Gays, Congress | featured news

Republican U.S. Sen. Rob Portman is now supporting gay marriage and says his reversal on the issue began when he learned one of his sons is gay. Ohio's junior senator disclosed his change of heart in interviews with several Ohio newspapers and CNN. In an op-ed published Friday in The Columbus Dispatch, he said the decision came after a lot of thought.

Ever since her victory in November, Tammy Baldwin has almost downplayed the historic significance of her winning a seat in the U.S. Senate.

Barney Frank, a gay 16-term congressman from Massachusetts, plans to marry his partner, his office said on Thursday.

Senate Democrats who back gay marriage have decided now is the time to repeal a federal law defining marriage as the union of a man and a woman.

Many lawmakers and staff members say the issue would probably pass if it were brought up for consideration.

Vote clears way for passage of a bill to end policy, putting the campaign to end the ban on gay men and lesbians close to its conclusion.

The Senate is headed toward a landmark vote Saturday on legislation that would let gays serve openly in the military.

The House of Representatives voted Wednesday to overturn the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, which bans gays and lesbians from serving openly.

Republicans blocked a last-ditch effort in the Senate to lift the military's ban on openly gay troops on Thursday, dealing a major blow to gay rights groups and making it unlikely Congress could...

Defense Secretary Robert Gates says he hopes the outgoing Congress will approve legislation ending the military's ban on gays but was unsure of the prospects for success.