There's a constant fear that hangs over some service members deployed to a war zone -- and it's not necessarily the threat from insurgents or roadside bombs.
Mexico City, one of Latin America's largest metropolises, on Monday legalized same-sex marriage and adoption by same-sex couples.
The nation's capital city took a major step Friday toward legalizing same-sex marriage.
The Washington City Council voted Tuesday to legalize same-sex marriage in the nation's capital.
Howard Selekman knew he had been attracted to men since he was 8, but in his 20s he still planned to marry a woman and have children with her. When he brought his fiancee to see his psychiatrist, the young woman was optimistic, even though she knew Selekman was gay.
Howard Selekman, 61, did not embrace a gay identity until this year. He shares his story.
Annise Parker made history Saturday as Houston's first openly gay mayor.
The New Jersey Senate is expected to vote Thursday on a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage in the state.
Los Angeles Episcopalians elected an openly lesbian bishop late Saturday, the denomination's news service reported.
While the overall unemployment rate for Americans fell in November, the jobless gap between African-Americans and all other races actually rose, continuing a disturbing trend that has many lawmakers up in arms.
Gov. David Paterson pledged to keep fighting for same-sex marriage in New York after the state Senate on Wednesday killed a bill that would have legalized the practice.
Latin America's first same-sex marriage is hitting some bumps in the road. CNN's Brian Byrnes is there with the Back|Story.
Latin America's first same-sex marriage, set to be held in Argentina on Tuesday, appeared derailed after a judge filed an injunction to stop the union until the issue can be reviewed further.
Actress and animal rights activist Eva Mendes talks about her involvement in PETA's latest anti-fur video.
A suspect has been arrested in the slaying of a 19-year-old Puerto Rican man found Friday decapitated, dismembered and partially burned, police said Tuesday.
The government of Argentina's capital will not appeal a court decision this week that legalizes same-sex marriage, Buenos Aires Mayor Mauricio Macri said Friday.
Supporters of Maine's same-sex marriage law, which voters repealed, gathered Wednesday to concede the vote but not the issue.
Voters in Maine will decide Tuesday whether to overturn the legislation signed by Gov. John Baldacci nearly six months ago that allows same-sex couples to wed.
Peter Dziedzic and his husband, Jay Judas, aren't quite sure yet which of them will be designated the head of household when they fill out the 2010 census form in April.
President Obama on Wednesday signed a law that makes it a federal crime to assault an individual because of his or her sexual orientation or gender identity.
President Obama signed legislation that makes it a federal crime to assault someone because of sexual orientation.
When she was about 8, Frida Sepulveda developed dark folds of skin around her neck. It's a well-known warning sign of type 2 diabetes.
The Senate passed groundbreaking legislation Thursday that would make it a federal crime to assault an individual because of his or her sexual orientation or gender identity.
Congress passed a bill extending hate crimes laws to cover gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people.
Watch some of the countless stories unfolding among the fastest growing population in the U.S.
Have you ever seen 47 million people hold their breath and hope for the best?
Lorena Garcia is a successful businesswoman driven by a passion to cook and communicate.
Chile rellenos have replaced fish as the main draw for one Catholic Church in St. Louis, Missouri.
"I'll take two chili, uh..." a hungry customer stammers at the front of a two-hour-long line. "Chile rellenos," the money-handler trills back in perfect Spanish. This is not a trendy Tex-Mex restaurant; and it's more than 1,000 miles from the Mexican border.
Both parties make concerted efforts to reach out to the growing Latino population. CNN's Jessica Yellin reports.
Across America, the Latino population is growing, and it is now the largest minority group in the country. Latino voices are being heard, and their economic impact is being felt in the marketplace, which is good for the whole of the nation.
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed legislation that requires the state to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states while such marriages were legal in California.
Big names come out to the National Equality March in D.C. to speak out in support of gay rights.
Judy Shepard stood before a massive crowd at the Capitol on Sunday for a single, painful reason.
As thousands gathered Sunday in Washington for a march and rally focused on gay rights issues, lawmakers showed that some of the demonstrators' key goals face major obstacles ahead.
President Barack Obama promises to pass an inclusive hate crimes bill named for Matthew Shepard.
President Obama delivered a rousing speech Saturday night to the nation's largest gay rights group, praising the gay community for making strides in equal rights and pledging to deliver on major campaign promises that some say he's left on the back burner.
Has President Obama lived up to his promises to gays and lesbians? CNN's Randi Kaye reports.
