As Republicans convene this week to assess their party's arguably failing platform, social conservatives are threatening to jump ship if the party takes any steps in the direction towards equality.

Thirteen influential wingnuts (joined, of course, by hate group leader Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council) penned a letter to the Republican National Committee telling them to affirm the party's 2012 platform, which supported a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage and supported the Defense of Marriage Act, or face abandonment by their socially conservative base.

More after the jump.

Rachel Maddow is skeptical that the Grand Ol' Party has what it takes to support let alone even appear to support LGBT rights, as advised in a landmark report released by the Republican National Committee on Monday.

The Republican National Committee has today issued a report detailing the party's path forward ... and it includes getting the LGBT community on its side.

A Minnesota Senate committee has passed a bill legalizing marriage equality!

More after the jump!

Colorado took another step towards legalizing civil unions on Thursday as Senate Bill 11 passed in the House Judiciary Committee.

While the 8-3 vote was pretty lopsided in favor of the bill's passage, it's notable that the breakdown included seven Democrats and one Republican.

Republican Rep. Carole Murray broke with her party in support of civil unions legislation and explains her emotional decision after the jump.

Openly gay Pulitzer Prize winner Antonio Vargas' tear-jerking plea for protection for binational same-sex couples was met with applause on Capitol Hill today. 

Updated 2:45 p.m. CST

Marriage equality has passed an Illinois Senate committee today, bringing state Sen. President John Cullerton's hope to bring it to the full floor on Valentine's Day closer to reality. 

The Colorado Senate Appropriations Committee has approved a civil unions bill by a vote of 4 - 3 this morning. The landmark legislation will now head to the full Senate for consideration. Details follow. 

Marriage equality has crossed over the first hurdle in Rhode Island! 

The state's house judiciary committee passed same-sex marriage legislation today, sending the bill to the full House of Reprentatives. 

More after the jump.

There will likely be big news out of Rhode Island later today as its House Committee is set to vote on marriage equality momentarily. 

Following impassioned testimonials on Tuesday night, Rhode Island's House Committee has agreed to vote on marriage equality Tuesday, January 22. Details follow. 

The Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee of the Ugandan Parliament   passed an anti-homosexuality bill out of committee today.

More after the jump.