Md. marriage question will be put to voters
  Opponents of marriage equality in Maryland appear to have gathered a sufficient number of signatures to force a question on the issue onto a statewide ballot this November. Votes will be asked whether they want to keep a marriage equality law passed by the state Legislature earlier this year. The Washington Post
  

• Moscow bans pride parades for 100 years
  A court district has upheld a decision by Moscow officials to forbid LGBT pride celebrations through the year 2112. RT.com (Russia)