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National News

DOMA Repeal Legislation Introduced in Congress

Legislation intended to repeal the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) has been introduced in the US House of Representatives. Passed in 1996, DOMA bars federal recognition of same-sex unions, including Social Security survivor payments and other government benefits. The new legislation has at least 76 sponsors. Lead sponsor is Representative Jerrold Nadler (Democrat-New York), who chairs a judiciary subcommittee that would consider repeal. No similar legislation has been introduced in the US Senate.

Atlanta Police Chief Calls Gay Bar Raid “Unfortunate”

Atlanta Police Chief Richard Pennington held a press conference to address a recent raid on the Atlanta Eagle bar. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, 62 patrons were ordered to lie facedown on the bar’s floor during the raid, some for more than an hour. The bar’s co-owner stated that patrons were searched illegally, and some were taunted with antigay slurs by some officers. At the press conference, Pennington said he takes the allegations of police misconduct seriously: “This is very unfortunate this incident occurred. I’m sorry for what happened.” The police raid led to the arrests of eight employees on improper permit charges.

World News

Uruguay Law May Not Allow Gay Adoptions After All

The Associated Press reports that some in Uruguay are questioning whether a new adoption law awaiting President Tabare Vazquez’s signature would allow same-sex couples to adopt after all. The law does not mention specifically the right of same-sex couples to adopt. Some, including the law’s own author, question how the law will be applied. Deputy Margarita Percovich, the law’s author, said that while it doesn’t mention same-sex adoptions directly, it would enable them, because gays and lesbians already legally can form civil unions, and “the law enables couples in civil unions to adopt children without impediment.”