NewsWrap for the week ending October 20, 2012

SUMMARY

DOMA in a Coma - A second U.S. federal appeals court declares the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) a violation of the Constitution's equal protection provisions, and also becomes the first federal court to declare that laws that discriminate against same-gender couples should be judged with "heightened scrutiny" …

Funeral Expenses - the GOP-controlled House of Representatives approaches the $1.5 million spending cap members authorized to defend DOMA after the Obama administration decided to stop doing so …

Fear Factor - growing opposition to the French government's promise to introduce a civil marriage equality bill in Parliament on October 31st may have contributed to this week's announcement that debate would not begin until at least November 7th …

Parental Objections - Belfast judge declares that Northern Ireland's adoption laws discriminate against unmarried heterosexual and same-gender couples …

Good For the Goose - an appeals court in Sweden rules that accusations of rape can be lodged against a suspect regardless of the gender identity of the victim …

Two-Spirit Tragedies - a report issued this week reveals alarming levels of discrimination against American Indian and Alaskan Native transgender and gender-nonconforming people …

Russian Rule-ette - members of the Trade Union of Russian Citizens sue pop diva Madonna for violating St. Petersburg's "no promo homo" law during her August 9th concert, …

Got Queers? - a member of the Russian Orthodox Church-affiliated People's Council wants authorities to investigate rainbow-themed milk cartons for violating the same law ….

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