Obama Appoints Transman Shannon Minter To White House Fellowships Post

President Obama today named National Center for Lesbian Rights legal director Shannon Minter to the President's Commission On White House Fellowships.  The White House's press release recounts Minter's many accomplishments:

He has served at NCLR since 1993, first as a National Association of Public Interest Law Fellow and then Senior Staff Attorney. Mr. Minter has lectured and served as an adjunct professor at various universities, including Santa Clara Law School in 2004, the University of California, Berkeley School of Law in 2003, and Stanford Law School in 2001. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Transgender Law and Policy Institute and the Board of Directors of Gender Spectrum. Mr. Minter is a former member of the American Bar Association Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, the Board of Directors of Equality California, and the Advisory Board of the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission. He received Stanford Law School’s National Public Service Award in 2008, the Ford Foundation’s Leadership for a Changing World Award in 2005, and the Equality California Justice Award in 2005. Mr. Minter received a B.A. from University of Texas at Austin and a J.D. from Cornell Law School.

Hit Minter's name in the post labels for the many mentions of his work with the NCLR.

IDAHO: Plaintiffs Oppose State's Demand That SCOTUS Hear Marriage Appeal

The National Center for Lesbian Rights today filed a motion which opposes Idaho Gov. Butch Otter's petition that SCOTUS hear an appeal of his state's same-sex marriage ruling. Equality Case Files has the motion:

The Court has already granted four petitions for writs of certiorari to decide the questions presented in this case. There is no cause to add yet more petitions, especially ones with vehicle problems. Nor should the Court hold these certiorari petitions pending its decision in the marriage cases from the Sixth Circuit. The Court has previously denied petitions for writs of certiorari by state officials seeking to block same-sex couples from marrying and to withhold recognition of such couples’ lawful marriages performed in other States. The Court should do the same here, notwithstanding the pendency of other marriage cases. Two of the respondent-couples have already married (as have many other residents of Idaho) in reliance on the injunction issued by the district court in this case, and their marriages should no longer be subject to the uncertainty created by ongoing litigation. The petitions should be denied.

The NCLR notes that the Ninth Circuit Court has already twice slapped Otter down.

FLORIDA: Activists Urge Bondi To Instruct State Agencies On Marriage Rights

The National Center for Lesbian Rights and Equality Florida today issued a joint letter in which they urge Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to instruct state agencies regarding the rights of married same-sex couples.

Dear Attorney General Bondi: As counsel for the Plaintiffs in Pareto v. Ruvin, we write to request that your office immediately advise all state agencies in Florida that they are required under the orders issued by Judge Zabel on July 25, 2014 and January 5, 2015, and by Judge Hinkle on August 21, 2015 and January 1, 2015 in Brenner v. Scott, to recognize the marriages of same-sex couples. [snip]

As a result of Judge Zabel’s declarations and today’s order lifting the previously entered stay, all agencies of the State of Florida are immediately required to recognize the marriages of same-sex couples entered into in Florida. In addition, because of Judge Hinkle’s preliminary injunction in Brenner, Florida officials must recognize the out-of-state marriages of same-sex couples beginning January 6, 2015.

We urge your office immediately to advise all state agencies of these requirements. We also urge you to issue a public statement making clear that, as of today, the State of Florida will recognize for all purposes the marriages of same-sex couples. Because of urgent circumstances facing same-sex couples in Florida who are expecting babies just days from now, we particularly request that your office instruct the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics to inform health care facilities that, if a child is born to married same-sex parents, both parents are entitled to be listed on the child’s birth certificate. This is a matter of extreme urgency and constitutional imperative, and we urge your office to act expeditiously on this matter.

If anybody runs into any problems, I'd advise contacting Equality Florida at once.

NCLR Celebrates Miami-Dade County

"This is a pivotal moment not just for Miami but for the entire country. Florida is a bellwether state, and I can think of no more encouraging sign as the US Supreme Court prepares to decide whether to resolve this issue for the entire country at its next conference on January 9, and as the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals hears oral arguments in the Texas, Mississippi, and Louisiana marriage cases the same day. This is an incredibly important week for marriage equality, and we are so thrilled that Miami couples are leading the charge." - Shannon Minter, legal director for NCLR, who represented the Miami couples.

