least gay states

When Ralph Hexter assumed the presidency of Hampshire College in western Massachusetts in 2005, his partner of 25 years, Manfred Kollmeir, was officially welcomed with all the trappings of a presidential spouse. Over Labor Day weekend, the couple made it official, exchanging vows in a private ceremony (Massachusetts is the only state allowing same-sex marriage) and breaking the news last week to the campus community.

Gov. Ted Kulongoski signed legislation Wednesday that added Oregon to a growing list of states prepared to offer gay couples at least some of the benefits of marriage.

At least 219 gay couples applied to join in civil unions during the first month the legal institution was available in New Jersey, a state agency said in a report issued Tuesday.

A same-sex marriage ban prevents governments and universities in Michigan from providing health insurance to the partners of gay workers, the state supreme court ruled Wednesday. The 5-2 decision affects up to 20 universities, community colleges, school districts, and governments in Michigan with policies covering at least 375 gay couples. Gay rights advocates said the ruling was devastating but were confident that public-sector employers have successfully rewritten or will revise their benefit plans so same-sex partners can keep getting health care.

It may be months before recall petitions can be circulated by opponents of Spokane, Wash., mayor James E. West, who contend he abused his office by offering internships to men he met in a gay Internet chat room. Should West appeal the move, state election law could delay signature-gathering until at least the fall--and an election until next year.

Twin brothers who have appeared in hard-core gay porn videos online are charged with the rooftop burglary of a south Philadelphia business and are suspected in dozens of similar crimes in at least three states, authorities said. Keyontyli and Taleon Goffney, 25, of suburban Pennsauken, N.J., were arrested February 19 after authorities from a multistate task force said they watched the twins break into a south Philadelphia beauty shop through the roof.

New Jersey gay rights activists are urging the mayor of Newark to investigate an execution-style murder that occurred in August as a possible antigay hate crime.