WASHINGTON - May 21 - The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund hails the introduction of the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act in the U.S. Congress. This legislation would provide domestic partner benefits for federal employees and their partners. The bill was introduced by U.S. Reps. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.) and U.S. Senators Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Susan Collins (R-ME).

WASHINGTON - May 20 - The Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, released the following statement today from National Field Director Marty Rouse, who is on the ground working in New Hampshire. For the latest updates, please visit: www.HRCBackStory.org.

WASHINGTON - May 6 - The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund issued the following statement after Maine Gov. John Baldacci signed legislation today making Maine the fifth state to grant the freedom to marry to same-sex couples.

Statement by Rea Carey, Executive Director National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund

WASHINGTON - May 5 - The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund applauds the Maine House's passage today of legislation that would extend the freedom to marry to same-sex couples. The vote was 89 to 57. The measure cleared the Senate last week; the bill faces one more vote in that chamber before heading to Gov. John Baldacci.

Statement by Rea Carey, Executive Director National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund

WASHINGTON - April 30 - The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund applauds the Maine Senate's passage today of legislation that would extend the freedom to marry to same-sex couples. The measure advances to the House.

Statement by Rea Carey, Executive Director National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund

WASHINGTON - April 29 - The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund lauds the New Hampshire Senate's passage of a bill extending the freedom to marry to same-sex couples. The Senate passed the legislation today by a vote of 13 to 11; the state House of Representatives previously passed the bill by a vote of 186 to 179. Because the Senate added minor amendments to the bill, it now heads back to the state House for another vote.

The Task Force Action Fund is deeply disappointed, however, in the Senate's failure today to pass the transgender nondiscrimination and hate crimes bill.

WASHINGTON - April 17 - The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force commemorates the 13th annual Day of Silence, sponsored by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN). Thousands of students nationwide are participating in today's Day of Silence to bring attention to name-calling, bullying and harassment many youth encounter daily based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender expression/identity.

Statement by Rea Carey, Executive Director
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force