Just about any celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15) will highlight the diversity among Hispanics.
The Supreme Court considers the constitutionality of a law designed to stop the sale of dog fighting videos.
The Supreme Court voiced deep free speech concerns Tuesday about a law designed to stop the sale and marketing of videos showing dog fights and other acts of animal cruelty.
A parade of world leaders took the lectern at the United Nations on Wednesday. But days before the speeches on a host of issues, the global body quietly undertook an issue that often flies under the radar: Women.
Perez Hilton is a celebrity blogger who dishes out the latest Hollywood gossip, but there's something about his personal life you may not know.
David Iglesias, the former U.S. attorney for New Mexico, is a cautionary tale for young Hispanics who think the road to political power leads through the Republican Party.
Facing a busy day, Stephanie Maheu and Janis LeBaron awoke early Tuesday to meet the town clerk in Duxbury, Vermont, with one objective in mind: marriage.
For writer John Aravosis, Edward "Ted" Kennedy's early support for gay rights was very important to a community that has faced a history steeped in discrimination.
The DWTS judge poses with her cat Shadow to bring awareness about spaying and neutering pets
A man who roasted his pet dog to enjoy as a meal with his family and friends escaped prosecution after authorities in New Zealand determined the animal was killed humanely.
Calls for a change to New Zealand law after a man legally killed and cooked his pet dog. (Warning: Graphic content)
The American Psychological Association concluded Wednesday that there is little evidence that efforts to change a person's sexual orientation from gay or lesbian to heterosexual are effective.
Episcopal churches in California and Minnesota moved toward appointing gay bishops over the weekend, less than a month after the denomination lifted a self-imposed freeze on promoting openly gay clergy into the top ranks of the church.
A human rights group urged Burundi to reverse a law that makes homosexuality illegal, saying it risks worsening the harsh treatment of gays in the eastern Africa nation.
With "Black in America 2," CNN deepens its investigation of the most challenging issues facing African-Americans. CNN's Soledad O'Brien journeys to South Africa and criss-crosses the U.S., reporting on groundbreaking solutions that are transforming the black experience in America. O'Brien uncovers pioneers who are making a difference: people inspiring volunteerism, programs that are improving access to quality health care and education, and leaders working to address financial struggles and develop strong families. Before and after viewing these programs, use our free Discussion Questions and Learning Activity to facilitate a conversation with your middle and high school students.
In the words of my mentor and America's foremost child advocate Marian Wright Edelman, founder and president of The Children's Defense Fund, it's time to "raise a ruckus people, it is time to raise a ruckus!"
Several hours before President Barack Obama gave his well-received speech at the NAACP centennial convention in New York City, he spoke before another probing audience of African-Americans aboard Air Force One.
CNN's Suzanne Malveaux previews President Obama's remarks to the NAACP's 100th convention.
President Obama commended the progress of African-Americans in a speech on the 100th anniversary of the NAACP, but said there was still much work to be done.
Far from flowing rainbow flags, the sound of Lady Gaga and, quite honestly, white people, stands a nightclub just outside of Wicker Park in Chicago, Illinois, by the name of The Prop House.
The Episcopal Church has moved decisively closer to full acceptance of gay men and lesbians, taking steps toward recognizing same-sex marriage and gay bishops.
The NFL has spent a lot of time and money taking mighty swings at the multi-billion dollar Hispanic market. The result? It's been as if the league has been blindfolded, spun around in circles, and told to hit a piñata with one-hand tied behind its collective back.
As the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People prepares to celebrate its Centennial in New York, the city of its birth, I'm confident that we as a nation have turned an important corner on the long road toward racial and economic equality for all Americans.
In many cases it's a woman that grips the blade -- maybe clean, maybe dirty -- that cuts a girl's path to womanhood.
Massachusetts sued the U.S. government on Wednesday, challenging the constitutionality of a federal law that defines marriage as the union of a man and a woman.
A panel of New York National Guard officers has recommended that an Iraq war veteran who acknowledged his homosexuality must leave the service, his supporters said Tuesday.
President Obama honored Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month with a White House reception Monday where he likened the struggle for gay rights with the struggle of African-Americans for civil rights.
Religious groups in India have warned they will oppose any move to legalize homosexuality as the federal government prepares to hold talks on a law that classifies same-sex acts as crimes.
President Obama hosted a White House reception Monday in honor of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month, but faced criticism for not keeping campaign promises to the community.