Quote Of The Day - Shannon Minter

"Any Florida clerk who refuses to follow the Constitution's command and who withholds marriage licenses from couples once the stay expires is on the wrong side of history and the wrong side of the law.  A discredited memo from a law firm won't provide much protection against the risk of being sued for unconstitutional actions and being held liable for any damages - and attorney fees - incurred by couples as a result of withholding the freedom to marry. There is one Constitution, Florida is one state, and all Floridians are entitled to equal treatment throughout the state." - Shannon Minter, Legal Director for the National Center for Lesbian Rights, via press release.

LIVE VIDEO: Florida Marriage Trial

Liberty Counsel head Mat Staver is speaking at this writing. I must be getting my Florida cases mixed up because I could have sworn that Liberty Counsel was denied the right to be a party to this case. Watch the live stream.

UPDATE: Equality Florida has tweeted that Staver was merely allowed to orally present his amicus brief, which seems strange in itself. Liberty Counsel is NOT a formal party to this case.

UPDATE II: And that's that. Short and sweet. The judge definitely appeared sympathetic to our side. Read the live-tweets from Equality Florida to get some of the play-by-play.

About To Start In Florida...

That's National Center for Lesbian Rights attorney Shannon Minter seated in the red tie. They're about to enter the courtroom as Florida's first marriage equality case opens in Miami. Equality Florida will be live-tweeting the proceedings.

FLORIDA: Former Gov. Charlie Crist Files Pro-Gay Marriage Amicus Brief

Via Equality Florida:

Former Florida Governor Charlie Crist has filed an amicus brief today in support of the marriage equality lawsuit Pareto v. Ruvin, which is set for a hearing on July 2 before Judge Sarah Zabel in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court in Miami. Judge Zabel will hear from attorneys who filed a lawsuit in January on behalf of six same-sex couples and Equality Florida Institute. The lawsuit argues that Florida’s laws barring same-sex couples from marriage violate the United States Constitution by denying them the legal protections and equal dignity that having the freedom to marry provides. In the brief, Crist stated that as a former Governor and Attorney General who previously supported the ban, he is in a unique position to provide the court a perspective on why it is wrong, harmful to Florida and harmful to gay couples and children who are denied the protections only marriage provides. Crist is among the fast growing majority of Floridians, 57% currently, who have come to support full marriage equality.

Also filing pro-gay briefs are the mayors of Orlando and Miami Beach. The lead counsel for the plaintiffs is National Center for Lesbian Rights attorney Shannon Minter. On Wednesday, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi filed a motion to intervene on behalf of the state as Miami-Dade County Clerk Harvey Ruvin is not "actively defending" against the suit. Earlier this month the above-named judge denied the Liberty Counsel's motion to intervene on behalf of three local anti-gay Christian groups.

Read Crist's amicus brief.

Could Florida be next? I think we've got a good shot.

RELATED:  According to poll released this week, Crist is currently tied with Gov. Rick Scott in the 2014 gubernatorial race.

NCLR Joins Utah Marriage Case

Via Equality On Trial:

Noted LGBT legal organization National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) will be joining as co-counsel for the plaintiffs in Kitchen v. Herbert, the challenge to Utah’s same-sex marriage ban. A text entry in the docket for the Tenth Circuit appeal reported the appearance of NCLR attorneys Shannon Minter and Kate Kendell: “Notice of appearance filed by Mr. Shannon Price Minter and Ms. Kathryn Kendell for Laurie Wood, Moudi Sbeity, Kody Partridge, Derek Kitchen, Kate Call and Karen Archer.” The case was filed initially by a Utah firm without assistance from noted LGBT legal groups. Minter confirmed the group’s involvement in the case via email earlier this morning: “[W]e are thrilled to be joining Peggy Tomsic and her team at Magleby|Greenwood P.C. in this historic litigation. The case is especially meaningful to our Executive Director, who grew up in Utah, and whose daughter and her partner were among the hundreds of same-sex couples who recently married there.”

Excellent news.

Shannon Minter On "Ex-Gay" Ruling

"We are disappointed by the ruling but very pleased that the temporary delay in implementing this important law applies only to the three plaintiffs who brought this lawsuit. The judge stressed that he was willing to issue the ruling in part because it is temporary and applies only to three individuals. We are confident that as the case progresses, it will be clear to the court that this law is fundamentally no different than many other laws that regulate health care professionals to protect patients. That is especially important in this case because the harms to minors are so serious, including suicide and severe depression. Every leading medical and mental health organization in the country has rejected these practices and warned that they are not only completely ineffective, but dangerous. California did the right thing by enacting this law, and we are confident the courts will find that it is not only constitutional, but vitally necessary." - Shannon Minter, counsel for the National Center for Lesbian Rights, responding to yesterday's court ruling to temporarily block California's ban on "ex-gay" therapy.

