Updated Thursday  3:50 p.m. PST

Marriage equality has passed in the Illinois Senate committee! More after the jump!

Via a White House statement, President Obama has come out in opposition to the Boy Scouts of America's long-standing and discriminatory ban on LGBT troops and leaders. Details follow. 

The contract terms have reached their expiration!

After five years of blissful, couch-jumping marriage, Tom Cruise is shaving off Katie Holmes as the A-List couple reveals plans to divorce. Details follow. 

Updated 2:15 p.m. EST

As announced yesterday, the Ninth Circuit made a filing in the Prop 8 case, and, also as suspected, it dealt with the request by proponents for the Court to hear the case en banc.

Check out the filing details, community reactinos and more after the jump!

The American Foundation for Equal Rights has broken the news that the Ninth Circuit is set to make a filing in the Prop 8 case tomorrow. 

On Tuesday, we will likely find out if the Prop 8 case goes back to the Ninth for a full en banc review by 11 judges or if the request is denied. Should it be denied, Prop 8 supporters will likely file another request that sends the matter of to the Supreme Court.

(Click on the above image to enlarge AFER's handy guide to understanding the Prop 8 case's path.)

As always, stay tuned to InstinctMagazine.com for updates!

Tough news to report this morning: disco legend Donna Summer, singer of the hits that still play on dance floors today such as "I Feel Love" and "Last Dance," has died at age 63 after a long battle with breast cancer. 

More as the story develops. 

(Source: TMZ)

The White House has just announced that it is endorsing the Safe Schools Improvement Act (SSIA) and the Student Non-Discrimination Act (SNDA), two bills that will protect LGBT students in the U.S. 

Updated 2:45 p.m. EST

Speaking alongside his children and wife on stage at a press conference held moments ago in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Rick Santorum announced that he is dropping out of his bid for presidency. 

Updated 1 p.m. EST with video

A verdict has been reached in the trial of Dharun Ravi, the Rutgers student accused of spying on his roommate Tyle Clementi shortly before Clementi died from suicide. Details and a video of the verdict being read, after the jump.

After months of blocking 17 judicial nominees presented by President Obama, the Senate today confirmed the appointment of Michael Fitzgerald as a Federal Judge. 

What a month for marriage equality, right? As we told you earlier, the vote on same-sex marriage legislation in the Maryland House was close, but love prevailed. After taking a few hours to break, the state's delegates reconvened at 4:30 p.m. EST and passed the "Civil Marriage Protection Act."

As expected, Gov. Chris Christie said "F you" to a portion of his state's population by vetoing marriage equality legislation that many heroic individuals worked tirelessly to get to his desk. Details follow.