Andy Humm

Same-sex marriage has officially started in New Hampshire, and it appears to be safe in Iowa and the District of Columbia, as the Proposition 8 case is going to federal court next week and as the New Jersey Senate voted this week on same-sex marriage. The person expected to become Speaker of the House in Rhode Island is an out gay man. "Gay USA" is a weekly news-hour, offers comprehensive news and analysis by and about the LGBTQ community with Ann Northrop and Andy Humm, as well as interviews with special guests.

Andy's in London for a couple of weeks, so Chris Cooper joins Ann at the anchor desk. The mayor of the District of Columbia signed the same-sex-marriage bill -- in a church. Mexico City becomes the latest municipality to legalize same-sex marriage. A Senate committee has passed domestic partnership legislation; hopefully it will move to the whole Senate soon. There is continuing confusion over whether the Ugandan anti-gay legislation will pass or not, but around the world religious leaders are condemning the attempt.

In the news: Sen.Tom Duane, sponsor of the NY state marriage equality bill defeated last week 38-24, looks at the future; the marriage equality bill in New Jersey passed through a committee this week, with a vote expected later this week; a second homosexual Episcopal Church clergy comes out; demands rise for Congress to pass the Employment Discrimination Bill; transgendered teen in Florida fighting McDonald's for hiring practices; Ireland on the verge of passing its Civil Partnership Act; Andy gives a thumbs-up to Kate Blanchett in a revival of "A Streetcar Named Desire" at the Brooklyn Ac

In the news this week: In two different cases, federal judges in the 9th Circuit ordered benefits for gay and lesbian employees, one to court employees. Andy and Ann explain the recent, nuanced, limited affirmation of same sex couples married elsewhere by the New York Supreme Court. A look at the latest right-wing Christian "ecumenical movement" to attack LGBT and abortion rights, among others. And film clips from the anti-gay Utah legislator who has decided he's open to some LGBT rights, although, as you'll see in the clips, his response is nuanced as well.