Mass. governor bans discrimination against state's transgender workers

Handsome Gov. Deval Patrick, D-Mass., recently signed an executive order banning discrimination in state employment based on gender identity and expression.

Three in a row!

David Maher (pictured), the third openly gay mayor of Cambridge, Mass., in a row, says his public acknowledgment that he is gay has generated "zero" phone calls.

"It's essentially been a non-event. I think that's a good thing," Maher said.

Massachusetts becomes first state to challenge DOMA

The state of Massachusetts has filed a federal lawsuit that seeks to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act on the grounds that the act, by denying key rights and benefits to gay and lesbian couples, usurps the authority of the state government to regulate marriage. The Bay State, which was the first to enact marriage equality, also is the first to try to overturn the federal law.