Justice Department Releases Final Rule To Prevent, Detect And Respond To Prison Rape

WASHINGTON, May 17 -

The Justice Department today released a final rule to prevent, detect and respond to sexual abuse in confinement facilities, in accordance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 (PREA). The Act specifically incorporates the unique vulnerabilities of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and gender nonconforming inmates into training and screening protocols.

This landmark rule sets national standards for four categories of facilities: adult prisons and jails, lockups, community confinement facilities and juvenile facilities.  Today’s rule is the first-ever federal effort to set standards aimed at protecting inmates in all such facilities at the federal, state and local levels.

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Court Expands Rights For Unmarried Same Sex Couples

Commentary by Boyce Hinman

In an important court decision, the California Appeals court in early May granted marriage like rights to same sex couples who were neither married or registered domestic partners. This is a major advance for the rights of same sex coupes.

Ever since the year 2000 the California Legislature, and various courts have been building a body of law that grants many of the rights of marriage to same sex married couples and to domestic partners. Even the federal government has recognized same sex marriages and domestic partnerships in certain circumstances.

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Ensuring that LGBT Victims of Domestic Violence Can Access Critically Needed Services and Protections

Blogentary by Lynn Rosenthal, Tonya Robinson on May 15, 2012

Victims are victims, and, if you have been battered, stalked or otherwise threatened with violence, you should not be turned away by a shelter or denied the assistance you need merely because the aggressor is the same sex as you or because you are transgender.

Yet, the legislation approved by the House Judiciary Committee and being considered this week on the House floor would allow just that.

Read more: LGBT Victims of Domestic Violence

"With Liberty and Justice for All": The Black Church & Same Sex Marriage

Commentary by Rev. Delman Coates, Ph.D.,

As an African-American pastor and clergy leader, I am frequently asked how I have been able to support civil marriage protection for gay and lesbian couples. 

After listening to Christians debate their support of or their opposition to homosexuality, I came to the conclusion that one's personal religious beliefs should have no bearing in determining whether other American citizens deserve equal treatment under the law. 

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