The Tokyo High Court has upheld Japan’s ban on same-sex marriage, declaring the current civil law provisions constitutional, a stance unique among high court rulings on the matter. The court reasoned that the traditional marriage system aids in child-rearing and that the Constitution’s freedom of marriage does not extend to same-sex couples, while also expressing concern over the lack of parliamentary progress. This decision contrasts with previous rulings from other Japanese courts that found the lack of legal recognition for same-sex marriage unconstitutional, although these rulings rejected compensation claims. With the plaintiffs planning an appeal, a unified decision from the Supreme Court is anticipated in the coming year.
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The Supreme Court has rejected an appeal by Kim Davis, the former Kentucky county clerk, who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples due to her religious beliefs. Davis’s appeal, which sought to overturn the 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision, drew attention amidst concerns about the court potentially revisiting the landmark ruling. Though Davis argued her religious freedom was violated, the court did not address the larger question of overturning the Obergefell decision, as the court has a conservative majority and Justice Alito, who authored the abortion ruling, indicated he was not pushing for Obergefell to be overturned. The justices dismissed the appeal without comment, leaving the 2015 decision intact.
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The Supreme Court declined to hear the appeal from Kim Davis, the former Kentucky county clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, leaving the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges decision intact. This decision comes amidst concerns from LGBTQ advocates about the conservative court potentially revisiting the 2015 same-sex marriage ruling, especially after the overturning of Roe v. Wade. While the court did not explain its reasoning, the denial of the appeal maintains the constitutional right to same-sex marriage, leading to relief among LGBTQ+ advocates. The case focused on technical questions regarding religious protections, but the primary concern was whether the court would reconsider the Obergefell decision.
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The Supreme Court is currently considering a challenge to the Obergefell v. Hodges decision, stemming from a case brought by Kim Davis, who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. The court is meeting in private to determine if it will hear the appeal, which seeks to overturn the landmark ruling that legalized same-sex marriage. Despite the court’s conservative shift, signals suggest they may not be ready to revisit the issue so soon, considering reliance interests and the principle of stare decisis. However, some believe this is the beginning of a larger challenge to the decision, and LGBTQ advocates remain concerned about the potential for future legal battles.
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The Supreme Court is considering a longshot appeal from Kim Davis, the former Kentucky court clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, potentially calling for a review of the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges ruling. Davis seeks to overturn a lower court order requiring her to pay damages for denying a marriage license, with her lawyers citing Justice Clarence Thomas’s calls to eliminate the same-sex marriage ruling. Justices like Roberts and Alito, who dissented in the original decision, remain on the court, with Justice Barrett suggesting that overturning same-sex marriage might be more complex than the abortion ruling due to reliance on the decision.
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The Supreme Court is poised to consider a challenge from Kim Davis, the former Kentucky county clerk, regarding the legality of same-sex marriage. Davis, who previously defied court orders and was briefly jailed for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, is petitioning the court to overturn the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges ruling. A 2024 Gallup poll indicates that a majority of Americans support same-sex marriage, though partisan divides persist. The Supreme Court will decide whether to hear the case, with a decision expected as early as November 10, potentially setting up a significant moment for LGBTQ+ rights.
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Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Washington, D.C. for the No Kings Rally, a peaceful protest against President Trump’s policies, with numerous other rallies planned across the country. Speakers included prominent figures like Senators Bernie Sanders and Chris Murphy, as well as LGBTQ+ leaders and science educator Bill Nye, addressing the crowd from behind protective barriers. The rally highlighted the fight for democratic integrity, with speakers such as Jay Brown and Shawn Skelly emphasizing the inclusion of LGBTQ+ rights in the larger fight. The event, which remained peaceful, echoed a message of resistance against authoritarianism, emphasizing that no individual is above the Constitution.
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California State Senator Scott Wiener is preparing a congressional run, setting up a potential challenge to Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, who has represented San Francisco since 1987. Wiener, having already filed paperwork and raised significant funds, is expected to formally launch his campaign, focusing on his legislative record and highlighting his work on LGBTQ+ rights. Pelosi, while still an influential figure, faces a challenge reflecting San Francisco’s evolving political landscape. The race will also include Saikat Chakrabarti. The outcome could represent a generational shift in San Francisco’s political future.
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US Supreme Court to examine Colorado’s gay ‘conversion therapy’ ban, and it’s hard not to feel a sense of dread mixed with disbelief. The very idea that a court, especially this one, would even consider overturning a ban on a practice so demonstrably harmful is, frankly, infuriating. It feels like we’re living in a time warp, hurtling backward while the rest of the world hopefully progresses.
The core issue at hand revolves around whether a state, in this case Colorado, has the right to prohibit licensed therapists from providing “conversion therapy” to minors. This isn’t about banning speech; it’s about banning actions, specifically, actions that have been proven to cause significant psychological damage.… Continue reading
Since June, Amtrak Police have arrested nearly 200 people at Penn Station for alleged public lewdness or indecent exposure, prompted by customer complaints and targeting illicit activity in the men’s bathroom. This crackdown has resulted in at least 20 immigrants being taken into ICE custody due to the Amtrak Police Department’s federal status, which requires them to alert ICE if an individual is flagged. Plainclothes officers have been deployed to catch those seeking sexual encounters, leading to arrests based on suspicion of illegal behavior, including prolonged use of urinals, according to reports. While state and city laws restrict NYPD cooperation with ICE, Amtrak, as a federal agency, is obligated to report individuals with ICE detainers.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood