Mary Ritchie, a Massachusetts State Police trooper, has been married for almost five years and has two children. But when she files her federal income tax return, she's not allowed to check the "married filing jointly" box. That's because Ritchie and her spouse, Kathleen Bush, are a gay couple, and the federal Defense of Marriage Act makes them ineligible to file joint tax returns. Now Ritchie, Bush and more than a dozen others are suing the federal government, claiming the act discriminates against gay couples and is unconstitutional because it denies them access to federal benefits that other married couples receive, such as pensions and health insurance. Plaintiffs also include Dean Hara, the widower of former U.S. Rep. Gerry Studds, the first openly gay member of the House of Representatives. ...more

March 3, 2009

A new poll shows that a majority of Floridians favor allowing same-sex couples to adopt children but don't favor gay marriage or civil unions. The poll also found support for the Bright Futures scholarship program and for a $1 boost in the cigarette tax. ...more

January 23, 2009

A majority of Floridians believe it's OK for homosexuals to adopt children. ...more

January 22, 2009

Advancing Civil Rights Re: "Denied Equal Rights" (Letter Of The Day, Nov. 7): ...more

November 21, 2008

Floridians voted Tuesday night to amend the state's constitution to prohibit gay marriage. ...more

November 5, 2008

In a brief response to Bill Youngman and anyone considering a yes vote on Amendment Two: Yes, I am a gay man who currently gets no financial or social legal benefits from my union with my partner of 27 years and I am fine with that. But in your defense, Mr. Youngman, the thought of marriage makes me sick and only brings up historically negative connotations such as divorce, spousal mental and physical abuse, drug and alcohol addictions, dead-beat dads, mothers working three jobs or relying on the government to support them. I believe only a very small portion of the gay community wants a home like their friends and neighbors. Yes, judges can overturn current laws, but like California, then Florida residents can vote and decide a less divisive amendment. ...more

October 24, 2008

A fellow Democrat recently urged his constituents to vote "Yes" on amendment two. As usual the reasoning was certain Bible verses stating "man shall not lie with man as with woman" and pro-creation reasoning. These verses have been used by religion to put fear in mankind through history. Early on we learned it is a sure way to ask for donations to fight evil. Facts are, polls show a major majority of Floridians both straight and gay do not want same sex marriage. There are over six separate laws already on the books that prohibit such a marriage license. Now the most important change to Floridians is the next part of this amendment. This amendment goes on to state that any other unions shall be void and not recognized. This will possibly hurt hundreds of thousands of the straights and gays from all age groups. ...more

October 17, 2008

This responds to The Tampa Tribune's Sept. 28 editorial that opposed Amendment 2, the Florida Marriage Protection Amendment. The Tribune's basis for opposing the marriage amendment is contradicted by their own facts and by the Florida Supreme Court. ...more

October 12, 2008

Everyone is encouraged to go on your computer to www.yes2marriage.org to learn the facts about this simple amendment which is nothing new, but preserving something old. Marriage is one man and one woman. God created man and woman and God says marriage is the divine institution. The home is sacred! Marriage is one man and one woman in a covenant relationship that is to last a lifetime; "till death parts the husband and wife." ...more

October 11, 2008

Connecticut's Supreme Court ruled Friday that gay couples have the right to marry, making the state the third behind Massachusetts and California to legalize such unions through the courts. ...more

October 10, 2008