CNN's Susan Candiotti revisits birth of national gay rights movement on 40th anniversary of NYC riots outside gay bar.
Jesse Levey is a Republican activist who says he believes in family values, small government and his lesbian mothers' right to marry.
Thursday the U.S. Senate passed a resolution apologizing for slavery and for legalized segregation.
In "What Matters", we partner with Essence Magazine to look at African American issues that "matter" to everyone.
The art of dodging tossed wedding bouquets had been mastered by Cindy Pollard. At 52, and with plenty of experience celebrating the big day for others, she'd learned how to back into corners and disappear when brides sent those flowers flying.
This amateur video shows night shots of Iran's government police (Basiji) cracking down on a private home of protesters.
Like thousands of other Iranian women, Parisa took to Tehran's streets this week, her heart brimming with hope. "Change," said the placards around her.
President Obama's decision to grant some benefits to the same-sex partners of federal employees is seen by some as his attempt to extend an olive branch to the gay and lesbian community, but critics say it's "too little, too late."
CNN's Paul Steinhauser discusses Pres. Obama's intent to extend some benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees.
President Obama signed an executive order granting some benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees Wednesday, calling it "a historic step" but promising more action to come.
Drive through downtown Minneapolis these days and you're almost certain to bump into a billboard (or two or three) emblazoned with the title of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tony Kushner's latest work, "The Intelligent Homosexual's Guide to Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to the Scriptures."
Pulitzer-winning playwright Tony Kushner talks to CNN's Chris Welch about gay marriage, politics and President Obama.
The California Supreme Court's decision not to retract Proposition 8, the ban on gay marriage, has sent the issue back to the forefront of conversation across the country. Most recently, New Hampshire became the sixth state to legalize gay marriages. While some 18,000 same-sex couples have already tied the knot in California, those who wish to walk down the aisle today will not receive the same privilege.
Cher supports what rep calls "Chaz's courageous decision"
Chastity Bono, gay-rights activist and child of performer Cher and the late entertainer and politician Sonny Bono, is in the early stages of transitioning from a female to a male and will be known as Chaz, his spokesman said Thursday.
Carrie Prejean has been dethroned as Miss California USA for "contract violations," including missing scheduled pageant events, according to a state pageant official.
Larry King talks to radio host Billy Bush and the new Miss California USA about the firing of Carrie Prejean.
Last week Gov. John Lynch signed a bill making New Hampshire the sixth state to legalize same-sex marriage.
In a landmark case, the European Court of Human Rights ruled Tuesday that Turkish authorities failed to protect a woman from her abusive ex-husband, effectively allowing his pattern of domestic violence to lead to the killing of her mother at gunpoint.
It seems Tavis Smiley has been irritated with Barack Obama for a long time. Smiley is perhaps the most recognizable African-American journalist in the country. He is a fixture on radio and television, and has authored several books that are best-sellers among black readers.
They're not going to like this.
Nevada is legalizing domestic partnerships, with the state Assembly voting Sunday evening to override a veto by the governor, officials said.
CNN's John King speaks to activists in Albany about the possibility of legalizing same sex marriage in New York.
As she lobbies members of the New York Senate these days, the politician in Christine Quinn can understand what the gay rights activist in her sometimes cannot.
Supporters of same-sex marriage are fighting on despite a recent court loss in California. Bill Schneider reports.
Opponents of California's voter-approved ban on same-sex marriages launched a new court challenge Wednesday, led by lawyers who were on opposite sides of the case that settled the 2000 presidential race.
There are likely to be two hot-button issues in Judge Sonia Sotomayor's Supreme Court confirmation hearings as senators gauge not only her positions but also some controversial comments she has made.
CNN's Bill Schneider takes a look at some hot button legal issues and Judge Sonia Sotomayor.
The Republican Party risks further alienating Hispanic voters if it challenges the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor, who would become the first Hispanic, and the third woman, on the Supreme Court, political analysts say.
Cecilia Lopez, a student who is the first person from her family to go to college, sees something of herself in the first Hispanic woman to be nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court.
California's highest court upheld a voter-approved ban on same-sex marriages Tuesday but allowed about 18,000 unions performed before the ban to remain valid.
Civil rights attorney Avery Friedman discusses Tuesday's Proposition 8 decision with CNN's Fredricka Whitfield.
While California's Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld a ban on same-sex marriages that voters voters passed in November, the fight will undoubtedly go forward.
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