SCOTUS May Not Hear Prop 8

"Given the reasoning of the Ninth Circuit's decision and its focus on the specific circumstances that led to the enactment of Prop 8 in California, it may be a tall order for the supporters of Prop 8 to persuade the Supreme Court to take the case. The Supreme Court normally only accepts cases when different federal appellate courts have reached opposite conclusions on the same legal issues, or where a decision has broad national implications. The Ninth Circuit's California-focused decision presents neither of those circumstances. Unless the Supreme Court breaks with its own tradition and intervenes in the case, it's possible that wedding bells will be ringing in California again before the end of the year." - Shannon Minter, legal counsel for the National Center for Lesbian Rights.

Shannon Minter On The Prop 8 Hearing

"I was concerned by the tenor of many of the justices' questions today. The court has a responsibility to enforce the California Constitution, which gives elected state officials--not private initiative sponsors--the authority to decide whether to appeal a federal court decision invalidating a state law. Both conservative and progressive elected officials have occasionally exercised that discretion in the past by choosing not to expend state resources to defend invalidated measures. Permitting special interest groups to usurp that decision-making authority would dramatically change the current law and take a giant step down the road of turning California into a mobocracy.

"I was disappointed that, with some notable exceptions, too many of the court's questions today did not address the specific legal questions before them, but rather seemed to glorify the initiative process in the abstract and to abdicate a searching examination of the California Constitution in favor of emotional appeals to 'the people.' The initiative process is already frequently misused to target vulnerable groups, due in part to the Court's past reluctance to enforce any meaningful limits on the process, even when those limits are mandated by the California Constitution. I sincerely hope the Court does not compound that mistake by now giving initiative proponents an unprecedented new power to step outside of their proper legislative role and usurp the power that our Constitution gives only to elected state officials in the executive branch." - Shannon Minter, Legal Director, National Center for Lesbian Rights.

40 Activists Walk Into A Room....

Pictured above are the journalists, activists, researchers, allies and bloggers that attended this weekend's Haas Fund-sponsored conference on LGBT youth homelessness, suicide prevention, and immigration equality. All very good people.

UPDATE: Via the Windy City Times, here's everybody's names (from left to right).

Michael Rogers, Eden James, Phil Reese, Andrés Duque, Karen Ocamb, Jeremy Hooper, Jean Albright, Tracy Baim, Ksen Pallegedara, Zack Ford, Joe Mirabella, Carl Siciliano, Chris Geidner, Rod McCullom, Daniel Villarreal, Adam Bink, Chris Johnson, Ed Kennedy, Jerame Davis, Caitlin Ryan, Jason Cianciotto, Bil Browning, Rex Wockner, Elizbeth Plata, Matt Comer, Shannon Minter, Sunni Brydum, Andrew Belonsky, Joe Jervis, Cynthia Laird, Michael Jones, Liza Sabater, Ann Haas, Ed Plata.

Shannon Minter Explains DADT Ruling

"Judge Phillips has not yet entered the judgment. She asked the plaintiffs to submit a proposed order including a permanent injunction by September 16. When she enters the judgment, she can either permit it to take effect immediately, stay it while the decision is on appeal, or temporarily stay it to give the Ninth Circuit an opportunity to rule on whether her decision should be stayed during the appeal. Because this is a facial challenge, not just an as-applied challenge, if the decision is upheld on appeal, it will apply to the whole country and will be the end of Don't Ask, Don't Tell." - National Center for Lesbian Rights attorney Shannon Minter.

SLIDESHOW: Marriage Equality New York's 12th Annual Gala In NYC

Last night Marriage Equality New York staged their 12th annual fundraising gala in NYC, honoring LGBT advocates NY Sen. Jose Peralta, actor B.D. Wong, attorney Shannon Minter, and activist group Queer Rising. The evening was hosted by the ever-effervescent Marti Gould Cummings. I was unable to attend, but JMG staff photographer Dr. Jeff did his usual stellar work on the red carpet for us.

