Earlier today, Iowa became the third state to legalize gay marriage by overturning a ban from 1998. It will still be over three weeks before same-sex couples can begin to have civil marriages, but at the moment, the Supreme Court does not expect strong opposition.

The Vermont House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted to support a gay-marriage bill that the governor has threatened to veto. Supporters voted 95 to detractors 52 votes, but the bill still needs to pass the state Senate and governor.

A hate-crimes bill covering lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people was introduced in the federal House of Representatives. The bill passed Congress in 2007, but was removed from an attached bill based on a veto threat from then-President Bush. The Obama administration has already stated that they would support the bill if it passes again.

A Filipino lesbian immigrant who has been living in the U.S. for 20 years is in danger of being deported because her partnership status with another woman is not considered legal grounds for citizenship. Shirley Tan has a stay of deportation until April 22, in which she and her lawyer hope to find some legal recourse. Currently, two acts are being sponsored in Congress to protect immigrants in domestic partnerships.