Gay Servicemembers Challenge DOMA in Federal Court

A group of gay and lesbian servicemembers filed a lawsuit challenging the federal Defense of Marriage Act in federal court in Boston on Thursday, Oct. 27.

The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network and Chadbourne and Parke held a press conference with the six active duty servicemembers and two veterans at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. The plaintiffs argue that DOMA forces the military to deny their spouses access to bases, burial rights at national cemeteries and other benefits that heterosexual servicemembers' spouses automatically receive.

"The case we are bringing today is about one thing, plain and simple: It’s about justice for gay and lesbian servicemembers and their families," said Aubrey Sarvis, executive director of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. "These couples are in long-term, committed and legally recognized marriages and the military shouldn’t be forced to turn their back on them because the federal government refuses to recognize their families."

The repeal of the Pentagon's ban on openly gay and lesbian servicemembers became official on Sept. 20.

The Obama administration announced earlier this year that it would no longer defend DOMA in federal court, but House Republicans continue to back the Clinton-era law. The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to begin debate on a DOMA repeal bill on Nov. 3.

Another Boston snowmance of sorts

My latest trip to Boston did not feature a blizzard-induced transportation meltdown, but the deep snow pack certainly reminded me why I should have stayed in Chile.

Here are some pictures I took around Boston on Sunday, Jan. 30.



The Back Bay skyline from Arlington Street.



Arlington Street along the edge of Bay Village.



Melrose Street in Bay Village.



Near the intersection of Stuart Street and Columbus Avenue.



Along Newbury Street.



Along Newbury Street.

Snowpocalypse spawns South Station chaos

I truly never thought I would see the day when a woman would threaten to pull a knife on someone at the South Station bus terminal, but this scene played itself out earlier this morning in front of the Fung Wah booth.

I am scheduled to take a 3:20 p.m. Amtrak train to Washington, D.C., this afternoon, but this snowpocalypse that has paralyzed travel along the Northeast coast has certainly worn out its welcome. Here are some parting shots of the storm from Boston yesterday afternoon as it finally began to pull away. And nobody threatened to stab me while I took these pictures and shot this clip!



Columbus Avenue in the South End around 12:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 27.



A sign of the season in downtown Boston.



Approaching Quincy Market.



Boston Harbor near Long Wharf.



Walking away from the Back Bay T station on the Southwest Corridor.



On the Southwest Corridor.

Snowpocalypse from the South End

While the South End slowly begins to dig out, the blizzard that has buried Boston under more than a foot of snow continues to rage.

A storm surge flooded several towns along the Massachusetts coast earlier this morning--and a fire continues to rage through an oceanfront neighborhood in Scituate that remains under several feet of water. Paul and I just dug out his car along West Canton Street here in Boston. And we saw at least three people with shovels walking through the neighborhood. It will certainly prove a lucrative day for them!



West Canton Street in Boston's South End.



Slowly digging out...



West Canton Street in Boston's South End.



WCVB's coverage of the storm.

Snowpocalypse slams Boston

I will probably remain here in Boston through Tuesday morning, but the blizzard has certainly made its presence known.

Here are some video clips and pictures I shot a few hours ago in the South End and around the Prudential Center.







Snow obscures the Hancock Tower.



Huntington Avenue from a Prudential Center sky walk.



Snow obscures the Prudential Center tower.



No deliveries at Shaw's today.

Another snowpocalypse hits Northeast

The latest snowpocalypse that has already paralyzed travel throughout the Northeast has caused this writer to become something of a snow refugee in Boston's South End.

Meteorologists here in Boston have predicted the storm will dump nearly two feet of snow on the Hub by tomorrow afternoon. Eastern Massachusetts is also expected to experience storm force winds later tonight.

New Englanders are a particularly hardy breed, but the warm Starbucks in which I am currently typing this blog provides the perfect vantage point to capture the storm as it begins to barrel down on Boston. Here is a clip and three videos I shot about 30 minutes ago.





Leaving South Station after Fung Wah canceled their service to New York City.



Hanging out at Starbucks on the corner of Tremont and West Canton Streets in Boston's South End.