Lots of bold-face names in the photos below, including songstress/comedian Lea DeLaria, MENY head Cathy Marino-Thomas, Village People's Randy Jones, actor Leslie Jordan, Reichen Lekmkuhl, Broadway's Marty Thomas, NYC Councilman Daniel Dromm, NYC Comptroller John Liu, the cast of Hair, civil rights attorney Yetta Kurland, and many more.

April 28th: Marriage Equality NY Gala

The 12th annual Marriage Equality New York gala fundraiser takes place on April 28th in Manhattan. Get tickets here.

The MENY Gala will be recognizing and honoring: Queer Rising, NYS Senator Peralta, Sharron Minter, and BD Wong for their work in moving marriage equality forward in New York State and, in some cases, on the national front. This recognition comes from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and it represents how important this issue is in our everyday lives. There will also be a silent auction put on by MENY PAC (our political action committee is not a 501c3 and donations on the auction are not tax-deductible)

Will Iowa Affect The Prop 8 Decision?

“Today, the Iowa Supreme Court recognized that the constitutional guarantee of equal protection requires that same-sex couples have ‘full access to the institution of civil marriage.’ The ruling makes clear that civil unions or domestic partnerships cannot meet the demands of full constitutional equality.

“We hope the California Supreme Court will uphold the essential principle of equality regardless of political controversy, just as the Iowa Supreme Court has done. The eyes of California and the world are now on the California Supreme Court, which must determine whether equal protection means equal, and whether Californians will continue to share that equality in the freedom to marry.” -Shannon Minter, legal director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights.

Minter was among the pro-marriage equality lawyers who spoke before the California Supreme Court during last month's hearing on Proposition 8.

California Supreme Court To Hear Gay Marriage Suit On March 4th

The California Supreme Court announced today that they will hear arguments over the state's ban on gay marriage on March 4th in San Francisco.

The three-hour hearing will consider a 2004 lawsuit filed on behalf of Equality California, the Our Family Coalition, and 15 same-sex couples denied marriage under the ballot measure approved by voters in 2000. Oral arguments will be presented by Shannon Price Minter of the National Center For Lesbian Rights, with co-counsel provided by the ACLU, Lambda Legal, and two private law firms.

When the lawsuits were first filed in 2004, a San Francisco Superior Court judge ruled that denying all Californians the right to marry was in violation of the state constitution. That ruling was then overturned by the Court of Appeals. Shortly after that, the state Supreme Court agreed to review the suits to consider the constitutional issue. Dozens of California municipalities and counties and more than 250 religious and civil rights organizations have filed friend-of-the-court briefs in support of marriage equality. The Supreme Court usually issues their decision within ninety days of a hearing.

The California legislature defined marriage as between a man and a woman in 1977. It was that legislation that the voters reaffirmed in 2000. Since then, led by Assemblyman Mark Leno (D-SF), the state legislature has twice passed measures that would permit gay couples to marry, most recently in 2007, but Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed both bills, saying that the matter was for the state Supreme Court to decide, which will now finally happen. The March 4th hearing will be carried live on the California Channel.

Even if the Supreme Court rules favorably on the side of marriage equality, conservative and religious groups are already planning a new ballot initiative to write a ban on same-sex marriage into the state constitution and to overturn existing domestic partners laws.

And round and round we go.

It's unclear to me how soon after a favorable ruling that gay couples could marry. Can somebody help clarify this? I suspect that as in Massachusetts, once the dam is broken and the world continue to keep spinning, opponents will have a very tough battle for a new initiative.

HomoQuotable - Shannon Minter

"It is one thing to pass laws that don't cover groups that haven't really organized or come into public consciousness yet -- of course that is going to happen. But it is something else to deliberately cut out another, more politically vulnerable group that is asking to be included and just as much in need of protection just to get your rights more quickly. Seriously, that is not good karma! It does not surprise me that you are hearing from gay people who just want a gay rights law now, and who probably don't feel much kinship or alliance with trans people (which is a bit sad given how interlinked our histories have been). But I bet that many of them would feel differently if they truly understood the whole picture -- that a gay-only bill will actually harm transgender people, that any delay in passing a viable bill that includes everyone likely will not even be that significant in this case, and that other [non-gay] groups have stood by us [gays] even when it meant their own protections were delayed." - Shannon Minter, legal director for the National Center For Lesbian Rights, in an email to Rex Wockner.

Check out Wockner's analysis of the last week of ENDA turmoil. It begins: "If you live under a rock, you may not yet have noticed the meltdown taking place nationally in the "LGBT" rights movement the past few days."
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