Yesterday at around 9pm GMT (at 2:20pm PST), United States federal Judge Vaughan Walker issued his ruling in the case of Perry v Schwarzenegger. The case involved a challenge by two same-sex couples against Proposition 8, the measure constituting a California referendum which successfully sought a ban on marriage equality.

This week saw the Civil Partnership Bill finally get some floortime in the Dáil. However, while TDs were opening the debate on recognition of same-sex couples last Thursday, many New Yorkers were still feeling the sting of the previous day’s defeat of a bill for marriage equality in the New York state Senate. There are a few reasons why this defeat is particularly disheartening and frustrating…

For those of us living under a rock, or out in that unseasonable sunny summer weather here in Ireland (myself included), last week’s ruling by the California Supreme Court may have slipped by unnoticed. The court’s decision effectively means that the vote by the simple majority to pass Proposition 8 still stands. Here, I briefly try to break down the ruling to its main points, including its potentially dangerous effects.

I hope that when people look back on proposition 8 it will be as the start of a massive push for gay rights everywhere

Everything you need to know about what happened in the gay world this week

Ellen uses her position to try to gain momentum for the “No on 8″ campaign. Should people in the media use their status in the political arena or should they leave it to the politicians? I for one think she’s leading the way