A winter wonderland outside Starbucks in the South End.

Winter in the Northeast

As the majority of the country continues to shiver under an Arctic air mass, perhaps it is appropriate to remind those who live in warmer climes they are indeed fortunate. Here are two videos from Boston and New Hampshire I shot over the weekend.



Snow covered roads greeted Paul and I as we drove through Manchester, New Hampshire, on Jan. 2.




Walking through Boston's South End on Jan. 2 after a quick trip to the supermarket.

Back in the 11237

I have finally returned to the 11237 (my neighborhood for those who don't know Brooklyn zip codes) after nearly a week in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and a lot has happened both here in New York and around the country.

Perhaps most importantly, Gov. David Paterson announced last Thursday he plans to introduce legislation to extend marriage to same-sex couples. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn were among those who joined the governor at the announcement. It remains unclear as to whether the bill has enough votes--especially in the state Senate--to pass, but state Sen. Ruben Diaz, Sr., (D-Bronx) and even former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani are among those who have spoken out against it...

In other news, lawmakers in New Hampshire heard testimony on Wednesday from proponents and opponents of a bill to extend marriage to gays and lesbians in the state. This proposed legislation, which comes on the heels of the passage of a bill that would add gender identity and expression to the state's anti-discrimination laws, is the latest indication my home state continues to grow more and more progressive. This is arguably something of which every Granite Stater can be proud...

A disturbing story to emerge from Boston and Rhode Island late last week is the so-called Craigslist killer who killed a woman in a Back Bay hotel and attempted to rob two others. The details of this story are almost certainly tailor made for the Post and other tabloids, but this killer has certainly succeeded in generating perhaps unwanted attention for those who advertise their services on the popular site and the people who utilize them...

This week promises more of the same, so stay tuned!

A Pink Outing in the Hub

Marriage for same-sex couples has been legal in Massachusetts since May 2004. Thousands of gays and lesbians have exchanged nuptials in the Commonwealth despite former Gov. Mitt Romney and other vocal activists who have unsuccessfully attempted to block them through proposed Constitutional amendments, legislative lobbying and even fire and brimstone speeches and rallies on Beacon Hill. My aunt, who lives in the tony South Shore suburb of Milton, is not among these figures. She professed her support for these marriages as she waited for one of her customers to return from the dressing room inside Sachs Fifth Avenue in the Prudential Center.

My aunt epitomizes the over-caffeinated woman in her early 50s who says what she wants with no apologies: In other words she's simply fabulous! Most of her co-workers at Sachs are rather obviously gay. She's friendly with them and made sure I knew which ones were gay as we chatted during my surprise visit earlier today. My aunt's unprovoked support of marriage for gays and lesbians frankly caught me off guard. I have never told her that I am gay. I did mention during our conversation today that I reported the first marriages outside Cambridge City Hall after the Goodridge decision took effect. My confession prompted her quick response before she walked me around the floor to introduce me to her fellow co-workers. National Coming Out Day was yesterday but the conversation with my aunt on marriage, which lasted less than 30 seconds, heralded one of my last 'coming outs' with my own family. It was a great outing in the Hub indeed!

Greetings from a Gloomy Boston

Today marks the first day of my annual October swing through New England. I'm working out of my friend's apartment in the South End of Boston. It's a typical cool and drizzly October morning outside. The leaves have begun to change slowly but surely despite the recent warm weather.

The last few days have been quite busy for the movement for LGBT rights. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act debate continues to rage with almost daily updates from the National Center for Transgender Equality and opposing statements from Congressman Barney Frank [D-Mass.]. Equality Alabama board member Howard Bayless won his bid to secure a seat on the Birmingham Board of Education. Khadijah Farmer, a New York lesbian who was thrown out of a popular West Village restaurant, appeared on "Today" this morning with lawyer Michael Silverman of the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund. And Connecticut activists are eagerly awaiting their state's Supreme Court ruling on a lawsuit seeking marriage for same-sex couples. Journalists (and bloggers alike) will certainly remain busy over the next several weeks!